DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Camp Competition...where are we short?

Didn't the 49ers team that made the Super Bowl have similar offensive line investments?

Off the top of my head I know they had Iupati and Staley (both first round picks). After looking it up, they also had Anthony Davis as well (also a first round pick). But then they had Alex Boone who was undrafted and Jonathan Goodwin who they signed as a free agent. They also had Leonard Davis on the bench.

That is the only team that I can think of that has similar offensive line investments to us.

Dallas

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/117575...-offensive-line

The Bengals are probably the closest approximation. However, They only drafted 2 OT (1st and 2nd rounds this year) because they intend on replacing their 2 current Tackles next season. Their OL also includes 2 4th round picks.

Didn't we draft a center to replace our center?

How about a little old school thinking where players earn their right to play. Erving was drafted to play OL. By golly if he wants a starting job let him go earn it. That also works in reverse. If a current starter wants his job, he should earn it.

You can say the same for Shelton. Ditto at RB, CB, and LB. Who cares how you rank, rate, or grade. This last draft brought competition. You'll know soon how players rank the new guys by their level of work come training camp. I hope Farmer/Pettine officially closed Romeo's country club!

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but we had three rookies last year that were benched because they were not earning their spot.

We drafted a "versatile" OL to be "versatile". He may sit this year .... he may start at RG, he may start at RT .... but I do not see him starting at C, LG, or LT. Not this year anyway.

I am not complaining about 1-6 I am complaining about 7,8, ad maybe 9

here is another team investing in OL
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nf...hries/26679799/


With the selection of Humphries, two of Keim's three first-round picks have been offensive linemen. His two most expensive free agent signings, tackle Jared Veldheer ($7 million per year) and guard Mike Iupati ($8 million) will start on the left side.

One first-round pick, Jonathan Cooper, is expected to start at right guard. And Humphries will compete with Massie for the job at right tackle.

Here is another team
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/30/new-york-giants-ereck-flowers-nfl-draft/

This marks the second time in three seasons that the Giants have taken an offensive player with their top pick. Pugh was taken in 2013 and became the right tackle, while Beckham was the No. 1 selection last season and helped new coordinator Ben McAdoo’s offense take off after overcoming an early hamstring injury.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl...round/26745817/

the Bengals used their second pick in the NFL draft to further shore up their offensive line, picking Oregon offensive tackle Jake Fisher with the 53rd overall selection on Friday night.

The Bengals chose Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi with their first pick on Thursday.


I don't have time to keep going.

this is a trend that ius happening in the NFL. all the teams are learning that the OL and DL make or break a team... once the lines are shored up....

teams can add average to above average skill players that will look like superstars.

Pryor has been cut but three or four different teams now. I'm not sure Cleveland brings that distraction to town, especially with Thad Lewis and Connor Shaw already at the bottom of the depth chart. We also signed a kid from Tennessee named Worley whose 6'4, 225, and has a big rocket for an arm.

Flip was his QB coach in Oakland, and reading up on Flip I've read that a thing Raiders "analysts" were most impressed with was the way he was developing Pryor. I'm not saying we should go out and sign him, I'm literally curious what Flip thinks of him.

I'd swap Thad for Pryor.

Right. I was referring to your post about the Bengals drafting two tackles to replace their two tackles. Why is that okay for them to do, but not us?

In the end, we drafted Mack's replacement. Anyone who can't see that isn't looking. I am not happy about it, but that's what we did.

I may be coming to this discussion late, but I'm a little confused cfrs, Why would you be unhappy about them getting a guy that may replace Mack if Mack leaves?

I'm very happy about it. I don't want to see Mack leave, but that is a very real possibility given the way his contract is structured.

That pick wasn't sexy but it was, IMO, the right decision. (that's not to say that Irving is the right guy, that I don't know)

And if Farmer hadn't drafted a very good center and If Mack does leave next year then the vary same folks clamoring no... would have been screaming from the hilltops how stupid Farmer was for not drafting a replacement and giving him a year to acclimate to the NFL when he knew damn well that Mack was leaving.

I believe there were players available that were just as good, but at positions of more obvious need.

And I can't disagree with that. But only if you look at it "Today". If you think downstream, was there really any other need (outside of QB maybe) that is more important that having a replacement for Mack should he leave? I think that's a tough call, but I'd go for what they did.

We've seen what happens when Mack goes down. It wasn't pretty and it may have costs us 2 or maybe even 3 games last season. That makes all the difference.

By the way, the best part of this pick is that if Mack remains here, we have a OL guy that can play several different positions.

First/Second round picks getting an easy ride becoming starter year 1. Even fans come to expect. When they don't make it, they are bums. I hope we see more situations like Gilbert last year. Two or three years ago Gilbert would have started the whole year.

Gilbert was benched because he was slacking off.

My main point was that many of our rookies didn't get handed jobs last year.

That is exactly my point. Two or three years ago Browns would be forced to play Gilbert (i.e. Taylor). Remember not to long ago when Cousins was our OL backup? Hard benching your starter!

This last draft may finally ended the free pass.

All of this is speculation. We do not know what the Browns' board was. It is quite possible that Cam was the BPA (according to the Browns list) at the time the pick was on the clock. We all can have other guys we thought were better, but none of us were consulted when that list was built.

At least I wasn't.

Why?

Seriously.

If our #6 guy last year played well, then we never would have gone through the rotating mess of backups.

It is rare that we wold need a 7th OL, unless there is an injury, and the 6th guy fails.

We can look for a 7th and 8th guy among UDFA and such, bt we simply cannot afford to continue to spend valuable resources on the OL when the team lacks weapons. (and a QB, unless Manziel turns things around)

I believe he's talking about the quality of the depth. Sure they can't be top notch talent, but there's a cavern of difference between top notch talent and stinking up the joint.

I believe somewhere in the middle would be fine. Our depth beyond 6 is putrid.

Not to mention, regardless if Mack remains, Mitchell Schwartz more than likely will not...

A guy that has started every game since he was drafted will be coveted on the open market, regardless of how this fanbase thinks of him. Fact is, he has been a consistent performer on the line. We have come to expect a lot out of our line and that has caused us to believe he will EASILY be replaced, well ask the other teams how easy it is to replace offensive linemen..We are spoiled, and because of the 2015 draft, Erving will help us stay that way, most likely.

Again, though, how many times, if our depth 1-6 are as strong as ours sure better be, should we need more than 1-6 onn the field?

I don't think we lack weapons, so much as we lack a guy (QB) who can effectively use the weapons we have.

IMO any time you have a player on your roster, the goal is to have the best depth you can. To increase the quality of your depth at each and every roster spot any time you possibly can.

Last year, how many injuries did we have on the DL alone? We have been very fortunate that our OL has had as few injuries as it had.

I don't believe in becoming complacent. Now I'm not suggesting that numbers 7 and 8 on your OL depth chart are going to be studs, but if you're not looking to upgrade players who hold roster spots, what's the point of talent evaluations and the concept of improving depth? I mean are you suggesting that after the 6th player on the depth chart on the OL or DL we simply ignore the quality of players on our roster?

Grimm, I'm not a big alpha receiver guy, but we do lack depth at this position. You take one or two away this offense has problems. This is what most of the pro-receiver fans are seeing

RBs look good. If West and Crowell can at least last until midway, Duke should have enough knowledge to step in.

OL is a little better but not by much. Take Joe T. out.

DL was looking good last year. It was hit hard by injuries and next-man-up didn't pan out well. There is a reason they drafted two and signed Stark.

OLB is real thin still. Take Kruger out. Mingo played hurt. Moving A. Bryant drafting two LBs.

Secondary is looking better. There are unknows. Safety is a bit thin. Hayden goes down it won't be pretty, but I believe we have guys who can hold down the fort.

TE and FB look good depth wise.

Browns didn't look exceptionally well at special teams last year. Good special teams is usually a sign of good depth.

I do feel the new additions amp up competition. This season, bar many injuries, will fortify a good base at most positions. I hope it will be even tougher on the new guys making the team. This is what will make the Browns better.

Ask our defensive line if depth matters. Look I am not saying we need to spend two more 1st round picks on o-lineman but we need to find 2 more competent lineman either later in the draft as undrafted free agents, or as regular free agents. We have to find them somewear because this could be a huge problem in 2016 or 2017 when we are ready to compete.

FB, TE, D-line, DB, and WR will all be interesting battles.

Jim Dray might find himself at the FB spot and play like he did with the Cards in a TE/FB/HB role.

Vince Mayle and Kyle Prater might find themselves in the TE competition.

Hartline might not make it into the top 3 and may have to rotate in off the bench. If we carry 6 WR's then we have approximately 9 guys fighting for 2 spots on the roster.

The biggest camp surprise could be Phil Taylor getting cut or traded. He has a $5.5 mil cap hit and has disappointed in all but his rookie season. He has a ton of competition and most of it is by younger players with more upside. Winn and Hughes might struggle to make the roster as well. Kitchen might have a struggle if we keep Taylor.

Tons of Depth at DB and way too many good guys fighting for too few jobs. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will probably get stashed on IR/PUP for the year. Campbell really intrigues me as the heir to Dante Hitner. Lots of guys with versatility here too that can play multiple roles. Will we keep a whopping 6 safeties again like we did last year? Time will tell but the talent is there.

Anyway first post, hello everyone! You don't have a guy named Soup here do you?

Hey, just wanted to say welcome to the board bro. Glad to have ya here!

Welcome to the board.

Phil Taylor is safe - since his contract is fully guaranteed this year:

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/phil-taylor/

We're not going to cut him when we save 0 dollars doing it. Maybe he is traded? But I don't think teams are going to give us much for him.

Ouch! I don't think a lot of teams will line up for that much fully guaranteed money either.

I like Phil, but I doubt any trade offers be worth while unless the staff is just looking to move on. Big Phil just can't stay on the field!

Nonsense! It just seems that way since he alternates healthy seasons. He's do for a 15 game year.

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot 12m12 minutes ago
#Browns O'Neil revealed that Kitchen suffered the broken leg in finale at Baltimore and played through it.

how does a DT play on a broken leg?

He is just that tough. Anyone want to question his desire?

In all seriousness, though, it may have been a non displaced fracture, and with swelling and adrenalin he just felt like it was just a more minor injury.

Cleveland Browns invest valuable assets and research time to stop 'explosive runs'

The Browns ranked last in defending against the rush a year ago in part because they surrendered too many big gains. O'Neil said 87 of the 500 run attempts by opponents carried for eight yards or greater...........

Opponents averaged 141.6 yards per game a season ago and their 500 attempts ranked second-most in the league. Such figures helped Browns foes sustain drives and stay out of predictable play calls............

It's why despite being so good against the pass, only four NFL defenses spent more time on the field than the Browns. The club was solid to stellar in five key metrics -- points allowed, turnovers, quarterback rating, red zone defense, third-down defense -- but the struggles to stop the run skewed the overall perception of the unit........

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/05/cleveland_browns_invest_valuab.html