DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum game prep

It's all on Watson. If he's the 2019 version then we'll be good. If he's last year's version (or what we've seen this preseason) then our coaches will be fired and we'll stink

The OL is well above average in the NFL. The Browns have one of the top, if not THE top RB in the NFL. They went out and built a solid WR room. NJoku is a physical specimen which many claim has been underused. So in terms of the offense it does indeed lay squarely on the shoulders of watson.

The phrase that can be attached to the season? "No Excuses"

Schwartz at least to this point seems to be a huge upgrade at the DC position and I think we will continue to see this. While preseason doesn't tell you a lot, from what I did see it appears Schwartz is going to allow his fastest and best players to read and react a lot more than have specific assignments. For players like JOK this could mean we will be able to see his full potential.

This season lays on the shoulders of watson and Stefanski. And if this team doesn't make a playoff push, no matter which of these two are at fault, it will be Stefanski that pays the price. That watson contract means the Browns are married to him no matter the outcome and someone will have to be the sacrificial lamb.

I agree Schwartz certainly seems to be improved (Woods was awful). The hope is that the D can hold teams under 24 points

yep all eyes are on stefanski and potentially Berry.. Stefanski for sure but will come down to whether or not owners feel there is talent not being coached or not enough talent. I think our FA talent acquisition has been good, our drafts have been very bad to mediocre. Our depth will show once we get a few injuries.. But I think this is Stefanski's last year without a deep playoff run

I think it’s likely that teams will game prep AGAINST US a few specific ways…

1. Do absolutely everything they can to shut down Chubb until if and when the passing game becomes a real threat. It’s far from given that our passing game can get it done, drive by drive, quarter by quarter, week in week out. I’d expect them to routinely shade defenders toward run stopping and try to force hurried throws.

Conversely…

2. Make us prove we can stop the run. That and the short passing game in the flat, especially TE’s and slot receivers. Most games would start, I’m guessing of course, with lots of running and short passes over the middle.

So until teams determine these two assumptions are wrong, I would expect to see heavy doses of this from them. Planning accordingly would mean…

1. either investing even more energy into running it down their throats or leaning heavily into Deshaun’s highest percentage passes. Which emphasis would depend on the team we’re facing.

2. Stack up and totally commit to stopping the run or let them get chunks on the ground but shut down the passing game with lots of blitzing and dropping LBs into coverage. Which emphasis would depend on the team we’re facing.

It’s not exactly this simple of course and you’d have to plan contingencies but this is pretty close to how I’d be starting the game plan every week. What’s their likely first strategy, where will they seek advantage, where do they perceive our weakness, how can we create the most disruption for their strategy?

You may be the only one on DT WHO THINKS berry is a problem. I think he’s been good to great. I’d like to know who else thinks he’s an issue.

JMHO, Hunt isn't with team anymore.......might need to update you stick. QBs and Coaches do take lots of heat....but, the kicker needs to produce when needed.....AND, the D needs to communicate.....our offense, with no injuries, should put up enough points to win enough to make playoffs......then, anything can happen....GO Browns!!!!

Game prep...I wonder IF D. Jones will play fullback.....Chubb running behind 370 plus pushing forward....GO Browns

I think our FO has done a very good job.

Hindsight makes all of us fans pretty good at selecting players.

I don't think it's so much that. I think looking at someone's body of work over time isn't hindsight. It's a job assessment. I certainly think Berry got off to a bit of a shaky start. But based on the evidence as I see it he has gotten much better over time. Not that he doesn't make decisions which I disagree with. But then I'm just an average Joe who isn't actually qualified to to critique guys like AB.

The difference now is he doesn't make decisions which make me want to scratch my head. Even when and if I disagree with some of the moves he makes, I understand them. They make sense in the grand scheme of things. Some are yet to be determined. But I think this last draft is further evidence of his skills. He seemed to have drafted a lot of talent considering he didn't have any first or second round picks. And that's a pretty good accomplishment.

So IMO he's grown into being quite good at this job.

If you look at the last 2 drafts he had no 1st round picks but he got
Deshaun Watson in 2022 basically as our 1st pick
In 2023 he traded for Elijah Moore.

So, while the team has had no 1st round picks, he has found creative ways to supply the team with 1st round talent.

I agree 100%. They have tried to fix every possible weakness this team had and have done it.

It is up to the players and coaches now!