If We Only Hadn't Traded Down Last Year

[choco]

Atlanta WR's destroy the world....

 

The Giants pounded the testosterone out of the Falcons Sunday, with a dominant 24-2 victory that left no doubt about who were the men and who were the boys in this NFC battle.

 

Atlanta's only points were a safety generated by the defense. That's right, folks: Here in a season when passing records are being shredded like old Enron balance sheets, Matt Ryan and his galaxy of so-called star receivers were shut out, blanked, zip-o-fied.

 

The entire punch-less offensive (in both senses of the word) effort was an indictment of the team's disastrous decision to mortgage its future to move up the board to grab Julio Jones in the first round of the 2011 draft. General manager Thomas Dimitroff should be forced to walk the pigskin plank for orchestrating this foul-sounding yet predictable disaster.

 

So the game was not just a win for the Giants. It was also a win for the only force in football since the 1972 Dolphins to go undefeated and untied: the Cold, Hard Football Facts Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law.

 

If you're new to the Mighty CHFF, this Man Law tells us that wide receivers are nothing more than Shiny Hood Ornaments decorating the engine of NFL teams. They look all nice and flashy and they cause fans to "ooh" and "ahh." But they don't make the engine run any better.

 

The Cold, Hard Football Fact, proven through all of NFL history, is that the impact of wide receivers is wildly overvalued by fans, analysts and, most damningly, by teams, coaches and executives, like Dimitroff, who should know better ... but don't.

 

The Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law proved so powerful in the 2010 season that we elevated it from the Shiny Hood Ornament Theory to its present status. It is no longer an idea or a concept. It is an irrefutable state of nature and exists all around us. Call it gravity for the gridiron.

 

The 2011 Falcons are the latest team to challenge the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law, then hurt itself plummeting back to Earth in the process.

 

Atlanta torched badly chasing a Shiny Hood Ornament

 

The Falcons failed to study the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law back in the 2011 draft. So they not only drafted wide receiver Jones in the first round, which is almost always a mistake, but also did the unthinkable to make it happen. They mortgaged their future, trading five draft picks to move up the draft board to grab Jones with the No. 6 overall pick. In other words, the Falcons made other parts of the team worse in the belief that a Shiny Hood Ornament would make the entire Atlanta vehicle run better.

We knew it was a bad move the moment it happened, especially for a team that went 13-3 the year before but failed to win a single playoff game because of problems that were exposed so badly by the Packers. In fact, we issued Atlanta a D- in our Sports Illustrated draft grades. So we're not engaging in a little revisionist history. The Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law told us it was an impending disaster the second the deal unfolded.

 

The mistake on draft day proved to be a mistake all year, as Atlanta took a step back by every meaningful measure.

The Atlanta Falcons' decline

2010 2011

Record 13-3 10-6

Playoff seed No. 1 No. 5

Points scored 414 402

Points allowed 288 350

 

So here's what the Falcons got for their five draft picks: they won fewer games, scored fewer points, surrendered more points and tumbled from the No. 1 seed to the No. 5 seed -- all because they believed placing a bright Shiny Hood Ornament on the offense would make the team run faster.

 

Oh, and just for good measure, they have no No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft to help fix the obvious problems, like an offensive line that can't get a push when needed and a defense that fell off badly. Other than that, it was a great decision to mortgage the future to pick up a Shiny Hood Ornament.

 

The disaster unfolds Sunday in front of Football Nation

 

The stupidity of the decision came crashing down on the Falcons for all of Football Nation to see on Sunday: the Atlanta passing game was a disaster, the Falcons were shut out, the offensive line was overmatched and its receivers were no-shows. Here's what we said Sunday in our Falcons-Giants grades on SI.com:

 

"Atlanta's star-studded pass-catching corps of Jones, Roddy White and future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez were non-factors, unable to get separation. They combined for 16 ineffective catches for 160 yards. Decent numbers, but zero game-changing plays for such a high-profile trio."

 

And that statement, in a nutshell, is a very good explanation of why receivers are Shiny Hood Ornaments. They can't make game-changing plays if the QB can't get them the ball. A lot of things have to be working right for Shiny Hood Ornaments to, first, get the ball and, second, do something meaningful with it.

 

Even the best Shiny Hood Ornaments touch the ball only four or five times a game -- a fact that seems lost on analysts and executives who habitually over-value their impact. (By the way, Gonzalez is another example of the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law in action. He's the all-time leader in everything by a tight end. What's he got for it? He has 16 catches, 157 yards, two TDs and zero wins in five career playoff games, including a quiet four catches for 44 yards on Sunday.)

 

So here's what the Falcons got Sunday for those five draft picks in the biggest game of the year:

 

1. They got an offense that scored zero points against a team that surrendered 400 points during the regular season, the most by any playoff team.

 

2. They got seven ineffective catches for 64 yards -- just 9.1 YPC -- from Jones, a guy who's supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime game-changer.

 

3. They got zero movement from their offensive line in one key short-yardage situation after another -- a nail-spitting animal at right guard would have been a lot more valuable to the Falcons in the biggest game of the year than an over-valued Shiny Hood Ornament.

 

There was also a certain irony to the fact the Falcons and their Shiny Hood Ornament were overwhelmed by the Giants. New York's leading receiver this year was Victor Cruz, who set a franchise record with 1,536 receiving yards, including a signature record-tying 99-yard touchdown reception in a must-win game over the Jets on Christmas Eve.

 

The record-setting Cruz was an undrafted free agent out of UMass. Yes, he's a Shiny Hood Ornament, too. He still only touches the ball four or five times per game. But the Giants found him with their morning coffee one day in 2010. They didn't make their team worse in the effort to land him. He's productive because he's paired with a great quarterback.

 

QBs make WRS; WRs do not make QBs

 

All of which brings us to the elephant in the room in Atlanta's 2011 post-mortem of pigskin: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan simply can't get it done.

 

He's consistently had trouble getting the ball downfield throughout his career, and has now played poorly in three straight playoff games. In fact, Ryan has statistically stagnated somewhere well below mediocre in his three postseason games, all losses: 72.8 rating in the 2008 playoffs; 69.0 rating in the 2010 playoffs; and 71.1 rating here in the 2011 playoffs.

 

t doesn't matter how many so-called "weapons" you put around a quarterback. The Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law tells us that quarterbacks make wide receivers, not the other way around. And right now we have four years of evidence saying that Ryan is not good enough to make his receivers better.

 

In either case, executives and coaches who are unaware of the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law are like physicists are unaware of Newton's Laws of Motion. They have no business being in the field and need to find another line of work.

 

ColdHardFootballFacts.com is dedicated to cutting-edge analysis and to the "gridiron lifestyle" of beer, food and football. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Email comments to siwriters@simail.com.

[BendMeOver]

Point? I don't see it.

 

Cleveland is the beneficiary of Atlanta's mistake. I dare you to use the draft pick to improve your team.

[Tim Couch Pulls Out]

Point? I don't see it.

 

Cleveland is the beneficiary of Atlanta's mistake. I dare you to use the draft pick to improve your team.

 

 

The point is, dicktits, the Browns actually made a good decision on draft day...finally.

[miktoxic]

the point is right there in front of your face.

 

a team isn't made by one player. the giants won with a team effort. their pass rush is dominant and kept ryan guessing and scrambling all day long. they have a good running game. their qb is top ten. their receivers are decent with speed.

 

sell your soul for that first pick doesn't always put you over the top as i'm sure the falcons thought jones would do.

[Zombo]

The point is, dicktits, the Browns actually made a good decision on draft day...finally.

 

 

[BendMeOver]

In 2010 the Browns had a 5-11 record and in 2011 you dropped to 4-12. Trading your draft pick did not improve your team in 2011 (same as with the Falcons).

 

Based upon rookie 1st rounder performance, Phil Taylor (DT) was rated around #166, with 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 4 sacks. (Granted, defensive players aren't given positional ratings like offensive players). Phil Taylor appears to be a decent pick-up, but he's not demonstrated that he's an elite defensive player.

 

Julio Jones, was ranked #25 in recievers for 2011, with 54 receptions for 959 yards and 8 TDs. Those are some impressive stats for a rookie. You may end up taking a WO with your #1 pick this year. Will he be as good as Julio was?

 

The one factor you have not considered is that the Falcons may have had an even worse record this year w/out Julio Jones.

 

In summary, you haven't proved trading down was a benefit to your organization and really you haven't proven that's it hurt Altanta particularly badly. Points wise on the draft grading scale, you really haven't traded the equivalent value for your #6 pick to Atlanta, as they didn't completely fall apart this year. Lastly, if another team isn't willing to gamble you couldn't have gotten extra picks, so bashing Atlanta for trading with you is akin to biting the hand that feeds.

[Pumpkin Eater]

It did not improve the team for 2011 because the pick was traded for a first rounder in 2012 you dipshit. Are you Retarded or what.

[BendMeOver]

Another point,

 

You could be going into next year with Jones and RG3. Wouldn't that be more exciting that the propects you are facing now?

[miktoxic]

he's a stooler fan so yes he is Retarded.

[BendMeOver]

It did not improve the team for 2011 because the pick was traded for a first rounder in 2012 you dipshit. Are you Retarded or what.

 

Who is more Retarded, the Retard or the one who cries Retard? I'm not even a fan of your team, yet I know you got Atlanta's 21th pick in the 2011 draft, along with their 1st rounder for 2012 and some other draft picks. Seriously though, pumpkin the fact that you can even type amazes me.

[Pumpkin Eater]

Yes, because I type stupid things about a first round pick in 2012 improving the Browns in 2011.

[Harry Buffalo]

In 2010 the Browns had a 5-11 record and in 2011 you dropped to 4-12. Trading your draft pick did not improve your team in 2011 (same as with the Falcons).

 

Based upon rookie 1st rounder performance, Phil Taylor (DT) was rated around #166, with 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 4 sacks. (Granted, defensive players aren't given positional ratings like offensive players). Phil Taylor appears to be a decent pick-up, but he's not demonstrated that he's an elite defensive player.

 

Julio Jones, was ranked #25 in recievers for 2011, with 54 receptions for 959 yards and 8 TDs. Those are some impressive stats for a rookie. You may end up taking a WO with your #1 pick this year. Will he be as good as Julio was?

 

The one factor you have not considered is that the Falcons may have had an even worse record this year w/out Julio Jones.

 

In summary, you haven't proved trading down was a benefit to your organization and really you haven't proven that's it hurt Altanta particularly badly. Points wise on the draft grading scale, you really haven't traded the equivalent value for your #6 pick to Atlanta, as they didn't completely fall apart this year. Lastly, if another team isn't willing to gamble you couldn't have gotten extra picks, so bashing Atlanta for trading with you is akin to biting the hand that feeds.

 

How is it fair that you are comparing Phil Taylor to all defensive players in the league while Jones is only being compared to WR's. That makes no sense. Secondly it is still to be seen if the trade has worked out for the Browns, but it is clear the trade has NOT worked out for the Falcon's because of the fact that they made this move to put in, what they thought was, the last piece of the puzzle. This was a move that they thought would send them to the supper bowl. It didn't, they failed in their goal for the trade.

 

EDIT: By comparing Taylor to ALL DT (note as a DT not all defensive linemen) in the NFL this season he ranks the following.

 

3rd overall in Combined Tackles, and is tied for 9th in sacks. Out of rookie DTs he is 1st in combined tackles and 2nd in sacks. He should make all rookie team easily.

[Tim Couch Pulls Out]

In 2010 the Browns had a 5-11 record and in 2011 you dropped to 4-12. Trading your draft pick did not improve your team in 2011 (same as with the Falcons).

 

Based upon rookie 1st rounder performance, Phil Taylor (DT) was rated around #166, with 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 4 sacks. (Granted, defensive players aren't given positional ratings like offensive players). Phil Taylor appears to be a decent pick-up, but he's not demonstrated that he's an elite defensive player.

 

Julio Jones, was ranked #25 in recievers for 2011, with 54 receptions for 959 yards and 8 TDs. Those are some impressive stats for a rookie. You may end up taking a WO with your #1 pick this year. Will he be as good as Julio was?

 

The one factor you have not considered is that the Falcons may have had an even worse record this year w/out Julio Jones.

 

In summary, you haven't proved trading down was a benefit to your organization and really you haven't proven that's it hurt Altanta particularly badly. Points wise on the draft grading scale, you really haven't traded the equivalent value for your #6 pick to Atlanta, as they didn't completely fall apart this year. Lastly, if another team isn't willing to gamble you couldn't have gotten extra picks, so bashing Atlanta for trading with you is akin to biting the hand that feeds.

 

And the factor you have not considered is the Browns also would have had a worse record this season without Taylor Little and even Marecic. The fact is we got three starters for their one, and we still have two more picks to include, shitsniffer.

 

 

Go back to reading shitty 8th grade Keats poetry and thinking you're a member of academia.

[The Gipper]

Point? I don't see it.

 

Cleveland is the beneficiary of Atlanta's mistake. I dare you to use the draft pick to improve your team.

 

Yes, the Browns must hit on their #22 pick. How? Not sure. But they must hit.

[The Gipper]

In 2010 the Browns had a 5-11 record and in 2011 you dropped to 4-12. Trading your draft pick did not improve your team in 2011 (same as with the Falcons).

 

Based upon rookie 1st rounder performance, Phil Taylor (DT) was rated around #166, with 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 4 sacks. (Granted, defensive players aren't given positional ratings like offensive players). Phil Taylor appears to be a decent pick-up, but he's not demonstrated that he's an elite defensive player.

 

Julio Jones, was ranked #25 in recievers for 2011, with 54 receptions for 959 yards and 8 TDs. Those are some impressive stats for a rookie. You may end up taking a WO with your #1 pick this year. Will he be as good as Julio was?

 

The one factor you have not considered is that the Falcons may have had an even worse record this year w/out Julio Jones.

 

In summary, you haven't proved trading down was a benefit to your organization and really you haven't proven that's it hurt Altanta particularly badly. Points wise on the draft grading scale, you really haven't traded the equivalent value for your #6 pick to Atlanta, as they didn't completely fall apart this year. Lastly, if another team isn't willing to gamble you couldn't have gotten extra picks, so bashing Atlanta for trading with you is akin to biting the hand that feeds.

 

 

You are by no means going far enough with this analysis. The Falcons got:

Julio Jones

 

The Browns got:

Phil Taylor....as someone said, he should make all rookie team on D...and very well may turn out to be an elite player at his position.

Greg Little....Who had practically as productive a year as Jones.

Owen Marecic...a contributor.....hopefully improving

all three of the above were starters, also the Browns get:

Atlanta's first round pick in 2012, which we know will be #22 overall (and who the Browns, yes, will expect to become an immediate starter)

Atlanta's fourth round pick in 2012. Again, hopefully a contributor.

[choco]

^^^

 

thats pretty much the gist. overall, i think WR is a vastly overrated position by the masses. this guy sees it as well, which i think explains the snarky attitude conveyed in the writing. that aside, we now get to see the first effects of that atlanta trade, and there's a few lessons some need to understand, or at minimum, acknowledge.

 

this is a similar trade i think as what a few have condoned to obtain luck, under the impression that one player, albiet a possible franchise QB, is all this team needs to compete. sounds nice in principle, but the effect of trading multiple picks has a lasting reaction in the following years, especially first rounders. Atlanta this year is down one crucial pick to continue adding talent to their roster.....without it, they'll have to supplement that spot in FA. this is how teams get into cap hell....relying on FA.

 

similarly, i realize the love affair with blackmon isn't going anywhere with this post, however this is case and point why some of us are a bit hesitant to spend this pick on a WR. its not a knock on the kid, more that i dont think he's what we need/are missing. W've got all kinds of short route/slot receivers on this team. if we go WR anytime, the kid needs elite speed. I'm more on the side of grabbing wright than blackmon soley for this reason...blackmon wont take the top off, wright can. i know there's a myriad of reasons against this position....most are good too, but the bottom line impact of a guy like jones on an already good team with a average QB in Ryan wasn't what everyone thought a year ago. it will take time and practice for jones to grow into the position...same with each and every WR taken in the draft. so again, blackmon would be a nice hood ornament....but this team isn't there yet.....if ever.

 

so, we already got 3 rookie starters, still 2 more picks, and atlanta is left with only 5 picks, an older roster, and less wins than last year. whats important there is value....what exactly did atlanta get for trading all those picks? was their offense magically transformed with the addition of an "elite" receiver? this is often a misconception....while cases like AJ green do happen, its hardly the norm for any one player to make this kind of impact in a team sport. its a theory that the individual is not greater than the whole, which proves true in many aspects of life. i'll argue that having 11 guys on each side that are average players is better than having 2-3 standouts and a bunch of scrubs. quality is a nice thing to chase in the draft, however we need quantity as well. i think if heckert can hit on the high picks this year, next years draft is all about quality....targeting 2-3 elite talents to add to a young but promising roster. I know patience is a sin to utter to browns fans, but we're simply not to the point of competing yet. we need way more than 1 or 2 elite players....we need 5-10 solid guys.

 

 

now, i realize the offseason is the best, most exciting time for browns fans. draft mode is in full swing....but i implore the lot of ya: we have 3 months to comb thru every detail of these kids, they have exhibitions, practices, the combine, pro-days, private workouts, skeletons in their closets, etc etc etc. lets temper the freaking excitement, stop falling immediately in love with a player or 2 ya want in the draft, and be realistic about these positives and negatives.

[Gips]

One or even two superstud players cannot consistently get it done alone regardless of position, there has to be a smart and working system with decent players along with a matching chemistry in place that allows a superstud to be a stud and without that system and core of support even a superstud may look quite average at best..

 

Tom heckert has done one helluva job setting the club up for a potentially great draft that may pretty much make or break the club over the next few years, i will trust heckerts decisions on draft day and even in FA, i am by far more concerned with the "shurmur factor" as all of the talent in the world cant help if you have an inferior coaching philosophy and system that fails to utilize player strengths and abilities along with poor decision making and bad playcalling..

 

With heckert i expect if his guy is not there at #4 or if he gets an offer he cant refuse he will trade down and take players not many fans really considered, it will likely piss fans off but should make the team better in the end depending on the shurmur factor..

[The Gipper]

One or even two superstud players cannot consistently get it done alone regardless of position, there has to be a smart and working system with decent players along with a matching chemistry in place that allows a superstud to be a stud and without that system and core of support even a superstud may look quite average at best..

 

Tom heckert has done one helluva job setting the club up for a potentially great draft that may pretty much make or break the club over the next few years, i will trust heckerts decisions on draft day and even in FA, i am by far more concerned with the "shurmur factor" as all of the talent in the world cant help if you have an inferior coaching philosophy and system that fails to utilize player strengths and abilities along with poor decision making and bad playcalling..

 

With heckert i expect if his guy is not there at #4 or if he gets an offer he cant refuse he will trade down and take players not many fans really considered, it will likely piss fans off but should make the team better in the end depending on the shurmur factor..

 

Well said. The "Shurmur Factor" is, indeed, I believe, the major concern for this team going forward. I mean, he could be a Chuck Noll/Bill Walsh stoic type HC who goes 1-13 his first year to multiple championships....or he could just alway be a 4-12 quality HC. We don't know yet.

[Harry Buffalo]

Will just say, look at what Fitzgareld has done in Arizona without a QB and what Johnson did in Detroit when Stafford was constantly put on IR. Nothing. These guys still performed but it helped their teams none. I still think we need Blackmon to get that #1 WR cause I think Colt is better than Kolb/Skelton and Detroits #2 but the importance put on the position is not warranted.

[BendMeOver]

Remember the fable the fox and the grapes? Browns fans are the fox and your draft is grapes. Atlanta scored a top flight reciever in Jones, and you guys whine about what they had to give up to get Jones. Who cares what they gave up, it's about what get from the draft. The Browns didn't have to give up anything to get Jones, they got consolation prizes instead. Atlanta made the play-offs, the Browns came no where near close. As long as you make the play-offs, you've got a chance to get to the Super Bowl.

 

All you talk about is who needs elite players and recievers don't touch the ball much...after all elite players don't make up a team, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, you got some starters in late draft rounds, but that's because the alternatives were far worse. If your organization is run right, you don't need 3rd-7th rounders to start for you franchise (except on special teams). Ultimately, you need about 5 elite players to be a play-off contender, typically they include: QB, WR, RB, LB/DL and CB/S.

 

In today's NFL, teams (especially winning organizations) must hit a home-run with their first round picks. If your first rounder isn't an elite type player at his position, who can start his rookie season and make a big impact, you've probably drafted badly or have a team chocked full of talented players. Your second round picks must also be big time pick-ups. The second round picks don't need to be "elite" but they need to be major contributors to the organization 1-2 years down the road. The remainder of the draft is for developmental/experimental players, ones who you are "gambling" on being good. You can afford to have misses with the later round picks.

 

If you select a wide-out with your #1 draft pick (slot #4) in 2012, then has the Atlanta trade really been good for you? Will that WO be as good a Jones (appears to be after 1 season)?

 

Phil Taylor is a decent pick-up for you. He would've been a steal had you nabbed him the second round. He's got to get a whole lot better for him to be justification over Jones, or you've got to nail your #22 pick this year (while not screwing up your #4 pick with a bust WR).

[Unsympathetic]

I hope we sign Calais Campbell from Arizona as our big offseason FA signing for RDE.. this would make the D much better. He's easily the top defensive line FA, and he's 25.

[hoorta]

Remember the fable the fox and the grapes? Browns fans are the fox and your draft is grapes. Atlanta scored a top flight reciever in Jones, and you guys whine about what they had to give up to get Jones. Who cares what they gave up, it's about what get from the draft. The Browns didn't have to give up anything to get Jones, they got consolation prizes instead. Atlanta made the play-offs, the Browns came no where near close. As long as you make the play-offs, you've got a chance to get to the Super Bowl.

 

All you talk about is who needs elite players and recievers don't touch the ball much...after all elite players don't make up a team, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, you got some starters in late draft rounds, but that's because the alternatives were far worse. If your organization is run right, you don't need 3rd-7th rounders to start for you franchise (except on special teams). Ultimately, you need about 5 elite players to be a play-off contender, typically they include: QB, WR, RB, LB/DL and CB/S.

 

In today's NFL, teams (especially winning organizations) must hit a home-run with their first round picks. If your first rounder isn't an elite type player at his position, who can start his rookie season and make a big impact, you've probably drafted badly or have a team chocked full of talented players. Your second round picks must also be big time pick-ups. The second round picks don't need to be "elite" but they need to be major contributors to the organization 1-2 years down the road. The remainder of the draft is for developmental/experimental players, ones who you are "gambling" on being good. You can afford to have misses with the later round picks.

 

If you select a wide-out with your #1 draft pick (slot #4) in 2012, then has the Atlanta trade really been good for you? Will that WO be as good a Jones (appears to be after 1 season)?

 

Phil Taylor is a decent pick-up for you. He would've been a steal had you nabbed him the second round. He's got to get a whole lot better for him to be justification over Jones, or you've got to nail your #22 pick this year (while not screwing up your #4 pick with a bust WR).

 

Regarding the red part, sure assuming we get Blackmon, and he turns out as good as Jones- the Browns just delayed selecting the stud WR by a year. AND we can use Atlanta's 21st pick on either a DE to play opposite Sheard, or a linebacker to replace the increasingly fragile Fujita.

 

We didn't whine about it either-(well some bozos on this board did) we just pointed out- Atlanta gave up FAR too much to get Jones. Jones was going to be the Crown Jewel that was going to put the Falcons in the Super Bowl. EPIC FAIL. And you're undervaluing Taylor, the guy is drawing double teams on a routine basis. Little would have had similar stats to Jones if he had learned to hang onto the ball earlier in the year.

 

So go look in a mirror Steeler guy and tell me where Ward and Wallace were drafted- third round. Atlanta gave up a truckload to try and get over the top, and it's seriously going to bite them in the upcoming season.

[BendMeOver]

As discussed the Browns 2011 draft has/had a great impact on WRs for your team. You could've been set with an elite player at that position, and/or you may draft an elite player at that position this year. However, by not selecting Jones in 2011, the Browns have for the most part ignored the QB position.

 

Many of you on this board (before the season) said Colt reminded you of a young Joe Montana. Now most of you think he needs jettisoned. RG3 what the majority of Browns fans seem to be hoping for with the #4 pick. St. Louis or Minnesota may also be gunning for him. You may have to give up your 2nd first round pick (from Atlanta) to move up and secure him.

 

Maybe Colt is good enough to get your team to the play-offs, however, he's not been surrounded with any weapons of any repute, so it's kinda hard to say if he sucks as bad as Ryan Leaf or not. Had you selected Jones, you'd have known more about Colt and subsequently, your top pick this year could've address another position of need (other than QB or WR).

[Pumpkin Eater]

Well said. The "Shurmur Factor" is, indeed, I believe, the major concern for this team going forward. I mean, he could be a Chuck Noll/Bill Walsh stoic type HC who goes 1-13 his first year to multiple championships....or he could just alway be a 4-12 quality HC. We don't know yet.

 

Interesting take. Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 in his first year too.

[Rooster Dick]

Guys, you people are so freaking crazy. Falcons made the playoffs... did the browns? This is Julio's first year in the league. He could be an all pro MVP next year with 1400yds and 25 TDs. How does anyone know???

 

Falcons will be in the playoffs next year, while Browns are picking from the barrel at 4-12.

 

This thread is useless.

[choco]

just cause its over your head doesn't make it useless. by the same token, what if jones catches less than 30 balls next year?

 

point is, he was supposed to elevated them to the next step. they got worse in almost every statistical category. its not that he wasnt worth the pick....just not the 4 additional ones it took to get him. furthermore, it lends to the impact he would have had if he came here. we'd still be 4-12, and we'd be fending off idiots like you screaming he was a bust.

[The Gipper]

Remember the fable the fox and the grapes? Browns fans are the fox and your draft is grapes. Atlanta scored a top flight reciever in Jones, and you guys whine about what they had to give up to get Jones. Who cares what they gave up, it's about what get from the draft. The Browns didn't have to give up anything to get Jones, they got consolation prizes instead. Atlanta made the play-offs, the Browns came no where near close. As long as you make the play-offs, you've got a chance to get to the Super Bowl.

 

This Browns team is much closer to making the playoffs with Phil Taylor, Greg Little and Owen Marcic than they would have been with just Julio Jones.

 

All you talk about is who needs elite players and recievers don't touch the ball much...after all elite players don't make up a team, blah, blah, blah.

 

You make the assumption that we concede that Julio Jones is an elite player. I by no means make that assumption. In fact, right here, right now, I say that Phil Taylor will likely be a better player at his position than JJ is at his....discounting Little and Marecic and the two picks we get this year.

 

Yeah, you got some starters in late draft rounds, but that's because the alternatives were far worse. If your organization is run right, you don't need 3rd-7th rounders to start for you franchise (except on special teams). Ultimately, you need about 5 elite players to be a play-off contender, typically they include: QB, WR, RB, LB/DL and CB/S.

 

Tell that to the Eagles. They have all those, supposedly. They are sitting at home as well.

The Browns have the CB and the RB, maybe. Yes, they need the WR and the LB and the QB. I think they get two of those in the first round this year, and possibly the third in the second round....if they draft right and if the talent blossoms.

 

In today's NFL, teams (especially winning organizations) must hit a home-run with their first round picks. If your first rounder isn't an elite type player at his position, who can start his rookie season and make a big impact, you've probably drafted badly or have a team chocked full of talented players.

 

Phil Taylor, by all accounts, will quite possibly be an impact player at DT.

 

Your second round picks must also be big time pick-ups. The second round picks don't need to be "elite" but they need to be major contributors to the organization 1-2 years down the road.

 

The Browns got 2 instant starters in Sheard and Little. At least, Little started the last half of the season.

 

The remainder of the draft is for developmental/experimental players, ones who you are "gambling" on being good. You can afford to have misses with the later round picks.

 

So far, this past draft looks good for that. We have had our starting LG for all games, Pinkston produce. Skrine, Hagg have contributed in backup and special teams. Jordan Cameron (or is it Cameron Jordan) is that "developmental player" so far. Four starters, two of which were a direct result of the Jones trade.

 

If you select a wide-out with your #1 draft pick (slot #4) in 2012, then has the Atlanta trade really been good for you? Will that WO be as good a Jones (appears to be after 1 season)?

 

If it is Blackmon, most think he will be every bit as good if not better. The key will not be the #4 pick, but the #22 pick, which is ATLs pick.

 

Phil Taylor is a decent pick-up for you. He would've been a steal had you nabbed him the second round. He's got to get a whole lot better for him to be justification over Jones, or you've got to nail your #22 pick this year (while not screwing up your #4 pick with a bust WR).

[The Gipper]

As discussed the Browns 2011 draft has/had a great impact on WRs for your team. You could've been set with an elite player at that position, and/or you may draft an elite player at that position this year. However, by not selecting Jones in 2011, the Browns have for the most part ignored the QB position.

 

Again, I don't buy that Jones is any more elite than Greg Little is. He is not nearly as good as AJ Green whom the Browns wanted And I don't see how the Jones trade affected the Browns QB position...at all.

 

Many of you on this board (before the season) said Colt reminded you of a young Joe Montana. Now most of you think he needs jettisoned. RG3 what the majority of Browns fans seem to be hoping for with the #4 pick. St. Louis or Minnesota may also be gunning for him. You may have to give up your 2nd first round pick (from Atlanta) to move up and secure him.

 

I still think it is possible that McCoy could be a young Joe Montana. I don't think there is any guarantee that RGIII will be better than McCoy, at all. I might like to have him however as a change of pace QB from all the others in the AFCN. And I don't see why St. or Minn. would want him. They have their QBs. Another team, like Wash or Miami may want to trade up with one of those teams to get him. That is certainly a possibility.

 

Maybe Colt is good enough to get your team to the play-offs, however, he's not been surrounded with any weapons of any repute, so it's kinda hard to say if he sucks as bad as Ryan Leaf or not. Had you selected Jones, you'd have known more about Colt and subsequently, your top pick this year could've address another position of need (other than QB or WR).

 

I don't think having Jones on this team would have mattered one way or another in evaluating Colt MCCoy.

[bringbackbrownie2]

Guys, you people are so freaking crazy. Falcons made the playoffs... did the browns? This is Julio's first year in the league. He could be an all pro MVP next year with 1400yds and 25 TDs. How does anyone know???

 

Falcons will be in the playoffs next year, while Browns are picking from the barrel at 4-12.

 

This thread is useless.

 

The Falcons were 13-3 with a 1st round bye without Julio Jones last year. They give up 5 picks to grab Julio Jones and go 10-6 while losing their 1st playoff game once again. This thread wasn't created to say that the Browns are better than the Falcons - but that the Falcons failed miserably on this trade.

 

If you go 13-3 one year and trade the farm for 1 top pick the next, you are essentially saying that with that one player it is Super Bowl or bust. Atlanta still hasn't won a playoff game under Matt Ryan (0-3) and now don't have a 1st round pick to help fix all their problems..

 

Julio Jones could have a career year next year but Atlanta won't have enough draft picks to fix their defense. Plus Matt Ryan hasn't proven that he can do much of anything come playoff time..

 

The Browns have extra picks this year to trade up, trade down, or just use them all to get that much closer to competing. If Atlanta wasn't any better with Jones this past year there is no way in hell he would have benefited more this year in Cleveland.

 

So does that help clear things up a bit?

[TypicalBrowns]

why is this an article?

 

The Falcons made it to the playoffs. They're not failures. Recievers had an off day because Ryan had too much pressure in his face.

 

But....they made the playoffs....

 

Why the hell are we saying the Browns are better off?

 

WRs arent just shiny hood ornaments. you gotta be freakin kiddin me. Look what not having WRs has done for the Browns.

 

They may not be AS important as other positons, but they are still very important to stretch the field, score in a hurry, move the ball quickly, keeping a D honest for the run game, converting long 2-3rd downs.

 

Come on now. Its a passing league.