He's a questionmark in that a ton of his output came in a hot stretch of three back-to-back games (NYG, CIN, IND). I want to see how he handles the responsibilities in Year 2. He wasn't a Day 1 starter, having to work into the lineup with Mohamed Massaquoi. He came into the game late from college and frankly, I think some teams might not have respected his ability early on (he had conditioning issues, speed issues, nagging soreness, etc.). It's concerning that he burst onto the scene as a starter but then had only average stats (and only one more TD all season) after that three-game stretch. I personally hope that he in fact is the receiver we saw dominate at times last year and I think he has the talent to. That said, he does have some past history and is still very young. Until he shows more consistency, I'm not willing to say we have a true #1 WR and don't have to worry about our lack playmakers.
Nor should he, I don't think he was brought in to even try and do that.... but a solid slot WR goes a long way, Takes pressure off the other WR's, is Nelson a "Homerun Threat" of course not, will he hurt you if you don't pay attention to him, absolutely!! That helps Gordon and Little, not only that, but he'll help keep them chains movin'! Huge question mark? Nah, I don't but that, unless you see something I don't? And I also disagree that he's the ONLY playmaker, Benjamin showed flashes last year, that kid is FAST!!! Let's not forget that Little used to play RB... He knows how to run with the ball in his hands! I agree with the fact a handful of " handful of serviceable receivers and a very below average quarterback are somehow going to push a consistently anemic offense into an elite category"... What I don't agree with is that we have just "Servicable WR's" and I still think we have an "Unknown" at QB, a year with Turner will help solve that! BTW SAS, Do you think Gordon would be the best WR in this draft class... as many others have said?
I don't think the Browns can make a bad choise at #6 as long as it is not a QB. I can see trading back for Patterson, or taking the CB or the DE. Just don't take Smith and waste a spot where the club can be helped.
You do realize that could be said about any back-up wide receiver in the NFL, yes? What team on earth wouldn't "pay attention" to another player on the field? Again, crushingly low expectations. Benjamin had 18 receptions for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns. Not exactly game-breaking there. He did have an impressive punt return against the worst team in the league last season. He's a utility player. Well regrettably, all we have is the information we know -- i.e. last year's performance -- and our leading wide receivers were #39, #59 and #198 in the league in receiving yards. AVERAGE. Our quarterback was 27th in completion percentage, 29th in QB rating, 31st in QBR, 5th in interception frequency, 29th in touchdown frequency, 28th in yards-per-attempt and dead last in fourth-quarter comebacks or game-winning drives. SAVAGELY BELOW AVERAGE. No. I thought Gordon was a R2 pick in the Supplemental Draft. He was raw, inconsistent and had a somewhat checkered history with drugs. There was obviously plenty of upside, though. His stat line: 42/714/7 is actually similar Cordarrelle Patterson -- who also only had one season of NCAA football under his belt: 46/778/5. But adding in his multiple other talents and his total line reads: 99/1,858/10 -- total yards being an SEC record, crushing Gordon. I also think Tavon Austin -- by virtue of his polish and prolific stats -- is a better prospect than Gordon was coming out. Anyone saying Gordon is better than anyone in this class is doing so using his (unexpected) NFL resume which is patently unfair.
I agree with you, BPP. The Browns aren't one player or one position away. Any pick at the top of the draft helps us. I even excluded your caveat about QB. Now personally, I don't think Geno Smith is a great QB prospect, but he's absolutely better than what we've got and unlike the birthday-challenged signal-caller we're stuck with, he has the ability to grow into a leader long-term. That said, if we make that pick at #6, it will take more alcohol than normal to accept it.
08:03 AM ET 04.12 | Two weeks from draft day, Jeff Ireland -- publicly, anyway -- is ready to make a deal. During [Ireland's] artful dissemination Thursday -- a 30-minute pre-draft press conference during which he tried to make as little news as possible -- he did provide a couple of useful morsels: * His war room has targeted a handful of players worthy of the team's first-round selection. * A trade up is very much on the table, and with 11 picks, Miami has enough "ammunition" to go all the way to first overall (Ireland says he doubts he'll jump that high, however). *The most obvious need -- offensive line -- will be addressed. Ireland said he wants to upgrade the line "as a whole." What this means to me is that we could be sitting pretty if Lane Johnson is still there at 6 (assuming no one trades ahead of us. A bidding war between Miami and San Diego would be great.
How about a bidding war between the Dolphins, Chargers and the team they are trying to trade ahead of...the Cardinals. San Diego has #15 of the 2nd round, Miami has #11 of the 2nd round, but the Cards have #6(one higher than our original)... If they want Lane Johnson, they may have to pay to play.
I think the Browns should trade back into the teens. It's enough to probably get a second round pick or another third and fifth at worst. At that point, draft a pass rusher. Jarvis Jones looks to be falling
Good idea as long as Jones doesn't fall to the Browns . i hope they stay away from him .if Millner is still on the board grab him . he wants to play for the Browns ..yup he said that ! T Rich must have gave him a sales pitch ..the kid has a bright future after football in sales me thinks .
Gordon played his best ball vs the worst teams/defenses in the league...again fans will over value their players, but some people just get carried away. Look at his last 3 games vs top defenses/playoff teams......if thats ur #1 WR that was considered a steal in the 2nd round....I dont know what to tell some of u guys.
Nevermind I will take care of it to save time...last 3 games(Wash, Denv and Pitt) 3-27, 1-7 and 4-39...18 total targets 8/18=>50%. (Oak and KC) 6-116 1 TD and 8-86...20 targets 14/20=70%.
Who he hell invited stopper over here? Not sure I ever took you for a stalker.. For someone who isn't a Browns fan, you sure as heck go out of your way to follow them.
Stopper... this is exactly what I said in my post earlier (http://mudncleats.com/forumlist/viewtopic.php?pid=2929#p2929). There are still questionmarks with Josh Gordon. While I hope he'll be able to live up to his potential, he's still an unknown right now.
Against Chi (twice) Calvin Johson only had 8-106, and against Seattle he went 3-34, does that mean he's got question marks? Against SF, Brandon Marshall went 2-21, GB he went 2-24.... Demaryius Thomas vs HOU 3-34, vs Balt 3-37.... Vincent Jackson vs DAL 1-29, vs ATL 3-50, vs DEN 3-55.... That's four of the top five WR's last year.... what does this prove? That they have down games... even the best in the game have down games.... ESPECIALLY against Top Defenses in their ROOKIE YEAR!!!! You guys accuse us of overvauling players on the Browns.... perhaps we do... BUT, if a player doesn't come in his rookie year, break records, win the ROY, have a couple bad games against a playoff contender, then he's a bust and this team is void of talent!!! Good grief!!! Go root for someone else!!! I'm really sick of the negative NANCIES around here!
JYD... Please go back and re-read some of the comments. No one is saying the team is devoid of talent. On the same grounds that you're requested we not blast a guy for not lighting the world on fire, can the other side pretty please refrain from anointing him for the same set of stats? We're all looking at the same line: 50/805/5 with 5.3% drop That's a pretty good line for the average NFL receiver. It's certainly impressive for a guy who had sat out a season's worth of football, made a last-second decision to jump into the supplemental draft, despite not being in top shape and then struggling to get going through offseason workouts, preseason and the first few games. It's not the line or production of a playmaker or a top wide receiver talent. What myself and Stopper are saying is to please not jump the gun on evaluating talent, especially since Gordon will be learning a new playbook and NFL teams will have some game film on him now. He very well could develop into a fine playmaker. I believe he will. But I believe it takes more than one and right now, he's the closest thing we've got. Remember, Mohamed Massaquoi put up 34/624/3 as a rookie [11 starts with scum quarterbacks] and everyone lost their collective s**t. How'd that turn out?
So please give me the stat line or production, of a ROOKIE WR, that is a playmake or a top WR talent.... Calvin Johnson Rookie Year - 48/756/4 Brandon Marshall Rookie Year - 20/309/2 Demaryius Thomas RY - 22/283/2 Justin Blackmon - 64/865/5 (He was the 5th overall pick vs Gordon, who was a 2nd rounder) So I guess guys just don't put up HOF type number their rookie years... even if they are a playmaking top WR Talent... I realize there is exceptions, and some do... but MOST don't, just except it... As long as you two stop jumping the gun on saying someone is a bust! Hell, you believe they should start getting RG3's bust ready for Canton! Talk about jumping the gun!!! I was never that high on MoMass.... ever!!!
A.J. Green:65/1,057/7[/*] Julio Jones: 54/959/8[/*] ... but you're missing the point. For every example you list, I can counter with someone else. How about Michael Clayton, who as a rookie put up: 80/1,193/7 and who finished his career with: 141/1,743/3? Josh Gordon had a very good year... no one's discounting that. People are questioning whether or not he's for real. It's absurd that you compare him to Calvin Johnson and unequivocally state he's a playmaker because he had better stats.
