Lombardi: Haden struggled in camp
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The Browns have been badly embarrassed when the defense fightgs like crazy, and on third/foutyth down, the opposing
offense simply passes to an open receiver for a first down anytime the game was on the line.
The Browns secondary had them laughing when they went back to huddle.
HAD to fix that problem.
Shep gets all wrankled and goes cross eyed again when the Browns don't draft a qb "god" in the top of the first round.
I didn't like the choices this past year... but wouldn't be afraid to bet that the Browns get one early next year, and let him sit
for a year.
The greass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.
With the talent available, the Browns probably had to pay too high a price
to trade down.
I'm with Holmgren, Heckert and Mangini. You had to fix the secondary.; and they DID.
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No matter how strong a pass rush we had, it seemed there was ALWAYS a wide open receiver. Strengthening the coverage also allows a Dline to play more aggressively, plus we may just see some coverage sacks. This year's defense could be VERY interesting. Personally, I would have been disappointed had they NOT taken Haden.
Mike
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ryan's defensive schemes, safety blitzes in particular, would've succeeded more often last year had we had a legitimate secondary. that's why we gave up so many big plays.
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Haden on defense? It's a slam dunk
Rookie trying to earn a starting job
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Jul 25, 2010
Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick defensive back Joe Haden runs during rookie minicamp at the team's training facility in Berea in April. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
People laughed at Marcus Berry when he pointed at a short, skinny kid named Joe Haden and declared the boy would one day become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
They're not chuckling now.
About four years ago, a football coach from Georgia Tech became one of those naysayers when he took a recruiting trip to Haden's old stomping grounds — Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md.
When the coach questioned Haden's athletic ability, Berry, a former physical education teacher and offensive coordinator for Friendly's football team, knew how to put his visitor's doubts to rest. Berry ordered Haden to demonstrate a basketball stunt he had flaunted in gym class the day before.
''So he stands at half court — he's on the left side of the court,'' said Berry, who's now director of player personnel for the University of North Carolina's football team. ''He throws the ball up underhanded, and the ball hits off the back wall and bounces toward the basket. He goes up, catches the ball and windmills it right in front of the rim.
''Now at that time, he was like 5-foot-9, 5-10, and the coach was like, 'Get out of here.' I was like, 'Joe, do it again.' So Joe did it again.''
Haden's phenomenal athletic ability allowed him to make a successful transition from a standout prep quarterback to a starting cornerback at the University of Florida, the school he chose over several other suitors, including Georgia Tech. Now Haden, whom the Browns selected with the seventh overall pick of this year's draft, hopes his talent will again help him prove his skeptics wrong, this time during his rookie season in the NFL.
Barring contract negotiations that could delay his arrival for the first full-squad practice of Browns training camp Saturday, Haden, 5-11, 190 pounds, will receive another chance to show he belongs. Although Haden has yet to sign with the Browns, his agent, Malik Shareef, said his client has no intentions of holding out.
More important, though, Haden is expected to compete against veteran cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright for a starting job during the next few weeks.
''I just want to show the coaches I can play, honestly,'' Haden said. . . . ''In training camp, I'm just going out there and trying to prove that I deserve to be here and deserve to play.
''Of course, I'd love to start. Being a football player, you want to be out there on the field. You want to be a starter.''
Accepting change
By the time Haden's career at Friendly ended, he had set a Maryland public school record with 7,371 passing yards and tied another with 80 touchdowns. As a senior, he threw for 2,783 yards and 38 touchdowns and ran for 899 yards and 13 touchdowns.
But after he graduated from high school early and enrolled at Florida in January 2007, Haden switched positions. Florida's coaches discussed Haden playing quarterback or receiver, but Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin stood in his way on the depth chart. Therefore, Haden was encouraged to try defense.
Although he played safety during his final two high school seasons, cornerback was foreign to him. Haden, however, adapted quickly and became the first true freshman in Florida history to start at corner.
''He learned well. He's a smart kid,'' said Chuck Heater, Florida's co-defensive coordinator who served as cornerbacks coach when Haden joined the Gators. ''He had never played over there, and [with] so much of cornerback, there's a dimension you can't teach on a chalkboard. You learn as you play it.
''Every week was a new experience for him. He played very well as a freshman for us. But yeah, he did learn fast and by his third year, he really matured into a special player.''
Haden started all 40 games in which he played for Florida. In his three seasons with the Gators, he compiled 218 tackles, 31/2 sacks, eight interceptions, 34 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He had 10 tackles in Florida's 24-14 victory over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game in January 2009.
''It was definitely a big transition at first, especially going from quarterback to cornerback,'' Haden said. ''You're running the whole team and then you go out there on an island playing against those receivers.
''I was just playing off athletic ability at first. And even today, I just still got so much to learn 'cause this is my fourth year now playing corner.''
Born to battle
Haden, though, is not new to competition or perseverance.
He was the starting point guard for Friendly when it won two state basketball titles. He also added a football state championship while leading Friendly to a record of 14-0 during his senior season. And, of course, there's the national title he helped Florida capture.
Haden acknowledges his family's role in his development. He is the oldest of five boys, and two of his younger brothers — Josh (played for Boston College last season, but plans to transfer) and Jordan (committed to Florida) — are following his path on the football field. Their father, Joe, is a personal trainer and former professional bodybuilder.
''You always had somebody to play with,'' Haden said, recalling his childhood. ''You always had somebody to compete with, running with, racing with.
''I had to probably be the toughest 'cause I had to keep control of the four younger ones under me trying to always knock me off. They were trying to show they were real tough.''
Haden will need his competitive instincts to kick in during training camp if he wants to secure a starting job.
He's known as a physical corner — he attributes his knack for tackling to roughhousing with his siblings — but his speed has been questioned time and again in recent months.
This past March, he produced disappointing times — unofficially 4.57 and 4.60 seconds — in the the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. But Haden said he was hindered by a strained back at the combine, and his times reportedly improved to 4.43 and 4.47 at Florida's pro day a few weeks later. He also said he yielded a time of 4.41 in a private workout with the Browns.
''[The Browns] would have never taken him where they took him unless they had a documented fast time on him, which is what happened,'' Heater said. ''I don't think that's an issue.
''If you look at all the measurables, the explosive, fixed drills, the vertical jumps and the standings long jumps, and even the 40-dash for that matter, he was always in the top five of any guys we'd ever had [at Florida].''
In addition to proving he's fast enough to thrive at corner, Haden must also convince the Browns he can master their coverages. During organized team activities and minicamp earlier this summer, Haden, like most rookies, encountered some mental obstacles while learning a new system.
''I really like the way that he's approached things,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said after his team's final minicamp practice. ''I think that the volume of information has been new. I'm not saying he didn't have a large volume in college, [but] it's different. He's done a good job, and he's been put in a lot of spots where he's had to adjust and there's been hiccups as well along the way.''
Berry, though, remains confident in Haden. He recalls how Haden silenced his critics when he was in high school, and he believes it will happen once again.
''Physically, I don't see too many being better than him,'' Berry said. ''I'm not saying he'll be one of the best corners in the league his first year out, maybe not even his second year out. But by the third year, he's so competitive and he's so gifted athletically, that I can see him being one of the best five or six corners in the league.''
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couple tweets from OBR within the last 2 hours
"Browns making progress in talks with Haden."
"Browns and Haden reps haggling over guaranteed comp"
"Both parties working to get the rookie in camp before vets report"
"TheOBR has learned Browns offer approx 5% more than 2009 #7"
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Wow...this thread is a carbon copy of threads at the fag board....
Your schtick is old shep....really...really old.
Wow...this thread is a carbon copy of threads at the fag board....
Your schtick is old shep....really...really old.
Chances are everyone got sick of him over there so he decided to try his luck back here. He MIGHT be a browns fan but hes still a troll. Nothing he says make's any sense and he only opens his mouth to get everyone riled up. In his eyes any conversation is better then no conversation. The best thing we could do is just ignore him and stop giving him the attention he tries so hard to get.
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nmills said:
It was reported he had a bad hamstring but he ran at the combine anyway, he ran a 4.39 at his pro-day. Watch some film, he doesnt lack speed.Even before the combine there was worry. I agree there is game speed and practice speed and it's still WAY early to discuss anything of this nature. Training camp hasn't even started. Slow points of the off season dredge up reports of this nature.
Homotron said:
Even before the combine there was worry. I agree there is game speed and practice speed and it's still WAY early to discuss anything of this nature. Training camp hasn't even started. Slow points of the off season dredge up reports of this nature.um, people thought he was going to run one of the fastest 40's at the combine...Deion and crew were excited when he first stepped to the line...
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Wow...this thread is a carbon copy of threads at the fag board....
Your schtick is old shep....really...really old.
Chances are everyone got sick of him over there so he decided to try his luck back here. He MIGHT be a browns fan but hes still a troll. Nothing he says make's any sense and he only opens his mouth to get everyone riled up. In his eyes any conversation is better then no conversation. The best thing we could do is just ignore him and stop giving him the attention he tries so hard to get.
Chances are everyone got sick of him over there so he decided to try his luck back here. He MIGHT be a browns fan but hes still a troll. Nothing he says make's any sense and he only opens his mouth to get everyone riled up. In his eyes any conversation is better then no conversation. The best thing we could do is just ignore him and stop giving him the attention he tries so hard to get.
Holy cripes, what the hell was THAT??? What are you responding to?
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ryan's defensive schemes, safety blitzes in particular, would've succeeded more often last year had we had a legitimate secondary. that's why we gave up so many big plays.
ryan's defensive schemes, safety blitzes in particular, would've succeeded more often last year had we had a legitimate secondary. that's why we gave up so many big plays.
Don't get me wrong: We definitely needed to upgrade our secondary. I knew we were gonna sign somebody and draft a couple guys. I just wouldn't have gone with the #7 for a corner.
Cal, I don't think we had a legit shot at Bradford and Holmgren wasn't enamored with Clausen, so I don't disagree that it wasn't going to happen this year. I would've definitely taken Clausen at #38... but I don't think passing on him at #7 was crazy. That might be too much of a reach.
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Shep, did you watch Kareem Jackson in college and conclude he was just as good as Haden? It seems odd that you'd conclude that based on reports from mini-camp -- Holmgren & Heckert didn't evaluate him based on his press clippings.
Shep, did you watch Kareem Jackson in college and conclude he was just as good as Haden? It seems odd that you'd conclude that based on reports from mini-camp -- Holmgren & Heckert didn't evaluate him based on his press clippings.
I didn't say he was better. I said he's very good and will be a quality starting corner... like Kyle Wilson and Joe Haden, probably McCourty. I just think seven was too steep of a price.
Hey, I think Haden will be good. I sure as hell hope so.
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joehaden23 tweet
Just finished working out wit pop in the gym. #puttinginwork. headed 2 clevelad in the morning. Trying 2 sign before sat! I wana get goin!
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By the way, James Walker, the ESPN AFC North guy, says he was at Browns camp and Haden looked a step slow and unsure of himself. I think we can piece together the notion that the kid was not awesome. Doesn't mean all that much... but it is what it is.
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The dominoes are gonna start falling, the Raiders just inked 8th overall pick Rolando McClain
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The dominoes are gonna start falling, the Raiders just inked 8th overall pick Rolando McClain
nmills said:
The dominoes are gonna start falling, the Raiders just inked 8th overall pick Rolando McClainNumbers are in: 5-year, $40 million contract that includes $23 million guaranteed.
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By the way, James Walker, the ESPN AFC North guy, says he was at Browns camp and Haden looked a step slow and unsure of himself. I think we can piece together the notion that the kid was not awesome. Doesn't mean all that much... but it is what it is.
By the way, James Walker, the ESPN AFC North guy, says he was at Browns camp and Haden looked a step slow and unsure of himself. I think we can piece together the notion that the kid was not awesome. Doesn't mean all that much... but it is what it is.
For the millionth time: he was practicing with no pads, no contact, and no knoweldge of the playbook. Give it a rest.
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aarron goldhater was on wknr this morning doing his usual. he's been hating on joe haden all week and someone tweeted haden about it. haden then responded.
http://twitter.com/WllmSutherland
RT @joehaden23: @WllmSutherland People always r going talk! He will c wen the season comes. I don't talk I just ball! 1250 WKNR #SMH
about 10 hours ago via web .
@joehaden23 Goldhammer from 1250 WKNR Cleveland is calling you a bust already!!! Check this fool!!!
about 10 hours ago via web in reply to joehaden23.
@joehaden23:Joe, this douche on the radio, Goldhammer, WKNR1250, is talkin bout how slow you are. Better check this idiot
about 10 hours ago via web in reply to joehaden23.
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haden tweeted this about 4 hours ago.
Boarding the plane now headed 2 Cleveland!
about 4 hours ago via mobile web
hopefully, he signs real soon.
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TheOBR
TheOBR is hearing a tentative agreement in place with Haden.....we are seeking confirmation
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TheOBR
The overall potential dollar value separates the parties by approximately one million dollars according theOBR has learned
10 minutes ago via HootSuite
TheOBR
Due to these ongoing issues the base package of a Haden deal remains open.
13 minutes ago via HootSuite
TheOBR
Parties in Haden negotiations have tentatively agreed to some parameters but discussions on guarantees and incentives ongoing
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What is there to "rip up"? All we've had is minicamp, with no-contact drills and no knowledge of the playbook.
You hear good things about Hardesty and Robiskie because they're making runs and catches with no resistance. CB isn't as sexy a position to report on.
Cover guys cover. The Texans' coach praised Kareem Jackson for holding his own against Andre Johnson day after day, said he looked the part. He's already the starter.
We've had LOTS of shorts-and-tees practices between OTAs and mini-camps... and the corners are covering the WRs every day. They've had a lot to look at.
Cover guys cover. The Texans' coach praised Kareem Jackson for holding his own against Andre Johnson day after day, said he looked the part. He's already the starter.
We've had LOTS of shorts-and-tees practices between OTAs and mini-camps... and the corners are covering the WRs every day. They've had a lot to look at.
McClain_on_NFL
Andre Johnson destroyed rookie CB Kareem Jackson on a double move.#Texans
what a bust, he must be to slow
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