jiggins7919

Steven A loves the Steelers and he doesn't apologize for it. He can kick rocks.

Man, my prediction is going to be for the AFC North, and it's going to piss a ton of people off. I don't think my beloved Browns will win the crown. I still think either the Ravens or more likely the Steelers win take it home. Why? Mainly because of history. Make no mistake, we're on the way up, but I'm not sure we're "there" yet. Now, I totally believe we'll be CONTENDING for the division and we'll have a great shot for a Wildcard, but we've got 19 seasons of "WTF just happened", and I don't think a franchise just sheds all that losing so easily. Regardless who was qb, and regardless who was coaching, we didn't beat the Steelers last year, and we probably shouldn't have beaten the Ravens. Could we be better than everyone and take home the division title? Absolutely, and I certainly hope so, but it seems to me like so many people are forgetting the Ratbirds and Steelers, and that would be a mistake. Regardless of who both teams lost on their roster, they're gonna be solid. Week 1 will tell us everything IMO. I don't want to get hung up on ONE game, but everyone knows our record in season openers, and I have a feeling our first game this year will have lasting consequences throughout the season.

Yep! That might be where I got mine from. Couldn't believe the low price. I think mine is the knockoff color rush version, and it's pretty damn nice considering. At first I got pissed at the wifey cuz I thought she spent $100! Haha. I'll get a picture of it later and hopefully get the exact vendor. Wifey passed out and I'm knee-deep in "Mindhunter" on Netflix. "Killer" show!

Hell yeah!

Every owner should do what Arthur Blanks did in Atlanta, and that's keeping many of the concessions at an extremely reasonable amount. Effing greed, man.

I think I'm more concerned with our OL as a whole after last game then I expected to be. I knew that losing Zeitler would hurt, but geez. It appears that we're suffering a bit of a trickle down issue where the loss of Zeitler is affecting everyone. Kush is known as a decent pass protector, but he doesn't grade out well in the run game. It's pretty shocking that Corbett couldn't secure the job because Kush appears to have won the position almost out of default. I REALLY don't like knee-jerk reactions after preseason games, BUT this past game was the 3rd exhibition contest, and that one is generally the game people pay the most attention to. Much has been made of Suh getting the best of Kush a few times, but that wasn't the only issue that surfaced. Hubbard got beat badly by Nassib one time (why'd we let him go again?), and Greg Robinson definitely had his patented holding penalty and got beat inside a time or two. What gives me hope is that our OL play was borderline spectacular in the second half of last season, and we've only lost ONE player. Granted, he was a big time player, but he's still one guy. The other 4 are in place, and Tretter is actually healthy. I actually have a feeling that we're going to be pleasantly surprised by Greg Robinson. I don't ever see him as being a "probowler" or anything, but I really do believe Greg has the ability to hold down the job for multiple years. Of course, "hold down" is the key phrase because Greg panics and holds way too much, but the guy has the physical talent. He's more susceptible to speed and inside moves, but when Greg drops the anchor, you're not going to bull-rush him. Oh, one more thing. Although entertaining, our former OL coach Bob Wylie was not thought to be a top-tier coach (per some articles I read). I forget his name, but the guy we have now is a definite improvement. Again, this is just the opinion of some sportwriters in the country, but I think it's probably valid. We improved our special teams coach and our OL coach, and I believe we'll see the improvements.

Yep, it's definitely all mental at this level. I was at the game in New Orleans when he basically lost the game.

I got a really cool Mayfield knockoff for my birthday! It was probably made in China and it's definitely not authentic or anything, but I think it's really nice! I'll see if I can get the details from my wife.

I love this quote from Devaroe: "Some are a little taller, some are 6-7, some 6-6, 6-5. I might be 6-2, maybe 6-3, but you know, I take my approach as the little man syndrome," Lawrence explained. "Just be a firecracker. Yeah, you think you bigger than me, you gonna push me around? You ain't finna push me around. Got that little man syndrome. Get mad and knock them around a little bit, and the look on their face, when you get them to move then around a little bit ... They feel the strength a little bit. That weight room."

That's a good point, too. He definitely set him up, which is why Kush completely whiffed and damn near hit only air. I guess it's kind of like a WR setting up the stop and go. They run the button-hook a few times, and then they fake it and go deep. The Browns podcast people said Kush was having a difficult time with Suh, but then we rotated our protection so Kush had additional help. Once that move was made, they said the difference was night and day. I didn't go back to review it, but that's what our Podcast peeps said, and that makes sense. Apparently our OL wasn't expecting the amount of stunts and twists either, which I don't really buy as an excuse, but whatever. 🙂 I think we'll be "ok", and if Kush isn't the guy, I don't think we'll hesitate to try Drew Forbes. It's so hard to evaluate the offense without ALL of the starters in, ya know? I mean, Baker essentially threw two TD passes, and Higgins and Harris dropped them both. They would have been tough plays to make, but still plays we expect them to make. Had we caught those two passes, the end of the game narrative is much different. Also, how much different does our team look with Nick Chubb?

That 54 yarder was legit, and hopefully just what he needs to get his confidence up. All 4 of his kicks were pure, and I'd love to see him get another 4 chances Thursday. Cmon kid, we're going to need you this year.

Not sure, but SOMETHING had to go down. The timing of it all is just so strange, and while I thought Strong might be waived when Callaway returned, I didn't see this happening.

I'd really love to have Trent, but I don't see any way it happens. This really smells like a case of a veteran not wanting to do training camp, which we see happening a lot now. Clowney in Houston is another example. When the season begins, they'll be out there with their teams. Of course, I'd LOVE to have either of those guys... Hahaha.

Avery is most certainly not anywhere near the bubble. Obviously I don't have inside info or anything, but Avery is a pass rusher, and a good one at that. He's also a second year guy drafted in the 5th round who came up with about the same number of sacks Barkevious Mingo did as a rookie, in probably a third of the snaps (not really sure, just a guess). Avery is strong, mean, and fits nicely into one of our subpackages for rushing the QB. Myles kicks inside, Avery goes outside, and then we'll have Ogunjobi and Vernon on the line as well. That's pretty nasty.

Same here. So many surgeries, and the recent ACL/MCL blowout I had in 2017 took me right out of playing basketball and volleyball. I'm finally back to playing again (although poorly, lol), but it's of the understanding that I'm one injury away from permanent retirement...and my wife shooting me dead.

Suh has always been an absolute beast, and I don't want to judge Kush TOO much on one game, but what has me worried is how bad Kush looked against a basic swim move. Suh didn't really use power or really any force, he just did a swim move and Kush completely whiffed. Baker somehow got away and delivered a strike for a rare first down, but Suh really should've eaten Baker alive. I can find the gif if you want to see it, but it was pretty bad. It's the kind of mistake that can literally get your QB killed and end a season.

I don't see how we can keep The Hammer, but he's definitely good enough to kick in the league.

Ooooooooo...I forgot about that! Ya know, more and more it's becoming extremely difficult to just "punch it in" in the NFL. It almost seems like if a team KNOWS you're running it, they can stop you more often than not. I know our defense was pretty damn good at shutting people down at the goal line, and I don't expect that to change this year. I saw Kush get beat pretty badly by Suh early in the recent game, and while Suh didn't quite get the sack, he probably should've. Baker somehow squirted between two defenders and found someone for basically our only 3rd down conversion, but he really should've been toast. Suh gave Kush a basic swim, and Kush totally whiffed. I'm starting to think OL play as a WHOLE is starting to wane in the league. I watched some of the Steelers-Titans game recently, and Mariota couldn't even snap the dang ball before getting eaten up by multiple people. Heck, he even got buried for a safety, and Coach Mike Vrabel decided that he saw enough and yanked Mariota because he didn't feel like his team could protect his QB. To be fair, the Titans' allstar LT Lewhan didn't play (I don't THINK), as he's suspended for 4 games due to some bullcrap supplement he took. But I guess he could've played...so don't quote me. All I know is that the Titans snapped the ball and they were awash with Steelers in the backfield. If the Titans had difficulty with the Steeler's pass rush, they're not going to like ours in two weeks. I can PROMISE you that. What's the best part of our pass rush? We don't always have to blitz to get pressure! Wilks prefers bringing 4 rushers the majority of the time, whereas Greg brought the damn house seemingly every 3rd down last year. One of the most welcome sights for a Browns fan was the pressure brought forth by Olivier Vernon. It's not a stretch to think that Vernon could challenge Myles for the sack crown this year because Myles will be demanding a double team so often. I still think Myles will have the most sacks, but if Vernon is healthy, double digits is not out of the question. We also have a sub-package where Myles kicks inside and Avery goes to DE. That's just nasty. Damn, now I'm all pumped up for week 1! Somebody get the predictions threat rocking, hahaha.

Ogunjobi is a terrific player and appears to be an even better dude. The really good news for him is the addition of Sheldon Richardson, who is an established producer and someone the defense has to account for every down. Ogunjobi is going to have a better year by having a talented DL next to him. I feel it. I saw one play where Richardson balled up his blocker and threw him 10 feet like he was a gnat.

That's a pretty solid analysis. Poor offensive line play is probably the most terrifying thing for a fan because it impacts virtually every aspect of the game, and it also can determine whether or not the freakin QB gets hurt (to some degree). Offensive line not getting push? Well, all those 3rd and shorts turn into passing downs, and there's more that can go wrong in the air. Goal line situations, same thing. Can we punch it in without gimmicks? I just don't see us going into the season with our current lineup. What will we do? I'm not sure, but it'll either involve Trent Williams or the cat from Miami. There might even be some other trade for a random guard we aren't thinking of, so basically nothing will surprise me. Do I love our tackles? No, but I'm more concerned with the RG AND the backup center. Tretter is a warrior, but we don't really have a backup center you want to use. Bottom line, I don't put much stock in preseason games. They're fun to talk about, but it's REALLY tough to find useful predictors for a season outlook. That said, the offensive line REALLY shouldn't be getting beat like that, and while I realize Suh has given many people problems over the years, both our protection AND running game were turrible. I still think we're going to be "good" this year, but we're not going to really compete for a championship until we get a bit more solidified on the OL AND we get consistent in the kicking game. Those two things can take down any team. (although I was thrilled to see Seibert drill those kicks. Very promising)

We consistently heard good things about Devaroe Lawrence, and he was feared to have torn knee ligaments two weeks ago. Freddie walked across the practice facility to give him a hug, and I thought this was telling. First, just how important Lawrence is to our team, and secondly how much Freddie cares for these guys. Obviously the injury was only a scare, and Lawrence will likely make the team. Our podcast boys routinely praised Lawrence for his disruptive play, and I totally agree with you in that middle pressure is more difficult to deal with. Additionally, if middle pressure causes the qb to move backwards...well...he's going to meet Mr. Garrett. Myles does that corner-bend move and gets close so many times, so having a QB move backwards just a few more times a game will equate to more sacks and maybe fumbles. Let's be clear, Bucs have a poor OL. That being said, you should be VERY excited to see our DL this year, and it was great to see Olivier Vernon make some plays. It's totally go time.

Unfortunately, OL is something we're going to have to deal with all year. The GOOD news is that we had exceptional OL play last year, and we have everyone back except for the stud Zeitler. Furthermore, we have a playcaller who demonstrated the ability of getting the ball out quickly, running it, AND being creative with execution. Oh, we also have a crafty QB that is extremely talented at evading pressure and recognizing pressure, so I think we'll be ok. Did Dorsey royally screw up the RG position? Yep, he did. But...would you rather have Jabril Peppers and Kevin Zeitler, or Olivier Vernon and Odell Beckham? I LOVE the fact we didn't look crisp offensively. I want our guys to be humble, ready to work, and fired up for Tennessee. I want some idiot to start blasting off on the radio how Baker doesn't look ready, how he's not really good, and whatever else. I want ALL the negative bullshit because that's what he feeds on. Was Baker on fire last night? Hell no. But he was good enough to throw 2 TD passes that his receivers couldn't haul in.

Boy, I had been hearing great things about Strong, but he didn't make it happen tonight. The line between failure and success is so thin in the NFL. A pass 12 inches too high in the end zone, a drop by Higgins, a drop by Willies on 3rd down, missed hole by D'Ernest, a penalty, whatever. I think what concerns me the most is our lack of depth at WR and TE. All the sudden, WR doesn't look at deep as we thought, and Callaway is suspended/hurt, OBJ isn't known for durability, and Njoku hasn't been in there. I used to think Devalve had a future, but it won't be with us. I'm not at all worried about our starters, but I do think our depth isn't quite what we hoped for. But hey, it's one game, and it's preseason. I really wish our OL played better, but we'll have to see how the unit progresses.

Honestly, this game was close to being really good for our starting offense, and don't forget our starting defense didn't let the Bucs hardly SNAP the ball. Higgins should have made that TD grab, and Willies dropped a couple. Baker was a smidge off, but no big deal. We sorely missed Nick Chubb and our #1 WRs and TEs. No biggie. Did I mention our defense? Without Myles?

Baker didn't look razor sharp tonight. He did have a handful of passes dropped, including a touchdown, but not his finest performance. I'm actually glad...I didn't want everything to be smooth. We still looked better than them!