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August 4, 2010Rookie TJ Ward Drawing Rave Reviews From Teammates
August 4, 2010
This off-season the Browns addressed a number of position needs. They beefed up the line backing corps. They addressed the defensive backfield with several draft picks and a trade for Sheldon Brown. They completely overhauled the quarterback position. With all those changes in mind, what 3 areas should Browns’ fans be most concerned about?
1. Lack of playmakers in the passing game.
Second year WR Brian Robiskie is said to be improving in his second camp. Improving is good, but can he go from being left off the active roster much of last season to a viable #2 receiver this season? And what about Cleveland’s #1 wideout? Mohammed Massaquoi? From reports we’re hearing, last year’s leading pass catcher (34 catches for 624 yards) was having a difficult time getting past Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright in one-on-one coverage. As much as we’d like to think that Wright and Brown are just that good, the other cornerback tandems in the AFC North are pretty good in their own right. Massaqoui looked like a #2 WR trying to be a #1 after Edwards was traded away last year. The Browns did not address that situation and it may come back to bite them this year.
The Tight Ends and Running Backs are battling for the title of best weapon in the passing game to this point. While it is encouraging to hear that Watson and Moore have good hands, neither of them are game changers in the mold of Antonio Gates, and it seems relying on the pair to lead the receivers is misplaced optimism. And screen passes are only effective when the defense has to respect the deep ball.
2. Depth on the defensive line.
I was reading over at the Orange and Brown Report (subscription required) an interview with Brian Schaefering. In it he describes the responsibilities of the defensive linemen in the Browns 34 defensive alignment-
“Actually our technique is called a ‘tight five’. My inside eye is lined up with the offensive tackle’s outside eye. In the 43, you are only responsible for one gap. Which could be the A, B, or C gap; whichever it is. In our defensive 34, I’m responsible for two gaps. I’m responsible for both the B and C. The nose is responsible for both A’s. The other defensive end is responsible for the other B and C. So this is why we are asked to be a little bigger physically than your average 43 defensive ends, because we are asked to sustain the blocks a little longer than they are. We’re not shooting up the field. We’re more attack and control the blocker.”
What this means in English is that the defensive ends are responsible for running plays to the gaps on the left and the right of the offensive tackle, while the nose is responsible for the holes on either side of the center. When properly executed, this frees up the linebackers to make big plays in both the running and passing attacks. This is hardly an easy job however. The sheer strength and energy expended on each play is quite amazing. Imagine taking on a 320 pound offensive tackle and having to either push him into the gap that a blazing fast RB is heading towards, or trying to break that block off and catch said RB before he gets to the edge and up the field. Or imagine you are a nose tackle trying to find through the block of the center, while getting chipped from the guard on his way to the ILB. Point is these guys take a beating every play, and depth is crucial.
We saw the development of Ahtyba Rubin last season when Shaun Rogers went down. Rubin certainly can be a fixture on this line. And with Rogers’ injury history, the line needs more than just Rubin to step up. Mosley, Schaefering and rookie Clifton Geathers will have to give the Browns quality plays when they sub in. As we saw last season, the LBs are simply too undersized to play the DE position against the run in the base defense.
3. Quarterback.
I know. Delhomme should be an improvement over last year’s duo. I get that. Even if his QB rating is 70 that is still 30+ points better than Anderson last season. Yes. I hear you. My problem is that nagging voice in my head that keeps reminding me Delhomme’s rating was actually 59.4 last season. Or just above JaMarcus Russell. 31st in the league. That voice keeps reminding me that Jake threw 30 INTs the last 2 seasons and only 23 TDs.
I also think about Seneca Wallace. I keep hearing about the multiple wildcat formations that the Browns will have the opportunity to employ, but then I look and see Wallace’s rushing totals. Let’s just say they aren’t impressive. Seattle may not have used the wildcat formation much with Wallace, but it doesn’t seem like the explosiveness is there like it is with Cribbs.
I can’t help but think that next year going into to camp we’ll be wondering about the QB position all over again. Who knows, perhaps McCoy will even see time THIS season.
(Photo: Mark Duncan AP)
17 Comments
“Seattle may not have used the wildcat formation much with Wallace, but it doesn’t seem like the explosiveness is there like it is with Cribbs.”
I always thought the point of having Wallace was to use him in a formation that always also featured Cribbs. Whether or not Cribbs gets the ball the defense will have to account for him when Wallace is under center so if Wallace keeps it he’s likely to see easier looks than he did in Seattle.
But if Wallace isn’t a threat to run then why not just leave Delhomme out there with Cribbs? It’s the same thing really. You focus on Cribbs either way. Only if Wallace can beat you do you have a problem defensively.
Wallace has always been a back up quarterback. I wouldn’t think you would allow your back up to run due to the risk of injury. If Wallace comes in to spell Delhomme,in the wildcat, he should have more freedom to run the ball. At that point if he gets injured you can put your starter back in the game. Just a thought about his low rushing totals.
Wallace is definitely fast enough to beat you. Hes not Cribbs in the agile and quickness, but he is fast and is much more of a threat then Delhomme to catch and run a direct snap from Cribbs (if Wallace is at WR).
Also, Im not as worried about DL. A lot of injuries occurred there last year and they still played well as a unit. Kenyon Coleman is a solid back-up along with Mosley.
On the bright side, a year ago I would have said there are major concerns at every position except special teams.
Mediocrity will be a welcome improvement. Maybe in a year we’ll be talking about team strengths and plugging the remaining gaps to becoming consistently competitive.
The “tight five” stuff is prototypical 46 – the three defensive linemen and the two OLBs.
If the Browns do opt to use Shaun Rogers and DE, could you imagine a week-side combo of Roth and Rogers trying to be blocked by two men? And if the opposition throws a TE to help out, all Ryan will do is counter with moving Ward (assuming he’s the starting SS) behind Rogers.
As said above, we have some solid depth on the line. My only real concern at this point is how Fujita will handle covering TEs in the passing game.
@Rick
I meant that the addition of Cribbs would likely make it easier for Wallace to run in any wildcat/cylcone situation. Having Cribbs on the field and having plays designed for him to run should make for higher rush totals than in Seattle where his rushing probably came mostly from scrambling on broken plays.
“While it is encouraging to hear that Royal and Moore have good hands. . .”
I’m assuming you meant Watson, not Royal has good hands. Royal’s hands are AWFUL, and from what I’ve read out of camp he’s continuing to make a lot of drops.
Beat me to it AMC… I didn’t even know Royal had hands attached to his body w/ the way he plays
Indeed, Watson. Fixed.
Rogers and Robaire may both have multiple game suspensions and possibly at the same time.
That would kill our DL depth obviously.
Wallace wasted some life in Seattle. While he may have fresh legs, young they are not. I still like the guy and would be comfortable with him if Jake is a dud. While I want to see the Browns improve, our #1 goal should be getting Colt comfortable. No injury, no stress.
mgbode- Once again, look at last season. They were both hurt and our defense did better in their absence.
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. The Chargers, Chiefs, and Raiders racked up huge days picking our defense apart in their absence.
Our defense did do well to keep Oakland from capitalizing though.
I did LOVE the Pitt game. And the JAX game. Funny, that of our 4 wins, the defense showed up the best against the best competition.
So, our defense didn’t seem to do as well as some give credit, but with a running game eating up the clock, the defense was able to do just enough to win (outside the SD game where they clobbered us before we made a valiant comeback).
that is a really long way of saying I do NOT think our team is better without who I expect to be 2/3 starting DL.
Seneca Wallace’s running ability?
Exhibit A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7gPOl_F8HQ
Exhibit B:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYVmgwQgq3w
Exhibit C:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoAR7IDiI18
Not sayin’, just sayin’.
Exhibit A- 2002
Exhibit B- 2001
Exhibit C- 2002
I agree with Rick, DP…those were all in college FB…lets see some “highlights” from his stellar NFL career…