Adhering to Seattle's plan

Tim Couch Pulls Out

Something I've been working on on and off for the past day...

A lot of people on here are disillusioned with the top quarterbacks in this year's draft and, no doubt egged on by Grossi's recent article, are calling for us to take a later round QB, a la Seattle.

Disregarding the fact that it wasn't an overnight success and that it took Seattle three full seasons under Carroll to earn the Lombardi trophy, I've decided to condense Carroll's three year plan in Seattle into one offseason for the Cleveland Browns.

Carroll inherited an aging roster middled with mediocre talent and, over the next three years, drafted 11 players that would either start or see significant playing time in the Seahawks 2013 Super Bowl season.

Carroll's plan, as it seems, was to build the offense from the inside out while fielding a physical defense complete with physical corners, pass rushing specialists and elite safeties.

2010- 6^th overall- OT Russell Okung

2010- 14^th overall- S Earl Thomas

2010- 60^th overall- WR Golden Tate

2010- 111^th overall- CB Walter Thurmond III

2010 - 133^rd overall- SS Kam Chancellor

2011- 25^th overall- OT James Carpenter

2011 - 99^th overall- LB K.J. Wright

2011 - 154^th overall- CB Richard Sherman

2011- 242^nd overall- LB Malcolm Smith

2012- 15^th overall- LB/DE Bruce Irvin

2012- 47^th overall- LB Bobby Wagner

2012- 75^th overall- QB Russell Wilson

Eight of Seattle's main eleven defensive players were taken in the past four years, only two of which in the first round.

Carroll built a solid defense and a strong offensive line through the draft and used free agency to add offensive weapons such as Marshawn Lynch, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Zach Miller.

Adhering as closely as possible to Carroll's mindset and keeping in mind the players we do currently have, I've mocked the Cleveland Browns draft and free agent acquisitions for the upcoming season.

4^th overall- S Haha Clinton-Dix

26^th overall- OT David Yankey

35^th overall- CB Louchiez Purifoy

71^st overall- LB Christian Jones

83^rd overall- QB Tajh Boyd

102^nd overall- CB Dontae Johnson

123^rd overall- LB Khairi Fortt

133^rd overall- FB Ryan Hewitt

164^th overall- G/C Alex Bullard

195^th overall- WR Jalen Saunders

FA acquisitions- Ben Tate, Jeremy Maclin

Resign Mack, franchise Ward.

Little should be flexed inside to TE2 on 5-6 plays a game. This can create some solid mismatches if he can prove to be even an average blocker on max pro plays.

Clinton-Dix may be the closest thing to Earl Thomas in this draft, making his name as an athletic, roving ball-hawk for the Crimson Tide. Paired across from Ward, they might be the best safety tandem that isn't named Thomas and Chancellor.

Yankey would provide Cleveland with a bookend right tackle opposite LT Joe Thomas, similar to Seattle taking Russell Okung and James Carpenter in consecutive years.

Purifoy is a decent sized, athletic corner in a similar mold as Walter Thurmond III. At 6'0 and running a 4.45 40-yard dash, Purifoy would be a solid #2 CB opposite Joe Haden.

Christian Jones could be a very good pick for the Browns, in the same mold as Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner. Jones is much larger than Wagner, measuring in at 6'4, but possesses many of the same qualities as Wagner. Both are versatile athletes able to play inside and outside, both have great lateral movement and both are solid open field tacklers.

Boyd is the closest thing to Russell Wilson in this draft class. Both are considered undersized by conventional standards. Boyd struggled against South Carolina this season and had an abysmal Senior Bowl performance but still possesses the ability to be a solid NFL quarterback with the right coaching. Boyd has similar athletic traits as Wilson and improved his decision making throughout the 2013 NCAA season. Disregarding his Senior Bowl performance, Boyd's ball placement is slightly above average, normally hitting his receivers in stride and showing an ability to routinely hit receivers where only they can make the catch. Boyd has been streaky, to say the least, but his skill set matches up the closest with Wilson's in this draft class.

Johnson is a very solid pick in the later rounds. A large, physical defender, Johnson played at linebacker, safety and corner for the Wolfpack throughout his career. Johnson is a pick that could see playing time at nickel corner and on special teams and possibly develop into a starting corner.

Fortt surprised nearly everyone by declaring for the draft at the conclusion of this season. Most analysts believe he should have stayed, but Fortt could prove to work his way into a starting roster with a few offseasons under his belt.

Hewitt is an athletic fullback that can be a day one starter. He's proficient in every aspect of the game, able to block, receive and run effectively.

Bullard is an athletic interior lineman that may fit very well into a zone blocking scheme. A good depth pick, Bullard can play at either guard position or at center.

Saunders is a smaller, scatback receiver in the same mold as Percy Harvin. A depth player at best.

This would give us a defensive depth chart (in a base 3-4) of:

LDE- Rubin

DT- Taylor

RDE- Bryant

LOLB- Sheard/ Kruger

ILB- Jones/ Fortt

ILB- Jackson/ Fortt

ROLB- Mingo/ Groves

CB1- Haden

CB2- Purifoy

SS- Ward

FS- Clinton-Dix

Nickel- Skrine/Johnson

and an offensive depth chart of:

QB- Hoyer/ Boyd

RB- Tate/ Lewis

FB- Hewitt

LT- Thomas

LG-Greco

C-Mack

RG- Bullard

RT-Yankey

TE1-Cameron

TE2-Little

WR1-Gordon

WR2- Maclin

Boyd won't have to have the team put on his shoulders. As many love to point out, quarterback Russell Wilson was not a high draft pick. Wilson was taken in the third round, at 75^th overall, refuting the claim that a team needs a high draft pick at the figurehead position in order to find success in the NFL. What people don't acknowledge, however, is that Wilson wasn't Seattle's first choice at quarterback.

One of Carroll's first orders of business in Seattle was to sign former Vikings starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to a two-year deal. After posting a less than stellar season, Carroll then focused his attention on former Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn to a three year contract worth $20 million. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle QB depth chart featured Flynn as the heir apparent and Jackson as the backup. Russell Wilson was taken as a value pick in the third round and only proved to win the starting job in training camp.

Now this isn't necessarily my perfect mock. This is just what things might look like if we adhered as closely to Seattle's "plan" as possible.

Bob806

That's quite a bit to digest there TCPO, but I hear you.

I'd like to see us pick up a stud MLB with pick #26. The middle of our defense is a big big hole, especially on 3rd down & long.

I don't have any clue on the pick at #4. I think we all believe it will be an offensive player, either a QB or Watkins. I really don't care what they do, just don't trade any picks please....5 in the first 83 should help us turn this team around.

The Gipper

I think you are basically saying what several others of us have said: Build up that quality TEAM. Just don't be reliant on a single star at a single position, like QB to save your day.

There is a lot of value to what you propose.

And I guess the fallback position you could take it: build it the way I describe, and then next year, perhaps, we will be in position to get a Winston or Mariota....but hopefully not.

Tim Couch Pulls Out

@the-gipper said:

I think you are basically saying what several others of us have said: Build up that quality TEAM. Just don't be reliant on a single star at a single position, like QB to save your day.

There is a lot of value to what you propose.

And I guess the fallback position you could take it: build it the way I describe, and then next year, perhaps, we will be in position to get a Winston or Mariota....but hopefully not.

It's not just the team overall, it's the way the team is built. Seattle didn't take high wide receivers. They didn't take high running backs. They didn't take first round corners. They didn't take first round guards. They invested high picks in their tackles, front 7 and a ball hawking free safety, and then supplemented the skill positions via free agency.

The Gipper

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:
It's not just the team overall, it's the way the team is built. Seattle didn't take high wide receivers. They didn't take high running backs. They didn't take first round corners. They didn't take first round guards. They invested high picks in their tackles, front 7 and a ball hawking free safety, and then supplemented the skill positions via free agency.

OK, sure, that is one approach, obviously. I suppose there are other ways.

I am sure in the not too distant past a team that won the SB invested their first rounders in QBs/RBs/WRs. So that method has undoubtedly worked also.

A lot of people here would disagree that the Browns should not take one of the QBs at #4 or alternatively a Sammy Watkins.

But I don't have a problem doing it your way. Any way that wins is what I want.

The Browns have tried every different way, and it ain't worked yet.

Tim Couch Pulls Out

@the-gipper said:

OK, sure, that is one approach, obviously. I suppose there are other ways.

I am sure in the not too distant past a team that won the SB invested their first rounders in QBs/RBs/WRs. So that method has undoubtedly worked also.

A lot of people here would disagree that the Browns should not take one of the QBs at #4 or alternatively a Sammy Watkins.

But I don't have a problem doing it your way. Any way that wins is what I want.

The Browns have tried every different way, and it ain't worked yet.

It's not my way.

I was just showing a possibility in accordance to Seattle's recent philosophy.

I'm going to try San Fran next.

nickers

taj boyd is caca...no thanks,,rather take a shot on Garapollo

VaporTrail

Swap Clowney for Dix and Garoppolo for Boyd and I'm on board.

jcam222

Great thread for discussion. I wouldn't mind this approach at all. There are some small changes I would make based on my preferences but overall if Cleveland pursued this draft model I would be fine with it. I would love to see us pick up Matt Hazel WR Coastal Carolina and QB Jeff Matthews as unsigned FA's as well. For the draft a couple small differences for me.

Another alternate scenario close to this for me would be picking up Byrd in free agency and using that number 4 for either OT Matthews or DE Clowney in that order for whichever is available.

Also question for you. Is a FB key in Shanahans run game?

4^th overall- S Haha Clinton-Dix
26^th overall- OT David Yankey
35^th overall- CB Louchiez Purifoy
71^st overall- LB Christian Jones (I think I like Skov a little more if he is still on the board)
83^rd overall- QB Tajh Boyd (strongly prefer Garoppolo, Mettenberger or McCarron in that order)
102^nd overall- CB Dontae Johnson
123^rd overall- LB Khairi Fortt
133^rd overall- FB Ryan Hewitt
164^th overall- G/C Alex Bullard
195^th overall- WR Jalen Saunders

Remarker

A top 10 defense, play maker TEs, 2 RBs (a Harvin type and a fast bulldozer), pad the WRs, a read/option friendly, fearless, border line bullet proof QB that hardly ever throws INTs and win 8-10+ games this next season with a serious plunge into the playoffs the following season.

miktoxic

makes total sense to me.

i might even wait for QB until next year and take a tall WR in place of boyd or RB there.

Rock

Interesting concept, and I am still digesting the info.......I thought David Yankey played at guard, you would play him at tackle huh??

D Bone

@vaportrail said:
Swap Clowney for Dix and Garoppolo for Boyd and I'm on board.

Same

miktoxic

@walterwhite said:

The one thing this team needs on both sides:

SPEED, SPEED, SPEED.

We need a FAST #2WR, RB, MLB, FS

i agree. so does that mean you are willing to give up on JF?

PoeticG

Fuck Seattle. We need to be us, don't worry about what they are doing, do us. We're close. We need a fucking QB, not some late round hopeful. Wilson isn't that good, he's gotten by because of a good run game, Lynch and a monster Defense.

We've got nearly a complete defense. We need a #2 CB, a #2 ILB, a RB, a QB, and a #2 WR. We get that this draft(which is doable, and I've even mapped it out) we are in the playoffs next year. Add in no Lombardi or Banner, add in a competent Farmer and a stern HC in Pet and we might even close in on that division title.

Tim Couch Pulls Out

@walterwhite said:

Teams who try to imitate others games plans always lose and never succeed at it.

Seattle hit the jackpot on so many mid-late round picks it would be nearly impossible to imitate.

How about we build OUR OWN team and identity and have others follow that? Tired of being 2 steps behind.

People that try to model after New England, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Seattle have always failed miserably.

If you were to read the whole post, you'd see that I wasn't advocating for us to do this.

I'm presenting a blueprint similar to what Seattle did in response to the people claiming we should emulate them.

These picks are similar picks to Seattle's over the last three years. Similar in scouting reports, player physicality, and overall philosophy. It's not my wish list. It's very different from my wish list.

I'm also working on one similar to San Fran's philosophy and one similar to Washington's.

These are just guided hypotheticals to cut through the multitude of random-fire mock drafts by everyone.

hoorta

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

If you were to read the whole post, you'd see that I wasn't advocating for us to do this.

I'm also working on one similar to San Fran's philosophy and one similar to Washington's.

These are just guided hypotheticals to cut through the multitude of random-fire mock drafts by everyone.

Washingtons? LOL, very simple spend three firsts and a second on a qb that blows out an ACL. go from playoff team to the dumper in one year. Screwed for many more. Don't think the Redskins could use Clowney or Watkins? My curiosity says- how often has the give up the ranch ever worked?

Tim Couch Pulls Out

@hoorta said:

Washingtons? LOL, very simple spend three firsts and a second on a qb that blows out an ACL. go from playoff team to the dumper in one year. Screwed for many more. Don't think the Redskins could use Clowney or Watkins? My curiosity says- how often has the give up the ranch ever worked?

Yeah, that's basically what it is. Trading up and playing the FA market.

miktoxic

yeah don't waste your time on doing research for that team that is going nowhere.

Remarker

@POG

You're correct. Wilson's not that good. But that's the point.

If I'm choosing between Peyton, Brady, Brees or any of the other 'pocket only', fragile QBs and Wilson, I'm choosing Wilson. To ignore the advantage of having some 'read/option, defense disruptor' plays in the offensive arsenal this day and time is shortsighted.

In so far as emulating Seattle is concerned, it's not so much copying them as it is learning what their formula for success is and putting together pieces of the puzzle that best suits the Browns.

It is clear that the QB position is just one of the puzzle pieces. Even if a early first round QB is taken it would be wise to let him marinate at least a season before throwing him on the fire.

Edit:

I think the 9ers could have beaten the Broncs. Besides, I'm tired of watching boring 'pass or run' football. I want a QB that has some play action skills and will truck 'em if he has to.