LyXo said:
I just noticed that Shaffer is a LT, as is Joe Thomas... will this affect how we draft? I'd rather not miss out on a stud OL in the first round because of a guy that can potentially play.
Why not? Most young tackles, even if they are left tackles in college, start their career on the right side... So they can get adjusted to the NFL speed and overall game, instead of throwing them into the fire..
So, I see no reason why it would affect the way we draft... Ryan Tucker seems like he has some major mental/emotional problems with himself and I don't know when or if he will be back... Behind him we have Dorsey, who's shown some talent/potential, but I don't know if he'd be the answer at right tackle..
And don't forget, Savage always drafts by BPA over need... Thomas is near of the top of everyboy's board, in terms of best player in the draft and I don't see a reason why Savage wouldn't pick him...
LyXo said:
I'd rather give the boot to Andruzzi than keep him... he's proven to be worthless this season, and was vastly outplayed by his backup, Friedman, but somehow still ended up back in the lineup.
I'd give both guards the boot.. Both of them have proven to be worthless and have really caused problems for our tackles and have been the weak point of the running game...
The reason why I'd take Andruzzi over Coleman, is because Andruzzi is playing out of position at this time in his career at LG... He'd be way better suited to be playing RG... Coleman has proved nothing to me and putting him over at LG, which is the harder of the two spots, would be basically like putting a tackling dummy there..
LyXo said:
Keeping Fraley would be a good idea though.. he's good insurance if Bentley doesn't show this season, and can even continue to start, shifting Bentley to guard.
I think it's a MUST that we keep Fraley... Not only would he be a great backup when Bentley returns, but like you said, he provides insurance for Bentley..
I would LOVE to put Fraley at center and shift Bentley at LG.. That would take away the need for a LG and make Shaffer look a like a Pro-Bowler... But the only problem with that, is the fact Bentley signed here because he could play center... He said in the offseason that he didn't want to play guard, but he'd rather play center...
BTW, here's an article from the PD this morning, stating that Fraley would like to stay... (which is excellent news):
Plain Dealer said:
Fraley's future:
Center Hank Fraley, whose contract is up, said he'd like to be back. He said it's been a great experience for him and his wife, who originally didn't want to leave Philadelphia because she's from that area.
"I'd like to be around," he said. "If they want me around, I'll be around, but right now I'm just worried about the Texans. We have the whole off-season to worry about that."
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/pla...sports/1167298778204960.xml&coll=2&thispage=2
LyXo said:
It's a price I'd be willing to pay, considering he's the proven, prototypical back you want sharing carries with Reuben Droughns.
Actually, I beg to differ there... With Droughns north-to-south, hardnosed running style, you want a quick scat-back to be sharing carries with him... That's why they drafted Jerome Harrison...
Having two running back with varied running styles, not only gets the defense on their toes, but it makes both running backs more effective..
Just take a look at what the Steelers had in Bettis and Parker, or what the Saints have in Bush and McAllister... Both of their running games were in the top of the leagues in regards to running the football... Sure both teams had very good offensive lines, but the varied style of running really helped out a lot...
LyXo said:
But you might be right, Smooth, that we need a motivator rather than a strategist. If that is the case, then look no further than Bill Cowher.
I'd love to have a coach like Cowher... I'd absolutely love it.