Cleveland Browns (Finally drafting Buckeyes)

[JCOSU86]

more than likely it was missing the [sarcasm] label … directed at my odd fixation on whether they will still take a projected top WR or go with other positions of need IE DE/DL/OL etc

Nope. The WR room is in shambles. I don't think Cooper alone will solve the problem. And with basically DPJ and Schwartz as the WRs you're not going anywhere. You can talk yourself into DT, DE, LB, OT, hell, even QB. But WR is glaring. It's obvious. I don't think any of those positions move the needle like WR would. Assuming the pick isn't a bust, of course.

 

[Trevi]

Um, I do think otherwise and I'm not an idiot. They have 2 proven DEs on the roster right now. One of them is one of the best in the league. The other is solid at the very least. The WRs however, beside the newly acquired Cooper, consists of a scUMmer and an anime-obsessed glorified track star. If they draft any other position than WR @13 then they are stupid. But then again, this is the Browns we're talking about

Not saying you’re an idiot but if you’re referring to Clowney as one of 2 proven DEs on the roster I believe he’s actually a free agent and not guaranteed to return.

 

[JCOSU86]

Not saying you’re an idiot but if you’re referring to Clowney as one of 2 proven DEs on the roster I believe he’s actually a free agent and not guaranteed to return.

If they want to sign him they can.

 

[AKAK]

I'm not an idiot.

Wait. What?

 

[JCOSU86]

Wait. What?

A guy bans 1 Donny and gets all cocky

 

[Buckeneye]

Nope. The WR room is in shambles.

As questionable as the WR room is, the IDL, really all the spots along the line save for Myles, is equally as bad. Jordan Elliot is a bubble player. McDowell was showing flashes but he's likely gone after his latest off-field incident. Tommy is a rotational body who needs to take a large leap this off-season. Malik Jackson was a one year rental who didn't play all that well.

I'm usually learly of 1st round IDL unless they're transcendent players. But Jordan Davis might just be that guy. If he ends up becoming the next Shaun Rogers, can't really call that pick idiotic.

 

[NorthCoastKid]

Feels more likely they address IDL depth in FA and later in the draft than expending capital in the early rounds.

 

[Jake]

 

[Buckeneye]

Feels more likely they address IDL depth in FA and later in the draft than expending capital in the early rounds.

My personal team building idea(s) emphasize value positions in middle to later rounds. But there are times special talent comes along where you have be fluid in those beliefs. Not saying that's what I'm set on, only relaying that it isn't out of the realm of possibility.


And they just released Landry...

 

[dozenmonkeyz]

Just curious, because I'm a glutton for detail, what adjustments do you suppose Stef should make that would be more '2020'...?

Easy: Run. The. Fucking. Ball. With more balance

 

[wolves2002]

Reports that Browns have agreed to a contract with WR Allen Robinson.

 

[ArmyVet83]

Reports that Browns have agreed to a contract with WR Allen Robinson.

Robinson is a very good pick-up and add that to Cooper, WR looks good. Still need some quality depth but now they don't need to draft one @ 13. Now they can draft an edge rusher, OLB, DT @ 13. They can still pick up a solid WR in the 3rd.

 

[Buckeneye]

Easy: Run. The. Fucking. Ball. With more balance

I'm still confused by your meaning, especially that "with more balance part". Let me explain why -


2020 Run:Pass

495 rush att
31 Rush att per game
501 Pass Att
31Pass Att per game

49.7%RUN 50.3%PASS


2021 Run:pass

485 rush att
29 rush att per game
520 Pass att
31 pass att per game

48.3% run 51.7% pass


These percentages aren't so far off that Stef needs to find himself as a coach and return to "2020 form". You're talking differences damn near a single percentage point. Now here's the rub; it's well known Baker was injured all year. So on the surface the casual response is "just run the ball more". However you have to consider, with evidence I've shown in this same thread pages back, that defenses simply loaded up and removed any numbers advantage from the box. Baker was so ill-equipped as a decision maker plus his poor health that the offense couldn't punish and exploit defenses in routine ways that you would normally call your passing game to.

It's almost akin to those that were calling for Joe Woods' head last year. I made mention several times of his adjustments the 2nd half of the 2020 season that helped limit the damage and hide some of the defensive weaknesses. But at the end of the day the man didn't have an NFL secondary worth a damn. Giving him another season as the DC was a wise decision because after a full off-season, and some smart personnel moves, the defense put this team in more positions to win games than it did lose them in 2021.

Part of me ventures that we might see something similar this season with the offense. Provided health and (in)ability don't hold them back. Sure, there are some wrinkles I'd like to see Stef incorporate, especially in the misdirection and pre-snap game. But this notion that the #1 devil the offense must overcome is the coaching staff doesn't really exist on any solid foundation.


edit: If there is one thing I will say this coaching staff should have done, it was shut Baker down much earlier than they did. Even with average QB play, you likely don't have to split the series against the Ravens or drop a home game to Pittsburgh. That alone would have put the Browns in a much better spot for repeat playoff appearance.

 

[dozenmonkeyz]

It's not a percentages issue. It's forcing the offense to pass when it's not working or it doesn't need to. If you watched the last 5 games, particularly the final 1.5 quarter of each, the play calling didn't ever seem to matchup with the game scenario. That won't show up in the stats.

 

[ScriptOhio]