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Just thought this worth posting and thought it would lead to some good discussion as well. Quote:
By Jeff Schudel
JSchudel@News-Herald.com
The new coach will be the fifth coach for the Browns in 13 years, but for the first time, the people who selected players for the former coach are still in charge.
Team president Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert added 24 players who finished 2010 on the 53-man roster. Three other key players going forward — linebacker Scott Fujita, tackle Tony Pashos and running back Montario Hardesty — are Holmgren-Heckert picks who were on injured reserve at the end of the season.
Since Holmgren and Heckert are picking Eric Mangini's successor, it is safe to assume the majority of players acquired will fit what the new coach wants to do.
The following is a position-by-position breakdown of the roster, looking back on 2010 and ahead to next season.
Quarterbacks
Colt McCoy, Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace — McCoy wasn't supposed to start in 2010, but ankle injuries to Delhomme and Wallace changed those plans.
All three quarterbacks were healthy in December, but Mangini started McCoy the last three games, with Holmgren's approval. McCoy went 2-6 as a starter. He started in victories over the Saints and Patriots. His shining moment was a game-tying drive against the Jets in the final minute of regulation. He is confident and his teammates praised his leadership, but he threw six interceptions in the last two games. One bounced off the hands of tight end Ben Watson.
McCoy will go into training camp as the starter. Wallace, 1-3 in 2010, is a free agent. Teams aren't going to knock down his door with offers. Delhomme, 36, was 2-2. His starting days are behind him. He might have to agree to a reduction of his $5.4 million salary to stay on the roster.
Running backs
Peyton Hillis and Mike Bell; fullbacks Lawrence Vickers and Tyler Clutts — Hillis will need help next season. He rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010, but he did not cross the goal line once in the last five games. He fumbled eight times — three times in a 13-6 loss to the Bills. He carried the ball 270 times. He was not accustomed to such a workload.
Hardesty is rehabbing well and determined to rebound from major surgery after tearing his left ACL. He would be the perfect complement to Hillis, but the Browns won't know before training camp whether his knee will hold up. He had a history of knee problems at Tennessee.
Bell and Vickers have played five seasons and could be free agents, depending on the CBA. Clutts is unproven in the NFL.
Re-signing Vickers and Bell might be prudent. Whether they want to stay might depend on the coach Holmgren hires.
Wide receivers
Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Chansi Stuckey, Josh Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell, Demetrius Williams, Jordan Norwood — The Browns have seven wide receivers and none has proven to be a legitimate No. 1. This should be the priority of the draft.
Robiskie caught 20 passes and scored three touchdowns over the last six games. He would pair well with A.J. Green of Georgia or Julio Jones of Alabama — two wide receivers projected to go high in the draft. The Browns pick sixth.
Massaquoi caught 38 passes, which is four more than he caught as a rookie, but he did not make the leap Robiskie did. He could benefit from a West Coast offense, so the Browns should not give up on him. Massaquoi has to get tougher. He has to learn he sometimes has to play defensively as a receiver.
Cribbs will return leaner and determined in 2011 after a down year. Stuckey could get lost if the Browns concentrate on receiver in the offseason. Mitchell did not get enough opportunities as a rookie to judge him properly.
Tight ends
Ben Watson, Robert Royal, Evan Moore and Alex Smith — Watson caught a career-high 68 passes, scored three touchdowns and was a leader on the field and in the locker room. He and Fujita were the Browns' two best free-agent signings in years. Watson will be in his eighth season in 2011. He was with the Patriots for six years, but it is important to note he was a Heckert acquisition and not a Mangini choice.
Royal is a very good a blocking tight end and he is a team leader. He proved in the last game he isn't a receiver when he dropped two passes in the end zone.
Moore could benefit from an offensive coordinator willing to use him more. He caught 16 passes. He is a tall target with good hands and very intelligent. A hip injury ended his season prematurely.
Offensive line
LT Joe Thomas, LG Eric Steinbach, C Alex Mack, RG Floyd Womack, RT John St. Clair, C Steve Vallos, G Shawn Lauvao, T Pashos, G Billy Yates — Thomas is headed to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. Steinbach and Mack are alternates. The left side of the line and Mack will be together three more seasons at least.
The right side of the offensive line is the problem. The plan was for rookie Lauvao to win the job at right guard, but he missed training camp because of personal reasons and an ankle injury. He started one game (Jacksonville) and did not play well enough to suit Mangini. Yates played guard and was on injured reserve the last seven games with a torn biceps. Pashos ended up on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Pashos is brittle. He suffered a shoulder injury in San Francisco in 2009 and missed 11 games.
Another training camp could be enough for Lauvao to win the job at guard. Womack and Pashos can play tackle. St. Clair, 33, could be out of work.
Defensive line
LE Kenyon Coleman, NT Ahtyba Rubin, RE Brian Schaefering, DE Derreck Robinson, NT Shaun Rogers, DE Robaire Smith, DL Jayme Mitchell, DL Ko Quaye, DL Brian Sanford and DL Travis Ivey — No unit needs to be overhauled more than the defensive line.
With the exception of Rubin, the group is either old or unproven. Rubin, who led all NFL defensive linemen with 82 tackles, is the only one of the 10 drafted by the Browns.
Rogers is scheduled to make $5.5 million next season. He'll be released or told to take a huge pay cut. He plays well when he has the urge. He did not have the urge often enough the last two years.
The run defense suffered when Smith, 32, was sidelined with a back injury. He might be forced to retire.
Coleman chipped in with 68 tackles. A knee injury prevented him from being at his best. He and Rogers will be 32 when training camp starts.
The rest of the defensive line is a mystery. Holmgren prefers a 4-3 defense. This might be the time to make the switch.
Linebackers
OLB David Bowens, ILB Chris Gocong, ILB Eric Barton, OLB Matt Roth, OLB Marcus Benard, ILB Jason Trusnik, ILB Titus Brown, ILB Eric Alexander, OLB Steve Octavien, OLB Fujita (injured reserve) and ILB Blake Costanzo (IR) — The season went down the tubes for Browns when they lost to the Jets in overtime. Cribbs suffered a foot injury, Yates went on IR with the biceps tear and Fujita suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Fujita will not require surgery. He and Gocong will be the core of the linebackers next year.
Barton and Bowens just concluded their 12th season. They've been playing as long as the Browns have been back in the NFL. Both play hard. Both are true pros, but they are slow.
Roth did not get after quarterbacks like he did last year. He couldn't wait for the season to end so he could be a free agent.
Benard can rush the quarterback, but he has to do more than that to stay on the field. Trusnik can fill in well and would be a good player off the bench in any defense.
The rest of the linebacking corps is the basis of the special teams unit.
Defensive backs
LCB Joe Haden, S Abe Elam, S T.J. Ward, RCB Sheldon Brown, CB Coye Francies, S Ray Ventrone, S Nick Sorensen, DB Mike Adams, CB Eric Wright (IR) — The Browns used their first pick on Haden and their second pick on Ward. Despite that, they gave up 26 passing touchdowns after giving up 22 last season.
The pass rush dropped off in 2010. That was part of the problem. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan called all-out blitzes in the beginning of the year, and they didn't work. Also, Wright had a miserable year. It ended for him when he went on injured reserve.
Holmgren and Heckert have to decide whether to re-sign Wright. They should look at tape from 2008 and '09. He never has been a good tackler, but he did cover better before than in 2010.
Brown is not going to get any faster going into his 10th year. It would be no surprise if the Browns spend a high draft pick on another cornerback.
Elam is the most improved player in the secondary. He intercepted two passes, broke up 10, forced two fumbles and recovered a pair. He returned one for a touchdown. Last year, he led the team in tackles, but he broke up only two passes and had no picks. Elam has played five years and could be an unrestricted free agent, depending on the new CBA.
Safety will be well-manned for years if Elam is re-signed. Ward led the Browns in tackles. Although he could wrap up better, the Browns are fine in the back end with Elam and Ward.
Ventrone and Sorensen are key special teams players.
Special teams
K Phil Dawson, P Reggie Hodges, LS Ryan Pontbriand, KR/PR Cribbs — All good things must come to an end. Dawson kicked for the Browns for 12 seasons. He is likely to be in a different uniform next season. The Browns might not miss him much in September or October, but they will in November or December when the wind whirls and the turf turns soft at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Let's hope "All good things must come to an end" doesn't apply to Cribbs, too. He is under contract for two more years, but those dynamic kickoff and punt returns were missing, even before his foot injury.
Pontbriand is as automatic as ever as a long snapper. He is entering the final year of his contract.
Hodges should be the Browns' special teams player of the year. He finished with a 43.9-yard punting average and nailed 29 inside the 20.
Information for the NFL notebook was gathered by personal interviews and from other beat writers around the league. Schudel can be reached by e-mail at:
JSchudel@News-Herald.com
Link
I little surprised at the praise for Elam, but looking back, he did have a decent year. I also still beleive that Brown will move back to Safety before his career is over.
WR and DL are the two highest priorities in my humble opinion. We need LB's as well and I won't fuss to much if we go that way early in the draft either. I think we need some youth on the right side of the OL as well, but maybe if we go later in the draft for that side and hope Lauvao comes on stronger next year, along with a healthy Yates and Pashos, we can be OK with a late round pick. St. Clair needs to go.
Anyway, just my humble opinion and look forward to reading some of yours.
Born and breed with OSU, App. State alumni, but bleed orange and brown.
Go ARMY......Beat Navy!!!!!!
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I agree, our two biggest needs are a No. 1 wideout and an infusion of youth on the D-line.
edit: It seems that the reports indicated Yates was playing well until he got hurt, so while I'm not sure he can be counted on long-term, there are at least some encouraging signs with Yates. And hopefully Lavuo shows enough to start or at leaet provide quality depth.
Last edited by lampdogg; 01/10/11 11:21 AM.
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Quote:
Rubin, who led all NFL defensive linemen with 82 tackles,
Bravo.
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Massaquoi has to get tougher. He has to learn he sometimes has to play defensively as a receiver.
He's got to look for the ball to play defensively.
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Re-signing Vickers and Bell might be prudent.
Ask Hillis what he thinks about this.
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He proved in the last two years he isn't a receiver when he dropped two hundred passes.
FIFY.
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Rogers is scheduled to make $5.5 million next season. He'll be released or told to take a huge pay cut. He plays well when he has the urge. He did not have the urge often enough the last two years.
I don't think this is the sure-thing the author is making it out to be.
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Trusnik can fill in well and would be a good player off the bench in any defense.
Actually, no. He is lousy.
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Also, Wright had a miserable year. It ended for him when he went on injured reserve.
Wright had a miserable game and a couple bad plays. Overall, Shelden Brown was beaten on coverage waaay more than Wright was. Ward and Haden got beaten a number of times as well, but it's easier to make one guy the scapegoat after he got torched by Boldin early in the season.
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Ventrone and Sorensen are replaceable.
FIFY. Putting Bubba in the game is like playing 10 on 11. Remember Marcedes Lewis catching the TD against Ventrone at the goal line? Honestly, that's like playing football with your 9 year old cousin.
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Pontbriand is as automatic as ever as a long snapper.
Actually, Hodges bailed him out more than twice. He's still terrific, but he had a little bit of a down year this year. Still his down year is above average for the position.
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That was a fair and honest review.
I don't know about spending another high draft pick on a CB. I think our secondary will look loads better after spending a pick or two on our DL.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
-PrplPplEater
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Quote:
That was a fair and honest review.
I don't know about spending another high draft pick on a CB. I think our secondary will look loads better after spending a pick or two on our DL.
I could see another corner...I think that will be determined by how the draft unfolds.
it's a no brainer we need a receiver and a Dlineman.
IMO we will get one of the two in round one. By the time our second pick rolls around, ideally we can look for the other, but it may just work out there is a corner sitting there that is WAY better than the left over receivers or Dlinemen.
We do need another corner.....just not as badly as some other areas.
You can't always get what you want, so in this business, you better take what you can get.
We need a RT as well....I could see round 2 going that direction.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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Elam had an excellent year. He is a guy who worked his ass off and became a really good player, especially in the 2nd half of the season. One thing that I get while reading the original article is the feeling os "How did this team win 5 games?". On offense, we had a RB, (until he got hurt) TE, and a left side of an OL. On defense, we had a NT, a couple of LB, (until our best LB got hurt) and a secondary that was in transition. We had about half a team fighting against the best teams in the NFL. Even the last place team in our division had less holes than we did. You can only play who you play ...... but people praised the Chefs ...... but their opponents won .414 of their games.  The bottom 4 playoff teams in terms of strength of schedule were the Chefs (32 - .414), Saints (25T - .469), and the Colts and Bears. (23T - .473) The Browns had an oponent winning percentage of .570. This was 4th in the league, behind the Bengals, Bills, and Panthers. The Browns had a total of 4 "easy" games, and 3 of those came at the end of the year when injuries had struck, and depth was put to the test. Our depth was definitely lacking. Where teams like the Bengals had promising up and comers as depth, we had older, special teams type players as depth. Look at the Bengals at the end of the year. They threw their young receivers into the game. The turned the starting roles over to guys like Caldwell, and Simpson at WR. That was their depth, built over several years. We had guys like Trusnic and Ventrone for depth. In the end, legitimately, we have 2 potential QBs. (McCoy and Wallace) 1 proven RB 1 proven FB 1 proven TE, plus 1 who cannot stay healthy 1 proven LT 1 proven LG 1 proven C 1 proven NT 2 proven LB A young and coming secondary. A solid off-season should address 3 or 4 of these needs, and with the much, much easier schedule we have next year we should see an increase of 2-3 wins fairly easily. This will probably be attributed to coaching ..... but in the end, it will be better players at key positions, and easier to beat opponents that will swing a few more wins our way. I wwould think that we should be able to win 2 games in our division next year, and maybe 5 or 6 outside of out division. I mean ..... At home: Jaguars Rams Seahawks Titans Dolphins Away: Cardinals Texans Colts 49'ers Raiders That's a much easier row to hoe than what we had in 2010. I can see us beating the Rams, Hawks, Titans, Dolphins (we did in 2010) Cardinals, Texans, 49'ers, and Raiders. That's 8 potential and seriously possible wins right there. Add that with 2 possible division wins and this team should win 7 games at a minimum next year. We'll see how it turns out.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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he forgot DQ and Piscatelli
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hmmm. DQ is a rather glaring miss. I wonder what our plans are for D'Qwell, & what his plans are.
![[Linked Image from i28.photobucket.com]](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/shadedog/mcenroe2.jpg) gmstrong -----------------
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A miss I suppose....but since his contract is up, we showed no interest this past off season to even talk to the guys agent let along sign him, and he has been injured most of the last 2 years, I can see why he was forgotten.
I know I've forgotten about him.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Quote:
I wonder what our plans are for D'Qwell, & what his plans are.
I hope our plans are to keep him. He is clearly our best linebacker when he is healthy (which is never). And our only linebacker who is starting caliber and in the prime years of his career.
Many posters have mentioned on here before, Jackson would thrive in a 4-3 defense. Which I think is a possibility depending on who is brought in at defensive coordinator.
As for his plans, I would want out if I were him. He wanted an extension. Didn't get one. Then got hurt. Then got hurt again.
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He hasn't played since October of 2009. I would expect that he signs a minimum type deal with incentives somewhere.
He could be back here if we switch for a 4-3 ..... but I honestly don't see him as a great 3-4 LB.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Quote:
He hasn't played since October of 2009. I would expect that he signs a minimum type deal with incentives somewhere.
He could be back here if we switch for a 4-3 ..... but I honestly don't see him as a great 3-4 LB.
I never thought he was as bad as some portrayed him to be.. But if he can't stay healthy,, what value is it to have him here..
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Quote:
He hasn't played since October of 2009. I would expect that he signs a minimum type deal with incentives somewhere.
He could be back here if we switch for a 4-3 ..... but I honestly don't see him as a great 3-4 LB.
I never thought he was as bad as some portrayed him to be.. But if he can't stay healthy,, what value is it to have him here..
I think some fans are making far too much of his pictorial injuries 
DQ was and will always be a fish out of water in the 34 [shed and tackle is not a strength], but I think he has pretty good
Skill sets for the 43 @ the MLBer position.
Jackson makes pretty good reads at the snap and has good range to support the edges, but I think that he is a little slow in his drops in pass defenses and covering a RB's out of the back field. Although I have seen improvement this area, trouble is he is always giving up height and reach vs a TE.
DQ is a better blitz 'er then he is given credit for and can make plays behind the LOS.
I think the new Coaching staff might have a better respect for his talents, maybe not?
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I don't think DQ wants to stay, regardless of if we want him or not. IMO, he's already gone. I would be shocked to hear if we even offer him a contract.
I'm hoping we're active in free agency so we can build this faster.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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Quote:
I don't think DQ wants to stay, regardless of if we want him or not. IMO, he's already gone. I would be shocked to hear if we even offer him a contract.
I'm hoping we're active in free agency so we can build this faster.
I agree.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Quote:
I don't think DQ wants to stay, regardless of if we want him or not. IMO, he's already gone. I would be shocked to hear if we even offer him a contract.
I'm hoping we're active in free agency so we can build this faster.
I agree, but [union] FA is dead with no new CBA.
The draft will be held as per agreed, but there will be no current player trades
[Players under contract] as part of any trades for draft picks during the draft or once the CBA has expired.
I think we need to make a big splash in this draft even if it means trading down from the 6th pick to stock pile more second day picks and still come out with a solid first pick.
This depends a lot on how the top 5 picks will fall.
There is no clear #1 pick at the moment and probably 2 of the top 10 picks are at CB. A luxury position with the 6th pick I think with Haden's selected 7th last year.
Holmgren does not like to draft a WR high in the draft and AJ green might be a moot point anyway and has been projected to go as high as the 1st pick or as low as to us at 6.
I'm thinking DL or trade down if the ones we like are not left on the board.
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I agree we need to make a splash this draft...I would hope that New England would like to part with their #17 from Oakland and the first pick in the second round for our 6th...  players that will be available at 17 could be Mike Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, Julio Jones. I will take any of these guys..Heyward is the perfect end for the 3-4 and gets pressure..would look real nice next to Rubin.Pouncey is a plug in and go..could even stick him and Luavo at guards and move Steiny to right tackle??Julio Jones would immediately be our best Receiver. If we stay at 6and Green is off the board I think the pick is Marcell Dareous. I can't see them reaching for Blackmon or Jones here. I think Wright needs to go. He was the lesser of two evils when McDonald was here..but when he is in there and they threw his way the guy absolutely was the worst starting CB in the league in my mind..Can't tackle, Bad ball skills...not sure what some see in him.
"Going from 4-12 to 6-10 isn't good enough. I believe we are going to be better than that. We're going to be a lot better than that." - Mike Holmgren (3/15/12)
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We need to keep Wright here until we actually have someone on the roster to take his spot.. Plus, we dont know how long Sheldon Brown has. Brown is pretty solid, but he is known for giving up scores just as well.
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I'm 35 and I think I can fill in admirably for Wright Turk! LOL
"Going from 4-12 to 6-10 isn't good enough. I believe we are going to be better than that. We're going to be a lot better than that." - Mike Holmgren (3/15/12)
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Quote:
I'm 35 and I think I can fill in admirably for Wright Turk! LOL
I am in my 60's so I can't say that, though I do think I could have filled in for Poteet 
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Here is my reply.
QBs: McCoy is a keeper and wallace is OK. Stick a fork in Jake. we need another QB
Rbs, Hillis, a wounded hardesty and nothing else. It was ignorant to cut Davis and trade harrison for a chump. we need some talent here. Hillis was worn out at seasons end.
Keep vickers.
Tes. Watson and Moore are solid never throw to hands of stone Royal.
Wrs: we have a tone of mediocrity here. We need a top wideout. Momass regressed. After the brutal hit by harrison and quit going over the middle and looking back for the ball. WE need a veteran talent.
Oline: we have talent on the left from center but need lavaou to claim RG. we need a RT. getting the brittle pashos was as wishful thinking as getting a QB in confidence freefall(jake)
Dline, Old and busted. Rubin and a ton of Questions. we desperately need a talent infusion. the DT from Auburn would fit nice here.
Lb: What happened to Roth, all the fire from 09 seemed to fizzle by game 9 in 2010. Fujita was the best of the lot and DQ is always injured. the rest are old save Bernard who did not take a step forward. meanwhile the departed Wimbley had 9 sacks for the raiders. we have bodies that are old and slow.
Secondary: I do not understand the praise of Elam who had two passes defense FOR THE YEAR. he is rarely in the same zip code as wrs he is supposed to cover.
I really miss Poole. the rookie is a stud but he needs a partner.
Sheldon brown was SLOW and a liability and proved the eagles knew what they were doing trading him. Eric Wright seemed to go into confidence freefall when the coaches left him is single coverage to be torched by the ravens in game 3. The kid has talent but needs confidence reclamation. Haden is a stud.
We need Ryan to stay as DC. He knows the payers and what he needs to move forward. he coaxed the most out of a marginally talented group.
He needs help at DL, LB, safety, cb..well everywhere. But he gets the most out of the least and until we have more talent we need his majic.
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Quote:
We need to keep Wright here until we actually have someone on the roster to take his spot.. Plus, we dont know how long Sheldon Brown has. Brown is pretty solid, but he is known for giving up scores just as well.
At least he attempts to tackle
We're trying to throw the ball downfield and he checked the ball down to Trent Richardson and the Indians on the choice.
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attempting to tackle does nothing when you're falling down in coverage.
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FYI, Sheldon Brown was injured and played with injury (shoulder) most of the year.
He is getting old and is not a long term player, but still worlds above Eric Wright's play.
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Quote:
FYI, Sheldon Brown was injured and played with injury (shoulder) most of the year.
He is getting old and is not a long term player, but still worlds above Eric Wright's play.
and akronjoe has it pretty wrong aboiut Elam also,, he didn't actually have a bad year, He really came on at one point. But then,, with Fujita out,, it almost seemed as if the wheels really came off the D entirely.
Joe is right about the Dline.. Rubin and a bunch of ?. He's also right about the Oline..
#GMSTRONG
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Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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I think some of theseguys will be converted to draft picks or FA or trades. Offensive ups, DL and secondary. The D'Q question may well depend on a 3-4 vs. 4-3 decision. He might be more effective in the latter IMO. A better 3-4 will need fewer sleds up front so we can generate pressure when needed. 
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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Elam played really well in the 2nd half of the season. It kind of coincided with Ward getting a little better in coverage, and Haden moving into the lineup. It almost seemed like once he could concentrate on just his own assignments, he got better ....... Imagine that .... Seriously though, He was right there in the 2nd half of the season as being a "Plus" Safety. He did a strong job against both the pass and the run, and created turnovers as well.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Worse hands, Abe Elam or Robert Royal?
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Quote:
Elam played really well in the 2nd half of the season. It kind of coincided with Ward getting a little better in coverage, and Haden moving into the lineup. It almost seemed like once he could concentrate on just his own assignments, he got better .......
Imagine that ....
Seriously though, He was right there in the 2nd half of the season as being a "Plus" Safety. He did a strong job against both the pass and the run, and created turnovers as well.
That's what I was trying to say,, but didn't get it out right,,.,.,Thanks Yt.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Worse hands, Abe Elam or Robert Royal?
Well, in one case, it's not the end of the world (elam) on the other case,, it's not good at all (royal)
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Quote:
Elam played really well in the 2nd half of the season. It kind of coincided with Ward getting a little better in coverage, and Haden moving into the lineup. It almost seemed like once he could concentrate on just his own assignments, he got better .......
Imagine that ....
Seriously though, He was right there in the 2nd half of the season as being a "Plus" Safety. He did a strong job against both the pass and the run, and created turnovers as well.
That's what I was trying to say,, but didn't get it out right,,.,.,Thanks Yt.
The same can be said for Eric Wright...
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Dawg Talker
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Elam had one hell of a second half. That Patriots game he single handedly kept momentum for us with that strip and recovery as the half was ending and the Patriots were threatening to score. He had one hell of an athletic interception against the Dolphins and he was a one man wrecking crew against the Jaguars. He had that strip, recovery, and return for a TD, an interception, and was making plays all over the field that day.
He had some down games too, but if he plays like that more often we don't have much of a hole at safety anymore.
"All I know is, as long as I led the Southeastern Conference in scoring, my grades would be fine." - Charles Barkley
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j/c
I read today that Jauron is in consideration for DC. He's been a 43 guy throughout his career - and we have to assume that if he ends up being the guy, that we'll make the switch. I was wondering how that would impact draft needs. Here's a start on what I'd think the front 7 (I didn't take FA into consideration) would look like in a 43 - please feel free to update where I messed up:
DT: Rogers, Rubin, Smith, Adams, Coleman, Shaefering
DE: Bowens, Gocong, Roth
OLB: Trusnick, Benard, Fujita
ILB: Jackson, Barton
???: Maiava, Costanzo
Based on assuming this is right or close to being right, I think we're OK with DT (actually have too many) and ILB and that we'd need to come up with 1-2 DE and OLB via FA and/or draft. Sound about right?
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But also during the Introduction Press conference, Heckert was talking about making the Defense "younger" So you may not see alot of those Dlineman here next year.
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
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Rogers is damn near done. It would be foolish to count on him for another year.Smith is done as well. Rubin is a really good NT, and might make the transition to 4-3 DT ... then again .....
The other guys? Not really 4-3 DT IMO.
DE? Roth will be a OLB somewhere else next year. Gocong failed as a 4-3 DE in Philly. Bowens isn't going to be a starting DE in this league. He was a part time LB.
Fujita is a LB who can play the 4-3. We really have no one else. Oh we will have to try and showhorn someone into the role, but the (especially Jauron's) 4-3 requires fast LBs. Not quick .. not kinda quick, but fast LBs who swarm to the ball. Fujita may not even fit that role.
The MLB is really a key in the 4-3. We have no one who could handle that spot right now. He has to be the QB of the defense, as well as being the best combination of fast/strong. He must be the best tackler, and a physical presence. Think "Ray Lewis". He's almost the most player on the defense. D'Qwell Jackson? Not even close.
We would have some potential role players in a 4-3. Fujita and Rubin are the most likely to transition. We would need a complete turnover of the rest of the front 7 ..... including depth.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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OSGuy : Quote:
Heckert was talking about making the Defense "younger" So you may not see alot of those Dlineman here next year.
Quote:
DT: Rogers, Rubin, Smith, Adams, Coleman, Shaefering
DE: Bowens, Gocong, Roth
OLB: Trusnick, Benard, Fujita
ILB: Jackson, Barton
???: Maiava, Costanzo
Based on assuming this is right or close to being right, I think we're OK with DT (actually have too many) and ILB and that we'd need to come up with 1-2 DE and OLB via FA and/or draft. Sound about right?
I'd say that Smith, Coleman, Bowens, Roth, and Barton are all done with the team as they are mostly 3-4 guys/too old.
Gocong played linebacker for the Eagles (unsuccessfully).
Trusnik and Bernard, I would think, would be moved to DE as the 4-3 utilizes smaller, faster outside linebackers that can also cover. (Correct me if I'm wrong)
I think if Jackson is re-signed (big IF) he would be moved to outside linebacker along with Fujita.
Costanzo I think is strictly a special teamer.
Maiava I think would thrive in a 4-3 as he is smaller, faster, and can cover.
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We would be a mess in year 1 of a transition to a 4-3. We have almost no one who fits well into the 4-3 front 7.
Anyone "can fit" into a defense. Hell, a WR "can" fit on defense. That doesn't mean that he's going to be any good.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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I remember when we traded up (Faine to NO) in the second round to draft DQ...
Had we traded up one more pick (To Houston) We would of had Demeco Ryans...
*sigh*
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
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Quote:
Rogers is damn near done. It would be foolish to count on him for another year.
Rogers, in the role he was used in this year, can be effective. With that said, I would surprised if he returns.
I agree with what you said about all the other DT's and Roth and Bowens. I also agree that we don't have anyone currently on the roster who can play the MLB role of a 4-3.
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Gocong failed as a 4-3 DE in Philly
Gocong played linebacker in linebacker in Philly if I'm not mistaken. He wasn't very good, but he played linebacker.
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Think "Ray Lewis".
I could be wrong, but don't the Ravens currently run a 3-4?
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We would need a complete turnover of the rest of the front 7 ..... including depth.
Didn't we need to do that anyway?
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All Pro
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All Pro
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Quote:
Didn't we need to do that anyway?
Pretty much. Most the members of the front 7 are either old, ineffective, or entering free agency, even if the Browns stay with a 3-4.
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