BUCKLE UP BROWNS FANS!!! This is the season we've been waiting for

Bug difference between PFF rankings based on production vs PFF rankings based on projections, don't you think?

 

Bug difference between PFF rankings based on production vs PFF rankings based on projections, don't you think?

 

What kind of bugs are you talking about?

 

Not to me. I think they're both horseshit.

 

It's not having it both ways. The Browns statistically were the best offensive line in football last season during Kitchens' run as offensive coordinator. They led the NFL in sack rate allowed (1.87%) as well as rushing yards per attempt (4.62). PFF just happened to agree with the regular stats

But since you brought it up... I'd be interested to see what the Browns were projected before the 2018 season by PFF (where they finished 2nd overall, 1st under Kitchens). I'm guessing it was around - or lower - than 20th.

 

The next-closest was Indianapolis with 2.7%. That was 18 sacks in 662 dropbacks (over 16 games). The Browns line under Kitchens surrendered five total sacks. That's a projected 10 over a full 16 games. Not to put too fine a point on it, but that would be an NFL record since they started keeping track of the sack stat.

 

Cmon SAS you are way smarter than this. Using one stat (sacks) to evaluate pass blocking efficiency? That's silly. That means any pass play that doesn't end in a sack is successful. Like if the left tackle gets beaten inside with a swim move, holds on for dear life (not flagged) and the QB feels the pressure and throws a pick 6. That's a "successful" play because no sack was recorded?

https://www.houstontexans.com/video/can-t-miss-video-zach-cunningham-returns-int-for-td

 

Per PFF.....the Browns are gonna break every known NFL record this season.

And go 16-0. And win the Superbowl.

Because PFF said so.

 

Actually, it was two (yards per rush attempt)... but following your train of thought...

Mayfield's INT ratio was 3.04% in under Kitchens' direction. That was actually up from under Haley (2.69%)... however, his TD ratio flipped (3.59% under Haley, 7.22% under Kitchens - third best in the NFL behind only Mahomes and Wilson). Likewise, his completion percentage improved, too: 58.3% under Haley to 68.4% under Kitchens. Sack percentage was down tremendously (8.23% under Haley, 20 sacks in 243 dropbacks). Yards-per-attempt went up 6.60 to 8.57.

So the overall picture: accuracy, touchdowns, yards-per-attempt, and sack percentage dramatically improved while interceptions increased. Most telling (I think) is that yards-per-attempt went up in conjunction with sacks going down. This paints the picture of the offensive line giving Mayfield more time to attempt deeper (on average) throws. The interception percentage did increase, but it is not statistically significant (e.g., the 0.35% change equates to less than 1 INT over the full eight games - and in fact, he threw eight interceptions in eight games under Kitchens, six in 5.5 under Haley.

Ipso f**king facto: the offensive line continued to be the best in the NFL under Kitchens and the only difference between this year and last is that the Browns - ostensibly - downgraded the right guard position while dramatically improving the wide receiver position and have their franchise QB the undisputed leader of the team entering his second full season in the NFL.

 

I actually haven't in a while since the subscription to PFF.com expired around the draft, so....

 

"Using one stat (sacks) to evaluate pass blocking efficiency?"

Sacks are a terrible way to evaluate pass blocking efficiency. Baker has good pocket mobility and moves well. He's going to avoid a lot of sacks on his own. But it will effect his ability and hinder the offense if he's doing it often. You can't paint a protection picture using only sacks.

Baker got better as the year went on. I agree. That's pretty normal. He also faced much easier competition.

Baker is really good at buying time. It's one of his strengths and maybe that's why Dorsey took such a laissez faire approach. But all it takes is one big hit. That doesn't mean the Browns o-line is one of the better lines in the league and all this again was with Zeitler in the lineup. He was their best linemen. I have a feeling we'll be discussing this a bunch this year. Proof will be in the pudding. I think their line will be their Achilles heel.

 

Guys, guys, guys - you're getting it all wrong. If the Browns win their first game, that projects out to 16 wins over the course of the season. It's really easy to see the logic, here. Take a small, cherry-picked sample, and spread it over the rest of the season without context. If you're not doing that, you really don't understand football.

 

How is this only true for the Cleveland Browns?

 

Weird to be spending so much time discussing the offensive line for a 13-3 Super Bowl favorite, but you do you I guess...

 

Y'all... imagine being a Bears fan today.

 

Also, seems like someone's stealing my content...

 

It's not, just more likely when you trade away your best O-linemen.

 

"Best o-lineman"... he wasn't even our best guard.

2018, Cleveland:

Greg Robinson: 8 games, 498 snaps, 7 penalties, 0.0 sacks allowed, 65 negative yards
Desmond Harrison: 8 games, 595 snaps, 8 penalties, 4.0 sacks allowed, 101 negative yards
Joel Bitonio: 16 games, 1,091 snaps, 3 penalties, 1.0 sacks allowed, 14 negative yards
J.C. Tretter: 16 games, 1,091 snaps, 0 penalties, 3.0 sacks allowed, 16 negative yards
Kevin Zeitler: 16 games, 1,091 snaps, 6 penalties, 2.0 sacks allowed, 58 negative yards
Chris Hubbard: 16 games, 1,091 snaps, 1 penalty, 7.5 sacks allowed, 54.5 negative yards

 

On another note, I suppose this means we are looking at an 0-16 Bears squad since their opening night didn't quite go as planned?