DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Horton wants Haden to be elite

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...ba-eb5af86bef50
Posted 18 hours ago
By Matt Florjancic, Staff Writer

Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton wants cornerback Joe Haden to be an "elite" NFL player.

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton likes what he sees from fourth-year defensive back Joe Haden, both on film and in person.

By spending three seasons in the AFC North Division, Haden has gotten to compete against Pro Bowl-caliber wide receivers in former Baltimore standouts Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans, as well as one-time Steelers wideout, Mike Wallace.

Horton feels Haden has benefitted by facing off against that type of competition.

“There was a fantastic play against Pittsburgh where Mike Wallace was running on the post and Joe was just stride for stride,” Horton said. “You know he can run; you know he can catch. I was pleasantly surprised to watch how he tackled. To me, he’s got complete-package ability.

“What I want him to be is one of the elite corners in the league. I want people to say, ‘Wow, Joe Haden is one of the top corners in the league. That’s what I want from him and I’m challenging him not to just be this great athlete, but to be this great player. We’re going to challenge him because he’s one of our better players.”

Despite missing five games in 2012, four due to a league-mandated suspension and one because of an injury, Haden finished the year with 51 total tackles, including 40 solo stops, and three interceptions. His three takeaways tied for the most on the team, which was the second time in his three NFL seasons that Haden has had at least a share of the Browns’ interceptions lead.

In his career, Haden has intercepted nine passes and broken up 47. The seventh overall pick in 2010, Haden, and Kansas City defensive back Brandon Flowers, have broken up the third-most passes in the NFL, behind Tramon Williams (Green Bay) and Brandon Carr (Dallas).

“I remember working Joe out at the University of Florida when he came out, and he was a fantastic talent, with speed and hands, fantastic family and character when I met him down there,” Horton said. “You come up here and watch film and it’s the same thing. He can play the ball; he can catch the ball, which is becoming, I think, the No. 1 prerequisite of a defensive back. It used to be that you had to be tough and tackle. Well, the game’s become a passing game. You’ve got to be able to catch the ball and he can.”

By evaluating the game film, Horton found that Haden’s personality and impact are contagious, especially with his 2010 draft classmate, safety, T.J. Ward.

“When (Joe) came in here, he smiles a lot,” Horton said. “You know he loves football and what’s going on.

“It’s the same with T.J. When T.J. missed some games, you missed a little bit of the fire ability, the ‘Wow,’ splash plays. He’s another guy that I think loves to play football. It’s a good mix of doing some creative things with explosive athletes and some good players.”

There is another thread on here where Django asks a good question, what are the Browns Planning for DB's?

He brings up some good points. But I thought, what if Horton looked at film and decided that we don't need to add anyone, that we already have guys that are as good as what we could have gotten in FA.

Then this article gets posted and what do you know, he IS looking at tape and talking to players. Maybe my guess was right.

We should extend him long term...Before Horton makes him ELITE!

Just saying

Didn't Horton get the memo? Last week, Haden declared himself the 2nd best corner in the NFL. Joe rocks, I don't think he's elite yet. but he's one of our best and he's gotta be a top priority.

I'd love to snag a corner with size to put opposite of him for matchups against the BIG, physical WRs. Thought Sean Smith would have been a nice upgrade.

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Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton wants cornerback Joe Haden to be an "elite" NFL player.

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Add a #2 CB to shut down the other side and a FS who can cover and hit and maybe Haden & Ward can both become "elite" players.

Wow. I'd have SWORN he'd prefer he be below average.

gotta love off-season fluff pieces

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Wow. I'd have SWORN he'd prefer he be below average.

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My first thought when I read the article was, "Well why wouldn't/shouldn't he want Haden or any other player to be elite?"

We landed on the moon?

Haden is commonly regarded as a top 3 corner with Sherman and Revis

Face It Fella's our front office did not mess up all the time, JT is the best LT in football and I feel TRICH is going to be great also, and Joe Haden was well worth taking him at #7 in the draft, there are some others who will stepping up also ... JMHO

Maybe if he didn't get banned 4-games I'd agree, but I don't grade on talent alone.

He's going to have to be BEYOND Elite since they don't feel it necessary to get him any help in the secondary!

JC...

I think Haden is vastly overrated by most of this board, but I also think he is better than average. I think Horton saw things on tape that told him Haden had the ability but wasn't living up to his talent ... and that's why he came out publicly with these statements.

I see a guy in Haden who has all the tools, but plays with a bit of arrogance counting on his athleticism to get him by. You never hear that he's a hard worker or that he studies tape or whatever. Unfortunately for him, as well, is that he doesn't have anyone to test him in practice.

I think Horton was saying Haden needs to step up. And I agree. This isn't a bash Haden post because I'm glad he's on the Browns but I don't think he's reaching his potential at this time.

Someone mentioned Peterson should be in the conversation for elite CB ... I'll admit not having watched him enough to commit to this opinion entirely, but from what I've seen he has been very disappointing as a CB .. as a returner he's been awesome.

why do you hate TJ Ward?

TJ Ward might be the most over rated Brown.

Yep... if strong safeties could cover, they'd be corners.

You can't be an elite CB if you keep getting schooled by elite receivers. Ask me after you stop an AJ Green or an Anquan Boldin in crunch time.

A little consistency in rushing the passer will help any CB fare better against the elite WRs.

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I think Ward's way overrated .. people see him hit like a tank and think hes all that .. he never wraps and is a poor tackler IMO ...

plus i agree with BgP .. if your always hurt u can't help from the bench .. I love amendola as a reciever but i thing the pats made a bad signing with him ... he's always hurt .. love the guy but i wouldn't want him on my team ...

but thats just me ..

TJ Ward played 16 games, 8 games, 14 games



he missed major games 1 out of 3 years.

The problem with TJ Ward is that he doesn't know his coverage responsibilities well enough and needs a mentor FS to help him during games. But that's part of being new to the league. Mike Adams helped him out a ton that year, which made Ward one of the best players.

http://www.youtube.com/v/40qPiYAaJlA

the guy is pin on sideline and he miss? how can a safty miss this kind of play?

he missed alot of games in one out of three years .... he played with a broken thumb in one of his three years ... how did that affect his play??? .. especially him .. he doesn't wrap with two good hands .. how bad did he wrap with one?? ..

and 2 games is over 10% of the season .. this isn't basketball or baseball ..

i'm not a big fan of the guy ... its OK that u are ... were allowed to disagree ... hopefully Ward will learn how to actually tackle instead of just go for the kill shot on every play and then i will more than likely join your side and agree with u ..

until then .. we'll just have to agree to disagree ...

Haden is a top 5 DB?!? Seriously???

People need to watch some other games.

And I don't think he has elite talent either.

He wouldn't start for Seattle. Both corners are far better.

Tillman is way more of a difference maker....

I could go on and on and on but no desire.

He's probably in the mix for top-15ish.

Ward isn't an impact player. Maybe that's scheme, maybe that's coaching.

Big hits =/= impact at his position. He doesn't pass the eye test, he doesn't match up well on TE's and he can't cover WR's. So basically he becomes a linebacker because he isn't getting take aways.