#19: Cameron Erving, C/G, Florida State

[Phills14]

I was not crazy about the Erving pick then and I'm still not now. On the surface I did not like taking ANOTHER offensive lineman high in the draft. However; Erving scared me from the start because he was a borderline draftable tackle at FSU. The staff moved him inside because he was so bad on the outside. He turned into a great interior lineman but only played a handful of games at that position.

The Browns drafted that guy in the 1st round. On the surface I had a problem with that since he had very little experience playing the position he was drafted for. Not to mention he hasn't even played THAT position this year.

On a strategic level it just seems like a bad idea. He may be good. I hope he's good and I'm not saying he's bad, but the circumstances around him make him much riskier to me than the draft pundits made him out to be.

 

[Huber.]

Playing him at LG isn't the reason he got knocked on his ass several times. It's not like he blew an assignment and covered the wrong guy. He just got man handled. He appears to be weak and flabby.

 

[Surge]

Brown's can't develop studs in college to be contributors at the NFL level. Why in the world would they think they could turn a Swiss-army knife into a Katana blade?

 

[Randolphkeys]

I still like the Danny Shelton pick, even though the posters with questions about drafting a nose tackle that high should feel some vindication. Farmer began losing my faith when Erving seemed to be destined for this Browns pick weeks before the draft. Offensive line flexibility is great, but Greco was already supposed to be a player like that, and he was properly drafted later on, in the 3rd round. Farmer looks at the long view, but not at key positions.

The team still has some guys who overachieved as non-drafted free agents. That seems to be where Farmer and the scouting department hangs their legacy. What nifty human interest story. However, Farmer's questionable free agent and high draft picks won't be inspiring a Sandra Bullock movie anytime soon. Hitting on some hidden gems won't move the meter like success elsewhere.

The Erving pick was just emblematic of why Farmer's philosophy hasn't produced wins. The team is somehow both older and less talented at every key position Farmer set out to strengthen when getting the job.

 

[Binkster]

While I don't disagree with your assertion, acting like it was some exclusive take by you is hysterical.

I guess I'm just speaking from my personal point of view where I had several jackass friends of mine applauding the selection of yet another first round lineman.

Didn't mean to imply that nobody on the board shared my sentiment.

 

[Chris]

I guess I'm just speaking from my personal point of view where I had several jackass friends of mine applauding the selection of yet another first round lineman.

Didn't mean to imply that nobody on the board shared my sentiment.

The funny thing is I woke up today, and instantly checked a couple mocks...and at least two had them with a top 5 pick taking an OT.

Just, no words.

 

[Binkster]

The funny thing is I woke up today, and instantly checked a couple mocks...and at least two had them with a top 5 pick taking an OT.

Just, no words.

 

[Snowblind]

edit.. wrong thread

 

[Chris]

I rated that funny, but it's also horrible.

Kind of like being a Browns fan.

 

[spydy13]

Erving was absolutely brutal yesterday, but this idea that this is all he'll ever be after one start is just so dumb.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Erving was absolutely brutal yesterday, but this idea that this is all he'll ever be after one start is just so dumb.

That is certainly what Huber implies, but most posts here are suggesting there is a philosophy Farmer adopted toward high picks that is simply not working out.

Farmer had one successful first or second day draft pick so far. Bitonio was the one guy who had expectations to make an immediate impact, and he did. These other guys were drafted to develop into starters when a vet leaves in free agency one year down the line, or get too old to maintain production.

I think it's fair to say this gradual development philosophy has been vastly underwhelming, and arguably sets the timetable for solid prospects behind. Farmer has tried implementing a gradual build with low expectations in the short term, and those building blocks have shown no sense of urgency. Their jobs are being filled by guys fighting just to stay on the roster. I blame the system over the individuals at this point.

 

[spydy13]

That is certainly what Huber implies, but most posts here are suggesting there is a philosophy Farmer adopted toward high picks that is simply not working out.

Farmer had one successful first or second day draft pick so far. Bitonio was the one guy who had expectations to make an immediate impact, and he did. These other guys were drafted to develop into starters when a vet leaves in free agency one year down the line, or get too old to maintain production.

I think it's fair to say this gradual development philosophy has been vastly underwhelming, and arguably sets the timetable for solid prospects behind. Farmer has tried implementing a gradual build with low expectations in the short term, and those building blocks have shown no sense of urgency. Their jobs are being filled by guys fighting just to stay on the roster. I blame the system over the individuals at this point.

Oh, I agree that the strategy of the Erving pick (and others) has been suspect, but I just can't stand when people pile on developmental players so early in their careers.

As I said, yesterday was awful, but I hope people don't think that's wholly indicative of the arc of his career. Maybe the scouts were wrong about him being able to play all over the line, and when he plays center next year he'll be quite capable? Or maybe he just ends up being a bust, but let's at least give him more than one start before we declare him a bum.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I was never enamored with Erving as a player at all, and less so for the Browns. He lacks the awareness and agility to be a great offensive lineman.

I'm afraid of what will happen if Erving does eventually play center and call the adjustments for us. We'll see, but I don't see him getting much better.

 

[Soda]

Erving was absolutely brutal yesterday, but this idea that this is all he'll ever be after one start is just so dumb.

It's comedy. Almost more comedic than having a guy practice at 4 positions, then play the 5th position in his first NFL start. It's not the optimal first start, but geez... Our trigger fingers have gotten quicker over the years.

 

[The Voice]

Wow what a botched pick


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