Why do we need to talk about a quarterback who doesn't play for the team and a General Manager who doesn't work for it any more? Regardless of where the perceived bottom is/was, almost no one thinks the Browns got worse from a talent perspective. The Browns should not go 0-16 again - they shouldn't have in the first place. The ceiling is the debate and that ceiling depends on how you view (1) the talent, and (2) the coaches. The schedule, injuries, and/or luck are really the only other factors at play and those can't be controlled. I - like the majority of analysts, players, and personnel executives - felt the Browns had enough talent to win football games in 2017. Since they didn't, I have to point a finger at what led them down and the only thing left is: (drum roll, please) coaching. If you - like @showstopper, most Steelers fans, and a minority of analyst, personnel exectutives, and Adam "Pac-Man" Jones - fell that this is a playoff-caliber coaching staff that's been given a CFL-level roster to work with... then I can see why you'd think they're only going to win maybe a handful of games. I don't agree with it, but I get where you're coming from.
Why couldnt the Browns powerhouse Def create TO's? You had all world Garrett on one side w Ogbah on the other....ball hawk Peppers at safety....players play and make plays...simple as that
As stated....All that hell we went through the last two years did bring us Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield. Those two are gonna lead the resurgence of the Cleveland Browns, and we are finally going to have an opportunity to enjoy NFL Sunday's...
Subtractions: Sashi Brown, Ryan Grigson, Chris Tabor (finally), Kenny Britt, Joe Thomas, Chris Barker, Isaiah Crowell, Marcus Martin, Josh Keyes, Gavin Escobar, Bug Howard, Matt Lengel, Kai Nacua, C.J. Smith, Randall Telfer, Kasen Williams Additions: John Dorsey, Alonzo Highsmith, Eliot Wolf, Adam Henry, Ken Zampese, Todd Haley, Josh Cribbs (intern, but still cool), T.J. Carrie, Anthony Fabiano, Darren Fells, E.J. Gaines, Avery Gennesy, Jermaine Grace, Chris Hubbard, Carlos Hyde, Jeff Janis, Terrance Mitchell, Chris Smith, Drew Stanton, Donald Stephenson, Justin Vogel, Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry, Damarious Randall, Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, Austin Corbett, Nick Chubb, Chad Thomas, Antonio Callaway, Genard Avery, Damion Ratley, Simeon Thomas + 17 undrafted free agents I simply don't see how this team isn't light years better. And not from 0-16, but from where they should have been in 2017, even if that was only 2-3 wins.
So wait... are you now arguing it was the players and not the coaches? You don't think Gregggggg Williams' "Angel defense" had anything to do with it? I would argue that even from a mentality standpoint, when you commit to something like that, your'e saying - "just don't let us get beat deep" and you're not thinking aggression.
Worth the cost of subscription. Great insights and break-down in this article. WARNING: Article contains citations from ProFootballFocus.com, discusses Todd Haley's *extensive* use of shotgun formation, and is very much pro-Browns. It's come to my attention that that's not for everyone.
I believe you told me he blitzed the most out of any defense? I do think Williams is a horrible DC and doesnt put his players in the best decision to succeed, but usually when you blitz you can create some TO's
Thats called undisciplined defense....you have a backside LB there for cutback and a safety aligned 2 yds beyond the LB....I cant see how the safety isnt a pass first player...also the run action is zone right so he would be a secondary help run supporter
I don't think "ball hawk" and "Jabrill Pepper" have ever been confused for being a part of the same sentence. Peppers was a SS, LB, and CB in college (31% each +/- 2%). Also, Garret/Ogbah played together 7 games (I believe), and the beginning had Garrett hampered with injuries, the end had Ogbah. The scheme with a crap defensive backfield made it hard for the front 7 to have any effect. Safety was 50 yards away, Corners were 3/4 the way to the first down marker, LBs were out of position from the snap to have any impact on receivers (when they weren't blitzing). Them maybe not getting off the field and getting their ass handed to them week in week out had something to do with it. Anyone with any leadership experience would put it on coaches/leadership. I have 8 employees, and when they are not up to par it is a failure on my part. I accept that, and the coaches of the team should accept that. McCown was the best QB that Hue was given, and he wanted him as a coach. "Check-down Cody" could have at least been AVG if you played to his skill set (which Hue wouldn't do).
Preach. Just 3.5 games together, actually. They had 6 sacks in those 10 quarters. Spoiler ahead: that'd be 38.5 sacks at that rate for a full 16-game season. One thing to note, too. When this journey started in 2016, Ray Horton was the defensive coordinator and we ran a base 3-4 front. The roster, which wasn't in great shape to begin with, was tailored to that coordinator and defense since so many of the pieces were around from the previous 3-4 system. Williams comes in and installs a bend-but-don't-break style of defense, had a lone offseason to get them ready, and played some of the best defenders in bad positions (Peppers at FS, Taylor at zone CB). The coaches have to be nervous about this season because they've run out of excuses. It's time to put up, or shut up.
Isn't that what good QBs do? Take advantage of the D? Anyone catch the clip of Bellicheck breaking down a specific play on NFL Network (I think, I saw it on Twitter). On the play it was something like the slot guy ran a corner, and the outside ran a comeback, the Corners didn't adjust properly and Brady hit the outside guy. After the play the CB and Saftey had words, the CB (Believe it was Peterson) pointed out that the safety should roll and he would go deep. THE VERY NEXT PLAY, after McD saw that, he ran the exact same concept. To safety reacted by going to the comeback, the corner reacted to a corner, but the corner was a double move, and he had the middle of the field wide open.
That’s why it’s nite n day college and NFL...more disciplined and speed is much faster....for all we know that’s a Frosh playing that position instead of a guy like Lamarcus Joyner
I’m sure your employees are not making split second decisions like the players in the NFL....it is a reflection of the coach but when Williams draws up a pressure w 6 coming and the offense only has 5 blocking a play needs to be made there whether it’s immediate pressure and forcing a bad throw, getting a sack or jumping a route since the ball is coming out fast
#2 - Niko Small; two year starter (Junior) Niko Small (SO+JR): 78 solo tackles, 14 passes defensed, 2 INTs Lamarcus Joyner (SO+JR): 65 solo tackles, 3 passes defensed, 5 INTs
Oh now you believe me when I say something? (Yes, he did. The Browns led the NFL in blitzes.) Depends on how you do it. I know you're not a Browns fan, so I understand you not sitting through all 16 0-fer games (it was brutal, believe me). Gregggggg Williams is about as predictable as it comes. Third-and-short? Better dial up a zone-blitz. Tough to generate a turnover on a short-yardage play - especially if we're looking at a shallow pass or a straight-ahead run.
