DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Who Needs to Show Up.

I was wondering outside of the obvious need for McCown to play well (good luck with that) Who (individual) on the Browns roster really needs to show up this year.

For me its Gilbert. With the lose of Skrine to FA Gilbert for me is the key to whether or not our secondary is as good as it was last year or not.

That Williams cat they overpaid for in FA is NOT an option. He gave up 10TD's and QB's enjoyed his coverages to the tune of a 107 QB rating. If he starts watch where he lines up because the ball is sure to follow.

Gilbert has elite shut down corner skills but he lacked the focus needed to be productive. I look for big things from him this year, if not watch the hell out.

Any hope that this will be an elite defense IMO hinges on Gilbert being productive.

Who is it you all think needs to show up big this year?

Gilbert for sure. He's key to the D. Of course, I'm very excited to see what Shelton can do. If he is as advertised, that could be a fun unit to watch.

I think you are referring to Tramon Williams right? Say what you will, but he's durable having played in 127 of a possible 128 games. He's started 99 games with 28 INT's. So there is some good news there as well.

The other Williams (K'wan) is a guy I have high hopes for and yes, he'll need to step up as well.

On Offense I need Mack to come back sound. I hope there are no lingering effects due to his injury.

We need Hartline and Bowe to pick up the pace and I can't wait to see if Gabrial is real or it last year was a fluke. So he needs to step up.

And of course, we need Erving to be what we need on the line.

I'm going to say everyone, all the time. So much is about attitude and want to, and my hope is that Pettine has them all playing at a level of intensity that translates into domination.

I agree with CalDawg.

The whole team needs to show up, not necessarily at the same time, but enough at any given time to cover someone having an off-game.

The good teams win, not by everyone having a HoF game, but by the majority being good, and able to cover for those that are having a bad game.

Tom Brady throws an INT, the Patriots Defense goes out with the intent to get that ball back. The Defense gives up a score, the offense goes out hell bent on scoring as well.

j/c

I agree with all that has been said. It is difficult to single out one specific player, but certainly Gilbert needs to show he was worthy of the high pick. Shelton sure, pass rush obviously, but two guys that really need to contribute to make the defense work are Mingo and Gipson. On offense, outside of QB, I agree Mack needs to be special (as he has shown previously). I believe the talent is there; we need some "Andy Warhol" moments to rise above...

IMO, the people who need to show up the most are:

Joe Haden, it's obvious he's going to draw the hardest assignment on the defense by shadowing the #1 receiver wherever, however and with no help.

Danny Shelton, we got imo, exactly who the staff wanted with the first pick. His role in stopping the run, which is the largest concern on the D, is going to be crucial.

Sorry to be so generic, but everyone on the offensive line. Everybody. Their ability to open up running lanes is,imo,the beginning, middle and end of how good the offense can be in terms of production and limiting as much as feasible, the responsibilities of any of our qbs.

I agree with Haden. We cannot afford for him to have a four game warm up like last year. We need him to be dominant from game 1. If CB #2 struggles a bit, be it Williams or Gilbert, they can slide coverage his way. We need Haden to play on an island against the #1 all game long and be dominant at it. That will go a long way into whether or not we are in games with a chance to win.

We need a possession type receiver to get open on third downs and move the chains. I'm hoping that's Hartline. Austin was awesome in that role last year. For the type of offense we will be trotting out there this is a must.

We need Gabriel to turn into Steve Smith.

We need Manziel to really come on in training camp and steal the job from McCown.

DeFlip has to be good. He has to be very good. He needs to be close to Shannahan good. Tall order.

John Greco and Mitchell Schwartz. (Assuming they win the starting jobs). The entire offensive line needs to be a strength, not just the left side.

I think either Armonty Bryant, Barkevious Mingo, Nate Orchard or even Scott Solomon needs to show up and generate a pass rush opposite of Paul Kruger.

If we have any chance at being competitive and winning games our running game has to show up every week. The weeks that we can't run the ball will absolutely be automatic losses in my opinion. Assuming we're not scoring TD's on special teams and defense.

I'm not one bit worried about our secondary, I think it'll be a strength. I think our defensive line will be a strength this year, and honestly I think our WR's have a chance to surprise people.

I agree with you about Gilbert. Nothing at all about the play of Williams last year gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Your stats say a lot, and I'm not really a stat guy. But if Gilbert doesn't step up, I believe Williams will be a downgrade from Skrine.

I also agree with those that say Shelton. Also Starks will need to show up. I'm not as worried about Shelton as much as some are. His combine numbers were poor but once again, I'm not a stat guy. The kid is a player. He simply plays football at a very high level. That's what you need, players, not a stat sheet.

I cannot believe I didn't include this one. Yes, Flip surely belongs on that list. No NFL coordinator experience, no true/real WR threat and a plethora of questionable qbs.

What he does have going for him though, that I believe other o-coordinators probably get jealous with, is one of the better, intelligent olines.

And being a somewhat unknown. It takes a few games for teams to understand what his tendencies are. Much like a backup QB coming in a game and looking like a star.

Football is as much about knowing your opponents and what they do, as it is being able to do what you do, it's a game of strategy, having the right counter-play called for their play.

I can't believe no one has said it yet but...gad... Manziel.

I don;t think many of us are comfortable with the idea of McCown as a starter. Manziel needs to show that he can take the reins and lead a team successfully. If he can, great....we have a QB to either mature and continue to improve or at least be an effective placeholder til the next guy comes along.

If he can't, well then we know what we need to draft next year.

Again.

I believe that speaks volumes at to the expectations overall at the QB position.

Obviously the whole team. We'll forfeit all the games if no one shows up.

+ 1

And unfortunately... rightfully so.

The whole D better show up and be in AMAZING condition, because they will be on the field 75% to 80% of all games this year!!

Thanks for building us a GRAND OFFENSE "Text"!!

The only hope and it is FAR FETCHED!!!
Will we be able to get a 1960's offense to work in 2015???

We have to be the joke of all of the defensive coordinators in the league.

Good point.

I think one of the two QBs has to show up, big!!!!

If they suck........we'll suck. And I don't care how many positive posts there are about us winning 9, 10, 11 games. We need solid to good qb play to be competitive.

SuperBrown, you are too much! You just "liked" your own post...

On defense, I want to see Mingo and/or Orchard step up against the run. A lot of help was added to the defensive front line.

On offense, I like West and Crowell be more assertive. Heavy impact by these two makes a lot of pieces fall into place. Making the Duke an added feature, as oppose to relying on a rookie being key, creates more stress.

It would be nice if Manziel showed up figuratively, but I'll settle for him showing up literally.

Is that even possible?

QB - big question mark and personally I think McCown will prove to be adequate. And that's all I think we need. I can't see him putting the team on his back and winning games by himself. Anything positive out of JM I will take.
RB - I am confident we will be above average.
WR - We need the veterans to not have lost too much and the young guns to step up and I have high hopes for Gabriel.
TE - I am confident of solid blocking and catching.
OL - I am confident of a solid top 6-7 OL performance.

In line with QB - I think the biggest area of need for someone to step up and clearly shine is the OC role. Lets hope young Flip is the next big thing in offense play calling.

DL - I am confident, and I am eager to see what Shelton can add to the overall performance by being stout up the middle.
LB - I am confident of at least decent play - with an improved DL I think the LB's might start to shine. I am really interested to see Kirksey play in his 2nd season.
DB's - Again confident and if Gilbert "gets it" I am looking forward to something truly special.

So in summary - #1 = QB. #2 = OC. #3 = WR play. . . . give me those three things and I think we will have an outstanding opportunity at a winning record.

It's surprising to me he is still on the team, but I'm gonna say Big Phil or big bust whatever you want to call him. His career could be about over if he doesn't start making some plays. I've only seen one game where he played above average and the rest of the time he looks like a complete bust or injured.

Yes...see?...

Somebody take his keyboard away, please...

Ha-ha SuperBrown, you crack me up. Yes, our D is often on the field for most of the games, or so it seems.

The premise of the thread was that you choose a player that needs to show up this year. Thanks for your contribution.

I guess I should have been more specific.

The jist of it is to say if this guy doesn't play well it compromises the unit he plays on.. Totally my fault for not spelling it out better.



I think your missing something here and I might as well include Rish here too.



I think what your both missing here is our defense is built based on man press coverage. While you (Rish) seem to understand the importance of Haden being able to man up your OK with sliding coverage to our #2 I would say to you this. Your proving my point that Gilbert is key, because Gilbert has the skill set to man cover which means more guys in the box and one more pass rusher. See how key it is for our outside coverage guys to be able to play man press? If we have to slide coverage we compromise our scheme. Not GOOD, and it will hurt us in ways you may not recognize.



How can you say that much and say nothing at all?

Mingo was a solid contributor last season his roll chnaged but he was outstanding in coverages last year. Gipson needs to be healthy, he will be fine so long as he gets to roam the field and make plays as apposed to having to roll to our #2 CB to help in coverage.



Couldn't disagree more. I think its important to stop the run but its more important to stop the pass. I'm not disappointed with the Shelton pick by any stretch but his contribution will be incremental as apposed to impact/gamechanging. That is unless he can collapse the pocket from the nose then this pick goes off the charts. What I hope for is that he attracts enough attention that the guys around him are better.



He isn't a player but we can go there if you like. Flips track record working with QB's in spite of all the talk is questionable at best. He got his guy in McCown now lets see what he does with him. I'm not big on bashing guys before they get a chance to get their feet under them but his track record SUCKS. Your concerns are well placed IMO.



I tried to stay away from the obvious QB position. Johnny showing up would be huge though as unlikely as that is to happen. Pray for a miracle, why not?



You haven't been reading the press reports. Flash the Browns will minimize the QB spot. No need for worries here.....



So you think the entire offensive skill position players suck and are praying that somehow they buck their trend. I concur.



It sure would be great if Phil could show up period, then if he could be the player we drafted him to be what a bonus that would be especially lined up next to Shelton.

I didn't address everyone's posts I tried to hit on the ones that had something to say. The rest were just repeats or mindless drivel.

You asked for opinions and you got them, now it's somehow important to knock the?

Who needs to show up??

That's easy....The QB, no matter who it is. This team has a good amount of talent in pretty much all units. The QB position if 'they show up' will be the difference maker.

A second?, maybe Housler. Because outside of QB, that's the only other position group and overly concerned about.

Hmmm...I thought I was rather specific.

I'm sorry you feel that way. HONEST

Having said that should we not debate and kick it about the question posed?

I understand the point of your post, and I get what you're trying to do, I'll chime in on a couple thoughts in a minute, but I will reiterate the need to play as a unit because I think that this is something the team has sorely lacked for most of the years since the return. I also think it's something that we are starting to experience within this new regime and with the reality of actual talent on the team. My hope is that it continues and intensifies this year.

To quote Kevin O'Connell: "If we can get all 11 guys doing their jobs, that's really what it's about and we've got a good chance of being successful.”

Singly, I would put Bowe, Hartline, Duke Johnson, Kirksey, Mingo and McCown at the top of my list.

Obviously we need consistent production from our WRs, and chemistry and cohesion between McCown and the two big wideouts will be key to our success. If we don't get consistent and reliable production from our outside WRs, the run game gets stuffed and the slot gets smothered. I have major questions marks about how much Bowe has left in the tank and how effective Hartline will be. Gilbert an Hawk are very solid but we need size on the outside. There's much hope that Rodney Smith can step up, but who knows if he'll even make the roster?

I mention Duke Johnson because I think much will be asked of him. I'm relatively certain he will be a nice change of pace, (small, shifty and speedy,) but if he can be a true receiving threat from the backfield and even lined up outside on occasion, he will create matchup nightmares that could result in major chunks of yardage that could result in TDs.

Kirksey showed a lot of potential last year and I'm looking for a leap forward this year. Our LB corps has been a weakness on occasion and in certain situations, but I'm hoping to see it turned to a strength this year with more stoutness along the D-line, with Kirksey in his second year, with a healthy Mingo and the addition of Nate Orchard to give us consistent pass rush opposite Kruger.

I think we all want to see what a healthy, experienced Mingo can bring. He may never be the pass rusher we hoped for, but I do believe he can be a holy terror in coverage and with the proliferation of pass catching TE's, he may be taylor made to shut down that aspect of an opponent's game. Fingers crossed on that one.

And obviously we need good QB play. McCown needs to meet and exceed expectations by taking care of the football, getting it into the hands of his playmakers, moving the chains on 3rd down, scoring TDs and by inspiring confidence. I think he can, I hope I'm right.

I don't mention the secondary as so many have, as I see this unit as a strength, and am not worried about it. I sincerely believe Gilbert will step up, but I also think we have a solid #2 in Tramon Williams. I believe we're solid in the slot with K'waun and have solid depth with Desir.

D-line and O-line should be major strengths this year if they can stay healthy.

I'm not concerned with the TE squad either, I think it's a solid unit with Barnidge, Drey, Housler, Tefler & Bibbs, just remains to be seen who the final four will be.

Who needs to step up? Gilbert and Johnny. They were first round picks for a reason and they need to to be the guys that we drafted them to be. Johnny supposed to be well behind McCown right now but he is also expected to be gaining ground rapidly and turning this thing into a competition. He spent the offseason getting his personal life in order and now lets see if he can get his professional life going.

Gilbert has the physical talent but he is mentally weak and that he must overcome. Playing corner is as much about confidence as it is about anything else and last year he lost his when he struggled. Just like Johnny, everyone was telling him how great he was and when he was getting beat by nfl talent, it broke him.

I think West can be put on that list as well. this kid has so much talent but he is letting his attitude cost him.

Well, I'm not sure if this is what is meant by "Show Up," but the people who most need to be who they are *billed* to be (and improve upon what they did last year) are Manziel on offense and Shelton and Taylor on Defense. QB, QB, QB... but Manziel will have to work hard to even get a shot. On defense, we can't be 32nd in the league against the run. Shelton was drafted first by us for this reason ahead of other players who will likely be significantly better, because it's *that* important we drastically improve our run defense. I'm skeptical that he will be the player the FO thinks he is, but I hope he will be, and we need him to be. He can't play every snap, though, and we need Taylor to take that reduced snap count and make each play he's in there more explosive.

Who Needs to Show Up?

just one person huh?

well with josh "hold the ball forever" and johnny "panic in the pocket" i will say the weak link on the o-line. Mitchell Schwartz. he better be up to blocking for at leaste 7 seconds EVERY play lol.

How about any body active for the game who dresses out?

I don't see any player getting a pass at any position (maybe LS). But especially Shelton, Gilbert, Hartline, and the RB's.

And I couldn't disagree more. Why would a team choose to pass first if they could easily sit back and dial in running pass? That makes no sense to risk an interception when other means are available to move the ball.

Certain teams though, the pass happy/pass first teams, I could agree with but if a o coordinator knows they can run, they going keep dialing in running plays. Stop the run, force them to pass!

...Andy Lee better be ready.