Mind Character

(( ********* Long Post Alert ******** Don't Read )) As with all things in life, all phenomena are multiply determined by various factors/variables with some Factors being more important in determining the outcome than others. So, while there are multiple factors that determine and result in "Baker Struggling" some are more important than others. In my opinion, they are the following: ----------------------- 1.) Offensive Play-calling and/or the scheme not giving Baker easy answers and flexibility pre-snap at identifying What's to Come on Defense The Best Offenses in football: Saints (Carmichael/Payton), Rams (McVay), Chiefs (Reid), Cowboys (Moore), Eagles (Pederson), Patriots (Belichick/Mcdaniels) do what Bill Walsh and Erhardt-Perkins followers believe is necessary for success: A.) Get the defense to declare their hand or give cues as to what they will do pre-snap via scheming, pre-snap motion, dummy or real audibles verbal calls or hand signals B.) Prepare before the game for the QB to have immediate answers and flexible solutions for how the defense reacts to scheme, pre-snap motion, formation shifts, or dummy/real audible calls based on defensive coordinators history and how that coordinator may try to stay unpredictable. C.) Shift and control Tempo and speed of play in ways to keep the defense on their heels. D.) Get the play-call in as fast as possible so the QB has time to diagnose the defense and manipulate it pre-snap E.) Treat RB passes or WR screens as an extension of the run game. F.} Stick with the Run game to keep defenses guessing. Our offense has done none of this. No scheme variance to get as we've been 11-personnel over 80% of our snaps approximately (so the scheme doesn't get the defense to declare and defenses know what's coming). We are dead last in the league in using pre-snap motion. We are constantly getting the play in late. Baker has no time pre-snap to diagnose and/or manipulate defenses nor does the offense seem to have built in quick solutions that can be flexible based on defensive declarations. 2.) Injuries/Unavailability at OLine and WR Early season instability at OLine and Antonio Callaway's suspension taking away the dynamic speed space opener necessary to be on the field whenever Jarvis Landry is in has created both an shaky pocket and tighter windows for Baker to work through. Even when there is no real pressure or OLine issue Baker is sensing that there is and fleeing the pocket early or speeding up his feet falling off platform because he doesn't trust that he has the time. 3.) QB-WR Time on Task: OBJ and Baker just haven't had the requisite time together to be completely in sync which causes Baker to press to get it in his hands to improve their connection even at the cost of getting easy completions or working through progressions in ways to take the easy yards. 4.) QB Coaching Philosophy and Expertise: People didn't think much when this happened but we are missing Ken Zampese tremendously imo. No matter the jokes about Zampese with Andy Dalton or whoever, Non-Hue Respected expert QB coaches and QBs believe that Ken Zampese is one of the best QB coaches in the league due to his unique approach to what he calls "eye focus and defensive manipulation training" and his rigorous wide view coaching approach to having the QB understand the big picture and how his footwork, eyes and decision making. Back when he was the coach at Cincy he would give Clinics for high school and pro coaches alike much like Mr. Wylie did. One year Jim Fassel and Marty Schottenheimer were there as speakers and I remember both remarking how Zampese is "Elite" at QB coaching. I know nothing about Ryan Lindley's QB coaching. I know he did pre-draft prep stuff for QBs. I also know that what a person is as a player doesn't always effect coaching. BUT as a player Lindley had terrible slow and bad eyes; he had terrible slow and sloppy footwork, he was a late read arm talent chucker; he couldn't recognize the blitz and took terrible sacks; he didn't play with rhythm nor did he play with pace or really any intuitive feel for the game. It's hard for me to believe that this is QB coach that we want to develop Baker our franchise QB as the years go one just b/c Lindley knows Freddie's offense. Now, Lindley might be the most amazing QB coach on Earth, but I strongly doubt it. Baker's mechanics and eyes look off this year and one can only wonder or attribute it some to coaching right or wrong. 5.) Defensive Coaches and players have had a year to analyze Freddie's offense and Baker's game: Coaches have had all year to see exactly how Baker likes quick rhythm routes and how Freddie can telegraph what he's play-calling. As result, teams our sitting on routes and anticipating our play-calls. 6.) Young QB Growing pains: No matter who crowns a QB after one season, or who throws a QB in the trash after one season of play, the truth is you don't really know what a QB is until aorund their 35th-40th career start. Some come out the gate on fire and fall to average or below average. Others start out terrible or slow and get to above average. Some are good from the start, have growing pains in the middle, and become elite when it's all said and done. We just don't know yet what Baker is, but it certainly looks very promising. Right now he's having some growing pains. He may indeed have more or look worse. That doesn't mean he's not going to have a career as an elite QB. Only time will tell. He's barely at 15 career starts. ------------- We still have time to turn it around. The most troubling thing to me is what seems to have happened with Bakers mechanics and eyes along with the stagnant and predictable play-calling and schemes without helping Baker out with pre-snap defensive answers for the post-snap test. I'll be looking for more pre-snap motions or schemes that make defenses declare and/or for Freddie to get out of 11 personnel predictable 10 yard out play-calls. Getting a new QB coach asap is on my radar even if the offense gets back to having success.

I don't think we should trade for Jalen Ramsey because we already have Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams....

Interesting comparing those two options. We definitely need Tackles and OLineman. We can still afford a Jalen Ramsey contract that would be essentially 2 years of guarantees. It would probably mean that we would have to choose between Demarious Randall plus Greg Robinson resinged in the offseason and Ramsey. It's easier to find a FS and I think we could find a better LT than Robinson. The issue as we all see it is that you don't get starting LTs or really RTs of worth in Free Agency as teams don't let them leave the building. They let Guards move on but not Tackles. The tackles that do and sign big contracts flop consistently. AND it's so difficult to find a LT/RT in the draft without a 1st rounder. It's not an easy decision. If Dorsey and co. see this OLine draft as having mid round gems or 2nd round gems it would make the decision easier.

Jalen Ramsey has Hall of Fame worthy ability. No matter what bad wrap he gets for being vocal or being a big personality, he LOVES the game. He loves to compete and is a maturing young adult that teammates love. Part of me thinks: " Denzel and Greedy could be it already and we have Money Mitch, we need to use our picks on OLineman for Baker even if we can't get good OLineman where we pick later in rounds we at least need to keep the draft capital to try." The Other Prevailing part of me and thought is: We know what Jalen Ramsey is and when we look back at what we get for even 2 of our next 1st round picks it's not likely no matter how good Dorsey is that those 2 players would amount to the impact and ability of Jalen Ramsey. Denzel is a concussion away from having career concussion concerns. He's an amazing young player but we just don't know how long his smaller frame will last or really even if he continues on this upward trajectory. Greedy Williams looks promising, but Jalen Ramsey is on a different level as a ball-hawk and especially as forceful CB in the run. I love Money Mitch as well. BUT Trade 2 1st round picks for Ramsey and don't think twice about it. ------------

If you believe in a player that has proven their ability as an impact starter in the NFL, you don't hesitate to trade a 1st round pick for that player if they're young and love football unless you need a franchise QB. The Steelers trade tells me they either believe in Mason Rudolph or they don't believe they'll be high enough in this year's draft to get a impact QB1. In that case, you're not going to find a better high character and high ability football player than Minkah Fitzpatrick. He was misused but will fit perfectly in the Steelers system. They probably loved him pre-draft and now they get their guy. It's not a bad trade for them (assuming Rudolph is good).. That's a big if. though

Good write-up attempt by a writer I've never heard of before analyzing how many of the 18 Browns penalties were from poor technique versus a lack of discipline. https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2019/09/750177e01461/how-many-of-the-browns-18-penalties-against-the-titans-were-from-poor-technique-or-lack-of-discipline.html The Verdict: 10 for Bad Technique.. 8 Lack of Discipline... A few could go either way imo.

You're absolutely right that Mack thrives in space as a "see it, go get it" free flowing LB. He often gets lost in traffic and finds himself in bad positions from a football play position-wise as well as with his eyes when he has thump the line or edge. However, Kirko is the agile, quick react smaller speed backer now and doesn't have the body type or play disposition to strong run fit or thump the edge at SAM anymore. Although such roles are often interchangeable between the SLB/WLB I think size and play responsibilities Wilson had at Bama for a third of the season let me know that if it's between Kirko and Mack for who might be a better fit at SAM it's Mack imo. I'm with you in that I'd prefer other options to putting Murray on the field. I think Morgan Burnett, Jermaine Whitehead, and Sheldrick Redwine will see Slot duties the most with Burnett being the got to early season but by seasons end Whitehead and Redwine taking the majority of snaps there.

No, Taki has been limited on on injured reports and Wilks and co have talked as if it might take until week 5 before we see him fully integrated and ready to go. Yeah.. "3rd LB" is a phrase/depth chart placeholder for discussing WHICH LB is the 3rd starter be it via rotation off the bench in 2 LB sets or indeed playing as the 3rd LB in a LB set. My point being that "When there are 3 LBs on the field (and if Takitaki is healthy) I cannot see Adarius Taylor being that 3rd LB. Therefore, I placed Taki in parentheses specifiying that he is injured now but at some point in my mind will be the 3rd LB up when healhty ... whether that be as a Schobert or Kirksey replacement or as the SAM despite getting MLB reps b/c Joe and Kirko will be in a flow at their respective positions by the time Taki is really cleared to go most likely. The one wildcad in this scenario is Mack Wilson. As Taki is injured, it may be Mack Wilson who gets the reps as the SAM keeping Taki off the field in primary role even when he returns to full health.

You're both right, but I cannot see a scenario where Adarius Taylor who in preseason looked like he was running in sand is the 3rd LB on the field when Takitaki is healthy. I was shocked at how slow he looked. He did make one good play though. It's going to be hard to get Joe and Kirksey off the field especially since Takiaki has been injured at the end of camp and preseason. So, it is my estimation (which could be wrong) that when he does get healthy he'll likely mostly get reps at SAM given that Adarius Taylor is JAG imo. Genard Avery in parantheses meant he was already listed elsewhere on the depth chart, but this is a secondary position. Will be interesting to see how it shakes out when it is all said and done. Could be that Mack Wilson gets the SAM reps and keeps Takitaki off the field, or maybe somehowe Schobert is replaced.

I loved the Elijah McGuire pick-up. In my mind, he'll end the season in 3-man rotation with Chubb and Hunt not Johnson or Hilliard. My biggest areas of Concern are WR, Offensive pass catching playmaker, LT, RG, and RT. I know a lot of people love Jarvis and OBJ ( I do too), but unless we can develop a zone or man threatening WR with speed it's going to be a cloudy passing picture for Baker often. Here's to hoping Taywan Taylor, Damion Ratley, and or Njoku's seam running can serve the opening up space function for the offense

The Roster -- Updated (4/26/20): https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/ Prospective 55-60 Roster: Offense (?): Quarterbacks (?): QB: Baker Mayfield // Case Keenum // Garrett Gilbert Practice Squad/UDFA: Kevin Davidson ------------ Running Backs (?): RB: Nick Chubb // Kareem Hunt // D'Ernest Johnson // Dontrell Hilliard Practice Squad/UDFA: Benny LeMay, Brian Herrien ------------ Fullback (?): FB: Andy Janovich // Johnny Stanton Practice Squad/UDFA: N/A ------------ Wide Receivers (?): WR1: Odell Beckham Jr. // Damion Ratley // DJ Montgomery WR2: Jarvis Landry // Taywon Taylor // KhaDarel Hodge // J'Mon Moore Slot-WR: Donovan Peoples-Jones // JoJo Natson Practice Squad/UDFA: Tony Brown, Ja'Marcus Bradley ----------- Tight Ends (?): TE: Austin Hooper // David Njoku // Harrison Bryant // Stephen Carlson // Pharoah Brown Practice Squad/UDFA: Nate Wieting ------------ Offensive Linemen (?): LT: Jedrick Wills Jr. // Kendall Lamm LG: Joel Bitonio // Colby Gossett // Malcolm Pridgeon C: JC Tretter // Nick Harris // Evan Brown // Willie Wright RG: Drew Forbes // Wyatt Teller RT: Jack Conklin // Chris Hubbard Practice Squad/UDFA: Alex Taylor, Drake Doreck ------------------------- Defense (?): Defensive linemen (?): DE: Myles Garrett // // Chad Thomas // Robert McCray NT: Larry Ogunjobi // Andrew Billings // Daniel Ekuale // Brandin Bryant // Justin Zimmer DT: Sheldon Richardson // Jordan Elliot // Eli Ankou DE: Olivier Vernon // Adrian Clayborn // Porter Gustin // Trevon Young Practice Squad/UDFA: Jeffery Whatley, George Obinna ------------ Linebackers (?): SLB: Jacob Phillips // Tae Davis MLB: Mack Wilson // BJ Goodson // Jermaine Grace WLB: Sione Takitaki // Willie Harvey // Montrel Meander Practice Squad/UDFA: Solomon Ajayi ------------ Corner Backs (?): CB: Denzel Ward // Donovan Olumba // Donnie Lewis Jr. CB: Greedy Wiilliams // Terrance Mitchell // Tavierre Thomas NCB/NS: Kevin Johnson // Robert Jackson Practice Squad/UDFA: AJ Green, Jameson Houston ------------ Safeties (?): FS: Sheldrick Redwine // Andrew Sendejo SS: Grant Delpit // Karl Joseph // JT Hassell Practice Squad/UDFA: Jovante Moffatt, Elijah Benton ------------ Specialists (3): Kicker (1): Austin Seibert Punter (1): Jamie Gillan Long snapper (1): Charley Hughlett -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------

What a time to be alive it twas ... but the end is nigh ... The Rise of the Cleveland Elves is upon us ... The Elf Pound is going to be rockin' on Sundays ... All those pale Elf masks are going to be flying off the shelves along with whatever next year's beer fridge scam is ... Good times ...

They're saving the Elf for next year's new trash uni's... savor this year and this great, simplistic color scheme/jersey..

Lol... oh my bad.. didn't see @sonny44's post about taking week 9. @freakygeniuskid I'll take Week Thirteen - At Pittsburgh Steelers 4:25PM Sunday, Dec. 1st

I'll take Week Nine - At Denver Broncos 4:25 Sunday, Nov. 3rd

Even as an injury concern, Clowney has either led or been top 3 in run stuffs for over the last 3 years. He's also top 8 in Hurries in most years. His disruption in terms of traditional box-score stats is missed. He's elite in disruption metrics if elite is defined as being top 6 or so. Terrible. Terrible trade for the Texans. if you're going to trade Clowney for nothing, why not trade him for things that have the opportunity to protect your franchise QB? Trade Clowney for 3 Offensive Lineman... Trade Clowney for a WR2 to take the pressure off of Hopkins. They traded for need ... "we're losing DEs so let's get back DE's" ... speaks of a coach-centered decision... Ridiculous....

Really strong draft by Kolby Altman and Co. Windler and Porter Jr. were great gambles late round 1. We needed 3pt shooting and spacing badly and got it with all 3 picks. We have a lot of scoring and now can stretch the floor. Porter Jr. has some juice and is unbelievably dynamic. Hopefully he buys in and can keep his mind healthy. What we lack is a player that can create for others at an above average level, defensive length and defensive stop ability, and rim protection. ----------------------- Core Foundation Roster W/O Upcoming Expiring Contracts: CG: Darius Garland CG: Collin Sexton; Dylan Windler SG/SF: Cedi Osman; Kevin Porter Jr. PF: Kevin Love C: Larry Nance Jr.; Ante Zizic 2020 Expiring Contracts: Matthew Dellavadova (a valuable expiring contract the following year at 9mil+); Brandon Knight (a valuable expiring contract the following year at 15mil+); Jordan Clarkson (a valuable expiring contract the following year at 13mil+); Tristan Thompson (a valuable expiring contract the following year at 18mil+);

Based on the players available and that we have our lead guard spots filled, it would be a good draft if we could get Nassir Little, CF North Carolina, KZ Okpala, CF Stanford, or Nicolas Claxton, PF/C Georgia.

if Griff gets Nassir Little as well would be crazy.....

Pelicans are going to be a fun run and gun team... Lonzo, Holiday, Ingram, Zion, Hayes.... that fast break is going to be crazy... They have elite rim protection with Jaxon Hayes an Zion. Elite length at all 5 positions. Pass first elite passer at the 1...Ingram and Holiday both have played the 1 and can pass the rock... the ball is going to be moving and it's going to be a fun brand of basketball to watch.

Coby White Versus Darius Garland is a tough one... Coby has all the intangibles and energy/motor... Garland has the elite outside scoring ability... Garland can't attack the rim to save his life, but we have Sexton for that... hopefully Garland can develop an in between floater and improves his strength and durability... No matter what, he's a strong asset to have even if it becomes a trade down the line...

Garland and Goga (via trade up)... come on Kolby Altman

Garland Wan-Kenobi... young man has some fresh style... hopefully he has the game to go with Sexton...

Who cares... Rob Pelinka with Kobe... Arn Tellem with Kobe and McGrady... all top, elite agents are ruthless businessmen that put their client and self interest above everything else... and that's what Rich is... KlutchSports represents and will represent a lot of athletes... it's inevitable to have relationships with them... Rich Paul will present few issues as long as the Cavs are doing what they need to do in terms of improving and putting his client in the best position to win... Kolby and co have worked with Rich before... they know what it's like to work with a high powered agents... in the long run it doesn't matter really... we're deep in the player empowerment era and Rich Paul isn't the only agent leading that charge...