Louisville Slugger

1 hour ago, tiamat63 said:

I know what he's saying, but that generality is... quite wrong.  Landry is our #2, and a damn good one, regardless of where he aligns.

I wasnt saying Landry is a bad #2 I was saying another outside guy. Landry does his best work in the slot so when we have 3 WRs we need someone to let him bless people... are we still using that?

We have a great slot receiver, we need a consistent #2. Higgins would fit the bill but I have to wonder what happened last year. A couple guys I've liked as mid-late round guys People-Jones and Gandy-Golden. I probably wouldn't even look at WR until round 4.

What happened to D.J. Montgomery? I liked him when he was on the field 

2 hours ago, tiamat63 said:

@gumby73

 

I guess I just don't see it with Kareem.  He doesn't really have the speed to consistency threaten the edge, he doesn't have the speed to power to win back inside either.  He seems.... slow. Off the snap that is.   No real "suddenness" to his first step.   Uses his hands ok enough I guess?  But doesn't really punish blockers by driving into them or even past them.    Also questionable and sometimes completely non-existent bend to help take the edge.  Really does a poor job minimizing surface area and tends to present his whole body for blockers to strike at.    He just doesn't seem to have any one particular weapon in his arsenal that stands out to hang his hat on.   He's slow on twists and stunts, and I question his speed as the weak/open end because he never seems to be able to crash down from the backside to finish off a tackle on ball carriers that are dancing behind the line.   I can't remember the last time I watched a "meh" kind of cloned edge rusher.   He may one day develop into someone who contributes in a type of rotation or deep backup role? But there's nothing in 3 games I've seen where I say "Ok, I saw THIS flash" at any point.   Then we can build off of that.    He's just one of those bodies who is "there".   At the collegiate level he won't hurt your team, but he sure as hell ain't going to get you over the top either.     I just don't see that translating to hidden potential next level. 

So.... yeah.   No offense, but that's my 2 cents on him.

 

edit:  But I will tell you who jumps out on occasion from that Notre Dame defense when I watched - #40, the linebacker.    Had to look him up - Drew White.   Keep an eye on him in the time to come.

 

I had a similar take. What's your take on Zuniga? I love the kids burst but I dont really see much after that. Developmental guy perhaps?

2 hours ago, Flugel said:

No worries. You acknowledged some of Wills' strengths and explained where you are coming from about him as a LT.  

Hey I'm no o line guru maybe hes just makes it look too easy. 

Is he still trying to set the DE market? If he will settle for like 1 year 20mil contract, then I dont really have a problem with it. Hes definitely a 5 million dollar improvement over Oliver. Garrett, Clowney, and Clayborn is a very nice DE group. 

2 hours ago, Flugel said:

I was referring to me telling Louisville Slugger that Lamar Jackson couldn't play.

I said that if Lamar ended up in a Greg Roman offense I would take #1 overall, I dont think he would be half as good if he went anywhere else. So I dont think you were completely wrong. I dont think there are many people who know how to use his skill set properly. 

I dont want to come off like I hate Wills as a prospect, I just dont like the idea of him at LT. I look at his initial drop back and feel like he doesnt cover enough ground. He does alot of things really well, hes smart, powerful, quick, and plays with a good foundation. I think top level pass rushers will take the edge on him but I could be wrong. I really think he is an elite guard prospect and a safe pick at RT. Problem is we need a LT

A couple guys who have jumped out as value picks so far are 

OT- Josh Jones- if we miss out Thomas not a bad consolation prize.

DE- Alton Robinson- not a huge fan of this DE class. There are alot of 3rd round type of guys but Robinson is my favorite.

DT- Neville Gallimore- after watching his tape I wouldn't be suprised if he goes in the first. 

S- J.R. Reed- I really want Winfield but hes been discussed enough already. Reed is a late round pick that I think could compete for the FS job out of the gate.

LB- Jordyn Brooks- kind of 2 down guy on tape but he could contribute right away and is projected in the middle rounds.

RB- Cam Akers- you could argue hes the best back in the draft and most mocks I've seen have him going in the 3rd. Not a bad replacement for Hunt 

34 minutes ago, Flugel said:

I walked right into that one with Yanda.

I've revised my faves and moved JJ up to #3 and Wills up to #2.  Shoved Wirfs down to #4 and swam against the current to add Becton at #5.  I added some highlights in my previous post.  All that being the case, I'm thinking only Thomas, Wills and Jones are worthy of the 10th pick overall - giving us BPA or tradeback options...

I dont see it with Wills. He is good in a phone booth but I dont like how he drops back and that seems like a recipe for disaster at LT. I want Thomas but dont think hell be there. I would understand Becton because we while he is raw he has the tools and we are going to run the ball a ton. Then I would trade back for Jones or maybe Cleveland. 

1 hour ago, TexasAg1969 said:

I can see the Bucs trading up ahead of us for a LT. But I have also read that Kyler is pushing hard to get his old WR from OKla. back in the huddle with him, CeeDee Lamb. Not the worst pick since they have such a good prior connection. Might look somewhat like KC's pass happy team with their throw on the run QB. I think Kyler has confidence he can shake loose from any edge rushers beating his LT and either run or find a receiver just like Mahomes does.

I cant see the Cardinals going for another WR so early. Maybe in the 2nd or 3rd, but they already have Hopkins, Fitzgerald, Kirk, Isabella, and Hakeem Butler. 

1 hour ago, TexasAg1969 said:

LB-that's why I don't bother with that unrealistic one anymore. No way in hell anyone could trade down and get Thomas @17. Long gone by then for sure.

I just saw a few mock with him going 2 overall and honestly I wouldn't be suprised. LT always go higher than expected. I still think it will be Young but I think Thomas doesnt make it to 10. I'm not sure why all of the draft gurus are so low on him either.

36 minutes ago, Tour2ma said:

Then again.... maybe Smith is not so smart.

He posted a 7 round mock he did on Fanspeak Premium which allows trades and he... well... traded down to #26 to draft a questionable, 2nd-round, OT value...

https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/browns-maven-features/cleveland-browns-2020-7-round-mock-draft-vol-5

 

I could live with the first 2 rounds. We need a LT and Thomas is easily the top LT. Becton is really promising but if Callahan doesnt like him then I think trading back for Jones or Cleveland and getting another high pick is the best option. We have alot of holes to fill on this defense and getting an extra 2and or 3rd would go a long way

3 hours ago, The Gipper said:

Wait....you want to trade our #10,  a late round pick....and Kareem Hunt in order to move up in the draft to take Thomas?  

Yea. Chubb is a workhorse. Hunt is a head case. We need a LT. Makes sense to me

I think we have to land Thomas so I would look to trade up. I dont think Wirfs and Wills go ahead of Thomas because the LT position is more valuable. If the Charger sign Newton then maybe we can offer 10, Hunt, and a late round pick to secure him.

29 minutes ago, gumby73 said:

too much money vs. cheap money.... it's all burnt the same falling out of Haslams Browns bank... Hooper has all the tools & now Njoku has a position guy to push his as$.. Line'em up & give it a chance first...

Its about salary cap management not saving jimmy a few bucks. I just think we could have used that money better. 

In all fairness the only good move was Conklin. We over paid for Hooper and Keenum is a 6 million dollar backup. I dont hate any of these pickups but I wouldn't say hes killing it. 

We have alot of holes to fill on defense and it seems that money would have been better spent on that side of the ball

I think Hooper is a solid TE but this is just too much money. We dont need playmakers on offense just people who do their jobs. We would have been better bringing back fells at a fraction of the price. 

On a side note I would like to see us bring back Boddy-Calhoun and Nassib too for cheap role playing positions. I liked those guys alot

9 minutes ago, gumby73 said:

 

I dont think Becton gets caught flat footed it looks like he tries to bully people and use his size to shove defenders away. 

I went back and watched Thomas and I have no idea where that assessment came from. Hes really good. I think hes our guy.

I stand with my assessment on wills. Those choppy steps will get him wrecked at the next level. Really nice guard prospect 

20 hours ago, Tour2ma said:

I think Louisville Slugger sees something I don't.

What game(s) did you look at LS? If different than those I looked at, then I'm willing to take another look.

 

Meanwhile report is out that LAC is trading Okung to CAR for OG Trai Turner so would appear that LAC has an OT in mind at #6 overall.

I watched the Clemson tape. There were a handful of bad snaps. He got too high and pushed into the QB twice. No sack but it looks bad. He completely whiffed on a cut block. He over perused a linebacker. Other than that he dominated his man on every snap. 

I've only watched 1 game of each of these guys so things could change, but Becton is way ahead at this point

13 hours ago, tiamat63 said:

I don't think what Tour was "proposing" would be praise of Becton. 

And having just wrapped up watching him vs Clemson this past season, I'm inclined to agree being very underwhelmed at times by what I saw.

Dear God, the amount of waist bending....

He needs to get lower in pass blocking and slow down when getting to the 2and level, but that's pretty easy to fix with a coach like Callahan. His run blocking is devastating and his feet are good in pass pro.

Wills has heavy feet. Hes probably going to be a OG.

Thomas mirrors well but looks weak/soft.

Wirfs is a good RT prospect but I want a LT if it a top 10 pick.

It's still early my opinion might change but that's what I'm seeing

4 hours ago, Tour2ma said:

Apparently stupid is not limited to FA articles today.

Here's a CBS mock that not only has us trading up, but trading up for Mehki Belton because... "Given Becton's insane athleticism at his size at the left tackle spot, he's a perfect fit in Kevin Stefanski's zone-blocking run scheme..."

Then they add to the stupid by claiming it's only cost us a 4th rounder to move up from 10 to 8...

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-packers-take-combine-star-patriots-land-small-school-sleeper-browns-trade-up/

 

I ain't gonna make it thru this offseason...

I was about to propose something similar. I didnt like Becton because i was going off memory of how horrible the Louisville offensive line used to be. I went and compared his tape to the top guys and he is on a different level. I dont think any of the other guys are worthy of top 10 pick but Becton could be a generational talent. In reality he doesnt make it out of the top 5

I would absolutely love to bring him back for cheap deal. I love the natural connection he has with baker. I think the main thing that messed up this offense was trying to get Beckham the ball. Baker is really good at finding the open guy so giving him a primary receiver kind of takes away his best attribute.

With that said this is a draft that is loaded with good receivers. Plus I really like that Montgomery kid. So we dont need to spend the money on him with all of the holes we have.

I've been a huge fan of Derrick Brown since last year. I think hes a safe pick and would be happy if hes our guy... but Kinlaw is a guy that I think might be a star. He is just as big as Brown but Kinlaw is more explosive. I haven't had time to do a ton of research yet but Kinlaw jumps off the screen.

Also I'm not a huge fan of these OTs (I haven't watched any of Wirfs so I cant knock him). Bectons potential is nice but as a Louisville fan I've seen how awful that Oline has been. Last year was a vast improvement but Petrino didnt even try his last few years here. I would get an old vet for a year and get a developmental guy in the middle rounds. I think Lamm might actually be a decent fit at RT in this zone scheme.

If he can get an experienced O.C. to call plays I'll take bad all the bad stuff I said about him. Preferably Kubiak so he can continue to learn that offense

Doesnt Phillips run a base 3-4? If we bring him here would we trade Garrett?

2 minutes ago, The Gipper said:

Is it Stephanski, or Stefanski?  Or Stevenski. 

I think it's pronounced stank-ass-key