424 yards and 2 TD should not be that difficult to replace. Dray and Barnidge combined almost did so last year. Cameron simply was not a very big part of the offense last year.
You throw these stats out like he played sixteen games. He missed six, and although he didn't have the impact he had the year prior, comparing Barnidge and Dray to him is rather funny, IMO.
I think it is clear the Browns wanted Cameron back based on how unfortunate the signing with the Dolphins went down. He didn't want to be in Cleveland, and if that is the case, then good riddance. But I wish things were different.
If Barnidge and Dray were collectively equivalent/superior to Cameron, there would have been zero need to sign Housler, right? An underrated guy from Arizona....I'm paraphrasing but I think that is what you suggested. IIRC, this is a debate you an I disagreed on. I'm not a fan.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
Additionally, our offensive coaching staff is worse.
I really don't think you can make the judgement yet.
well i dont think we have any coach from the offensive side that ever called a play. so with our most experienced play caller being suspended for the first 4 games..........
being a browns fan is like taking your dog to vet every week to be put down...
I really don't think our QB situation is WORSE. It's most likely not any BETTER, but Hoyer sucked something awful.
dont think its worse than this time last year? last year we had hope. a qb that played well enough the year before and a brand new first round pick we could pin hope on.
this year we have some guy that just throws it up for grabs.
and a short slow drug addict that the browns are scared to push to much.
Mike Pettine declares Josh McCown favorite over Johnny Manziel to start season: 'We're not going to start talking competition'
OL: Should be better unless Mack isn't healthy. If he isn't, we will be worse than at the start of last season.
DL: Should be better, but that is not a given.
ILBer: Same
OLBer: Hard to say.
CB: Worse.
SS: Same
FS: Hopefully the same.
The schedule is tougher. We played cupcake city last year. It won't be that way this year.
Additionally, our offensive coaching staff is worse.
You don't think Tramon Williams is a solid replacement for Skrine? or that Desir and Gilbert were getting better and will probably get more so this off-season? I think overall at CB we'll be about equal, and will probably see less flags thrown.
At TE I'll give you worse, but I don't know about way worse. Housler can hopefully stay healthy for a whole season and can't be any worse as a blocker. If we're primarily using them as run blockers we might be better this year.
At QB I think we're even. Hoyer career stats: 19 TDs, 19 INTs, 76.8 Rating. McCown: 61 TDs, 59 INTs, 76.1 Rating. Manziel should be better, but hopefully won't see the field till next year.
I really don't think our schedule will end up being much harder this year. Our out of division opponents look harder, but those are randomly the games we somehow win every season. I also think our division teams are on the decline, except maybe the Bengals, but I'm not intimidated by any team with Dalton at QB.
Offensive coaching staff we'll have to see. I hope at least we improved at QB coach because they were regressing last year.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
424 yards and 2 TD should not be that difficult to replace. Dray and Barnidge combined almost did so last year. Cameron simply was not a very big part of the offense last year.
You throw these stats out like he played sixteen games. He missed six, and although he didn't have the impact he had the year prior, comparing Barnidge and Dray to him is rather funny, IMO.
I think it is clear the Browns wanted Cameron back based on how unfortunate the signing with the Dolphins went down. He didn't want to be in Cleveland, and if that is the case, then good riddance. But I wish things were different.
If Barnidge and Dray were collectively equivalent/superior to Cameron, there would have been zero need to sign Housler, right? An underrated guy from Arizona....I'm paraphrasing but I think that is what you suggested. IIRC, this is a debate you an I disagreed on. I'm not a fan.
I understand that Cameron missed 6 games last year, and that is part of the improvement I expect at the position. A player does not help when sitting on the bench, and last year, Cameron spent more than 1/3 of the season hurt, limited, and/or on the bench. He also clearly did not want to be here, so I am not going to waste any more time on worrying about him. I don't wish him any ill, but I don't care if he plays this coming year, or decides to retire and take up crocheting while going through training camp.
I really like Rob Housler, who we recently signed. I think that he is going to slide into that role Cameron played in a pretty seamless manner. Housler has nice hands, good jumping ability, and plus level speed. I think that he might be faster than Cameron .... though I cannot say for sure. He was in the completely wrong offense last year, as Arians wants TEs who will block, block, block, block, then block again. That would not be Cameron, and that is not Housler.We replaced an injury prone receiving TE with a healthy receiving TE. I thin kt at a lot of people are really going to like Housler. He's going to be a really nice weapon in the passing game. The opportunities are there for a good receiving TE, and I think that Housler will take advantage of them.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
OL: Should be better unless Mack isn't healthy. If he isn't, we will be worse than at the start of last season.
DL: Should be better, but that is not a given.
ILBer: Same
OLBer: Hard to say.
CB: Worse.
SS: Same
FS: Hopefully the same.
The schedule is tougher. We played cupcake city last year. It won't be that way this year.
Additionally, our offensive coaching staff is worse.
I have to respectfully disagree with some of your assessments. Judging this team May of 2014 to May of 2015 here would be my conclusions.
QB - (Same) Could be worse I agree. Last year there might have been more hope at the position in that Manziel could be a franchise QB. But, at this time last year there was Hoyer coming off an ACL injury and rookie Manziel. This year we have McCown and the hope that we did not see the real Manziel last year but this year he will be better prepared and matured.
RB - (Better) Last year we had Tate to hopefully be the lead RB and a 3rd round draft choice West and unknowns after that. Remember we did not even know Crowell would make the team until week 4 of preseason. This year we have Crowell and West with a years experience to shoulder the majority of carries. Then the addition of Duke for a 3rd down receiving threat if not an additional 3 three headed rushing attack.
TE - (Worse) Last year at this time Cameron was seen as a huge receiving threat. With Dray and Barnedge as blocking back ups. This year we have Housler with Dray and Barnedge. I don't see Housler as the same threat as Cameron.
WR - (Slightly Better) Last year we thought Gordon would be suspended the whole season with Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, and Travis Benjamin. We did not know about Gabriel until training camp. This year we know Gordon is suspended the entire season. Lost Austin but gained Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline. We know that Hawkins can make plays and Gabriel is a very good player. Benjamin is still in the mix and we have an unknown WR in Vince Mayle.
OL - (Better) Same 5 starters as last year with an additional Erving to push for RG or RT positions or at the very least provide better depth than 2014.
DL - (Better) Last year at this time in May this position was seen as a team strength with Rubin, Bryant, Taylor, Hughes, Winn, Kitchens, and Bryant. This year Rubin is gone and A. Bryant is moving to OLB. Everyone else returns with key additions of Randy Starks in Free agency and 1st and 3rd round draft choices coming in Shelton and Cooper.
OLB - (Slightly Worse) Last year there was 3 player rotation in Kruger, Mingo, and Sheard. This year Kruger and Mingo return. The loss od Sheard could really hurt unless Orchard provides a better pass rush. Also, A. Bryant moving to OLB could provide a better pass rush.
ILB - (Slightly better) Last year we added Dansby and Kirksey to Robertson and Carter. Kirksey was an unknown this year he has a years experience and we know he can play. Dansby and Robertson return also.
CB - (Better) Last year we had Haden, Skrine, and added Gilbert and Desir. KWaun Williams was an unknown This year Skrine is gone but was replaced by Tramon Williams the long time Green Bay Corner to start opposite Haden. Gilbert has a years experience and should improve. Williams we know can play and late in the year last year Desir started to play much better.
SS - (Better) Last year the team added Whitner with Bademosi behind him. This year they both return with Campbell drafted to provide better depth to the position.
FS - (Slightly worse) Gipson and Leonard. This year Gipson and Poyer.
Overall this years team has much better overall strength and depth but still lack a QB and skill position players on offense. Unless Manziel becomes the franchise this team will have to grind out wins with a ball control offense and dominate defense or they will show no real improvement in 2015.
Hoyer would do fine if you don't ask him to throw it more than 15 yards. He complete a lot of long passes I know but they were more to pure luck than from skill. He was really good at reading the defense though.
I like the idea of Johnny sitting out another season. Let him get his house in order and actually have a year to learn the system before we put the weight of the world on his shoulders.
You can't fix stupid but you can destroy ignorance. When you destroy ignorance you remove the justifications for evil. If you want to destroy evil then educate our people. Hate is a tool of the stupid to deal with what they can't understand.
It would go completely against current convention if we had Manziel sit out his entire 2nd year before turning the starting jib over to him in his 3rd year. It would be interesting to see, if it works, if other teams would then follow suit, and give their young QBs time to learn as well.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
"QB - (Same) Could be worse I agree. Last year there might have been more hope at the position in that Manziel could be a franchise QB. But, at this time last year there was Hoyer coming off an ACL injury and rookie Manziel. This year we have McCown and the hope that we did not see the real Manziel last year but this year he will be better prepared and matured. "
I pretty much agree with your post, but think you and many others discount Conner Shaw. Shaw worked hard, put in the effort.. and did a creditable job against a playoff team with his first start in the NFL. He may not have the arm of McCown or Manziel, but he does not force passes or make mistakes. Shaw may not be a Wilson, but I do think he can be a Dilfer, if the Defense can perform as anticipated.
Given that, I rate QB as slightly better than we anticipated at this same point in time last year.
The Cleveland Browns - WE KNOW QUARTERBACKS ( Look at how many we've had ... )
I always love Versatile Dog's posts and he has forgotten more football than I know, but comparing how we feel going into consecutive seasons might not matter much. The reason: We are all either delusional or suicidal about our prospects this time of year! Last year, I thought we were set with a true bellcow at running back. He didn't make it through the season. I thought our DL was the strength of our team. It was our achilles heel. I thought Jordan Cameron was on the level of Gronk and Graham. He made one play that I can even recall and now he is gone and I don't even care. I could go on. I talk myself into being optimistic every year, and there's reason for hope yet again. All I can do is hope that one of these years, it falls into place. But one point Vers made that really can't be disputed: We had a really easy schedule last year. We will have to be a better team if we want to match that 7-9 record.
Mike Pettine declares Josh McCown favorite over Johnny Manziel to start season: 'We're not going to start talking competition'
"If you're taking the starters' reps, I guess that would be fair to say (that McCown will be the likely starter this season),'' Pettine said after the first practice of rookie camp.
Pettine stressed that Manziel's job is to work on his recovery and on learning the new offense. Meanwhile, he re-iterated that McCown will take the first team reps in spring practices and training camp.....
I think this says more about how they feel about Manziel as a QB and less about them wanting him to focus on himself.
I hope this isn't going to drive a wedge between Pettine and Farmer (and Haslam). It seems pretty clear to me that the FO plan was to sink or swim with Manziel this year. If he succeeds, or at least shows significant promise, maybe you found your guy. If he stinks, you'll be in position to draft Cardale or Cook in the first round in 2016. Now along comes Pettine saying he intends to try to win with McCown. While I agree with what I believe to be the FO plan re: Manziel, this better not turn into a Farmer-vs-Pettine thing. Because if one of them ends up having to go, it better not be Mike.
QB: Worse Compare this stage last year to this...how is it worse. Just comparing McCown to Hoyer...which Hoyer? First 8 games or last 5? McCown...which McCown? Tampa McCown or Chicago McCown? But apples to apples this time last year compared to this year? Party Manziel to matured Manziel alone gives this an edge.
RB: Better
FB: I have no idea We have accumulated a lot of H-Back candidates good ones for that role. 100% sure no but odds are better than the rookie FB we had last year on and off.
TE: Way worse How so...Cameron, he didn't give us much production in 2014 to miss. His blocking was horrible. but got to be fair apples to apples this time last year I see your point. Better run game Pass game well the new guy I am curious how much we lost there. Still Cameron this time last year was suspect on being on the field due to injuries.
WR: Maybe better, but still sucks. From you that's a pretty good endorsement...lol
OL: Should be better unless Mack isn't healthy. If he isn't, we will be worse than at the start of last season. Has there been any indication that he is not mended? We do have the best Center to come out since Pouncey in the wings if need be.
DL: Should be better, but that is not a given. Its like pulling teeth to get you to say Better...lol and don't get pissed at me...I'm all smiles and no animosity in anything I am saying.
ILBer: Same Same but Kirksey is not the same nor is Robertson...they got a year experience in our D and that means a lot comparing what they knew this time last year.
OLBer: Hard to say. Not too hard. Mingo healthy n year two in system. Amonty Bryant added (hard to say, yes) Orchard added (not a given) So we have last year (the loss of Sheard was not a big blow at all) two getting better and we added two More to the fold with a LOT OF TALENT.
CB: Worse. This is going to be hard for you to explain. Gilbert, DeSir, K Williams will all be better. I don't know the legs of the Pro Bowler Williams vs. the just OK skills on the outside CB of Skrine? (Skrine is a very good inside but so is K Williams)
SS: Same
FS: Hopefully the same. Could be the only difference...not cause of the injury cause of the signing issues. Hope we have him for the season.
The schedule is tougher. We played cupcake city last year. It won't be that way this year. Going into the season...nobody was calling the NFC south - Saints, Panthers, Falcons only Tampa and they were said to be the up and comer. Who knew they would be all that easy. That is what I meant schedule is over evaluated some times.
Additionally, our offensive coaching staff is worse. I got my reasons to think better. The OL and RB coaching staff remained. wont say more...maybe a thread discussion?
As always jmho. Our overall Roster is better this time than last year. Going into year 2 of a good D system. Going into year 2 of OL system. We'll see how the New O looks (cannot tell till game starts.) Preseason is no clue to anything for sure. I cannot wait for the season to Start! 4 months!
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
So far, what I've seen take place in the organization they all seems to be speaking with one voice. I would think on something as visible as the Manziel situation they have collectively agreed on a plan for his development. It's just Mike who is articulating that plan to the media. He would be the most appropriate messenger for it. Given the circumstances it appears to me to be a sound approach for the player and the team.
I think this is fair assessment. I think it gives credit for some continuity in players, especially the rooks, who should have lights going on this year. We have some decent players coming in as FAs, had at least a respectable draft, if not a superior one. We have toned down much of the media mania drama, and Pettine has a year under his belt of managing lunacy, tough breaks, and troubleshooting. It ain't all, good, but it is better than some will admit here. As a coach, you have some core leaders, some proven experience, some fresh and raw talent, and an overwhelming amount of work ahead.
I don't think on the one hand we can see "continuity as a positive and desirable element of the roster and coaching while at the same time discounting it or derogating it when it has started.
My crystal ball is at the cleaners (checking it for deflation while it is in the shop). I can't reliably predict the roster or the schedule or the FO o4r other topics we carry on about here. Just going to be a fan and keep the ammo dry. Hold off on the lunacy til later.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
Good post. I wasn't judging the teams May to May. I don't even think that way. I was judging what I currently see on this team vs the one I saw play last year. I don't want anyone else to start ranting how that is not fair. I don't care if you think it is unfair. Not you, Day. The other guys who always have to make it some sort of a contest.
You said the QBs are the same and it could be worse. Others are saying we are better this year. I think that people are only remembering one side of Hoyer. He played well in his 2+ games in 2013. He gave the team a real spark. They won all three games he started. He also played pretty good football early on last year. We won 7 more games w/him as a starter. Yeah, he fell apart and stunk at the end of the year, but compare his games to what JM did in his two starts. It's not even close.
In our victories, it is wrong to assume Hoyer didn't play well in many of them. He made good reads. He got rid of the ball on time. He was pretty accurate on the short and intermediate routes. For a long time, he did not throw many picks.
I wonder what our record is w/Hoyer as the starter over the previous 2 seasons and what it is w/out him? Hmmmm, let me go look that up. I'll be right back....
...Wow! It's even crazier than I thought. The Browns are:
10 and 6 in games Hoyer starts over the last two years.
1 and 15 in games Hoyer does not start over the same time period.
If you want, I think we can take away the Buffalo win. That would make him 9 and 6 and the other guys 2 and 15.
That is simply amazing! It should not be ignored! I imagine it will be excused away, but that is a serious differential that won't be dismissed by anyone w/a rational mind.
My other big contention w/most of the posters is w/the evaluation of the cornerback position.
I did not see improvement from Gilbert throughout the season. In fact, he even lost playing time over the last few games to guys who were not even corners and he got suspended for the last game or one of the last games.
Desir did play a bit towards the end of they year, but he gave up 6 completions that resulted in first downs in the one game where he had a significant number of snaps. That is not good!
Look, I did not like Skrine his rookie year, but the guy really improved and I admitted I was wrong about him. He was/is a very good corner and we are going to miss him.
I'm with you in regards to the OL, but I thought I read something that said Mack is still not ready and that his injury should have been healed by now. What happens if he isn't ready for the season and THAT is the reason the Browns drafted Erving? Our OL will not be better.
So far, what I've seen take place in the organization they all seems to be speaking with one voice. I would think on something as visible as the Manziel situation they have collectively agreed on a plan for his development. It's just Mike who is articulating that plan to the media. He would be the most appropriate messenger for it. Given the circumstances it appears to me to be a sound approach for the player and the team.
I guess time will tell, but I think there might be reason to believe there could be some friction between Ray and Mike, given the events of last year. The texts to the sideline, the FO personnel in the film room, and who knows what else. Plus Mike Pettine is smart enough to know that right now he is very popular with the fans and the media. On a PR scale of 10, he's a 10, while Farmer is a 3. I think Mike is also smart enough to know that he has some leverage, some capital if you will, and he's going to use it. He has no intention of putting his future in the hands of a young QB who has shown less than nothing at the pro level. I suppose you could say that's a lot of 'surmising" on my part, but after all, isn't that what we do here?
But Hoyer would not play the game like the front office wanted him to...so he is gone.
This front office, Haslam and Farmer, still want to prove that they did not make a mistake by drafting Manziel. They are willing to risk the season to prove their point.
The Browns won 7 games last season and all I'm looking for this season is "improvement",(8-8).
I hope this isn't going to drive a wedge between Pettine and Farmer (and Haslam). It seems pretty clear to me that the FO plan was to sink or swim with Manziel this year. If he succeeds, or at least shows significant promise, maybe you found your guy. If he stinks, you'll be in position to draft Cardale or Cook in the first round in 2016. Now along comes Pettine saying he intends to try to win with McCown. While I agree with what I believe to be the FO plan re: Manziel, this better not turn into a Farmer-vs-Pettine thing. Because if one of them ends up having to go, it better not be Mike.
I somehow don't see Pettine going rogue on the QB issue. I'm certain, though only speculating, that the FO and Pettine have already talked this over and they're on the same page.
The theory that Haslem/Farmer have set everything up and orchestrated the plan that Johnny must start this season, (sink or swim with him to prove they were right in picking him), is just one of the conspiracy theories. No one has any information that would prove that as a fact. It just seems to some that it could be true and so now it's developed a life of it's own as it's being considered the truth.
I hope this isn't going to drive a wedge between Pettine and Farmer (and Haslam). It seems pretty clear to me that the FO plan was to sink or swim with Manziel this year. If he succeeds, or at least shows significant promise, maybe you found your guy. If he stinks, you'll be in position to draft Cardale or Cook in the first round in 2016. Now along comes Pettine saying he intends to try to win with McCown. While I agree with what I believe to be the FO plan re: Manziel, this better not turn into a Farmer-vs-Pettine thing. Because if one of them ends up having to go, it better not be Mike.
I somehow don't see Pettine going rogue on the QB issue. I'm certain, though only speculating, that the FO and Pettine have already talked this over and they're on the same page.
The theory that Haslem/Farmer have set everything up and orchestrated the plan that Johnny must start this season, (sink or swim with him to prove they were right in picking him), is just one of the conspiracy theories. No one has any information that would prove that as a fact. It just seems to some that it could be true and so now it's developed a life of it's own as it's being considered the truth.
I don't think its etched in stone; I know its just a theory, although I think its possibly true. But even if its not the case that the Browns FO has set it up for Manziel (and subsequently, the Browns) to sink or swim this year, wouldn't it speak volumes - in terms of assessing Manziel - that he was unable to beat out two journeyman QBs in his first two years after being a 1st round pick? In effect, by NOT finding out about Johnny, wouldn't we be "finding out about Johnny"?
Good post. I wasn't judging the teams May to May. I don't even think that way. I was judging what I currently see on this team vs the one I saw play last year. I don't want anyone else to start ranting how that is not fair. I don't care if you think it is unfair. Not you, Day. The other guys who always have to make it some sort of a contest.
You said the QBs are the same and it could be worse. Others are saying we are better this year. I think that people are only remembering one side of Hoyer. He played well in his 2+ games in 2013. He gave the team a real spark. They won all three games he started. He also played pretty good football early on last year. We won 7 more games w/him as a starter. Yeah, he fell apart and stunk at the end of the year, but compare his games to what JM did in his two starts. It's not even close.
In our victories, it is wrong to assume Hoyer didn't play well in many of them. He made good reads. He got rid of the ball on time. He was pretty accurate on the short and intermediate routes. For a long time, he did not throw many picks.
I wonder what our record is w/Hoyer as the starter over the previous 2 seasons and what it is w/out him? Hmmmm, let me go look that up. I'll be right back....
...Wow! It's even crazier than I thought. The Browns are:
10 and 6 in games Hoyer starts over the last two years.
1 and 15 in games Hoyer does not start over the same time period.
If you want, I think we can take away the Buffalo win. That would make him 9 and 6 and the other guys 2 and 15.
That is simply amazing! It should not be ignored! I imagine it will be excused away, but that is a serious differential that won't be dismissed by anyone w/a rational mind.
My other big contention w/most of the posters is w/the evaluation of the cornerback position.
I did not see improvement from Gilbert throughout the season. In fact, he even lost playing time over the last few games to guys who were not even corners and he got suspended for the last game or one of the last games.
Desir did play a bit towards the end of they year, but he gave up 6 completions that resulted in first downs in the one game where he had a significant number of snaps. That is not good!
Look, I did not like Skrine his rookie year, but the guy really improved and I admitted I was wrong about him. He was/is a very good corner and we are going to miss him.
I'm with you in regards to the OL, but I thought I read something that said Mack is still not ready and that his injury should have been healed by now. What happens if he isn't ready for the season and THAT is the reason the Browns drafted Erving? Our OL will not be better.
Mack was running with Thomas and Bitonio on 5/5 and did the USO tour thing again this year, so I think his leg is pretty much healed. 5/5 Practice Photos
Hoyer's sample size is small and overall he has about as much bad play as good play. In Hoyer's best 8 games last year he threw 10 TDs and 3 INts (Weeks 1,2,3,5,6,8,11,16 if you want to check my math). In 8 games in Chicago, McCown threw 13 TDS and 1 INT. If Hoyer had been on the bad teams McCown has been, I think his numbers would reflect that. Is McCown a guaranteed improvement? Of course not, but I don't see the absolute awfulness that others are bandying about.
Our winning with Hoyer versus without him, just shows how horrible our other QBs were, and a lot of those losses were with the rest of the team mangled.
How do you factor Tramon Williams into your CB analysis?
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
... even if its not the case that the Browns FO has set it up for Manziel (and subsequently, the Browns) to sink or swim this year, wouldn't it speak volumes - in terms of assessing Manziel - that he was unable to beat out two journeyman QBs in his first two years after being a 1st round pick? In effect, by NOT finding out about Johnny, wouldn't we be "finding out about Johnny"?
I'll save my thoughts on the matter as I don't want to get into predictions on hypothetical situations.
Manziel is coming from a unique angle. How many rookie QB's goofed-off or otherwise failed in their rookie season and then gone on to take very real, major steps to correct their shortcomings?
I agree with Pettine on bringing him along slowly. He's just now entered a new realm in his life and needs to get used to approaching his life and career from that standpoint. Rushing him into a competition at this stage, I believe, is too soon.
I've been there, done that. Living a new way of life takes a bit of getting used to. Granted, one starts out feeling more confident and capable but even that is new to someone so recently exiting rehab.
Give him a couple of months to get used to his new way of approaching life before throwing him into the fire.
I think by Training Camp he'll have his proverbial legs under him in that regard. By then also he'll be much better prepared within the requirements of his job.
Right now he's still in the stage of feeling a bit sheepish about the way everything went down from playing badly to his rehab. His first steps is to gain back confidence of his teammates, to have that affirmed, so he can get on with what's important without his recent failures in the back of his mind.
All Pettine has said so far is that McCown is the starter going into camp. Which makes sense consideing his 13 years experience and Johnny's recent life-changing actions. But Pettine has made no indications beyond the beginning of camp.
I'm willing to wait and see and unwilling to make guesses for or against Johnny's success.
No problem with others doing so. I'm sure the team is thinking about all angles because they have to be prepared for anything that transpires. Fans can do the same if they wish. It's understandable.
But for me, partially because I've been where Johnny is now regarding his rehab and new way of thinking, and partially because I don't need to be prepared for anything so I'll just wait and see.
True, but is anyone "game-ready" in May? He still has four months and the looks on those three's faces tell me they aren't worried about him not being ready.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
In Atlanta, Favre had become a whipping boy for flamboyant coach Jerry Glanville, who never approved of Herock's decision to draft him and once said during an exhibition game that it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game. The more Glanville ignored the wild and unbridled Favre, the more Favre rebelled.
According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story, Glanville had four rules: 1) Be on time. 2) Prepare all week to play. 3) Spill your guts on the field. 4) Only accept victory.
"If he'd have got to 3 and 4, he'd have been fine," Glanville once told the paper. "But you had to get past 1 and 2."
Favre's behavior was immature and unprofessional. He stayed out late, he showed up late and fell asleep in meetings. As he once said, "I'm sure I didn't help my cause by trying to drink up Atlanta."
To this day, Herock doesn't know why Favre acted the way he did.
"He had a big ego," Herock said. "His comments to me in the locker room were, 'They need to play me. I'm better than those guys.' We had a Pro Bowl quarterback (Chris Miller) and I could see why he was still sitting, but he felt he was better than them. Why he was doing what he was doing, I have no idea. I think if you ask him he probably couldn't answer it either."
How many rookie QB's goofed-off or otherwise failed in their rookie season and then gone on to take very real, major steps to correct their shortcomings?
I've said it before but I think it bears repeating: Johny going to rehab, while admirable, insures no such improvement on the field as it might in his everyday life. He did not grow 3-4 inches or gain 20 pounds; he did not get faster; he did not change his mindset to get the hell out of the pocket at the first sign of a possible breach in his protection. His football abilities and inabilities remain as they were. From reading the board, it seems that most people think Johnny's off-field behavior was the cause of his onfield failures. I don't think that's necessarily the case. It is equally possible that his off-field behavior was because of his on-field failures. Its possible he had an "uh-oh, I don't think I'm in College Station any more" moment, and he found refuge in the party life. Not to get all Dr Phil about it, but then isn't that what some here are doing when they assume he'll be great now that he's sober?
Anyway, like you, I have time to wait and see. But I'm in my 60's now, so maybe not that much time ...
I want to re-address the whole list of players, comparing this year to last.
QB:
Last year: Hoyer, Manziel, Shaw. This year: McCown, Lewis, Manziel, Shaw
I see this position as being fairly even.Hoyer started off well last year, and then fell off badly. We had a pair of rookies backing Hoyer, and neither guy was specially successful. This year, who know what we'll get from McCown. However, we will be running an offense that is extremely similar to what McCown ran when he was successful in Chicago, so that offers some hope. We have Manziel and Shaw with another year's experience. We also added Thad lewis, who is a capable QB, even if he's not a spectacular talent. He is a guy who should also be able to run the less QB dependent, more run heavy system we are going to run. We have more competition this year, and the guys who were rookies last year have a year under their belts. In the end, Hoyer gave us this last year: 55.3% completion %, 3326 yards, 12 TD and 13 INT, and he did do a good job of holding onto the ball, with 4 fumbles, and losing only 1. If our QB, whoever he winds up being, can play avoid mistakes, we'll be at least even with last year.
Advantage: Uncertain
RB:
Last year: West, Crowell, Winston, Draughn, Tate This year: The same guys, minus Tate and plus Duke Johnson
This unit should be hugely improved. We lacked a RB who could catch passes effectively out of the backfield last year, and we should have that guy this year in Johnson. Basically we added Duke and dropped Tate, and that looks like an improvement to me. (based on the Tate we saw before he was cut last year) Further, with improvements to depth on the OL, if we do have an injury again this year, we should be better suited to handle it.
Advantage: This year
FB:
Last year: Agnew, Small This year: Malcolm Johnson,
We truly don't know what we have in Johnson yet, except what the team has said about him. Flip has said that he wants a FB who can block, line up anywhere, (including splitting out wide) catch the ball, and run the ball. He wants a weapon at FB. Last yera we used our FB as a blocker, for the most part. Unfortunately, neither Agnew nor Small were all that good in that role. It is still way too early to make any judgments, but i am going to anyway. I think that Johnson is going to fit wjay Flip wants at FB, and he is going to be an upgrade.
Advantage: Uncertain, though leaning slightly towards this year based on the fit Johnson brings to the offense.
TE:
Last year: Cameron, Dray, Barnidge, Robinson This year: Housler, Dray, Barnidge, and Telfar
If we were comparing this group with 2013 Cameron to this year's group, then we would probably give the edge to last year's group. However, we are not. We are comparing last year to this year. Last year we got 54 catches for 822 yards, and 3 TD.
This year we have added Housler and Telfer to the group. I was probably the 1st person to say that I hoped we would sign Housler when he became available. I really like this kid as our new receiving TE. I admit that I have no idea what we will get from Telfer. He looks more lumbering than graceful to me, but who knows? Regardless, I think that Housler will be an upgrade, in terms of production, over 2014 Jordan Cameron. Just a reminder, that would be 24 catches for 424 yards and 2 TD. I think that fans are going to really like Rob Housler by the end of this year.
Advantage: This year. If Housler gains more than 400 or so yards, he will upgrade the position compared to last year. I fully expect that to happen.
OL:
Last year: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco, Schwartz, McQuistan, McDonald, Seymour, etc. This year: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco, Schwartz, Erving, Bowie, McDonald, Seymour, and so on.
Bottom line is that we should have a healthy Mack, and Erving should bump pur 6th OL down the list, at the very least. These 2 factors should improve our OL tremendously.
Advantage: This year by a mile, (or 3) and they were darn good last year.
WR:
Last year: Austin, Hawkins, Gabriel, Gordon, Benjamin, Smith, Moore This year: Bowe, Hartline, Hawkins, Gabriel, Benjamin, Smith, Moore, Mayle
If Gordon had been a productive player, who was a great teammate, and who learned the offense and did what he was supposed to do, then this would be overwhelmingly in favor of last year. However, that is not the case. We dropped Austin, and Gordon was suspended. In their place we added Bowe, Hartline, and Mayle.
Advantage: This year. Again if Gordon had been the guy he was in 2013, then this would go the other way .... but he didn;t, so it doesn't.
DL:
Last year: Rubin, Bryant, Bryant, Taylor, Kitchen, Hughes, Winn, Fau, and others. This year: Shelton, Cooper, Starks, Hughes, Bryant, Kitchen, Taylor, Winn, Barnett, and others.
Last year we were 24th in sacks, and were last against the run. Our DL was a huge part of that problem. There are guys who looked like they would be a big part of this team's future on the DL at the start of last year who may not make the team this year. My prediction: Either Winn or Taylor will NOT make this team, and both may fail to make the final roster. The competition has become even more fierce this year.
Advantage: This year. We all know that the DL struggled through injuries last year. Regardless, given the performance of our DL last year, this year certainly appears to be an upgrade. Our starting DL could well be Bryant, Shelton, and Cooper, and that would be a nice unit, both against the run, and rushing the passer. The guys we added appear to be a better fit, and with guys like Starks, Hughes, Kitchen, and possibly Taylor or Winn, we should have great depth as well. It appeared as though we would have great depth last year, but it look like we will be even deeper this year. Slso, our DL will not be learning a new defense this year. That adds up to an advantage for this year to me.
We lost Sheard and added Orchard and Pullard, and also have Eubanks, who the team reportedly liked returning to health. We have Solomon having shown some pass rush ability late last year. Sheard looked all too often like a square peg in a round hole last year. This year almost has to be an upgrade, because the only player of consequence we lost was Sheard, and we also have Mingo returning to health.
Our biggest loss may be a guy I didn't expect to make the team last year, and I certainly did not expect him to contribute. However, Jim Leonhard did both last year. Our other loss is Skrine, but we replaced him quite well with Williams. This group really goes in favor of this year if Gilbert and Desir develop and come on this year. We could have a real dominant, top of the league secondary this year.
Advantage: This year.
K:
Last year: Cundiff, Hartley This year: Hartley?
Advantage: Hard to say at this point.
P:
Last year: Lanning This year: Lanning
Advantage: Wash
LS:
Last year: Yount, Hughlett This year: Yount, Hughlett
Advantage: Hard to tell. Yount struggled in the middle of last year, and then came back on to snap perfectly. Hughlett is supposed to be pretty good as well. We;ll make this one a wash as well.
Coaching:
Offensive coaches:
Last year: I have a great deal of respect for Shanahan, and felt that he was a creative guy, but let's be honest ...... he got a much better run game than 2013, a much better receiving corps than 2013, a better QB, and yet we scored almost the same points as the year before. (actually, fewer overall, 200 to 308, but we had 2 more return TD in 2012, so the difference was really + 3 overall from 2012 to 2013) I lost a ton of respect for the QB coach when he started running his mouth more than he did coaching his QBs, and making sure their mechanics stayed solid. It also seems as though the "1 team" concept broke down as the year went along, and that Shanahan did not want to be here after the season ended.
This year we have added a new OC, WR coach, and QB coach. I really like the new OC, and feel that Flip is a really bright guy, and expect him to be very successful in his new role. Both the WR coach and the QB coach are inexperienced in the NFL.
One thing that appears certain, is that the coaches will all be on the same page this year. It definitely appears that this was not the case last year.
Advantage: Too soon to tell.
That's the way I see it anyway.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Gipson held out of OTA's and has not signed his tender yet. Just sayin'
He's not going anywhere though. I don't even know if he is still eligible to sign elsewhere at this point.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.