Clearing My Head…
In a recent news article…you know the one where Joey Porter tries – and fails – to apologize for calling Kellen Winslow a (derogatory term for gay men)? In his statement Porter said,
“…he (Winslow) talks too much and doesn’t do anything. He’s weak, he’s soft. He should move to wide receiver because he doesn’t want to block anybody, he doesn’t want to be a tight end.”
Well, Joey, I figured you would be the last person wanting Winslow to become a wide reciever. After all, I’m sure you would lose some “street cred” back home by being the linebacker that was thrown to the ground like a rag doll by a “weak and soft” wide receiver.
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This April, Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel will take part in their third draft as Browns’ management. The previous two drafts saw them select 18 players overall. Of those 18, only 5 (Braylon Edwards, Charlie Frye, Brodney Pool, Kamerion Wimbley and DeQwell Jackson) have seen significant playing time. If you add special team regulars, Justin Hamilton and Lawrence Vickers, that makes 7.
Now, I am not sure if 7 out of 18 is a good percentage in comaprison to the normal rate for most teams, but I do know this…The Browns cannot afford to waste draft picks anymore. They are in a position where they need quality picks – who have a chance to play – in all seven rounds.
Before you roll you eyes and disagree with me, please understand I do realize that getting quality playing time out of all seven round picks is next to impossible. But at least try to have plans for your draft picks to see the field.
Remember guys like….2005 4th round pick Antonio Perkins? or 2005 5th round selection David McMillan? or how about 2005 6th round choice Nick Speegle? All of three of these guys have been either preseason fodder, or are no longer on this team.
There were also problems in 2006 as well. 3rd round pick Travis Wilson may see the field for significant time for the first time all season this Sunday, and where oh where has Jerome Harrison been? Yeah, Jerome Harrison, you know the 5th round running back selection? The same guy who led Division I in rushing yards last season? The same guy who posted better rushing numbers then Reggie Bush…..in the same conference!!
Now in no way am I saying that Harrison is better than Bush, but with our running game struggling so bad and our season virtually over, wouldn’t it make some sense to at least see what he can do for a few drives in a row as the featured back?
The draft is tough to gauge. But when a team is trying to rebuild as the Browns are, you can’t do things like take a player in the third round and never play him…you just can’t.
5 out of 18 I guess can be considered decent. But wasn’t Savage mainly brought here because his specialty was quality drafts?
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Derek Anderson has essentially been the Browns quarterback for the past six quarters now. And where we have seen good things, and bad things from him, there is one stat nugget that sticks out to me. Over those past six quarters, Anderson has only been sacked one time. Yep, once. Hard to believe isn’t it? Eespecially after we have watched Charlie Frye run for his life on most passing plays.
What is the reason for this? Did things just finally click for the offensive line over those six quarters? Do they not like Frye or something?
The true answer may never be known, but from my persepective I believe it is Anderson’s pocket awareness that is aiding his blockers to prevent sacks.
Frye is best when he scrambles out. We all know that. However, that kind of style can make it hard on your offensive line. Remember, they have their backs to the quarterback, and they can only assume where he is as they try to keep their man away from that spot.
When Frye starts running back and forth, the line loses their advantage because the defenders can see where he is, but the blockers can’t.
Many times you see Frye sacked, and the Browns lineman shrug their shoulders…almost in disbelief that Frye was where he was. Anderson isn’t as mobile as Frye, and he sits in the pocket longer, and steps up under pressure – he doesn’t roll out of it the way Frye does. This allows the line to create the pocket around him, because they know where Anderson is going to be.
Or maybe it’s just dumb luck…
The team seems alot more confident with Derek Anderson behind the center. He throws the ball with alot more velocity than Charlie does, and he gets rid of the ball much faster. I think he played real well against the Steelers, but the Browns just had too many drops….most of them by Northcutt. Anderson also doesn’t lock in on one receiver like Charlie does. I’m very interested to see how he plays against the Ravens.
I don’t care who the QB is (I went to Akron U). I want the guy to play that gives us the best chance to win, period!
Amen, brother. I believe the phrase, “Just Win Baby” is already taken…but something along those lines is the way we all feel.