~ The Cleveland BROWNS Depth Chart - (5-27-2023). Subject to revisions.
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Cleveland Browns - Depth Chart
Offensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Quarterback Deshaun Watson Joshua Dobbs Dorian Thompson-Robinson * free 54th QB roster spotRunning Back Nick Chubb Jerome Ford Wide Receiver Amari Cooper Elijah Moore Marquise Goodwin NFL ILLNESS LIST* (blood clots lungs/legs)Jakeem Grant *going to be close/bubble healthyAnthony Schwartz NFI*/came off 7-28 (hamstring)Michael Woods II *IR knee 2023 NFI* (ACL knee)Tight End David Njoku Jordan Akins Left Tackle Jedrick Wills James Hudson Hunter Thedford Left Guard Joel Bitonio Michael Dunn Colby Gossett NFI* came off 7-29 (foot)Center Ethan Pocic Nick Harris Right Guard Wyatt Teller Drew Forbes Dawson Deaton*- 7-6-23 Waived/injured. added CB Bopete Keyes-7-29 waived/injury(finger)Right Tackle Jack Conklin Dawand Jones Defensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Left Defensive End Myles Garrett Alex Wright Right Defensive End Za'Darius Smith Obo Okoronkwo Left Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson Siaki Ika Perrion Winfrey CUT day before TCRight Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott Maurice Hurst Strongside Linebacker Sione Takitaki *Projected PUP Tony Fields II Middle Linebacker Anthony Walker Jacob Phillips Mohamoud Diabate Weakside Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Matthew Adams Right Cornerback Greg Newsome II A.J. Green Left Cornerback Denzel Ward Martin Emerson Strong Safety Grant Delpit Rodney McLeod Free Safety Juan Thornhill D'Anthony Bell Special Teams Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Punter Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Kicker Cade York — — Long Snapper Charley Hughlett — — Holder Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Punt Returner Jakeem Grant Donovan Peoples-Jones Kick Returner Jakeem Grant Jerome Ford RED lock 53 man roster..
BLUE project to get in..
BUT ! it's mid June !
Browns & Buffett: Got to go fishin, Down to rock bottom again, with just a few Friends Team Brotherhood-"It's not about You,Me or I. It's about building We"..Hue Jackson -
Cleveland Browns - Depth Chart
Offensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Quarterback Deshaun Watson Joshua Dobbs Dorian Thompson-Robinson * free 54th QB roster spotRunning Back Nick Chubb Jerome Ford Wide Receiver Amari Cooper Elijah Moore Marquise Goodwin NFL ILLNESS LIST* (blood clots lungs/legs)Jakeem Grant *going to be close/bubble healthyAnthony Schwartz NFI*/came off 7-28 (hamstring)Michael Woods II *IR knee 2023 NFI* (ACL knee)Tight End David Njoku Jordan Akins Left Tackle Jedrick Wills James Hudson Hunter Thedford Left Guard Joel Bitonio Michael Dunn Colby Gossett NFI* came off 7-29 (foot)Center Ethan Pocic Nick Harris Right Guard Wyatt Teller Drew Forbes Dawson Deaton*- 7-6-23 Waived/injured. added CB Bopete Keyes-7-29 waived/injury(finger)Right Tackle Jack Conklin Dawand Jones Defensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Left Defensive End Myles Garrett Alex Wright Right Defensive End Za'Darius Smith Obo Okoronkwo Left Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson Siaki Ika Perrion Winfrey CUT day before TCRight Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott Maurice Hurst Strongside Linebacker Sione Takitaki *Projected PUP Tony Fields II Middle Linebacker Anthony Walker Jacob Phillips Mohamoud Diabate Weakside Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Matthew Adams Right Cornerback Greg Newsome II A.J. Green Left Cornerback Denzel Ward Martin Emerson Strong Safety Grant Delpit Rodney McLeod Free Safety Juan Thornhill D'Anthony Bell Special Teams Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Punter Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Kicker Cade York — — Long Snapper Charley Hughlett — — Holder Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Punt Returner Jakeem Grant Donovan Peoples-Jones Kick Returner Jakeem Grant Jerome Ford RED lock 53 man roster..
BLUE project to get in..
BUT ! it's mid June !
Cleveland Browns - Depth Chart
Offensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Quarterback Deshaun Watson Joshua Dobbs Dorian Thompson-Robinson * free 54th QB roster spotRunning Back Nick Chubb Jerome Ford Wide Receiver Amari Cooper Elijah Moore Jakeem Grant *going to be close/bubble healthyMichael Woods II *IR knee 2023Tight End David Njoku Jordan Akins Left Tackle Jedrick Wills James Hudson Hunter Thedford Left Guard Joel Bitonio Michael Dunn Center Ethan Pocic Nick Harris Right Guard Wyatt Teller Drew Forbes Right Tackle Jack Conklin Dawand Jones Defensive Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Left Defensive End Myles Garrett Alex Wright Right Defensive End Za'Darius Smith Obo Okoronkwo Left Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson Siaki Ika Right Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott Maurice Hurst Strongside Linebacker Sione Takitaki *Projected PUP Tony Fields II Middle Linebacker Anthony Walker Jacob Phillips Mohamoud Diabate Weakside Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Matthew Adams Right Cornerback Greg Newsome II A.J. Green Left Cornerback Denzel Ward Martin Emerson Strong Safety Grant Delpit Rodney McLeod Free Safety Juan Thornhill D'Anthony Bell Special Teams Positions
POS STARTER SECOND THIRD+ Punter Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Kicker Cade York — — Long Snapper Charley Hughlett — — Holder Corey Bojorquez Joseph Charlton — Punt Returner Jakeem Grant Donovan Peoples-Jones Kick Returner Jakeem Grant Jerome Ford RED lock 53 man roster..
BLUE project to get in..
BUT ! it's mid June !
Awesome job with that Gumbs! Thanks!
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@calfoxwc said:
fine. same old clique. Your friends can screw up the board all they want. bring the other forum over here all they want.
I'll always be a browns fan, as about 50 percent of the fans who are disgusted with that trade.
again, your hostility is because of the other forum, so I"ve been told.
I'm fine wtih not posting anythihg negative again, if you can just have your little friends do the same thing.
Besides, I'm going to have my knee replaced and won't be on for a while. You need to decide if you are going to be fair or not with the rules.
STFU you spineless coward. The last time I spoke with Stan (Atenears) - he said you were the biggest pain in his ass tattling on people on the poli board. When I asked how bad is it - he said it felt like it was every week or 2. So, you're a man in your late 60s tattling on people that frequently. Even more pathetic, every time he researched your complaints - you were always the instigator and the bigger jerk in the argument. That's what the guy who started our board thought of you. You're a pussy and he's right.
Who else on this board needs to holster up a hand gun when they take friends/family to Chuckee Cheese?
You contribute NOTHING to the football board. Did you ever wonder why I was the only one that ever complimented your football posts?
And here you are snipping back at someone that is willing to give you another chance.
You're just like your idol. You never know when to shut your trap!
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
@dutch-oven said:
I've said it many times on here, I have zero problems with someone having a moral issue with Deshaun Watson, and being unhappy the Browns traded for him. Zero.
But some MAGA nimrod trying to act all holier than thou about it? The same MAGA hilljack that cries "Look out new posters, if you don't agree with this one specific clique they will silence you!" is the same calfox who has run to the moderators FOR YEARS trying to get people kicked off here who upset his tender feelings.
Fuck that noise. With any luck that treasonous orange piece of shit will choke on a Big Mac and he and whatever died on his head will be rotting in hell sooner than later.
Now, back to the Browns depth chart.... AGAIN.
Oh fuck you and fuck your politics. I don't really follow this one very much because it's pretty obvious that Watson is probably number one on the depth chart. He's the most talented guy on paper in the quarterback room especially since they shit canned Brissett.
There's probably more than one reason to not like him but his skin color isn't one of them. Then again give me a call when the Browns get out of the AFC North celler.
WSS
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@dutch-oven said:
I've said it many times on here, I have zero problems with someone having a moral issue with Deshaun Watson, and being unhappy the Browns traded for him. Zero.
But some MAGA nimrod trying to act all holier than thou about it? The same MAGA hilljack that cries "Look out new posters, if you don't agree with this one specific clique they will silence you!" is the same calfox who has run to the moderators FOR YEARS trying to get people kicked off here who upset his tender feelings.
Fuck that noise. With any luck that treasonous orange piece of shit will choke on a Big Mac and he and whatever died on his head will be rotting in hell sooner than later.
Now, back to the Browns depth chart.... AGAIN.
Oh fuck you and fuck your politics. I don't really follow this one very much because it's pretty obvious that Watson is probably number one on the depth chart. He's the most talented guy on paper in the quarterback room especially since they shit canned Brissett.
There's probably more than one reason to not like him but his skin color isn't one of them. Then again give me a call when the Browns get out of the AFC North celler.
WSS
Oh fuck you and fuck your politics. I don't really follow this one very much because it's pretty obvious that Watson is probably number one on the depth chart. He's the most talented guy on paper in the quarterback room especially since they shit canned Brissett.
There's probably more than one reason to not like him but his skin color isn't one of them. Then again give me a call when the Browns get out of the AFC North celler.
WSS
Give you a call?
I never even bother conversing with you on this message board.
Not WSS
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@calfoxwc said:
fine. same old clique. Your friends can screw up the board all they want. bring the other forum over here all they want.
I'll always be a browns fan, as about 50 percent of the fans who are disgusted with that trade.
again, your hostility is because of the other forum, so I"ve been told.
I'm fine wtih not posting anythihg negative again, if you can just have your little friends do the same thing.
Besides, I'm going to have my knee replaced and won't be on for a while. You need to decide if you are going to be fair or not with the rules.
who the hell is screwing up the browns board ? you mean people like nickers and gorka ? at least nickers tries to talk football (god bless him) but your pal gorka only brings insults and bullshit and a very low football iq. if anything at all
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@calfoxwc said:
fine. same old clique. Your friends can screw up the board all they want. bring the other forum over here all they want.
I'll always be a browns fan, as about 50 percent of the fans who are disgusted with that trade.
again, your hostility is because of the other forum, so I"ve been told.
I'm fine wtih not posting anythihg negative again, if you can just have your little friends do the same thing.
Besides, I'm going to have my knee replaced and won't be on for a while. You need to decide if you are going to be fair or not with the rules.
STFU you spineless coward. The last time I spoke with Stan (Atenears) - he said you were the biggest pain in his ass tattling on people on the poli board. When I asked how bad is it - he said it felt like it was every week or 2. So, you're a man in your late 60s tattling on people that frequently. Even more pathetic, every time he researched your complaints - you were always the instigator and the bigger jerk in the argument. That's what the guy who started our board thought of you. You're a pussy and he's right.
Who else on this board needs to holster up a hand gun when they take friends/family to Chuckee Cheese?
You contribute NOTHING to the football board. Did you ever wonder why I was the only one that ever complimented your football posts?
And here you are snipping back at someone that is willing to give you another chance.
You're just like your idol. You never know when to shut your trap!
Stan (Atenears) -
That's the guy who started our board
Sadly, ?
Stan would have been celebrating his 56th birthday this Tuesday ?
About ATENEARS
- Birthday 06/13/1967 ?
- Far to soon friend ! Happy Birthday founder Stan ! ?
- depth chart topic..
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#56 C Luuu-ke Wypler !
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Maybe it's just my phone but the formatting of this seems kind of weird. Beyond that I don't think it's all that controversial.
WSS
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Zombo said:
Nice! The depth chart thread is my favorite. I love getting to know even the guys that only have a 1 % chance of making the final roster. Let's hope this is THE roster that gets us what we are all hoping for.
Z
Great points! I LOVE having a depth chart and Gumbs did an awesome job on it for us. It's fun to see how the positions that needed the most attention got it in the off season. Look at the drastic difference in our defensive line. The improvement there should keep the offensive linemen off our LBers. Even better, we add the extensive experience of Jim Schwartz to Coordinate the sic em, sock em and sack em.
Offensively, it'll be nice to have the starting QB with us in week 1. I think Jerome Ford can do an excellent job replacing of Kareem Hunt. I've watched his highlights of his last year in college as the #1 prong of attack for a team that made the BCS Playoffs for the 1st time. The guy scored 20 TDs for that team. He's a good receiver out of the backfield too. He'll be wearing #34 (like Kevin Mack and Greg Pruitt) so I hope he does it justice. I also read that Nick Chubb is dedicating this season to Jim Brown so I'm feeling pretty good about our 1st 2 backs. I get the impression the FO will continue to bring in competition for the 3rd RB spot. The WR Corps looks promising on paper. The more time and experience they get working with Watson - the more we'll see the chemistry taking off.
Hopefully we can pin this depth chart if it hasn't already been done.
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Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season. DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also. Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.
I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock. Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well. Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.
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Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season. DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also. Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.
I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock. Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well. Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.
Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season. DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also. Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.
I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock. Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well. Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.
Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot! The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time. On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent. I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.
When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football. Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
Jakeem Grant Sr.
It's just not in my ? DNA to not pull for a player like WR/ST'er Jakeem Grant...
a.) was to make 3.5M in 2023.. Takes a pay cut to 1.76M in Feb. 2023, just to be able to still get a camp invite
b.) Grant has been in the building all off season, rehabbing his 2nd (same) tore Achilles since last camp..
https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/browns-maven-features/jakeem-grant-interview-on-achilles-recovery
c.) In May.. new Kick-off rule...The NFL safety ?
️ fairy's, now allow fair catches on kickoffs to be given the 25 yard line..(Bubba Vetrone ain't happy)
Would It not shock anyone in the least? NOT seeing Jakeem Grant Sr. fair catch a damn ball all training camp. ?
1) at age 30, ya just hope Grant's wheels have a full camp left giving him a chance
2.) I'm not really sold yet, on watching our RB2 Jerome Ford return kicks, with only Felton behind him ?
More on the Depth Chart
DT-- It's been since 2019 thru 2020 we saw Ogun with Shelton Richardson at DT.. Is Tomlinson & __________ any better of a upgrade?
LB--reports say Taki will start season on PUP... Anthony Walker visited the Commanders before signing back with us in 2023..
CLE
Anthony Walker
---Left knee quad tendon--
on Sept. 22.... I'm no doctor... But, A. Walk needs to be running
& tackling to not add a body this close to camp?
Any FA ILB left? Is Kyle Van Noy worth a FA visit ?
Feels like were going into Training Camp with what we got? like most.. But, the plane ain't loaded to West Virginia yet !
Happy Fathers Day Weekend ! ?
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Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season. DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also. Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.
I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock. Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well. Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.
Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot! The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time. On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent. I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.
When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football. Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.
Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot! The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time. On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent. I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.
When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football. Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
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Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot! The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time. On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent. I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.
When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football. Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
No kidding but it's always that way. I forget who but some sports pundit said that starting players who have been banged up are probably still better than second stringers. No doubt there's still some crapshoot involved. And like always something that looks shrewd on paper before the season starts.. well you get the idea.
Like the Old Hockey joke: what do the Maple Leaves have in common with the titanic? They both look great until they hit the ice.
WSS
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Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot! The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time. On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent. I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.
When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football. Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year. The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade. I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart. Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs. Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year. If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better. We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...
Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here. I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year. The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade. I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart. Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs. Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year. If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better. We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...
Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here. I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.
Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year. The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade. I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart. Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs. Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year. If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better. We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...
Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here. I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.
Yeah, that's the hope, that the DLine keeps the LBs "clean" and less prone to get the crap kicked out of them. I'm not sure when Takitaki will be healthy enough to play at a high level. Hopefully the entire unit has much better health, and if not, the LB unit is a deeper one than last year.
I know they took JOK with a high second rounder, but it still feels like this front office kind of looks at the LBs as "something we'll get to later...."
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The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again.
Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year. The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade. I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart. Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs. Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year. If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better. We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...
Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here. I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.
This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs.
Living in Carolina, you can see why Jim Schwartz maybe the perfect coach for a Jordan Kunaszyk..
https://theriotreport.com/why-the-panthers-kept-udfa-jordan-kunaszyk-on-the-roster/ definition of NFL underdog
JK became a film rat from Luke... I can also tell ya.. From my Week 1 seats at Carolina. Jordan's not running ST lanes at 4.8's anymore, being the 3rd guy down
Kutz is a guy I'd like to see get his chance,with some help from this D-front keeping him clean.. Jordan's no Luke.. but his background & work ethic is what Schwartz see's he can work with.
Browns & Buffett: Got to go fishin, Down to rock bottom again, with just a few Friends Team Brotherhood-"It's not about You,Me or I. It's about building We"..Hue Jackson -
Having my #2 back return kicks isn't an idea I'm thrilled about. PR maybe, easier job protecting yourself. And while the KR game isn't what it was compared to even 10 years ago, it's still shots you're taking while playing a position that has a short shelf life. While you're still going to be counted on for meaningful minutes behind Chubb.
Jacob Phillips has special teams value, that's it. I've never seen a linebacker more out of place for his run keys and zone drop landmarks at the professional level. He's out there basically just seeing what's in front of him, but not processing or understanding it. He'd be the first LB I'd cut.
JoK putting on weight isn't a bad thing, but it depends on how much. His frame isn't going to be a natural 230lbs. Which is right about the size of Roquan Smith, who was blessed to go from a Chicago team with the IDL to keep him free, and now plays in Baltimore where he enjoys that same luxury. Yes, a bigger key to the health of the 2nd level is by having a quality line in front of them. After all, LB's are just RB's but without the ball. They too tend to have a short(er) shelf life.
Going back to Young JOK himself though, it isn't so much his physical size he needs to improve, but his off-ball consistency. Nobody is going to deny he's great at "see ball, get ball". But when he's the weakside fill man, or in the passing game, he's found himself out of place quite a bit for a guy with his athletic abilities. That lead, most famously, to some frustration I pointed out with Johnny J3. There are good reasons you didn't see him on the field in our nickel and dime situations at times last season. Some as early as week 1 where you'd think you'd want an athlete of his caliber out there. What you see him do is, in a sense, no different than seeing these young iso ballers in the NBA who don't know how to plays as a team yet. Sure, you can run some highlights yourself, but the off-ball work that a coach like Pop would preach for half court offensive efficiency just escapes them. Run fits and finding/choking throwing lanes are about selflessness and understanding, then playing, your role as a LB.
To speak to @gumby73's question about D.T. being an upgrade over Jobi or Richardson...? Well, yes. And given my belief that Ika takes over the shade as a rookie, sooner rather than later, I think you see Dalvin really excel this season as an interior rusher getting more looks at 3tech. It was a role I was hoping Perrion would take over this season, but he needs to work on getting his head straight. But the key to unlocking the pass rush isn't having another pro-bowler *across* from Myles, it's about having a interior push next to him. Dealing with a 3/4 tech and a primo edge rusher on the same side is an absolute bitch for every OL and coach. My prime example has been to point at Leonard Floyd, who was a solid pass rusher before he got to the Rams. But when paired with Aaron Donald, he started netting double digit sacks while he was in L.A.
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This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year. He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019. He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs.
Living in Carolina, you can see why Jim Schwartz maybe the perfect coach for a Jordan Kunaszyk..
https://theriotreport.com/why-the-panthers-kept-udfa-jordan-kunaszyk-on-the-roster/ definition of NFL underdog
JK became a film rat from Luke... I can also tell ya.. From my Week 1 seats at Carolina. Jordan's not running ST lanes at 4.8's anymore, being the 3rd guy down
Kutz is a guy I'd like to see get his chance,with some help from this D-front keeping him clean.. Jordan's no Luke.. but his background & work ethic is what Schwartz see's he can work with.
Living in Carolina, you can see why Jim Schwartz maybe the perfect coach for a Jordan Kunaszyk..
https://theriotreport.com/why-the-panthers-kept-udfa-jordan-kunaszyk-on-the-roster/ definition of NFL underdog
JK became a film rat from Luke... I can also tell ya.. From my Week 1 seats at Carolina. Jordan's not running ST lanes at 4.8's anymore, being the 3rd guy down
Kutz is a guy I'd like to see get his chance,with some help from this D-front keeping him clean.. Jordan's no Luke.. but his background & work ethic is what Schwartz see's he can work with.
Great job with the picture of him and good points Gumbs!
When the length of the average play from scrimmage doesn't exceed 4 seconds - you need guys that can always get themselves into position to make the tackle (and they don't always have to be fast like a Tedy Bruschi who beat a lot of faster foot speeds into his hook zones). In order to do that and anticipate what's coming, you have to be well prepared and possess an experience volume to play with a reliable 1st step instinct that gets you to the tackle. JMO, I don't think he'll stay 3rd on the depth chart but I could be wrong about that. He played in all but 2 games last year so the Browns appreciated what he brought to this team behind a weak interior line up front.
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