Dawghouse

Blogging the Cleveland Browns plus other Cleveland-area blather, plus other blather about other things.

Sunday, August 08, 2004

Scrimmage W/Bills

I didn't see it so it's hard to comment. But from what I've gleaned these are the things to think following the scrimmage:

  • The run defense is okay. Even though ESPN.com is falling over itself to proclaim McGahee and his 4TDs the next new superstar, it really doesn't sound like the Browns run D had a bad day at all. Travis Henry and McGahee both were pretty much bottled up by the first-team defense.
  • Injuries at LB might be an issue. It sounded like most of McGahee's success came on runs to the outside, which tells me the linebackers had some problems gettin to the ball. I suppose that could mean the DL was getting beat and some offensive linemen were able to plant blocks on linebackers, but for now I think the linebackers have some issues. Hopefully this has more to do with injuries and changing roles than anything else.
  • I'm not at all comfortable with Robert Griffith being the starting safety. His years in Cleveland haven't convinced me he's much better than Percy Elsworth. Maybe a little better. But I put a lot of the blame for Jamal Lewis' record-setting day on Griffith.
  • Garcia didn't have a good scrimmage. But I'm nto worried about him at all. As long as he's looking good in practice and is able to turn the occasional sure sack into a first down, then I am a happy fan.
  • Suggs is going to be the starter, but this isn't the end of William Green. Suggs demonstrating that he is a game player, not a practice player. Green, on the other hand, could be a fine starter if he could maintain his assertiveness. But for now it sounds like he's still slow to the hole, which is a big deal in the NFL.
  • I'm becoming less and less enthusiastic about our WRs. Andre Davis is consistent but I'm starting to wonder if he'll be able to consistently get open -- everything I read says he is very slow to break free of aggressive coverage. Perhaps this year's newly enforced contact rules will benefit him. Morgan should be a very solid stater if he learned how to catch with his hands, but he hasn't so he won't be. Northcutt is still the best playmaker, even though there are only certain things you can ask him to do. Everyone else is an also-ran. Jackson sounds like a nice weapon. King is wuiet but at least consistent. CJ Jones might provide a spark. If I were a Browns WR I would be praying Winslow is the real deal and frees up space in the secondary.

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