DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Lombardi Comments at Hall of Fame Club

Some interesting comments, especially on the philosophy they will follow to build the team.

Cleveland Browns still evaluating Brandon Weeden, not giving up on 2013, GM Mike Lombardi says | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ss...t_river_default

CANTON, Ohio -- In a speech to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's luncheon club on Monday, Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi made it clear that the jury is still out on Brandon Weeden, that Jabaal Sheard fits into the team's pass-rushing plans, that Barkevious Mingo doesn't necessarily need to bulk up and that the club is in no way giving up on the season just because it pushed a few draft picks out to next year.

In his first public appearance since he was hired in January, Lombardi addressed a wide range of topics during his speech and then took questions from the audience. Afterwards, he met with the media for about 10 minutes.

Of course, quarterback was a big topic of discussion, and Lombardi stressed that the club is still in wait-and-see mode on Weeden.

"Everything's an evaluation," he said. "We just have to keep going. Quarterback's very important. Brandon's a young player. It's only his second year in the league. He's got a great opportunity to demonstrate his talent. (Offensive coordinator) Norv (Turner) has been around some really good quarterbacks. Norv and (coach Rob Chudzinski) have been able to modify their system to utilize the talent level of the player. That's what great coaches do."

Asked his early impressions of Weeden, he said: "You have to be really careful to make impressions. You never want to begin with the end in mind so you have to always stay clear. You've got to keep trying to learn a little bit more and move forward and then ultimately you have enough of a sample size to make a decision. That's what we're going to do."

Lombardi's speech was over before the Cardinals released quarterback Brian Hoyer, the former St. Ignatius star, and the GM wasn't available to answer whether or not the Browns would pursue him. Rumors of the Browns' possible interest surfaced as recently as draft weekend.

Lombardi did acknowledge that Weeden will have to demonstrate a quick release and the ability to make split-second decisions to flourish in the new offense.

"Once he's integrated into the system and he's played in it a little bit, we're going to find out," Lombardi said. "Those are going to be the key things that all great quarterbacks have to do. It's anticipation. In the NFL, if you wait for the guy to get open, you're on your back. Norv and Chud, they all understand those are qualities that have to be developed, and Brandon understands it too. I think they're all there for him and he certainly did it at Oklahoma State."

Lombardi wasn't specific about whether or not the Browns considered taking a quarterback at any point in the draft.

"I don't think that was an area where I thought the value would've met the pick," he said.

Some other Lombardi highlights:

On whether they'd bring back Josh Cribbs: "Well, he's looking. Josh obviously needs to have a defined role in what he wants to do moving forward. He's testing the market to see what his value will be. He wants the perfect opportunity. I'm sure that what he finds and what we may talk about has to be perfect for both parties."

On whether he's confident Sheard can play in space: "Yeah, I think he can. He certainly has shown the willingness to do it. You've got to see him do it in games and situations. He's learning and he's growing and he's doing a tremendous job of buying into what he believes to be the program. ... He's got a good support staff."

On whehter they'd add former Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes, 30: "Kerry played for [defensive coordinator Ray Horton] in Arizona. He's a name out there. We haven't really done much at all. Right now, we're focusing on the Cleveland Brown players and seeing where we are."

On whether Barkevious Mingo needs to put on 10 pounds: "It really comes down to his function and how he plays on the field. But he's played in a very high level of competition at a certain weight, and that level of competition really didn't hinder him at that weight."

On the free safety job: "Obviously (Tashaun) Gipson played last year and he played well for the team, so he's going to get all the looks. And we drafted (sixth-rounder Jamoris) Slaughter, who we feel like once he's healthy can come in and take a look, so it's an ongoing evaluation. It's way too early in the process to make any conclusive statements."

On possible contract extensions for center Alex Mack and safety T.J. Ward, who are up after this year: "We really haven't gotten to that point. That's certainly on the list of things to do as we move forward. Again, it's about making sure we evaluate the players."

On the approach to 2013: "We're certainly, by no means, thinking about giving up on the season. I'm too competitive, (so) is Rob Chudzinski. We're going to go in there and compete. We've got some pieces to compete with. This team last year was in a lot of close games, had a lot of opportunities in the fourth quarter. I think we can build on that. ... I don't want you to think I'm here saying don't come to the game this year because we're not going to be any good. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying we're going to build this thing right so we can sustain success."

On the importance of a pass rush: "The only way Peyton Manning, the only way Tom Brady is not going to be able to put the ball in certain places is if you put pressure on them and make them have to move. You can play with young players if you can rush the passer."

On reports the scouts weren't in the war room during the draft: "Last year, those scouts weren't in the draft room, either. Most NFL teams don't always have all their scouts in the room. They write reports. We had a huge amount of reports on our file. I don't think everybody understands how the process works."

On the importance of a first-half lead: "If you can't effectively throw the ball, if you can't get the lead . . . early in the game, if you can't rush the passer, then you're going to have a hard time winning. One of the most critical statistics in football today is first-half point differential. The top five teams that lead at halftime ... typically are always going to be playoff-caliber type of teams."

On the Browns' blueprint for success: "We're going to throw the ball effectively. We're going to get the lead, and when we get the lead, we're going to have pass rushers that can maintain the lead. So a 14-point lead then can become a 21-point lead. And that's the challenge. That's the blueprint.

"Now as a scouting department at the Cleveland Browns, those are the kind of players we have to go out and acquire. Does that mean that Trent Richardson as our running back isn't going to get the ball? No, that doesn't mean that at all. It means that we are going to try to be aggressive and find a way to get points on the board early in the game, so that we can rush the passer. Why draft Mingo? Why sign Paul Kruger? You have Jabaal Sheard there. Well, you need to rush the passer. So the philosophy has to follow."

I would like to build a team that is adept at playing in front.

That sounds really good. I can buy in to a team that plays well with 14 point leads and turns them into 21 point leads.

Let's go out and do it...for once!

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Asked his early impressions of Weeden, he said: "You have to be really careful to make impressions. You never want to begin with the end in mind so you have to always stay clear. You've got to keep trying to learn a little bit more and move forward and then ultimately you have enough of a sample size to make a decision. That's what we're going to do."

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This sounds very similar to Banner's and Chud's comments on Weeden. They don't sound very confident. It's almost like they are resigned to giving Weeden another shot because they didn't feel there was an adequate replacement in FA or the draft.

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Lombardi did acknowledge that Weeden will have to demonstrate a quick release and the ability to make split-second decisions to flourish in the new offense.

"Once he's integrated into the system and he's played in it a little bit, we're going to find out," Lombardi said. "Those are going to be the key things that all great quarterbacks have to do. It's anticipation. In the NFL, if you wait for the guy to get open, you're on your back.

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Yes. I have been saying that for quite some time. He holds the ball way too long and has never demonstrated that he possesses the under-rated anticipation skill set.

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On whehter they'd add former Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes, 30: "Kerry played for [defensive coordinator Ray Horton] in Arizona. He's a name out there. We haven't really done much at all. Right now, we're focusing on the Cleveland Brown players and seeing where we are."

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That sounds like a no.

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On whether Barkevious Mingo needs to put on 10 pounds: "It really comes down to his function and how he plays on the field. But he's played in a very high level of competition at a certain weight, and that level of competition really didn't hinder him at that weight."

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The weight thing is being way over-blown by the media and the fans. Give it a rest.

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On the free safety job: "Obviously (Tashaun) Gipson played last year and he played well for the team, so he's going to get all the looks.

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I think the Browns are high on Gipson. Jauron was high on him, too. He gave him some fairly high praise last year. Jauron might have been rather boring in his schemes, but he has a sound football mind.

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On the approach to 2013: "We're certainly, by no means, thinking about giving up on the season.

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It's going to be a year of evaluation. He just can't say that because they still need to sell tickets this year. LOL

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On the Browns' blueprint for success: "We're going to throw the ball effectively. We're going to get the lead, and when we get the lead, we're going to have pass rushers that can maintain the lead.

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A fine strategy, but the other team is also going to try and get the early lead. I think we have the right DC and the pass rushers to pull off the second part of the plan, but I don't know if we have the qb and receivers to get an early lead. Easier said than done.

The "resigned to Weeden" plan is a good way to put that. Almost like a due process to cover up a forthcoming decision that is made, at least in part, already. Any doubt as to what would happen if he comes up short (his replacement is debated I am sure). Sounds like "Gimme a reason. Make my day." That might not be the case, but how many QB's do you need to bring in for competition? Saw that when reps were split in the spirit of fairness during the string of QB competitions, controversies, and the mystery starter stuff. Many wre wasted reps while the eventual starter struggled. Hope we get right well before the season.

j/c

Lombardi is saying nothing new. They defined a plan and sticking to it.

If you look at what was done so far, you see they are only bringing players into the fold who match a predetermined script. They are not signing or getting anyone who might or later maybe fit.

On defense, Horton pretty much laid it out. In the secondary, small guys who can hit. For the front seven, they want big men who are fast.

Applying the same principals on offense you see big fast OL with quick thinking play makers. If there was a QB in this draft who fit their specs, Weedon would be gone.

Again none of this is new Banner/Lombardi/Haslam preached these concepts from the start. If you look back when Mangini was hired and Holmgren, they said the same thing. It is a process. It takes time. We are building for the long haul. I think the biggest difference now compared to then is ownership buy in. The big question remains how long does Haslam remain patient. With his pending lawsuits, money might be tight, and if tickets sells decline, will we still see patience.

I'm all for building but when lambo said we could of gone to playoffs if we used differe.it strategy..iwas like...do it for the love of god ...

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This sounds very similar to Banner's and Chud's comments on Weeden. They don't sound very confident.

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There really isn't any good choice other than to give him a shot and hope he catches on.

There weren't any really viable guys in the draft. At 6 they had the chance to pick anyone and they passed on everyone. Not saying they didn't miss something, but I am saying that they don't think they missed anything.

On the FA market, what was there that was worth anything to them for the long haul? really, nobody. Campbell is a nice back up plan, but beyond that, there really wasn't anything that didn't require a major investment that was a sure thing.

So it's Weeden or Campbell this year and hope we can get someone in the draft next season.

I really didn't see any alternative. Did you?

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I really didn't see any alternative. Did you?

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Maybe Alex Smith, but no, I think that giving Weeden another year is the smartest move. Who knows, he may blossom this year.

Like what I've heard from Lombardi...he hasn't rusted off in the recent years I think he actually is better n learned a heck of a lot in the last 20 years. I think this is the first time he has this much control.

Plan is sound. The only part I didn't like was usually in there is as a first step...Stop the run. Other than that it sounds like the plan of Champions

Weeden I don't think the negative thought on him is that great - There is a definite Show Me but if they really thought he sucked...we would have drafted a QB. Maybe not at #6 but we would have drafted somebody.

We also know Campbell was not signed to be our QB possibly a back up n Band aid. In our one minicamp all had noted how the big difference they saw in Weeden was him getting rid of the ball quicker. A lot of the 2012 negatives dealt with comfort within the system.

Just love the speed of our team. The youthful enthusiasm. A good plan that looks like it will get Continuity. Finally the first 3 year program we are in! I don't care if anyone said it before..Talent wise we are finally in a 3 year program.

JMHO

I'm very happy that this new regime is continuing the building the last regime begun. They have put their egos away for this season and evaluated the roster accordingly. That's NOT a given with a new regime, so I appreciate what they're doing, especially on Offense. Weeden, TRich, Cameron, Little and Gordon need this season to show or cement their worth and that's what Banner and Lombardi are going to do....good job

As for FS: I don't know what they saw with Gipson as I didn't see much from him, he was late often, just as Young, and does not have elite recovery speed...I don't know, maybe I'm dead wrong, but I don't see how we couldn't evaluate and develop Gipson as the backup FS with a guy like Rhodes signed as stop gap.

The "plan" to go ahead and then rush the passer sounds overly simplistic to me and kind of explains why they put ALL of their offseason eggs into this basket. I disagree, as the NFL still runs the ball at least 40% of the time and we won't lead much at halftime if we get run over because DQ and Robertson aren't physical enough to shed interior OL in this new scheme....I think that's a neglected part of their "blueprint". Lombardi said you can win with young guys if you have a pass rush and that's why we're going with young guys at ILB and FS instead of taking just a little of our boatload of cap room to solidify those positions with Dansby and Rhodes. I just don't see how this blueprint excludes signing those guys....sure you "can" get away with youth, but why risk it if you don't have to and can allow to sign solid guys at those positions? Looks like a unforced bet we're making out of some obscure "blueprint" thinking....that's the bad side of "scheme(or plan) over talent". It's nice to have a plan, but don't treat is as a "God" and I think that's what they're doing here and their god is named "pass rush"....everything else seems much less important to them.

Just to contrast it with what my most estimated GM, Ozzie, is doing....here's a GM that CONSTANTLY is ALL about the BEST possible player at EVERY position, be it draft or FA. He has no "godfather" plan, he just adjusts and reacts as soon as he sees fit....the signing of Dumervil was a perfect example for that. I mean, they were supposed to have little to no cap available, but when I see their depth chart on D now I see a more improved D than ours and I ask myself how that is possible? Perplexing to say the least...and with that I'm not even bashing our FO, just pointing out what an incredible job Ozzie is doing year in, year out in Baltimore. Wish he was our GM...

Predator...Just repeating from what I hear from the Great coaches of this era...usually they start with Stop the Run. Then of course its control the air game stuff. What I think that means is you can play the air game better in your nickel n dime packages n an aggressive pass rush.

Yeah in theory you score a lot you force the other team to go spread n give up on their Run game. But usually pending how much behind that doesn't take effect until mid 3rd quarter the earliest n 4th qtr.


But I'm just regurgitating what I have heard others state...not putting out my opinion.

It's funny how Lombardi is talking in incomplete sentences, just like Chud. If he did that on the NFL Network he would have been fired in a week.

First theres this:

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Lombardi wasn't specific about whether or not the Browns considered taking a quarterback at any point in the draft.

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Then:

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"I don't think that was an area where I thought the value would've met the pick," he said

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How's that not being specific? Can't get much clearer than that. I don't like that the media keeps trying to push Weed's out the door.

Then there's this:

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"Everything's an evaluation," he said. "We just have to keep going. Quarterback's very important. Brandon's a young player. It's only his second year in the league. He's got a great opportunity to demonstrate his talent

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And yet I read the comments from some on here, about the FO is always talking negative about BW. I have read no such thing. Everything that I have seen, whether it was from Chud or Norm or the FO has been upbeat about BW coming along in his second season. I don't know why there's so many always rushing to throw the QB under the bus. He' was a rookie like everyone else, age not withstanding.

Surprisingly most is from this year. It will be an interview with Bellicheck or Fisher or even Mangini on NFL espn round table. The convo would be about defending the air game...and they all seem to correct the reporter by stating well Actually the first thing you have to do to defend the pass...IS STOP THE RUN. Was surprised when in like 3 months I heard that several times.

JMHSharing...all from NFL Network n ESPN interviews this year.

I just might have to check that out!

I didn't want Lombardi, still not sure anything has been done or said to change my mind on that but I'm open.

Even then, I didn't see a thing wrong with what he was saying.

Hemhawing is nothing new for GM's and Coaches.. especially when they don't want to give away too much information. These guys are good at keeping things close to the vest.

As much as he has trashed us over the yrs. it will take me sometime to get over it. I was glad he didn't start throwing around any anti-Weeden talk, that's why I don't understand where all this talk about how they don't like Weed's comes from. Some just don't like him, so it doesn't matter what he does.

I'm slowly coming around to the realization that defending the pass is more important in today's NFL. I specifically say defending the pass as opposed to covering the pass because, once again, pressure is more important to defeating the pass than coverage.

Even with that said, I went and looked at the box scores game-by-game, the Browns only led at halftime in 5 contest last year. Against the Chargers, Cowboys, Raiders, Chiefs and Skins. Wins came against 3 of those 5. More telling is that we trailed in 11 of 16 games at the half. I like the fact that the team is looking analytically at the significance of this type of performance and knows it has to find a solution to it.

I agree. A good example of stats aren't just for losers.



And no doubt defending the pass just can't be passed over to the CB you have out there.

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And yet I read the comments from some on here, about the FO is always talking negative about BW. I have read no such thing. Everything that I have seen, whether it was from Chud or Norm or the FO has been upbeat about BW coming along in his second season. I don't know why there's so many always rushing to throw the QB under the bus.

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Are you related to Weeden? You made two posts on this thread boo-hooing about this. Kinda weird.

No one said the FO was "always talking negative about BW." However, what they did say was far from "upbeat about BW coming along in his second season." Where are you getting that nonsense?

Their comments are very vanilla. They sure as heck are not praising him. They are talking about his opportunity to step up. LOL.....seriously man. You do understand that means he NEEDS to improve, right?

Furthermore, why would you have a problem w/Lombardi ripping on us while he was on TV? Do you think 4 and 12 and 5 and 11 records year in and year out deserve accolades?

I normally wouldn't get on such opinions, but you were acting like other posters were whacked. Take a long look in the mirror, pal.

There have been positive remarks about Weeden, specifically from Banner and from Turner, since they came in. There have also been ...... "motivating" comments.

Until they actually get him into this offense, I don't know if they know what they have for sure. I don't believe that Turner has had an opportunity to work with Weeden yet, has he? Banner saw him last year in a WCO offense.

However, we have a solid backup to Weeden this year, so if he can't perform, then we'll have someone to go in for him. Campbell isn't an All Pro by any stretch, but he should be a decent backup, or carryover kind of guy if Weeden fails.

J/c

But then, if the FO came out and gave Weeden the vote of confidence, people would be saying that that's the kiss of death...

The FO is being smart. They are giving Weeden a shot to either make himself the franchise quarterback or get replaced. They are getting ready to get their guy in next year's draft in case he doesn't show up.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that. If he can't prove himself in this offense, with these coaches and supporting cast, good riddance.

I agree with that 100%.

Hmmph.. IMO the NFL is a copycat league. Coaches see someone be successful.. then they imitate it. Case in point.. after Bill Walsh was done at SF everyone said "what a genius" Then they wanna run a WCO

Well.. My take is what if he just had good talent?

The other thing that bothers me is this passing league stuff. I believe it a lot better to have a balanced offensive game than otherwise.

If you are able to pound the ball down your opponents middle, then you should keep doing that until they stop you.

I'd be willing to bet that there are more fans like you and me per capita for the Browns than any other fanbase in the league. My ideal football team to watch would be an offense that uses a vicious OL and FB to ram a franchise back down the throat of a defense filled with pass defenders.

Get ahead, stay ahead and have the opponent get embarrassed watching the leagues best back get first downs until time expires.

Nothing is more demoralizing than having a team grind out first downs on the ground when you are trailing and really need to get the ball back. It takes the life right out of a football team and can have a residual effect.

Norv has probably been the best over the last 2 decades at utilizing the run game effectively. My greatest criticism of Pat as well as the great Andy Reid is that they did not know how to use the run to fully compliment the pass.

I think this is one of the big reasons as to why we really didnt make major moves offensively as well as the fact that Everyone outside Berea saw Weeden as a horrible fit in a Pat Shurmur offense.

I have a lot of confidence that the O is going to make a dramatic turn. The big ?? is simply can Weeden be more than a clutch mistake?

Peen again this is not my opinion - well I guess NOW it is but not from my design n thought process. I understand the balance of Run vs. Air has tilted heavily towards Air of late. Once upon a time if you passed more than 40 times it was a statistic showing a high Loss rate. Now its the opposite. I get it.

That is why some very respectable coaches over the last year when in discussion about Defending against the pass. Almost all stated that (in a believe it or not tone) the first thing you need to do is STOP the RUN. Not my theory...not about Football in 2001 - the discussion was concerning the detail in the Air Game on Offense.

I'm not a well I THINK OPPOSITE I am right kind of guy...When I hear stuff like this I want to Learn...WHY?

Very simply put Teams who wish to Pass wants to get 8 in the box if they are successful with the run the rest will Fall Into Place. It has nothing to do 45 passes n 25 runs. It has to do with the likelihood of those 25 runs will be on First or 2nd down If you can stop those runs you are setting up an OBVIOUS Passing down on 2nd or 3rd. Where you can concentrate your Defensive strategy against the pass.

Why when you watch a game...the Analyst ALWAYS make a big deal about 3rd and a "Manageable" Yardage. Cause its all about Percentages. 3rd n 4,3,2,1 there is that threat of a possible run - Defenses must guard against both. So the Higher success of a 1st down is in those situations. 3rd n 5,6,7,8,9 You can D-up for a pass Pin your Ears back on the LOS to rush the passer bring in your extra CB packages, etc.

Its not about a guy going back to pass on 1st down n getting 15 yards. You wish to stop that. But if incomplete it puts the O in that Passing down situation. If you run and get 4 yards or more its Good. Cause now on 2nd down the D still has to Guard against Both Run n Pass. First downs will happen...Defenses wish to Stop the Drive at some point. The Odds shift in their Favor on a stop if they stop that run. For the thought of well why not pass all the time...all you need is 1 incomplete on 1st down n the odds shift n at some point a D will simply load up to stop the Pass.

Its all about gaining an edge of eliminating the guessing of Run vs Pass for the Defense to concentrate on One (especially the Pass).

So this is what I came away with in regards to their statements oddly when asked about Stopping the pass. A big big key is to Stop the run early n give the Defense an advantage/edge in playing the Pass.

JMHO on why they have stated this. Predator any luck finding anything? Just in case this is a raving of a Mad Man

j/c

I think HC's in this league are pretty smart overall. You look at your opponent and exploit their weakness. Whatever that weakness may be.

Now the "idea" that you wish to score fast, stay ahead by scoring a lot and stopping their pass is a fine "idea". But if I'm coaching against such an idea, unless you have me down by 10 points or more and I can run on you, I'm running on you.

I think Vers explained it best by just how demoralizing that is. It disrupts your rhythm and makes it very hard to keep your offense productive at a certain point.

When we face RB's like AP, Ray Rice and C.J. Spiller, we better be able to put up some scores fast or it will more than likely be a long day.

While putting pressure on a QB is a very good thing, it certainly won't be the answer to everything.

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Just to present the other side of the coin.....we have pretty much sucked since 1999. Would it make you feel better if we just hired a guy who thought we were doing everything right and he wouldn''t have changed a thing?

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This won't make sense to you but, It doesn't matter if he is right or wrong, it's the fact that he always trashed us, no matter what we did. If someone trashed your mother, would it matter if she did indeed wear a size 14 combat boot? or would the fact that one person kept trashing her because of it bother you?

Nobody trashes our family, I will get over it, because since he is in the fold now he is to be treated like the red-headed step child that he is.