Monthly Archives: September 2019

Browns offense has an identity problem

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The Cleveland Browns offense seems to be torn between wanting to methodically move the ball and taking endless deep shots.

Another game and another lackluster performance from the Cleveland Browns offense. The continuous effort to attempt plays that are clearly not working is puzzling. Regardless of what certain blocking metrics say, the Browns offensive line cannot sustain their blocks long enough to allow deep routes to develop. This again leads to a serious question. 

What the hell are the Browns doing offensively?

There is a clear and distinct difference in the effectiveness of what plays the Browns run. When Cleveland has Baker Mayfield execute an RPO the offense appears to be a well oiled machine able to march right down the field. Baker Mayfield looks like Baker Mayfield, the Browns score a touchdown and all is right with the world. The Rams defense looked like they were in hell as Baker executed RPO after RPO. 

Then there are the times when Cleveland deploys a different approach. An approach which is yet to be successful. Long developing pass plays which require the offensive line to block for more than the 2.5 seconds that an RPO requires. These concepts end up allowing the opposing pass rush to get in the vicinity of Baker Mayfield, disrupt his timing and potentially result in a sack. These plays get Baker and the offense out of rhythm and there is no excuse for them to continue to be called. 

Three games worth of film should indicate the effectiveness of certain concepts

At this point in time we have three weeks worth of tape that clearly shows what works and what doesn’t work. RPO’s are clearly working. Defenses have a hard time defending them. Until a defense can show they can defend them, the Browns should just RPO them to death. 

What isn’t working is the deep shots. They didn’t work in Week 1 or Week 2 and they clearly did not work in Week 3. These plays need to be eliminated from the game plan. They are only leading to ineffective offense and terrible play calls. Most notably this 3rd and 10 from deep in their own territory. 

Several deep routes on the right side of the field coupled with an underneath route well short of the marker. There is no reason to be running this. It has not worked up through the first three games and did not here. Opposing defenses want the Browns to run these plays because they know that they can defend them and pressure Mayfield at the same time. Until the Browns are able to protect Mayfield on these long passing plays defenses will continue to do this time and time again. 

One final thing 

It is perfectly fine to take some deep shots during a game (the key word here is some), but it cannot be so frequent that a defense expects them. A deep shot can keep a defense honest, but if there are too many of them it is only putting the offense in a bad situation. Especially when the tackles cannot block consistently. 

If the Browns are going to get their offense to where it needs to be they need to focus on what works and what doesn’t work. Through three weeks it’s pretty clear that the RPO’s work and the deep shots do not.

Baker Mayfield – Trubisky comparison is inaccurate

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We have reached peak hot take and attention seeking season because what we have here is an all-timer. Claiming that Baker Mayfield and Mitchell Trubisky are comparable quarterbacks.

Here is the deal, Baker Mayfield is not Mitchell Trubisky. This is nothing against Mitchell Trubisky, but Baker Mayfield is a far superior passer. Trubisky is a fine quarterback, but he is not anywhere near the caliber of passer that Mayfield is. What is considered good from Trubisky is not the same as what is considered good from Mayfield.

Trubisky is a quarterback who needs to use his legs to move the ball down the field. This is because he struggles to complete passes on a consistent basis. When the game speeds up it becomes too fast for Mitchell Trubisky. This does not apply to Baker Mayfield. As we saw several times last season, the game does not become too fast for Mayfield.

As a passer Baker Mayfield is more polished than Mitchell Trubisky and Mayfield can make throws that Trubisky can only dream about. Mayfield has a much stronger arm and can throw receivers open on a consistent basis. Two things that cannot be said about Trubisky.

Anything can look like an accurate comparison when you do not tell the whole story

An “analyst” decided to cherry pick some less than stellar moments from Mayfield’s first two games and decided to make a definitive statement about them. Two games in which Baker Mayfield has not looked like Baker Mayfield. Two games in a new offense just to prove a false narrative with flawed information. A narrative suggesting that Mayfield and Trubisky are comparable as quarterbacks. A narrative that claims that Mayfield’s performance is more indicative of his ability as a quarterback rather than adjusting to a new offense.

It is abundantly clear that through the first two games that Mayfield has looked a bit off. Nobody is arguing that fact. But trying to say that this is what he looked like last year is laughable. Mayfield simply does not look comfortable this season. Part of that is the new offense from Todd Monken. An offense that relies upon deep shots. These concepts can pose a problem for an offensive line that is questionable at best. Waiting for these routes to develop fully is difficult when the offensive line struggles to block on a consistent basis. 

If Baker Mayfield was struggling with what he succeeded with last season it is a completely different discussion. The offense is clearly different and predictably there is an adjustment period.

The difference between this season and last season is how quick the offense was last year. Freddie Kitchens ran an offense last year that was predicated on what the players felt comfortable with, which is a lot of quick passes. Almost the complete opposite of what we’ve seen so far this season. Cleveland has used some quick concepts, but mostly it is deep shots that have been called. 

The key to properly evaluating Baker Mayfield relies on two things. Whether the offense continues running plays that the team is struggling to run and if Baker Mayfield can adjust to what the defenses are throwing at him. Running a new offense while facing over half a century of defensive play calling experience in the NFL through three games will make most quarterbacks struggle (this includes the upcoming Sunday Night game against the Rams). It will be up to Freddie Kitchens, Todd Monken and Baker Mayfield to adjust accordingly. 

The Browns offense had a moment against the Jets where they looked like they did last year. It was Baker Mayfield’s pass to Odell Beckham Jr. which resulted in a career long touchdown pass and reception for both players. 

The ball is snapped, Mayfield executes the play fake quickly and the ball is out. Mayfield connects with Beckham before the defense can react and then it’s off to the races. This is the type of play the Browns need to run more of. This is what was successful last season. Quick passing concepts. Holding the ball for long passes clearly isn’t working. Snap the ball, execute a play fake (if necessary) and get it to the receiver as quick as possible, this is when Baker Mayfield is at his best. Hopefully seeing the success of this play will remind Kitchens of what worked last year and he will run more of it. 

There is not enough of a track record to accurately compare Baker Mayfield to Mitchell Trubisky

The reason the person compared Baker Mayfield to Mitchell Trubisky did this for one reason and one reason only. Attention. Trubisky is an easy target for people to point at since the Bears traded up to take him over several other quarterbacks. Trubisky has had issues in regards to his development since reaching the NFL. Most of his issues are accuracy related while the others are his ability to read a defense. There are two-plus seasons worth of Trubisky tape to watch. Trubisky is in his second season with his current coaching staff and concepts, verbiage etc. are not going to change all that much. Trubisky looks about the same this year as he did the year before.

Baker Mayfield will have plenty of time to adjust to the new offensive concepts that are being utilized by Freddie Kitchens and Todd Monken. Second year quarterbacks tend to have a bit of an adjustment period to begin with. When a new offense is introduced that just adds to the adjustment process. Having weapons like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry will make any quarterback feel the need to force the ball their way. Baker just needs to get comfortable, settle in and do what he does best. Find the open receiver and get the ball to him quickly. A concept which he has shown previously that he can do with ease. A concept which Mitchell Trubisky does not exactly excel at.

If Baker Mayfield is unable to progress and is having the same issues next season, then, and only then is when a comparison to Mitchell Trubisky can become valid.

Bobby Bradley and the Cleveland Indians

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Bobby Bradley remained in Columbus while the Cleveland Indians are fighting for their playoff lives. What does this mean about his future in Cleveland?

Earlier this season it appeared that Bobby Bradley was the heir apparent at first base or the designated hitter position. Since then the Indians acquired Franmil Reyes who looks locked in to be the Indians designated hitter for the foreseeable future. Carlos Santana is still under contract for one more season and will play first base during that time. Currently there does not appear to be a spot open in Cleveland for at least one more season. With that it seems like Bobby Bradley may have a future elsewhere. 

Bobby Bradley had a brief stint with the Indians earlier this year. While he showed he can hit the ball really far, he still was plagued by the same issue he has in the minors. Strikeouts. Bradley struck out 20 times in 45 at-bats and was optioned to Columbus. Normally this is forgivable as long as the batter is hitting for power but Bradley was not doing that either. 

Barring any trades, Cleveland will be bringing back Carlos Santana and Franmil Reyes next season. Those are two spots in the lineup that would go to Bobby Bradley. Add in the fact that the team will most likely try to work Jake Bauers back into the lineup and that is another spot that is now gone for Bradley. There is also the fact that Bauers is more versatile than Bradley which is what the Indians need right now.  Bauers’ ability to play at both first base and the outfield is more valuable than Bradley’s first base and designated hitter profile. If Cleveland thought that Bobby Bradley could provide the offense they are looking for after Tyler Naquin’s season ending ACL injury and the injuries to Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez they would have called him up. The fact that they did not should signal what is thought of Bradley.

Bobby Bradley strikes out a ton

As mentioned above, Bradley struck out 20 times in 45 at-bats with Cleveland. In Columbus Bradley struck out 153 times in 402 at-bats. This is slightly over 38% of his at-bats. Of the MLB players (entering September 19th 2019) who have struck out as much or more than Bradley this season, only four have done so with less than 500 at-bats. In fact, of the 18 players with 150 strikeouts or more so far, only four have less than 500 at-bats. Only two players have less walks than Bradley in this group.

If a major reduction in his strikeout frequency occurs and he increases his walk rate it would be wise to give him a shot at the Major League level. The only problem is that does not appear to be something that will be improved upon all that much. Bradley strikes out so much in AAA that it figures to only increase when he faces superior pitching at the Major League level. Add in the fact he appears to be a one dimensional player, his struggles in the Majors could continue.

Cleveland kept Bobby Bradley in AAA while fighting for the playoffs

With the Indians working their way back into the playoff race the final month Bobby Bradley will not get the opportunities with the big league club that he would in previous years.  If the Tribe were ahead in the divisional race or completely out of the playoff picture Bradley would get his chances to show what he’s got. Unfortunately that is not the case in this point in time. 

If Bobby Bradley could play the outfield or third base he would get a chance down the stretch. Yu Chang is only getting a shot because of the injury to Jose Ramirez. Chang plays a position that the Indians have a need for, Bradley does not. Jake Bauers got the call because again, he can play a position of need (outfield).

What does the future hold for Bobby Bradley?

Now there is the question of what to do with Bobby Bradley after this season. Cleveland has first base and DH position pretty much set in stone. Carlos Santana and Franmil Reyes seemed locked into those spots with Jake Bauers potentially getting a shot next season to open the season. Bradley will also have his chance to make the team out of Spring Training. But again, the problem is the position (or lack thereof) that he plays.

There appears to be a logjam at any immediate opening for Bradley next season. It is very possible that Bradley starts 2020 in Columbus again. With how things look for next season they have some decisions to make, including a possible trade. Will the Cleveland Indians trade Bobby Bradley? Only time will tell. Cleveland has previously traded away the likes of Jesus Aguilar and Yandy Diaz when in similar situations. Aguilar showed some promise for the Brewers last season before returning to his previous form this season. Diaz on the other hand provided immediate dividends to the Tampa Bay Rays. Although just how productive he is in the future remains to be seen.

The Indians need to do their due diligence in regards to Bobby Bradley and evaluate any and all options in regards to his status. This includes other players who have the ability to play first base and any trades worth considering. With players hitting home runs at an all-time rate, finding a 20+ home run hitter seems to much easier than in years past. If a trade of Bradley brings in someone at a position of need it is definitely worth considering.

Joe Thomas gives some free advice to Giants

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The Internet had many takes and opinions on the New York Giants benching Eli Manning. Joe Thomas gave his opinion on the method used by Pat Shurmur.

Former Cleveland Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas chimed in on the New York Giants quarterback situation. The Giants should do themselves a favor and take the free advice.

(In case you wondering, the flipping a coin comment is a reference to his former coach Romeo Crennel deciding on whether to start Derek Anderson or Charlie Frye in a 2007 exhibition game.)

Thomas is someone who has experienced plenty of changes at the quarterback position during his career and can be considered an expert on the subject. Especially when it involves a former head coach of his. Joe Thomas has heard every way of saying that a team is making a change at quarterback. Thomas knows which ways are better than others. Safe to say that this isn’t one of the better ones. 

Pat Shurmur broadcasting that he’s going with his gut instead of I don’t know, using his eyes to make a change at quarterback is comical. Even if he just uses some stereotypical coach speak it would come across a bit better than this.

It does not take a rocket scientist to tell that Eli Manning’s best days are behind him. The average person can tell that Eli is not who he used to be. The Giants might be better served making a change from their longtime quarterback. That being said, who knows what Daniel Jones will do. 

There is nothing wrong with Pat Shurmur going with his gut, just don’t make a proclamation to the world about it. The problem for the Giants and Shurmur is that they have predictably backed themselves into a corner. This usually does not end up well. If Jones fails it may push Shurmur out the door in New York. Playing quarterback roulette in a losing season never ends up well. It typically happens as a last ditch effort to save a job even though his fate may have been sealed beforehand. 

Nobody knows what the end result will be with Pat Shurmur, Eli Manning, Daniel Jones, and the New York Giants. There are plenty of examples over the years of things going bad. Time will tell if this follows the same path as the countless others. 

Yasiel Puig delivers for Tribe in extras

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Yasiel Puig came up to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded and came through with a walk-off RBI single for a 2-1 Indians win.

Yasiel Puig is a boss. In last night’s 2-1 walk-off win Puig decided to make matters into his own hands.

With the bases loaded Puig hit a walk-off RBI single to win it in extras for the Tribe. Puig said the following after the game. 

“I’m a little tired. I said ‘Somebody hit a home run, please. I don’t want to be playing anymore.’ I saw all the moves and everything happening. The inning before, I told Lindor and a couple of players ‘Hey. I’m going to finish this one.”

Yasiel Puig after Wednesday’s walk-off win

That’s a big time quote from a big time player. It certainly takes some guts to not only say something like that. But to actually come through and deliver is absolutely legendary. 

Yasiel Puig has been hot and cold since coming to the Indians. This type of on and off streak has been typical of his career. Puig is a player who will be impossible to get out and then suddenly he can’t buy a hit. 

In his 41 games with the Indians Yasiel Puig is slashing .295/.373./417 with an OPS of .790. This includes 14 extra-base hits (11 doubles, two home runs and a triple) with 18 runs driven in. Puig has been very productive as a rental bat for the Indians as they make their playoff push and he approaches free agency. 

Browns will be without David Njoku

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David Njoku has a broken wrist and is going to miss some time. This is a blow to a promising tight end who could have taken that next step forward this season. While there will still be time for him to do so later in the season, the browns will be without him for the time being. 

This is not a death blow to the Browns offense. David Njoku could be a dynamic player but has not put it all together yet. Things would be drastically different if there were not the plethora of playmakers on offense. Baker Mayfield will still have the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins to throw to. Antonio Callaway will return in a few games just giving the Browns yet another option on offense. 

The only problem with all those names listed above are that they are not tight ends, they are wide receivers. David Njoku will have to be replaced as someone who can line up next to a tackle and block when called upon. 

Come on down Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones! You are the next men up on the depth chart! 

Both Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones are both better blockers than pass catchers. Something that actually may come in handy right now. The Browns offense is yet to find their stride and the offensive line has struggled blocking. Njoku is not necessarily a good blocking tight end and his absence might help things out for the time being as crazy as that sounds. Baker needs time to throw with the new offensive concepts being introduced this season and has not had it. 

Perhaps keeping in Harris or Seals-Jones as a blocker will give Mayfield more time in the pocket over the next few games. This starts with Sunday Night’s contest at home against the Los Angeles Rams and their tough defensive front. Keeping an extra blocker in to try and slow down Aaron Donald is just one of the things they will need to in order to win Sunday. 

As much as it sucks to be without David Njoku, his absence could finally lead to the Browns offense finding the rhythm they have been desperately seeking through their first two games. 

Keys for the Browns in Week 3

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The Cleveland Browns have another high profile game in Week 3. This time against the Rams at home on Sunday Night Football. This is their toughest test so far this season and will require excelling in a few areas in order to win. 

Block Aaron Donald by any means necessary. 

This might be the most difficult task on Sunday so let’s get to it first. Aaron Donald is one of the NFL’s best defenders. His ability to disrupt plays instantly sets him apart from the rest of the league. Donald has the upper hand coming into this game. It will be up to the Browns to do everything they can to slow him down because stopping him entirely is impossible. Double team him on every play. Chip him with tight ends and running backs. Bring in extra blockers in order to provide another line of protection for Baker Mayfield. If they are unable to slow him down it will be a long day for the Browns. 

Quick passes instead of shot plays 

This is something that has been discussed ad nauseam. As part of their new offense Cleveland has utilized a lot shot plays in their first two games and it has led to mixed results. Their lackluster offensive line makes these types of plays more difficult. As mentioned above, Aaron Donald will pose many problems for the Browns. In order to help neutralize the Rams pass rush and maximize the strengths of the Browns pass offense they will need to use more quick passes instead of deep shots. The occasional deep shot is fine but as we have seen through the first two games they are not working all that well at the moment. 

Give Nick Chubb more carries

Freddie Kitchens stated he wants to get Nick Chubb more involved. Well, no time like the present. Chubb needs to be involved if the offense is going to ascend anywhere remotely near the level that many expected them to this season. Chubb has 35 carries through the first two games this season. The amount of carries Chubb should have after Week 3 should be closer to 60 than 50 if they want their offense to be more productive. A combination of more carries and some more creative run concepts should get the job done Sunday night. 

Myles Garrett needs to cut down the penalties 

Myles Garrett is an elite pass rusher. Garrett can get to any quarterback with ease. The problem that came to light last week was the two roughing the passer penalties. Granted, they were weak penalties but they were called. Garrett will need to adjust to how refs are making that judgment when he is hitting the opposing quarterback.  Unlike the Jets, the Rams can take advantage of extra chances. Cleveland cannot allow Los Angeles to have additional shots at putting points up on the board. This could result in a deflating loss if this does occur. 

Refs pick curious time to enforce NFL visor rule

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In the first quarter of Monday Night’s game, NFL officials decided it was important to enforce a visor rule on a crucial 3rd down play.

It was 3rd and Goal from the Jets Five yard line and Odell Beckham Jr. was sent to the sidelines. At first no one was quite sure why. Then the trainer was seen changing out Beckham’s visor. Apparently this type of visor is not allowed by the NFL. The problem is not the enforcement of the rule, it is the timing.

The officials of the game had plenty of time to inspect OBJ’s visor. This obviously was not done. If the NFL wants to say that it was done and they failed to notice his visor that is their own damn fault. It is the job of the officials, who represent the NFL, to do their job correctly. Failure to do this is squarely on those who are employed to enforce the rules. Rather than blaming the player after the game started, blame the officials who are incompetent of enforcing their own rules.

There were plenty of opportunities to make Odell Beckham Jr. change the visor, they just so happened to choose 3rd and Goal.

The officials could have made OBJ change his visor before the first play of the game. They could have made him swap the visor out after his one-handed catch on the sideline. An NFL official was right there to see Beckham and his tinted visor.

The official stares Odell Beckham Jr. right in the face as he comes off the field. Nothing was said at that moment, why wait to say something until a crucial moment in the drive?

The officials could have said that OBJ needs to change his visor after the drive was over. This would have been the optimal time to say something and fair to both sides. Wait until the team comes off the field after the drive is over to enforce a rule which is kind of stupid to begin with, but that is not the point.

Some will make it about Odell Beckham Jr. wearing the visor. Just like they made a big stink about his watch last week. Beckham wore a visor, big deal. Players wear tinted visors all the time, just a different version of a visor. The NFL apparently does not allow this particular type of visor.

At the end of the day it is not about the rule. It is the timing of the enforcement of the rule. Rather than making an arbitrary ruling they could have said something any number of times. Until the NFL begins to start using some logic and common sense enforcing the rules, their decisions will continue to be questioned.

Browns offense is still a work in progress

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The Cleveland Browns offense has not quite lived up to expecations thus far. There is still a lot of work to be done as the season progresses.

The offense of the Cleveland Browns is still a work in progress. There is obviously some different elements included this season when compared to last season. This has led to some struggles in regards to scoring and some overreactions. Patience is needed as the Browns work things out. 

The clear difference is the volume of shot plays. Deep pass patterns which sometimes include play action. One problem is that the offensive line has not been great so far this season. This includes Greg Robinson’s ejection in Week 1. Another issue is that the Titans and Jets are very aggressive defenses. This has led to less time for shot plays to develop and more pressure on Baker Mayfield. 

These new concepts come courtesy of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. While in Tampa Bay these types of plays were prevalent in the Buccaneers offense. Combine this with the fact that there is still some of that desire to make big plays quickly with the new offensive weapons, this can cause some issues. 

The most explosive play was a short pass to Odell Beckham Jr. resulting in a career long touchdown for both Beckham and Mayfield.

This is a type of play that the Browns should look to run more often. Shot plays are great, but cannot be relied upon for consistent offensive production. In fact Baker Mayfield has been better throwing the ball quicker this season.

While chunk plays are great, the reality is defenses can send pressure and disrupt this type of offense quite easily. Especially considering the issues the offensive line has.  A mix of plays from last year and the shot plays from Monken would lead to a more consistent offensive attack. 

Quick plays will be crucial as the Browns face another aggressive defensive front in Week 3.

Indians playoff hopes hanging by a thread

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Barring an unforeseen meltdown by the Minnesota Twins, the Cleveland Indians have no chance to win the division and the Wild Card may be out of reach.

Cleveland had a ton of pressure on them entering this series with the Twins The one thing the Cleveland Indians could not afford to do was lose this series. They did just that. Getting swept in Saturday’s doubleheader ends any last gleaming hope that they can still win the division. The Indians now trail the Twins by 5.5 games and it is only a matter of time before Minnesota takes the division title. 

Ideally the Tribe would have spilt yesterday. In fact they were in line to do so until a bullpen collapse cost them the game. Now they enter Sunday in a must win situation. 

Their chances for a Wild Card berth dwindle by the day as the Rays and A’s seemingly have it on lock down.  Currently Cleveland trails by 2.5 games and while their initial schedule after Minnesota is not entirely difficult (Detroit, Philadelphia), they finish the season in Washington. That means that National League rules will be in effect putting Cleveland at a disadvantage. 

If Cleveland has any hopes of making the postseason they essentially need to sweep the rest of the season. A task much easier said than done. Cleveland tried all season long to thread the needle with a mixture of adding talent while cutting payroll. It does not appear right now that they achieved their goal.