Starting Lineups... And Maybe Mingo?

calfoxwc

Apparently, Sheard is progressing dramatically....? From Rotoworld:

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The Browns have thus far been "extremely pleased" with Jabaal Sheard's conversion from defensive end to outside linebacker.

"If the season opened tomorrow," Sheard and Paul Kruger would be Cleveland's starting outside 'backers with Barkevious Mingo and Quentin Groves coming off the bench. We still wouldn't rule out a pre-Week 1 trade involving Sheard if Mingo proves capable of playing all three downs in training camp. For now, though, the Browns look awfully deep at a crucial position in their new 3-4 defense.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

calfoxwc

This defense will kick ass all season. The depth is amazing, compared to most years previously for the Browns. I think.

Looking at it...I hope the ILb's stay healthy.....

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L Defensive End

D. Bryant

B. Winn

B. Sanford

D. Kruger

Nose Tackle

P. Taylor

I. Kitchen

R Defensive End

A. Rubin

J. Hughes

H. Davis

A. Bryant

L Outside Linebacker

P. Kruger

Q. Groves

J. Johnson

J. Staples

L Inside Linebacker

D. Jackson

T. Carder

T. Smith

R Inside Linebacker

C. Robertson

L. Fort

A. Moten

R Outside Linebacker

B. Mingo

J. Sheard

K. Adams

L Cornerback

J. Haden

C. Owens

J. Aubrey

Strong Safety

T. Ward

J. Slaughter

K. Richardson

Free Safety

T. Gipson

J. Bademosi

K. Walker

R Cornerback

L. McFadden

B. Skrine

T. Wade

Shep

Depth at pass rusher is great, but I can't imagine Sheard wanting to stay if he eventually loses his spot to Mingo, especially on passing downs. Sacks equal money.

For me, the exciting part is getting all three on the field. But my gut says one of two things have to happen: Either Sheard starts and plays great and our very high draft pick doesn't seen the field enough to pay out on the investment... or Sheard packs his bags for free agency and a 4-3.

For this year, I totally agree that it's a good kind of problem. But if Sheard's the guy feeling cranky, I'm trying to get something for him before his deal is up.

I should say: I like Sheard. I think he can play in a 3-4. He's a good athlete and he did well at OLB drills at that year's Combine and it's fairly well-known that the Steelers intended to draft him if he made it that far in round 2. The issue is that neither Kruger nor Sheard have nearly the ROLB upside of Mingo and you sure as heck hope he becomes a special player there. In other words, the best case is that Kruger and Mingo are the long-term starters... and Sheard won't stay here as a backup.

Shep

Oh, and the ideal pass rush formation puts Mingo and Kruger in two-points and Bryant, Taylor, and Sheard between them. That's gonna be bothersome.

Canton Mike

@calfoxwc said:

This defense will kick ass all season. The depth is amazing, compared to most years previously for the Browns. I think.

Looking at it...I hope the ILb's stay healthy.....

**********************************************

L Defensive End

D. Bryant

B. Winn

B. Sanford

D. Kruger

Nose Tackle

P. Taylor

I. Kitchen

R Defensive End

A. Rubin

J. Hughes

H. Davis

A. Bryant

L Outside Linebacker

P. Kruger

Q. Groves

J. Johnson

J. Staples

L Inside Linebacker

D. Jackson

T. Carder

T. Smith

R Inside Linebacker

C. Robertson

L. Fort

A. Moten

R Outside Linebacker

B. Mingo

J. Sheard

K. Adams

L Cornerback

J. Haden

C. Owens

J. Aubrey

Strong Safety

T. Ward

J. Slaughter

K. Richardson

Free Safety

T. Gipson

J. Bademosi

K. Walker

R Cornerback

L. McFadden

B. Skrine

T. Wade

Cal,

You're my buddy & we often agree, but 35 of a 53 man roster on defense, then a kicker & long snapper? Hmm, that leaves 16 on offense....Please post THAT depth chart. Snicker, snicker.

PS: I'm just pullin' your chain a bit.

Mike

Shep

It keeps hitting me: Literally the ONLY part of this roster that disturbs me is that we have nothing but 5'9.5" corners, even if I do like McFadden, Skrine, and Owens. I don't have any problem at FS with Gipson, Bademosi, and Slaughter. The best of those three will be pretty damn good or get replaced.

Maybe Bademosi plays some corner, too. Sure as hell fast enough (4.39).

calfoxwc

Cal,

You're my buddy & we often agree, but 35 of a 53 man roster on defense, then a kicker & long snapper? Hmm, that leaves 16 on offense....Please post THAT depth chart. Snicker, snicker.

PS: I'm just pullin' your chain a bit.

Mike

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A few of them won't make the team...but I note your asstute observation, pal.

Unsympathetic

If Mingo shows he can handle all 3 downs, move Sheard to ILB to keep the best players on the field.

thenew23

@unsympathetic said:
If Mingo shows he can handle all 3 downs, move Sheard to ILB to keep the best players on the field.

That my friend... makes no sense...

Shep

Read an update that Kerry Rhodes is still unemployed. Rated by someone as 4th best safety in football last year. I'm a bit surprised unless he wants a lot of years (that would backburner Gipson/Bademosi/Slaughter too much). You'd think he'd be thrilled with a one-year deal.