So the NFL, as a whole, isn't practicing tackling. This is something CBD brought up. At yesterday's 7-on-7, where a traditional training camp offense sometimes completes all of it's passes, it was "maybe 40%".
We have Chubb and Hunt.
The NFL isn't practicing tackling.
Baker and the receivers aren't on the same page yet.
Add there is some buzz around the league that defenses are ripe for the picking to be run-pounded. They're light and fast with less and less thumping LB's.
Conklin's highest grades were in run blocking. Jed is struggling with pass blocking.
Zegura suggesting maybe that's the formula. Chubb, Hunt, Chubb, Hunt, Chubb, Hunt, Chubb, Hunt ... play action to Hoop and Hunter ... and then go from there.
Despite 3 probowl pass catchers and some promising rookies, our early identity may have to be ... run the ball.
Just need a TE or two to make consistent blocks then...
Maybe move on from Njoku and keep big ol' haus Pharaoh Brown?
That may play into the make up of the final roster - one less WR and one more rush TE or OL
Well right on cue, an article on AVP, with this excerpt
WHY HIRING ALEX VAN PELT WAS BEST MOVE OF BROWNS' OFFSEASON
"Featuring a heavy run game with a huge emphasis on play-action, this puts Mayfield on the move, where he thrives, as well as giving him more time to make good decisions down the field with the plethora of weapons he has to choose from. All that is great, but the biggest thing Van Pelt brings to the fold is stability."
Been thinking that for a while now: Browns offense is run-heavy already... but in this COVID time, I bet we lean on it even more.
Not a knock on our QB, I think he's aces... but it's a timing based pass offense and they're still getting that down. Also his 4th offense in 2 calendar years, I'm sure his head's spinning after 24/7 Lincoln Riley for three years.
He's really good, really smart, and really hard-working. He'll be good. But I'm down for pounded the rock for a few weeks.
I don't think anyone in the organisation needs to be told twice. We're going to serve up some Chubb, some Hunt, and then more Chubb and Hunt.
On passing, I think a lot of it is going to be quick and short. Get it to the tight ends to justify heavy sets, get the ball out of Mayfield's hands quick, but always ready to hit an overzealous team with the deep pass.
I expect everything to be established off the back of the ground game. Teams are going to have to prove they can stop the run without selling out before we'll find ourselves in trouble.
And we should reasonably be okay. Chubb and Hunt are amongst the best backs in the NFL, our OL is stout and filled with top talent, we nabbed our fullback and the tight ends are impressing across the board.
It might not be record setting, but it should be effective.
The Browns made a major push to improve the run game...and stop the run game. That is going to pay dividends.
If our uber-intelligent GM and HC don't watch our first Ravens game and take the most obvious salient points away (keep Lamar off the field, make Lamar uncomfortable in the pocket, make Lamar beat you with his arm not feet), then they're not as intelligent as we hoped. And if our less-than-uber-anything-and-now-former-HC could figure it out, then sheesh, these guys better. The most salient point: Feed Chubb and let him win you the game, all by his damn self. And now we have Hunt, too? Good Lord. PLEASE let Stef be confident enough to run HIS offense and give his team the best chance to win. If he does? And if Landry and OBJ commit to it, and they realize that they'll have ACRES of space if they do...? They'll have a fantastic damn year, that's what'll happen.
All I can say is that we had best start practicing tackling. September 13 is quickly approaching and if we plan to make Lamar beat us with his arm and not his feet, we will need proficient tackling.
Depending on how we tackle, it will be either a glad day or a sad day. And, ideally, a good portion of it will be behind the line of scrimmage. (Could somebody maybe mention this to Garrett and Vernon?)
I’m hoping we tackle on Thursday, but the way the world is going, I’ll take ANY practice.
Goodson and Phillips were obvious prescriptions to cure Lamar. Elite tacklers, something we just did not have before. A healthy Karl Joseph is more of that for sure. Continue to think he gets his extension.
Those three probably hear the name Lamar Jackson quite a lot when talking to Browns brass.