Rookie Watch

[Riffer X]

Originally Posted by Alo

Next year's WR class will be pretty strong, should that be a position we need to address (probably). The more important thing now is that Taylor and Sheard are looking like nice hits.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jabaal Sheard had eight pressures against the Dolphins. That's more than Ray Edwards, a guy folks wanted to hand a lot of money to, has in all three weeks combined.

I was never interested in overpaying for Edwards, especially after a few of your observations. Sheard had one of the most dominant pass rushing games I can ever remember from a Brown last week, he completely took over late.

Mayock said in camp that the best thing about Sheard is his motor, and we saw that last week.

That said, if these guys stay legit at getting pressure, I am going to have to adapt to the whole thought of the Browns actually being able to get after the quarterback and cave in the pocket. It is a very strange thought, kinda like the Browns being 2-1.

We live and learn.

[NW Ohio Brownie]

The decision to move Sheard to LDE is paying off in spades. He's been a difference maker in the last two games. The strip sack of Collins comes to mind right away.

Taylor is doing what a hulking DT is supposed to do: clog the middle, collapse the pocket, make a couple special plays from time to time.

As far as Julio Jones goes, I don't think it's accurate to tie his success/failure to the Browns organization. It appears that the Browns have won in this trade already. That doesn't mean the Falcons have lost on their end of things. Taylor and Little are already players who will contribute for years to come. That's a win for the Browns.

Now, if Jones doesn't develop into a HoF type receiver, the Falcons continue to suck and improve our 2012 pick, and Heckert pulls another Heckert with those two #1's, then yes, I would venture to say that Heckert absolutely boatraced Dimitroff on this one.

[Solon16]

Taylor and Sheard were good picks...Mason foster woulda been nice with the 3rd round pick we doled away.

[hammertime]

The nice thing about our recent drafting prowness is that the list of must haves is getting into single digits.

I'm more excited about this upcoming draft than any of the past 11 or 12. Its refreshing that were talking about the draft, and not just because we are so pitiful as in the past.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Alo

Next year's WR class will be pretty strong, should that be a position we need to address (probably). The more important thing now is that Taylor and Sheard are looking like nice hits.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jabaal Sheard had eight pressures against the Dolphins. That's more than Ray Edwards, a guy folks wanted to hand a lot of money to, has in all three weeks combined.

Is it stronger than this years? just curious. I always wonder how much GM's like Hecekrt take those things into account. When Heckert came in and had so many holes to fill, did he look at this years draft and somewhat have what might be available next year in mind? And that's why he passed on Jones when the trade was offered because he knew he could probably get something better the next year?

I think also it was a good sign that Mitchel seemed to have a better game in his second game at RDE. If they can make him work it frees up Heckert even more in futre drafts.

[Greythan]

We need at least 1 OLB, a cornerback and a free safety for next year. Fujita isn't going to last forever and even though we signed Gocong, I think we need more depth. We're playing FS by committee at this stage. Brown is in the Fujita camp and is actually struggling more so far this year.

That said we need to invest in the OL and WR positions as well.

We're still a couple years (or maybe just one depending on Heckert and the current roster's development) of having the type of depth necessary to be a perennial contender.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Greythan

We need at least 1 OLB, a cornerback and a free safety for next year. Fujita isn't going to last forever and even though we signed Gocong, I think we need more depth. We're playing FS by committee at this stage. Brown is in the Fujita camp and is actually struggling more so far this year.

That said we need to invest in the OL and WR positions as well.

We're still a couple years (or maybe just one depending on Heckert and the current roster's development) of having the type of depth necessary to be a perennial contender.

I think you need to give Young the full year to learn the position in this defense. I wouldn't be sure about safety yet.

[Jax Dawg]

Here is another web site's opinion on the rookies - from Alo's favorite ProFootballFocus -

Race for Rookie of the Year - D-Line Dominating | ProFootballFocus.com

[Alo]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

Is it stronger than this years? just curious. I always wonder how much GM's like Hecekrt take those things into account. When Heckert came in and had so many holes to fill, did he look at this years draft and somewhat have what might be available next year in mind? And that's why he passed on Jones when the trade was offered because he knew he could probably get something better the next year?

I've been told by folks in the know that teams don't take next year's prospects into account. It's too hard to predict who will rise or slide, and GMs with less than Heckertish job security can't afford to wait on a need area just because there may be better value the following year.

In some ways, the 2010 draft class is looking better than it did in April: we knew that AJ Green would be a beast and Julio Jones would be pretty good, but the 2nd rounders have really stood out due to their big play potential.

Next year's class should have a lot of big-bodied WCO types: Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery, Justin Blackmon, Greg Childs, and others. The Browns could use some more speed as well, but they could do that by double-dipping with a second rook.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Greythan

We need at least 1 OLB, a cornerback and a free safety for next year. Fujita isn't going to last forever and even though we signed Gocong, I think we need more depth. We're playing FS by committee at this stage. Brown is in the Fujita camp and is actually struggling more so far this year.

That said we need to invest in the OL and WR positions as well.

We're still a couple years (or maybe just one depending on Heckert and the current roster's development) of having the type of depth necessary to be a perennial contender.

Brown may very well be entering the downside of his career. Not only has he lost a bit of quickness it starts to get hard to stay healthy after years of pounding on the body. Teams will always look for top notch corners (you have to defend in this "passing league"). They will always look for pass rushers also. But if QB is the focal point of every team then it would be silly not to surround him with the best line that you could. So yes, you got to invest high draft picks in the offensive line and continue to draft middle rounders to develop as well. Doesn't matter how many top skilled players you have as receivers if you can't get them the ball. A bad offensive line can turn any QB in a Jay Cutler.

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by Greythan

We need at least 1 OLB, a cornerback and a free safety for next year. Fujita isn't going to last forever and even though we signed Gocong, I think we need more depth. We're playing FS by committee at this stage. Brown is in the Fujita camp and is actually struggling more so far this year.

That said we need to invest in the OL and WR positions as well.

We're still a couple years (or maybe just one depending on Heckert and the current roster's development) of having the type of depth necessary to be a perennial contender.

We need a free safety? Don't we have too many starters there as it is with Young and Adams?

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

Brown may very well be entering the downside of his career. Not only has he lost a bit of quickness it starts to get hard to stay healthy after years of pounding on the body. Teams will always look for top notch corners (you have to defend in this "passing league"). They will always look for pass rushers also. But if QB is the focal point of every team then it would be silly not to surround him with the best line that you could. So yes, you got to invest high draft picks in the offensive line and continue to draft middle rounders to develop as well. Doesn't matter how many top skilled players you have as receivers if you can't get them the ball. A bad offensive line can turn any QB in a Jay Cutler.

Agree... agree... agree. Great post all the way around, Y. A chess game is happening in the NFL, where pass rushers come from both sides and BOTH OTs have to be serious pass blockers.

Similarly, having one "elite corner" might not mean as much as having two really good ones and a FS who can cover, too. Don't see elite corners paying off right now in New York OR Philly.

You need capable cover guys all over the field now, including your nickel. The ever-growing number of great passing teams are spreading the field with a lot of receivers and "locking down one" bothers Brees or Rodgers or Manning or Brady not at all.

And I agree that Brown might be slipping.