Dawgs By Nature

Browns Sign GM Savage to 3-Year Extension

Fundamentals — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:46:19 -0000

"I am extremely grateful to Randy Lerner and the Browns' organization for giving me an opportunity as a first time GM back in January 2005 and now to continue with this extension through the 2012 season," said Savage. "We have worked very hard to turn the Browns around, on and off the field, and our team is looking forward to the 2008 season. From a personal standpoint, I want to also thank the many Browns' fans who have been so supportive during my time here."

ClevelandBrowns.com

Not upset at all with this signing. Nice to see Savage sticking around and, hopefully, finishing what he has started here.

Roster Construction

talonk — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:10:44 -0000

Based on what we drafted this year, it looks like we are going to be heavy on TE, LB, and DL going into next season.

Does this help our Special Teams a lot? We had good special teams last year, and I expect a lot of the guys drafted not to crack the starting line-up, so they have to play on special teams right?

Also, let's say Rucker pans out as a good receiving TE this season (going four wide with him, KW, BE, and DS). And let's also say that Quinn finally becomes the starter by the end of the year.

Does this mean Savage would have two valuable trading chips in DA and KW going into next offseason? What would the cap hits be if we dealt them both? How many multiple picks would we get for each? (My best guess is a 2nd and 5th for DA and a 1st and 3rd for for KW, but that is purely a guess)

K. Wright???

nick_willis — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:30:32 -0000

So when are we going to get some answers about the Kenny Wright situation? After the draft? After we seal up final contracts with our rookies (before OTAs)?

By now, the Browns are clear as to what happened with the arrest and I feel as if it wouldn't have taken much to make a decision on this relatively mediocre player, no matter how thin the Browns are in the secondary.

Come on Phil, I want the Browns to develop a stronger reputation (not that we have a bad one) for not tolerating high school behavior.

Welcome to the new Dawgs By Nature and SB Nation

clockwerks — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:16:20 -0000

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a fun roleplaying football game

Bereadawg — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:56:15 -0000

I don't know how many of you know what an RPG is (Role-Playing Game) or have ever played one before but this game looks fun.

The basic premise of the game is create-a-player, have player sign with team, set equipment, tactics, stats, etc, then "play" games (the games are simmed, but can be watched fully afterwards). Games are played every-other day, and nights after games and 'off-days' you can train your player to up his attributes.

http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=7190089

Kosar vs. Elway

kardiackids2007 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:13:46 -0000

On Friday, April 11, Kosar's Cleveland Gladiators will battle Elway's Colorado Crush at the Q. The game will start at 7:00 and be broadcasted on the Radio on 850 AM. Elway is not expected to come to the game. If he did, the Q would fill with boos and he might get attacked! Hopefully Bernie will have some revenge. Go Gladiators!

It'd be really cool if Kosar and Elway played QB for a series with their team during the game but that's not gonna happen.

It just might be me but I think the reason that people like the Gladiators is because their owned by Bernie. If he wasn't apart of teh team, I don't think nearly as many people would like the Gladiators.

Dallas wanted D.A.

Bereadawg — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:11:08 -0000

Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 7:32 am EDT

Dallas forced Browns to up Anderson's contract offer
Getty Images
General Manager Phil Savage upped the Cleveland Browns' contract offer to Derek Anderson because he feared Dallas would sign the quarterback and trade him to Miami according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"It didn't matter if I was pretty convinced or just slightly," Savage said Tuesday at NFL league meetings. "The threat of that being there [influenced him to raise the Browns' offer]."

Here's what Savage envisioned if he failed to re-sign Anderson to a multiyear deal and had to give him the one-year contract tender as a restricted free agent: Dallas would have signed Anderson to a big contract and included a "poison pill," which would have made it impossible for the Browns to match the offer. Dallas would have compensated the Browns with first- and third-round picks. They would be the Cowboys' original selections, No. 28 overall in both rounds. Dallas would have traded Anderson and their other first-round pick - No. 22 overall, obtained from the Browns last year - to Miami for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Cowboys then would select Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with that pick.

April Fool's Fun With Toothlessburger

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:30:38 -0000

What's up Dawgs? A little slow Browns newswise right now since the Browns don't have any picks on the 1st day. The only remotely interesting draft related thing I've seen regarding the Browns is a reply on some random board claiming that Tony Grossi said on his radio show that the Browns are planning on trading DA for multiple day one picks. Personally, I think that reply is a ploy on somebody's part to get Browns fans to watch Day 1 of the draft.

I'm eternally optimistic, so part of me buys into Savage and Co. finding a gem or two on the second day since they'll be focusing all of their efforts on the lower portion of their draft board.

Anyway, with the lack of pre-draft Browns chatter I thought I could drop a little humor on everybody. I wrote this blog post as an April Fool's farce: http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/04/steelers-roethlisberger-to-come-out-of.html. As you can tell in the comments, Steelers fans didn't think it was as funny as I did.

Browns sign Shantee Orr

Matt in LA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:18:50 -0000

http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/03/cleveland_browns_sign_houston.html

Seems like a solid linebacker - at least a good tackler, when he's healthy.

I guess he replaces Chaun Thompson. Are we still in the market for other LBs? Seems like it would still be worth our while to ink Clark Haggans, since Orr would probably play inside in our scheme.

More about Free Agency

kardiackids2007 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:25:58 -0000

Here's more information on the Browns free agents.
LB Keith Adams UFA

FB Charles Ali ERFA March 13 Browns 1 year

QB Derek Anderson RFA February 29 Browns 3 years

DB Gary Baxter UFA March 13 Browns 1 year

WR Tim Carter UFA

DB Ricardo Colclough UFA March 1 Panthers 2 years

OL Nat Dorsey UFA

DL Simon Fraser RFA March 7 Falcons

OL Lennie Friedman UFA March 12 Browns 1 year

LB Kris Griffin RFA

DL Bobby Hamilton UFA

DB Daven Holly RFA February 28 Browns Second-round tender[9]

DL Ethan Kelley UFA

RB Jamal Lewis UFA February 21 Browns 3 years[10]

OL Seth McKinney UFA

DL Alvin Smith ERFA

LB Matt Stewart UFA

LB Chaun Thompson UFA March 14 Texans 2 years

DL Ted Washington UFA

UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent

I'm sure the Browns will not resign Ted Washington, Bobby Hamilton, Tim Carter, and Keith Adams.

I hope they resign Ethan Kelly whcih would give us some cheap depth on the D-line.

With Chaun Thompson gone Savage needs to draft or pick up some linebackers. With the resigning of Gary Baxter, I don't think we need a cornerback as badly now.

Poll

What was the Browns best Free Agent signing?

Fitzgerald's New Deal

vegasbrown — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:37:25 -0000

Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald signed a blockbuster four-year, $40 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday, helping free up much-needed salary-cap room for the team.
-------------------------------

I hate seeing him make this much money, he isn't really worth it in my opinion. Unfortunately, I cant help but believe that this is going to have an impact on the thought processes of our tandem Edwards and Winslow, both of which are probably more talented and worth more than Fitz.

Over at Behind The Steel Curtain they disrespect your site and your beliefs on your football team.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:19:10 -0000

I must confess I am a Steeler fan; however I am not one to mock another team and their site like they do. It is insanity. Have a good look at their site. A complete lack of respect for the mods on your site, who go to the effort to post and provide `free' information. Take a stand and do not allow them to push you around. Like on-field. Good luck to you for the upcoming season. Thanks for reading.

Could one of you do a bit like the one `below' so I can learn more about your defensive schemes of Crennel and different aspects of `your organisation'. I would love to read it.

Thanks again.

The steelers must announce another 3 players signed from Free Agency. BE THE GM OF THE STEELERS - CHOSEN UP UNTIL our pick (23) - SHOW YOUR ABILITIES!

Damn... In other news, the FBI has put a warrant out on for the arrest of Tommy Kelly. Charges are highway robbery.

Hadnot C
Eugene Wilson FS / CB
Landon Johnson WLB in a 4-3.

Hadnot is one strong bugger. He could push Mahan around with his 1 pube he has.

Hadnot = Center here. Like Hartings was. Hadnot would be top 5 in the league for centres for strength. He is stronger than Dan Koppen from NE ... for examples sake.

Hadnot is quite quick / speedy, his size is perfect allowing the lanes in the middle of the field.

If we sign him we need perhaps an LT in this draft and that is all.

There is more pressure from you for Albert to perform than Rex Hadnot.

Hadnot can take Nose Tackles and strong DT's in a 4-3 1 on 1 freeing up blocking room for others, ideally never needing a HB / TE to chip would be great. No?

I would offer 5 yrs 19 million 8 million guaranteed.

He is worth it. Only to see Mahan and Simmons battle it out for the LG's spot. I would prefer Mahan than Simmons... at LG

And that says a lot about Simmons doesn't it Dale?

Ideally: Next Season.

Starks / Albert / Smith = LT

Colon / Albert / Mahan / Simmons = LG

Hadnot / Stapleton / Mahan = C

Kem / Simmons / Albert = RG

Smith / Starks / Colon = RT.

So If we get Hadnot we will need a LT early and a RT later in the draft. 4th Round. Guard and center = finalised.

Let's hope Albert can play left tackle Dale.

So: My draft with Hadnot signed is. If Landon Johnson and Eugene Wilson sign watch: *

Hardy WR
Nicks LT
Godfrey CB * Cliff Avril WDE or RDE in our 4-3 sets.
Duane Brown RT
Silva FS
Arman Shields WR

Superbowl bound.

Or? ********** This is where you come in!
I have a couple mock drafts here after the combine. Take a look and see what you think. They include TRADES as well as the Steelers full draft (2 with trades and one without)
Mock 1 with 1st round Trades all teams
1. Dolphins- TRADED to DALLAS for Dallas' (22, 28, 2nd round, as well as Patrick Crayton and Chris Carpenter)
DALLAS selects: DARREN MCFADDEN

Rams: Chris Long-DE
Falcons: Matt Ryan-QB
Raiders: Sedrick Ellis-DT
Chiefs: Jake Long-OT
Jets: Vernon Gholston-DE
Cheaters*: Leodis McKelvin-CB
Ravens: Brian Brohm-QB
Bengals: Glenn Dorsey-DT
Saints: Derrick Harvey-DE
Bills: Keith Rivers-OLB
Broncos: Phillip Merling-DE
Panthers: Ryan Clady-OT
Bears: Jeff Otah-OT
Lions: Rashard Mendenhall-RB
Cards: Kentwan Balmer DT
Vikings: DeSean Jackson-WR
Texans: Jonathan Stewart-RB
Eagles: Malcolm Kelly-WR
Buccaneers: Calais Campbell-DE
Redskins: Kenny Phillips-DS
From DALLAS

Dolphins: Chris Williams-OT
23. TRADED to BILLS for the (2,3,and 4th)
BILLS: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie- CB

Titans: Limas Sweed-WR
Seahawks: Felix Jones-RB
Jaguars: Mario Manningham-WR
Chargers: Reggie Smith-CB/DS
TRADED

DOLPHINS: Aquib Talib-CB

49'ers: Andre Caldwell-WR
Packers: Mike Jenkins-CB
NYG: Dan Connor: LB

2nd Round:

Dolphins: Pat Sims-DT
Rams: Sam Baker- OT
Raiders: Early Doucet-WR
Chiefs: Brandon Flowers-CB
Jets: Gosder Cherilus-OT
Falcons: Fred Davis-TE
Ravens: Tracy Porter-CB
49'ers: Tracy Porter-CB
Saints: Curtis Lofton-OLB

STEELERS:

Trevor Laws-DE
Anthony Collins-OT
Mike Pollak-OC
Tyvon Branch-CB
Tashard Choice-RB
William Franklin-WR
Jeremy Zuttah-OG
J. Lehman-LB

FA:
Madieu Williams-DS
Randy Starks-DT

UDFA:
Jehuu Caulcrick
Ben Moffitt
Darien Williams
Brian Witherspoon
Ernie Wheelwright

I have a couple mock drafts here after the combine. Take a look and see what you think. They include TRADES as well as the Steelers full draft (2 with trades and one without)
Mock 1 with 1st round Trades all teams
1. Dolphins- TRADED to DALLAS for Dallas' (22, 28, 2nd round, as well as Patrick Crayton and Chris Carpenter)
DALLAS selects: DARREN MCFADDEN

Rams: Chris Long-DE
Falcons: Matt Ryan-QB
Raiders: Sedrick Ellis-DT
Chiefs: Jake Long-OT
Jets: Vernon Gholston-DE
Cheaters*: Leodis McKelvin-CB
Ravens: Brian Brohm-QB
Bengals: Glenn Dorsey-DT
Saints: Derrick Harvey-DE
Bills: Keith Rivers-OLB
Broncos: Phillip Merling-DE
Panthers: Ryan Clady-OT
Bears: Jeff Otah-OT
Lions: Rashard Mendenhall-RB
Cards: Kentwan Balmer DT
Vikings: DeSean Jackson-WR
Texans: Jonathan Stewart-RB
Eagles: Malcolm Kelly-WR
Buccaneers: Calais Campbell-DE
Redskins: Kenny Phillips-DS
From DALLAS

Dolphins: Chris Williams-OT
23. TRADED to BILLS for the (2,3,and 4th)
BILLS: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie- CB

Titans: Limas Sweed-WR
Seahawks: Felix Jones-RB
Jaguars: Mario Manningham-WR
Chargers: Reggie Smith-CB/DS
TRADED

DOLPHINS: Aquib Talib-CB

49'ers: Andre Caldwell-WR
Packers: Mike Jenkins-CB
NYG: Dan Connor: LB

2nd Round:

Dolphins: Pat Sims-DT
Rams: Sam Baker- OT
Raiders: Early Doucet-WR
Chiefs: Brandon Flowers-CB
Jets: Gosder Cherilus-OT
Falcons: Fred Davis-TE
Ravens: Tracy Porter-CB
49'ers: Tracy Porter-CB
Saints: Curtis Lofton-OLB

STEELERS:

Trevor Laws-DE
Anthony Collins-OT
Mike Pollak-OC
Tyvon Branch-CB
Tashard Choice-RB
William Franklin-WR
Jeremy Zuttah-OG
J. Lehman-LB

FA:
Madieu Williams-DS
Randy Starks-DT

UDFA:
Jehuu Caulcrick
Ben Moffitt
Darien Williams
Brian Witherspoon
Ernie Wheelwright

2nd Mock Without other teams Trades

Chris Long
Sedrick Ellis
Darren McFadden
Vernon Gholston
Jake Long
Derrick Harvey
Leodis McKelvin
Matt Ryan
Glenn Dorsey
Phillip Merling
Keith Rivers
Calais Campbell
Ryan Clady
Jeff Otah
Aquib Talib
Kentwan Balmer
DeSean Jackson
Rashard Mendenhall
Malcolm Kelly
Chris Williams
Kenny Phillips
Jonathan Stewart
TRADED BILLS: Rodgers-Cromartie
Titans: Limas Sweed
Felix Jones
Mario Manningham
Reggie Smith
Aquib Talib
Andre Caldwell
Mike Jenkins
Dan Connor

STEELERS:

Trevor Laws
Antoine Cason CB
Pollak OC
Smith RB
Duane Brown OL
William Franklin
Jeremy Zuttah OL
J Leman

NO TRADES:

Rodgers-Cromartie CB
Anthony Collins OT
Kevin Smith RB
Dre Moore DT
William Franklin WR
J Leman

Or A mock game where you fill in the gaps after I say what position We draft.

Game below. Enjoy.

Landon Johnson = a ROLB - WLB in a 4-3 base. Timmons will me a 4-3 MLB and Harrison a SLB in a 4-3.

In a 3-4 Woodley replaces Haggans. Draft pick for Keisel at RDE in a 3-4.

Keisel will be a beast as an UT in a 4-3 solely.

We need a WDE in a 4-3 - Nickel / Dimes. Who is the best WDE in a 4-3 in the draft?

We are playing a hybrid next year. Landon Johnson will only see the field as a WLB in a 4-3 D and special teams. Timmons will be a MLB in a 4-3 scheme only + Special teams.

Foote and Farrior will be 3-4 ILB's - solely + Special teams. Could extend Farrior's career by only playing him on 3-4 downs.

Eugene Wilson will be an excellent pickup. a FS who can play on SLOT recievers.

The game!

WDE / RDE in a 4-3 =
LT =
LG =
Big WR 6-3 + 4.5 / 4.6 Forty
SDE / LDE in a 4-3 =
Kick / Punt returner =

Have a go! see who wins.

Your assessment as to why the Steelers would want a player Miami does not want seems sour-grapes. Parcells wants a 'total rebuild'.

Vrabel, Colvin, Farrior and numerous others;

Were they not successful in their moves.

What I don't think you get Dale to run an efficient Hybrid - you need more players to fill the void.

Foote and Farrior 3-4 backers only ...

3-4:

RDE - Draft * McBean
NT - Hampton
LDE Smith
ROLB - Harrison
MLB2 - Foote
MLB1 - Farrior
LOLB - Woodley
+ Secondary

4-3

RDE - Draft
UT - Keisel / McBean
DT Hampton / Smith
LDE - Woodley
ROLB - Johnson
MLB - Timmons
LOLB - Harrison
+ Secondary.

Different personnel for the HYBRID to work!

Do you get it?

I love the 3-4 but on obvious passing downs you need the 4 with their hand in the ground.

So according to me: If we sign Johnson and Wilson our only needs on D are WDE for a 4-3 and another LOLB for depth to spell both Woodley / Harrison for breathers.

Not including. 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 3-3-5, 1-4-6, Dime and Quarter packages.

CED Wilson, Tyrone Carter / Willie Reid / Davenport cut.

I Love quarter / s defense: So with all our CB's / S's we are set.

Are there any `specialist pass' rushers in this draft. Not Howard 6'0. Men who run 4.5 and are 6-4 250-260 and could be had in 5th or 6th round or UFA's? Would love for people to give me some names.

At present we would need a couple of Running backs with only Parker, Russell as actives. A couple of 6-2: 230's with a 4.6 / 4.7 should be available after draft - as this draft is pretty deep at RB. But with Ben, an improved Oline and good- to very good WR's / TE's; why not throw it 56 - 44 anyway?

2 mocks for steeler heaven.

1st mock: Trades. Trade with Washington - they need edge rushers / WR's. Our first for their 2,3,4. This mock has to do with belief that Brandon Albert will not cut it as a LT. All other LT's have gone.

With FS it would be Madieu Williams / Clark starting. However Williams / Townsend / Gay could play the slot; leaving BMAC to be another FS possibility. I think BMAC has a big year next year.

Carl Nicks T
Dre Moore DL
Eddie Royal WR / K/PR
Phillip Wheeler MLB
Silva FS / SS - special teams
Duane Brown T
Ben Moffit MLB - special teams

2nd Mock: Brandon Albert is the pick and are confident he will be a LT. No trades.

Brandon Albert LT
Charles Godfrey CB
Eddie Royal WR / P.K / R.
Bryan Smith OLB - Pass rush specialist.
Silva FS / SS
Arman Shields WR.

Personally I lean towards the first mock. Or the trade down. It all depends on Albert. If the Steelers see him as a LT he is a lock in my opinion. (If he is there) He is more a `hybrid' Oliner than Williams and Baker (For example).

Carl Nicks will be very good too. I like having extra picks; and with only 6 picks in the draft before (a trade) it is best to trade down.

If we were to trade down and Nicks and Albert were both there you take Albert. However I would feel strongly about giving up our 2nd and 4th picks to get Nicks as well. They would be our LT / RT teams for 8-10 yrs I believe.

Give us your thoughts.

INSIDE INFO: source says coaching staff and front office at odds over Starks and Draft Options

Some VERY interesting stuff, that if true, really shows that the Steelers Front Office and Coaching Staff (namely Bruce Arians) are not on the same page.

Someone very close to the Steelers provided the following info:

... the front office just shoved Max Starks down Bruce Arians's throat as the Steelers close in on a long-term deal for a guy Arians had benched. "If they match any contract for him," the source said, "and then he's standing on the sideline during the game, the guys who have the same name around here are going to demand answers." The source also pointed out that a long-term deal -- and the tenure that would go with it -- will force the staff -- which always has questionable tenure -- to look at Starks with more respect than the Starks who had only one year left on his contract.

... the coaches who "had to have Mahan" are now backpedaling and saying, "oh, hey, man, we knew he was just a backup." The source doesn't appreciate the lack of accountability, "and I'm including Tomlin in that, too."

... a center is a strong draft possibility, but then the source slipped into disgust. "We're going to draft a center, we're going to draft a guard, we're going to draft a tackle, draft, draft, draft. Hey, we only have six picks. That won't fix all the problems."

... Corey Williams was a Steelers target in free agency, but the Green Bay defensive end was recently franchised. Asked if the Steelers are interested in Justin Smith, who was Dick LeBeau's first draft pick back with the Bengals. "Nope," my source said. "They think he's strictly a 4-3 end."

... Ryan McBean will help next season, "at least on special teams as one of those Keisel-type wedge-busters because he's big and he can run." But so could Shaun Nua. And so could Lee Vickers. "That's what I said, so I asked if he'd turn his shoulder at contact and I was told that he won't, that he has the necessary lack of intelligence at the point of contact." The source also said that McBean works out at the facility every day and impressed the coaching staff with the way he finished the season.

... Clark Haggans could return. It's being written by some that Haggans definitely won't return, as if he's disliked by the organization, but that's far from the truth. "It could turn out the way Deshea turned out," the source said. "Remember? They didn't think he'd be back, but they scooped him up once the price was right." It's the same scenario with Haggans, he said, but that LaMarr Woodley is held in higher regard now than Townsend's expected successor Bryant McFadden was back then.

... the running back situation could remain intact, and this nugget also raised my source's ire. "The OC is really big on Gary Russell, thinks he'll be the new guy we all want to see back there." When I responded that I, too, like Russell, and that Najeh Davenport needs replaced as the No. 2, The source agreed: "Right. If Russell has anything, let him show us as the No. 3, because he still hasn't shown enough to warrant that much optimism."

What's obvious here is that the front office and the coaching staff are not in sync on personnel. It's clear that Arians has way too much input and clearly has Mike Tomlin's ear. Does anyone think that's a good thing? When Cowher was the coach, the FO couldn't bigfoot him and shove moves down his throat like they did to Tomlin with the Starks transition tag. Cowher was too large a figure to have that done to him, but it's clear the FO doesn't feel the same way about Tomlin/Arians.

At the same time, it's clear the coaches and FO disagree about the needs in the upcoming draft. I think the front office will take control of this draft so if anyone thinks we're drafting 3 offensive linemen, they had better be prepared for a surprise come draft day. I think the Steelers draft one OLmen fairly high, but that's it because drafting more than one just doesn't make any sense if Starks and Essex and Kemo are still on the team next year. The part about the running backs is also very distressing. If they have such confidence in Russell, why didn't he even dress for almost the whole year? I wouldn't be counting on a guy who flunked out of school and sat around a year allowing himself to get woefully out of shape.

If the front office runs this draft, a DE and a RB will be taken high. If the coaches get their way (like they did last year with Spaeth and Sepulveda), then count on several OLmen

I always thought:

The coaches coach and pick players they want:

The F.O do administration.

It staggers me why NFL clubs / Steelers do not comply with the following.

A right handed quarterback will predominatly throw to the right side of the field. So in a 3-4 Defense your LDE / LCB / LOLB must be able to stop the run (with the normal TE with the RT) and play in space well.

LDE if not sacking the quarterback must jump to bat balls down - When was the last time you saw Aaron Smith bat one down?

The left side of the field against the Right handed QB is the most important part of Defense.

So you need a LDE to have a good vertical jump, to bat down balls, you need a LOLB with ability in space and a good vertical jump and a great LCB who can play in a deep zone (Cover 3) in a 3-4 which is Lebeau's defense.

I want Antoine Cason in the draft - a ballhawk who may not be quick 4.45 Forty - but like Asante Samuel can play off somewhat. If a QB throws a dump he can anticipate = 6. LCB. Is Woodley good in space? If not play him at ROLB (The blindside. Can our new draft picks on the Dline vertical jump to bat down balls if not sacking the quarterback?

The right side of the field is not nearly as important as the Left - but you still need players to fit the scheme.

I would play zone on the Left of the field to confuse, and as it is harder for a Right handed QB to throw to his left - I would play bump and run to his left (Our right of the field). Taylor and BMAC are good at BUMP and Run. Timmons MLB 2 this year can get the slot to the right of the field on occasions - Press coverage.

I think we need a ballhawking FS too. To play centre field - or to come up to the the line of scrimmage to get the Slot reciever on the Right side of the field.

Easy to get these players yeah? It should be with the analysis and scouting reports we get today.

Ideally Carriker is going to be a superb player, wish we traded up last year = LDE.

Starks is the best LDE - with a vertical jump in the FA's = LDE.

Corey Williams would play RDE in my scheme - not the vertical jump but quicker / acceleration to beat LT's so Woodley / Harrison come free.

A New 3-4 DLINE? / Base Defense

RDE - Corey Williams
NT - Hampton / Issac Sopoaga V good vertical leap to bat balls directed to middle field.
LDE - Randy Starks

ROLB - Woodley - Blindside
MLB 1 (Sharing duties) If run = Farrior / If pass = Foote.
MLB2 = Timmons
LOLB Harrison stronger / better in Vertical leap / space than Woodley?

LCB = Antoine Cason
RCB = Taylor
FS = Ballhawk?
SS POL.

The Draft: If we sign players aforementioned DEF: Williams / Starks / Sopoaga. OFF: Smiley (49's Guard)

May need to release Wilson / some other hacks to find funds = worth it.

Cason / Talib - need a ballhawk LCB as explained earlier

Brandon Albert LT / LG

Jordy Nelson Big WR - KR / PR

Phillip Wheeler / MLB - rotate Farrior / Foote / Wheeler in set schemes.

Duane Brown / John Sullivan OT / OC

Jamie Silva More FS - has good hands (Probably not quick enough) - This bloke is the best special teams player I have ever seen. + Keisel = better special teams already. Captain of the special teams will be Silva in 2 yrs.

If the players are gone - go for the next best player in that position.
I want.

LT / LG

Big WR / KR / PR

MLB for 3-4 / 4-3

OT / OC

Special Team's ACE.

Players who come cheap (FA's) can assist us these are:
Marcus Demps(CB/S) and Donnell Washington (LDE / DT): Washington is still young, has a good vertical leap = LDE.

Substitute Williams RDE, Washington LDE, (Keisel = bad VL = RDE) Smith Now a better RDE,( I am against Justin Smith now (He would be a ROLB) here, Hampton, Hoke, McBean RDE (Poor VL) on the DLINE, according to other teams SETS on Offense.

Even Woodley can play LDE in some passing downs in a 3-3-5 Defense.

I love a player for the JAGS named Senseborough (Or something similar in spelling) He would be the ballhawking FS I am after.

We get these parts = SB in 08.

Thanks for reading.

A couple of Questions if I may.

Is Woodley a SDE or WDE in a 4-3?

Can Keisel or Smith play as undertackles in a 4-3?

Are there a couple of players who are known as specialist rushers - as in a Roderick Green or a John Alston to grab late in the draft? I like Roderick Green as a DE in passing situations.
I like a couple of extra pass rushers in a squad to give a spell to Harrison and Woodley in Nickels and Dimes / Quarter packages.

Can Flowers bump and run or play deep zone - ala cover 3 = Lebeau's scheme?

Is McBean stronger than Keisel in 2 gap work?

Why can't the steelers do this? On offense or defense?

On offense if the opponent is 3-4 you pass spread em out.

On offense if the opponent is 4-3 you run

On Offense if your opponent is 46 - spread em out pass Delayed runs.

On Defense if your opponent is a pass team - 4-3 4-3 cover 2

On Defense if your opponent is a run happy team - 3-4.

A hybrid at all times?

Can you explain where the UT and DT play in a 4-3. Position wise. On the line.

Why hasn't McFadden come on? Can he play bump and run?

Tell me about William Gay - can he play bump and run? Cover 3 - deep zone?

Are the corners this year better than Darrelle Revis?

Who is the best kick reurner / Punts?

Who is the best WDE in the draft coming up?

Does a tall / Burress type WR have to play on the left side of the field? Why Why not?

Why doesn't on the O Line (Against the 3-4) - the LT take the ROLB always, the LG take the RDE, the C the NT, the RG the LDE and the RT take the LOLB. With fullbacks / HB e.t.c taking the extra blitzer why do we get so many sacks against Big Ben?

On Offense why don't our TE's and Fullbacks / Half backs chip more? Chip and then get downfield for a possible completed pass? (protect Oline)?

Can Polamalu play LCB - the most important corner position (as described before by the poster)? then we could get 2 'tackling' and efficent cover safeties and our secondary would rock.

Who will be a first round bust in the draft coming up?

Who is overrated? Who is underrated?

Why do our corners play off all the time? - always easy completions if a Qb just throws it quickly.

Dan Rooney should show that he has balls - Like Art (Who canned that Cowher loser - pity 8 seasons too late) And investigate this further.

We were robbed in at least 1 AFCC title game it seems.

Dan seems to care more about his image in the NFL than wanting a 'super power' Steelers football team.

Get tough Dan - or piss off and let Art take over.

Art is ruthless - Dan Rooney's title as 'head honcho' has been poor in winning Superbowls.
A somewhat lucky win, and having a coach who still can't win the big one. Big Ben and the players won in spite of Cowher - Cowher to me is still a loser and always will be. Tell me how a coach who has sole rights on 3-4 OLBS (DE's) for a decade can't win a superbowl. Running with 11 men in the box don't work in playoffs. Thanks Bettis! (most overrated Steeler ever - is fat Jerome)

Hopefully Art cans people's asses quickly if they aren't performing. Coaches and players alike.

You listening Larry Foote and Brett Keisel. Both are poor in stopping the run.

Keisel in a turnstile at RDE He ain't no 2 gapper; and Foote talks too much. Timmons is quicker and has more cunte than Foote.

Dan Rooney and Cowher will go down in Steeler folklore as LOSERS. Dick Lebeau is becoming one of the 2 aforementioned losers. 1 more year dick and its Tomlin's team outright.

Lebeau has 1 SB victory in 50 yrs playing and coaching. It says alot that stat. A leader and innovative player / coach should have at least 6 in that time frame, even if the side he represents is poor in certain areas.

I am on to Dick Lebeau and his 'overrated' defenses.

Throw Slants, sideways, WR screens, Bubble screens and you will always beat Lebeau. His defense is based on a QB throwing the ball downfield - if they don't Dick Lebeau's defense is toast.

From the likes of the NYT article today, it looks like they might be downplaying it because they were involved in the cover-up.

If it turns out to be true that Dan Rooney--the boss of our favorite team--knew from Goodell that the Steelers were being taped multiple times and he advised Goodell to cover it up, who exactly IS on our side as Steeler fans? As Steeler fans that demand that our favorite team's games be played fairly. Not the Rooneys, that's for sure.

Now, if it turns out that Goodell almost fully misled Rooney about the content of the tapes, then that's a different story.

Now for some football buzz. James Hardy, the 6-6, 220 lb WR from Indiana, has said that the Steelers have been one of several teams that have "shown interest" in him. I know everyone things we're going OL in the first round, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Steelers got Ben the big WR he wants (even if he now denies he wants one, we all know he really does). I can just imagine Hines' reaction if we did draft Hardy in round 1.

Art Rooney is also writing a book. Art has been writing for longer than Dan... But Dan got in first.

Art's will be a beauty. Art is a winner.

But more and more, I don't see how the latter can be true. The evidence is made public that the Steelers were taped multiple times over the past 6 years, and the Rooneys release a press statement saying "no big deal."

I'll follow the story until all the evidence presents itself, but if at the end of the day it's true that Rooney is so unconcerned about the desire for Steelers fans to have their favorite team compete on an even playing field, and if the other owners in the league are also in cahoots and therefore unconcerned about the desire for their fans to see their favorite teams compete on an even playing field, then I think I may just give up on watching the NFL completely.

Salt in wound: Rewatching the Jillsonville game. No doom and gloom.

Foote / Keisel / Haggans = stink.
Woodley will be only be a 6-9 sack a year man. As Haggans was so bad - Woodley looked great. He ain't that good folks. He ain't no pass rushing menace to be sure.
Ike Taylor can not play zone defense
Hampton was good. V. Good.
Harrison and Ward / Miller are our best players.
Big Ben caused 4 of the 6 sacks himself - by holding the ball for too long and not throwing it away.
Why was Holmes moved from the left side of the field - He had taken Mathis away from the action, when he moved right = 2 picks. Don't throw it in Mathis's direction.
Ben lost this game - noone, noone else.
The defense was good actually v. good. Ben give em points and field position.
On Jones - Drew's catching TD it was Farrior and not woodley with the brain cramp. Woodley did his job by chipping Drew but Farrior directing traffic ran a red light himself.
Woodley started at UT in a couple of series. Keisel = LDE Harrison RDE Hampton = DT and Woodley 3 technique - UT. No pressure though.
Eason and Dline members was on Special teams = no.
Davenport / Wilson are scared of contact. = Cowards.
How we missed a return man.
Townsend is just about done. Need a LCB = Cason? RCB = IKE.
Polamalu plays better deep than he does at the line of scrimmage.
Holding or not... Foote and Keisel were killed on Garrard's last QB sneak.

Feel free to add more. Keep the season alive. It is good to write / talk about 'scarring' I am told.

Taylor, Cason, BMAC, Gay, Pol, Smith, Clark sounds good doesn't it.

Cason is a ballhawk. He actually catches the ball - and if given space = 6.

The NFL is now a passing league. If you don't stop the pass you are finished.

Think about the first JAGS game. They had 39 mins of possession. 250 yds on the ground and won by 7.

Brady has 50 pass attempts throws for 400 yds we get smashed.

You need to stop the pass more than the run in todays NFL. Cowher never really understood that.

I like the 3-3-5 defense. On running downs

LDE = Smith
RDE = Hoke
NT = Hampton
ROLB Foote
MLB = Farrior
LOLB = Harrison

On passing downs:

LDE = Woodley
RDE = Keisel
NT / DT = Smith / McBean
ROLB Timmons
MLB Farrior
LOLB Harrison

The 3 corners will be Ike, Cason (hopefully) and BMAC / Deshea.

Mix and match personnel for different schemes opposition use.

The 3-3-5 can stop the run. Using different personnel.

You can bring POL up to the line of scrimmage or play him deep. You can play him as an OLB near the line of scrimmage.

Hopefully Tomlebeau creats this packages - as all our CB's can tackle - it is very effective.

Another Defense??

Tomlin and Lebeau should play cover 2 and blitz 5 guys everydown with 2 deep. What 5 and what 2 play deep?

Tomlin's 3-4 zoneblitz cover 2

Cover 3 is used when you have 4 wideouts who can play deep. Cover 3 is used when you score points.

When you play cover 3 at the start of games there is 1 player free for Brady to complete short passes. Make Brady beat you deep / with Maroney.

4 wides = cover 3
3 and less = cover 2.

Tomlin has improved our Corners - especially Ike Taylor + all defense formations especially their abilities in a 3-4 defense.

Watching the Jags game again (doh) Ike Taylor has improved. I think he is a top (5) corner in the league. Great bump and run corner now.

Tomlin will assist our charge as in a 3-4 you need great corners. He has one. Imagine a Revis too. (Doh).

I hope BMAC can play bump and run too. If he can play like Taylor we are set here.

Draft: RDE (3-4 D) Keisel is not strong enough - he fell down on Garrayd's run on 4th down. Not strong enough.

Big WR on the left side.

Oline LT and C.

We are not far away.

Hampton is our only Dlineman who plays 2 gap, even though Hampton probably plays 1 gap more than 50% of the time + Our Ends in a 1 gap means:

That We are playing the 3-4 like a 4-3 with all of our Dlineman playing 1 gap. Tomlin like Wade Phillips / Ted Cottrell play a 1 gap 3-4 defense where the ends penetrate more.

Keisel and Smith had poor seasons - really - when they had a right to get after the quarterback and got no sacks really.

The only teams who play a true 3-4 2 gap front are the JETS and Patriots.

As the Pats have huge D lineman they can play the 2 gap front:

The Jets should play a 1 gap 3-4 with their roster.

Keisel is not strong enough to shed one blocker - comparing him to a 2 gap 3-4 End is stupid.

Tomlin plays the 3-4 1 gap scheme. It is like a 4-3 really. With only Hampton not being a 1 gapper all the time. Even then Hampton has the scheme called for him to rush the quarterback more than 50% of the time.

Keisel and and our back up ends are putrid - considering that they had the chance under Tomlin to get after the quarterback in our 3-4 base 1 gap scheme.

Hence the ' quote' we need big quick men' on Lines from Tomlin in his last presser. = DE's will be different here next year.

Tomlin plays the 3-4 like a 4-3 where Hampton only plays the 2 gap / and even then Hampton tries to get after the quarterback as well.

In Chuck Noll's first draft as the Steelers' coach, the team picked Joe Greene on the first round. Greene was the foundation for the program Noll built to turn the Steelers from lovable losers into a team that won four Super Bowls during a six-season span of the 1970s. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

In Bill Cowher's first draft as the Steelers' coach, the team picked Leon Searcy, Levon Kirkland and Joel Steed on the first day. Searcy replaced Tunch Ilkin as the starting right tackle in his second season; Kirkland played in two Pro Bowls and was a two-time team MVP; and Steed was voted to one Pro Bowl. All three were starters for the team when the Steelers faced Dallas in Super Bowl XXX.

Mike Tomlin's first draft as the Steelers coach starts today. History certainly has set the bar high.

"I do (have some butterflies)," Tomlin admitted about participating in his first NFL Draft as a head coach. "I like that feeling though. I have gotten that feeling a lot of ways, regarding a lot of things the last few months. The draft is one of them. You love those challenges and have to look forward to embracing them."

For a team such as the Steelers that sees the draft as its primary method of acquiring talent, every one is both a challenge and an opportunity. This draft's challenge comes in replenishing a roster that is dangerously thin in more than a couple of areas, with the opportunity being that if the Steelers can add some quality players over the weekend they still have the core of the roster intact that helped them win Super Bowl XL.

The Steelers go into the weekend with nine picks - one in each of the seven rounds plus compensatory choices in the fourth and fifth. That's as many picks as they've had in any of the seven previous drafts under Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert, and making trades down in a round to accumulate even more choices is not out of the question.

The most common spot for trading down is the first round, where the Steelers currently have the 15th overall selection. During Colbert's time here, the Steelers have traded down in the first round once - in 2001 when the team picked Casey Hampton - and traded up twice - in 2003 when the team picked Troy Polamalu and in 2006 when it chose Santonio Holmes.

"We are picking No. 15 as everybody knows," said Colbert. "As we always do, we will call all of the teams and touch base as far as trading up or trading down. It's less likely that we are going to go up from the 15th position, because it is very expensive to get up in that top echelon.

"Trading down could be an option for us. We already have nine draft picks because we picked up an extra fourth and fifth as compensatory picks, but this is probably a good draft where more picks midway through is a good thing because there are a lot of good players who are going to be available in those three, four round areas. That could be interesting to us."

Another point of interest for the Steelers is that it seems as though the bulk of the guys being talked about at the top of the first round play offense, which is good for a team looking for help on defense. The more teams among the top 14 that pick offense give the Steelers a better chance at the top players on defense. Getting the consensus best player at a position, as the Steelers did in 2003 when they chose Polamalu and again in 2005 when they picked tight end Heath Miller, usually is a solid recipe for success.

"If you look back on our draft history, or at least since I have been involved with it," said Colbert, "we have always alternated offense-defense (with the No. 1 pick) until the last three years, when we have picked offense each time. It doesn't mean you will take a defensive player this year, but it does mean that you probably got a little older on defense from a depth standpoint than you would like to be."

The situation Colbert describes seems to be most acute at linebacker and defensive line. At each of those areas, the starters are proven players, but the depth, with the exception of Chris Hoke at nose tackle, is not what it needs to be for a team hoping to make another run at a championship.

"Defensively, I think (the talent) is good at all levels," said Colbert. "I think that's something that is interesting to us because we could use help at any level of our defense -- not necessarily coming in and starting right away, but if we can add depth at any point at any level of our defense, we will be helping our team."

As for the actual process of picking players, things aren't likely to change much. When Commissioner Roger Goodell kicks things off around noon today, the Steelers will have all of the players on their draft board ranked, and they will have gone through a number of mock draft scenarios to prepare themselves for any eventuality.

The Steelers pick is always a consensus, and even though Tomlin is a rookie when it comes to the role he'll be playing this weekend he did prepare himself for this day when he was an assistant coach.

"I received great advice as a young coach. I approached it very similar to how I approach it now," said Tomlin. "As a position coach, I studied everybody in the draft. We had an open door policy in Tampa in terms of the coaches being able to be part of the process whether your position was being discussed or not. I took advantage of that. I am a personnel enthusiast by nature. I think if you want to excel in this business, you better have an interest in personnel. Mentally, I have been through the process before, probably not officially, but it is not unlike what I have done in the past."

And while the cliché of "picking the best player available" was something that began with Noll in 1969, it's still what the Steelers believe in today. They'll be picking players to make their team better, instead of looking for specific guys to fit a particular scheme.

"Talent does defy scheme," said Tomlin. "The great ones, they can play regardless of what the specific Xs and Os are. In today's NFL, the lines are really starting to get a little blurry, specifically when you start talking about the 3-4 versus the 4-3. The issue now is whether it is a one-gap front or a two-gap front. There are some 3-4 teams that are a one-gap front and there are some 3-4 teams that are a two-gap front. The 3-4 teams that are a one-gap front play very similar to the 4-3 teams. It is becoming gray, and I think football players are football players, and guys who can make plays will make plays."

We play more 1 gap now!

Keisel was an absolute disgrace when he was able to get after it compared to playing a 2 gap containment role.

The RESULT yesterday was inspired by THE GHOSTS OF THE LOSER BILL COWHER himself: Why we lost against the Jags in Wildcard round:

It is real simple: DICK LEBEAU AND

Again we started to run the ball when we did not need to. We moved it perfectly down the field on the first drive by passing. When we started to run - we got into 2 and 3rd and longs. Defenses know it is a pass = Int's.

We need an Oline who pass blocks. Simple. 62 / 38 pass to run ratio. It is far too easy to stop the run. We need 3-4 new starters on OLINE. PASS BLOCKERS ONLY.

Lebeau - is overrated. Retire him. We need to employ Rob RYAN - not REX. Rob was the OUTSIDE linebackers coach in 2 of NEW England's SUPERBOWLS.

These players are finished in PITTSburgh:

Haggans, Faneca, Starks, Carter, M. Smith, Keisel, Foote, Farrior, Townsend. All overrated or too old / slow.

Mike Tomlin and Bruce Arians must be given credit. The players left are still 'Loser Bill Cowher' players. Weed em out. Get Tomlin's imprimatur on this side.

Arians has the right idea of how the NFL is moving; the pass. However do not run it for the sake of it. No need. Only gets you in trouble.

When you spread out the opponents Defense - 3 / 4 wides it is much easier for the QB to know who is blitzing.

Mike Tomlin is a winner. I like him - he must be given credit for entering and giving Cowher's staff one last shot. They had it and ruined it. THIS IS NOW SOLELY MIKE TOMLIN'S JOB.

Woodley, Timmons are going to be beauties. Trust me on that.

Poor Sep - The Punter had to actually save the ST's by punting short. THE SPECIAL TEAMS COACH MUST BE FIRED. SPECIAL TEAMS IS NOT HARD. THIS STILL HAD COWHER'S GHOSTS ON IT.

Cowher left Tomlin with no Oline depth and no Dline depth. Football is played in the trenches.

I would seriously think about trading BIG ben.

IF you could get Trent Edwards + 1 and 2 pick for Ben I would do it in a heart beat.

Do not give BIG BEN - BIG MONEY. WASTE. SPEND ON FREE AGENTS AND OLINE IF NECESSARY - NOT BIG BEN.

THE 3-4 IS FINISHED. OUR 3-4 TEAM ARE OLD AND WORN OUT. FOOTE, HAGGANS, FARRIOR, KEISEL ARE APPAULING Carter / Smith.

I am proud of Tomlin and if you give him 'his team' he will excel. If you give Mike 15+ yrs in the Job - he comes home with more than 1 Lombardi trophy.

4-3 Cover 2 is the way to go. YOU NEED TO STOP THE PASS - AND YOU DO IT BY SIMPLY RUSHING 4 PLAYERS. NO MORE NO LESS.

RDE = draft

UT = McBean / keisel / aaron Smith

NT = Hampton / draft

LDE = Woodley / Keisel

ROLB = Timmons

MLB = draft

LOLB = Harrison

CB 1 = Taylor

CB 2 = BMAC

SS = POL

FS = draft pick. NEED A COVERAGE FS SAFETY / SURE TACKLER. QUICK 4-3 / 4.4 SPEED.

Draft =

RDE (either for 3-4 / 4-3 cover 2)

MLB

UT / DT

WR - BIG.

Must spend coin on OLINE and WR's in FREE AGENCY.
Tomlin, Arians, Oline have copped it. Why not the 'wizard' Lebeau.

He has players falling for playaction when sides don't pass and gameplanning is poor.

In consecutive weeks we have been slaughtered through the air and this week on the ground.

This bloke gets away scot free.

I have been on to this phony for years.

50 years coaching / playing for 1 SB. Says it all really.

Dick Lebeau should be in the Hall of Shame not hall of fame.

Lebeau talks about Hall of Fame snub.

Leblow SHOULD not be with team in 08. He is overrated and useless. He is 72 yrs old, he * the bed, he pisses his pants and * his pants in video review - And he often forgets his name, forgets where his clipboard is at times, And finally - forgets where Heinz field is. Often late.

In consecutive weeks and previewing plays to run against Jags and Pats he 'asked Tomlin to tie up his shoes' as he had forgotten how.

Tomlin's response was 'Dick your being a * - now blow yourself you silly old cunte'.

Lebeau spoke recently with a host of Steeler representatives about his being overlooked in the NFL's hall of Fame.

Dick was actually given the title - but had forgotten how to get to Canton -Ohio. Dick was born there.

I was happy he did not attend:

He should be in the Hall of Shame. To make the HOF you actually have to be half decent.

Dick is useless - like a virgin working in a brothel. Overrated - out of his depth.

ANYONE FOR TAMPA 2 ?... EFEECTIVELY A 4 MAN RUSH BY DLINE AND A COVER 3 BEHIND IT.

FARRIOR TO ALMOST GO AS FAR BACK AS SAFTEIES ON PASS PLAY. COVERING MIDDLE FIELD.

I THINK TOMLIN MUST PLAY HIS TAMPA 2 AGAINST THE Pats* NEXT TIME AROUND...

WOODLEY LDE / HARRISON / KEISEL RDE. TIMMONS ROLB / FOOTE / HAGGANS LOLB. FARRIOR / TIMMONS MLB.

PROBABLY NEED A RDE IN DRAFT TO MAKE IT WORK.

LEBEAU'S 5 MAN BLITZ (ZONE IS USELESS) AGAINST A QUICK THROWER.

AS YOU SEE A 4 MAN RUSH WAS MAINTAINABLE BY OUR D'S LOFTY STANDARDS.

YOU DON'T BEAT THE CHEATS BY RUSHING MORE THAN 4 - YOU REALLY DON'T. ARE YOU LISTENING LE STINK?

TOMLIN COULD CONVERT OUR BASE 3-4 TO TAMPA 2 without subbing

A base 3-4 D has the 2 middle backers on the SAME level as each other...

All you would have to do is place the middle backer (2) just say FOOTE / TIMMONS 3-5 YARDS CLOSER to the safeties. FARRIOR ON OUR RIGHT SIDE STAYS THE SAME.

When he reads / knows it is pass he drops back the the safeties level... (TAMPA 2)

If he reads run / and it is a run (Anthony Smith ) he tackles the ball carrier.

WHY HASN'T TOMLIN AND LEBEAU DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

IT IS IN ESSENCE THE TAMPA 2 DEFENSE - However it would be better against the run.

If the D line plays 2 gap (WHICH WE DO MOST TIMES) and Harrison IS THE BACKER COMING AFTER THE QB Foote / Timmons plays deeper than the normal MLB 2 does in a base 3-4.

It will stop the INTERMEDIATE ball - safeties do not charge until the ball is over the line of scrimmage AND in a back's hand...

ANTHONY SMITH - FALLS FOR PLAYACTION WHEN Pats** RUN IT 8 TIMES... STAY DEEP. SAFETIES WILL STAY DEEP ALL GAME.

AN EASY WAY TO STOP PASSING SIDES... AND YOU HAVE BACKERS AND D / LINE ON THE FIELD SO NO-ONE WILL RUN ON US.

AS THE DLINE'S JOB IS TO TIE UP BLOCKERS ANYWAY THE BACKER WHO BLITZES SHOULD COME BASICALLY FREE.

EASY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WE HAD SUNDAY.

TIMMONS WOULD EXCEL AT THIS SPOT. QUICK / CAN CATCH AND CAN HIT AND STOMP ON BACKS RUNNING THE BALL.

So...

As per normal up front

but MLB'S LINE UP LIKE THIS

Timmons / FOOTE = third level

Farrior. = 2nd level

DLINE. (FIRST LEVEL)

MLB 2 (TIMMONS / FOOTE) 3-5 yards further back of their normal spot at MLB2 (CLOSER TO SAFETIES) FROM FARRIOR.

WITH HAMPTON INSIDE THE RUN UP THE MIDDLE IS AVOIDED ANYWAY.

Simple yet effective.

And oh so easy.

TAMPA 2 MADE EASY. WITHOUT SUBSTITUTING PLAYERS AND THE LIKE... GREAT AGAINST THE NO HUDDLE.
KEY IS TO ONLY RUSH 4 PEOPLE. GENERALLY D / LINE AND ONE BACKER.

ANY ZONE BLITZES (KEIESEL / SMITH) DROPPING IN TO COVERAGE HAS TO HAVE A SIMILAR RESULT. WHERE SOMEONE COVERS THE MIDDLE PART OF THE FIELD A LITTLE MORE THAN USUAL... 6 - 12 YARDS SHOULD DO IT.

Instead of a 25 yard completion it may go for 6-8. BIG DIFFERENCE.

SO IF YOU ARE PLAYING A RUN - ORIENTATED TEAM - BALTILESS - NORMAL 3-4 BASE. MIDDLE BACKERS ON SAME LEVEL.
IF YOU ARE PLAYING COLTS AND Pats** - PASSING TEAMS - DROP THE MLB2 - Foote and Timmons further back - 5-6 yards. It is effectively the Tampa 2 (ending up the same level as safeties) = cover 3.

However with better run stoppers on the field than a normal Tampa 2, SIDES WILL NOT POWER RUN US like you can do to the colts.

The D / line. Keisel / Smith / McBean could rush just a little more. With the knowledge a run will be supported by Timmons - further back. And a pass will have a cover 2, plus Timmons playing that Tampa 2 'Mike' linebacker role. EFFECTIVELY COVER 3 And or covering the Slot reciever / or third wide out - at a deeper level. E.G WELKER.

IT WORKS. AND IT CONFUSES QB'S NO END.

Am I correct in saying... That Samuel is not a cover corner

That Asante Samuel is not a cover corner.

Asante Samuel is completely a system cornerback. His role is to play deep zone on the right hand side of the field.

The * Pats** - effectively have a cover 3 on everyplay.

Samuel - deep zone, the SS and FS all play a 3 deep zone.

If Harrison comes up to stop the run or play on the Tight end then...

Samuel and Hobbs will play deep zone with the free safety (Wilson , Gay). Effectively a cover 3 deep.

If you notice Samuel really does not care if you catch a 6-8 yard pass on him - the system (BELICHEAT) only asks him to play deep zone. YOU OFTEN SEE HIM CHEATING - JUMPING A ROUTE AS HE IS DEEPER THAN THE WIDE OUT HE IS GUARDING and can make a play on the ball.
Surely comebacks, outs and in routes should be played against him.

Am I correct or wrong on this fact.

Why can't Ike Taylor play the same way... he is just as quick, and a 8 yard completion is better than a 40 yarder.

Simple yet effective.

Why don't sides play 3 WR'S ON THE RIGHT AND MAKE SAMUEL HARRISON AND THE LOLB ACCOUNTABLE.

Obviously the way the Pats** defend, they cover deep and the sidelines.

THE MIDDLE IS ENTIRELY OPEN.

MILLER AND SPAETH SHOULD HAVE SHREDDED THEM - IF THEY WERE THROWN THE BALL LAST SUNDAY.

Bookmark this post. Lawrence Timmons will be the best backer

If lined up like this he will be the greatest sack leader of all time.

FS deep. Clark / Smith gets wr3.

Pol = wr 4 (lined up with backers 2nd level. With 1st middle linbacker.

Foote = 5th wr = back. 3rd level just behind 2nd level a little more to his right.

Bmac 2 Wr.

Ike = wr 1.

Timmons, Woodley, Smith, Haggans, Hampton, Farrior / Foote blitz everydown. Timmons plays just a little wider at ROLB. If a TE is not moved there it is SMITH and Timmons VS LT.

The Corners play 7-8 yards of wide recievers.

You get 7-8 sacks everygame. The quarterback is taken out everygame.

It is the Steelers equivalent of the chuck and duck. But as we have Hampton and Farrior inside no-one runs inisde. As the CB's are 7-8 yards off WR's they stop the outside runs. As Timmons is wider at ROLB no side runs to the left of the line. Accordingly Foote Farrior Woodley and Haggans can line up a little wider in their positions to stop the run to the right.

A great Defense. If the quarterback does get a long one off it gives you time to Carson him = out of the game for good.

Can I be Defensive coordinator. You know you love it.

This is how to get Woodley and Timmons more gametime

On first Down:

RDE - Woodley

NT - Hampton (2 gap scheme) As per normal.

LDE - Haggans

ROLB - Harrison

LOLB - Foote

MLB 1 - Farrior

MLB 2 - Timmons (IN SPACE) until gets more strength.

CB 1 - Taylor

CB 2 - BMac

FS - Clark / Smith

SS - Pol

On second down: replace linebacker with defensive back. Replace Hampton with Smith. (Now nickel)

RDE - Woodley

NT - Smith (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.

LDE - Haggans

LOLB - Harrison

MLB 1 - Farrior

MLB 2 - Timmons

CB 1 - Taylor

CB 2 - BMac

CB 3 - Townsend

FS - Clark / Smith

SS - Pol

On third down: replace another linebacker with defensive back. Replace Smith with Kiesel. (Now Dime) Farrior gets benched for Timmons.

RDE - Woodley

NT - Keisel (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.

LDE - Haggans

LOLB - Harrison (Floater) Goes wherever their D line is weak. Blitz or cover area of field.

MLB 1 - Timmons

CB 1 - Taylor

CB 2 - BMac

CB 3 - Townsend

CB 4 - Smith / Clark

FS - Clark / Smith

SS - Pol

This will allow more playmakers on the field. The plan is to play FS and SS deep in a cover 2 scheme. They will clean up the run game.

All corners when they are on the field will cover the WR (everywhere they go - NO ZONE). They get support over the top from the safeties.

With only 1 Dlineman (really) on the line at times it will give Lebeau more ability to Zone blitz the backers and now (Linebackers) at the end spot.
Imagine Haggans and Woodley 'having a zone' the 'other designated blitzers' would have a field day. I love DE's who can cover as well.

You will cover everything and only send 2 or maybe 3 , 4 guys at once. NO MORE.

As we have more speed on the field we will clean up the short passing game. With Hampton / (Smith and Kiesel) on the nose (Keisel on 3rd downs or long yardage situations) we will stop the inside runs. Runs to the outside will be impossible.

Keisel and Smith and even Hampton can drop back into coverage at stages. And Smith and Keisel could QB spy and even run with running backs knowing we have 2 safeties deep.

The Zone blitz here would be amazing. Every guy could drop or rush making the other team having to max protect. Then you can send 2 maybe 3 guys and the rest are covered. And still pressure.

P.S this will work in most situations but would be near on impossible for a team to come back from 1 or more scores down.

The reality with the COLTS and Pats** not having a 'stud' running back we could limit the passing yards and probably give the back 3 - 3.5 yards a carry.

This scheme makes the running back beat you. They don't against us.

This is great for the cap. Linebackers are less than DE / DT.

I don't know why teams pay over the odds for a DT / DE when they are one dimensional. They don't cover and are shocking against the run.

This would keep the Pats** / COLTS to 21 to 24 points. Approx 200 yards passing. 85 - 110 on the ground. BECAUSE OF LE STINK

Can we score that against them? YES.

Against the Pats** / COLTS we must run the football. A.v 3.8 / 4.0 yards a carry. Don't let Belicheat start nickles and Dimes. Pats** LIKE TO SCORE FIRST. IF WE DO WE CAN WIN THIS FOOTBALL MATCH.

Is Mike Tomlin an X's and O's coach, or more like Cowher - motivator and no-more.

Please tell me it is the former.

WE DO THESE THINGS WE BEAT THE CHEATRIOTS.

That's why LEBLOW failed for me as he had the sole rights of DE's - OLB's for more than 10 years. No other side played the 3-4 for long periods. He should have 3 SB rings. Cowher never realised the Nickel and Dime Defense - be it the 3-3-5 the 2-4-5 1-4-6 can slow down teams.

That's how Belichick defeated the Giants and Rams. If I was coach against the Pats** (Not regular game - don't give it away) but in the playoffs I would use the 2-4-5 and the 1-4-6 often. At times rush just 3 out of the 2-4-5. Using the LDE on the Tightend. Playing a cover 3. FARRIOR COVERING MIDDLE / WELKER's dumpoffs and bubble screens. MAKE THE BACK BEAT YOU WHICH RARELY EVER DOES TO PITTSBURGH.
WELKER MAKES THE Pats* GO. YOU MUST HIT HIM,HIT HIM,HIT HIM, SIMILAR TO BELICHICK DID TO MARSHALL FAULK. (Martz and Levy should have run more) but the Pats** can't against us even if we are in our nickels as we play the run well. I THOUGHT BELICHICK WOULD HAVE CALLED DILLON AS THEY NEED A BACK WHO THREATENS A D. MARONEY DOES NOT AT THIS STAGE. So you can sell out on the pass.
We can Belichick Belichick against the Pats*. Keep possession (use Najeh) more as a power runner against the 3-4 D.

We would need the ball 34 - 36 mins to win it. We can and will I believe come playoffs.

Why? Don't let em get behind you, and smash the WR's all day. Moss is soft, Welker avoids body contact, Stallworth = yuk.

You need to establish the run game, thats how you beat Belichick's teams. Might refer to Mike Shanahan's PLANS against him. = Good success. MUST USE NAJEH MORE. I think Mahan with Kreider's chop blocks can go ok against Wilfork - opening up the middle.

You pick on Hobbs and Bruschi and Seau in the passing game. Miller and Speath will have big games. Need to run it 40 times to win. Pick your spots. When going deep don't go to Eugene Wilson's side. 40 times = 130 - 150 yards will be enough.

Adalius Thomas is a liability in the run game and does not play like a 270 linebacker.

Believe me its do-able and we will win it. IN the cold FOXBORO. MOSS = LIABILITY.

Belichick and Brady are ego's. Loves throwing the ball - both of them. Maroney can't be trusted to carry the load. FUMBLES:

you don't think they would just run Maroney against that D? Did Faulk? Thurman Thomas? Not enough.

Brady's ego will not allow a back to run it 35 times - Corey Dillon is not there anymore. THIS IS BIG TOM BRADY'S TEAM. BEAT EGOMANIAC QB'S BY MAKING THE BACK BEAT YOU. He can't help himself, with 8 in coverage and using different zone blizes - rushing 3-4 he will get flustered. (SAN DIEGO GAME LAST YEAR)

NEW ENGLAND'S CANT AND WON'T BEAT US if they need a back to do it for them.

Will: Moss, Stallworth and Welker like not being thrown the ball. NO.

NOW... i have stated this a while back. WE WILL WIN THIS GAME.

PARKER MUST catch balls out of the back field. Atleast 7-8 catches. Belichick does not respect HB's who can run and catch. Fact.

The Slot NB should be Townsend / Timmons. Covering Welker all game.

The Pats* RG and RT are poor. Sub in Haggans / Woodley / Timmons even Keisel at LOLB all game.

The two most underrated / important players to the Pats** O are Welker and Watson.

All Pats** WR's are scared. HIT HIT HIT ALL GAME. ENSURE THEY DON'T GET BEHIND YOU.

ON O SPREAD THE Pats** OUT. 3 WR'S 1 TE 1 HB. Make sure you keep Seau and Brushi on coverage. Throw to Parker alot. Make em miss. Throw short / run long.

we win this 24 - 16.

CORRECTION: WITH KREIDER OUT IT MAY BE DAVIS, OR SPREAD EM OUT WITH NO FULLBACK AT ALL.

Willie's catching and YAC and not running is key in this game.

To beat a 3-4 D you need a POWER BACK to break through the 3 D man line and 2 OLB's who obviously are not as strong as Olineman, or should not be. Willie is not a POWERBACK unfortunately. = Davenport.

In this game make Moroney beat you. He won't. Sell out on the pass.

Anyone notice Belicheat's face when the rats only rushed 3 guys. To me it signified you never rush just 3 against the Pats*. BELICHICK'S FACE AND BODY LANGUAGE GAVE THAT AWAY.

I thought when a side is close to your goal line you blitz more as there is less area to cover. It appears Ryan stuffed up. Did opposite to this.

Blitz when side is near goalline / or within 30 yards. Play Coverage at your end of the field?

Rashean Mathis is the best corner in the game. But if we....

Rashean Mathis is the best corner in the game. But if we could get Asomosaga (s.p) from raiders (free agent) next season I wouldn't be complaining. Imagine a true Shutdown corner with Our D. Unstoppable I'll tell ya.

Blueprint To Beat LeBeau Written In 2002 / base 3-4 to Tampa 2 in a flash.

Brett Keisel was quoted after the Steeler game saying that the defense was "surprised that the Pats threw the ball as much as they did" and that they expected them to mix run and pass. Huh??? Are you kidding me? Keisel also went on to say that "the gameplan we had coming into the game needs to be thrown into the trash" and that the Steelers weren't prepared for what the Pats** did on offense.

Brett Keisel was quoted after the Steeler game saying that the defense was "surprised that the Pats** threw the ball as much as they did" and that they expected them to mix run and pass. Huh??? Are you kidding me? Keisel also went on to say that "the gameplan we had coming into the game needs to be thrown into the trash" and that the Steelers weren't prepared for what the Pats** did on offense. uuuummm yeah. Understatement of the year. But how can this be? Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Your good buddy, Dagger is here to take you back in time with a quick history lesson. Let's hope this look into the past doesn't dig up any old ghosts or fall into the hands of any more Offensive Coordinators.

Alrighty....let's start off with the basics. The Steelers have lost 6 of the last 7 to New England. Wondering why? Well, the Pats** do what many teams in the NFL are unwilling to do....when they face the Steelers they toss aside conventional wisdom, they often abandon the run, and the attack the Steelers greatest weakness (their pass D). Sure our DLs and LBs are fantastic in the run game. Yes our LBs can blitz and pressure the QB in this complicated defensive scheme, but NO....this defense was not built to stop the spread offense. The spread offense is the Dick LeBeau 3-4 defense's Kryptonite.

When the Pats** come out in a 5WR formation at their own one yard line, I think that tells you that they have spotted a weakness in the Steelers defense and they're hell bent on exploiting it. Screw the running game. Who cares how many times you run the ball? Who says you have to be balanced on offense? If your strength just so happens to be your opponent's weakness, then you'd be silly not to attack it.

I hate the Pats** but I LOVE the way they spit in the face of the old-timer "run-run-pass" offensive logic. One week their opponents dictate that they must rely on a passing attack, the next week they give the ball to Maroney all game, the next week Maroney gets 2 carries, etc....I just admire their aggressive nature. (But I hate them) I hope you understand. I guess I respect the fact that they PLAY TO WIN THE GAME by any and all means necessary. There are so many coaches and teams in the NFL that are so ultra-conservative that they a

Derek Anderson 1 year deal?

Bernie19Kosar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:10:48 -0000

James Walker has broken down Derek Andersons' new deal. Interesting note...

What stands out most is the huge roster bonus of $5 million due before the 2009 season. This confirms everyone's suspicion that Cleveland's two-quarterback system is a one-year experiment.

The Browns will not pay Anderson a $5 million roster bonus next year unless they are convinced he is their long-term solution at quarterback. If not, the Browns likely will make a trade and turn to Brady Quinn.

Looks like Savage may have something up his sleeve for next years draft...

No More Rolling With teams like the Raiders or Lions.

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:21:51 -0000

I think we're all trying to digest the Browns trading/free agent signing and resigning extravaganza over the weekend. I like the moves. I don't mind giving up the draft picks, although trading Bodden is a little worrisome for the secondary. It sounds, though, like Bodden wasn't seeing eye-to-eye with Phil and Romeo, so au revior.

It's nice not to be one of the crap teams in the league, no? http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/03/later-cardinals-lions-and-raiders-its.html

Steelers Fan's Thoughts on New Browns Squad

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:45:08 -0000

For what it's worth, I've shared my observations on your team's slew of interesting moves over at BehindtheSteelCurtain. Of course, there's the usual good natured ribbing at the Browns, but it's a substantive post on the moves that I think are largely great for Cleveland. I'm particularly happy you've stuck with Anderson, and I really, really hope that a few slip ups against the uber-tough NFC teams that our division plays in '08 doesnt cause the front office and coaching staff to make an overly abrupt change in favor of Quinn. My two cents.

Browns Trade for Corey Williams?

Bernie19Kosar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:44:20 -0000

Numerous websites are reporting that the Browns have traded a second round pick for Green Bay Packers franchised DT Corey Williams.

It is supposed to be for a second rounder. If this deal is true, I think that the Browns know for a fact that D.A. will be leaving giving the Browns more picks.

Hopefully I will update at midnight when the deal is supposed to be announced.

Jamal Lewis re-signs

JulioBernazard — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:40:18 -0000

The Jam Daddy is staying in Cleveland!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3256971

I like the move a lot. We'll keep the offensive core intact (with a possible change at QB), and focus on defense in the offseason.

Looks like details are forthcoming re years, etc.p> Can he call up C.C. Sabathia and have a little talk?

Realistically, what could the Browns get for Anderson?

maryrose — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:18:07 -0000

Put aside the whole Anderson/Quinn thing for a moment.

Just looking at Derek Anderson, what, realistically, could the Browns get for him in a trade?

Also, if they tender him the $2.56 million restricted free agency tab, who out there would offer him more and then give up their first and third round picks???

Browns Salary Cap

maryrose — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:54:13 -0000

Does anyone know of a spreadsheet that shows the Browns 2008 players, salaries, signing bonuses and incentives at the moment? I know it will change with each signing, but I'd like to keep track. The cap this year is $116M and the Browns get another $8M if they desire, I understand.

I've seen one salary cap listing and it was way too complex to view and understand. I'm looking at something simple but effective. Anyone? Thanks

Browns' Needs

rufio — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:54:28 -0000

Even though we don't have games to play at this point in the season, the NFL never sleeps. Free Agency and the Draft will soon be upon us, and frankly, I am bored. What positions do you think we need to improve upon either through FA or the draft? Who are some guys you would like to see us go after to fill those needs?

My thoughts:

Positions where the Browns need help:
1. D line
Our D line is old and hurt all the time and the weak point of the team even when it is healthy. Shaun Smith was a good pickup, Robaire Smith might have a couple of good years left in him, but that's about all we got.

2. OLB
Willie McGinest is a great person for our locker room and a good player certain situations, but he obviously doesn't have the pass rushing skills he once had. If we get someone who can put pressure on a QB opposite Wimbley, it could do for our D what Thomas and a solidified Oline did for our O.

3. Safety Depth
I am not sold on Sean Jones and Pool, but I'm not giving up on them yet either. Having Mike Adams in on passing situations, however, killed us (why did we cut Justin Hamilton, again?).

4. CB
Eric Wright looks the part, and McDonald showed some flashes last year, but Bodden is never healthy and is in legal trouble. With as many WRs as some teams put out these days, we need more guys to cover them even if Bodden is healthy.

5. 3rd WR
Imagine our offense and the nightmares we could give D coordinators with a smaller, quicker Steve-Smith/Wes-Welker-type WR. This is a make-or-break year for Travis Wilson, Tim Carter is not good, and Jurevicious is thinking retirement after this year.

6. Backup RB
Jamal Lewis is a beast. We should give him a 2 year deal, which would take him to age 30. We all know what happens to RBs around then. We could even keep Lewis on as a short yardage guy, but we need a bigger backup in case he goes down. I don't trust Wright to carry the load, and although Harrison was REALLY under-utilized this year, he isn't going to be an every down back in the NFL ever.

Guys I like:
FA:
Karlos Dansby: 6'4" 250
A fast LB who excels at rushing the passer. We need that.
Asante Samuel:
A CB with good hands and a knack for making INTs. He will probably demand way too much in the free agent market.

Draft:
Frank Okam: DT, Texas. 6'4" 325.
A big, powerful, D lineman, only with a questionable motor.
Red Bryant: DT, Texas A&M. 6'4", 325
Big, 2 gap lineman.
Shawn Crable: OLB, Mighig@n. 6'4" 243.
An OLB who can play in the 3-4 and get to the passer (which pains me to say, as much as I hate UM).
Donnie Avery: WR, Houston. 5'11, 190.
4.31 40, agile and quick in and out of his cuts. Could be seen as a system guy and fall to us in the 3rd or 4th.
Dorien Bryant: WR, Purdue. 5'10" 172
Also fast, quick, and undersized, but size is more of a concern here.
Kendall Langford: DE, Hampton. 6'5", 290
A big, powerful DE who can play the pass and the run. Small school prospect might drop to lower rounds.
Matt Forte: RB, Tulane. 6'2", 225.
A big back who works his tail off.
Tommy Blake: OLB, TCU. 6'2", 252
Terrorizes QBs, but there are some injury or character concerns.
Matt Malele: DT, Cal. 6'1", 335.
Big 'ol dude.

Thoughts? I don't know much about the free agents this year yet, anyone know of anyone coming out that could help out the Browns?

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Kosar vs. Elway

Dallas wanted D.A.

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Browns sign Shantee Orr

More about Free Agency

What was the Browns best Free Agent signing?

Fitzgerald's New Deal

Over at Behind The Steel Curtain they disrespect your site and your beliefs on your football team.

Derek Anderson 1 year deal?

No More Rolling With teams like the Raiders or Lions.

Steelers Fan's Thoughts on New Browns Squad

Browns Trade for Corey Williams?

Jamal Lewis re-signs

Realistically, what could the Browns get for Anderson?

Browns Salary Cap

Browns' Needs