Shamfest 08, In The Rear View
August 8, 2008Hollie Strano: Preseason Accuracy
August 8, 2008Yesterday I wrote about “things to watch for” during the first preseason game. Today we break down those keys….
The first key was the run defense-
The rebuilt defensive line should have a good test tonight against Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington should get plenty of carries, as the offense awaits the arrival of the former Packer whose name I can’t even stand to type right now. I want to see how the foursome of Rogers, Williams and the Smiths plug the gaps and free up the LB’s to make plays.
At times the front 7 were great against the rush. Shaun Rogers plugged the middle very well. They managed to stop the Jets short on a 4th down attempt, and held Thomas Jones to 11 yards on 4 carries. Then there were times when they seemed to be in position, but let the ball carrier get by anyway, such as Tony Richardson’s first down run. The second unit did about as well against the run, as the Jets rushed for only 3.1 yards per carry for the night. The starting group did allow the LB’s to move around and get to the ball, which was a good sign. Kamerion Wimbley made a fantastic pursuit play on one rush attempt.
The second key was Mr. Wimbley himself-
Coming into camp we heard all kinds of reports about how the new line was going to help free Wimbley up to be a sack machine again. We heard about coaches that had specifically targeted Kamerion last year, in order to beat the Browns defense. As camp has progressed, the Wimbley talk has been all but silenced. My observations were that Joe Thomas was handling Wimbley pretty easily. Yes, Thomas is a Pro Bowl player, but if Wimbley wants to be considered an elite player, shouldn’t he hold his own against Thomas? Shouldn’t we hear something positive about him on Training Camp Daily?
Aside from that one great play in the running game, I didn’t see much from WImbley. In fact, the defensive line, which has been praised by everyone from myself to Peter King, did a poor job of getting pressure on the QB. Not once did a Brown get to Clemens or Ratliff. Not really even close. That obviously has to change, or the secondary is in for a long season.
Next up was the special teams-
For the first time since the Browns rejoined the league, good players may not make the roster. Players that have a chance to get picked up by other teams. Guys like Steve Cargile, A.J. Davis and Nick Sorensen need to show that they are great special teams players if they want a chance to run out of the tunnel on opening day.
Funny I mentioned Davis and Sorensen. The special teams looked very good…right until they lost lane integrity on that punt return. That group wasn’t made up of starters however, and I’ll cut them a break. Davis and Sorensen both made tackles on kick-offs, and both were probably eager to make some kind of play after blowing assignments leading to long TD’s on defense. Sorensen is not an NFL safety. He will need to make this team as a gunner, if he is to make it at all. Davis might not be so fortunate. The UDFA will need to make up ground quickly and show he can take instruction this week if he wants a shot at a practice squad spot. Mike Adams and Josh Cribbs were in on kick-off tackles. Steptoe had a few nice returns, but perhaps the most impressive part (as a commenter during the live blog pointed out) was the blocking on kick-offs and punt returns. The Browns always do a nice job there.
The new defensive rule really didn’t play into the game, so we’ll skip it. The last key was avoiding injuries-
I suppose this one is obvious, but nothing derails a season like a nasty injury in a meaningless game. Get the starters enough reps to see what you want to see and then get them out of there.
Mission accomplished on this one. You knew when the teams hit the locker room during the weather delay that the starters were finished. Good call by the coaching staff not to be tempted to bring them back. We all want to see Quinn get his chance with the starting unit, but last night was not the right time. For the Jets it sounds like TE A.J. Schable did have movement in his arms and legs as he was carried from the field. That is certainly good news.
A few other things worth noting-
From the obvious department, the depth in the secondary is terrible. I look for the Browns to move sooner than originally planned to secure some depth. One key injury back there and the season quite literally could be in trouble. Instead of hoping we don’t have injuries the staff needs to put a plan in place for when we do.
The first team offense looked like a machine. What a great drive. That hole Lewis ran through on the first play was beautiful. I was really impressed with Stallworth’s routes. I had heard that Donte had trouble earlier in his career coming out of his breaks, but he looked great to me on Thursday. He made a fantastic cut on an out pattern, caught and secured the ball. In fact, he caught everything thrown to him.
Jason Wright showed great patience on several plays, allowing the hole to develop. He also kept the motor running and picked up several yards after contact. I thought he clearly outplayed Jerome Harrison on this night.
If you joined us for the live blog you probably know what I’m about to say- I am very impressed with TE Martin Rucker. He got off to a great start and then looked a tad confused a couple of times late in the game, but it was his first action. He made some nice plays and was very hard to bring down once he caught the ball (5 catches for 70 yards to lead the team.) The knock on him is his blocking, and we didn’t get to see much of that when he was in the game. It will be something to keep an eye on throughout preseason. If Rucker develops, the Browns could be trading a TE in order to secure secondary help. I have to imagine Heiden or Dinkins would get us a CB with some experience.
Thanks to the OBR for the photo…
7 Comments
Great stuff, especially the Rucker discussion. He looked very good. I wish Hubbard would’ve pulled in that pass on third down at the end of the game. And though he didn’t get many touches, Steve Sanders was inches away from the TD that Wright finished. He battled pretty hard to get to where he did.
And if Steptoe was even average in terms of size, that INT wouldn’t have happened.
Sadly we were in the air when the game happened so I didn’t get to see it. I always thought Rucker was an insurance policy in case KW2’s injuries continue to flare and I think even if he stays healthy you could see more double TE or KW2 spread and Rucker down as the season continues. This kid is going to be a very good TE.
Time to move Dinkins for a CB and suck it up and sign Ty Law.
I wonder what we would have to give to get Lito Sheppard. He supposedly is starting to ask for trade and is very unhappy in Philly.
As for the new pushout rule. There was a play early in the fourth when Dorsey threw a pass to Hill along the sideline. Hill failed to get his feet down because the DB shoved him as he was coming down. Had the pushout rule still been in effect it would have doubled Hill’s catches and yardage too!
Good point on Hill’s no catch Sam.
As for Ty Law or Lito Shepherd- Savage reiterated yesterday that the Browns don’t have the cap space to pursue a top CB. The player we get will not supplant Wright or McDonald as a starter. It will be an experienced veteran who is looking to extend their career, like Cousin.
Good stuff. I was also impressed with Rucker. Braylon’s Catch was just brilliant.
It’s too bad we can’t make a run for Ty Law. He would be a great guy to have around, possibly even acting as a mentor to our young CBs.
I think Terry Cousin is already doing that, there were a couple of good articles about Cousin doing just that on Clevelandbrowns.com.