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August 8, 2014Rookies and a revamped offense: What we are watching during Week 1 of the NFL Preseason
Football in Cleveland is back and once again, the Browns have brought in a new regime. On Saturday, the Detroit Lions will host new Head Coach Mike Pettine and the new-look Cleveland Browns. Gone are Rob Chudzinski, Joe Banner, and the vertical passing game. In comes Kyle Shanahan and the zone run, play-action pass offense. Brandon Weeden, Willis McGahee, D’Qwell Jackson have been upgraded to Johnny Manziel, Ben Tate, and Karlos Dansby. Given the change in scheme and turnover in personnel at key positions, the preseason is of utmost importance.
Although each game seems more like a glorified practice, they are the most important job interviews of around eighty Browns players’ lives. Praise for Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, and Alex Mack can wait. They each have made millions in the NFL and will be around for many, many years. But, if an undrafted free agent such as wide receiver Taylor Gabriel does not make the roster, there is no guarantee that his NFL career will even continue. If you saw the great ESPN documentary, you would remember that 78% of NFL players go bankrupt within five years of leaving the NFL. Many of these are players who come into training camp as nobodies have trained their entire life for this one opportunity, and if they fail, they may have squandered the one way to make a living doing the only job at which they know how to succeed. Despite this, many players will fade into obscurity as the attention will remain on Cleveland’s stars and battles at for starting jobs.
Against the Lions, we will see Johnny Football compete for a starting quarterback spot alongside Ben Tate and Terrance West. For the past few seasons, Cleveland has upgraded the front seven that now includes two first round picks, three multi-million dollar free agents, Ahtyba Rubin, and the battle between Christian Kirksey and Craig Robertson. In the defensive backfield, Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson, and Buster Skrine have been joined by Donte Whitner, Justin Gilbert, and Pierre Desir who have begun calling themselves “Lockdown on the Lake”. Cleveland possesses a multitude of players who could be described as “confident, if not cocky” which fans will love. Not only are they a talented group who will tell you about their talent, but they will be led by Mike Pettine, one of the best defensive coaches in the league.
Last season, Pettine improved the Buffalo Bills defense significantly in all areas. In 2013, the Bills allowed the lowest completion percentage in the league, sacked the quarterback second most in the league, intercepted the second most passes, and ran Pro Football Focus’s fourth best defense. With that much success in Buffalo, I anticipate Pettine to greatly improve an extremely talented and versatile Cleveland defense. This improvement must begin in the preseason as only back-up safety Jim Leonhard has ever spent time under Pettine as a defensive coordinator. The quicker that that the Browns’ defenders can become familiar with the scheme, the more likely they will be able to stop the Steelers, Ravens, and Saints in the first three weeks of the 2014 NFL season.
Thirteen Things to Keep an Eye on
Brian Hoyer v. Johnny Manziel
How could I start anywhere other than the battle between Hoyer and Manziel to become the starting quarterback? The national media has focused on this competition, rightly so, but their motives have been linked to ratings and Manziel’s massively popular persona rather than a keen interest in whether Hoyer will be able to hold off the A&M rookie in his pursuance of re-claiming his starting role. From a purely football perspective, this game will be huge in the process of determining the more qualified man to lead the Browns in 2014. Head Coach Mike Pettine stated earlier in training camp that he expects to have named a starting quarterback by the third week of preseason. A solid showing by either quarterback would greatly help their chances of winning the gig.
Can a running back separate himself from the pack?
Between Ben Tate and Terrance West, the Browns have two intense competitors vying for a starting running back opportunity of which they both believe they are worthy. Kyle Shanahan has not indicated whether, in the regular season, he would prefer having one workhorse back, such as Alfred Morris, or split the carries between two. Neither has ever taken a carry in a Browns uniform yet, so this will be the first chance to show that they deserve starting reps. Behind Tate and West is the battle to become the third back on the Browns roster between Isaiah Crowell, Edwin Baker, Dion Lewis, and Chris Ogbonnaya. Keep an eye on Crowell especially, as he was the SEC freshman of the year in 2011. He may have more raw talent than even Tate and West, but he must prove that his bouts of immaturity that led him to being dismissed from the University of Georgia football team are in the past.
MarQueis Gray
No one is talking about Gray (aside from WFNY, of course) as he spent last season as back-up tight end/fullback on the Browns, tallying just two catches. I anticipate Gray having a much larger impact and earning the brunt of fullback and H-Back snaps, positions that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan use often and in various roles (think Chris Cooley). In college, Gray played quarterback, and he has moved around from running back to tight end to fullback, so he certainly is not averse to playing different roles in an offense. As Shanahan’s fullback, he must be able to block and catch passes due to the heavy running game combined with play-action passes.
Charles Johnson, Willie Snead, and the young wide receivers
With the Josh Gordon situation in ambiguity, I expect at least one of the young wide receivers to step up and make the team. In practice, Johnson, for his elite athleticism, and Snead, for his catching ability, have each had their moments in the spotlight. Other wideouts to watch include Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Armstrong, Jonathan Krause, and Marlon Moore, but they are each fighting uphill battles to make the team. Make sure to keep an eye on which of these young receivers is playing the best because at least one will likely make the 53-man roster.
Will the Legend of Andrew Hawkins begin?
I am extremely excited to watch Hawkins play a full-speed game for the first time in a Browns uniform. From the beginning of training camp, coaches, players, and media alike have sung his praises. Standing just 5-feet-7-inches tall, Hawkins uses his elite quickness and to get open and make a play after the catch. He was underused in Cincinnati, so I am hoping he can make big plays in Cleveland, starting on Saturday.
Joel Bitonio v. John Greco v. Garrett Gilkey
Although not the sexiest of position battles, the three-way battle for the two starting guard spots has been spirited. Gilkey is fighting an uphill battle against Bitonio, the second round draft pick, and Greco, the incumbent, but he is not going down without a fight, as Rick from WFNY wrote. With Kyle Shanahan implementing a run-based offense, having two guards who can move defensive linemen off the ball and use their agility to block linebackers at the second level of the defense will be important. We will get a glimpse of who deserves to start on Saturday.
Mitchell Schwartz
No uncontested starter needs to have a better first preseason game than Mitchell Schwartz. After a solid rookie season, he played poorly in 2013, his sophomore campaign, allowing eleven sacks, nineteen quarterback hits, and thirty-five hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. Although this offense will focus more on the run, a strength of the six-foot-five 320-pound tackle, it will also be his third regime in just three seasons. The Browns do not have someone to push Schwartz for his starting job, so he must find his form that made him an exciting bookend tackle across the line from Joe Thomas as a rookie. He won’t make headlines, as an incument offensive lineman, but his improvement will greatly help to establish and necessary give time in the pocket to Hoyer or the rookie Manziel.
Defensive linemen battle for roster spots
The Browns deepest position for a couple seasons now has been the defensive line, but they do not compare to the massive depth that Mike Pettine has at his disposal this year. Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin, Desmond Bryant, Billy Winn, and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen all have the ability to start. Behind them, John Hughes, Armonty Bryant, and undrafted rookies Calvin Barnett and Jacobbi McDaniel will fight to make the roster. Since Pettine plays a 3-4 defense, I do not anticipate the Browns being able to carry all nine of these defensive linemen. They will have ample to time fight for a spot, as Taylor, Rubin, and Bryant will likely play early, but be subbed out early. Keep an eye out for who is able to make play against the Lions on the defensive line.
Can Jabaal Sheard, Barkevious Mingo and/or Paul Kruger get to the quarterback?
In Mike Pettine’s defense, the pass rush can come from anywhere at any time, but he frequently blitzes at least one outside linebacker. Mingo needs to improve from his solid but unspectacular rookie campaign, and given his massive frame and word out of training camp, he should excel in this new scheme. Sheard is in a contract year, so expect for him to pressure the quarterback this season, starting on Saturday. And finally, we need to see Kruger make some plays in the backfield after a season that did not live up to the five year, forty million dollar contract the previous regime handed him.
Christian Kirksey v. Craig Robertson
Kirksey, the rookie third round pick, has his sights on the starting job held by the incumbent Craig Robertson. Last season, Robertson’s inability to cover hurt him and the Lions with rookie tight end Eric Ebron and running back Joique Bell will make him prove that he is able to cover side-line to sideline against starting-caliber players. Kirksey, on the other hand, needs to make plays in the run game. Watching his film in college, he will have no issue covering tight ends and backs, but his small frame hurts him against the run. If he is able to make plays in that area of the game, he will have a leg up on Robertson who I expect to continue struggling in coverage.
Buster Skrine v. Justin Gilbert
This position battle fascinates me, as I predicted that the rookie Gilbert will start on the outside and Skrine will play in the slot. However, as it currently stands, Skrine remains the starter opposite Joe Haden. Once again, the Lions will be a great opportunity for Skrine to prove that he is able to cover the bigger receivers that cornerbacks with his frame stuggle against. On the other hand, Gilbert should make plays against the Lions’ vertical passing game. His strength is his athleticism which bodes well for him in this matchup.
Pierre Desir
As a rookie out of a division-two school, Desir is still learning and adjusting to NFL speed. He will be able to go against the Detorit’s second offense and we should closely pay attention to how he plays. A lot of analysts believe he may be more ready to start than the Browns’ first round pick, Gilbert. If he is able to play lockdown man-to-man on Saturday, he may get an opportunity to battle for a starting position.
Tashaun Gipson
If Gipson is going to transform from an average starter to a playmaker, this is the year he needs to come through. Surrounded with a talented front seven, Joe Haden, and Donte Whitner, Gipson will be tested early and often. Pettine uses his safeties in many roles including as a cover one deep safety, a blitzer, in one-on-one coverage with a wide receiver or tight end, and even as an extra linebacker. Gipson will have lots of freedom this season and with the addition of Jim Leonhard, he will have a veteran of the Pettine defense to help conceptually.
Pre-Preseason Game One 53-Man Roster Projection
- The backup quarterback position remains a wide open battle between Connor Shaw and Tyler Thigpen. They will each get chances to show that they deserve to win the job on Saturday and in the next three preseason games. If Thigpen wins the job, expect the Browns to try to hold on to Connor Shaw by placing him on the practice squad.
- The Browns could potentially keep a fourth running back, likely Ogbonnaya, if they have an extra roster spot. I believe Crowell will win the job as third running back due to the gap in skill between he and the other three competing for the job. However, he is nowhere near a lock.
- With so many receivers competing for the sixth spot on the depth chart, the winner must make plays in the preseason to show they belong. I believe Charles Johnson will win the job due to his freak athleticism. But, do not discount veteran pick-ups Marlon Moore or Anthony Armstrong. Taylor Gabriel and Willie Snead are the other young receivers with a chance at the final wideout roster spot.
- On the offensive line, Michael Bowie will likely occupy a spot on the Injured Reserve. He was recently picked up from the Seattle Seahwaks after he was injured, necessitating three to six months of recovery.
- The defensive line battle for roster spots fascinates me. If possible, the Browns should do all they can to add Calvin Barnett and Jacobbi Mcdaniel to their practice squad. The depth at this position will give Cleveland an advantage in the trenches, but it also may cause them to cut a talented player.
- The backup linebacker positions remain in contest between Justin Staples and Zac Diles, the two linebackers the Browns placed on the second team on their latest depth chart, and a bevy of young linebackers. Darius Eubanks has been injured but I believe he will pass Diles on the depth chart and make the team.
- The acquisitions of Isaiah Trufant and Aaron Berry were the beginning of the end for Leon Mcfadden. I do not think Mcfadden will make the team as Trufant brings good special teams play to the table and Berry is simply a better cornerback.
- The Browns may very well keep only four safeties, but I have them holding on to five, including Jim Leonhard, a recently-signed veteran of the Mike Pettine defense. Bademosi is a special teams stud.
50 Comments
McFadden…another signature Lombardi pick…
Was thinking the same thing. I wasn’t a huge fan of Mathieu given the team’s need at CB more than safety, but man…what a blown move.
Every year there are a couple of surprise cuts that nobody sees coming. The guy I’m projecting to fit that bill is Travis Benjamin. He’s a poor wide receiver and so you would have to carry him on the roster because of his special teams ability. He’s coming back from an ACL tear, which means he almost certainly won’t be at 100% this season. I don’t think there is room on the roster for a returner/gunner who is playing at roughly 80% capacity.
Yeah, he seems like an intriguing “lock,” but I guess we don’t know what the team will do in the wake of any impending Gordon ruling.
Bademosi out, Willie Snead in
BTW, if you didn’t see today’s PD, check out cleve dot com for the story and pix about the extra-point kicking contest between the O and D lines. It’s hilarious.
Can’t see it, Bademosi is too vital to special teams.
True… I’m not sure that will even matter for Benjamin’s future with the team, though. Right now he seems to be behind Poyer, Hawkins, and Skrine for return duties (granted we’re still very early in the preseason here).
Best wishes to Connor Shaw! If he gets his shot with the first team offensive line, look out. The kid is all heart. No drama like Manziel, just wins.
Sounds like Colt McCoy 😉
I still say Shaw is headed for the practice squad.
I don’t get excited for the first preseason game other then it means football is back. I actually watched parts of three games last night on NFL Network.
I don’t expect many answers from game one in fact probably more questions then anything else. Starters will play 2-3 series most likely. But at least people will get to see the much improved depth.
I’m looking forward to next week but especially the third game. That’s the one that will show the most as far as players go.
Colt McCoy wasn’t 17-0 at home in his college career or the best QB in his school’s history. Shaw was both. Of course, Cleveland is the city of F’d upped owners, coaches, and people. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they bought the Manziel hype and sent Shaw packing.
He’s as good as you can get as an undrafted free agent QB. I don’t dislike him, just think you may want to temper NFL expectations for him… success on the field in college usually doesn’t correlate to NFL success.
A lot of analysts believe he (Desir) may be more ready to start than the Browns’ first round pick, Gilbert
I would be very skeptical of any such analyst.
Yes, as electrifying as Benjamin was on returns, the fact is that we have a bunch of candidates to fill that role rather admirably (and also help out at a position). Your list didn’t even include Gilbert.
Yeah, if Snead makes it, I’ll be shocked if it’s at Bademosi’s expense. Kid’s been balling.
Colt McCoy sounds like a good comparison and not sure why Bruce is so up in arms about it. I love Connor and was extremely happy we signed him. But, he’s a likely career backup NFL QB (which is a great thing as a UDFA).
Uptick if only in applause due to you not linking therein. Impressive.
Possible. The preseason games will tell that story. If he needs to build up arm strength for the NFL, then we can safely put him on the PS. The issue will be if he shows he can make all the throws now, then someone would likely vulture him.
Yeah I was just going by what Our Lads had as our current depth chart since they typically do the best job of keeping that current. It’d make sense for Gilbert to be in that mix, though.
I believe Michael Bowie will have to be on the 53man to go onto IR now, right? So, it is still possible we roster him as a 53man, cut Fragel, then after IR-ing Bowie, re-sign Fragel, right?
How much time has to go between putting Bowie on IR and re-signing Fragel?
Surprise cut — John Hughes.
Just really quiet on him thus far this pre-season and he’s buried on the depth chart. A couple good showings by Jaccobi would cost him a job.
I don’t see him becoming that recognizable he’ll be playing alongside third stringers at best besides another team would have drafted him. I also don’t see two rookie QBs backing up Hoyer to start the season.
big reason he wasn’t drafted was the arm strength. he can put those worries to rest a bit in the preseason. that’s all.
I could see that… would be a shame because the kid can play, but with a new coaching staff, he’s got to earn his roster spot just like everyone else.
I think a couple of the guys you have making it will be practice teamers. Ogbonnaya I think will survive, and I do think McFadden will stay on and Carder may as a special-teamer. Also, someone will be hurt adding a couple openings.
Where have you heard he is behind the others? Tabor is quoted here saying he’s #1 for both kickoffs and punts:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/08/travis_benjamin_will_return_ki.html
Totally agree. Shaw will need to be head & shoulders ahead of Thigpen to make the team. I just find it a stretch that the Browns enter the season with 3 QBs in which two are rookies (one undrafted), and all three combine for 4 career starts. Thigpen is not the future and all things being equal I would pick him over Thugpen, but I think his limited experience will really count for something.
Interesting, I didn’t know Chris Tabor was quoted saying that about Benjamin. I got my info from here, usually the best site for tracking depth charts:
http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/CLE
The thing I want to see most is how the O-Line plays as a unit. Are they picking up the ZBS, are they effective, is the running game clicking, etc. I don’t know how hard it will be for them to pick up, but if they can’t open up some holes we could be in for a long year. Again, first preseason game, but still.
I disagree. If he plays Thigpen to a draw, then you should always, always, always go with the younger QB over the veteran at the QB3 slot. While Shaw is going to continue to get better, Thigpen is on the downside of his career.
and you mention the 4 career starts for the other three, but Thigpen only has 12 in his 8 year career. he went 1-11 in those games and has a 72.5QBrating for his career.
sometimes the unknown is better than the known.
it’s tough. the usual vanilla defensive schemes should make it easy for the OL to figure out who to block (toughest part of ZBS). but, the Detroit DL is one of the best in the NFL and toughest to move off the LOS.
Oh, and there is usually a surprise cut from another team that gets picked up late and added to our 53man roster.
I personally am hoping that is a backup LBer this year because I am not impressed with that position on our team.
http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/McKayla-Maroney-Not-Impressed-Face-Receiving-Medal.gif
As would I, but I’ve seen that opinion thrown around more than a couple times lately. The basis of the argument being that Gilbert is not technically sound enough to play right away. I disagree, especially with the idea that Desir is ready right away, but Gilbert certainly has his doubters.
Good call. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much of the first team line we will see in game 1. I would love for them to dominate in the time that they do play, though.
The fact that only one of the Hughes, Jaccobi, Calvin Barnett group will likely make the squad is too bad. They are each very talented. Hopefully the Browns can add them on the practice squad.
The Browns official depth chart (released a few days ago) can be seen here: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/08/cleveland_browns_depth_chart.html
On any other team, Benjamin likely wouldn’t be a lock, but we’re the receiver-handicapped Browns. I really don’t see a scenario with one of the UDFAs passing him, especially given the return skills.
Nor am I. Between Sheard, Mingo, and Kruger, the Browns should have a solid threesome on the outside. But, behind them, Justin Staples and Eric Martin don’t inspire confidence. Inside, Dansby will be solid and hopefully Kirksey will win the job. But behind them, Robertson (or Kirksey is he cannot win the starting spot) is the only player with NFL inside linebacker experience. A little worrisome, if an injury hits.
I kept going back and forth on Ogbonnaya. If he can beat out Crowell, more power to him. Clearly, he has shown to be more versatile than the average back. But in terms of running the ball, he is below average. If he has a chance, I think it will be due to his versatility to play RB/H-Back/Fullback with MarQueis Gray.
I am hoping that both Manziel and Hoyer show in the next two games that they are both starter material. That way we don’t have to carry a 3rd QB on the roster and maybe sneak shaw or some other QB on the practice squad.
We have a lot of talent in a lot of places finally and I’d like to keep an extra WR and lineman on the roster for now. Can only do that if we dump a QB.
Good breakdown by the way. Sure it took some time but looks like you covered just about every base.
Thanks a lot
“In the defensive backfield, Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson, and Buster Skrine have been joined by Donte Whitner, Justin Gilbert, and Pierre Desir who have begun calling themselves “Lockdown on the Lake”.”
I submit that this be modified to “The Lockdown Monsters”
The honey badger plays both.
ooh ooh oooh >> my town’s old AHL team!
surprise cut — connor shaw.
can easily see pettine running with 2 QBs and marqueis gray.
Would believe it if Gray had taken any reps at QB in camp.
And McFadden plays neither.
Well, I certainly hope that the Detroit preseason game stops that trend of analyst comments. It was silly and Desir demonstrated how much he has to learn. No issue with it (it was known when we took him), but it’s definitely there.