Heckert (In Depth) Interview--Bull and the Fox

[Riffer X]

Maybe Gabe can put the actual video up here, I don't feel like trying to figure it out. If you go to this site you can click the link for the full interview. Good stuff.


http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2012/0...ns-bull-fox-2/

[Flugel]

Thanks for the link. Really good stuff.

I listened to the first 20 of the 27 minutes. I really liked the way the guys doing the interview asked the questions. I thought they got some better answers from Heckert than some of the generic questions I've heard in the press conferences. I got a good feeling about how much Heckert understands all the criteria that go into evaluating a young QB before it's time to do anything knee jerky. It sounds like he'll have a good discussion with Hillis; but the interviewers shed some light on it's Holmgren with his foot near the brakes there. Good to hear Steinbach is coming back - let's hope he's healthy.

[YtownBacker]

Nice interview. Liked the explanation of the WCO and what it really is and how teams adapt it to their personnel.

And I would give him a "B" also for his drafts so far knowing that part of the impact of last years draft will be defined by the extra picks we get this year.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

In parts of the interview I got really depressed because it sounded like we'll be sticking with an average QB and happy with 5-8 wins for the next couple/few years.

Then in other parts, Heckert gave me hope when he danced around the starting QB issue unlike what he did last year when he unequivocally stated Colt would be the starter.

It's far, far, far from knee jerk to accept you have an average QB after seeing him play for 2 years, and you have an amazing opportunity at going up to get 1 of 2 elite QBs in this years draft since you have the #4 pick.

Unless we are all agreeing we're going to be picking top 5 again in the next couple of years, we won't have another shot at a franchise guy unless we catch lightning in a bottle.

Good luck with that.

And hey, it's possible Colt pans out against all odds ...if he does, we have a great bargaining chip for another player or draft picks.

[Solon16]

From the interview, Hillis is Gone, imo....

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by TheBestPlayersPlay

In parts of the interview I got really depressed because it sounded like we'll be sticking with an average QB and happy with 5-8 wins for the next couple/few years.
.

Here's the deal on drafting QBs that fall on the doorstep LONG after the first pick overall - they're NOT immediate. Even THE Aaron Rodgers didn't get start #1 until season #4. Then he made playoffs in season #5 and then he won the Superbowl in season #6. Nothing immediate about that at all when you factor Favre had the team in the NFC Championship right before start #1. If that example sucks see Drew Brees watching his franchise draft Philip Rivers with their first overall pick when he was heading into his FOURTH season.

Since the early 70s I've been accustomed to seeing drafted QBs take a few years to mature into what was expected of them on draft day. Can anyone comfortably say ANY QB here has been given a wonderful chance to succeed recently?

Heckert didn't say he was NOT going to draft a QB. In fact, he said he's going to draft any players he feels that will make us better regradless of position. For all we know, he might make a serious effort to get Luck or he may even draft RGIII. I like that he's being thorough enough to know how much McCoy studies film and commits himself to preparation. Those that don't like Mccoy can take great comfort in knowing that if he doesn't produce early and often in 2012 that his window slams shut here; AND we could have the new QB in town once it happens.

If you don't have weapons for a young QB, they tend to get concussions holding onto the ball too long like Troy Aikman and Steve Young used to get in their first 2 seasons on terrible teams. Then, they overcompensate and force throws they shouldn't when they lack trust in their versions of Greg Little on 3rd down. Truth is we can continue to change names of QBs here in Cleveland. However, if our receivers LEAD the NFL in dropped passes Heckert told the interviewers it's hard to pin those on the QB. LOVED that he got that. It's critical to where we are heading.

So I ask you to role play QB on a team like the Browns where the QB was not green lighted to audiblize early on. You're playing QB vrs SF, the OC hasn't called 1 play with routes downfield and there's 9 men in the box plus the corner on Little awaiting his slant pattern. It's a quick timing slant where the DB establishes better position than Little while both OGs are losing their blocks - what do you do?
A) Force the throw anyway
B) Duck, tuck, goose
C) Pray
D) Fake an injury like a candyass
E) Hope somebody taped the analysis of Dan Fouts as the 3rd quarter closed and he was complaining he didn't see 1 WR downfield in route all day long
F) Just continue to throw footballs off the backfoot in a collapsed pocket with an ear to ear grin

This hasn't been an easy team to QB folks and it really is that simple. Let's get the criteria for COMPLETE assessment to take place or we're REALLY just being the San Diego Chargers consensus that concluded Brees was just a backup BEFORE they offered him the help of Gates and McCardell. If that example sucks, Tampa let Steve Young go to SF and suddenly a 50% passer becomes one of the most accurate passers of alltime. Who believes he just woke up a terrible QB in Tampa?

I get the sense, they will pull the trigger on a QB if they deem the guy better upside than McCoy. Why wouldn't they? All some of us are saying about McCoy in just 21 starts is he went to a bad team that offered him ZERO help in the weapons dept. When I watch Drew Brees play today - it's hard to believe the entire population of SoCal once only saw a backup QB in his first THREE NFL seasons. It's because he didn't have the weapons yet. That might be the biggest parallel I see to Brees aside from their very similar pre-draft scouting reports. It's an important one though.

[Solon16]

What was most disturbing is the fact that Heckert said "Shurmer did an Excellent job" Wha?????

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Solon16

What was most disturbing is the fact that Heckert said "Shurmer did an Excellent job" Wha?????

I don't think he is going to go on the air and blast his Head Coach and say he was absolutely terrible.

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Flugel

Here's the deal on drafting QBs that fall on the doorstep LONG after the first pick overall - they're NOT immediate. Even THE Aaron Rodgers didn't get start #1 until season #4. Then he made playoffs in season #5 and then he won the Superbowl in season #6. Nothing immediate about that at all when you factor Favre had the team in the NFC Championship right before start #1. If that example sucks see Drew Brees watching his franchise draft Philip Rivers with their first overall pick when he was heading into his FOURTH season.

Since the early 70s I've been accustomed to seeing drafted QBs take a few years to mature into what was expected of them on draft day. Can anyone comfortably say ANY QB here has been given a wonderful chance to succeed recently?

Heckert didn't say he was NOT going to draft a QB. In fact, he said he's going to draft any players he feels that will make us better regradless of position. For all we know, he might make a serious effort to get Luck or he may even draft RGIII. I like that he's being thorough enough to know how much McCoy studies film and commits himself to preparation. Those that don't like Mccoy can take great comfort in knowing that if he doesn't produce early and often in 2012 that his window slams shut here; AND we could have the new QB in town once it happens.

If you don't have weapons for a young QB, they tend to get concussions holding onto the ball too long like Troy Aikman and Steve Young used to get in their first 2 seasons on terrible teams. Then, they overcompensate and force throws they shouldn't when they lack trust in their versions of Greg Little on 3rd down. Truth is we can continue to change names of QBs here in Cleveland. However, if our receivers LEAD the NFL in dropped passes Heckert told the interviewers it's hard to pin those on the QB. LOVED that he got that. It's critical to where we are heading.

So I ask you to role play QB on a team like the Browns where the QB was not green lighted to audiblize early on. You're playing QB vrs SF, the OC hasn't called 1 play with routes downfield and there's 9 men in the box plus the corner on Little awaiting his slant pattern. It's a quick timing slant where the DB establishes better position than Little while both OGs are losing their blocks - what do you do?
A) Force the throw anyway
B) Duck, tuck, goose
C) Pray
D) Fake an injury like a candyass
E) Hope somebody taped the analysis of Dan Fouts as the 3rd quarter closed and he was complaining he didn't see 1 WR downfield in route all day long
F) Just continue to throw footballs off the backfoot in a collapsed pocket with an ear to ear grin

This hasn't been an easy team to QB folks and it really is that simple. Let's get the criteria for COMPLETE assessment to take place or we're REALLY just being the San Diego Chargers consensus that concluded Brees was just a backup BEFORE they offered him the help of Gates and McCardell. If that example sucks, Tampa let Steve Young go to SF and suddenly a 50% passer becomes one of the most accurate passers of alltime. Who believes he just woke up a terrible QB in Tampa?

I get the sense, they will pull the trigger on a QB if they deem the guy better upside than McCoy. Why wouldn't they? All some of us are saying about McCoy in just 21 starts is he went to a bad team that offered him ZERO help in the weapons dept. When I watch Drew Brees play today - it's hard to believe the entire population of SoCal once only saw a backup QB in his first THREE NFL seasons. It's because he didn't have the weapons yet. That might be the biggest parallel I see to Brees aside from their very similar pre-draft scouting reports. It's an important one though.

Tom this is exactly what Im trying to say only your solliliquois are better than mine LOL...But again...I think people are jumping ship too soon on Colt. Id hate to see us give up on him too soon to see him wind up on Dallas or some other team and have success. In Quinn's case I think he over bulked up and it affected his mechanics. I want one more season and a training camp before I consider throwing Colt on the next plane out of town.

[Sez.EJ]

Nickers I agree. I want to see what this draft and free agency brings in.. and the team actually have OTA's, mini camps, and a full training camp.. Colt may improve or not.. but we need to ride it out one more year IMO.. It's too soon to pass judgment on him.. We are not getting Luck.. that's a plain fact.. RG# and others are very very speculative picks.. We have all seen examples of amazing college QB's that could not make it in the NFL.

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Nickers I agree. I want to see what this draft and free agency brings in.. and the team actually have OTA's, mini camps, and a full training camp.. Colt may improve or not.. but we need to ride it out one more year IMO.. It's too soon to pass judgment on him.. We are not getting Luck.. that's a plain fact.. RG# and others are very very speculative picks.. We have all seen examples of amazing college QB's that could not make it in the NFL.

Sez,I think some people are pissing on Colt just to legitimize some anger or frustration at the team and FO and I understand some of that. At times I've been as guilty as anyone. that said. I think this past season was asking alot for the situation this team was thrust in. This team wasnt blown out often if maybe 1-2 games. Like yourself...I need to see 1 more season with a fully run camp.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by nickers

Tom this is exactly what Im trying to say only your solliliquois are better than mine LOL...But again...I think people are jumping ship too soon on Colt. Id hate to see us give up on him too soon to see him wind up on Dallas or some other team and have success. In Quinn's case I think he over bulked up and it affected his mechanics. I want one more season and a training camp before I consider throwing Colt on the next plane out of town.

You guys are now talking some sense, I agree with you. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. And that goes for coaches and FO.

I get it that people want to vent but Colt can only make the throws that are called and only if the players are open. Now, I do think the FO is a good group with a lot of NFL experience and a proven track record. so, if they decide to cut ties and run then I can respect that they have seen this kid every day and can judge better his upside then those of us who have only seen him 16 times this yer in what Shurmur admitted was a limited playbook because of the personnel and lack of time to get the whole system in.

There are a lot of options but I don't see using a top draft pick on someone that might not be an upgrade. I'm for building the team and letting players develop. I feel the same about the coaches. Let them grow and further judge them when they have a better product to coach.

I don't know if a better QB could have pulled out any of those close games this year but I think having better WRs and better blocking and a better run game very well could have moved some of those close losses into the win column.

That said I look toward San Fran to see how a little stability and the addition of some pieces that fit well and some nice skilled players can move a team better then change.