DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Eric Wright

The worst thing that happens to Wright is that he gets busted down to nickel. People who want to cut him are emotion-driven buffoons. Who can we replace him with? You really want to create another need in next year's draft? You really think he's lost all that talent he's displayed the past couple years? Just poof, up in smoke, right?

Truth of the matter is, Wright has some holes in his game (tackling, mostly), but hanging onto him is a better option than letting him go and replacing him with a draft pick, and also better than picking up or trading for a FA that will either be washed up or too expensive.

Just reshuffle our current CBs if the coaching staff can't handle seeing him out there anymore. Second solution would be to replace Elam. Replacing Elam will make our corners better than replacing Wright, if that makes any sense (does to me!).

If Wright gets cut, I swear I'll go all Django all over this board.

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If Wright gets cut, I swear I'll go all Django all over this board.

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Let's keep it PG-13 please... we've got minors (e.g. DeepThreat) on the board.

I don't think we will cut Wright, but will we tender him and for how much.
I don't see him being tendered for a 2nd round pick. More like 3rd or 4th round tender if we tender him at all and I think we will, because of our lack of depth @ CB.

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Truth of the matter is, Wright has some holes in his game (tackling, mostly),

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That's a pretty big hole for a defensive player. The bigger problem with Wright isn't that he can't tackle, it's that he REFUSES to tackle.

With EW on our team it makes us soft, no one wants to see our D to look like whimps out there.

Solid on defense. Except for his cover skills. And his tackling. And his attitude. And his tackling. Hard to replace that package. Nickel is too kind maybe. Has some potential, just keeping it for later, I guess. He is a weak link IMO.

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If Wright gets cut, I swear I'll go all Django all over this board.

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Depends on what we replace him with and whether or not the FO feels he is giving us value... I've decided that having an emotional attachment to these players is a waste of time..we can cut anybody, Joe Thomas for all I care.. as long as the guy we bring in to replace him is BETTER and as long as we aren't getting killed financially. By that I mean, if we bring in a top notch corner and lets say that demotes Eric Wright to our dime CB.. but he's making top CB money, they you might not be able to keep him even he could get playing time..

I should clarify...

I just can't see a situation that has us getting rid of Wright that makes sense. I suppose crazier things have happened (Quinn for Hillis and draft picks), but I just don't see it.

The guy is good. He's had some issues, specifically this year. He's still a good player and will benefit from the rest of the rebuilding effort that this Front office has in mind.

Also, we have waaay bigger problems than what we're going to do with him at cornerback.

A little bit of urgency in our pass rush would help him immeasurably, as well.

Many times he has been burnt on plays where the QB has been able to exrend the play... because of missed tackles, lack of pressure, etc.

DB's can only hang on so long.

EWright's problem is shared by this D.

Wright still needs to tackle if he's beat on the catch. He'll never be anything but a 50/50 guy unless he can make the tackle. It's not like he's being beat cutting to the ball. IMO, he's been exposed as a weak link because of his lack of size/strength to bump/run and lays off too far to close well and lacks tackling ability to make up for the rest. Never liked seeing him just get a shoestring tackle to prevent a long YAC many times.

If our D knows we can't get regular QB pressure, it's one more reason an experienced/talented CB should know he stops YAC as a primary duty.

I don't see him ever being rising above the level he's achieved thus far.

Our safety coverage has been awful since our return. In fact the only decent safety as far as coverage was dumped to seattle years back. knight as a casual observer it is difficult to determine if Wright gets Toasted or there was no safety coverage. I know that was often the case of BMac, who did a fine job as a nickle in Detroit.

Our safety play has been poor a decade. We need players who have a clue in coverage. We also need pass rushers as well. As for Wright, Joe Haden may have taken his spot, he should reclaim Sheldon Browns spot and move Brown to safety.

j/c

E-Wright feels wrong about sitting

Dec 3rd, 2010 @ 2:46 pm by Steve Doerschuk

Did it mess with Eric Wright’s heads when the Browns brought in a highly respected veteran, Sheldon Brown, then spent a No. 7 overall draft pick on Eric Wright, two guys who play his position?
Probably. The shaky way Wright has played suggest he does not have a particularly thick skin.

The same goes with his comments in the locker room Friday, when he talked about the prospect of not starting.

“I’ve never been a backup or been on the bench my entire life,” Wright said. “I don’t know what it feels like and I don’t want to know what it feels like.

“At this time last year people were saying I’m a top guy, and now it’s completely different.”

Wright, who started before sitting out the Carolina game with a knee problem, says he might struggle to find “a rhythm” as a backup.

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I’ve never been a backup or been on the bench my entire life,” Wright said. “I don’t know what it feels like and I don’t want to know what it feels like

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Then you need to perform like you have in the past. I think this guy is a victim of being overhyped. While I think he has played well until this year, he was not at any type of elite level, and I believe that is what he thinks of himself.

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At this time last year people were saying I’m a top guy, and now it’s completely different.”

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Again, buying the hype. Maybe someone needs to show him some film of his play this year, could be very humbling.

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Wright, who started before sitting out the Carolina game with a knee problem, says he might struggle to find “a rhythm” as a backup.

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Is this a threat? Sure sounds that way to me. IMO since the drafting of Haden, and bringing in Brown, Wright has lost focus on the game, and is more worried about his "stature" in the league.

I always like him, but these comments show me a guy that isn't thinking team, but more about himself. Maybe his play has slacked off due to sour grapes over the FO bringing in guys to play his position. Something has effected his play, and as I read these comments, I have to believe it is head. I believe that now that he is pressed to be the best, instead of people considering him the best because of weak players around him, his focus has waned.

I sincerely doubt that it's any type of threat. Heck, what the heck could he threaten... to miss a tackle?
To me it just sounds like what he stated... he's concerned that he may not be able to get into a rhythm.

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I always like him, but these comments show me a guy that isn't thinking team, but more about himself

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I think you may be inferring too much of your own thoughts... before passing this type of judgment, you should probably watch the interview because it is more than likely that these excerpt are simply quotes taken out of context from answers to unprinted questions.

If he's been able to get a rhythm while starting this season, I think I'd like to change his rhythm because it's certainly not been a four part harmony.

I don't know,Purp, saying he could struggle to find rythym sounds a little like a cop out to me. Maybe it was out of context, but what could he have meant. He's a football player with a few years of pro experience. What kind of "rythym" does a DB need. His position requires skill, I can't see a need for rythym. Rythym to me is something you build with another player. Corners spend most of their time on an island. Sure they can have a dependence on the safety at times, but I don't see that as a "rythym" situation.

I believe Wright is better than most give him credit for, but I also see a lapse in his play this year. I have a feeling that him being considered a sure thing went to his head. By saying that, I don't mean in a bragging way, but in a way that has made him think he is good enough to play a certain way that leaves him vulnerable. Taking chances that he can make the "highlight" plays, and not concentrating on the fundamentals of the position.

It's a hard thing to explain, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Maybe he has had his ego bruised a little watching Haden perform, and that is effecting his psyche. I don't know what it is, but he was a very good player, and he has regressed a bit, so something is wrong. IMO when a player feels he has nothing left to prove, it sometimes effects their desire.

Not to horn in on your conversation with prp, but you bring up some interesting points, eryze.

Maybe we use words differently, but for me, "rhythm" infers a player "being in sync" with the flow of the game. Many times, you'll hear someone say that a running back needs more than 10-12 carries per game to "develop a rhythm." I've always taken that to mean he needs to feel the speed of the game, get a feel for how his OL is blocking, and feeling the timing of the plays, as holes open and close. In some ways, it could be the same for a DB: needing to feel the speed of the WR's release off the line, finding out how easy (or hard) he is to get off his route, feeling the timing between WR and QB... things of that nature, know what I mean?

What you referred to as "rhythm" with a Safety, I call "chemistry"... when each knows what the other will do without even having to see him. Hillis needs "chemisrty" with Vickers and the OL; he needs "rhythm" to feel the holes just before they open.

Look- it could all be an issue of semantics, but I thought I'd spin out my .02 worth on the subject of football word usage as it translated to me. Others' mileage may vary, which is cool, too.

As for Wright being "not quite right" in his head: I agree-- he's really not playing at the standard he set last year and before. My guess is that he was shaken up (emotionally) by a couple of bang-bang big plays early in the season, and it's messed with his head. I think it may have less to do with Haden than his own on-field performance. My take is that he's overthinking his role, play-to-play, and not letting his natural instincts (and training) take over. As someone who plies his trade in front of crowds every day, I can tell you- once that "little voice" gets in your head, it takes a lot of will power to get it to STFU. Sometimes, it takes weeks, even months.

One thing's for sure: without degrees in Sports Psychology and some free access to Eric while he spills his guts on a couch, we're left to speculation as to the root cause. It could be any or all of your suppositions, or a combo of yours and mine... the human pshyche is a strange and unpredictable thing.

And after all that... it may be as simple as this: he hit his "sophomore slump" a bit late, and will be back to form next year.

Hope he gets out of it before then. The NFL is the epitome of the "what have you done for me lately?" mentality... and I'd hate to see him released, only to rebound and prosper somewhere else.

just another p.o.v.

Healing Eric Wright knows starting job is in jeopardy: Cleveland Browns Insider
Published: Saturday, December 04, 2010, 3:55 AM Updated: Saturday, December 04, 2010, 3:57 AM
Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

This has been a difficult season for cornerback Eric Wright, right, who has been targeted and victimized by opposing offenses.

BEREA, Ohio — Browns cornerback Eric Wright, who is listed as probable for the game against Miami on Sunday with a knee injury, knows he might have lost his starting job to rookie Joe Haden.


"First, I have to get healthy and give myself a chance to do what I've done my whole life," said Wright. "I've never been a backup. I've never been on the bench my whole entire life. I don't know what that feels like and I don't want to know what that feels like. But for the team, if that decision is made, then I'm going to move on and do what I can."

Wright has watched Haden develop into a bona fide NFL starter, one who has had an interception in each of the past three games for a total of four on the season.

"Coming into [the season], you have a small margin of error anyway," said Wright. "They bring in Sheldon [Brown], who's a great player, and then draft a young guy that early [No. 7], he's going to play eventually. For [Haden] to go out here and do the things that he's doing, he deserves to be on the field. He's a great player and he's going to be even better."

Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said the issue of who starts is tougher on the players than the coaches because they all play so much anyway.

"You want to hear your name called out and all of that," said Ryan. "[But] Joe Haden's done a super job and he could probably start for every team in the league, including ours. So whatever happens there, we'd be happy to get Eric back obviously and have all three of those guys back at full strength."

Brown, whose locker is near Wright's, overheard the line of questioning and jumped to his defense.

"I'm just telling you, the guy is going to play a lot, even if he has to split time with me," said Brown. "The guy can play ball and he's going to be on the field."

Wright said it would be a huge adjustment for him to play only in the nickel and dime coverages.

"You have to change your mentality a little bit," he said. "You have to get acclimated and try to make the best of it because you're not in a rhythm.

"You have to come off on third down and make a stop. You have to get off the field on third down. You can't get into a good rhythm, learning the receivers and getting a feel for what they're trying to do. It's a tough spot. I've always had great respect for guys that are just nickel guys. It's hard. It really is."

But the Browns have praised Haden, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, so much lately, it's clear they think he's earned the job.

"He's such a good tackler and he's very physical," said Ryan. "The thing I'm most impressed with is the way he competes. Not just on Sundays but all through the week in practice. He makes plays on the ball, he's got great leaping ability, great hands and he really is everything you want in a corner. He really is. He's going to be great for a long time."

Cribbs is ready: Josh Cribbs, who is listed as questionable with his foot injury, said he thinks he can add some offense to his duties this week, along with kick returns.

"Of course, it's not 100 percent, but I can move around and be effective in both aspects of the game," said Cribbs. "I found that out. I can be effective on offense as well. It's just a matter of battling through it."

Other players listed as questionable include Eric Barton (shoulder), Kenyon Coleman (knee), Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip) and T.J. Ward (thigh).

Cribbs was one of a number of Browns who attended the Cavs-Heat game Thursday night.

"I really think Cleveland fans would have rather cheered for [LeBron James] than against him," said Cribbs. "They'd rather him be on our team. It was a loss that we all felt when he left. But it is what it is. This is a great sports city, sports town, and it showed that yesterday by the passion that they showed, how they came out, the signs and everything. It's just the passion of the city."


Good answer: Coach Eric Mangini said he was "satisfied with the answer we got back from the league" on the controversial ruling at the end of the Panthers game that nearly cost the Browns the victory.

He declined to get specific about what NFL officials told him, but indicated they agreed with his take that time should have run out and John Kasay should not have been allowed to attempt the field goal.

The play in question was the 28-yard catch by Brandon LaFell to the Browns' 24 with four seconds remaining that set up Kasay's 42-yard field goal attempt, which glanced off the left upright.

Mangini argued that LaFell was touched by Brown in-bounds and the clock should have run down to zero. When officials decided to review whether it was a catch, Mangini was assured that even if the catch was upheld, there would be no time left to attempt the kick. Instead, the catch stood, but officials left four seconds on the clock.

Fortunately for the Browns, Kasay missed the kick. Otherwise, Mangini could have ended up on the hotseat.

"That happens a lot, and everybody is trying to do their best to get it right, I get that," said Mangini. "If you're on the plus side of that decision you're happy, and if you're on the down side of it you're miserable. It just depends where you sit."


Hillis absent, honored: Peyton Hillis, who missed Friday because of a personal reason but will play in Miami, was named FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. He totaled 131 rushing yards on 26 attempts with three touchdowns, while getting six receptions for 63 yards in the Browns' 24-23 win over the Panthers.

It marked his fourth 100-yard performance of the season and third-highest total of the year. He joined Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly as the only Browns players to record 11 or more rushing touchdowns in a single season.


http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/12/healing_eric_wright_knows_star.html

1) The referees need to step their game up... You have a job to do.. DO IT!! How in the world does that last play stop the clock refs!! He was touched in bounds.. END OF GAME!!!!

2) Is Wright about to go from 1st CB spot to 3rd? I wanted to do a Brown vs. Wright, but it's obvious that Brown gets the nod b/c of his ability to stop the run, and more importantly tackle. I know that if Wright gets demoted to 3rd string, he won't stay here, and we'll just have to find an upgrade via draft or free agency.

BROWNS DEFENSE MUST BE PHYSICAL, and if you are not, you are on the wrong team.. I don't care if you've been with us for a few years... STEP IT UP, or bye bye..

Thanks for the post Line, it cleared up things a little for me.

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First, I have to get healthy and give myself a chance to do what I've done my whole life," said Wright. "I've never been a backup. I've never been on the bench my whole entire life. I don't know what that feels like and I don't want to know what that feels like. But for the team, if that decision is made, then I'm going to move on and do what I can."

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This sounds a little better to me, and shows me that he seems to have the "team first" mentality.

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"Coming into [the season], you have a small margin of error anyway," said Wright. "They bring in Sheldon [Brown], who's a great player, and then draft a young guy that early [No. 7], he's going to play eventually. For [Haden] to go out here and do the things that he's doing, he deserves to be on the field. He's a great player and he's going to be even better."

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This comment though, seems to backup my feelings that his ego might have been bruised a little when the other guys were signed. I just hope all the team first talk isn't just blowing smoke. Wright has some good skills, and as Clem said above, maybe he just has to go back to playing, instead of trying to think so much.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, that I never have taken into consideration either is him playing the slot receiver. It was said that he never did it before, and I guess like anything else, there has to be some kind of growing pains. Maybe they should try moving Brown to the slot guy, and leaving Wright on the outside with Haden. IMO it is worth a try. Maybe he can make a few nice plays and pull him out of the funk.

who's ego wouldn't be bruised when your team signs a first round guy at your position?

The ego of anyone that doesn't believe that they can beat out the guys the team brought in.

It's his job to step up and prove them wrong... not doing so simply proves them right for bringing them in.

if the guy they bring in is better than you... theres not much you can do, but be disturbed..

cmon now.. in the real working force world.. okay...

but in sports... theres only so much you can do, and there is only so much more better you are going to get...

But if you can't outplay a rook, the rook should be playing and you deserve to be backup.

I think that Wright had problems transitioning to his new role covering the slot, and it effected him in his other roles as well. He's never been the best tackler in the world, and now that teams are schemeing to specifically take advantage of his weaknesses, they are becoming amplified. Hopefully he has takent this time off and looked at his game and is prepared to now adjust to what offenses have been doing to adjust to him.

As I said.... that's how it should be.

Either EWright will step it up or he won't... and then, the chips will fall as they may (must).

Personally, I'm hoping that he evolves into a well-rounded DB- able to play whatever roles he's assigned. In fact, I'm pulling (hard) for him to do so- for a number of reasons:

1. I like him. He did and said all the (W)right things when he got here.
2. He made an impact when he first got playing time. How can a Browns fan NOT like a draft pick who shows something when he first comes out?
3. He's made an impact... up until this year. Clutch knockdowns. Timely interceptions. Exciting runbacks after picks. Right place/right time.


Folks weren't lining him up for the Pro Bowl, but noone was calling him the next Leigh Bodden at the end of last year. Kid was showing some stuff.

Now, that just doesn't evaporate over one season. I'm too old and too 'long-term' in mindset to think that the kid's washed up after 3 seasons. Something is up with him- and I just can't put my finger on what it might be.

I really REALLY hope he gets a chance to come back from injury this season in fine form. Sometimes, a guy just needs a break from the rigors of the day-to-day...

to get his balance
to get back his instincts and training
to regain his confidence...

... and re-emerge, at the form we've previously seen.


IDK... but maybe, this little hiatus is just what he needed to put his game back together.

Only time (and another shot this year) will tell us that.

[shrugz]
Clem

I think most of us had higher hopes for Wright and our secondary after bringing in Brown and drafting Haden and Ward.
I don't believe anyone back last summer would have thought that Eric Wright would be a week link.

It would seem that my expectations were a little high.

Wright has been an enigma, because we all know that he has more potential then he has exhibited to this point this season.
Okay, physically we know that he is the same player he has been, so that only leaves the mental aspect of his game in question imo.

What else could it possibly be?

I don't ever remember Wright ever guarding the better WR.. I could REALLY be wrong with this.. but this is what i remember in the past..

in 2007.. I remember Leigh Bodden guarding the better WR's.. atleast Chad Johnson comes to mind..

in 2008.. Brandon McDonald stepped up and had like 5 INT's and he was the one covering guys like Andre Johnson...

in 2009.. Wright was never really a target b/c Bmac got picked on all the time..

in 2010.. Wright finally gets picked on..

I like Eric Wright.. he's doesn't flat out suck, but he just isnt physical enough in my eyes. time to add a new face to the secondary.

Yeah, like another Joe Haden,....

Like I harped on earlier: watch Haden tackle, then look at clips of Wright "tackling."

I saw Haden make more form, wrap-up, open-field tackles in the game today than Wright has had in his career. If Wright wants to come back at a reasonable price and play in the nickle, then fine. If not, no big deal.

Enough said...

Not sure how many people noticed, but wright had a really nice game again today. Real physical jams at the line and didn't have a single pass thrown at him. He was in in quite a number of plays (all passing situations) and played very well.

Are you talking about Haden or Wright (honest question since I never noticed Wright out there all game)?

I noticed Wright a couple times, but not because he was making a great play (or conversely because he was getting beat). Just kind of saw him out there.