The Sunday Five: Browns Getting Ready for the NFL Combine

by Chris Pokorny on Feb 19, 2012 3:01 PM EST

"The Sunday Five" is a loosely-titled piece where I talk about five NFL- or Browns-related topics related to this past week. In today's edition, we talk about the scouting combine this week, the impact that will have on free agency, Terry Pluto talking about the Browns in Shotgun, and more.

Bullet_medium The scouting combine kicks off this week, starting with press conferences for the first day or so before the measurables are finally taken. Unlike the past two years, where we paid close attention to the speed of guys like Joe Haden, Eric Berry, and Patrick Peterson, I don't think a good or bad result will have an impact on what the Browns do for two reasons. First, at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back, there aren't two guys who are neck-and-neck for being taken No. 4 overall from the same position. Second, we saw just how little of an impact a "disappointing" day for Haden had on the Browns' decision to still draft him.

Bullet_medium As Scott Petrak of the Chronicle Telegram points out, this is the time where we should start learning some information on which free agents the Browns intend to bring back (beyond Jackson):

The Browns haven’t made any final decisions regarding their free agents, but have begun discussions and should know more following the scouting combine next week in Indianapolis, where they will meet with agents. Running back Peyton Hillis, kicker Phil Dawson, cornerback Dimitri Patterson, safety Mike Adams and tight end Alex Smith head the list.

In addition to any progress made on the team's free agents, our affiliates at SB Nation should have some nuggets on which players teams take a particular interest in.

Bullet_medium In Terry Pluto's weekly column, he talked about how little Shotgun is used in Pat Shurmur's offense and the impact that has on whether the Browns try to make a play for Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. From Pro Football Focus, Pluto cites that the Browns operated from Shotgun 47.7% of the time on pass plays, which ranks them 27th in the NFL. College football offenses are much different than the NFL, of course, which makes you wonder how Robert Griffin III's experience at Baylor (~90 percent of pass plays from Shotgun) translates to what Shurmur has in mind for his version of the West Coast Offense. Pluto notes that Shurmur didn't use the Shotgun very much with the Rams either. This is a case where ultimately, if the Browns draft RGIII, it should be Shurmur who adjusts the offense more for his quarterback, rather than vice versa.

Bullet_medium After reading "Hey, Tony!" in the Plain Dealer's Sunday paper every week for years, it seemed a bit strange to read "Hey, Mary Kay!" instead. I don't think we have found out yet what Tony Grossi's new title is since he reassignment. Based on his Twitter feed, maybe he's even on a temporary leave of absence with sciatica nerve issues. Back to Cabot, though, you can be amused by one reader who thinks the departure of Lawrence Vickers set off a chain reaction of the Browns' issues last season:

Don't you believe that The Season From Heck began when the Browns let go of Lawrence Vickers? By doing that they ended up wasting a pick on Owen Marecic, who was less than stellar. The running game faltered and Marecic only caught five passes. For crying out loud, one of the reasons we let Vickers go was because he did not fit in the WCO where we needed a catching fullback. What a mess!

Bullet_medium All of the spots in our Community Mock Draft have been reserved. Remember, if you signed up and did not e-mail, send me a message with your username and e-mail address at pokorny@pfcritics.com. We will try to get this thing started in the next day or two (I will contact people individually via e-mail), so be on the lookout if you know your draft pick is coming up! I will request one more thing: if you did not participate but would be willing to be an "alternate" for any team that doesn't respond in time, let me know.

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Comments

Saw a bit on Griffin today working out with a QB coach in Arizona learning 3,5,7 step drops. Made a 5 step drop, shifted left, and fired a perfect 15 yard out. Dude is like butter.

by HenryDawg on Feb 19, 2012 3:31 PM EST reply actions

Awesome. Where was that at?

by Vududawg on Feb 19, 2012 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

It was on SportsCenter, I was trying to find a video but it might not be posted yet.

by HenryDawg on Feb 19, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Here’s the link:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/38610/robert-griffin-iii-is-training-to-play-for

I don’t know that this little video does it justice, but the velocity on his throws was impressive on a TV.

by HenryDawg on Feb 20, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

I love that video. Regardless of all the logical arguments, drafting a guy like that would just make me excited.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

I just realized something while watching that video, and I think there’s so much time between the end of the season and the draft that we overthink and forget this: We are the favorites for Griffin. We have the highest pick of a team with the need for him, and we also have more ammo than any other team to move up for him. If another team gets RG3, they will have pulled off an upset to do so. I feel much better now that I’ve put that in perspective.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 20, 2012 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I really think if we don’t get Griffin it won’t be because another team outbid us, it will be because our front office determined he wasn’t going to cut it in the NFL.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions

Impressive video, that last throw……hmm, sign him… thanks for the link

by Poppawolf on Feb 20, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks HenryD! Wasn’t really seeing what you were saying until that last throw at 2:45, but wow, that was pretty. The QB guru had some really nice things to say about him too.

In fact, his last comment explains why I’m so incredibly high on him – he’s fiercely intelligent and a super quick learner. In other words, he’s EXACTLY what this wildly impatient fanbase needs!

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

Could you explain that statement to me? “Dude is like butter”? I assume it’s a compliment, I just don’t know how :p

by shep615 on Feb 19, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

It means he was super smooth, moved like a machine oiled with butter – very easily.

You would have had to seen it. The smooth footwork was nice, but the velocity on the ball was just awesome, one second he’s coiling his arm, the next second the receiver is snagging a perfectly placed ball out of the air.

by HenryDawg on Feb 19, 2012 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

You never saw SNL’s coffee talk? Its loik buttuh, bubalah!

by Vududawg on Feb 20, 2012 1:35 AM EST up reply actions

Just don’t get all vahklempt.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 20, 2012 1:49 AM EST up reply actions

I’ve got shpilkes in my ganectagazoink.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Feb 20, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

I’m falling in love.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 19, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

if we do not get him….I will be very very disappointed…see his rollout?

by Poppawolf on Feb 20, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

I think the main utility of the combine is to put on display players whose speed, strength, and quickness on game film is way different from what they show on the stopwatch, forcing scouting departments to figure out why it is so for each player and determine whether they are workout warriors, real football players, or just need some coaching up to take advantage of their athletic potential.

I agree it won’t really affect the Browns high picks, but will probably have some influence on the lower ones.

by Vududawg on Feb 19, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions

The interviews are also extremely important.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

I will be interested in seeing RGIII run. I guess he prolly will not do so at the combine. At one time he could bust a 4.3 ish type of time. If the Brown’s are going after the Baylor QB – hope we make the deal before draft day, eliminate the competition for the pick in a highly “bluffish” environment under time pressure.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Feb 19, 2012 4:11 PM EST reply actions

If we don’t, I think H&H seem like they’d be more calm under the time pressure than most.

"When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." -Paul Brown

by macdowellm03 on Feb 19, 2012 4:25 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I will be interested in seeing RGIII run

If the browns draft him you’ll see him run a-plenty.

by jonnyphoenix on Feb 19, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

He will run at the combine — I’ve never heard of someone, who is not injured, not running at the combine. QBs in recent years have not thrown in the combine, but they definitely run

Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.

by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 19, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

A lot of top guys skip the 40 at the combine. Don’t know of many QB’s, but wouldn’t surprise me to see RG3 skip it and do it at his pro day.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 19, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

hey chris.

I am willing to be an alternate for any team that doesn’t respond in time. Email is brocolis154033@gmail.com so just let me know.

by Brocolis154033 on Feb 19, 2012 4:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions

im not sure which tony gossi is more annoying, pre or post firing. at least he used to use his twitter feed for browns related topics, yeah his opinions suck typically but now its

watching replay of STO par 3 shootout final. I vow to make the finals in 2012—if invited

yeah tony couldnt care less

by nickmar19 on Feb 19, 2012 5:26 PM EST reply actions

Browns operated from Shotgun 47.7% of the time on pass plays, which ranks them 27th in the NFL

Wow. I’m surprised we’re in the bottom 5 for shotgun and still pushing 50%. Walsh’s original WCO had no shotgun, possibly excepting a 4WR 3rd and loads. Which the 49ers didn’t see much.

....just need a guy called Byner to play RT...

by LondonBrown on Feb 19, 2012 6:30 PM EST reply actions

MKC is a stupid idiot.

by Brownie's Year on Feb 19, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions

Don’t you believe that The Season From Heck began when the Browns let go of Lawrence Vickers? By doing that they ended up wasting a pick on Owen Marecic, who was less than stellar. The running game faltered and Marecic only caught five passes. For crying out loud, one of the reasons we let Vickers go was because he did not fit in the WCO where we needed a catching fullback. What a mess!

I was ahead of my time!

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 19, 2012 7:01 PM EST reply actions

Is it possible that Luck is more valuable to H&H&S than to the Colts?

Is it possible for the Browns pony up the picks to allow the Colts to pick #2 and Rams pick #4? Really, I could see the Colts look at RGIII as the ideal player for that division & the fast Lucas Stadium turf. It’s almost too much to ask Luck to replace Manning, but RGIII would remake the position.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Feb 19, 2012 8:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions

What if the Colts move down to #2 and don’t get the guy they want? If they prefer RG3 over Luck how can they be sure that we (or whoever else gets to #1) doesn’t also?

by Bumblyjack on Feb 19, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Eli redux…

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Feb 19, 2012 10:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Terry Pluto is making mountains out of molehills with the whole “he operated out of shotgun in college” thing. I agree that we would be wise to tailor our offense to RG3’s abilities, but the difference between taking snaps out of the shotgun or under center won’t be the issue.

We need to give him the opportunity to throw the ball downfield from time to time. This is a no-brainer and it wouldn’t make sense to draft him if he’s only allowed to throw 2 passes a game over 15 yards. I’m not saying we should go away from the short and intermediate passing game, but we do need to take advantage of RG3’s downfield accuracy.

We need to use play action and run some bootlegs to take advantage of his athleticism and talent for selling play fakes (he did a good job at this compared to most college QB’s). This is nothing out of ordinary for the WCO though.

In the face of a blitz, they need to tell him to read the blitz, identify it to his teammates, and throw at it rather than go through his full progression. If an area is vacated then this should simplify his read: Which of the receivers in that area is uncovered? In that situation, don’t make him look at the whole field before checking down. That’ll come later.

by Bumblyjack on Feb 19, 2012 8:42 PM EST reply actions

Pluto cites that the Browns operated from Shotgun 47.7% of the time on pass plays, which ranks them 27th in the NFL.

Can this finally stop people from using the “he plays in a shotgun offense!” crowd? We used it almost every other play and it was one of the lowest figures in the NFL.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 19, 2012 9:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I doubt it.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 19, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

Shotgun QBs DONT WORK in the NFL today! Just look at the friggin bums who throw out of the shotgun the most – Rodgers, Stafford, Brady… bums, the lot of ’em!

by Vududawg on Feb 20, 2012 1:40 AM EST reply actions 5 recs

Shotgun vs. under center will be one of the easiest transitions a QB would have to make when coming to the NFL.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Feb 20, 2012 11:58 AM EST reply actions

Exactly. Adjusting to playing AGAINST an NFL defense is bigger deal than adjusting to playing IN an NFL offense.

Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.

by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 20, 2012 1:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I agree with you both. Yet, maybe it’s just my perception, but it seems that the sports media harms on those “IN” issues a lot more than “AGAINST” issues.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 20, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

harps* on

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 20, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you. I think the reason for that though is that every QB has to adjust from playing college defenses to playing pro defenses. Not every QB has to adjust to being under center or those other “in” things. It may not be that important in the long run, but it’s one of the only ways for the media to differentiate guys in a simple manner.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely. I mean to their credit it looks a lot different to someone who doesn’t understand what is going on between the lines, and they’ll hear a coach or GM talk about how important it is to be able to make that adjustment.

But its really important to make a whole bunch of adjustments. Your WRs are faster, the DBs are faster, the gameplans are bigger, the Dlines are better, the defenses shift a whole lot more, and the gameplans adjust much faster.

The “speed of the game” is different everywhere from the actual speed of the players up through to the head coach’s decisions. Its like going from the world without the internet to 2012.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Feb 20, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions