DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum A few thoughts on the Browns 2013 players

I am new to the board as a poster but have read posts here for months before posting. I had some thoughts on some players that were part of the problem instead of the solution for the Browns in 2013. I will ignore the obvious one, Weeden and start with some of others. I will start with the offense.

QB- Jason Campbell was 1 win and 7 losses as a starter.
RB- all of them
OL- RG Lauvao
WR- Anyone not named Gordon.

The offense was able to score sometimes but not able to come back once they fall behind late.

Defense.
DB- McFadden was not played enough to know. TJ Ward, bad in coverage, out of position too often, slow to react, missed tackles. Buster Skrine is improved but still needs to improve more.
DL- Could not stop the run when they needed to. The Jets game was telling. It could be the defense line was just out there too long but still it was supposed to be a strength and deep depth.
LB- #52 is overwhelmed as a ILB. Out of position often, cannot fill a hole and get off the block to make the tackle. A replacement should be considered. #53 Robertson, cannot cover anyone with a blanket. Often out of position. OLB, 99, no ability to get to the QB and slow. #51, brightest spot of the LBs. I expect big growth from him in 2014.

Special Teams
Punter was fine, kicker was okay. Strangely did not miss Phil Dawson as we scored more touchdowns offensively. Without Benjamin as the return guy, the Browns are weak in the return game. Poor special team play every week.

Coaching
I feel the coaching was better but at times, the defense seemed to be too predictable. Blitzes were predictable and coverages were easy to see. Offensively, what can be said about the running game?

Any thoughts?

Voleur

Well, first off welcome to the board. I'm sure you'll find this place as wonderful as I have for the last couple of years.

About your thoughts on the team. I agree/disagree with some of what you said.

QB:

Campbell - I don't want to see him suit up in a Browns uniform ever again.

Hoyer - Obviously being kept because he is the best of what we have. Depending on what the 3 stooges have in the works he could be the starter at the beginning of the season.

Tanney - Don't know enough about him really to say either way. But I'd imagine we keep him since we just signed him not too long ago (keep forgetting that doesn't mean anything with this FO) and maybe he is meant to be a project.

I don't even want to mention the other QB.

RB:

Old man McGahee - Probably never should have been signed in the first place. WAY too old and needs to go back into retirement.

Next year we should go into the season with Dion Lewis, Edwin Baker, and someone from the draft (preferably Carlos Hyde ) I loved the one cut style that Baker was showing in these last couple of games. As soon as the kid saw the hole he didn't hesitate and made his move. It was quite welcoming to see after the performances of TRich and Willis.

Move Obie back to RB immediately (should be fighting Baker for that spot in training camp) and stop this dumb experiment with trying to use him as a FB. It's pointless when a better player can be signed in free agency who actually is a native FB. Don't try to be cheap and save bucks, just sign a REAL FB or draft one. I know it's not exactly a fashionable selection but if we actually want to run the ball at some point in the future (I formation/goal line/short yardage, etc.) we should pick one up.



WR:

Here we need to keep guys for depth purposes. Personally I think some of the lower depth chart guys seemed hungrier and wanted to prove they belonged. Cooper mainly comes to mind. Perhaps Tymes?

Practice squad of free agent signings could get us better talent. Little needs to be cut along with Bess, if he doesn't shape up fast. I expected a hell of a lot more from Bess and he severely underperformed this season. Let's hope he comes back with a renewed focus next season.

In addressing your comments about the D-line's inability to stop the run when they had to, I am going to error on the side of caution and say that this was magnified with the loss of Bryant and other injuries. Towards the beginning of the season the D-line was playing the best I had ever seen in a long time. But it never hurts to add D-line depth as well.

With Ward, I believe he has played better this year than in the past. I believe it's because of better technique and experience. However, the tackling could always be improved. Actually that goes for everybody in the secondary.

Lastly, to elaborate on the running game, I believe that a selection of a RG/RT, #2 WR in the draft and a competent QB may help the situation. If we have a QB which the defense must respect and can make all the throws then it should let the pass open up the running game. I'm not sure if we had that any time this past year. Maybe a couple of times once Gordon kept burning opposing defenses. All in all I would absolutely love to see us have a fast paced up tempo offense that is modern. Something similar to what Kelly is doing in Philly. I don't want to see a slow or behind the times WCO ala Shurmer.