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What are the chances Greedy turns out?

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  • @icecube said:

    How was Justin Gilbert such a huge bust? He was terrible. 

    Are you asking How...or Why.  The How...you answered....he was terrible.  The why is more of a mystery because he seemed to have the physical talent, but he completely had no heart or head for the game is my only guess. 

    @the-gipper said:

    Are you asking How...or Why.  The How...you answered....he was terrible.  The why is more of a mystery because he seemed to have the physical talent, but he completely had no heart or head for the game is my only guess. 

    BINGO!

    At any level in the game of football, if you want to win/succeed - you better start at the heart. In a game where adversity defines you, if you show up without passion - you earn the negative labels.  I wish I knew how Greedy was going to turn out.  That said, I think we have a very, very underrated corner in Terrance Mitchell that I would like to see be allowed to compete for the starting job. Let's get back to making the better player earn the starting job and we'll be okay with the position.

    There's always going to be someone bigger, stronger and faster than you; so you better know the ways you WILL win.  You only have 60 minutes to get it done; so you better do your research and have a plan.  As an OG, here's the ways I learned I could win consistently:  1) I knew the snap count my opponent didn't so I was 1st to contact 100% of the time. 2) I knew where the play was going so winning the area and position was MY advantage. 3) I was usually shorter than the guy I went against, which very often rewarded me with superior pad height, better leverage and more usage of the legs, hips and lower torso in battle.  What else?  The heart and passion I put into my football days was in my off season weight training and conditioning as well as the countless football camps I went to over the years.

    Why ALL that?   When it's the 4th quarter of a close football game and the Coach calling the plays keeps choosing to run behind you because the opponent can't stop it - there isn't a better feeling in the world.  As I said, I was rarely the biggest guy in my trench wars.  I know David had a sling shot as his plan to beat Goliath.  I didn't have a sling shot but I had the plans that made me confident. Meatball on spaghetti, I knew there wasn't an opponent ready to outwork me especially in the 4th quarter (based on the fitness commitment I put in year round).  I felt that was confidence I deserved so there was no way I would allow anyone to take that away.  Again, when a coach is running the ball up your dumpster and down your opponent's esophagus for all to see - all your passion committed has been rewarded. Even better, when future opponents see this on film - and you close the next games the same way?    You're addicted to the high; but well aware of the reasons you've made it happen while remaining cognizant that it could easily end the second you're satisfied/complacent.  Like anything in life, you only get out of it what you're willing to put into it.  

    Guys like Justine Gilbert and Josh Gordon who were nightmares for their college and pro football staffs to work/deal with - never learned to appreciate the feeling of a great outcome from a strong commitment/work ethic to achieve it.   That said, we've had plenty of guys on the Cleveland Browns with gigantic hearts that left us no other option but to appreciate them.  Brian Sipe was a 13th round draft choice rumored to have the arm strength of a Barbie Doll.  That said, he's the Cleveland Brown I've seen earn the NFL MVP honor.  If you saw what he overcame,  he gave you no choice but to appreciate all of the excitement he orchestrated.  LOVED him and Kosar.  Earnest Byner was a 10th round draft pick (which would be undrafted in today's 7 round draft). He teamed with Kevin Mack to be the only backfield here to have 2 different RBs gain over 1000 yards rushing in the same season for a franchise with a storied tradition of great RBs.  Both guys were also devastating blockers also equipped with reliable hands when needed.  RT Cody Risien made 2 Pro Bowls as a 7th round pick.  Tony (T-Bone) Jones was a very reliable LT from the undrafted ranks that didn't start to get the league-wide cred until he won Superbowls in Denver. ILB/MLB Mike Johnson was only 6'1" and 220 lbs when he played like a bad asss worthy of 2 Pro Bowl honors; and I also liked former Louisville LB Eddie Johnson that hit like a freight train. All these guys were very easy to appreciate as well as the many others I didn't even mention.

  • Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

  • Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

    @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

    Well...the deal with  Motley and Willis was that they were black.....and the NFL, being under the control of people like  George Preston Marshall, an avowed segregationist, would not draft any black players.  

    Also...don't forget Ernest Byner, a 10th round draft pick and a man with great heart for the game. 

  • @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

    Well...the deal with  Motley and Willis was that they were black.....and the NFL, being under the control of people like  George Preston Marshall, an avowed segregationist, would not draft any black players.  

    Also...don't forget Ernest Byner, a 10th round draft pick and a man with great heart for the game. 

    @the-gipper said:

    Well...the deal with  Motley and Willis was that they were black.....and the NFL, being under the control of people like  George Preston Marshall, an avowed segregationist, would not draft any black players.  

    Also...don't forget Ernest Byner, a 10th round draft pick and a man with great heart for the game. 

    I mentioned Earnest Byner in the post before the one you replied to Gips; but I'm glad to see someone else remembering him. 

  • Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

    @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    A much, much different game now.    

  • @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    Marion Motley was undrafted in 1946.  2 pro bowls, led the NFL in rushing in 1950 during our title run, 1940's all-decade team.  He wrote to Paul Brown and asked for a tryout.  His roommate at that tryout was Bill Willis who was also undrafted and whose story you should know.

    Lou Groza was also undrafted in 1946.  He started at OT as well as K from 1948 until someone named Dick Schafrath came along in 1958.  Dick Schafrath was voted to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2007.

    Gene Hickerson was a 7th round OG in 1957 who is in Canton.  6 pro bowls, 1960's all-decade team.  Hickerson was brought onstage during his HoF induction in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly. It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly."

    Browns also drafted the long-time Packers C Frank Winters in the 10th round in 1987.

    Well...the deal with  Motley and Willis was that they were black.....and the NFL, being under the control of people like  George Preston Marshall, an avowed segregationist, would not draft any black players.  

    Also...don't forget Ernest Byner, a 10th round draft pick and a man with great heart for the game. 

    @the-gipper said:

    Well...the deal with  Motley and Willis was that they were black.....and the NFL, being under the control of people like  George Preston Marshall, an avowed segregationist, would not draft any black players.  

    Also...don't forget Ernest Byner, a 10th round draft pick and a man with great heart for the game. 

    Plus Lou Groza I believe was on Okinawa or Iwo Jima when he got a contract offer from Paul Brown, trying to not get his ass shot off. 

  • @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    A much, much different game now.    

    @tiamat63 said:

    A much, much different game now.    

    It wasn't that different, like from the 1940's or something. I think Minn - and Daryl Greene - would still be excellent in today's game. They might even be better, since hitting is all but eliminated and their games were all about quickness and quick twitch reaction and coordination. 

  • @unsympathetic said:

    Frank Minnifield was 5'9 180# and went undrafted in 1983 - a 12-round draft.  He signed with the USFL's Chicago Blitz and had to win a court case to be able to sign with the Browns in 1984.  4 straight Pro Bowls and the NFL's all-decade 1980's team.

    A much, much different game now.    

    @tiamat63 said:

    A much, much different game now.    

    Oh yeah kids are on the radar in high school and going to camps before going to the NFL minor leagues..... college.  The NFL draft is now a year long activity.

    And the stakes are enormous no professional players have off-season jobs anymore.

  • @tiamat63 said:

    A much, much different game now.    

    Oh yeah kids are on the radar in high school and going to camps before going to the NFL minor leagues..... college.  The NFL draft is now a year long activity.

    And the stakes are enormous no professional players have off-season jobs anymore.

    @mjp28 said:

    Oh yeah kids are on the radar in high school and going to camps before going to the NFL minor leagues..... college.  The NFL draft is now a year long activity.

    And the stakes are enormous no professional players have off-season jobs anymore.

    Yep, times have changed. An old favorite of mine, Browns' safety Don Fleming, was electrocuted in the early 1960's working his off season construction job.

    Mike

  •  ILB/MLB Mike Johnson was only 6'1" and 220 lbs when he played like a bad asss worthy of 2 Pro Bowl honors; and I also liked former Louisville LB Eddie Johnson that hit like a freight train. All these guys were very easy to appreciate as well as the many others I didn't even mention.

    Great post Flug! and i got the best at the end...

    If we have any Newbie Brownies fans? If ya never saw Johnson & Johnson play? find them on youtube ? 2 grown ass men and Eddie was a 7th round pick & Mike earned his way from the USFL....2 no-neck's with Heart & passion for the game..        

  •  ILB/MLB Mike Johnson was only 6'1" and 220 lbs when he played like a bad asss worthy of 2 Pro Bowl honors; and I also liked former Louisville LB Eddie Johnson that hit like a freight train. All these guys were very easy to appreciate as well as the many others I didn't even mention.

    Great post Flug! and i got the best at the end...

    If we have any Newbie Brownies fans? If ya never saw Johnson & Johnson play? find them on youtube ? 2 grown ass men and Eddie was a 7th round pick & Mike earned his way from the USFL....2 no-neck's with Heart & passion for the game..        

    @gumby73 said:

    Great post Flug! and i got the best at the end...

    If we have any Newbie Brownies fans? If ya never saw Johnson & Johnson play? find them on youtube ? 2 grown ass men and Eddie was a 7th round pick & Mike earned his way from the USFL....2 no-neck's with Heart & passion for the game..        

    Browns problem is that the really, really have not had quality  Linebacker play since those two guys. 

    We have had just 2 LBs make the Pro Bowl since 1999:   Joe Schobert in 2018, and Jamir Miller in 2002.     And we lost both of them almost immediately:   Schobert gone in Free agency;  Jamir Miller lost to injury the next year. 

    Prior to 1999 back to 1960 here is the list of Browns Pro Bowl LBs:

    1995  Pepper Johnson

    1990 Mike Johnson

    1989 Clay Matthews

    1988 Clay

    1987  Chip Banks

    1986  Clay   and Chip

    1984  Chip

    1983  Chip

    1971  Jim Houston

    1970  Houston  

    1966 Houston

    1965 Houston

    1959 to 1963  Jim Ray Smith

  • @mjp28 said:

    Oh yeah kids are on the radar in high school and going to camps before going to the NFL minor leagues..... college.  The NFL draft is now a year long activity.

    And the stakes are enormous no professional players have off-season jobs anymore.

    Yep, times have changed. An old favorite of mine, Browns' safety Don Fleming, was electrocuted in the early 1960's working his off season construction job.

    Mike

    @canton-mike said:

    Yep, times have changed. An old favorite of mine, Browns' safety Don Fleming, was electrocuted in the early 1960's working his off season construction job.

    Mike

    Yep.  They all had jobs.  Dante Lavelli had a furniture store, maybe in Rocky River or Lakewood.  I think Rocky River.

    They were all selling cars or beer, or driving cabs.

  • @tiamat63 said:

    A much, much different game now.    

    It wasn't that different, like from the 1940's or something. I think Minn - and Daryl Greene - would still be excellent in today's game. They might even be better, since hitting is all but eliminated and their games were all about quickness and quick twitch reaction and coordination. 

    @icecube said:

    It wasn't that different, like from the 1940's or something. I think Minn - and Daryl Greene - would still be excellent in today's game. They might even be better, since hitting is all but eliminated and their games were all about quickness and quick twitch reaction and coordination. 

    I liked Minnifield a lot!  That said, he got away with a lot of touchy-feeley downfield until anytime we played the Denver Broncos.  Today's game feels like there's a lot more BIG WRs that can all jet.  Not there weren't a few big WRs like Harold Carmichael and Dave Logan back in the day.  Big speedster Calvin Johnson wasn't drafted until AFTER Minnifield retired.  And now it feels like there's a lot of WRs over 6'3" today.

    One of my favorite Corners at Ohio State was the 5'9" Antoine Winfield (mostly because of what a great open field tackler he was on top of being a very talented in zone or coverage).   I don't know how old some of you guys are; but 1 guy he could NOT matchup with BECAUSE of the size was Michigan State's Plexico Burress.  Ohio State blew a huge first half lead (28-6) because they couldn't find a way to help Winfield in the matchup. 5'9" vrs 6'6" despite the shorter guy being faster and more agile.  Now you add the wing span/catch radius to Burress' height advantage; and it didn't even matter if Winfield was a 2 time All American talent.  If memory serves me right, Burress was never really a speedster even before he shot himself in the leg.  Having said that, he still beat NE for a game winning TD reception in the SB after the incident unless my time machine had too much beer in it. Now imagine being a 5'9" corner when a 6'4" Randy Moss showed up to the NFL with blazing speed, gigantic catch radius and an ideal vertical leap.  And guess where Minnesota used to like to line Randy up when Cris Carter lined up as a WR on 1 side and the 6'3" Jake Reed on the other?  In the slot, where teams often put their smaller corners at the time.  There was nothing fair about that, which was why Minnesota exploited the Hell out of it....

    Today, you have guys that range anywhere from 6'3"-6'6" like AJ Green, Mike Evans, D.K. Metcalf, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Allen Robinson II, Michael Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Courtland Sutton, Tyrell Williams,  Kenny Gollady, DJ Chark Jr, Chris Conley, Devin Funchess, DeVante Parker, Robby Anderson - just to name a hand full...

  • @gumby73 said:

    Great post Flug! and i got the best at the end...

    If we have any Newbie Brownies fans? If ya never saw Johnson & Johnson play? find them on youtube ? 2 grown ass men and Eddie was a 7th round pick & Mike earned his way from the USFL....2 no-neck's with Heart & passion for the game..        

    Browns problem is that the really, really have not had quality  Linebacker play since those two guys. 

    We have had just 2 LBs make the Pro Bowl since 1999:   Joe Schobert in 2018, and Jamir Miller in 2002.     And we lost both of them almost immediately:   Schobert gone in Free agency;  Jamir Miller lost to injury the next year. 

    Prior to 1999 back to 1960 here is the list of Browns Pro Bowl LBs:

    1995  Pepper Johnson

    1990 Mike Johnson

    1989 Clay Matthews

    1988 Clay

    1987  Chip Banks

    1986  Clay   and Chip

    1984  Chip

    1983  Chip

    1971  Jim Houston

    1970  Houston  

    1966 Houston

    1965 Houston

    1959 to 1963  Jim Ray Smith

    @the-gipper said:

    Browns problem is that the really, really have not had quality  Linebacker play since those two guys. 

    We have had just 2 LBs make the Pro Bowl since 1999:   Joe Schobert in 2018, and Jamir Miller in 2002.     And we lost both of them almost immediately:   Schobert gone in Free agency;  Jamir Miller lost to injury the next year. 

    Prior to 1999 back to 1960 here is the list of Browns Pro Bowl LBs:

    1995  Pepper Johnson

    1990 Mike Johnson

    1989 Clay Matthews

    1988 Clay

    1987  Chip Banks

    1986  Clay   and Chip

    1984  Chip

    1983  Chip

    1971  Jim Houston

    1970  Houston  

    1966 Houston

    1965 Houston

    1959 to 1963  Jim Ray Smith

    Thanks for the list Gips. 1 update to it.  Mike Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 89 and 90.  He was also an All Pro in 89.

  • @the-gipper said:

    Browns problem is that the really, really have not had quality  Linebacker play since those two guys. 

    We have had just 2 LBs make the Pro Bowl since 1999:   Joe Schobert in 2018, and Jamir Miller in 2002.     And we lost both of them almost immediately:   Schobert gone in Free agency;  Jamir Miller lost to injury the next year. 

    Prior to 1999 back to 1960 here is the list of Browns Pro Bowl LBs:

    1995  Pepper Johnson

    1990 Mike Johnson

    1989 Clay Matthews

    1988 Clay

    1987  Chip Banks

    1986  Clay   and Chip

    1984  Chip

    1983  Chip

    1971  Jim Houston

    1970  Houston  

    1966 Houston

    1965 Houston

    1959 to 1963  Jim Ray Smith

    Thanks for the list Gips. 1 update to it.  Mike Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 89 and 90.  He was also an All Pro in 89.

    @flugel said:

    Thanks for the list Gips. 1 update to it.  Mike Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 89 and 90.  He was also an All Pro in 89.

    I must have missed that one....or my source did.   I just checked Wikipedia. 

  • @flugel said:

    Thanks for the list Gips. 1 update to it.  Mike Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 89 and 90.  He was also an All Pro in 89.

    I must have missed that one....or my source did.   I just checked Wikipedia. 

    @the-gipper said:

    I must have missed that one....or my source did.   I just checked Wikipedia. 

    This is a cut and paste right out of Wikipedia

    Mike Johnson
    No. 59
    Position: Linebacker
    Personal information
    Born: November 26, 1962 (age 57)
    Southport, North Carolina
    Career information
    High school: DeMatha Catholic
    (Hyattsville, Maryland)
    College: Virginia Tech
    Career history
    Career highlights and awards
  • @icecube said:

    It wasn't that different, like from the 1940's or something. I think Minn - and Daryl Greene - would still be excellent in today's game. They might even be better, since hitting is all but eliminated and their games were all about quickness and quick twitch reaction and coordination. 

    I liked Minnifield a lot!  That said, he got away with a lot of touchy-feeley downfield until anytime we played the Denver Broncos.  Today's game feels like there's a lot more BIG WRs that can all jet.  Not there weren't a few big WRs like Harold Carmichael and Dave Logan back in the day.  Big speedster Calvin Johnson wasn't drafted until AFTER Minnifield retired.  And now it feels like there's a lot of WRs over 6'3" today.

    One of my favorite Corners at Ohio State was the 5'9" Antoine Winfield (mostly because of what a great open field tackler he was on top of being a very talented in zone or coverage).   I don't know how old some of you guys are; but 1 guy he could NOT matchup with BECAUSE of the size was Michigan State's Plexico Burress.  Ohio State blew a huge first half lead (28-6) because they couldn't find a way to help Winfield in the matchup. 5'9" vrs 6'6" despite the shorter guy being faster and more agile.  Now you add the wing span/catch radius to Burress' height advantage; and it didn't even matter if Winfield was a 2 time All American talent.  If memory serves me right, Burress was never really a speedster even before he shot himself in the leg.  Having said that, he still beat NE for a game winning TD reception in the SB after the incident unless my time machine had too much beer in it. Now imagine being a 5'9" corner when a 6'4" Randy Moss showed up to the NFL with blazing speed, gigantic catch radius and an ideal vertical leap.  And guess where Minnesota used to like to line Randy up when Cris Carter lined up as a WR on 1 side and the 6'3" Jake Reed on the other?  In the slot, where teams often put their smaller corners at the time.  There was nothing fair about that, which was why Minnesota exploited the Hell out of it....

    Today, you have guys that range anywhere from 6'3"-6'6" like AJ Green, Mike Evans, D.K. Metcalf, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Allen Robinson II, Michael Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Courtland Sutton, Tyrell Williams,  Kenny Gollady, DJ Chark Jr, Chris Conley, Devin Funchess, DeVante Parker, Robby Anderson - just to name a hand full...

    @flugel said:

    Today, you have guys that range anywhere from 6'3"-6'6" like AJ Green, Mike Evans, D.K. Metcalf, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Allen Robinson II, Michael Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Courtland Sutton, Tyrell Williams,  Kenny Gollady, DJ Chark Jr, Chris Conley, Devin Funchess, DeVante Parker, Robby Anderson - just to name a hand full...

    That being said, the best WR in recent years was 5-10 Antonio Brown (before he went insane). He smoked all those fools. 

  • @flugel said:

    Today, you have guys that range anywhere from 6'3"-6'6" like AJ Green, Mike Evans, D.K. Metcalf, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Allen Robinson II, Michael Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Courtland Sutton, Tyrell Williams,  Kenny Gollady, DJ Chark Jr, Chris Conley, Devin Funchess, DeVante Parker, Robby Anderson - just to name a hand full...

    That being said, the best WR in recent years was 5-10 Antonio Brown (before he went insane). He smoked all those fools. 

    @icecube said:

    That being said, the best WR in recent years was 5-10 Antonio Brown (before he went insane).

    1 exception to the rule doesn't mean teams are wrong for wanting corners bigger than 5'9" tall today.  Will there be an exception to the rule?  Isn't there always?   However, secondaries have to defend a lot of size with speed and catch radius on the perimeter today.  For example, Pittsburgh just drafted a big, fast WR out of Notre Dame (Chase Claypool) built like a TE at 6'4" for the reasons I spoke of.  I say that to say this, Pittsburgh drafted Claypool in the 2nd round while they didn't draft Antonio Brown until round 6.   

  • @icecube said:

    That being said, the best WR in recent years was 5-10 Antonio Brown (before he went insane).

    1 exception to the rule doesn't mean teams are wrong for wanting corners bigger than 5'9" tall today.  Will there be an exception to the rule?  Isn't there always?   However, secondaries have to defend a lot of size with speed and catch radius on the perimeter today.  For example, Pittsburgh just drafted a big, fast WR out of Notre Dame (Chase Claypool) built like a TE at 6'4" for the reasons I spoke of.  I say that to say this, Pittsburgh drafted Claypool in the 2nd round while they didn't draft Antonio Brown until round 6.   

    @flugel said:

    1 exception to the rule doesn't mean teams are wrong for wanting corners bigger than 5'9" tall today.  Will there be an exception to the rule?  Isn't there always?   However, secondaries have to defend a lot of size with speed and catch radius on the perimeter today.  For example, Pittsburgh just drafted a big, fast WR out of Notre Dame (Chase Claypool) built like a TE at 6'4" for the reasons I spoke of.  I say that to say this, Pittsburgh drafted Claypool in the 2nd round while they didn't draft Antonio Brown until round 6.   

    Claypool is not only 6-4, 240, but he runs a 4.42 forty. That's a scary combination. Think a bigger, faster Shannon Sharpe. 

    My point with AB is that you STILL don't need to be tall to be really good. 

  • @flugel said:

    1 exception to the rule doesn't mean teams are wrong for wanting corners bigger than 5'9" tall today.  Will there be an exception to the rule?  Isn't there always?   However, secondaries have to defend a lot of size with speed and catch radius on the perimeter today.  For example, Pittsburgh just drafted a big, fast WR out of Notre Dame (Chase Claypool) built like a TE at 6'4" for the reasons I spoke of.  I say that to say this, Pittsburgh drafted Claypool in the 2nd round while they didn't draft Antonio Brown until round 6.   

    Claypool is not only 6-4, 240, but he runs a 4.42 forty. That's a scary combination. Think a bigger, faster Shannon Sharpe. 

    My point with AB is that you STILL don't need to be tall to be really good. 

    @icecube said:

    Claypool is not only 6-4, 240, but he runs a 4.42 forty. That's a scary combination. Think a bigger, faster Shannon Sharpe. 

    My point with AB is that you STILL don't need to be tall to be really good. 

    Isn't that about the same as Peeps?  (looking at this...not quite....but not that far off.  Claypool seems more Tight End. 

    Donovan Peoples-Jones NFL Combine Stats

    Wide Receiver | Michigan | Big Ten Conference | Division I-FBS

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    Player Info

    First Name: Donovan
    Last Name: Peoples-Jones
    Nickname:  
    Position: Wide Receiver
    College: Michigan
    Draft Class: 2020
    Draft Age: N/A

    Measurables

    Height: 74 inches
    Weight: 208 pounds
    BMI: 27.35
    Arm Length: 33.50 inches
    Hand Size: 10.13 inches
    Wingspan: 79.250 inches
    Birthdate: (N/A)

    NFL Combine Scores

    40 Yard Dash: 4.48 seconds
    40 Yard (MPH): 18.26 (MPH)
    20 Yard Split: 2.63 seconds
    10 Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
    Bench Press: (N/A) reps (225 lb)
    Wonderlic: (N/A) (0-50)
    QB Ball Velocity: (N/A) (MPH)
    Vertical Leap: 44.5 inches
    Broad Jump: (N/A) inches
    20 Yd Shuttle: (N/A) seconds
    Three Cone: (N/A) seconds
    Shuttle Split: (N/A) seconds
    60 Yd Shuttle: (N/A) seconds
    Four Square: (N/A) seconds