Cleveland Browns 2021 Regular Season: RIP

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

So pardon my ignorance, but if Delpit were a full go and Woods was able to deploy his three safety look on a majority of the snaps, which of the three LB, if we assume that the corps consisted of a healthy Walker, Takitaki, and JOK, would be taken off the field? Or would it be more likely that he pulls a DL off the field instead? Not to mention, who else is pulled off when we go dime with Hill in the slot?

Is it fair to think that for most snaps, Walker could be replaced with a 3rd safety in Delpit? And if Delpit can't go, can we give LeCounte some burn instead of digging deeper into our LB depth?

First, we're talking about a scenario where Walker is hurt--right?

Second, you have three linebackers listed. Base defense is nickel with two linebackers on the field.

Third, we're hopeful that JOK is the nickelbacker. We're not sure he's earned 100% of the snaps yet, as he seemed to have a short leash on Sunday.

So, in the presumed base defense with JOK and Walker as your starters, with Walker and Phillips out, we're asking who fills in at MIKE.

Out of all our safeties, I think Ronnie is the one who would be best suited for a Monster/Star/Whatever role where he moves closer to the line of scrimmage--but I'm not sure any of our safeties are actually prepared to do that.

 

[Randolphkeys]

So pardon my ignorance, but if Delpit were a full go and Woods was able to deploy his three safety look on a majority of the snaps, which of the three LB, if we assume that the corps consisted of a healthy Walker, Takitaki, and JOK, would be taken off the field? Or would it be more likely that he pulls a DL off the field instead? Not to mention, who else is pulled off when we go dime with Hill in the slot?

Is it fair to think that for most snaps, Walker could be replaced with a 3rd safety in Delpit? And if Delpit can't go, can we give LeCounte some burn instead of digging deeper into our LB depth?

We have no idea! And that's okay. I do believe the original plan was Walker on the field for the dime packages. Now, he's on the IR.

I'm wondering who will call the plays... we may see JJ3 get his previous role of signal caller back. If not, Malcolm Smith is the only guy who can handle the recognition aspect of middle linebacker. Unfortunately he was awful from a physical standpoint last week.

 

[bs80]

First, we're talking about a scenario where Walker is hurt--right?

Second, you have three linebackers listed. Base defense is nickel with two linebackers on the field.

Third, we're hopeful that JOK is the nickelbacker. We're not sure he's earned 100% of the snaps yet, as he seemed to have a short leash on Sunday.

So, in the presumed base defense with JOK and Walker as your starters, with Walker and Phillips out, we're asking who fills in at MIKE.

Out of all our safeties, I think Ronnie is the one who would be best suited for a Monster/Star/Whatever role where he moves closer to the line of scrimmage--but I'm not sure any of our safeties are actually prepared to do that.

Whoa, quick response, thanks! I guess I was asking in a very roundabout way if we could get away with replacing Walker with another DB on the field, rather than call the next man up in the LB room.

 

[bs80]

We have no idea! And that's okay. I do believe the original plan was Walker on the field for the dime packages. Now, he's on the IR.

I'm wondering who will call the plays... we may see JJ3 get his previous role of signal caller back. If not, Malcolm Smith is the only guy who can handle the recognition aspect of middle linebacker.

Thanks. If it's just the matter of wearing the green dot, I'd guess that JJ3 can handle that part no problem. Not sure what it said about Smith given that the guys getting paid to make the right decision brought in Foster for a workout, but it doesn't sound like we are banking on Smith.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Whoa, quick response, thanks! I guess I was asking in a very roundabout way if we could get away with replacing Walker with another DB on the field, rather than call the next man up in the LB room.

I think we want a big run-stopping MLB in the middle of the field. Ideally that would've been Walker first, Phillips second. Now they're both down. I'm guessing Malcolm Smith fills that role and he looked slow against KC.

I don't hate the idea of running a Monster/Star/whatever we want to call a safety lined up at linebacker--but typically that would be an outside linebacker in base or the linebacker in dime. JOK fills that role. So.... I'm not sure. I don't think Ronnie Harrison playing in the muck is ideal.

 

[Ohdang]

I think we want a big run-stopping MLB in the middle of the field. Ideally that would've been Walker first, Phillips second. Now they're both down. I'm guessing Malcolm Smith fills that role and he looked slow against KC.

I don't hate the idea of running a Monster/Star/whatever we want to call a safety lined up at linebacker--but typically that would be an outside linebacker in base or the linebacker in dime. JOK fills that role. So.... I'm not sure. I don't think Ronnie Harrison playing in the muck is ideal.

Honestly, my comfortable level with this idea - JOK plus Harrison as "linebackers" in our base defense is very situation dependant.

If we're playing a team that likes to spread the ball around and run out of the shotgun a lot, I can get behind JJ3/Delpit playing safety and sliding Harrison up closer to the line with JOK at "LB." Also, if we're up big and the other team is forced to pass a lot to come back I can also get behind this look.

If we're playing the Titans? Fuck me that would be brutal to watch them try to contain the running game and Derrick Henry. In that scenario I'd almost prefer Taki Taki and whoever else is healthy over both Harrison and JOK at LB unless it's 3rd or 4th and 15. (I'm assuming our current injury status is true in all of my scenarios)

The Texans aren't exactly going to be a high octane passing offense with Tyrod Taylor, so I'm not sure what we'll do. I'd probably like to see a rotation of Smith and Taki Taki at Mike plus either JOK or Harrison as the other LB to make sure they can all avoid getting gassed. Use Harrison as a situational backup for JOK and rotate Delpit and Lecounte at FS as much as possible while sliding JJ3 over to SS when Harrison is playing "LB" (please no more MJ Stewart if at all possible). It's not ideal, and it depends on Delpit and Lecounte being healthy, but this is the kind of creative shit I would try when my linebackers are ravaged by injury.

We're lucky we aren't playing anyone with an elite offense again for a little bit.

 

[Urban]

If Anthony Walker is healthy, we aren't having this conversation.

Go to anyone in the Colts organization, or the Browns organization, and tell them how Anthony Walker is a JAG. Let me know how that hot take turns out for you.

To play devil's advocate:

I know everyone in the Colts organization gushed about him and I know he was losing playing time to a younger player, but he left for a 1 yr $3m deal at age 25. Sure he's the best LB on this team and that in itself is a big loss, but I'm not sure if the guy is anything more than average, really.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

To play devil's advocate:

I know everyone in the Colts organization gushed about him and I know he was losing playing time to a younger player, but he left for a 1 yr $3m deal at age 25. Sure he's the best LB on this team and that in itself is a big loss, but I'm not sure if the guy is anything more than average, really.

I think, physically, he is average--which looks really good on this team.

I think mentally he's well above average. Making plays is important. When you're dumb, being fast just helps you get to the wrong spot quicker.

Contracts signed during this offseason are skewed because of the decreasing cap. A ton of players took small, one-year deals due to limited funds in hopes of cashing in next year.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I think, physically, he is average--which looks really good on this team.

I think mentally he's well above average. Making plays is important. When you're dumb, being fast just helps you get to the wrong spot quicker.

Contracts signed during this offseason are skewed because of the decreasing cap. A ton of players took small, one-year deals due to limited funds in hopes of cashing in next year.

I don’t think Walker is an amazing player, but this team trusted him enough to be the defensive play caller on a team with John Johnson. That tells you something.

 

[DJTJ]

Tickets booked- flying in for Browns/Cardinals. Tickets TBD.

 

[Randolphkeys]

What stands out to me in game one is Walker's recognition. He is both instinctual diagnosing plays as well as versatile in coverage. He displays very little wasted motion. In short, he has the eyes and mind of an excellent starting middle linebacker.

He isn't explosive and he lacks ideal strength or length for his position. That's why he wasn't retained by Indy or expensive, along with a generally depressed year for second tier free agents.

But paired with some more ideal athletes on the second level, his above average traits can shine.

 

[DJTJ]

What stands out to me in game one is Walker's recognition. He is both instinctual diagnosing plays as well as versatile in coverage. He displays very little wasted motion. In short, he has the eyes and mind of an excellent starting middle linebacker.

He isn't explosive and he lacks ideal strength or length for his position. That's why he wasn't retained by Indy or expensive, along with a generally depressed year for second tier free agents.

But paired with some more ideal athletes on the second level, his above average traits can shine.

He reminds me of Schobert… but if Joe could tackle.

 

[Lee]

He reminds me of Schobert… but if Joe could tackle.

About the same level player which is a bargain at 3 mill....he is probably a 3 year 15-18 mill guy in a normal year.

We really dont value LB, so having JOK drop was a blessing. Only LB's we draft are value LB's in our front office eyes, like Phillips in the 3rd, probably had a 2nd round grade on him.

But missing Jackson when Phillips is hurt will be a big loss. I really dont think JOK is a middle linebacker at this point. It will be interesting to see if we start Malcolm Smith or move TakiTaki over and slide JOK in the other OLB position.

We will find out in about 24 hours.

 

[willglam]

Tickets booked- flying in for Browns/Cardinals. Tickets TBD.

Flying in for that weekend and Taking my family to that game as well. It’s my bday too so hoping for a browns win!

 

[Surge]

Flying in for that weekend and Taking my family to that game as well. It’s my bday too so hoping for a browns win!

I'll be up from Florida for that game too!

Gonna take a lap through the Muni lot since I've never been there. Should be a great time!