As part of his transition from the Washington Redskins to the Browns, Shanahan plans to “evaluate everybody” on the roster and then, figuring out what the team is strongest at before identifying what system he wants to utilize.

“That’s my job to do that, do that as best as I can and give an honest opinion,” Shanahan said. “You work hard, you look at a lot of tape and you give them your true, honest opinion. Then, the people that make those decisions decide off that.

“There’s lots of ways you can win in this game. There’s lots of ways to move the ball, lots of ways to score touchdowns. Everybody does it differently. I’ve been a coordinator for six years, played with seven different quarterbacks, and each guy’s been a little bit different.

“The main thing is, you’ve got to be able to adjust. You’ve got to put in a scheme that is flexible and you’ve got to do what your quarterback is best at. You don’t need a certain type of quarterback. You just need a good quarterback.”

In studying quarterback Robert Griffin III after Washington drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Shanahan learned that running an adjusted version of the shotgun formation, known as the pistol, was beneficial for the entire offense.

“What the pistol gives you is the threat of the zone read,” Shanahan said. “It doesn’t mean you have to run the zone read out of it, but you can run the rest of your offense out of the pistol, where you can’t always in shotgun.

“The great thing for us was we ran everything we have always done. It just happened to be that you could run the zone read out of it. You want that threat and it makes the defense account for another person on the field.”

Shanahan learned the ability to tailor a system toward the players’ strengths from his father, Mike, the former head coach of the Denver Broncos and Washington. The elder Shanahan was known for the zone-blocking scheme where several players, whether they were first-round picks or late-round selections, became 1,000-yard rushers.

“You want to get the best O-linemen possible,” Shanahan said. “You want guys who can come off the ball, guys who can run numbers-to-numbers, but you want those guys as big as possible while they’ve still got some quickness, reach people and create space for a back.

“You’re not always looking for a home run. It’d be nice to just keep feeding a guy, feeding a guy. I just want a consistent running game where you’re never getting into third-and-longs, always trying to be in a manageable down-and-distance where the defense can never really tee off on run or pass. It’s really tough to block those guys when they know what you’re doing.”

despite everyone saying we have this great offensive line we still haven't been able to run the ball. it seems to me that shanahan sees that as a priority and you have to admit our right side is shit. does that mean we draft one of the 2 top tackles? i personally hope not. but i do think (after reading this) that they'll be looking at guard within the first 3 picks.

@clevfan4life said:

There are so many freakin' Mocks out there, I just don't want to dig through them all.

Pretty sure I read something about how Pettine would use him (not strictly ILB, but sometimes playing that position) - moving him around, pretty much what they'd do with Khalil Mack.

Who would of ever though we'd have too many Pass Rushing OLB's

@jafbf said:

no dude, OLB...not ILB. No one in their right mind would try to make him an ILB...he wouldn't do it anyway. They've talked about him moving to OLB spot. Use him like we use Sheard and Kruger. Which I think at least is where he'd shine. That's why I'm not gonna be pissed if we somehow end up with him...I think he'd displace either Sheard or Kruger in a year.

Saw a comment referencing Pettine that he said his phone has been ringing off the hook in regards to trades/players.

This Draft is sounding like there's potential for a lot of movement all over the place.

Counter to this :

Mayock: "I'm not sure you want to go up and get anybody in this draft. Can't give up picks."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000345919/article/2014-nfl-draft-nuggets-from-nfl-media-analyst-mike-mayock?campaign=Twitter_mayock

@miktoxic said:

if mack is there at 4 (which i doubt) then the only reason we WOULDN"T pick him is the FO is going to draft a QB then.

That would be a mortal sin even in the eyes of SuperPope Francis...

@bummie said:

I'll have to read on Faulk. I was never big into the draft or following the ins and outs of team activity until this year. Will be interesting to see how that plays out. You heard any news on him?

Fully recovered cleared to go. 6'6" 330 pounder that's a bit heavy footed. Supposed to be getting snaps at RG but can fill in at RT in a pinch. Either he or fragel should push for a job.

@clevfan4life said:

I think I've actually seen this in a lot of places, even some Mock Drafts from the Media pundits threw it in the comments.

This of course, is all justification for the Browns taking him, which I don't think is going to happen.

@jafbf said:

who did ever talk about making Clowney an ILB? please tell me not someone here? If we draft Mack at 4 that's who we're going to groom to play inside with Dansby even though there will be a lot of downs where we line him up at OLB to take advantage of his pass rush. Mack may not be an every down OLB in the NFL. To do that he'd have to put on more weight to be able to hold up the run...which is something I'm not sure we'd want him to do. We have good run stoppers on the edge with Kruger and Sheard who will funnel the run game into Dansby and Mack....I like that scenario. Than on passing downs we can get creative with Mack. I really think this is who we should take if the kid is smart and has the potential to be a field general.

@miktoxic said:

Vontae....errr Khalil Mack. No matter what.

@tour2ma said:

I agree, ILB I think is the higher need of these two positions, and also that there don't seem to be a lot of great ones available.

Clowney's a OLB/DL, likely will be gone, and it'd be a waste making him a ILB.

Mosley will be probably be gone, unless we do some type of trade deal (Dallas/Detroit?).

Shazier is another OLB, he's a bit light, but then again so is Mingo.

Looking at Shazier's Combine numbers, he'd make a good CB

@scdawg82 said:

Were we watching the same Team the last 7 games (more really) of the Season ?

@tour2ma said:

I agree on both counts. I think going after him later than #35 is iffy. I would also like to see another 2nd rounder, but don't want to part with any of our 3rd & 4th rounders. Possibly trade a current DL or OLB (I really believe we MAY get Mack at 4) plus maybe a late pick for another #2?? Who knows? Certainly not me.

Once again......."We'll see".

Mike

@clevfan4life said:

if mack is there at 4 (which i doubt) then the only reason we WOULDN"T pick him is the FO is going to draft a QB then.

simple as that.

@bummie said:

Weren't we saying this about Chris Faulk a year ago? He was a first round prospect entering his final year, tore his leg (not sure which part) and then went undrafted. We picked him up, red-shirted him and now he's ready to go.

@tour2ma said:

I'm with ya here. Acquiring a second 2nd rounder, without trading down in the first, could very well be the difference between a good and great draft. Could be done by giving up both 3rds (then moving both 4ths to get back into the 3rd) or by a combination of our 3a, 4a, and something like 6 or 7. I personally prefer the latter, and all the better if it means we can grab a QB to groom, and a WR, CB, ILB, and OG with day one starting potential by 3b.

@miktoxic said:

i think someone will actually draft the kid thomas, torn ACL or not.

Agree... I would tab Brandon as high as with one of our 6th round picks even if we land Xavier.

@scdawg82 said:

Yeah, (Borland's) the guy. I was really impressed with him. Scouts probably knock his speed, but Carolina is a d@^% fast program and he did great!

They knock his speed and size, but you have to love his motor. He's just the kind of spark plug that can ignite a D...

@tiott said:

Which one of these two positions should be adress first ? Which one is the most important right now for the Browns ?

QB, corner and wide receiver are the biggest needs of this team. But where should they go after ?

Give me your thoughs

I think impact ILBs are scarcer in this draft, but the choice order absolutely depends upon the way the draft falls. While I think ILB is the more important position, that would not influence my draft order.

And I do not wait until after our perceived QB, WR and CB "needs" are all met before I address other positions.

Xavier Sua-Filo-dough is my OG of choice and could fall as low as our #3 in Rnd 2.

My problem is my ILB of choice, Chris Borland, won't last until the Rnd 3.

I really see a "need" to add a 2nd-2nd-round pick around the #15-20 range. If we do not, then the first half of Day 2 is going to include a very, very long wait while we watch nearly all of the significant 2014 talent roll off the board.

@tiott said:

BPA

Mike

@scdawg82 said:

you mean borland?