Preamble: I lost interest in the boards a while back when you all turned into a bunch of sassy preschoolers, and since I’ve been gone the 2 threads you guys cram everything into have grown exponentially and I don’t want to weed through the trash to get to the reading I come to the boards for. Moving on: who do you all see as our starting linebackers moving forward? Does Joebert lose the MLB position? Coaches rave about him and his acumen. Fans trash him for being a liability in the passing game. Is he really a liability?
If anyone, it would be Kendricks in the middle. Honestly, the way Schobert played, I don't think Kendricks will outright take anything. What I see is a better rotation than we have had in years. The positive will come from fresh legs, not a drop in level of play when those fresh legs are in the game. I think we still need one/two more for the rotation to be mentioned as a major asset. But Kendricks was a MAJOR step in the right direction.
I don't blame you, there was a LOT of trash...and I for one apologize to you and all other Browns fans for my contribution. I appreciate the "new thread" and PROMISE none of that will spill over to any new threads started for real Browns discussions.
I can't promise the trolls will stay away, what I am promising is I won't contribute to the drivel on any of the new threads.
I don't think so.. I think he is by far the best Sam we have on the team and will be in the game as long as he is healthy playing in that role.
Retort: what part of calling us "sassy preschoolers" is productive and/or engenders good will to proceed? Concession: I'm a sucker for this stuff, so *of course* I'm going to respond. Base formation would be Kirksey (W), Schobert (M), and Collins (S). Kendricks and Avery (the rookie) I would expect to be used more on passing downs as they both offer substantial upgrades in the pass rush department, Avery especially. When they move to a nickel formation, it should be Kirksey and Collins on the field anyway, as we can lose the MLB in favor of another defensive back. Schobert is a liability in the passing game - they all were last season - but with an improved front four and improved back-end to the defense, hopefully the linebacker corp all around takes a big step forward.
This figures to be a make-or-break season for Collins, contract-wise. According to spotrac.com, he's only on the hook for $2.5M in dead cap in 2019 (if he's cut) versus $14.4M this season. He's been a mixed bag since being acquired from the Patriots. The Browns should play him in his strongest role - as @IrishDawg42 noted, strong-side - and see what he can do. If he suffers another injury and/or plays below his lofty contract dollars, I would expect the Browns to look long and hard at linebacker with that 2019 first round pick.
I believe so, but you obviously can't count Kendricks out. He will compete, which is something this LB corps didn't have in last year's training camp. There will be so many implemented schemes this year though, I think that will be the core of this defense since they were here last year with Williams. Everyone else on defense will be catching up with the exception of Brantley, Meder, Nassib, Orchard, Burgess, Boddy-Calhoun, Peppers and Kindred. A lot of new faces on this defense. Will be looking at returning vets for guidance.
I think this is the most likely outcome. We're talking about base defense, but the reality is that most teams play a lot of sub-packages these days. So these two will likely be seeing the field. Of course, Kendricks does have to beat the current stiff competition. Solid group of LB's to be competing. I think Kendricks is one of your starting three, likely at Will. This, of course, presumes that everyone is healthy and ready to play.
