Where did Ray Farmer go wrong?

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, and previewed all of this week’s games including a detailed analysis of the Browns game.

It is my experience that when someone in the room thinks they are the smartest person there, they are not even in the running for that honor.

I think that is part of Browns GM Ray Farmer’s problem. He thinks he is smarter than the other NFL General Managers.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of CB Justin Gilbert. If he had he might have over heard Gilbert tell a team scout that asked him to return some punts “watch the film.” That scout took Gilbert off his team’s board. Ray would have been more secure in his position to have done the same thing.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of QB Johnny Manziel. If Ray had taken the time he might have found out about Manziel’s attitude about blow up swans, liquor and parties in front of people taking videos.

Gilbert has been a healthy scratch despite multiple injuries at … Read more at FryingPanSports

Thoughts on the 1st half of the NFL season.


NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 9, and previewed all week 10 games including the Browns/Steelers.

AFC East

Patriots – No question Tom Brady is playing at a very high level. The question is will issues in the D backfield cost them a Super Bowl?

Bills – New coaching staff, solid D but the same old problem—No QB.

Jets – No question the D is one of the very best. They have the same issue as the Bills.

Dolphins – The team quit on their former coach and this team is headed for a total rework.

AFC North

Bengals – QB Andy Dalton has played very well but can they win a playoff game? No.

Steelers – Injuries have decimated this team but the D backfield has never been worse.

Ravens – The only thing that will save HC Harbaugh’s job is the super bowl win.

Browns – It is time to blow up the organization again. The sooner they fire GM Ray Farmer the better the 2016 draft will be.

AFC South

Colts – If things weren’t bad enough Andrew Luck is hurt. The D is … Read more at FryingPanSports

What to do about Johnny?

Manziel (2)

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, previewed all week 9 games and discussed the Browns/Bengals game.

Now that Johnny Manziel has played 2 games this season the question is what should we do about Johnny? Should the Browns go back and play veteran Josh McCown or let Manziel play the rest of the season?

To decide it is necessary to take a look at what has been learned about Manziel’s progress learning the NFL game.

What we saw in the Bengal game last night was a player that was more accurate throwing on the run. That was a good thing because he was harassed all evening because of a pathetic O line performance. He was also more able to keep his eyes down field under pressure. That allowed throws down field against the rush. That is a key ability.

He has adequate arm strength to be an NFL starter. And he is getting better at moving safeties away from his intended targets. While he does this on the move, he struggles to do it in the pocket.

All that is good. However, there … Read more at FryingPanSports

My thoughts on Week 8 games


NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 8, and previewed all week 8 games including the Browns/Cards.

Lions & Chiefs at London

DT Stafford has been a disaster. O line & run game are worse. Can they score?

D has been stressed by TOS on O.

KC Smith has been bad and Reid in on the hot seat. The DT D should help both.

The pass rush as disappeared D backfield is better w Berry but without a rush it suffers.

Bucs at Falcons

TB Winston has been up & down as has the run game.

Lovie has to get more Tampa 2 players. He has just a few now.

AT AT O has disappeared. It will be back against TB. Ryan has to get WR White back.

D has been much better this year. It will give Winston fits.

Chargers at Ravens

SD Rivers has a pass rating of 99.2. 15TDS 7X. O line & lack of run game have been big issues.

TE Gates is back but not yet FB condition. He must help a weak rec corps.

D has struggled. Injuries are … Read more at FryingPanSports

What is RIGHT with the Browns?

Flip

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 5, our views of all week 5 games including the Browns/Ravens. On Thursday Ken Becks of 1stdownscouting.com/1st down will join me to talk about what scouts look for in judging college players for the NFL Draft.

Every Browns fans know that the defense can’t stop the run or the pass. They have seen even very average running backs look like the 2nd coming of Jim Brown against the D. But enough of that.

Craig Lyndall in the yardbarker wrote the following:

I’m just ecstatic to see John DeFilippo use the weapons he has to their fullest. We have watched too many coaches like Pat Shurmur fail miserably to maximize what they were given over the years. In Flip, Browns fans are seeing a guy who doesn’t seem to waste any time bemoaning the lack of a true number one receiver. He also doesn’t bemoan the inability of the team to run the ball. Instead he calls 51 smart passes from Josh McCown.

Read more at:

I agree with him. On Dec. 3 of last year I wrote an article … Read more at FryingPanSports

Some guesses about what is going on with the Browns.

BrownPrac

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 3, our views of all week 3 games including the Browns/Raiders.

Browns GM Ray Farmer is scheduled to return to the team next Tuesday. My co-host of NNR Samantha Bunten suggested that the Browns should change the locks to the facility. I completely agree with her view and would have told Farmer not to come back. To learn why check out my article It is time for Browns GM Ray Farmer to go!

Read more at https://fryingpansports.com/#BVXpRTuWwBBtujI8.99

QB Austin Davis had his contract extended yesterday. I like Davis and wonder if the Browns think he could be a starter down the road. It is unlikely that Farmer would have extended Davis because he is hoping (and his job may depend on) Johnny Manziel proving to be a quality NFL starter. Davis has a much better chance than Johnny of developing into a quality starter. The Davis deal could also be an indication that Farmer is on very shaky ground.

WR Dwayne Bowe was inactive last week. In the few targets he has gotten, he showed a “reluctance” to go for the … Read more at FryingPanSports