Cleveland Browns team needs
by Jon Dove on Feb 13, 2010 10:00 AM EST
in Mocking the AFC North
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PrintIt was a very disappointing and chaotic year for the Browns. New coach Eric Mangini was involved in headlines regarding practice conditions, misconduct, and contract issues; rather than for wins. However, the end of the season brought on some hope with the hiring of Holmgren, several good games in a row, and the production of running back Jerome Harrison. The hope aside there is still a lot of questions and needs for this Browns team.
1. Running Back
- Jerome Harrison finished off the season strong but is he really the long term answer at the position? The Browns have some need at the receiver position but they need to let some of their younger players develop so addressing the running back position is a must. Adding a playmaking back will help the quarterback, receivers, and defense. With a strong combine performance CJ Spiller could be their pick in round 1. If not look at maybe Jonathan Dwyer and Ryan Matthews in round 2.
2. Cornerback
- Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are nice players but a shut down corner would really benefit the defense. The Browns could look Joe Haden in the first or look to add depth in the later rounds
3. Tight End
- Passing threats have been lacking since the trades of Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards. The Browns have some nice young talent at the receiver position but lack playmakers at the tight end spot. Holmgren loves to utilize the tight ends and I am sure he will want to address that position in this year’s draft.
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RB isn’t the biggest need. I would say CB, then WR, then TE, then RT, then RB, then Qb, then S
by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 10:38 AM EST reply actions
yes. It didn’t seemed like he actually consulted a cleveland fan.
1. CB
2. ILB (our rushing D was dreadful and our ILB play wasn’t that good)
3. WR (although we could use WRs I would rather see us get a FA and let our young WRs develop)
4. S (I don’t trust elam that much. pool is done)
5. RT (Could use one but porkchop with hadnot at guard is a respectable right side)
6. RB (Only this low b/c of our youth at the position. have davis, jennings and harrison. not many guys that complement harrison. could also get a FA)
7. TE (only this low b/c TE isn’t a key position. could definitely use an upgrade)
8. QB (honestly, we definitely could use one but I rank it low b/c I don’t believe on should be drafted)
in general though I do agree with you.
Our rushing D was so bad because Rodgers, Mosely, Dqwell Jackson, and Barton all ended on the IR.
by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
barton was not anything special at ILB. I have heard rumors barton will be cut. even if he isn’t I don’t have confidence in having jackson and then 2 other ILBs that are almost in their mid 30s. how healthy will barton be when he comes back (and he didn’t even contribute when here)? You really feel confident in trusnik and maiava? I don’t. it is a position of great importance in a 3-4 and we could definitely use an upgrade.
ILB is arguably the least important front 7 position in the 3-4
by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
Not true… Joe Collier (guy architect of the Orange Crush) said:
The nose tackle and the inside linebackers, those are three guys that are very important… if your inside linebackers look pretty good, you’re going to play pretty good defense .
In regards to run stuffing NT is the most important with the two ILBs next. The Jets crushed the run beause they have two very good ILBs able to take down Gs and Cs inside and with the range to get outside the OLBs to stop the runner from stretching the run outside. Hank Bullough (guy who installed the New England 3-4) also said the same thing. The Bronco’s 3-4 was much better this year because they got better than expected play from their ILBs. Obviously having stellar play from your S helps (Dawkins) but ILB is very important in the construction of a good 3-4 D.
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 13, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
I agree. the ILB is truly the guy who makes the plays against the running game. you need a good NT to make them better, but an elite run stuffing NT themself does not make a ton of plays. they do make some but their primary role is taking up blockers. the role of the ILBs then is to go into the holes created by the NT and make plays.
ILB in a 3-4
Many would disagree. Highest MLB/ILB drafted in recent years – Mayo by the Pats. The Parcells-Belichick coaching family has spent many high picks and money at the position. And I’m pretty sure their teams have done well.
Higher picks have been used on 3-4 DEs like Tyson Jackson, NTs like BJ Raji, and OLBs.
by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
transition and talent
Jackson and Raji were drafted because in their 4-3 to 3-4 transition the teams lacked good players to fill their positions. Both teams had two guys that could play ILB. Green Bay had Jenkins, Harrell, and Williams at DT, none of whom they thought could play NT. KC had Dorsey but did not think Tyler had the athleticism to play outside.
The MLB to ILB transition is probably the easiest. The DE to OLB is the hardest.
Some teams value the front 3 more, some teams value the 4 linebackers more. I don’t think there are any definite answers.
picking needs
If you have this many needs, you generally pick the best player you can.
Brady Quinn is pretty awful
I think they should think long and hard about a QB in round 1. However, I believe they’ll probably go defense. Harrison performed well enough at the end of the season to deserve a chance to own the starting RB spot.
I think he deserves another chance. He had a few good game and he really has no one to throw to.
by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Last season Quinn
looked like he had no confidence at all. But i remember his first proper game against the Broncos and he looked pretty sharp. He had more weapons then and from all apperances he wasn’t scared that one bad game would lose him the starting job.
I think Holmgren should either try to get a trade for a player he respects (like he did with the Seahawks and Hasselbeck) or give Brady a fair crack at being the Browns’ QB
by Sheffieldbengal on Feb 13, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
last season
The Browns really screwed up their offense. Playing Lewis over Harrison, not making a decision on Quinn or Anderson. At the beginning of the year, they could have traded one for a high pick. Now, both have lost their value. Isn’t Anderson making $8 million a year to ride the bench? Ridiculous. Make a decision and go with it. Trade the other for whatever you can get and use the money elsewhere. You draft a QB late this year as a backup, or address it next year if the chosen one fails. The Browns are not the Vikings. They are not on the cusp of a serious playoff run. They need to build the whole team and think long-term.
Safety is the number 1 need.
fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com
Pool is gone.
If I remember correctly he is a UFA. Think about this from heckert’s situation:
No matter the talent level there, are you really going to sign a guy who has averaged about a concussion a season for his whole NFL career? If I was in the front office, he would be WAY too risky to even touch (or he might get another concussion). honestly, the way concussions are starting to be approached in the NFL now, it is quite possible that he never plays in the NFL again.
Medical research has shown that repeated concussions can cause lasting, permanent brain damage. Brodney pool has almost as many recorded concussions in his career as steve young (who is up there in career concussions).
Jury is still out on Quinn huh?
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
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