Defensive problems solved in one Draft pick

[Mr. T]

Instant Defense

 

 

 

Sorry, but Mays couldn't hold this kids jock strap!

[Guest AdaM]

Here's to 2-14 so we can get em!

 

 

 

[Mr. T]

Not to mention, did someone say? Heisman?

[eqrulz101]

If we could get this guy it would be worth one more crap season.

[Mr. T]

I would rather have a winning season then trade DA or BE for a better pick.

 

 

I know I am dreaming.

[Guest ATENEARS]

<<< James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988 in Fairburn, Georgia), nicknamed “The Fifth Dimension”[1][2] is an American football defensive back currently playing for the Tennessee Volunteers. A true freshman for the 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team, Berry made his first appearance at nickleback against California before being named as starting safety in the following game against Southern Miss.[3] Since then he has started every single game of his college career at strong safety. He has never missed a single defensive snap or ever been flagged for a penalty thus far in his career.

 

Eric Berry was named the SEC Freshmen Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous Freshmen All-American. As a sophomore he as named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2008 Consensus 1st Team All-America. He currently leads all NCAA players in Interceptions, Interceptions per game, Interception return yards, and Interception Touchdowns. >>>

 

I'd like to see more Big Hits from this kid, especially in run support up at or near the line of scrimmage. He has the ball Hawk capability, and looks to have great balance and has shown some big hits, but I think I'd rather have my Strong Safeties Highlight reel filled with bone crushing smashes than Interceptions (especially ones thrown right to him).

 

Looks good though, definately worth keeping an eye on among the draft board

[BernietheKid]

<<< James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988 in Fairburn, Georgia), nicknamed “The Fifth Dimension”[1][2] is an American football defensive back currently playing for the Tennessee Volunteers. A true freshman for the 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team, Berry made his first appearance at nickleback against California before being named as starting safety in the following game against Southern Miss.[3] Since then he has started every single game of his college career at strong safety. He has never missed a single defensive snap or ever been flagged for a penalty thus far in his career.

 

Eric Berry was named the SEC Freshmen Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous Freshmen All-American. As a sophomore he as named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2008 Consensus 1st Team All-America. He currently leads all NCAA players in Interceptions, Interceptions per game, Interception return yards, and Interception Touchdowns. >>>

 

I'd like to see more Big Hits from this kid, especially in run support up at or near the line of scrimmage. He has the ball Hawk capability, and looks to have great balance and has shown some big hits, but I think I'd rather have my Strong Safeties Highlight reel filled with bone crushing smashes than Interceptions (especially ones thrown right to him).

 

Looks good though, definately worth keeping an eye on among the draft board

 

 

What makes you think he will play SS? We already have one of those in Abe Elam.

 

Here is the difference between a SS and FS. Per Wikipedia

 

Strong safety- The strong safety has a lot of responsibility on the defensive side of the ball. The strong safety tends to be a bit larger and stronger than the free safety, however the word "strong" is used because he is tasked to handle the "strong side" of the offense, the side where the tight end lines up. The strong safety tends to play closer to the line and assist in stopping the run. He may also be responsible for covering a player, such as a running back or fullback or h-back, who goes in motion in the backfield and then out for a pass. A strong safety's duties are somewhere in between those of a linebacker and those of the other defensive back, in that he can both cover the pass and stop the run.

 

Free safety- The free safety tends to be smaller and faster than the strong safety. His job tends to be to stay back a bit, watch the play unfold, and follow the ball. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to close down the receiver by the time the ball gets to him. Offenses tend to use the play action pass specifically to make the free safety expect a run play, which would draw him closer to the line of scrimmage, and reduce his effectiveness as a pass defender. If the offense puts a receiver in the slot, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver. Free safeties occasionally blitz as well. When this happens, the pressure is often very severe since a blitz by a defensive back is not usually anticipated.

 

I'd rather see more of a ballhawk in our secondary.

[Guest ATENEARS]

I rather see more of a ballhawk in our secondary.

 

Not me, I'd rather see someone be the enforcer over the middle, used on blitz to take a QB's head off, come out of our secondary to drop ball carriers for a loss and blow up any gimick play thrown at us.

 

I want to see a heat seeking missile ... a stalker that seems to be EVERYWHERE run or pass. A guy who you look at your buddy sitting next to and say, "Are there more than one #14's out there!?!?!"

 

Those guys are harder to find than a ball hawk, who could be an aging veteran CB converted to FS.

[BernietheKid]

Not me, I'd rather see someone be the enforcer over the middle, used on blitz to take a QB's head off, come out of our secondary to drop ball carriers for a loss and blow up any gimick play thrown at us.

 

I want to see a heat seeking missile ... a stalker that seems to be EVERYWHERE run or pass. A guy who you look at your buddy sitting next to and say, "Are there more than one #14's out there!?!?!"

 

Those guys are harder to find than a ball hawk, who could be an aging veteran CB converted to FS.

 

 

Well it's a matter of personal opinion and we don't have either.

[ballpeen]

I have been watching Berry since his Freshman year...and as i have said numerous times....he is the top defensive player in the draft and may very well be the best player in the draft. No way he falls outside of the top 5 picks.

 

He will be a 10 time pro bowl player in the NFL assuming he doesn't get hurt or he joins some cult.

[Jason J]

Instant Defense

 

 

 

Sorry, but Mays couldn't hold this kids jock strap!

 

Yeah, Mays reminds me of someone in the Thomas Davis/Darnell Bing mold. I think there will be an urge to make him a linebacker. Berry is an NFL ready safety. I always love trends... and you can look at the teams that are consistent winners, then look at the league's dominant safeties. Conveniently, they're almost the same list. No other position, including quarterback has a better correlation to wins.

 

-jj

[Alo]

I want to see a heat seeking missile ... a stalker that seems to be EVERYWHERE run or pass. A guy who you look at your buddy sitting next to and say, "Are there more than one #14's out there!?!?!"

Well, here's what Berry did last week:

 

 

Seems to fit your description pretty well.

 

Berry's an uber-elite safety prospect, as well a great student of the game and leader in the locker room:

Berry's game prep is second to noneHe's worthy of a top five pick. The only way he isn't my #1 prospect is if someone else seriously ups their game.

[Gips]

Like every other regime since 1999 Mangooni isnt smart enough to take a potential shutdown safety...you guys ought to quit dreaming of such awesome things because you know its not ever gona happen... hehehehe

[Mr. T]

This guy is equivalent to an Adrian Peterson on defense.

 

 

Thanks for the VID, Alo.

[Guest ATENEARS]

Seems to fit your description pretty well.

 

Yes he does.

 

Thanks for the video, good stuff.

[Guest ATENEARS]

<<< He has never missed a single defensive snap or ever been flagged for a penalty thus far in his career.

 

Dyrability is a huge key at this position too. How many decent tackling DB's have we had go out with injuries from tackling big backs? Concusions and shoulder/head/neck injuries.

 

I like this kids balance and read somewhere about a killer work ethic and continuly trying to work harder or work-out longer and get in the best shape he can.

 

Again, I love his balance, the kid looks so in control.

[lambdo]

I agree that he's the best defensive player in NCAA, but its going to be a long 15 more weeks if we are able to get him..

[Alo]

Yes he does.

 

Thanks for the video, good stuff.

Probably the best argument against Berry - and it's not one that I buy - is that the 2010 safety class will be so talented that the Browns would be better off drafting another position first and getting a safety in Round 2.

 

Or even later in the draft: if you're looking for a true headhunting, every hit causes three concussions type of safety, Oregon's T.J. Ward is a guy to watch out for.

 

 

He's insane. Unfortunately, he's also got a Winslow-esque bad knee. Whatever team drafts him will hope it's more like Channing Crowder's situation: something that needs to be monitored but doesn't really affect his play.

 

Ward's also a bit too aggressive at times, biting on play action and getting beat deep. But I thought he played better last year than Pat Chung, a guy the Pats picked at the top of the 2nd round.

 

He's missed the past two games due to an ankle injury, but he may return this week vs. Cal. He'll be looking to make Jahvid Best look bad one more time:

 

[Mr. T]

If you have a player of this caliber and with the opportunity to draft him, you better get him.

 

Why go after a scud when you can have the real thing.

 

We have not had a hard hitting safety since Brian Russell left.

 

These guys are rare and can make your defense so much better.

[Greythan]

Alo, GOOD TO SEE YOU!

[Guest ATENEARS]

Probably the best argument against Berry - and it's not one that I buy - is that the 2010 safety class will be so talented that the Browns would be better off drafting another position first and getting a safety in Round 2.

 

Ouch ... that sounds all to familiar of a pattern with this franchise. Always out-smarting ourselves.

 

Thanks, you just ruined my lunch.

 

[thomasw]

Looks good. What about character? Is he going to fit in Mangini's system? Or is he a Crabtree/K2?

[DeadWombat]

That kid hits hard... and holy hell, he's fast.

 

 

What can we do to pull him out of college right now?

[BrownieBornNRaised]

I live down in Florida, and I'm a gator homer, and in that UF/Tenn game that boy looks like a stud. The rest of the defense on Tenn isn't all that great, but when you have a player of his quality it makes everyone else look better as well. My only question is if we draft him in the first round does monte Kiffin with him

[JewDago]

Mays reminds me of someone in the Thomas Davis/Darnell Bing mold. I think there will be an urge to make him a linebacker.

 

just a small quibble: thomas davis had to become a LB because he wasn't fast enough to be a true safety without getting burned all the time, and darnell bing's a man without a position who can't find the field on a guided tour of a stadium. mays has the top-end speed to have an actual career at S - in a thread last year before he decided to stay in school, alo and i settled on bob sanders as an appropriate comparison, though mays' size is a marked difference between the two and will possibly keep him healthier over the course of his career by distributing the impact of his hits over a larger frame.

 

don't get me wrong - berry is definitely a better overall prospect and, like everyone is saying, should have an outstanding career, but mays will be more than a decent player, too. i just think that the coach who even considers tampering with something that's worked out very well so far is courting disaster, though i'm kind of assuming that you're only saying that it's something a coach would consider and not necessarily your recommendation.

[Jason J]

just a small quibble: thomas davis had to become a LB because he wasn't fast enough to be a true safety without getting burned all the time, and darnell bing's a man without a position who can't find the field on a guided tour of a stadium. mays has the top-end speed to have an actual career at S - in a thread last year before he decided to stay in school, alo and i settled on bob sanders as an appropriate comparison, though mays' size is a marked difference between the two and will possibly keep him healthier over the course of his career by distributing the impact of his hits over a larger frame.

 

don't get me wrong - berry is definitely a better overall prospect and, like everyone is saying, should have an outstanding career, but mays will be more than a decent player, too. i just think that the coach who even considers tampering with something that's worked out very well so far is courting disaster, though i'm kind of assuming that you're only saying that it's something a coach would consider and not necessarily your recommendation.

 

I'd seriously contest that assessment of Davis. And Mays has great track speed. He doesn't play with great football speed. When he comes through the combine, keep an eye on his shuttle numbers. Don't get me wrong, he's plenty fast enough. He just doesn't have Berry's COD skills. But he's fast. So fast, in fact, that I think a lot of coaches will look at that frame and be dying to make him a linebacker.

 

And no, I'm not saying I recommend that. I'm just saying it's a possibility.

 

-jj

[Solon16]

just a small quibble: thomas davis had to become a LB because he wasn't fast enough to be a true safety without getting burned all the time, and darnell bing's a man without a position who can't find the field on a guided tour of a stadium. mays has the top-end speed to have an actual career at S - in a thread last year before he decided to stay in school, alo and i settled on bob sanders as an appropriate comparison, though mays' size is a marked difference between the two and will possibly keep him healthier over the course of his career by distributing the impact of his hits over a larger frame.

 

don't get me wrong - berry is definitely a better overall prospect and, like everyone is saying, should have an outstanding career, but mays will be more than a decent player, too. i just think that the coach who even considers tampering with something that's worked out very well so far is courting disaster, though i'm kind of assuming that you're only saying that it's something a coach would consider and not necessarily your recommendation.

 

OIY Fogettaboutit....Where ya been bro?

 

[JewDago]

I'd seriously contest that assessment of Davis. And Mays has great track speed. He doesn't play with great football speed. When he comes through the combine, keep an eye on his shuttle numbers. Don't get me wrong, he's plenty fast enough. He just doesn't have Berry's COD skills. But he's fast. So fast, in fact, that I think a lot of coaches will look at that frame and be dying to make him a linebacker.

 

And no, I'm not saying I recommend that. I'm just saying it's a possibility.

 

-jj

i was always of the mind that davis would have made an average safety at best because he lacks make-up speed and would have consistently been vulnerable to being beat deep. and thanks for the advice on mays: i'll be on the lookout for the times.

 

where do you think mays would have a greater impact? though it's just my take, he can play a LB-type role as an in-the-box safety on first and second down and then cover deep when needed. moreover, his size as an intimidating S is something that wouldn't translate into nearly as huge an advantage at LB. 6'3" guys are everywhere in a front seven, but WRs coming over the middle don't often have to contend with someone of mays' size waiting to knock their teeth through the backs of their heads then spit on them while they're in traction.

 

@ solon: the offseason speculation and quibbling was a bunch of uninteresting horseshit, and discussing a shitty team is often no fun. turns out that draft talk might be my favorite part about being a browns fan, at least right now, because the current incarnation of the team gives me very little to be hopeful about.

[Jason J]

i was always of the mind that davis would have made an average safety at best because he lacks make-up speed and would have consistently been vulnerable to being beat deep. and thanks for the advice on mays: i'll be on the lookout for the times.

 

where do you think mays would have a greater impact? though it's just my take, he can play a LB-type role as an in-the-box safety on first and second down and then cover deep when needed. moreover, his size as an intimidating S is something that wouldn't translate into nearly as huge an advantage at LB. 6'3" guys are everywhere in a front seven, but WRs coming over the middle don't often have to contend with someone of mays' size waiting to knock their teeth through the backs of their heads then spit on them while they're in traction.

 

@ solon: the offseason speculation and quibbling was a bunch of uninteresting horseshit, and discussing a shitty team is often no fun. turns out that draft talk might be my favorite part about being a browns fan, at least right now, because the current incarnation of the team gives me very little to be hopeful about.

 

I don't know. I've always felt that speed was overrated for safeties. If you're 12-15 yards off the ball, and run a sub 5 second 40, there isn't a player in the league that can get over the top of you, if you play your position. Most defensive ends could play Cover 2 safety adequately if they had to. What you lose is the flexibility to use a guy in coverage like a corner, or the ability to play run or pass from an up position 2 or 3 yards off the ball.

 

If you play in Tampa or Chicago, safety is just not that demanding of a position from a speed standpoint. It's far more important that you be able to read and react quickly, understand route combinations and be able to peal off of one route to jump another. Those are body control issues that some guys are more adept at than others.

 

As far as Mays is concerned, I don't know. You have to be leery of the "freak factor" when evaluating players. The 6'8" wide receiver. The 265 lb running back, the 6'10" tight end. You look at those measurables and they jump off the page. But you have to look at their hip bend, their ability to get in and out of cuts, their ability to use their body to their advantage. Because, if they can't do those things, they're not just an average football player, they're a big average football player.

 

Mays seems the type, though, to be successful anywhere. Regardless, I'd try to get him as close to the line of scrimmage as I could. If that means making him a linebacker, so be it. That 235 lbs. is going to slow him down as he gets into his late 20's anyway. And he's going to be 23 when he comes out, I think. So, maybe you maximize his mileage and get a 3 down linebacker out of him. I don't know. It really depends on the team he goes to. He's not a 3-4 OLB, that's for sure. But if he goes to a Tampa 2 team... who knows? He could be an outstanding will backer.

 

-jj

[Earl34]

This kid is awesome.