Stripping the 2007 notebook bare . . .
Why are the Browns so intent on beefing up their
receiving corps during the offseason? Certainly, they must know the troika of
Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Kellen Winslow Jr. was as good as any in the
National Football League this past season.
The key was utilizing Winslow correctly. While listed as a
tight end, Winslow is really a large wide receiver who has been pigeon-holed in
the wrong position. The key to the Browns’ offensive success this season was
using Winslow in the hybrid role with unsung Steve Heiden performing most of the
grunt work as the real tight end.
As a result, Winslow was able to line up practically anywhere
on the field. Sometimes, he appeared in the slot; other times, he was flanked
wide to either side of the formation.
In essence, offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski made the
opposition play “Where’s Kellen?” enough that it risked getting burned if it
tried to sneak a safety into the box. That, in turn, opened up the running game
for Jamal Lewis and his buddies up front.
And when the running game was featured, out came Winslow or
Jurevicius and in came another unsung hero . . .
. . . Lawrence Vickers. Working considerably under the
radar, the young man from Colorado did not blow his chance once the coaches
realized his greatest strength was blocking. You can point to the offensive line
as a key to Lewis’ surprising success this past season, but Vickers was every
bit as important.
Time and again, he provided the key block that would spring
Lewis for large gains. And in short-yardage situations, he was Chudzinski’s
choice to produce. He rarely failed.
He became the player the Browns thought they had when they
signed Terrelle Smith as a free agent a few years ago.
Did anyone notice who the National Football League
picked to referee the two conference championship games?
In the American Conference title game, our old buddy Jeff
Triplette did the honors. And in the National Conference game, Terry McAulay
headed that crew.
Sound familiar? Triplette = Orlando Brown and a penalty flag.
McAulay = Bottlegate.
Cleveland – the springboard to bigger and better assignments.
If there is any one area outside of nose tackle that
needs to be addressed during the offseason, it’s inside linebacker. It has
become abundantly clear that Andra Davis is not the answer and D’Qwell Jackson
still leaves a lot to be desired
Sure, Jackson was in on 100 tackles in 13 games, but why does
it seem as though most of those tackles are well past the line of scrimmage?
Romeo Crennel says he loves Jackson’s instincts. But those instincts are not
translating into making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. . (The Browns
figure that will change with the addition of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams.)
Too bad the Houston Texans selected DeMeco Ryans with the
first pick of the second round in the 2006 draft, one slot in front of the
Browns. Ryans, who fits perfectly at middle linebacker for the Texans, would
have looked much better than Jackson. He’s bigger, stronger and makes plays.
When you play the games through your mind, Jackson does not
stick out. Neither does Davis, who has been at this now for six seasons. He is
not a playmaker. And when your inside linebackers don’t make plays, statistics
pile up. The wrong kind of statistics.
Sure, Davis had a terrific game against the Buffalo Bills. But
it took a near blizzard and a much slower track for him to stick out.
It’s also time to see what Leon Williams can do on a full-time
basis. We know he’s a decent cover guy in passing situations. Now let’s see what
he can do as a full-timer. How much worse can he be?
Shaun Smith should play nose tackle and nothing else.
He is not a defensive end. I know injuries forced Smith to move outside at time
last season, but he is terribly ineffective out there against taller and
stronger offensive tackles.
He belongs inside, where he can utilize his strength and
quickness in tight areas against opposing centers and draw double teams. His
relentless style of play is perfect for the role. (He could give Rogers an
occasional breather.)
Memo to Chudzinski: Procure a tape of the first
two New England Patriots playoff games, break them down and show them to Derek Anderson. Point out how Patriots quarterback Tom Brady takes whatever the
defense gives him. Bang home the notion that he, too, can be that kind of a
quarterback.
Jacksonville and San Diego took away the deep ball from Brady.
That became apparent early enough where he could make an adjustment.
Fans wondered why Randy Moss caught only two passes total
against the Jaguars and Chargers. He’s not a short- or intermediate-route guy.
Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk are Brady’s favorites when the Pats are forced to
play that game.
Anderson should be required to study Brady carefully in order
to hike his game to a new level. Watch how he delivers the short ball, how he
feathers his throws when necessary, how he tightens his visual zones to hone in
on receivers.
Completing long bombs is glamorous. Completing the other kinds
of passes is what contributes to delivering championships.
But for goodness sake, don’t show Anderson the tape of the
Super Bowl.