DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Offensive X factor

There was an article posted on how the coaches were working closely with the rookies and the newly signed FA's. I think that's the primary focus for the OTA's and that these guys working on their own actually helps take away any distraction it may take from the intended goal of OTA's.

and Baker lives there

Njoku has been spotty at best. He will have to show me - obviously I hope he does - to make a believer out of me.

You're probably right in terms of reps because they're likely to go with known factors (barring injury), but what I'll be looking for are those times when he does get the ball to be those wow moments that shock the world.

Thinking more about it and defining an offensive X-factor as actual game changers when the ball is in their hands leading directly to victories, I probably have to go with Chubb & Juice.

On D rethinking it I'll go with Myles and (I hope) JOK.

And how about the Browns having more than one? Yeah, how about that?

I believe;
The problem is it will take 6-7 years for him to get there. Does any NFL team have the timeframe to develop a ...(you know what I'm about to say.)

We've seen this over the years, there are players sprinkled about the league, they can't get to the NFL and then learn the game.
Everybody makes mistakes, teams make mistakes, individuals make mistakes, the sooner they recognize and correct the problem.

What is the problem? I believe Anthony Schwartz is never going to be a great player for the Cleveland Browns, (well unless they sign him after he spends 5 years of development on another team),
and he's never going to be a "good" player on the Cleveland Browns, and he's not going to spend much time being an "ok" player on the Cleveland Browns.

In Fact he should be in the CFL or something. But the problem is, we'll have to go through all these weeks, or however time increments, where others see it play out,
because The NFL is not set up to take a track star and teach them how to play Wr. When they didn't turn into a Wr when they had 3 years at any college, to show the ehh characteristics of what NFL teams need.

So, perhaps, the negative Offensive X-factor is to in any way rely on Schwartz to do anything of note before 2024, and by then what team will he be doing it for.

What do you base all of that on, or is it just a "hunch"?

It's not a hunch let's see what the evidence will show.

So, it's based on nothing.

I think the X-factor is Odell. If he is healthy and clicks with Baker, things could get really fun around here.

Seriously? If it would take anyone that long, they'd never get the chance, they'd be out of the NFL by then

My apologies if this was your intention, but I think the X-factor is really Baker here.
He wasn't comfy in the offense, he was forcing the ball to OBJ and just generally not seeing things well. OBJ goes down and Baker finally gets himself worked into the O. IMO, Baker has always been a distributor... he definitely likes certain guys and they can become his go-to (him and Landry seem to get really hot in stretches).
OBJ is who he is. It was Baker that had to get comfortable out there. I don't think one significantly affected the other, but it will be interesting to see how OBJ can add himself back into the O now that it got itself clicking.

Agreed. And it a sense, it almost has to be Baker.

Kevin Stefanski On Pre-Snap Cadence As How Cleveland Browns Offense Can Get Better In 2021

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-brow...ving-166623887/

Once a system gets installed and a sense of stability within that system becomes normal, the nuances of the game can start to be implemented. The foundation comes first and then building upon that foundation comes next.

Browns LB Andre Davis, developed into better after year 4. Raiders WR. Rahgib Ishmail from about 1991 had a career arch that would have benefited skipping his first team.

I'd love to be wrong I just don't believe that I am, and I want to see the Browns win even if it's admitting; (Whatever!)
When you say in A. Schwartz we got a steal, now that brings a smile to my face.

That may be about as wacky as some of the things I let myself type.
Oh I'd LOVE to see it, I'd LOVE to see it be a steal the Schwartz pick, that's going to happen.

Auburn seems like a running team, but in looking up the play calls, they only ran a handful of times more than they passed.

They may be overlooking the contributions of the Tight Ends after the top 2 Njoku and Hooper.

Harrison Bryant, Stephen Carlson, Jordan Franks, Connor Davis,

The Browns use 4 tight ends often enough that this must not be overlooked. Harrison Bryant for one is someone that needs to show development and improvement.

While that's very true I also found they spread the ball around a lot when they did pass. Some QB's and systems tend to focus on their #1 and sometimes #2 WR which only leaves crumbs for the rest of the group. Auburn not so much.

I see Harrison Bryant having a BIG year ...

I think we drafted WR/RB Demetric Felton to be the X factor guy based on his skill set. I can see him coming in on 3rd downs and jet sweeping or working the middle of the field. He is a pretty damn good running back so he and Hunt on the field at the same time will certainly give a D coordinators some issues to think about. After reading several posts about WR 3rd Rd pick A Schwartz, I think he also can be guy that has a few plays designated for his blazing speed. It seems that some of our fan base forgets we aint the same ole Browns. We can afford to develop some players, we no longer need to have Draft picks in RD's 3-6 be day one significant starters. We are a playoff team that will Draft to develop now. THIS IS A GREAT THING !!!

I agree. The days of our first 4 picks being counted on for much are over.

As for Schwartz, I see him getting a lot of action, especially early in the season. I can see us trying to hit him deep early in the season and in games to establish that fact.

I think the big key with him will be his ability to go up and take it away from a defender. Not every thrown ball is going to be in perfect stride. Sometimes the QB just tosses it up there to let his receiver make the play.

If we can establish the deep ball with Schwartz early in the season, that will carry over the rest of the season. Teams won't be able to cover him 1 on 1 leaving something else open.

That or the defender is going to have to play well off the ball, leaving open a pitch and catch to Schwartz and 6 yard gain them on the outside all game long..

I like the possible upside of Schwartz, but I am not sure about him seeing a lot of action early. That is of course, we catch the injury bug. I think AS is still a pretty raw player that will need to refine his skills.

Now, Stefanski might try to leverage that speed and do some creative play calling, but I think Schwartz will slowly move into a role as the season goes on.

OBJ
Landry
Higgins
DPJ
Hodge
.....not to mention the propensity to use TEs

And, as shown above, I think there are a lot of mouths to feed as well. I hope AS hits the ground running, but think it will happen over a longer period of time.

We'll see how training camp unfolds too as I think I saw something where Priefer would like AS to turn into a KR. That might be the quickest route to seeing the field often.

I think the selection of Schwartz was more of a long term play than anything. Essentially, to see if he can force himself up the depth chart be a cog in the WR group if/when decisions are made on OBJ and/or Landry.

All the stuff you mentioned seems correct, BUT with the best O line last year in League AND best running back set in league- I hope, personally, we run it down their throats. With all the air weapons, the box should be open. And, another year of Coach Callahan's teaching....yes, shorten games by beating them up with both our lines- O and D lines could be SUPER. Go Browns!!!!

You run it down the throats of teams who are weak against the run and pass it against teams with questionable secondaries. A good coach always exploits his opponents weakness.

A good OL pass blocks as well as run blocks. You are correct we have a great RB tandem. We also have a great QB and WR corp. We've been built for balance and the ability to both run and pass. To focus on one and not the other is to waste valuable resources.

What you say makes sense, and by no means will Schwartz be a starter, but I do think we will try to establish him as a deep threat early in the season. I think most of his value will be as a decoy that has to factor in to the defensive play calling.

If Those players are going to be good they need to get good and stay good.

If there is no evidence they are any good then I don't see how holding onto someone makes sense in the long run.


( John Cooper OSU HC. would often say, "If a dogs' gonna bite he's gonna bite as a pup.")
( Earl Bruce OSU HC. would often say, " Dance with the one who brought ya.")

I hope H Bryant can have a couple more big games, he had a couple of big games last year but it seemed very limited in all the other outings, so I hope he can have a couple more

big games than he did last year, and by doing that it just turns into, what seems like, a better year.

If they find a way to, maybe get a couple more, maybe get him used more effectively in maybe 4 big games instead of one or two,
then what that turns in to, is

a three headed monster at TE at least as a planning factor for opponents.

The Tight Ends are very important to the success, no doubt, no matter how they're using them play by play.

Does Schwartz have any upside?
Does he have a floor first.

Gordon Ramsey often says, on cooking, don't try to do anything fancy until you've mastered the basics.

At the end of the day DN will decide how his story ends, that is clear.

But I truly and I have begun to beat this drum believe that the real strength of this team and organization leads in one direction, player development. There are of course steps that take place like identifying players and talent and seeing how that fits with team needs and then measuring up a player and seeing how they fit that need.

When it comes to DN what I saw last season was a coach who was finally able to get thru to him. Who finally got him to understand how important it is to be a complete player and how by doing that would help him as a player but also would help the team have real success. getting him where he can go is a huge win for DN and a huge win for the Browns.

DN has mad physical abilities and that is why the Browns have stuck with him. Last season in many respects was his rookie season until last year he had coaches that didn't want to take the time let alone had the ability to develop him as a player. FK sent him to the dog house and likely would have let him go if given a choice. The new leadership saw what we all see, he has mad raw talent but needs to develop and hone himself into a complete player. That is what has led to him being held back as a player and believe me if he does what I think he will do going forward he will be the kind of player that will demand defenses adjust to try to take him away that is his ceiling and I believe coach Ski and staff have him in a great place right now and we are about to reap what they truly began to develop last year. A dominate player.

True enough it's show time for DN I believe he is ready to go to another level.

I've been especially rooting for him, as I see him as the ideal TE for KS's offense. He's a TE that can block, run, and (usually) catch. He seemed to start out strong and then fade fast last year. I chalked that up to normal rookie issues compounded by a non-existent preseason, so I'm looking to him to pick up where he left off at the beginning of last year without the drop-off.

Agree, but a review of posters on this tread the most emphasis has been on throwing the ball...we have good passing weapons/ not great...I see a leap made by LT as key to whole offense, his run blocking improves and we are set without injuries factored in...as you stated FINALLY we can both run and pass....GO Browns!!

Ironically, the prototype receiver is 5'10-6' 180-200 lbs

I did a report on it last year and of the top 10 receivers, I believe 6 or 7 of them fell in that range.

A lot of good commentary goin on

In terms of Njoku I don't think it can be denied how much progress he made in terms of becoming more well rounded. I'd also point out that more than anyone else he's asked to make some extremely tough catches.

Schwartz... I think he will get some legit playing time early because one area Baker still needs to show improvement in is consistency in that throw it up deep pass. I don't chalk it up to a lack of ability but rather lack of consistent opportunity because we didn't have someone who could just flat out blow the top off a defense.

Bryant I think will show improvement. He was coming on well until he had a couple fumbles and that is when IMO he became a bit self conscious and maybe even overly cautious. If he can get some confidence he'll be just fine.


I said a few months ago that I think this offense still has another gear to it that we didn't really get to see last year. I suspect we're going to see more stretching the field than before.

I guess that depends on who you consider to be the top 10 WRs.
Most of the top 15 WRs (only Tyreek Hill is under 6 feet). Most are 6'1" or taller and most weigh over 200 pounds.