Halftime
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So, we're not where we hoped we'd be at the Bye. One could argue that we could've easily won two more games...but it wouldn't change what we look like on the field.
Flacco did not do well for us (hindsight, probably due to WR's unable to get separation). It was smart to then go to the rookie, Gabriel, to see what he has to offer. We're somewhere around midway through his evaluation process. I'd envision Sanders getting some starts towards the end of the season to round out the 2025 QB data collection process. That data will be evaluated and used in the 2026 draft decision process. Which will incorporate the 2026 QB draft class evaluation process. ( I'd bet we're drafting one...a tall one I hope )
I've been saying that our WR room is manned by Practice Squad players. ( perhaps it's too harsh, but it gets the idea across ) So let's take a look at Receiver stats for the 1st half of the season. Our two leading receivers BOTH play TE. Our LEADING receiver is a ROOKIE. Of our top six receivers ONLY ONE is a WR. And that WR has been tabbed as a huge disappointment this year...yet he's got twice as many receptions as the next WR on the list. We don't have a WR that averages 3 catches or more per game. - And that's why I refer to the WR room as such.
Receiving
Player REC YDS YDS/REC LNG TDHarold Fannin Jr. 38 352 9.3 24 2
David Njoku 27 260 9.6 23 2
Jerry Jeudy 22 257 11.7 33 0
Jerome Ford 21 76 3.6 17 0
Dylan Sampson 20 133 6.6 14 1
Quinshon Judkins 12 60 5 18 0
Isaiah Bond 11 123 11.2 35 0
Cedric Tillman 11 106 9.6 25 2
Jamari Thrash 10 107 10.7 23 0
Gage Larvadain 2 22 11 14 0
Malachi Corley 2 17 8.5 17 0
Blake Whiteheart 2 4 2 4 0
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So, we're not where we hoped we'd be at the Bye. One could argue that we could've easily won two more games...but it wouldn't change what we look like on the field.
Flacco did not do well for us (hindsight, probably due to WR's unable to get separation). It was smart to then go to the rookie, Gabriel, to see what he has to offer. We're somewhere around midway through his evaluation process. I'd envision Sanders getting some starts towards the end of the season to round out the 2025 QB data collection process. That data will be evaluated and used in the 2026 draft decision process. Which will incorporate the 2026 QB draft class evaluation process. ( I'd bet we're drafting one...a tall one I hope )
I've been saying that our WR room is manned by Practice Squad players. ( perhaps it's too harsh, but it gets the idea across ) So let's take a look at Receiver stats for the 1st half of the season. Our two leading receivers BOTH play TE. Our LEADING receiver is a ROOKIE. Of our top six receivers ONLY ONE is a WR. And that WR has been tabbed as a huge disappointment this year...yet he's got twice as many receptions as the next WR on the list. We don't have a WR that averages 3 catches or more per game. - And that's why I refer to the WR room as such.
Receiving
Player REC YDS YDS/REC LNG TDHarold Fannin Jr. 38 352 9.3 24 2
David Njoku 27 260 9.6 23 2
Jerry Jeudy 22 257 11.7 33 0
Jerome Ford 21 76 3.6 17 0
Dylan Sampson 20 133 6.6 14 1
Quinshon Judkins 12 60 5 18 0
Isaiah Bond 11 123 11.2 35 0
Cedric Tillman 11 106 9.6 25 2
Jamari Thrash 10 107 10.7 23 0
Gage Larvadain 2 22 11 14 0
Malachi Corley 2 17 8.5 17 0
Blake Whiteheart 2 4 2 4 0
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The Jeudy thing is weird. The trade was fine, the contract extension without playing a down was questionable. Let's hope things improve there.
Gabriel, well it really looks like a reach. Hope I'm wrong, but damn you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
Karlis Missed -
The Jeudy thing is weird. The trade was fine, the contract extension without playing a down was questionable. Let's hope things improve there.
Gabriel, well it really looks like a reach. Hope I'm wrong, but damn you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
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The Jeudy thing is weird. The trade was fine, the contract extension without playing a down was questionable. Let's hope things improve there.
Gabriel, well it really looks like a reach. Hope I'm wrong, but damn you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
And I harken back to the words of the wise old sage..."We're not interested in 4 yard runs. We want 13 yard passes." Paul DePodesta. Well, will ya settle for 4 yard passes then?
The hope was that Thrash would become a force in the passing game in his 2nd year. The year isn't over but it doesn't look like he's becoming a force.
Tillman? I forget what he looks like. Oh yeah...Bernie's number...he's a good blocker (for a receiver). Another 2 catches/game guy. Our only full size receiver. 6'3"
Isaiah out on Bond - Another rookie. Had no TC or Preseason with us. ( 2nd leading WR ) Made a nice catch once. Supposed to be fast.
...It's sad because we really need a Travis Henry on the team. But we traded him away because we've got no QB. It's almost a Chicken and the Egg thing in that what good is a QB without half decent receivers...and what good are half decent receivers without a QB. But the reality is that we do have a couple of good pass catching TE's and RB's. The QB actually does come before the egg. So we did the right thing in setting ourselves us up for the April '26 draft with 2 picks for a QB.
Top priorities for the offseason: QB ( if needed...and it's looking that way ), OL, WR. Everything else is several rungs of the ladder below. If we pick a QB towards the top of the draft in April, then EVERY remaining pick should be OL or WR. ( that's what Mike Ditka would do )
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
And I harken back to the words of the wise old sage..."We're not interested in 4 yard runs. We want 13 yard passes." Paul DePodesta. Well, will ya settle for 4 yard passes then?
The hope was that Thrash would become a force in the passing game in his 2nd year. The year isn't over but it doesn't look like he's becoming a force.
Tillman? I forget what he looks like. Oh yeah...Bernie's number...he's a good blocker (for a receiver). Another 2 catches/game guy. Our only full size receiver. 6'3"
Isaiah out on Bond - Another rookie. Had no TC or Preseason with us. ( 2nd leading WR ) Made a nice catch once. Supposed to be fast.
...It's sad because we really need a Travis Henry on the team. But we traded him away because we've got no QB. It's almost a Chicken and the Egg thing in that what good is a QB without half decent receivers...and what good are half decent receivers without a QB. But the reality is that we do have a couple of good pass catching TE's and RB's. The QB actually does come before the egg. So we did the right thing in setting ourselves us up for the April '26 draft with 2 picks for a QB.
Top priorities for the offseason: QB ( if needed...and it's looking that way ), OL, WR. Everything else is several rungs of the ladder below. If we pick a QB towards the top of the draft in April, then EVERY remaining pick should be OL or WR. ( that's what Mike Ditka would do )
And I harken back to the words of the wise old sage..."We're not interested in 4 yard runs. We want 13 yard passes." Paul DePodesta. Well, will ya settle for 4 yard passes then?
The hope was that Thrash would become a force in the passing game in his 2nd year. The year isn't over but it doesn't look like he's becoming a force.
Tillman? I forget what he looks like. Oh yeah...Bernie's number...he's a good blocker (for a receiver). Another 2 catches/game guy. Our only full size receiver. 6'3"
Isaiah out on Bond - Another rookie. Had no TC or Preseason with us. ( 2nd leading WR ) Made a nice catch once. Supposed to be fast.
...It's sad because we really need a Travis Henry on the team. But we traded him away because we've got no QB. It's almost a Chicken and the Egg thing in that what good is a QB without half decent receivers...and what good are half decent receivers without a QB. But the reality is that we do have a couple of good pass catching TE's and RB's. The QB actually does come before the egg. So we did the right thing in setting ourselves us up for the April '26 draft with 2 picks for a QB.
Top priorities for the offseason: QB ( if needed...and it's looking that way ), OL, WR. Everything else is several rungs of the ladder below. If we pick a QB towards the top of the draft in April, then EVERY remaining pick should be OL or WR. ( that's what Mike Ditka would do )
But as we saw with Anthony Schwantz... Fast doesn't always translate to good or great..
Nickers...."There are no old running QB's in the NFL "~Sam Rutigliano~ -
And I harken back to the words of the wise old sage..."We're not interested in 4 yard runs. We want 13 yard passes." Paul DePodesta. Well, will ya settle for 4 yard passes then?
The hope was that Thrash would become a force in the passing game in his 2nd year. The year isn't over but it doesn't look like he's becoming a force.
Tillman? I forget what he looks like. Oh yeah...Bernie's number...he's a good blocker (for a receiver). Another 2 catches/game guy. Our only full size receiver. 6'3"
Isaiah out on Bond - Another rookie. Had no TC or Preseason with us. ( 2nd leading WR ) Made a nice catch once. Supposed to be fast.
...It's sad because we really need a Travis Henry on the team. But we traded him away because we've got no QB. It's almost a Chicken and the Egg thing in that what good is a QB without half decent receivers...and what good are half decent receivers without a QB. But the reality is that we do have a couple of good pass catching TE's and RB's. The QB actually does come before the egg. So we did the right thing in setting ourselves us up for the April '26 draft with 2 picks for a QB.
Top priorities for the offseason: QB ( if needed...and it's looking that way ), OL, WR. Everything else is several rungs of the ladder below. If we pick a QB towards the top of the draft in April, then EVERY remaining pick should be OL or WR. ( that's what Mike Ditka would do )
But as we saw with Anthony Schwantz... Fast doesn't always translate to good or great..
Fast doesn't always translate to good or great..
Right! And being a tall, strong armed QB doesn't always translate to good/great (Derrick Anderson). But having things that can't be taught is a good starting point.
-
Right! And being a tall, strong armed QB doesn't always translate to good/great (Derrick Anderson). But having things that can't be taught is a good starting point.
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
-
Right! And being a tall, strong armed QB doesn't always translate to good/great (Derrick Anderson). But having things that can't be taught is a good starting point.
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
...and next I'll be branded as antifa.
Yes, technically gathering information of any kind for the intended use of analyzing is analytics.
- Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either) -
Except that we needed a QB really badly too. And QB trumps all. (one could argue that THIS QB doesn't trump all...but it did to them). I had heard, post draft, that a couple of teams planned on taking Gabriel before the Browns next pick...but that's here-say.
Being prejudice against midget QB's, I'd like to skip straight to the taller Sanders and see if he's as bad as he looked against the Rams in preseason.
To me, a 5'9" QB is like having a 240 lb jockey.
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
you can't keep throwing 4 yard passes all day.
And I harken back to the words of the wise old sage..."We're not interested in 4 yard runs. We want 13 yard passes." Paul DePodesta. Well, will ya settle for 4 yard passes then?
The hope was that Thrash would become a force in the passing game in his 2nd year. The year isn't over but it doesn't look like he's becoming a force.
Tillman? I forget what he looks like. Oh yeah...Bernie's number...he's a good blocker (for a receiver). Another 2 catches/game guy. Our only full size receiver. 6'3"
Isaiah out on Bond - Another rookie. Had no TC or Preseason with us. ( 2nd leading WR ) Made a nice catch once. Supposed to be fast.
...It's sad because we really need a Travis Henry on the team. But we traded him away because we've got no QB. It's almost a Chicken and the Egg thing in that what good is a QB without half decent receivers...and what good are half decent receivers without a QB. But the reality is that we do have a couple of good pass catching TE's and RB's. The QB actually does come before the egg. So we did the right thing in setting ourselves us up for the April '26 draft with 2 picks for a QB.
Top priorities for the offseason: QB ( if needed...and it's looking that way ), OL, WR. Everything else is several rungs of the ladder below. If we pick a QB towards the top of the draft in April, then EVERY remaining pick should be OL or WR. ( that's what Mike Ditka would do )
-
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
...and next I'll be branded as antifa.
Yes, technically gathering information of any kind for the intended use of analyzing is analytics.
- Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either) -
Except that we needed a QB really badly too. And QB trumps all. (one could argue that THIS QB doesn't trump all...but it did to them). I had heard, post draft, that a couple of teams planned on taking Gabriel before the Browns next pick...but that's here-say.
Being prejudice against midget QB's, I'd like to skip straight to the taller Sanders and see if he's as bad as he looked against the Rams in preseason.
To me, a 5'9" QB is like having a 240 lb jockey.
To me, a 5'9" QB is like having a 240 lb jockey.
? Classic stuff!!!
Any combination of Tackles the Browns currently go with has to make any QB here feel as comfortable as Sadaam Hussein once felt when all he had standing between him and the American troops were two 69 year old security guards...
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Right! And being a tall, strong armed QB doesn't always translate to good/great (Derrick Anderson). But having things that can't be taught is a good starting point.
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
Precisely! Here's a 5th round Tackle (Marcus Mbow) the NYG took this year. He was a RT at Purdue (earlier on he played OG); but he got his 1st opportunity to start at LT. Here's a video of him narrated by Former NFL Offensive Lineman Brian Baldinger:
I welcome the only Defensive Coordinator to earn a Superbowl Ring in New Orleans while understanding Revenge of the Nerds is a sequel. "Come get some!" -
Right! And being a tall, strong armed QB doesn't always translate to good/great (Derrick Anderson). But having things that can't be taught is a good starting point.
And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
Makes perfect sense if you don't know shit about real football. And they don't.
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And as much as people want to yell and scream and throw themselves on the ground and pitch a fit that thinking is analytics.
Taking info/trends and seeing what generally works and what doesn't work.
Taking a 5'9" QB with middling athletic tools in the 3rd round instead of, say, a wide receiver or OLineman on a team that desperately needs them doesn't make sense analytically. (Or in any other sense either)
Precisely! Here's a 5th round Tackle (Marcus Mbow) the NYG took this year. He was a RT at Purdue (earlier on he played OG); but he got his 1st opportunity to start at LT. Here's a video of him narrated by Former NFL Offensive Lineman Brian Baldinger:
Precisely! Here's a 5th round Tackle (Marcus Mbow) the NYG took this year. He was a RT at Purdue (earlier on he played OG); but he got his 1st opportunity to start at LT. Here's a video of him narrated by Former NFL Offensive Lineman Brian Baldinger:
I remember that you wanted him in your mock drafts and that he fell farther than either you or I figured he would, glad to hear he's doing well.
Would've been a good choice for the Browns. I still cannot believe the Browns used a top 100 pick on Gabriel.
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Precisely! Here's a 5th round Tackle (Marcus Mbow) the NYG took this year. He was a RT at Purdue (earlier on he played OG); but he got his 1st opportunity to start at LT. Here's a video of him narrated by Former NFL Offensive Lineman Brian Baldinger:
I remember that you wanted him in your mock drafts and that he fell farther than either you or I figured he would, glad to hear he's doing well.
Would've been a good choice for the Browns. I still cannot believe the Browns used a top 100 pick on Gabriel.
I remember that you wanted him in your mock drafts and that he fell farther than either you or I figured he would, glad to hear he's doing well.
Would've been a good choice for the Browns. I still cannot believe the Browns used a top 100 pick on Gabriel.
My Athlon Draft Guide had him projected for round 3. Unfortunately my wife used my Lindy's Draft Guide as a fly swatter so I can't remember where they had him projected; since she's a lot stronger and tougher than Calfox News - I didn't give her a hard time about it.
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I remember that you wanted him in your mock drafts and that he fell farther than either you or I figured he would, glad to hear he's doing well.
Would've been a good choice for the Browns. I still cannot believe the Browns used a top 100 pick on Gabriel.
My Athlon Draft Guide had him projected for round 3. Unfortunately my wife used my Lindy's Draft Guide as a fly swatter so I can't remember where they had him projected; since she's a lot stronger and tougher than Calfox News - I didn't give her a hard time about it.
My Athlon Draft Guide had him projected for round 3. Unfortunately my wife used my Lindy's Draft Guide as a fly swatter so I can't remember where they had him projected; since she's a lot stronger and tougher Calfox News - I didn't give her a hard time about it.
I just happen to have the Lindy's Draft Guide right here...
They had Marcus Mbow as a 1st/2nd round prospect.
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My Athlon Draft Guide had him projected for round 3. Unfortunately my wife used my Lindy's Draft Guide as a fly swatter so I can't remember where they had him projected; since she's a lot stronger and tougher Calfox News - I didn't give her a hard time about it.
I just happen to have the Lindy's Draft Guide right here...
They had Marcus Mbow as a 1st/2nd round prospect.
I just happen to have the Lindy's Draft Guide right here...
They had Marcus Mbow as a 1st/2nd round prospect.
Yeah, we're on the same page this is the type of talent we needed in the round 3 spot where we drafted the next Doug Flutie instead.
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I just happen to have the Lindy's Draft Guide right here...
They had Marcus Mbow as a 1st/2nd round prospect.
Yeah, we're on the same page this is the type of talent we needed in the round 3 spot where we drafted the next Doug Flutie instead.
Yeah, we're on the same page this is the type of talent we needed in the round 3 spot where we drafted the next Doug Flutie instead.
Whoa! Do you mean Gabriel should be able to drop kick an extra point? Can ya still do that from the 2 yard line?
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
Speaking of winners and losers I thought I'd throw this in there ...............................?.........daughter's novel last year hit #1 on NY Times bestseller list and today her 2nd in the series sold more in the first week than that one did and hit #3 on that list behind new ones by Grisham and Connelly the same day. Abigail Owen's "The Things Gods Break" is not really about the Browns since her heroine is actually a winner.
OK-plug for the book is done. Thanks for listening.?
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Whoa! Do you mean Gabriel should be able to drop kick an extra point? Can ya still do that from the 2 yard line?
? ? Knock it off!
To answer your question though... Not sure - but my guess is Gabriel would have to be able to move like Flutie (and we've seen that's not possible) in order to execute such a thing. Flutie was as agile is it gets not to mention how quick he was (and I'm talking game speed not stop watch). Some stop watch gems that can't see the field well (straight ahead or peripherally) aren't as fast at the speed of NFL Game. Will Gabriel vs Sanders reach the level QB controversy Rob Johnson vs Doug Flutie got to in Buffalo?
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