Skip to content

Rookie Evaluation Through First 6 Games...?

The Browns Board
11 10 794
  • What do u guys like/dislike about the rookies so far?

  • Richardson can definitely score and has a crazy high ceiling but he definitely needs to start doing more north/south running rather than dancing around. Needs to throw some better blocks too.

    Weeden is starting to settle in and make better decisions but he and our coaches need to put together more good drives. I'm ok with not scoring every time we touch the ball but we need to see more first downs picked up and longer drives put together. You get 3-5 first downs and have to punt you're usually gonna pin the other team within their twenty, I want to see more of that. The 3rd down plays are killing me too. We are so bad on 3rd down and it really hasn't gotten better.

    Benjamin showed flashes of what he could be, a fast outside threat but he's small and we may see a lot of injuries out of him.

    Gordon has big play potential but needs to run good routes every time and become a receiver who we can go to 10-12 times a game and move the chains/make the big plays.

    Schwartz isn't that impressive.

    JMJ is still living off of his preseason hype, he's coming off of an injury but I want to see him start making plays.

    Wynn might be our most impressive rookie, because he is a crazy value as a 6th round pick. He will provide a great rotational lineman.

    Hughes is meh, I'd like to see more out of him. He needs to start helping the DE's by getting deep in the pocket.

    All in all, I like where the rookies are going but all of them are far from proven.

  • What do u guys like/dislike about the rookies so far?

    @brownsfan1980 said:

    What do u guys like/dislike about the rookies so far?

    Primarily, I like the fact that many of them are getting experience in game situations.

    The sorry part is that we have to rely on so many rookies. It shows how some of the Browns previous drafts were crapola.

    Eventually, I think it is entirely possible that the Browns could have 4 Pro Bowlers from this rookie class just on offense: Weeden/TR/Gordon/The Schwartz. And maybe a couple on defense. Winn primarily.

  • I'd say as a whole, they are playing quite well.

    Richardson is playing great. Weeden is looking pretty solid as well. Schwartz is hard to gauge, but seems to be settling in. The problem with judging a O-lineman as a fan is you usually see when he screws up but don't notice when he does well unless you are keying in on him or go back and watch film.

    Winnand Hughes have been solid....JMJ is playing well....Fort as well.

  • Richardson - has been as advertised. Would like a little less dancing, but he is trying to make things happen so thatss fine.

    Weeden - Other than week 1, he has been playing pretty good in reality.

    Schwartz - Like mentioned earlier it's tough to gauge an OL. I can say I wanted Bobby Massie, and he has been terrible for the Cardinals so far...

    Hughes - Been better than I expected. Actually between him and Winn, they have done a great job filling in for Phil Taylor

    Benjamin - We have seen some of his big play potential. Like him so far, but has to try to keep from being hurt

    James Michael-Johnson - has been hurt, but I have liked what I've seen thus far

    Winn - potentially the best value pick of ours. Has been great. Was actually one of my favorite picks at the time

    Gordon - We are seeing why we used a (probabl) high second round pick on this kid. Already had two long TDs, so we see the big play threat. He also has the size and athletic ability to be a redzone threat. Could be a monster as he gets more and more involved.

  • Ranking the rookies:

    #1 - Winn - has played solid, and will be great for us moving forward.

    #2 - Richardson - scores TDs. Something this team has been lacking for years out of the run game (sans Hillis's one good season)

    #3 - Schwartz - Has played excellent for a rookie. He has gone against some of the better pass rushers and has barely made mistakes. He will only get better.

    #4 - Gordon - Hasn't made too many catches, but has shown that he is a legit #1 based on his athleticism.

    #5 - Weeden - progressing each week. Has a cannon of an arm and isn't afraid to throw the ball down the field.

    #6 - Hughes - Has played well for a rookie. Provides solid depth, and should continue to improve.

    #7 - Benjamin - Haven't seen him enough, but his speed and hands are something to look forward to seeing more of.

    #8 - Bademosi - Has really played well on ST, especially kick coverage

    #9 - JMJ - Has barely played, but seems to have talent.

    #10 - Fort - Played great week 1. Need to see more of him

    #11 - Cooper - Only has 2 catches, but appears to be a good security blanket for Weeden moving forward... useful

    #12 - Kitchen - has played well in limited time

    #13 - Wade - Not showing much. Needs to get better if he wants to stay on this team after the season is over.

    #14 - Miller - haven't seen him. Which is good b/c our 5 lineman have started every game together and have played almost every snap.

    #15 - Carder - hasn't played

    #16 - Gipson - Has been hurt, and did not play well in limited time.

  • ^ Didnt Tank Carder have a big penalty a couple of weeks ago?

  • ^ Didnt Tank Carder have a big penalty a couple of weeks ago?

    @clevelandbigdawg said:

    ^ Didnt Tank Carder have a big penalty a couple of weeks ago?

    Yep. Carder jumped offside on a punt, giving the Giants a 1st down & KILLING any chance we had of a miracle finish.

    Mike

  • I would like to add I think Shwartz has been pretty damn solid last two weeks, no sacks allowed I think, he has been pretty solid, gotten much better since begining of year.

  • Richardson has a high ceiling. He can be very Barry Sanders like. I'm jealous. He just needs a good team around him.

  • 37 Bademosi, Johnson DB 6-0 200 22 R Stanford

    C - solid ST play.... 6 solo tackles

    80 Benjamin, Travis WR 5-10 175 22 R Miami (Fla.)

    B+ - just started to show WR skills before injured

    94 Carder, Tank LB 6-2 235 23 R Texas Christian

    D - non-factor thus far

    88 Cooper, Josh WR 5-10 190 23 R Oklahoma State

    Incomplete (I) - good 1st impression; clear that has BW's trust; not clear that he has the skills to separate at NFL level.

    58 Fort, L.J. LB 6-0 230 22 R Northern Iowa

    C- - great 1st game impression at OLB undone by bad showing at MLB in relief of injured DQJ. Has had impact on Special Teams...

    39 Gipson, Tashaun DB 5-11 205 22 R Wyoming

    C- - decent Special Team contributor who is (so far) in over his head on D...

    13 Gordon, Josh WR 6-3 225 21 R Baylor

    B+ - has rediscovered his "feel for the game"; destined to be our new #1 WR

    93 Hughes, John DT 6-2 320 24 R Cincinnati

    B - has not quite justified his 3rd Rnd status, but has played well and I'm not seeing lack fo effort that was the knock against him coming out of UC...

    50 Johnson, James-Michael LB 6-1 240 23 R Nevada

    I - good 1st game; then hurt...

    67 Kitchen, Ishmaa'ily DL 6-1 330 24 R Kent State

    I - Had to look him up... Has three solos... I think I remember one...

    60 Miller, Ryan OL 6-7 320 23 R Colorado

    Who? Thank God we don't know who...

    33 Richardson, Trent RB 5-9 230 22 R Alabama

    C+ - Started hurt (knee)... then rounded into form; now hurt again...

    72 Schwartz, Mitchell OL 6-5 320 23 R California

    B+ - Was not a fan of this pick, and still not vs who we could have drafted, but the kid has impressed me. Few mental errors... good pass block technique (combination of punching rusher's pads while chop stepping on decent feet)... Not the road grader he was billed to be, but will get stronger.

    26 Wade, Trevin DB 5-10 190 23 R Arizona

    F - Surprisingly low contribution from player often seen on field... seen getting burned...

    3 Weeden, Brandon QB 6-3 220 29 R Oklahoma State

    C+ - Considering he was a solid F after three weeks, I think C+ is a good grade. Has clearly developed in 3 of the 7 QB areas where he needed more than a little improvement. I wasn't a fan of the pick (especially at 22)... and I'm not yet a fan of the player... but I am willing to learn...

    90 Winn, Billy DL 6-4 295 23 R Boise State

    A+ - and an easy A+ at that... High motor is one of those intangibles that sometimes elevate an "OK" player to impact status... Billy is one of those guys... I loved the pick... I love the player...

    @king-ghoolie-lives said:

    Let me be partially specific, but note, this is a nice topic because for once, we can actually point to plays being made on the field and a team that is starting to look like an actual team.

    No secret, I am high on Weeden and Richardon. Haden is the shit and I think he is elevating the play fo the othr DBs. My prediction is THREE Luck Interceptions Sunday.

    More like... 'Let me be mostly off topic..."

    Pretty sure Ghoulie is aware that Haden is not a rookie... despite evidence to the contrary...