tiamat63

Yes, it has been bottled up. While professional football has to generate a profit, again I ask, how much and how far has it removed itself from the common fan? This is why they maintain the emotional appeal - listen to the draft when fans are brought on to announce picks "My Cleveland Browns select....". It isn't just season ticket costs. Look at all the nickel and dime expenses. I had to get several apps this year, pay the month fee, just to watch a couple games. Amazon, peacock, CBS, etc etc. It's the principle of it at this point. People being bilked for every last dollar. Stop giving, and the NFL, like any other business, will respond accordingly. I'm splitting a YouTube TV account with a couple friends this year, getting a digital antenna and That's it. I'll pirate everything else. Well, there's the yearly fee for the coaches film, but it falls under fair use so I can't complain. While the middle class was much stronger than today. The underlying point, is the fact that a larger and larger percentage of people are being priced out. It will come a time when few will be able to afford, or in my case, willing to spend the money. But you're right, it is what it is.

At any given era, there are only a small handful of QBs able to consistently lead their teams to post season wins as the offensive focal point. These are the talents that you could put on any team, in any offensive system and they'd still find a way to deliver. Even at 16 teams, you'd still have likely half looking to upgrade to find that elite, top 5 QB every season or at least paying an eye to that future. My comment is more towards the game of football crossing the line from sport that gives an attachment to your soul and community, into the realm of a money driven machine where the bottom line is *all* which matters. The Browns raised their season ticket prices again. Why? It's an incredibly profitable product with a dedicated fan base. The middle class has been eroding for over 40 years. Those who would find this game, and their connection to it, being a primary source of enjoyment, are losing that connection. Fans increasingly can't afford to make the games, the die-hard identity group like so many here. I had an email from tOSU collective about donating to NIL funds. Fuck. That. Your most precious resources are your time and your health. I trade my time for money Everytime I walk into work. I'm not giving additional monies to a collective for a perfectly healthy 17 year old, with the whole world in front of them, just to have them hit the transfer portal when they don't get the playing time they think they've earned or just want more money from year 1 to 2. The NCAA fucked up letting college players scrounge for years while they banked rolled. Now? It's all about securing "the bag" for yourself and yourself only. I hear that about kids going to major schools, nevermind the fact that, as an 18 year old freshman having never set foot on the field, your NIL valuation will be worth more money than what over half the people in those stands make in a year who are older and have worked longer on their lives. The soul of football has been poisoned. Don't even get me started on how commercialized the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce thing was/is. Not that I give an iota of a fuck about their relationship itself, but those Swifty eyes and their mental-illness, idol worshipping selves have made it where the NFL now has a vested interest with profit attached to it to insure that those eyes don't leave the screens. This Superbowl was the most watched ever, it is no small coincidence, I'm sure. The bottom line, the Almighty dollar itself, has become the single most important thing above all. It makes me sick. Or as the Joker once said "All you people care about is money"

Not yet. Weather sucks today. I'm meeting a friend of mine out for a beer, then after that I'll be relaxing all day and jumping on some LB tape. I'll give you my initial impression later.

What boosted his combine score was his 40 time. There was no shuttle or 3 cone. And downhill, straight line speed as a linebacker is no where near as important as being able to move, start and stop, laterally to recover or pursue. Combine that with the slower eyes and processing.... I have concerns. And, from the two games I've watched so far, that lack of above average sideline to sideline really stands out. "Leadership" is a cliche' term. You have to be an elite rookie, contributing immediately, to be a leader. You have to contribute to be a leader period. So that's a non-factor in this particular eval.

I don't see the Brownies taking another "larger" shade in that Ika mold... at least, not early. You've got 5 IDL on roster right now with Dalvin, Ika, Shelby, Mo and Jefferson. I could see a late round flyer on IDL, and I can see Dalvin going back to playing more 1tech because he was spotty at times playing that 3. But that isn't including the subpackage snaps given to Alex Wright when he plays some interior on passing downs as well. You can't rule out anything, but at this rate it really narrows down the field to OL, LB and DB for 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks. If anything, perhaps I'm overlooking edge a bit too much. Outside of Myles, you've got ZDS who is going to be on a pitch count early, you've got McGuire who will get more minutes, Wright is Wright, and then you've got a DPR with Obgo. So that's 4 position groups that need to be addressed. Priority is depending on how the front office feels. If Hicks is looked at as a good plug n play, then I could see it being OL or DB, followed by edge and LB. edit: @TexasAg1969 You once mentioned some draft publication having Edgerrin Cooper as the 1st LB taken. I'd like to have a word about that, because two full games in and I ain't seeing what they're saying - which is basically that he's a day 1 starter. I see a great downhill, straight line speed and a decent motor. But that's about it. At what game in the season am I supposed to be impressed? Because I'd like to watch that and get a better feel.

Interesting thought process. Given that Stefanski and the Browns have/had... - The same amount of playoff wins with Baker as the starting QB as Tampa. - The same amount of playoff wins despite Tampa having, as Cal put it, much better receivers. You should consider... - Bakers numbers, in just about every metric save for INT %, are only marginally better in Tampa with a 17 game season then what they were in the Cleveland 2020 season. That's extrapolating that 2020 pace into a 17 game season and vice versa, the 2023 season into a 16 game grind. With it, Baker himself improved as a QB, by only the smallest of margins. That includes having one of the very best X, 50/50 outside receivers in the NFL the last 10 years. - Metrics marginally better although Baker is now on a team that went from being 4th in run percentage, to a team that is 19th. He's being allowed to throw more... But the increase has been a huge "meh" - Turnover placement that is, by charts, oddly similar to the turnover markers, coverages and timings on the field from every other stop Baker has had along the way. (downfield, at/inside the numbers. Outside numbers at 10-15 yards) - Two additional coaching staffs who experienced the same struggles in their evaluations. Tossing out the high and low results to find our median... McVay opting to not keep Baker as a longer-term solution should be rather telling. - Baker playing almost to a tee, the same way in Tampa that he did Cleveland. If you reduce his attempts or increase them, he has responded proportionally. Which means he flirts with the line of a top-15 QB in the right situation, and just outside the top 20 in a less favorable one. You should be concerned .... - Why you ever thought you'd be able to say something like that, to me, and not have it deconstructed to more accurately reflect what reality on the field really is. You put your passion into music. I put mine into football. He's been blocked, I might uncover him on occasion in threads about the draft because he does contribute on off-chance, which is nice. Beyond that, I'm sure I'd have seen him chime in by now. Sorry to disappoint.

Nobody is obsessed with Cal. He has, by his actions alone, turned himself into a very mockable, and unlikeable pariah. He's the worst of both worlds. - When he says something sensible, he'll beat you over the head with it when said sensibility comes to fruition. - When he says something inflammatory, but it's a 50/50... He's a belligerent asshole if the 50% falls in his favor. - when he's a belligerent asshole and wrong on the 50% (Said Baker would be a success in Carolina, wished the Browns would lose, etc etc) he's then quiet immediately and for the foreseeable future afterwards. Zero ability to measure his words or read the room and adjust accordingly. Given his has hundreds, possibly even 4 figures worthy of empty threads on this site, often times with him bumping and talking to himself, a form of adult autism is a likely diagnosis here. There is no higher functioning brain that acts or speaks in the manner he does in the digital world. If this was a round table, set in a house and not a forum on the Internet, the body language and lack of engagement alone would see him dismissed from the table. But, this is the Internet, and he has the ability to ignore the reality of what an in-person conversation would play out like with the same methods and topic. Baker is Baker. He's good enough, he's not NFL elite and my no metric has he ever been for any consistency. The Browns took a gamble at something greater, a high risk bet I wouldn't have made. But at least it made sense. I don't hate Mayfield and I think it's weird if someone does. But the pimping like he's a savior is annoying, especially when it's accompanied with the trolling. There are, at any given point, only a few QBs in the NFL who can be 'that' guy. Baker isn't it. It sucks, but it is what it is. If the more inflammatory personalities reigned themselves in, they wouldn't find themselves being (rightfully) poked fun at. Edit: Cal talking about Tvondre Sweat is a great example. To business, no wasted words, no nonsense. Nobody gives him shit for it. Posters crack jokes at players the Browns passed up or let move on, but most aren't a dick about it.

Another 3 tech. The DL vision is starting to come together. Clearly they want a bit more from the interior rotation after some late season gassing. Also gives the ability to spell Dalvin a bit more on passing downs this season, who can play all over the front. Ika has has his time to shine soon as that shade. I need some run stops from him, even with some limited minutes. Browns sign TE/fullback Giovanni Ricci and Tony Brown - a couple of special teamers. Not enough attention being given to this. One of these guys will be a quasi/spot starter. Nick Harris and Harrison Bryant have been the one's pulling upback duty for the last couple seasons in various offensive packages. Now you have a body in there actually more suited to play some lead without giving too many personnel tips and actually making that position more functional beyond just purely situational.

@gumby73 it's your thread, so I have to ask, is there where you'd like pre-draft assessments given? I really don't have time to create or manage my own thread. So I'll pop in specifically for only the position groups and players I'm looking at (LB, IDL, IOL)

EVERY industry and enterprise. Bottom line and only bottom line is considered. Don't get me wrong, profit is necessary. But I've watched several companies sacrifice standard and quality to save pennies (while still charging customers/vendors/manufacturers the exact same they were previously) in everything from personnel (piss poor, ineffective and outside managerial hires that are overpaid the moment they're hired) to actual raw material back to front house. At some point, the question has to be asked, when is the profit margin enough? McDonalds has no business charging what they do for their 'food'. Their net margins and net income have never been higher in the last 5 years, even with their labor costs going up to attract people who were tired of working fast food. They were perfectly able to pay people more, while maintaining a respectable net/margin and not having to increase costs. But hot damn, can't have that, now can we? It's no coincidence you see it in what dominates the headlines with music, styles, clothing choices, social circles etc etc etc.... these kids (a lot of people older than 25 as well) are taking on the 80's mindset. I can't fucking stand the 80's (for the most part) and always hear "Greed is good" in my head when I think of that decade. (Yes, I'm aware I'm a summer 89' baby) It was the decade of excess and glam that gave way to the darker 90's times in response (and thank Christ for that) I'm ranting, but people are fucked. And I've been of the mindset since I was 17, the less of them I deal with, the better. I don't even need to see "spots" - 1... ONE. Give me one extra active spot I can use for either OL or DL. Until then, the Shield that is the NFL can keep preaching 'safety' while having Thursday games and expanded regular seasons. It's bullshit, just at a much higher and more profitable level. Same goes for the collegiate level. My soul has slowly begun departing from that as well. Really liked Hines game when he was in Indy and Buffalo, including him being a real option for special teams effectiveness. His recent injury though....

Watched quite a bit of Hicks in Philly under Schwartz to better understand what we were getting in CLE. An upgrade, from my assessment. Replacing Taki? Good question, one I don't have an immediate thought on. Patrick Queen is a good LB, but I doubt we have the cap and willingness to spend it further on that unit group. Devin White is frustrating as all hell, because he'll play like he's all world one minute, then like shit the next. So very inconsistent.

The world at large has been shifting to this mindset, the last decade or so it has really picked up steam. Not just in football, but just about every aspect of life. I can't stand it. Especially when it's something I've loved and been deeply devoted to pretty much my entire life.

Grateful to see some of the signings, though I have my concerns. - ZDS and his knees holding up all season. Upside, he's our most consistent player in sliding edge to interior where he brings additional value. - Mo Hurst finishing a season healthy. - NFL not up'ing the active roster spots to account for the 17 game schedule. This hurts the bigs more than anybody. Which is why I believe OL and DL depth is at a premium.

I can't be that harsh with Baker. He isn't living off the coattails of Evans, Johnny clearly did. However Mike makes Bakers life a bit easier and, by no coincidence, the mistakes that plague him, a lot more minimized. Mikey is a HoFer in my mind, just a high ceiling and consistent performer his entire career.

Pittsburgh started moving to some of those split, gap and zone reads the back half of last year with Kenny. Isn't all that far removed from what Russ did quite a bit of in Seattle, even with the 'false' reads (gives the whole way) It's a natural fit for PIT and Russ, IMHO. No off-field issues, fits their workman culture and willingness to re-focus on the running game.

Be blessed, my son.

Not yet, but I'll look around and vet some things for you. There's a reason it's called a 'language', my guy. Because that's what it is. You learn either by studying or immersion.

We're just doing the Lord's work by helping that a long. At least ours in tongue-in-cheek. It isn't so much about #1, #2, etc etc but about the role. The general understanding is to have 1 elite pass catcher to structure things around, and to have competent role players around him to compensate for a defense over committing their resources to slow down said weapon. Coop is still the "#1". With Tillman sliding into that classic 'X' role. This leaves Jeudy, with his quality footwork, to pickup meaningful snaps all over the formation. Let's not forget about Njoki either. Bell and Moore, one has 2 years, the other 1 year, remaining on their rookie deals. Teams tend to carry 6 receivers. Plenty of room for them and target distribution. Which reminds me, I'm just getting caught up after like....a month. There was another post of yours I was going to respond to that I'm just now remembering.

I'd say the big 3 involved are LB, IOL + IDL. Swing tackle for later rounds now that Jed's contract has been restructured. That said, the more I think about it, the more I think @Flugel also has the pulse of it as well - don't rule out DB. Our safety play was pretty tragic at times, no more so than against Houston. Ronnie Hickman hasn't improved on his struggles at tOSU and those early "elite" grades from PFF had people really in a false sense of security about his abilities.

The same Baker that Tampa and himself are (rumored) to be at an impasse in terms of $ per year? With Mayfield believing he's worth A LOT more than the Bucs are willing to pay. Should be interesting to see how that shakes out.

If true, that's an absolute steal. Also reaffirms why they were looking so lightly at WR for combine meets and more IDL + IOL

The biggest difference between Brady and Flacco isn't their physical shape. Not now, not ever. Joe had always made questionable decisions and, as most Browns fans forgot until the Houston game, he will continue to do so. Flacco had a great run (with some help) once. That does not make him a great QB.

Some Y's have pretty decent equipment, almost no crowd and you can get a pickup game of hoops in.

I'd have to argue against the Levis call, because I liked that kid in the draft and he flashed some of the goods in a shakey situation in Tennessee. Pats were actually the first team that came to mind. When Denver started winning this year, they went back to the running game and let Russ cook off 1st down ball action and his scrambling ability. The Hallmark of BB in the early and post Brady eras.

Ryan Watts, former Buckeye - had a 4.5. Tall, long armed, on-ball DB.