@d-bone said:

CB Georgia, First Round, 9th Pick?? Stopped reading after this seeing this "fact"

Haha hilarious! Ya I'll chalk that up to constantly re-writing this article about 100 times. Anyway, I'm on board with supporting whoever we get, but when it is my opinion that we could have chosen more appropriately then of course I'm going to voice that opinion. The fact of the matter is that he has the worst QBR and passer rating of all FBS QB when blitzed, is small, and runs way too often rather than checking down or even seeing the open receivers. Sure if he fixes these things he'll be an elite QB. This is the same prospect as having Weeden fix everything that was wrong with his game. They each do one thing well - one athletic and one has a big arm. And that's the other point - Manziel's arm is average at best. Not like people blitz often in the AFC North or you need a decent arm to overcome the wind or anything.

Check out my draft analysis and see if you agree. Manziel lovers steer clear, all others come here and get some silver linings!

http://clevedog.blogspot.com/2014/05/browns-draft-analysis-after-ive-cooled.html

Let me know what you think.

So the Browns are going to re-sign. Here is why:

http://clevedog.blogspot.com/2014/04/browns-should-match-jax-offer-for-alex.html

And there are links in there with references to the report this morning on Bleacher Report saying the same. Enjoy!

Another great point. Can't argue with that! Wins are all that matters. #SuperBowl

Great points. Don't think they would do it to make him think he's important but they may to keep him busy and Farmer may do this as a screen. As for his relationship with Hoyer I doubt Hoyer would care, all the great QBs don't care as long as it doesn't become a problem for the team. That's where I see the risk though. Team may not respond well to perception that Hoyer is being thrown under the boss even if it was a setup.

@sisky-fringo said:

wow! extensive rant based upon a lot of speculation imho clevedog. THIS~>

"Since that's obviously not the case, then not only is it now clear that Gordon is making things up - for whatever reason - but he's throwing his current, and likely future, QB under the RTA-Rapid. I'm not sure there is any possible scenario under the sun where you can salvage any positive from this. Even in the event that a new QB is drafted and somehow starts over Hoyer, Gordon still comes off badly"

too eatly to take such a knee jerk and literal stance having not considered a smoke screen/inside job. and its not like Gordon and Hoyer don't know one another. if Gordon is actually flame baiting, i'd bet Hoyer is probably in on it.

Ya the thought did occur to me and I sincerely hope that you are right. However considering how little contact the players have been allowed to have with staff and considering how much trouble they'd get in if caught I'd be really surprised. Plus they're probably not getting read in to all THAT seriously by other teams so I assume the team wouldn't think the risk was worth it. If you're right, farmer and Pettine deserve pro bowl berths.

@miktoxic said:

wish i was smart enough to start my own blog.

nice husky tho.

what's your twatter account?

Hey thanks! He's an akita though . My twitter is AkitaKid

I'm a bit put off by Gordon's recent media touring so I wrote up an article with my thoughts about it - let me know what you think. Add me on Twitter if you want too, @AkitaKid

Thanks!

http://clevedog.blogspot.com/2014/04/gordon-needs-to-button-up.html

@vaportrail said:

I just spent the afternoon watching his games against Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma, VT, A&M, and this guy looks like the safest pick at QB. Why is he considered a 3rd rounder? The one thing that sets him apart from everyone else (Carr, JimmyG, Teddy, Bortles, JFF) is how he reacts to pressure. He recognizes the point of attack, continues to go through his reads as he steps up into the pocket, and finds the holes in the defense.

McCarron doesn't have the best arm, the best size, nor the best mobility, but his ability to remain calm under pressure is unmatched by any of the other QB prospects this year. His style of play isn't flashy, but he minimizes bad decisions and puts his team in position to win. He's the most well-rounded of the QB prospects and above-average in all categories except for mobility. I think this guy is comparable to Matt Ryan, so why isn't the media crazy about him?

http://clevedog.blogspot.com/2014/03/mock-draft-10.html

Some of us are fans

@remarker said:

A fun read Clevedog. Good points on the merits.

Re: Gordon

Every WR in the NFL wants their team to have QB depth so they can pick the one that throws them the ball the best and the most. Not necessarily in that order.

No experts think he has as good a chance as others to avoid injury and pick up the intangibles of the game. However, I definitely am surprised by his weight - watching the combine and reading various articles I was sure he was listed well under 190. So that's a bit surprising to me. However, that doesn't change the fact that his style of play will have to change drastically since he is much less of a pocket passer than Wilson was in college and than Brees is in the NFL. That being said, I'm against taking ANY QB 4th overall period as that's the definition of "forcing" it. This is widely regarded as a down year for QBs and the Browns are in the position of having the luxury of waiting until 26th pick at the earliest to take a QB. Bridgwater is also considered "frail" for whatever reason by the way - just repeating what I've heard said over and over by experts. I am opposed to them more because I don't think any of them are any good. I'd be much happier seeing Mettenberger or McCarron taken later in the draft personally and loading up the roster with other positional needs instead.

Saying that worrying about injuries is wrong is a little puzzling - some players are injury prone, and some are more frail than others. Not taking that into account is tantamount to shooting yourself in the foot.

They're obviously taking a QB in the draft, I just don't think it will be at #4. The consensus is that this is a down year for QBs. And the old "short doesn't mean anything" is the silliest logic in the world. Russel Wilson is a LOT heavier and sturdier than Manziel and doesn't take hits at the rate Manziel does. Drew Brees? He's a pocket passer. Manziel isn't and never will be. He's a scrambling QB. To be a scrambling QB at 5'11 175 is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You can't survive in the NFL like that. Every single analyst says that. And the ones who say he is still worth picking ALL base that on the fact that they think he can change his game 180 degrees and become a pocket passer who doesn't scramble and take hits. Unlikely.

Totally agree with all these posts. Exactly what I was hoping to convey with this post. Hoyer will get his shot, if he's cut out for it he'll hold on the job and everyone, including Pettine and Farmer will be all the happier for it. It's really the best case scenario. And they will no doubt draft a QB, but I don't think it will be with the 4th pick. They'll draft someone to develop and secretly hope they won't have to push him into service early because that would mean Hoyer is playing well (which he will)!

Just threw up an article in an attempt to try to glean something out of the smokescreens the Browns are throwing up left and right:

http://clevedog.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-defensive-lean.html

Let me know what you think! I was personally really disappointed with Gordon's comments - not because I don't want a QB either, but because even if we do draft one and he knows for a fact we are going to, he just smacked Hoyer in the face - not good.

Great reply! So my thinking on this is Shazier doesn't fit either position and shouldn't be drafted! However he obviously will get drafted and he is too small to play OLB in 3-4 and not ideal for either position in 4-3. He will either go to a 4-3 OLB or ILB or he will go to a 3-4 ILB. Not sure which but my suspicion obviously is that if the Browns fill the WR need at 4 and he is available they may draft him for depth and to replace dansby in a year.

Really good data though. I love data.

Absolutely. No doubt the injury is a risk but assuming the drafted Watkins at 4 I think he'll be the best player available at 26 other than receivers or corners. QBs that I wouldn't mind drafting (Carr McCarron garappolo) will all either be gone (carr) or available later in the draft. Corner is particularly deep so I don't mind waiting to Draft one and that leaves Shazier. Again injury is a risk, but it was with t rich too (bad pick for other reasons) etc.

As for Roby I obviously can't prove it, nor can anyone on either side, but gambling corners live feast or famine often. This is what I believe happened with Roby and with good coaching it won't continue. That and osu defensive schemes hurt as well. That's just the thought. Won't know until we or someone else drafts him and we see how he develops of course.

@harry-buffalo said:

One of Shaziers biggest weaknesses is his ability to stuff the run and you want to put him at MLB? He is the perfect size for a blitzing 4-3 OLB, but he would not only be terrible as a MLB in any scheme, but likely out a bunch from injuries. Don't try to put a square peg into a round hole and try to tell me its a triangle.

He's too small to be an OLB, period. They're 6'3+ 240+. Not 6'1 225. He's MLB size. If Mingo is too small to play OLB how is Shazier perfect size? How are there this many people that think OLB in the NFL are 6'1-6'2 225? At any rate, he's good at stopping the run, actually great at it - what he struggled with mostly was playing the run.

Stuffing the run - making the play when in position

Playing the run - reading the play and putting yourself in position to make the play

Like Roby, I believe most of his struggle was due to OSU's terrible defensive schemes. I could be wrong, but I'm not the only one who thinks this either.

@miktoxic said:

if we draft mack this thread is moot.

if not there are 3 other LBs that'll be @26 that i like better than shazier.

i like the bucs too. only root for ohio teams and they are on the top of the list. doesn't mean i automatically think they have the best pro prospects that the cleveland browns MUST draft, unless they do. hyde, shazier and roby are all going to land on an NFL roster. doesn't mean it will be the browns roster.

if this is your wish scenario, fine. we'll just know how to judge you and your opinions.

clevedog meet PoG. PoG meet clevedog.

I'm not aware of three LB's between Mack and Shazier, nor are any of the professional analysts out there. Also, I think I laid out a pretty good case for why each pick was in the place it was and never based any of the decisions on the guys being Buckeyes - that's just a plus to me from a fan standpoint. No need to take a condescending stance though it seems that's fairly common here.

Of course if Mack is drafted it is moot, which I also explained in the write-up. It just so happens the Bucks have very highly touted players in two of the positions that the Pettine and the Browns value, that's all there is to it. Shazier was deemed worth it because of his speed and playmaking ability - Pettine has said several times how much he values both on his defense, including this morning.

There aren't many. Most around 240-260. It could be possible but even if it were I would assume it is for a year or two until dansby is ready to give up his spot.

He's faster larger and stronger than D'Qwell, smaller than mingo (who is already too small to play OLB in the NFL) so Shazier at OLB isn't really an option in 4-3 or 3-4. He is an ILB