DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum competition + deptth= formula for winning

Every player on every roster is fighting for a starting spot.

Our team hasn't even started training camp. What we have been reading are fluff and feel good articles and statements.

People see this and over react to things like this every year. As of now, it means nothing.

j/c
Even before OTA's and mini camp Farmer and Pettine talked about "driving competition", Pettine specifically said he wanted starters feeling uncomfortable about their hold on their positions. I think he's been involved in fostering this type of culture in his previous jobs and has seen the benefits it produces for the team as a whole. I recall reading somewhere this extends to competition in and among position groups as well as off field preparation in meetings, weight lifting, etc. With that in mind some of the chirping and some of the heated contention for jobs is to be expected. At the same time the Bills, the Ravens and the Jets (while Pettine was on staff) did not unravel and lose cohesiveness. There is a tipping point between internal competition and fragmenting the team. I don't think we are anywhere near that yet. I trust the staff who are the instilling this competitive atmosphere to know where the line is.

I'm posting this PD article because it has relevance to several of the themes running through this thread. It even includes an answer to my own question of Gilkey in a Zone Blocking Scheme, apparently he is familiar with scheme. Also, the article touches on the issue of competition vs. team building...good read.

Garrett Gilkey's most important fight awaits him at the start of Cleveland Browns' training camp
Garrett Gilkey on feistiness in camp
Browns guard Garrett Gilkey discusses his scrappy play in practice.

BEREA, Ohio – Garrett Gilkey revealed Thursday he hasn't cut his hair in four years, save for the trimming of split ends at the insistence of his mother and sisters.

Troy Polamalu need not worry about losing his Head & Shoulders endorsement to an obscure Browns offensive linemen. Especially with news that Gilkey might return next month for training camp with a new look following his latest scrap in practice.

"There was some hair pulled and it's a byproduct of my hair style," said Gilkey, who threw several uppercuts in a nasty exchange with defensive tackle Phil Taylor on Wednesday. "Going into camp that's one thing I'm considering changing. ... I'm going to come in with a bang and the style is going to be unique and I'm hoping to make a splash."

Once bullied in high school, the red-haired, freckle-faced mountain of a lineman probably leads the Browns in practice skirmishes since being drafted a year ago in the seventh round from small-school Chadron State. His dustup with Taylor marked his second of spring ball. He sparred with former Browns defensive lineman Brian Sanford last summer and, "a few others."

But Gilkey's most important fight is a metaphorical one and will take place starting in late July. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder plans to compete for one of the starting guard spots. Rookie Joel Bitonio, nursing an ankle sprain, is likely to win one spot, while Gilkey, John Greco, Jason Pinkston, Paul McQuistan and possibly Justin Faulk vie for the other.

It figures to be one of the most intriguing position battles not involving Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel. Greco, who started 14 games last season, must be considered an early favorite, but Gilkey plans to push for playing time. The Browns need to upgrade their guard play from a season ago.

With Bitonio sidelined, Gilkey and Greco have been working with the first team in recent practices. Gilkey said the zone-blocking scheme offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan employs is similar to one run at Chadron.

"I'm absolutely confident," he said. "It's a matter of consistency and confidence. At the end of the day whoever is in the starting lineup is going to be part of one of the most elite offensive lines in the country. ... I have no doubt the competition level is going to drive all of us."

Gilkey played primarily on special teams last season after making the significant jump in class from Chadron to the NFL. He started the season finale due to injury and conceded it was a "baptism by fire."

Overall, he earned 97 snaps offensively in 2013.

The upcoming season is an important one for his future with the club. He wants to prove to coach Mike Pettine, who speaks often of toughness, that he possesses that quality. Bitonio's orneriness is a major reason the Browns used the No. 35 pick to select him from Nevada.

Gilkey's decision to trade punches with Taylor, who plays with the disposition of a hungover grizzly, caught the attention of observers. Practice spats are commonplace, but this one took longer than normal to break up and at one point an enraged Taylor shoved receiver Miles Austin to get back into the fracas.

On Thursday, Gilkey made sure reporters understood the bad feelings didn't leave the practice field.

"Phil is a great competitor, great player and great guy," he said. "His presence in the locker room means a lot to the guys, it means a lot to me. It's easy for people in the media to see something like that on the field and assume it transcends into the locker room (but) it doesn't. I have a good relationship with Phil and I have respect for him and I'm confident he has respect for me."

I don't see two players fighting in OTA's where there is supposed to be no contact as a positive thing. Either the players themselves have a complete lack of self control or someone lacks discipline.

I also don't see how cocky statements made by Tate have any impact on how much competition there is. I do believe the players are all competing for playing time and the starter role. That's what goes on every year with all 32 teams.

I just don't see that as anything different or special.

FWIW:

I was listening to Cleveland Browns Daily this afternoon and Vic Carrucci explicitly said the coaches are encouraging this type of environment.

Not sure if it's a good thing or bad thing, but Vic is on the field for these OTAs every day.

this is bad..

I want my players to be practicing in OTA like it's a Sunday Social not some contact sport... bunch of ne're-do-wells.

Also having a cocky attitude about your ability and not showing fear of competition ... geez were do they find these guys.

Lets all hold hands and have a rousing version of Kumbaya and we can walk off together to another 5 wins season..... Hell Yeah !!

that sunday social attitude is why we have played the way we have since 99. Oh lets not get physical or anything, lets hold hands and pray that we won't get hurt and are around to lose more football games. yup.

I love that we have competition ... PERIOD ... I remember being at Camp in 86 when Webster Slaughter was a rookie, he beat Dixon deep twice, well the next time they lined up Dixon LEVELED HIM with a FIST thru the facemask and it was on ... Take that Rook

jc

I can see the value to both sides of this.

I want that mauler, kick ass, take names later attitude while their in the heat of the moment. To be honest I think we have lacked the kind of attitude needed to win football for a while. I don't care if pads are on or not. Pushing and punching ain't gonna make any long term injuries so this is the perfect time to let them air out their nasty. Freak accidents can happen anytime. It's not reason to make them play like kindergartners. Tough up, get nasty, or get out. I like it at this time of year as it will help them be meaner and nastier and be more confident on game days.

That being said, at some point in training camp it will be time to put the leash on the beast and teach it some discipline because football is no place for berserkers. It a place for warriors who fight it out with every thing they have including their brains and willpower. Mastering their own nasty can help them learn to provoke it in their opponents and draw flags which can be to our own advantage.

The trick is building up that attitude that says we are gonna kick your teeth in and beat you up while staying within the rules. Should be fun the next two years seeing how that goes.