DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns Acquire John Moffitt

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But, it is FAR more effective than the big dummies who can only man/base block.

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Paul Zukaskis comes to mind.

I probably prefer man up blocking because it is vastly superior in the short yardage situations but zone produces the bigger runs and if you find the right back you can make average back stars. Now if you can do both and do it well, then you are onto something special. If you can do both and you have a great back well you produce championships.

I agree that it is great to have both, but I think that teams that man/base block only do it because the freaking OL are too stupid to zone block. I don't even think it is close in terms of effectiveness.

The problem is finding guys who are smart enough, agile enough, and technically sound to pull it off.

Let me provide an example. Quite a few years ago, most of the board thought Bryant McKinnie was going to be the greatest OT ever. I did not. I did pimp Joe T as a future HOFer.

Those two guys are prototypical of what I am talking about. McKinnie = man blocker. Joe would be best in a zone blocking scheme. It ain't close.

Another example. Again, it happened on this board. Many thought Nat Dorsey was going to be a stud. I argued w/passion that he would not. He was strictly a man/base blocking guy who lacked the feet to play the position. Pit pimped Levi Jones, who had better feet, and turned out to be a far superior player.

Just food for thought........

Actually, yes I can. So, can most physical fitness trainers, strength coaches,and others who evaluate physiques. I'm not going into great detail since no one would want to read it all anyways but here is some tidbits.

Offensive Lineman- Should have big quadriceps,calves,tricepts, and especially a big butt. These all show sign of superior leg strength which provide their "push."

OL who are better at run blocking a lot tend to have developed extensor muscles(underside and biggest forearm muscle group)- push against a wall and you will feel these muscles work. They also tend to have better developed triceps(push) than biceps(pull/lift).

OL who are better at pass blocking will have built up their Fibularis longus muscle(outside calf muscle) which helps in change of direction and planting your leg. If you get the games in HD or can see in person then look at Joe Thomas's calves and you will see his left calf muscle bulges to the outside more than his right. You can tell which side of the line they normally play because the leg that is away from the QB will get built up more as they plant and turn their pass rusher away from the qb. They will also have much more developed brachioradialis muscles(upper forearm muscles) due to working on building up their handspeed and control. Boxers who have great hooks or do a lot of speedbag practice usually end up with large upper forearms. Leg control, balance, and handspeed are vital for pass protection.

Now throw into that I played LT and LG and yes I cant tell by looking at his picture what is is probably going to be better at. I mean nothing is ever 100% but when you can read the evidence you have a good probability of being right.

As for Weeden, we already know his issues are footwork, patting the ball, and Mental. I am sure Turner can handle it.

Keep in mind I am not dogging this guard we picked up. I am happy we got him for such a cheap price. Was just observing his picture supports the knock he has on pass protection and supports the probability of good run blocking.

And Colt McCoy for picks.

J/C

I don't know a lot about this guy, but it seems like a trade that could help both teams. We definitely needed help at Guard, and we traded away a guy with some talent, but who wasn't going to make the team.

I do like it though .....because we got help at a position we need help at without giving up any future draft picks. The worst that happens is that this guy doesn't make the team, and we traded a guy who wouldn't make the team for a guy who didn't make the team. Best case is that we upgrade the position.

j/c

Maybe we can use Moffit in more obvious run blocking schemes and Gilkey in more obvious pass protect scemes? Is that even possible?

Sure it's possible, but defenses will catch on and catch on rather quickly and it'll be another tool they use against us.

Yeah i figured that too on top of the fact that the OL needs to gel more than any other unit on the field.

Good trade, on paper at least. Sure, Moffitt was a 3rd rounder, but he lost his spot to a DL-OL convert and felll out of favour quickly, so there's obviously something fishy with him. If it's too good to be true...well you know. We'll probably pray for Pinkston/Lava coming back after watching this dude start a couple of games, that's my prediction and I fully understand the move. We aquired a G that projects to screw up less than our 7th round rook, but better expect that he'll screw up nontheless, otherwise he wouldn't be available for Samford

I worry when a team gives up fairly early on a moderately high draft pick at Guard ...... but we stole Greco from the Rams a couple of years ago .... so maybe we can steal another Guard from the NFCW. Who knows? It does sometimes take a Guard a few years to develop ..... and sometimes a change of scenery as well. The kid has all of the measurables, and he played at a good program in college ....

He sounds like he's had issues .....

Seahawks trade John Moffitt to Cleveland | Seahawks Insider - The News Tribune
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2013/08/19/seahawks-trade-john-moffitt-to-cleveland/

The Cleveland Browns announced that the team traded defensive lineman Brian Sanford for Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman John Moffitt.

The Seahawks have confirmed the trade.

Moffitt was battling for the starting right guard with converted defensive lineman J.R. Sweezy.

However, comments from Pete Carroll last week seemed to hint that Sweezy was ahead in the competition. Sweezy also started against Denver last week.


“John’s been battling,” Carroll said. “He’s had a good chance to compete. He’s been mixing time with Sweezy with the 1s, and it’s a competition that’s ongoing.

“Sweeezy’s done really well. J.R.’s well ahead of where he was a year ago, and he’s trying to hold him off. But John’s working hard at it.”

The Seahawks also worked rookies Michael Bowie and Alvin Bailey at guard the past week in practice.

Drafted in the third round of the 2011 draft as the team’s answer at right guard, Moffitt started nine games there his rookie season before suffering a MCL and PCL tear in his left knee that required surgery.

Last year, Moffitt had elbow surgery during training camp, opening the door for Sweezy to start the 2012 season opener at Arizona as a rookie. The two continued to battle for playing time last year, with Moffitt starting six games as he dealt with lingering elbow and knee issues.

Moffitt also had issues to deal with off the field. He violated the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs for not pre-clearing a drug he regularly takes for hyperactivity. Moffitt served the four-game suspension while on the injured reserve in 2011.

And this summer, he pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct in Bellevue District Court. Moffitt had to pay a fine of $1,407, and received a suspended sentence of 24 months in jail.

Moffitt initially faced two misdemeanor charges of criminal trespassing and obstruction of a law enforcement officer after three separate incidents at Bellevue Square mall in 2012.

At 6-2 and 280 pounds, Sanford signed with the Browns as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2010, and spent most of his first season on the team’s practice squad.

In three seasons with Cleveland, Sanford appeared in six games, with three tackles and no sacks.

One thing that we have glossed over is that once Lava or Pinkston come back we not only have depth at OG but we finally have a backup center. Should we need one we won't have to move Greco or Lava. Always better to replace just one guy if possible than move one and replace him. Two isn't always better than one.

Good trade!

meh.... good move.. but lets temper it... injured twice, underachiever, but he is a " battler" uh oh.

Still nice depth and adds some verastility.... probably the best thing IMO... we have a FO that doesn't sit on their asses and wring their hands worrying about what to do.. they act and react...

j/c
It's yet to be seen what the team will get out of Moffitt in actual on-field production. Even so, this has the look of another sound transaction by the FO. A real deficiency on the roster gets filled by a guy with starting experience in the league. It's done in an equitable trade and it's done quickly. Ultimately Banner pulled the trigger on this one but Lombardi and Farmer no doubt were involved.

I still get queasy giving Lombardi any props....

jc...

Word is, Moffitt was getting beat out for the starting job in Seattle and with legal issues (public urination x3), trouble with the NFL PED and his injury history...the Seahawks cut Moffitt lose and likely feel fortunate to get something for him in return.

So now the Browns have inherited all the issues that came with Moffitt who is only entering his 3rd season in the NFL. I'm sure Seattle was happy to get rid of him and get someone in return that does not carry the same baggage.

The question become...can Moffitt stay healthy..or better yet, is he healthy now or damaged goods?

How long before Moffitt hits the bar scene and is in trouble with the local law?

How long before the NFL tests Moffitt again..and can he pass a pee test?

This is one of the main draw backs with using free agency to build a team's roster...you get another team's marginal talent...the good qualities as well as the bad ones, which are often overlooked.

The Browns needed to draft Oline depth but waited until the 7th round to do so. Gilky might end up filling the bill but it doesn't look as if the coaching staff was comfortable enough to trust Gilky to start..yet.

Honestly, I would rather see Gilky beat out Moffitt...but given his lack of experience, it might be a tall order.

Sounds like a good fit! Welcome aboard, now get to werk!

They might have had him come in because they don't believe in Gilkey, but they most likely brought him in because of Gilkey gets injured ...


or they brought him in to compete w Gilkey so Gilkey doesn't just assume the job is his.

lots of positives w this move even if they only brought him in to push Gilkey

all legit concerns MAC..

Obviuous Seattle wanted him gone since they were willing to part ways with him for a DL that was probably not making the teams, ( maybe not the first cut).

Appears both teams got something for a marginal ( in their minds) player.

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We'll probably pray for Pinkston/Lava coming back after watching this dude start a couple of games, that's my prediction and I fully understand the move. We aquired a G that projects to screw up less than our 7th round rook, but better expect that he'll screw up nontheless, otherwise he wouldn't be available for Samford

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My thoughts exactly. This is a great move for a guy we'll need around for 3 to 6 games. Lava could be back after the first 3 games if his rehab goes well.

The FO did a good job of bringing in someone with some starting experience who isn't under a large contract. He's merely a temporary solution to a temporary problem. That's the way to handle that.

Who knows, maybe with the change of scenery and some different coaching he might prove out to be good depth. But with Lava, Pinky & Gilkey projected to compete for one guard spot we've really got the starter and backups we need.

Moffitt could easily get cut after Lava and Pinky are back to 100%.

It's not like we gave up a starter to get him. The Browns getting Pinkston back had O-line debth. We had Greco, Lauvao and Pinkston, so drafting a Guard high was not a priority with other holes on the team. It's easy to play armchair quarterback after events take place. Moffitt is just a insurance piece. If he messes up again then he will be cut and we didn't really lose anything. On the other hand, maybe a change of senery will be good for him, maybe playing along fellow Badger Thomas will help him, maybe he will realize that this could be his last chance and if he messes up he is probably out of football. Maybe all those things combined will allow everything to click for him and this turns out to be a great trade like when we got Hank Fraley.

You never know but this is a pretty low risk high reward trade.

Well obviously Seattle wanted to rid themselves of him ... so we'll take a gamble on him and I'd assume that our FO is HOPING that he can get us through the first 2-3 games before Lava/Pinky return ... or at least Moffitt can stay out of trouble until then. It's really a low risk gamble IMO.

j/c

Great trade for us. Sounds like Moffit is an average talent at the moment but still a young guy who has logged some start and a significant number of snaps. Sanford was never going to get a shot here...especially with our move back to a 3-4. He's been on the practice squad for what...three years running?

I checked in a Seattle fan board...opinions were somewhat mixed of him. Some figured he had peaked, others say he was talented but just was developing slowly. All said he's a great locker room guy.

We got something for nothing....similar to the Dion Lewis trade. This front office is slowly starting to make me a believer.

Great move ... I guess our FO deserves a shout of praise instead of what they got earlier .... JMHO

Like this move !

And to think, Browns inherited all this trouble giving up a DL who was getting cut. Didn't this coaching staff already take on troubled player Desmond Bryant? Now that Flash Gordon is working for this coach staff are his troubled days in the past? Moffitt's issues are not even close to these two.

After watching the first two preseason games one thing has improved immensely and that is discipline. If the demand for discipline is high during a preseason game, one might think this staff has laid down law. Pete Carroll's coaching style works best with players who are self motivated. Moffitt may simply need a little structure. If so, this trade may work out as well as the Lewis and Acho trade.

jc

Like the FO or not, one has to admit their trade history thus far is pretty good

Acho for Lewis

Bess for low Draft Picks

Moffitt for a guy probably being cut

Can we really complain.. I know the draft day trades stil irk some... but that gamble has yet to fully play out.

Me personally, i'm not complaining what-so-ever. Very pleased with some of the transactions the FO has devised...

This is a great trade. Although the only bummer for me personally is that Brian Sanford is probably the last player left from my Browns autograph collection who was still on the team. The past few training camps i got a bunch of autographs and I would have never guessed Sanford would last the longest. It was so bad that this year I didnt bother asking players for autographs.

Yeah, I knew there was another one on my radar.. but could not recall it. Thanks.

+ 1 bro, agree 100% with all you said. Throw in making some huge free agent acquisitions with players that for sure was on a lot of other team's radar with Kruger and Bryant. It just gets better the more thought you put into it! Lots of other players signed to a single "try out" bases contract like Nelson and etc. 1 year contracts that if they pan out, good for us, if not - it isn't really hurting us to part ways. Very good set-up!

Don't forget the "offset language" that was secured with the Mingo deal. This staff is getting it done.

Browns Give Moffitt a Fresh Start

BEREA, Ohio – John Moffitt wanted a fresh start. The Browns needed an offensive lineman with NFL experience at guard.

Both got what they wanted, and needed, Tuesday when the 6-4, 315-pound Moffitt arrived at 76 Lou Groza Boulevard after an overnight flight from Seattle.

Moffitt was acquired in a Monday trade with the Seahawks for backup defensive end Brian Sanford. Moffitt is a former third-round draft pick who, in his two years in Seattle, started 15 games, suffered a major knee injury, a run-in with the law, and a four-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug.

Moffitt is expected to battle for the right guard job with rookie Garrett Gilkey. Oneil Cousins (6-4, 315) also could see time there, coach Rob Chudzinski said Tuesday. The Browns hope one of them can fill a hole at right guard created by injuries to Jason Pinkston (high ankle sprain) and Shawn Lauvao (arthroscopic ankle surgery). They are out until early in the regular season. Both were in walking boots in the Browns' locker room Tuesday.

“He'll be in the mix at the guard position,'' Chudzinski said of Moffitt. “The right guard position is still unsettled. I know he has good size, tough guy, a real competitive guy and has played, and has experience. We're looking for him to bring those characteristics to us.''

Moffitt was drafted 75th overall in 2011 out of Wisconsin. He suffered a torn knee ligament that required surgery after starting nine games his rookie year. He recovered to play eight games last season, including six starts.

He was losing a training camp battle for the right guard job with J.R. Sweezy this summer. He said he asked in the spring to be traded, but was told no.

“I was a little shocked,'' he said of the trade. “I didn't see it coming, but then I was excited. I thought I had been playing very good football. I think I'm in the best football shape I've been in. I'm excited to be here, where I think it's a better opportunity.''

Moffitt made news off the field in Seattle. He pleaded guilty in June to disorderly conduct in relation to three incidents in Seattle in 2012 that included urinating in public, the Seattle Times reported. Moffitt paid a fine of $1,407 and received a suspended sentence of 24 months in jail.

“The off-the-field things, that happened a long time ago,'' Moffitt said. “It happened after my rookie year. Unfortunately, all the court appearances were settled three months ago. So, it was something that happened right off the bat, that I put behind me a long time ago.

“As far as Cleveland, I do look at it as across the board, not just off the field things, as a fresh start.''

While he was on injured reserve as a rookie, Moffitt was suspended four games for testing positive for Adderall, a performance-enhancing drug banned by the NFL. He served the suspension while on injured reserve and lost four game checks. Moffitt later told the Seattle Times he was unaware Adderall was banned. “With me, it was just something that I didn't realize," Moffitt said. "It was a total mistake.”

Moffitt bears a striking resemblance, plus a beard and long hair, to Diedrich Bader, who played Oswald on the Cleveland-based sitcom “The Drew Carey Show.'' Other than that, his only other apparent Cleveland connection is that he was an unknown freshman at Wisconsin when Browns tackle Joe Thomas was an All-American senior.

Moffitt said his biggest challenge will be learning the Browns' offense and vernacular as quickly as possible.

“I just consider myself a good football player. I consider myself someone who is going to play well,'' he said. “I take pride in playing well. I consider myself a strong run blocker and I think I've really helped myself in the pass game this past year. I think my pass protection has become very solid. I'm a bigger guy, more of a strength guy, but I do have good technique.

“I focused more on pass protection in a lot of off-season things and I think it's kind of shown. Coming off the injury was tough. I think I'm in the best shape I've been in since I've been in the NFL.''

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Something tells me this thread is going to take on a different look in a few posts. . .

Plain Dealer is reporting the trade has been voided. Moffitt heading back to Seattle.