Rookie DE moved ahead of Jayme Mitchell on depth chart

[mikeyP]

And no... I don't mean Jabaal Sheard.

"Emmanuel Stephens will continue to start at right defensive end in place of Jayme Mitchell, Shurmur said. The Browns re-signed Mitchell to a two-year deal in July. He started the Browns’ first eight games of this season before being replaced by Stephens in the past two games. “Coaches’ choice,” Shurmur said. “We felt like (Stephens) played well the week before, and we felt like he warranted being the starter.” When asked if there was an issue with Mitchell’s performance against the run, Shurmur said, “Nope. No issue. Coaches’ choice.” This past Sunday against the Jaguars, Stephens and rookie Jabaal Sheard started, and Mitchell rotated with them. The Browns claimed Stephens off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 4. He spent last season with the Falcons, but he did not appear in a regular-season game."

Emmanuel Stephens named Cleveland Browns starting DE moving forward - Break News - Ohio.com

[Brown Warrior]

With RDE as the premiere position in a 4-3, I think we're a little weak at the wrong spot. We need a pass rush in the worst way. Again. It's the flipside of, "We really like our WRs."

[Jax Dawg]

Stephens looked better than Mitchell last game, I can see why they made the change.

Technically if Stephens was on the Falcons roster but didn't play in any games last year then shouldn't he be considered a first year player and not a rookie?

[YtownBacker]

This is Mitchell's 5th year in the league and IMO he was always viewed as a future backup rotational player like he is playing now.

That said this defense seriously needs a RDE that can rush the passer, I hoped Bernard could be some of that to spell Mitchell on pass downs but that went south when he decided to eat his way out of being what he was best at.

So, going forward, pass rushing DE is at the top of my list with RT and WR. Not the only problems but you got to upgrade those positions if you want to take the next step.

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

This is Mitchell's 5th year in the league and IMO he was always viewed as a future backup rotational player like he is playing now.

That said this defense seriously needs a RDE that can rush the passer, I hoped Bernard could be some of that to spell Mitchell on pass downs but that went south when he decided to eat his way out of being what he was best at.

So, going forward, pass rushing DE is at the top of my list with RT and WR. Not the only problems but you got to upgrade those positions if you want to take the next step.

Yeah, those are biggies. With Steinbach returning and the young'uns growing up before our eyes (especially Lauvao, who graded out best last game), we can field a top flight line next year with one upgrade at RT.

WSLB will be high on the list, too... and #2 corner. But we're so young on defense, I'd like to see a veteran corner (27-ish).

[King of Kings]

Steiny isn't coming back and I really don't get why people are pimping Lauvao and Pinkston as longterm answers, they're terrible.

[Brown Warrior]

Steiny has two more years on his deal, is already mostly recovered, and is psyched. Lauvao has had consecutive really good games and will be starting at RG for about a decade. Pinkston has been getting better, too.

We've actually been a very good line for two straight games. Pashos is the third best pass protecting RT according to PFO.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

on wednesday, mitchell said, "i don't like it, to be honest. i was told it was lack of production on my part. it could be what it is. it could be some bull [expletive]."

[mikeyP]

I don't hate the guy, Mitchell, I want what's best for the Browns. If he doesn't like it, he should be grateful he was even given this opportunity. He sucked, time to move on.

Time to find a real DE opposite of Sheard for next season. Could Stephens be it? I saw a couple good plays out of him but the run defense needs to improve still..

[jnuh]

Originally Posted by King of Kings

Steiny isn't coming back and I really don't get why people are pimping Lauvao and Pinkston as longterm answers, they're terrible.

I don't get the hate on the 2 young gaurds. Sure they could be terrible players in the future, but right now they are 2 kids learning and adjusting to the NFL. Pinkston has played half a year and you are ready to give up on him ... and Lauvao barely played last year. Both look like they are making progress and as stated by another poster have both strung together back to back good games. Granted it was against weak defenses ... but they had bad games against bad defenses as well so this a step in the right direction for sure. It would be nice to see enough out of them to not have to worry about acquiring a guard in the off season and even better if they showed enough to make steiny expendable so we could dump his contract and use that money in better ways.

[King of Kings]

Originally Posted by jnuh

I don't get the hate on the 2 young gaurds.

I take it we're supposed to ignore their horrible play?

Originally Posted by jnuh

Pinkston has played half a year and you are ready to give up on him

And? He's a 5th round pick and isn't doing well. You cut guys like that and move on. He isn't good and he isn't playing a position that has a steep learning curve from College to NFL. He's also playing like shit wedged between two elite offensive linemen and still sucks balls.

Originally Posted by jnuh

It would be nice to see enough out of them to not have to worry about acquiring a guard in the off season and even better if they showed enough to make steiny expendable so we could dump his contract and use that money in better ways.

Steiny's days are done irregardless of anything else. As for these two ehem, "young guys" reaching Steinbach's level(which would what it would take to make a guy like him expendable)? Never going to happen. Steinbach was elite and underrated from day one by Brownstown, Pinkston will never be that good.

[jnuh]

Originally Posted by King of Kings

I take it we're supposed to ignore their horrible play?



And? He's a 5th round pick and isn't doing well. You cut guys like that and move on. He isn't good and he isn't playing a position that has a steep learning curve from College to NFL. He's also playing like shit wedged between two elite offensive linemen and still sucks balls.




Steiny's days are done irregardless of anything else. As for these two ehem, "young guys" reaching Steinbach's level(which would what it would take to make a guy like him expendable)? Never going to happen. Steinbach was elite and underrated from day one by Brownstown, Pinkston will never be that good.

Lauvao barely played at all last yr and Pinkston is a rookie. There horrible play could have been simply due to the fact they were adjusting to the speed and strength of NFL caliber players. There horrible play has also gotten better especially over the course of the past 2 games. I am just saying lets focus a little less on there first impression as typically a first impression of a guy making his first few starts in this league aren't going to tell the full story of his career. If they finish up the season the way they have been playing over the past couple of games there will be no urgency to replace them.

As far as Stieny goes ... I agree he has been underappreciated in Cleveland since he has gotten here and has done an incredible job over his entire career, but he is/was not an ELITE gaurd ... he is a "pro bowl" caliber gaurd who has never made a pro bowl if that makes sense. However with that being said he is also a 9 year veteran coming off back surgery and may not play at the same level when he does come back. He is also making a very good amount of money