Jump to content
THE BROWNS BOARD

Falcons Game Thread

Zombo

By Zombo
in THE BROWNS BOARD

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 167
  • Created
  • Last Reply
One Post Newbie

One Post

Posted
Posted

I was never a huge fan of having really important cogs returning punts. But that's just me...

The reason I think it's cool is because the knock on him is his hands of stone? You don't put fumble fingers anywhere near the ball on kick returns.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tour2ma Contributor

Tour2ma

Posted
Posted

I was never a huge fan of having really important cogs returning punts. But that's just me...

 

Metcalf was important at one time for us... as was his Dad for StL. There's a long line of important players who were great punt returners... Deion... Upchurch... Bullet Bob... Floyd Little... It's a job where quicks and speed can minimize injury potential.

 

But I hear ya... all things being equal I'd rather a 2nd string "specialist" emerge. Unfortunately...

 

Kick off returns? Different story...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jiggins7919 Experienced

jiggins7919

Posted
Posted

I think I read that the released depth charts are distributed by our P.R. people and not the coaches. Not sure if this is true or not, or where I even heard it...but whatever.

 

Coleman as a starter comes as no surprise, and I love how Hue Jackson handled the rookie. Remember when Hue openly criticized Coleman about being somewhat out of shape? I see this as some kind of test, and Coleman responded appropriately. He was asked repeatedly by the media about the coach's statements, and he was a man about it. In response, he worked harder and became the guy everyone talks about in camp. Hue even said that he's so hard on Coleman because he knows how good he can be, and he wants to extract every ounce of talent out of the guy. Pettine probably tried a similar stance with Gilbert, and we all know how that turned out. Some people respond well to the pressure, and others need a different type of motivation.

 

On offense, my biggest concerns are RT and Center on the line, and then blocking TE. Obviously I'm concerned about the QB position, after all, this is Cleveland. But other than that, I actually feel pretty good considering our record last season. I'm not saying we're going to "light it up" or anything, but I feel better about our offensive talent this season, and getting more talent is what it's all about. (of course, I could be dead wrong and we could be WORSE this season, but we'll see).

 

Defensively, I have concerns pretty much EVERYWHERE. I'm not going to grade Shelton's progress on one silly preseason game, but I would like to see more impact as the exhibition season continues. There are plenty of concerns on the defensive line, and losing Desmond hurt severely. John Hughes is said to be returning soon, but I'm growing impatient with the lack of details. What kind of emergency takes priority over a player's livelihood? Only thing I can think of is a sick child, and I hope to HELL that's not the case. Anyways, it'll be nice to get him back because we don't have a lot of proven talent on the line. The DL is a growing concern, and it will be instrumental if our team is to stop the run (for once).

 

We're very thin at cornerback, and nobody really knows what we're getting out of Joe Haden. Can he return to form? Much of our success will depend on it. Joe has been decimated by injuries, and our other stud corner has 3 concussions in like 2 seasons (K'Waun Williams). He's a young man and has a future to think about, so part of me wants him to retire if he gets any more head injuries. It's a sad byproduct of a wonderful game. Tramon Williams is a decent starter, but his success is linked to having Haden on the field. Gilbert appears to finally be able to provide some depth, and perhaps more. Nobody expects it, but with Gilbert, at least the physical talent is there.

 

Linebacker is an area with a ton of question marks. We could really shine here, or it could be a disaster. We need Kirksey to not only be healthy, but to also be a STAR. If this happens, and Demario Davis is the run stuffer we hope he is, I like where we're at. Problem is, we're thin at this position, like we are at many others. That's one of the biggest differences between good and bad teams. It's not so much the starters, but who backs them up that proves the difference as the injuries mount...and they always do.

 

Outside linebacker is a bigger question mark, and this scares the crap out of me. So much of what we need depends on a rookie, Kruger, and Mingo. Oh, and possibly Armonty Bryant if we get him back. Yikes...not exactly "murderer's row", right?

 

Safety is also terrifying, as we have two new starters. *gulp*

 

Not many people are talking about special teams, but they actually have me quite concerned. Does anybody else think Travis Coons isn't going to make the team? I know he was a rookie last year, but how many games did Coons' inability to hit from distance cost us? His lack of long range actually changed our end of half and end of game strategy. If Mostert can catch the damn ball, I like him returning punts. I'm not sure I want Coleman back there...

 

Anyways, I didn't mean to type this much about the damn "depth chart", but we have some work to do in the next few exhibition games, and I hope we progress in several areas. The first one is ALWAYS a disaster, so I don't pay much attention to it. Can't believe our next one is in two days!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gftChris Newbie

gftChris

Posted
Posted

So Higgins is 5th down on the wr spot and the two fragile fleas are #2 and #3? Weird.

There are two WR lines (took me a moment to realise as well). Coleman and Pryor are #1/2, Hawkins and Moore (interestingly) are #3/4, Gabriel and whoever are #5/6 etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zombo Rising Star

Zombo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So Higgins is 5th down on the wr spot and the two fragile fleas are #2 and #3? Weird.

Gabriel, the veteran is listed as the backup to Hawkins, the slot receiver for now.

 

But we all know Higgins will take Gabriel's roster spot.

 

At least I do.

 

In the end:

 

WR1 Gordon, Pryor

WR 2 Coleman, Payton/Louis

Slot Hawkins, Higgins

 

Z

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tour2ma Contributor

Tour2ma

Posted
Posted

Moore is getting a bigger look than I'd have thought. It may be a nod to his veteran status, but pushing our Rooks down a string, does get them more pre-season PT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mudfly Newbie

Mudfly

Posted
Posted

I think I read that the released depth charts are distributed by our P.R. people and not the coaches. Not sure if this is true or not, or where I even heard it...but whatever.

 

The DL is a growing concern, and it will be instrumental if our team is to stop the run (for once).

 

Growing concern?.....been one all along. We can only hope Nassib and Ogbah are forced to play.....and actually turn out to be good....

 

Linebacker is an area with a ton of question marks. We could really shine here, or it could be a disaster. We need Kirksey to not only be healthy, but to also be a STAR. If this happens, and Demario Davis is the run stuffer we hope he is, I like where we're at.

 

Im just not there. Dont see a difference maker in the entire group. A couple guys who could be "solid", but no one who can be great,

 

Outside linebacker is a bigger question mark, and this scares the crap out of me. So much of what we need depends on a rookie, Kruger, and Mingo. Oh, and possibly Armonty Bryant if we get him back. Yikes...not exactly "murderer's row", right?

 

Ouch!.....Lets be honest.....they bite. Kruger and Mingo combined for exactly one assist last week(which is a carry over from how they played last season(and prior to that too), where they barely averaged 2 tackles a game)....they are terrible and, after this many years and coaches, they aint suddenly getting great this season. Orchard is the only ray of hope for an "above average" player at the OLB.....Schobert??......might be "ok", but not seeing a future dominant player there either(more average kinda stuff).....soooooo, OLB is a disaster zone.....completely....

 

Safety is also terrifying, as we have two new starters. *gulp*

 

And our 2 strongs have only 30 NFL snaps combined experience......should interesting to say the least.....

 

The first one is ALWAYS a disaster, so I don't pay much attention to it.

 

Except for the teams we're playing......;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jrb12711 Community Regular

jrb12711

Posted
Posted

Moore is getting a bigger look than I'd have thought. It may be a nod to his veteran status, but pushing our Rooks down a string, does get them more pre-season PT.

 

Moore has (smartly) made his career on being a ST "Ace". Every team likes having a bottom of the depth chart guy like that at WR if possible. I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the team for exactly this reason again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Canton Mike Newbie

Canton Mike

Posted
Posted

 

I was never a huge fan of having really important cogs returning punts. But that's just me...

 

I agree with you but it becomes a numbers game with a 53 man final roster. I guess we just have to wait & see what happens.

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jiggins7919 Experienced

jiggins7919

Posted
Posted

Ok guys, it's game day and we should have a pretty good idea of who is playing and who isn't. The only question mark I can think of right now is Corey Coleman, and I don't know how I feel about him playing. On one hand, I can't WAIT to see the guy out there in uniform, and on the other, I desperately want to make sure he's completely healthy and ready to go for Tampa Bay (mainly because I'll be there, LOL). But seriously, that's the important preseason game, and the one where our starters play the longest. Hamstring injuries terrify me because they just don't seem to freaking heal! Especially with these "fast twitch" speedsters, ya know? I keep hearing that Coleman's injury was minor, but I don't know what to believe.

 

With K'Waun out (shocking, I know), the fight for nickel will be interesting. Our coaches seem to really like Jamar, so let's hope the guy has a strong performance.

 

As many of us have said over and over, we don't want to place TOO much emphasis on the first preseason game. It's always a cluster, and not generally good for evaluation. That being said, I can't think of too many good things Danny Shelton did. Multiple analysts wrote how he was largely ineffective, and we need to see some disruption out of this guy. I'm sick of hearing how this guy has lost weight and is taking his job as a leader more seriously...I don't care. What I DO care about is Shelton playing like a freaking first damn rounder and making an impact! He's a NT, and I don't expect gory stats, but I want to see him push people around and make a damn difference.

 

Many fans and analysts were willing to give Cam Erving somewhat of a pass for the first preseason game, chalking his "so-so" play up to rust and acclimating to a new position, but we REALLY need him to step it up, and do it NOW. We don't need perfection, but we do need improvement. I worry that getting an accurate read from our OL will be difficult with Joe Thomas out, but it is what it is. I expect RG III to play most of the first half, and that means that our starting OL will have to play the same amount. Fingers crossed for no injuries and better play...

 

Speaking of RG III, we need more than 11 snaps out of him, and it's safe to say we'll get it. Will Robert get more help from the running game? Can we get more carries for Crow and Duke? (they each got ONE last game). A viable running game would make Robert's job infinitely easier, and it also opens up some of the read-option and play-action arsenal. If we can't run, the defense won't react to the fakes...it's pretty simple. We gash them for a few nice jaunts, and all of the sudden the defense freezes on those fakes and Robert has more time to find the open guy. Suffice to say that Cleveland fans will be a tad anxious to see RG III tonight, and see if he can make the reads, hit the open guy, and possibly put some points on the board.

 

What are you guys hoping to see? I left a lot out there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gftChris Newbie

gftChris

Posted
Posted

Outside of what you said, Jiggles, I'm hoping to see:

 

Justin Gilbert - GB basically ran on every snap he was out there so he didn't get much chance to do anything. Haden is coming back to take that starting spot and Gilbert will be bumped to second string when that happens, so I hope he can Gilbert can make the most of this last chance

 

Who plays DE - Cooper started there against GB, but now Hughes is back, and Meder has been taking first team reps there. Nassib and Ogbah looked lively. With Bryant out, there are two spots up for grabs and basically nobody with any real experience to take them (excluding Nick Hayden who I expect to be cut)

 

Cody Kessler - obviously.

 

WRs - Ranell Hall led the team in snaps and has since been waived/injured. Darius Jennings was next. We drafted three guys to compete for time and they got 13 snaps between them. Coleman is a lock to start at WR, but what about the other guys?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tour2ma Contributor

Tour2ma

Posted
Posted
What are you guys hoping to see?

 

Competence...

 

A reason to believe...

 

And I'm not too picky, but more than really good punting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jiggins7919 Experienced

jiggins7919

Posted
Posted

The other starting WR's will greatly vary I think, depending on who we play. I think Pryor will get "starting reps", where he is on the field quite a lot. Will he be one of the first three out there? I don't know, but I believe he'll be on the field a bunch. Our first three receivers, depending on health of course, will be Hawkins, Coleman, and probably Pryor. If not Pryor, I'd say Higgins has an excellent chance to start, as his route running appears to be at a high level (for a rookie), and the man can catch. I absolutely loved that TD catch he had, and while many people might think it was an easy grab, it still showed us considerable body control, timing, and ability. That's a difficult route to master, and almost impossible to defend. To see two rookies nail that down on Cody's first pass attempt? That's just wow. Also, it sounds crazy, but I think the coaches might like Jennings as well. Problem with him is his size. We don't need two tiny guys out there, but who knows?

 

Right now, DE's are John Hughes and Jamie Meder. I always thought Meder was a NT, and I don't know how much experience he has as a 3-4 DE. It might be his natural position...I just don't know. What I DO know is he's lasted through two coaching regimes and the guy sticks around. Apparently he's very strong and relentless. As previously mentioned, his safety meant nothing to me, as he wasn't blocked and we had another defender there for the stop anyways. Aside from that, the guy makes an impact. But can he do it from the DE slot, THAT's the question. If Meder doesn't play well at DE for whatever reason, Danny Shelton better watch out. This coaching staff didn't select him, so if Meder is better, Shelton could lose his snaps quickly. We need to stop the run, and do it NOW.

 

I share your anticipation regarding Justin Gilbert, and I would love nothing more than to see the guy play well tonight. He doesn't have to make terrific plays and have a pick 6 or anything, but we desperately need Gilbert to develop into a reliable backup. Obviously we'd LOVE to have the #8 freaking pick be way more than just a damn BACKUP, but hey...it is what it is at this point. We're thin at DB, and we NEED depth. I'd guess K'Waun is basically off the team at this point (yes, I really think that), so we need more depth considering Haden's injury history. Now, if you want to REALLY wish upon a star, then you're hoping that Gilbert doesn't just materialize into a reliable backup, but actually develops into a nice STARTER (ok, stop laughing. I said it was a wish).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...