Grossi's Browns Player Rankings
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1. DT Ahtyba Rubin: Relentless, 320-pound hustler who keeps ascending.
2. OT Joe Thomas: As good as he is, he can't score touchdowns.
3. MLB D'Qwell Jackson: Earned our national vote for NFL comeback player of the year.
4. CB Joe Haden: Dropped interceptions and a habit of slipping on breaks were disconcerting.
5. DE Jabaal Sheard: His consistency and run defense were surprising, his pass rush was not.
6. OLB Chris Gocong: Made good on new contract with solid performance over second half of season.
7. PK Phil Dawson: The Browns' franchise MVP since expansion in 1999.
8. WR-KR Josh Cribbs: There's nobody like him in the entire NFL.
9. C Alex Mack: A quality center who played through appendicitis attack.
10. DT Phil Taylor: Had a good rookie year, but certainly isn't a dominant lineman yet.
11. CB Sheldon Brown: Ten years of answering the bell, 160 games in a row, is quite an achievement.
12. WR Greg Little: Lots of catches (and drops), not a lot of yards.
13. CB Dimitri Patterson: Did he show enough to earn starting job in 2012?
14. OLB Scott Fujita: Injuries cost him 13 games in two years. Sturdy, when healthy.
15. FS Mike Adams: Started 16 games for first time in career at age 30. Led in interceptions.
16. QB Colt McCoy: No bones broken, but confidence and emotions frayed.
17. TE Evan Moore: Career-high 34 catches and four TDs seemed unfulfilling.
18. RB Peyton Hillis: Ten games, nine starts, six controversies, three TDs.
19. P Brad Maynard: A godsend after Reggie Hodges injury. Magnificent holder, too.
20. RB Chris Ogbonnaya: Rescued the running back position for a month. Earned a return engagement.
21. SS Usama Young: Piled up some tackles at the end after a very slow start.
22. TE Ben Watson: Production was down due to three concussions.
23. TE Alex Smith: An underrated player who did a lot of blocking and showed he can catch.
24. DE Brian Schaefering: Solid reserve lineman who shared sack of Big Ben.
25. DT Scott Paxson: Scrappy tackle who got better; made impact in Steelers' game.
26. RG Shawn Lauvao: Established self in second season with 16 starts.
27. RB Montario Hardesty: Worked hard to get back from knee surgery, then tore calf muscle.
28. LG Jason Pinkston: Rushed in after Eric Steinbach injury and held job for 16 games.
29. SS T.J. Ward: Averaged five tackles in first eight games, then missed the last eight with a sprained foot.
30. RT Tony Pashos: The Big Greek played through ankle problems for 12 games. Third straight year with injuries.
31. WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Production decreased for second year in a row.
32. WR Jordan Norwood: Slight receiver can get open, but durability was a concern.
33. DE Jayme Mitchell: Billed as the answer at pass rusher, he had 1.5 sacks in 14 games.
34. OLB Kaluka Maiava: Made six starts after Fujita injury and finished second in special teams tackles.
35. CB Buster Skrine: Fast rookie showed some promise in nickel defenses and on special teams.
36. QB Seneca Wallace: Lost three starts, lowering career record to 6-15.
37. DB Ray Ventrone: Special team core player had only three tackles.
38. LB Titus Brown: Limited to 10 games because of injuries, he notched first career sack against Bengals.
39. SS Eric Hagg: Came back from camp knee injury to gain experience in 10 games.
40. FB Owen Marecic: Laid some licks and took on some as a lead blocker, absorbing two concussions.
41. OT Artis Hicks: Made three starts but couldn't dislodge an obviously hobbled Pashos.
42. DE Emmanuel Stephens: Overtook Mitchell at right end, and then tore a pectoral muscle in his third start.
43. OLB Quentin Spears: Quietly finished fourth with eight special teams tackles.
44. TE Jordan Cameron: Needs to make strides to be tight end of the future.
45. WR Carlton Mitchell: Lengthy wideout finally got on the board with three catches in last two games.
46. LS Christian Yount: Flawless in five games after replacing legend Ryan Pontbriand.
47. DE Auston English: Knee injury limited him after promotion from practice squad.
48. OL Oniel Cousins: Starting right tackle in Game 1; that was his highlight.
49. OG John Greco: Veteran swingman was active for 15 games, but didn't play much.
50. CB James Dockery: Feisty undrafted free agent made team and then got lost in the season.
51. OL Steve Vallos: Lonely job being Alex Mack's backup -- inactive for 15 games.
52. DE Brian Sanford: Active for five games and had five tackles.
53. QB Thaddeus Lewis: Never got in a game to show what Pat Shurmur liked about him.
The following players were unranked due to lack of playing time because of injuries or other reasons: DE Marcus Benard, TE Dan Gronkowski, OLB Ben Jacobs, RB Armond Smith, OLB Brian Smith, OG Eric Steinbach, DT Kiante Tripp, FB Eddie Williams, WR Rod Windsor.
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I think DQ Jackson and Gocong are way overrated here. Combined, those two were responsible for perhaps the biggest weakness on this team: run stoppage.
As far as I was concerned the Browns linebacker corps was worse than the WR corps.
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1. DT Ahtyba Rubin: Relentless, 320-pound hustler who keeps ascending.
2. OT Joe Thomas: As good as he is, he can't score touchdowns.
3. MLB D'Qwell Jackson: Earned our national vote for NFL comeback player of the year.
4. CB Joe Haden: Dropped interceptions and a habit of slipping on breaks were disconcerting.
5. DE Jabaal Sheard: His consistency and run defense were surprising, his pass rush was not.
6. OLB Chris Gocong: Made good on new contract with solid performance over second half of season.
7. PK Phil Dawson: The Browns' franchise MVP since expansion in 1999.
8. WR-KR Josh Cribbs: There's nobody like him in the entire NFL.
9. C Alex Mack: A quality center who played through appendicitis attack.
10. DT Phil Taylor: Had a good rookie year, but certainly isn't a dominant lineman yet.
11. CB Sheldon Brown: Ten years of answering the bell, 160 games in a row, is quite an achievement.
12. WR Greg Little: Lots of catches (and drops), not a lot of yards.
13. CB Dimitri Patterson: Did he show enough to earn starting job in 2012?
14. OLB Scott Fujita: Injuries cost him 13 games in two years. Sturdy, when healthy.
15. FS Mike Adams: Started 16 games for first time in career at age 30. Led in interceptions.
16. QB Colt McCoy: No bones broken, but confidence and emotions frayed.
17. TE Evan Moore: Career-high 34 catches and four TDs seemed unfulfilling.
18. RB Peyton Hillis: Ten games, nine starts, six controversies, three TDs.
19. P Brad Maynard: A godsend after Reggie Hodges injury. Magnificent holder, too.
20. RB Chris Ogbonnaya: Rescued the running back position for a month. Earned a return engagement.
21. SS Usama Young: Piled up some tackles at the end after a very slow start.
22. TE Ben Watson: Production was down due to three concussions.
23. TE Alex Smith: An underrated player who did a lot of blocking and showed he can catch.
24. DE Brian Schaefering: Solid reserve lineman who shared sack of Big Ben.
25. DT Scott Paxson: Scrappy tackle who got better; made impact in Steelers' game.
26. RG Shawn Lauvao: Established self in second season with 16 starts.
27. RB Montario Hardesty: Worked hard to get back from knee surgery, then tore calf muscle.
28. LG Jason Pinkston: Rushed in after Eric Steinbach injury and held job for 16 games.
29. SS T.J. Ward: Averaged five tackles in first eight games, then missed the last eight with a sprained foot.
30. RT Tony Pashos: The Big Greek played through ankle problems for 12 games. Third straight year with injuries.
31. WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Production decreased for second year in a row.
32. WR Jordan Norwood: Slight receiver can get open, but durability was a concern.
33. DE Jayme Mitchell: Billed as the answer at pass rusher, he had 1.5 sacks in 14 games.
34. OLB Kaluka Maiava: Made six starts after Fujita injury and finished second in special teams tackles.
35. CB Buster Skrine: Fast rookie showed some promise in nickel defenses and on special teams.
36. QB Seneca Wallace: Lost three starts, lowering career record to 6-15.
37. DB Ray Ventrone: Special team core player had only three tackles.
38. LB Titus Brown: Limited to 10 games because of injuries, he notched first career sack against Bengals.
39. SS Eric Hagg: Came back from camp knee injury to gain experience in 10 games.
40. FB Owen Marecic: Laid some licks and took on some as a lead blocker, absorbing two concussions.
41. OT Artis Hicks: Made three starts but couldn't dislodge an obviously hobbled Pashos.
42. DE Emmanuel Stephens: Overtook Mitchell at right end, and then tore a pectoral muscle in his third start.
43. OLB Quentin Spears: Quietly finished fourth with eight special teams tackles.
44. TE Jordan Cameron: Needs to make strides to be tight end of the future.
45. WR Carlton Mitchell: Lengthy wideout finally got on the board with three catches in last two games.
46. LS Christian Yount: Flawless in five games after replacing legend Ryan Pontbriand.
47. DE Auston English: Knee injury limited him after promotion from practice squad.
48. OL Oniel Cousins: Starting right tackle in Game 1; that was his highlight.
49. OG John Greco: Veteran swingman was active for 15 games, but didn't play much.
50. CB James Dockery: Feisty undrafted free agent made team and then got lost in the season.
51. OL Steve Vallos: Lonely job being Alex Mack's backup -- inactive for 15 games.
52. DE Brian Sanford: Active for five games and had five tackles.
53. QB Thaddeus Lewis: Never got in a game to show what Pat Shurmur liked about him.
The following players were unranked due to lack of playing time because of injuries or other reasons: DE Marcus Benard, TE Dan Gronkowski, OLB Ben Jacobs, RB Armond Smith, OLB Brian Smith, OG Eric Steinbach, DT Kiante Tripp, FB Eddie Williams, WR Rod Windsor.
c-dawg said:
Highlighted players need up be upgraded in my opinion. At least as starters. I left the back part of the roster alone because that is a crapshoot.
1. DT Ahtyba Rubin: Relentless, 320-pound hustler who keeps ascending.
2. OT Joe Thomas: As good as he is, he can't score touchdowns.
3. MLB D'Qwell Jackson: Earned our national vote for NFL comeback player of the year.
May not need replaced, but his play needs to improve a great deal.
4. CB Joe Haden: Dropped interceptions and a habit of slipping on breaks were disconcerting.
5. DE Jabaal Sheard: His consistency and run defense were surprising, his pass rush was not.
6. OLB Chris Gocong: Made good on new contract with solid performance over second half of season.
7. PK Phil Dawson: The Browns' franchise MVP since expansion in 1999.
8. WR-KR Josh Cribbs: There's nobody like him in the entire NFL.
9. C Alex Mack: A quality center who played through appendicitis attack.
10. DT Phil Taylor: Had a good rookie year, but certainly isn't a dominant lineman yet.
11. CB Sheldon Brown: Ten years of answering the bell, 160 games in a row, is quite an achievement.
12. WR Greg Little: Lots of catches (and drops), not a lot of yards.
OK where he is...as a second receiver. Not as first WR on this list.
13. CB Dimitri Patterson: Did he show enough to earn starting job in 2012?May take his replacement in first round.
14. OLB Scott Fujita: Injuries cost him 13 games in two years. Sturdy, when healthy. IMO, he may be OK as a backup
15. FS Mike Adams: Started 16 games for first time in career at age 30. Led in interceptions.
16. QB Colt McCoy: No bones broken, but confidence and emotions frayed.
17. TE Evan Moore: Career-high 34 catches and four TDs seemed unfulfilling.He needs to be more productive, or Watson needs to reclaim #1 TE spot
18. RB Peyton Hillis: Ten games, nine starts, six controversies, three TDs.
19. P Brad Maynard: A godsend after Reggie Hodges injury. Magnificent holder, too.
20. RB Chris Ogbonnaya: Rescued the running back position for a month. Earned a return engagement. Need more speed at 3rd down back..
21. SS Usama Young: Piled up some tackles at the end after a very slow start. Need TJ Ward back here.
22. TE Ben Watson: Production was down due to three concussions.
23. TE Alex Smith: An underrated player who did a lot of blocking and showed he can catch.
24. DE Brian Schaefering: Solid reserve lineman who shared sack of Big Ben. Reserve is right. We need better opposite Sheard. May get it in draft..
25. DT Scott Paxson: Scrappy tackle who got better; made impact in Steelers' game.
26. RG Shawn Lauvao: Established self in second season with 16 starts.
27. RB Montario Hardesty: Worked hard to get back from knee surgery, then tore calf muscle.
28. LG Jason Pinkston: Rushed in after Eric Steinbach injury and held job for 16 games.
29. SS T.J. Ward: Averaged five tackles in first eight games, then missed the last eight with a sprained foot.
30. RT Tony Pashos: The Big Greek played through ankle problems for 12 games. Third straight year with injuries.
31. WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Production decreased for second year in a row.
32. WR Jordan Norwood: Slight receiver can get open, but durability was a concern.
33. DE Jayme Mitchell: Billed as the answer at pass rusher, he had 1.5 sacks in 14 games.
34. OLB Kaluka Maiava: Made six starts after Fujita injury and finished second in special teams tackles.
35. CB Buster Skrine: Fast rookie showed some promise in nickel defenses and on special teams.
36. QB Seneca Wallace: Lost three starts, lowering career record to 6-15.
37. DB Ray Ventrone: Special team core player had only three tackles.
38. LB Titus Brown: Limited to 10 games because of injuries, he notched first career sack against Bengals.
39. SS Eric Hagg: Came back from camp knee injury to gain experience in 10 games.
40. FB Owen Marecic: Laid some licks and took on some as a lead blocker, absorbing two concussions. Needs to become a force at blocking..
41. OT Artis Hicks: Made three starts but couldn't dislodge an obviously hobbled Pashos.
42. DE Emmanuel Stephens: Overtook Mitchell at right end, and then tore a pectoral muscle in his third start.
43. OLB Quentin Spears: Quietly finished fourth with eight special teams tackles.
44. TE Jordan Cameron: Needs to make strides to be tight end of the future.
45. WR Carlton Mitchell: Lengthy wideout finally got on the board with three catches in last two games.
46. LS Christian Yount: Flawless in five games after replacing legend Ryan Pontbriand.
47. DE Auston English: Knee injury limited him after promotion from practice squad.
48. OL Oniel Cousins: Starting right tackle in Game 1; that was his highlight.
49. OG John Greco: Veteran swingman was active for 15 games, but didn't play much.
50. CB James Dockery: Feisty undrafted free agent made team and then got lost in the season.
51. OL Steve Vallos: Lonely job being Alex Mack's backup -- inactive for 15 games.
52. DE Brian Sanford: Active for five games and had five tackles.
53. QB Thaddeus Lewis: Never got in a game to show what Pat Shurmur liked about him.
The following players were unranked due to lack of playing time because of injuries or other reasons: DE Marcus Benard, TE Dan Gronkowski, OLB Ben Jacobs, RB Armond Smith, OLB Brian Smith, OG Eric Steinbach, DT Kiante Tripp, FB Eddie Williams, WR Rod Windsor.
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I think DQ Jackson and Gocong are way overrated here. Combined, those two were responsible for perhaps the biggest weakness on this team: run stoppage.
As far as I was concerned the Browns linebacker corps was worse than the WR corps.
I think DQ Jackson and Gocong are way overrated here. Combined, those two were responsible for perhaps the biggest weakness on this team: run stoppage.
As far as I was concerned the Browns linebacker corps was worse than the WR corps.
I don't blame DQ for the lack of run D.. isn't the MLB mostly responsible for runs up the middle first? It seems like more of an OLB problem from my point of view.
"The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things " - mike huckabee -
Chris ob. needs replaced? hhhhmmmmm if it weren't for him i don't think hillis comes back healthy. pretty funny as he started to heat up hillis miraculously got healthy
"We are Americans. We don't quit doing something because it's wrong. We just keep doing the wrong thing till it turns out right." Browns maybe the most American Football team ever. -
grossi rates 53 players? man that sports gig in cleveland must be pretty dull right now.
being on the outside looking in i take more out of what mikeyp72's articles on bleacher report than anyone at the cleveland plain dealer. they suck.
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I think DQ Jackson and Gocong are way overrated here. Combined, those two were responsible for perhaps the biggest weakness on this team: run stoppage.
As far as I was concerned the Browns linebacker corps was worse than the WR corps.
I don't blame DQ for the lack of run D.. isn't the MLB mostly responsible for runs up the middle first? It seems like more of an OLB problem from my point of view.
I don't blame DQ for the lack of run D.. isn't the MLB mostly responsible for runs up the middle first? It seems like more of an OLB problem from my point of view.
No. I DO blame him. The job of the DTs is to eat up blocks. I think Rubin and Taylor did their jobs. The job of the MLB is to make the tackles. While DQ made a lot of tackles, too often it was only after he had gotten knocked down...or after he recovered from being out of position. I can't remember how many times I screamed at the TV "Where is our middle linebacker" on running plays up the middle where DQ was nowhere to be found.
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Chris ob. needs replaced? hhhhmmmmm if it weren't for him i don't think hillis comes back healthy. pretty funny as he started to heat up hillis miraculously got healthy
Chris ob. needs replaced? hhhhmmmmm if it weren't for him i don't think hillis comes back healthy. pretty funny as he started to heat up hillis miraculously got healthy
By this I am saying that the Browns, in my opinion, need a Darren Sproles/Dave Megget/Eric Metcalf/Marshall Faulk type scatback to complement Hillis, assuming he stays here. Obiwan may be a good backup RB....but I think of him differently from the change of pace back I describe above. If Hillis is not here, either Obi or Hardesty may have to slip into the starting RB position, fair to say? Unless they decide to get a 'big back' in the draft.
Possibles for the "scatback" position:
LaMichael James Oregon
Cyrus Gray Texas A&M
Jeff Demps Florida
David Wilson Va. Tech
Jermaine Thomas FSU
If Hillis is not here, the Browns may be going for a big back. Here are a few possibles:
Knile Davis 6'0" 235 Arkansa
Montee Ball 5'10" 235 Wisconsin set NCAA record for most TDs in a season
Jason Ford 6'0" 235 Illinois
Jim Brown 6'2" 232 Syracuse
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It's actually depressing to read these ranking when you look at the stats. You could move Hillis to 21 then cut everything on down from there. There are young guys in the top 20 who still have potential but as we all know there is just NO production from anyone!!
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I don't blame DQ for the lack of run D.. isn't the MLB mostly responsible for runs up the middle first? It seems like more of an OLB problem from my point of view.
No. I DO blame him. The job of the DTs is to eat up blocks. I think Rubin and Taylor did their jobs. The job of the MLB is to make the tackles. While DQ made a lot of tackles, too often it was only after he had gotten knocked down...or after he recovered from being out of position. I can't remember how many times I screamed at the TV "Where is our middle linebacker" on running plays up the middle where DQ was nowhere to be found.
No. I DO blame him. The job of the DTs is to eat up blocks. I think Rubin and Taylor did their jobs. The job of the MLB is to make the tackles. While DQ made a lot of tackles, too often it was only after he had gotten knocked down...or after he recovered from being out of position. I can't remember how many times I screamed at the TV "Where is our middle linebacker" on running plays up the middle where DQ was nowhere to be found.
He was out of position because he's having to cover for our awful OLB's. He has to play sideline to sideline as well as the middle because no one else is.
He's not nearly as bad as you think he is, he's actually quite serviceable. He could start for a number of teams in the league.
If you're looking for a Dick Butkus, or a Jack Lambert, or a Mike Singletary youre going to have to keep on looking. Those days of the MLB are gone. In the pass happy league that the NFL has become, MLB's are quickly turning into CB's with a little more bulk, who also have to stop the run and blitz occasionally. Many MLB's are replaced by the nickel back on third down situations; most of the time DQ is still on the field. With little to no help from the OLB'S or DE's generating a rush or setting the edge, DQ has to play their positions as well as his own.
On a basic play call, DE's are supposed to push the pocket and OLB's set the edge and llay contain, in effect funneling the runner back to the middle. When Mitchell shoots straight upfield, and Gocong stunts inside and gets eaten by the guard, that leaves an entire half of the field as DQ's "middle". Or on a stretch when Sheard gets blown up by the tackle and the OLB takes too steep of an angle, DQ has to run flat to clean up the tackle that should have been made by the OLB. Unfortunately that happens on nearly every play. Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
I'm awesome, and I fuck dolphins. Ghoolie 12/2/2012: I have absolutely no skills, training or pride -
No. I DO blame him. The job of the DTs is to eat up blocks. I think Rubin and Taylor did their jobs. The job of the MLB is to make the tackles. While DQ made a lot of tackles, too often it was only after he had gotten knocked down...or after he recovered from being out of position. I can't remember how many times I screamed at the TV "Where is our middle linebacker" on running plays up the middle where DQ was nowhere to be found.
He was out of position because he's having to cover for our awful OLB's. He has to play sideline to sideline as well as the middle because no one else is.
He's not nearly as bad as you think he is, he's actually quite serviceable. He could start for a number of teams in the league.
If you're looking for a Dick Butkus, or a Jack Lambert, or a Mike Singletary youre going to have to keep on looking. Those days of the MLB are gone. In the pass happy league that the NFL has become, MLB's are quickly turning into CB's with a little more bulk, who also have to stop the run and blitz occasionally. Many MLB's are replaced by the nickel back on third down situations; most of the time DQ is still on the field. With little to no help from the OLB'S or DE's generating a rush or setting the edge, DQ has to play their positions as well as his own.
On a basic play call, DE's are supposed to push the pocket and OLB's set the edge and llay contain, in effect funneling the runner back to the middle. When Mitchell shoots straight upfield, and Gocong stunts inside and gets eaten by the guard, that leaves an entire half of the field as DQ's "middle". Or on a stretch when Sheard gets blown up by the tackle and the OLB takes too steep of an angle, DQ has to run flat to clean up the tackle that should have been made by the OLB. Unfortunately that happens on nearly every play. Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
He was out of position because he's having to cover for our awful OLB's. He has to play sideline to sideline as well as the middle because no one else is.
He's not nearly as bad as you think he is, he's actually quite serviceable. He could start for a number of teams in the league.
If you're looking for a Dick Butkus, or a Jack Lambert, or a Mike Singletary youre going to have to keep on looking. Those days of the MLB are gone.
If you are going to be the MLB in the 4-3 those are precisely the sorts of guys you should emulate. There are a few others around the league that certainly have excelled at MLB in the 4-3. Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Patrick Willis. Those guys days are not come and gone. Yea, OK, our OLBs are crap and maybe DQ has to cover them somewhat. But still, he needs to do his job, not theirs..
In the pass happy league that the NFL has become, MLB's are quickly turning into CB's with a little more bulk, who also have to stop the run and blitz occasionally. Many MLB's are replaced by the nickel back on third down situations; most of the time DQ is still on the field. With little to no help from the OLB'S or DE's generating a rush or setting the edge, DQ has to play their positions as well as his own.
On a basic play call, DE's are supposed to push the pocket and OLB's set the edge and llay contain, in effect funneling the runner back to the middle. When Mitchell shoots straight upfield, and Gocong stunts inside and gets eaten by the guard, that leaves an entire half of the field as DQ's "middle". Or on a stretch when Sheard gets blown up by the tackle and the OLB takes too steep of an angle, DQ has to run flat to clean up the tackle that should have been made by the OLB. Unfortunately that happens on nearly every play. Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
OK, I am all for getting better talent around him at OLB and DE. But what I am talking about is stuffing the run up the middle. Too often he is simply out of place or overpowered.
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I wasn't saying he shouldn't emulate them. I'm saying that type of LB isn't needed anymore. Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher Butcher Baker and The Candlestick Maker are great ideallic LBers OC today, and while still are reminiscent of those LBers of old, they are also different.
LB's today are asked to cover more than they are asked to blitz, especially in the 4-3. DQ is a good cover LB, but hes not a slouch in run support either. He's slightly undersized, which helps in coverage but not in run support. It's understandable why he tends to get knocked over on tackles.
With the way the NFL is progressing, the MLB of the future is essentially a hefty nickel back. Pat Willis is a perfect example.
DQ is more geared toward pass coverage than he is toward stopping the run. Unless you have Pat Willis, you're going to have to choose which one means more to you. Even Ray Lewis can't do both.
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I wasn't saying he shouldn't emulate them. I'm saying that type of LB isn't needed anymore. Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher Butcher Baker and The Candlestick Maker are great ideallic LBers OC today, and while still are reminiscent of those LBers of old, they are also different.
LB's today are asked to cover more than they are asked to blitz, especially in the 4-3. DQ is a good cover LB, but hes not a slouch in run support either. He's slightly undersized, which helps in coverage but not in run support. It's understandable why he tends to get knocked over on tackles.
With the way the NFL is progressing, the MLB of the future is essentially a hefty nickel back. Pat Willis is a perfect example.
DQ is more geared toward pass coverage than he is toward stopping the run. Unless you have Pat Willis, you're going to have to choose which one means more to you. Even Ray Lewis can't do both.
I wasn't saying he shouldn't emulate them. I'm saying that type of LB isn't needed anymore. Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher Butcher Baker and The Candlestick Maker are great ideallic LBers OC today, and while still are reminiscent of those LBers of old, they are also different.
LB's today are asked to cover more than they are asked to blitz, especially in the 4-3. DQ is a good cover LB, but hes not a slouch in run support either. He's slightly undersized, which helps in coverage but not in run support. It's understandable why he tends to get knocked over on tackles.
With the way the NFL is progressing, the MLB of the future is essentially a hefty nickel back. Pat Willis is a perfect example.
DQ is more geared toward pass coverage than he is toward stopping the run. Unless you have Pat Willis, you're going to have to choose which one means more to you. Even Ray Lewis can't do both.
Well, from what I see, DQ pass coverage has been worse than his run coverage. All you see are TEs and RBs running over, around, and through DQ.
Again, he may be doing better than his compadres at OLB, but I for one sure do not see the merit behind any accolades this guy has been given.
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No. I DO blame him. The job of the DTs is to eat up blocks. I think Rubin and Taylor did their jobs. The job of the MLB is to make the tackles. While DQ made a lot of tackles, too often it was only after he had gotten knocked down...or after he recovered from being out of position. I can't remember how many times I screamed at the TV "Where is our middle linebacker" on running plays up the middle where DQ was nowhere to be found.
He was out of position because he's having to cover for our awful OLB's. He has to play sideline to sideline as well as the middle because no one else is.
He's not nearly as bad as you think he is, he's actually quite serviceable. He could start for a number of teams in the league.
If you're looking for a Dick Butkus, or a Jack Lambert, or a Mike Singletary youre going to have to keep on looking. Those days of the MLB are gone. In the pass happy league that the NFL has become, MLB's are quickly turning into CB's with a little more bulk, who also have to stop the run and blitz occasionally. Many MLB's are replaced by the nickel back on third down situations; most of the time DQ is still on the field. With little to no help from the OLB'S or DE's generating a rush or setting the edge, DQ has to play their positions as well as his own.
On a basic play call, DE's are supposed to push the pocket and OLB's set the edge and llay contain, in effect funneling the runner back to the middle. When Mitchell shoots straight upfield, and Gocong stunts inside and gets eaten by the guard, that leaves an entire half of the field as DQ's "middle". Or on a stretch when Sheard gets blown up by the tackle and the OLB takes too steep of an angle, DQ has to run flat to clean up the tackle that should have been made by the OLB. Unfortunately that happens on nearly every play. Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
So do you not consider Sheard a "true pass rushing DE?" Or are you just talking about adding a pass rushing RE to complement Sheard? I'm no expert but I felt like Sheard was much better at pass rushing than stopping the run. I agree with needing an OLB or two..
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Chris ob. needs replaced? hhhhmmmmm if it weren't for him i don't think hillis comes back healthy. pretty funny as he started to heat up hillis miraculously got healthy
By this I am saying that the Browns, in my opinion, need a Darren Sproles/Dave Megget/Eric Metcalf/Marshall Faulk type scatback to complement Hillis, assuming he stays here. Obiwan may be a good backup RB....but I think of him differently from the change of pace back I describe above. If Hillis is not here, either Obi or Hardesty may have to slip into the starting RB position, fair to say? Unless they decide to get a 'big back' in the draft.
Possibles for the "scatback" position:
LaMichael James Oregon
Cyrus Gray Texas A&M
Jeff Demps Florida
David Wilson Va. Tech
Jermaine Thomas FSU
If Hillis is not here, the Browns may be going for a big back. Here are a few possibles:
Knile Davis 6'0" 235 Arkansa
Montee Ball 5'10" 235 Wisconsin set NCAA record for most TDs in a season
Jason Ford 6'0" 235 Illinois
Jim Brown 6'2" 232 Syracuse
By this I am saying that the Browns, in my opinion, need a Darren Sproles/Dave Megget/Eric Metcalf/Marshall Faulk type scatback to complement Hillis, assuming he stays here. Obiwan may be a good backup RB....but I think of him differently from the change of pace back I describe above. If Hillis is not here, either Obi or Hardesty may have to slip into the starting RB position, fair to say? Unless they decide to get a 'big back' in the draft.
Possibles for the "scatback" position:
LaMichael James Oregon
Cyrus Gray Texas A&M
Jeff Demps Florida
David Wilson Va. Tech
Jermaine Thomas FSU
If Hillis is not here, the Browns may be going for a big back. Here are a few possibles:
Knile Davis 6'0" 235 Arkansa
Montee Ball 5'10" 235 Wisconsin set NCAA record for most TDs in a season
Jason Ford 6'0" 235 Illinois
Jim Brown 6'2" 232 Syracuse
I believe Montee Ball commited to return to Wis next season.
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Once we get a true pass rushing DE and an OLB or two that can scrape and doesn't shoot upfield, it will allow DQ to play more within his responsibilities, and we'll see a big improvement on where on the field he's making the tackle.
So do you not consider Sheard a "true pass rushing DE?" Or are you just talking about adding a pass rushing RE to complement Sheard? I'm no expert but I felt like Sheard was much better at pass rushing than stopping the run. I agree with needing an OLB or two..
So do you not consider Sheard a "true pass rushing DE?" Or are you just talking about adding a pass rushing RE to complement Sheard? I'm no expert but I felt like Sheard was much better at pass rushing than stopping the run. I agree with needing an OLB or two..
Sheard is more of an all around DE to me. He's good in both aspects, but he just doesn't strike me as a Julius Peppers/Dwight Freeney type pass rusher. I think he's more than solid and will be a staple of our defense for years to come, I just think we need a pure speed DE to put on the right side.
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I wasn't saying he shouldn't emulate them. I'm saying that type of LB isn't needed anymore. Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher Butcher Baker and The Candlestick Maker are great ideallic LBers OC today, and while still are reminiscent of those LBers of old, they are also different.
LB's today are asked to cover more than they are asked to blitz, especially in the 4-3. DQ is a good cover LB, but hes not a slouch in run support either. He's slightly undersized, which helps in coverage but not in run support. It's understandable why he tends to get knocked over on tackles.
With the way the NFL is progressing, the MLB of the future is essentially a hefty nickel back. Pat Willis is a perfect example.
DQ is more geared toward pass coverage than he is toward stopping the run. Unless you have Pat Willis, you're going to have to choose which one means more to you. Even Ray Lewis can't do both.
Well, from what I see, DQ pass coverage has been worse than his run coverage. All you see are TEs and RBs running over, around, and through DQ.
Again, he may be doing better than his compadres at OLB, but I for one sure do not see the merit behind any accolades this guy has been given.
Well, from what I see, DQ pass coverage has been worse than his run coverage. All you see are TEs and RBs running over, around, and through DQ.
Again, he may be doing better than his compadres at OLB, but I for one sure do not see the merit behind any accolades this guy has been given.
Agree to disagree. Not that I listen blindly to the media, but there is a reason he was up for CPOY.
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Well, from what I see, DQ pass coverage has been worse than his run coverage. All you see are TEs and RBs running over, around, and through DQ.
Again, he may be doing better than his compadres at OLB, but I for one sure do not see the merit behind any accolades this guy has been given.
Agree to disagree. Not that I listen blindly to the media, but there is a reason he was up for CPOY.
Agree to disagree. Not that I listen blindly to the media, but there is a reason he was up for CPOY.
And there is a reason the Browns were like 31st against the run....and DQ is a big part of that reason.
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