Scouting CB: Size vs Speed.

NFL Draft (2)

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day and broke down the Browns defense in detail.

As wide receivers get bigger and bigger there are some that only want cornerbacks that are 6 foot and taller. But others want the 4.3 guys that generally are under 6 foot tall. Which is right depends a lot on what kind of defense pass coverage a team uses.

NFL teams that play mostly zone coverage can use corners that are a little slower. The reason is that a corner covers a relatively small area of the field that limits the need for top speed. That allows those teams to take taller corners that run 4.4 or 4.5 40’s.

Teams that play mostly man coverage require their corners to have more speed. If that means that their corners are a little shorter so be it. The speed is necessary because they have to cover receivers all over the field.

Despite what Browns GM Ray Farmer believes, the league relies more and more on tall fast receivers. That puts a lot of pressure on defenses in general and corners in particular.

That is what I think. Tell Read more at FryingPanSports

5 Biggest Stories/questions going into Browns training camp.

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NOTE: Today on NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day and projected what the 2015 NFL season could be if the Browns had drafted Teddy Bridgewater rather than Johnny Manziel.

5 QB turned WR Terrell Pryor

Without question Pryor is best served by changing positions. He can become an outstanding WR/RB due to his quickness and overall speed. The only question is does he have good enough hands to catch the ball and can he hold onto it after a big hit. I have questions about that but it will be something to watch.

4 Will CB Justin Gilbert ever be an effective starter?

I doubt Gilbert will ever justify his top 10 1st round selection. If a CB can’t tackle in college, he will never be able to do that in the NFL. If both Gilbert and JFB end up busts, it should cost GM Ray Farmer his job.

3 Will QB Johnny Manziel ever develop into a decent backup?

I said in my 2014 pre-draft QB analysis that I wouldn’t touch Manziel with a 40 foot poll with a 10 foot extension. I had Teddy Bridgewater as my top … Read more at FryingPanSports

Browns are somewhat guilty for the Gordon suspension.

Gordon

Note: On NNR today Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I discussed the many issues facing the Browns and NFL. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

There is no question that WR Josh Gordon has a major problem. Time and time again he has put his career at risk from pot or in the latest case alcohol. He has cost himself a couple of million dollars because he does not have the self control to stay away from those things that can get him suspended.

The common belief is that Gordon is suspended for a year. That is not the case. Under NFL rules, it is an indefinite suspension. He will continue to be tested during the suspension. He must stay violation free for at least a year to apply for reinstatement. 

But in my opinion the Browns are nearly as guilty as the player. When Dallas had problems with the player formerly known as Pacman, they hired a guy to keep him out of trouble. While the babysitter did not solve the issue for the Boys, it could have with Gordon. Gordon has shown no violence tendencies.

Had the Browns done that after Gordon’s career season of 2013, Read more at FryingPanSports

Here is why players signing memorabilia is a big deal to the NCAA.

Tonight I will have a skype-in NNR after Moohead around 6PM EDT. Skype me at willsmithdsn to participate.

Clearly the NCAA views an athlete being paid to sign memorabilia is one of the biggest sins in any NCAA sport. When a QB steals crab legs he gets a half game suspension. When he spews obscenities in public, he gets a full game suspension. Even when a player is accused of sexual assault the NCAA seems to turn the other cheek. But when someone is paid for signing memorabilia, the NCAA comes down hard.

The answer is simple. There is no more greedy or selfish an organization in the world than the NCAA. They are so upset when an athlete is paid for anything because it takes money out of their pockets. The NCAA needs to be knocked down several pegs to become what it claims to be—the portal to allow even playing field for amateur sports. But somewhere it lost its way. It has become a focused on growing its power and income.

The growth of super conferences will eventually take the power and money away from the NCAA. The Big 5 power conferences don’t need the NCAA. The sooner Read more at FryingPanSports

Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

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All of us at fryingpansports.com and News, Notes & Rumors wish you a happy and safe 4th.

July 4th is a very special holiday. It celebrates the declaration of our independence from Britain. It also is a celebration of the freedoms we enjoy. Let us not forget that those freedoms were won and maintained only by the sacrifices of the men and women of our military.

Our nation is unique in many ways. One thing that has always made us different is that we are willing to go to war and put our best and bravest at risk not only to protect our freedom but also that of other nations as well.

One of my favorite stories involves a French diplomat complaining about a US foreign policy stance to the US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Do you speak German?”

I most certainly do not, sir” was the reply from the French diplomat.

Rumsfeld replied “You’re welcome” and walked away.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Read more at FryingPanSports

The NLRB vs. NCAA

NCAA X

NOTE: Tonight on NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I will do a 7 round draft for the Browns. Join us at 6PM EDT on The Bill Smith Radio Show or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.  The show is presented by ebooks-library.com and merriam-press.com.

A couple of years ago I questioned if it was time for the major conferences to pull out of the NCAA. Now the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has thrown an 18 wheel semi into the NCAA mechanism.

 

Yesterday the NLRB ruled that football players at Northwestern University could form a union to negotiate terms of their “employment.” The University has said it will appeal the decision.

 

The NCAA has become a money grubbing institution which has lorded over college sports with no consistency or principle. Now the NLRB threatens the very foundation of college sports. The basic law of College football is that the University and NCAA make the money on the backs of the players that provide the product. Colleges sell jerseys with the player’s number and names, generate millions of dollars from ticket sales and television. The students believe they deserve more than just the right … Read more at FryingPanSports