DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Breaking Down the Cleveland Browns: Mary Cabot Analysis

Folks, I'm doing my civil duty as a poster here by bringing this "analysis" to the board for everyone's consumption. I say that because this "analysis" looks like it was done by someone brand-new to BleacherReport, not the supposed star reporter for the Browns. I'd go so far as to say there's about 30 posters here that would have done a far-better job.

Here's the article with my commentary thrown in at points where they "analysis" is just stOOpid...

Amateur-Hour Analysis by Mary Cabot

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
on February 10, 2013 at 6:00 AM, updated February 10, 2013 at 6:03 AM
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brns-gordon-td-raid-2012-jg.jpg View full size Josh Gordon was a find as a supplemental draft selection last summer. But the Browns clearly need more weapons for the passing game, regardless of who the quarterback will be. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer
NFL calendar

March 9-11: Clubs may enter negotiations with certified agents of players who will be unrestricted free agents at end of league year. 
March 12: Before 4 p.m. EDT, clubs must exercise options for 2013 on all players who have option clauses in their 2012 contracts; clubs must submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation; clubs must submit a minimum salary offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights to players with expiring 2012 contracts and who have fewer than three seasons of free agency credit; all 2012 player contracts expire. All clubs must be under the salary cap. The 2013 league year, free agency and trading period begins at 4 p.m. EDT. 
March 17-20: Annual league meeting, Phoenix.
April 25-27: NFL draft, New York.
May 20-22: NFL spring league Meeting, Boston.
Sept. 5, 8-9: 2013 NFL season begins.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rob Chudzinski inherited some good, young talent with the Cleveland Browns, but also a roster with plenty of holes to fill.

As one veteran Brown observed on his way out last season, "I'm tired of talking about progress. This team has a long way to go to reach a championship level."

The Browns head into free agency March 12 and the April 25-27 draft with questions at quarterback, receiver, cornerback and pass-rusher. What's more, they're re-purposing their defensive linemen and linebackers to fit a 3-4 scheme.

Draft-wise, they have the sixth pick in the first round, but no second-rounder after taking Josh Gordon in last season's supplemental draft. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Browns try to pick up a second-round selection either by trading a player or trading down in the first round.

Fortunately, they head into free agency with a fistful of cash, ranking second in the NFL with $45.6 million to spend, behind only the Bengals ($50.6 million), according to NFL.com.

A look at what Chudzinski and player personnel chief Mike Lombardi have heading into the acquisition season:

Quarterback

What they have: Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy, Thad Lewis, Josh Johnson.

The outlook: Lombardi has been critical of Weeden and the Browns will try to upgrade. Weeden, who turns 30 in October, has the big arm to run coordinator Norv Turner's downfield attack, but needs better accuracy and field vision. He finished 29th with a 72.6 rating and 35th out of 36 in the ESPN total QBR rankings with a 26.6.

Can Turner get the best out of Weeden, as he has with many other QBs? McCoy doesn't fit the vertical scheme, and would need to bulk up to get the Browns' attention.

McCoy would need to bulk-up? Seriously? Sure, because "bulking up" is always how coaches get average-armed QB's up to elite-armed status. I cannot believe she'd even write that.

What they need: The Browns will seek another QB through trade, free agency or the draft. Some big-name passers expected to be available are the 49ers Alex Smith, the Seahawks' Matt Flynn and the Eagles' Michael Vick. Smith will have plenty of suitors and Vick is unlikely to end up here despite the fact CEO Joe Banner likes him.

The Browns aren't expected to pursue New England backup Ryan Mallett, and the Ravens won't let potential free agent Joe Flacco get away. Second-tier free agents include Arizona's Brian Hoyer and New Orleans' Chase Daniel.

Chase Daniel? A McCoy-clone. Sure, a 6' soft-tossing QB makes perfect sense to mention as a possible candidate. How is Daniel's even a 2nd-teir guy? He's a 3rd tier'ed nobody and about as far away from our radar as one can imagine. If we're bringing in someone to push Weeds, it's going to be someone like Drew Stanton or Matt Moore. Those are 2nd-tier QB's.

Here's a hint, Mary: When bringing in people to "push" starters, you don't bring in a weak-armed backup who has attempted all of 9 passes in his 3-year career.

Running back
View full size Trent Richardson fell short of a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, but he remains a solid piece for the power offense expected to be installed by offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

What they have: Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty, Chris Ogbonnaya, Owen Marecic.

The outlook: The staff is in good shape here. In Richardson, they have the bruising back to run Turner's power scheme. He rushed for 950 yards and 11 TDs in 2012 and caught 51 passes for 367 yards -- despite playing with broken ribs for much of the season. Hardesty showed good burst in the backup role, and Ogbonnaya is a good third-down back. Marecic lost his job at fullback and will be hard-pressed to get it back.

What they need: The Browns could use a change-of-pace back, possibly in the third or fourth round of the draft. Brandon Jackson is a free agent and most likely won't be back. The Browns will look for a fullback in free agency or a middle round. They also have hybrid tight end/fullback Brad Smelley.

If we need a change-of-pace back and a fullback, then we aren't "in good shape" are we.

Setting that aside, any fan who pays half-attention knows that Hardesty was our "change of pace" back last year.

Wide receiver

What they have: Greg Little, Josh Gordon, Travis Benjamin, Jordan Norwood, Josh Cooper.

The outlook: No one in this young corps cracked the top 50 in receptions or had more than five TD catches. Little led with 53 catches for 647 yards and four TDs, and rookie Gordon was second with 50 catches for a team-high 805 yards and five TDs. Benjamin has excellent speed but is small and raw. The Browns will likely add a veteran to mentor the youngsters. Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs will most likely walk in free agency.

What they need: The Browns need two more starting-caliber wideouts and should be able to add at least one in free agency. Some who might hit the market include Green Bay's Greg Jennings, Miami's Brian Hartline, Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace, Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe, New England's Wes Welker and St. Louis' Danny Amendola. The Browns should emerge from the free agent frenzy with an experienced go-to guy.

Mary, how many teams have FOUR starting-caliber WR's?!?!

Have you mixed up your published article with your fantasy-football wish-list?

Tight end

What they have: Jordan Cameron, Smelley, Dan Gronkowski.

The outlook: The Browns have one viable TE in third-year pro Cameron. Starter Ben Watson and Alex Smith are both free agents and unlikely to return. Cameron is a big, athletic target who showed promise, but is still developing. Chudzinski and Turner worked with Antonio Gates and have an appreciation for converted college basketball players. The tight end will be important, especially considering the head coach used to be one.

What they need: The club will scour the free agent market for a starter. Some expected to come free are the Giants' Martellus Bennett and the Jets' Dustin Keller.

Offensive line
thomas-leads-trich-2012-jg.jpg View full size Joe Thomas led an offensive line that protected the passer and generated a feasible running game for most of the 2012 season. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

What they have: Joe Thomas, Jason Pinkston, Shawn Lauvao, Mitchell Schwartz, John Greco, Oniel Cousins, Dominic Alford, Ryan Miller.

The outlook: Set at tackle and center, they'll continue to evaluate the guard spots. Pinkston is coming off a pulmonary embolism, but should be back as the starting left guard. Lauvao made progress in 2012, and should be able to hang onto his right guard job. Schwartz had a solid rookie year. The line is strong, especially with six-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas at left tackle.

What they need: The Browns will add some depth, but can line up and excel if the season started tomorrow.

If they can "line up and excel" right off the bat, why would the front office need to evaluate the guard positions?

When the season was over, more than one person shared my sentiment that Greco actually out-played Pinky. If we have 3 decent guards, what's to evaluate?

I disagree with her assessment, but it's the premise that is just dumb. If they can line up right now and excel, there's nothing to evaluate.

Defensive line

What they have: Jabaal Sheard, Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin, Billy Winn, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, John Hughes, Brian Sanford, Emmanuel Stephens, Auston English, Hall Davis.

The outlook: Defensive coordinator Ray Horton has talent, but will have to shift some bodies to fit his 3-4 scheme. Sheard is the only bona fide pass-rusher, and will most likely play a hybrid end/OLB spot. Taylor will start at nose tackle and Winn and Rubin contend for the end spots. Hughes and Kitchen are better inside, but can rotate at both positions. Sanford, Stephens and English are all coming off injured reserve and Davis is a young prospect. Frostee Rucker has been released and Juqua Parker (second with six sacks) most likely won't return.

What they need: The Browns could use a rusher at end. Free agent options include Detroit's Cliff Avril (9.5 sacks in 2012) and Tampa Bay's Michael Bennett (9.0 sacks), although they're both currently 4-3 ends. Top 3-4 end prospects in the draft include Utah's Star Lotulelei, Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins and Missouri's Sheldon Richardson.

If Avril and Bennett are 4-3 DE's, why is she even bothering listing them? That makes about as much sense as listing someone like Chase Daniel as a viable...nevermind. Beyond that, "rusher at end" in the 3-4 is a terrible misnomer. None of the players she listed in college are "rushers." That's not what 3-4 DE's typically do.

The reason she has that one all jacked-up is because what she says we need at DE doesn't actually exist in the 3-4. The only thing she could do was list 4-3 DE's who are rushers and 3-4 college DE/DT's who project even though none of them are guys that are edge-rushers.

Linebackers
brns-defe-stllrs-2012-cc.jpg View full size James-Michael Johnson (50, right) is just one of several young players on the Browns defense who will have to adjust to Ray Horton's 3-4 philosophy. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

What they have: Chris Gocong, D'Qwell Jackson, James-Michael Johnson, Craig Robertson, Tank Carder, L.J. Fort, Adrian Moten and Emmanuel Acho.

The outlook: Jackson is the only proven commodity and he's more effective in a 4-3, where a tackle holds off the guard. But Horton will look to showcase his strengths. Gocong, who can rush, is coming off a torn Achilles and might not be 100 percent at the start. If he stays, he'll most likely be asked to slash his $4.45 million base, which isn't guaranteed. Johnson, who sat out six games with injuries in 2012, will be a top bet to start inside along with Jackson, and Robertson can play inside or out. Scott Fujita will most likely retire and Kaluka Maiava is an unrestricted free agent.

What they need: A pass-rushing outside linebacker will be key to powering the attack-minded scheme. Sheard will be used in that role, but the Browns will also look outside for help. Some edge-rushers who might be free in March include the Cowboys' Anthony Spencer and the Chargers' Shaun Phillips. Top draft prospects include Texas A&M's Damontre Moore (12.5 sacks in 2012), Florida State's Bjoern Werner (13) and Georgia's Jarvis Jones (14.5).

First, Gocong can rush? 79 career games. 9.5 career sacks. A career high 3.5 in 2011.

Second, Paul Kruger should have been on that list.

Third, Bjoern Werner doesn't project a 3-4 player. Cabot should know that.

Defensive backs

What they have: Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, Trevin Wade, Johnson Bademosi, Prince Miller, T.J. Ward, Usama Young, Tashaun Gipson, Eric Hagg.

The outlook: The team has one shutdown corner in Haden and a good safety in Ward. Beyond that, the other spots are up for grabs. Young and Gipson will challenge for free safety and young corners Skrine, Wade and Bademosi will vie for Sheldon Brown's job, as he'll most likely not be re-signed.

What they need: Look for the Browns to add another corner and a nickel back. Top potential free agents include Atlanta's Brent Grimes, New England's Aqib Talib and Philly's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The No. 1 cornerback in the draft, worthy of the Browns' No. 6 pick if he lasts that long, is Alabama's Dee Milliner, who's 6-1, 182 and runs a 4.45.

No real qualms here. Saying Skrine will "vie for" the other CB job isn't saying he's a viable candidate.

Specialists

What they have: Phil Dawson, Reggie Hodges, Josh Cribbs, Travis Benjamin

The outlook: Dawson, Hodges and Cribbs will all be free agents and could be replaced. Dawson might fetch more on the open market than the Browns are willing to pay. Same for Cribbs.

What they need: They could be looking at new kicker, punter and kick returner. Benjamin will hold down the punt return duties.

Makes perfect sense for once.

Sorry for the rant. It's just hard to believe that the face of Browns media is someone who looks like they did this between stuffing Funions into their mouths and watching re-runs of Beavis and Butthead in their dorm-room...

I forgive her for not being Gil Brandt.

How about now

Ya know, this is the time of year that NFL writers everywhere are bottom feeding for something to write.. I agree with a lot of your comments except the evaluation of the Oline. Your comment that they could start now so what needs evaluated is kind of a little off the mark especially since you yourself said that Greco played better than Pinky so if nothing else, that needs evaluated. Maybe Pinky goes to the other side a beats out Lauvao? dunno, but it needs evaluated. And yes, I know, she said it first, you just repeated it.

It's hard to get 5 all pros on the line, so someone is always a weak link. How much of a weak link is the question.

You did nail it on the QB's however. I don't believe that McCoy is here next year.. he's a good kid,, actually like the guy. But he's not the right fit for this O. And a clone of him, (the kid from New Orleans) isn't the answer.

As for the draft, I've not given it much thought but would anyone be willing to move down to either pick up another 1st this year or next, or a Second rounder this year?

Leave it to you to use the "After" picture. I like mine better.

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As for the draft, I've not given it much thought but would anyone be willing to move down to either pick up another 1st this year or next, or a Second rounder this year?

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Ask me that after the 5th pick has come off the board.

If we've gone through all of free agency and the first 5 picks of the draft and haven't come away with a starting corner and an elite OLB/rush guy and one is sitting there at 6, then no, I wouldn't drop. However, if we've filled many spots and the 6th pick feels like a luxury, Hell yeah, drop down and reload the coffers.

Sounds like someone is jealous that MKC has a job reporting on the Browns and he doesn't.....

Other than the comment on Colt bulking up I saw nothing inherently wrong with the article. Certainly nothing worth the time it took you to do all that.

That....is why you failed....

In all fairness, I knew her article was going to be crap before I even opened the thread.

You say that like its a bad thing.

The bulked up comment was asinine. She's awful. And not pretty. And she probably smells like motor oil.

Mary Mary, quite contrary...

When you load the entire program you can either watch the all-22 film or the end-zone views.

Oh, I've got a little time but no extra dollars to throw away.

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Want to see the TRUTH about Weeden, Richardson, and the O-line? Get the All-22 film. Your opinion will change.

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Have it.

What exactly does that mean?

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That....is why you failed....

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I have no idea what you mean by this.

I'm just busting your chops, man. The article was pretty bad.

Honestly, other than the fact that it's stuff that we already knew I don't see what is so bad about it.

If anyone is looking for some new, insightful info this time of year I think you're gonna be disappointed pretty much every time.

I believe you guys all think you're better than all the writers that actually get paid to write and you're just a wee bit jealous.

That is blasphemy Otto. You know we have the NFLs best writers, GMs, coaches and scouts on this board. Sometimes I wonder how they manage to find time to post with all the work they must have to do at the team facility.

Oh please.

My wife could have written a better article than that, and she just recently discovered you have two different sets of players to play offense and defense.

I learn more about the Browns from this board than from most writers who cover the Browns for a living. In Mary Kay Cosmetic's defence, there's nothing much else to write about this time of year.

The McCoy bulking up sentence was laughable. Bulking up.... yeah it did wonders for Brady Quinn.

And Colt, as much as I like the kid, doesn't fit any NFL offence, unless it's a scout team.

Just going over some things, we should expect some ex-Cardinals to be targeted like Groves (OLB) and Toler (CB)..This would fill the bigger holes on defense immediately.
I also think they will target Vasquez (OG) from SD..that would no doubt help the interior running game.

Don't ask about QB..I have my own thoughts but it's apparent Lombardi doesn't like Weeden..but there are no real viable options with the new scheme being put in.

I don't see many viable options other then Weeden right now. I mean, I wish there was.

I'm not able to be here as I mentioned a while back but I'm gonna say something that needs to stick..
Unless Weeden's football IQ is low he can progress.
I see that being the only thing that will prevent him from succeeding.
Thats what I want to find out, does he have it upstairs or is he another DA?

The only obstacle I see top that is if this new regime has already concluded that they don't believe he can.

I don't have the answer to that but if they have a pre-conceived notion, we may never have the chance to find out on the field.

By all accounts, Heckert didn't like the Weeden pick at 22. Homie is the one who pushed all of that up since he screwed up the try for RGIII.

Heckert was willing to wait for Weeden in the 3rd.

I agree, now that Weeden as a NFL season under him, old opinions don't hold much water anymore, so it's useless to bring those back and try to pin them on Lombardi or anyone else. What they think now is all that matters.

I don't know about that. Holmgren loved McCoy, and forced that pick on Heckert, but Heckert was gaga for Weeden heading up to the draft. He spoke of him in glowing terms much as he did about Haden prior to us drafting him. That's why I wasn't at all surprised when we took him, even in the 1st. Heckert was a huge Weeden fan, and he really wanted to be able to get him. I don't think that Holmgren had much in that decision except to OK it.

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I agree, now that Weeden as a NFL season under him, old opinions don't hold much water anymore, so it's useless to bring those back and try to pin them on Lombardi or anyone else.

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C'mon, Peen, can you think of one reasonably important opinion that you've formed in the past two years that has actually changed substantially because of something you learned after the opinion was first formed?

Probably not, if you're truthful. That's why the old saying, "First impressions matter" has validity. Sure, they COULD change their opinions of Weeden but does anyone actually think they will?