Four Downs: AFC North

The new Four Downs that analyzes the AFC North draft is up at Football Outsiders. Good stuff, check it out.

about 1 year ago Cols714 Comment 5 comments 0 recs |

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Some good stuff there

Thanks for posting.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on May 30, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was impressed all the way toward the end when I read “Pittsburgh’s depth is a worry at tight end where they have no one behind Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth.” Does any team have a really good third tight end? If your worry is who is behind Matt Spaeth, then start making plans for the Super Bowl. But hey, 98% was great, especially what I read about the other teams in the AFC North.

by maryrose on May 30, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Were you encouraged by what you read, overall, considering all the teams? B/c I as a Browns fan was. I thought they were much more gloomy about the Pitt lines than has been conveyed here:

Pittsburgh will probably be starting Chris Kemoeatu and Kendall Simmons (Sean Mahan is also a possibility), a combination which will inspire fear in nobody except possibly Steelers quarterbacks.

That seems to like a big deal, imo. I believe you asked earlier about Cleve’s corner situation… well, I loved reading this:

We like McDonald here at FO based on his 2007 performance, which put him in the top 10 corners (amongst those with 20 or more targets) in both success rate and average yards per pass, but this fast a promotion is a pretty big risk.

Top 10!? Risky fine, but guys hafta play sometime… and he’s clearly got the ability (he shut down Andre Johnson in a game last year). If he and Wright stay healthy, there’s a good chance the secondary is an area of strengh for us.

by kwoog on May 30, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah a strength for sure. The Browns lost their best CB, Bodden, and their only other dependable guy, Holly. They are now starting 2 second year players on a team that was burned repeatedly by Big Ben, Palmer, etc.
But I’m sure you are right, the 2 backups are probably way better than the 2 starters were last year.

by Cols714 on May 30, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Wright was a starter all year, from game 1. He was our best corner after some early growing pains in the first two games. Holly was the 3rd corner to start the season and eventually slipped to 4th after McDonald’s emergence. Bodden did not have a good year, based on the opinion of both the Browns’ own coaches and others around the league. He lost a step, and has trouble staying healthy.

If you think these guys are two backups, you’re in the minority. I know ESPN sucks, but these guys are from scouts inc and have watched more film in the last three months than probably you have in the last 3 years:

Mike (Cleveland): With the signing of Cousins, if the Browns can stay healthy at CB, will they be ok in the defensive backfield? Sorry for the fantasy question, but what are you expecting from Jamal Lewis this year? KC Joyner: As long as health isn’t an issue, Cleveland should be in good shape. McDonald and Wright had mid 5/low 6 YPAs last year. Even if those move up by a yard or two with their becoming starters, those are still solid numbers. I’m expecting a very good year out of Lewis from a fantasy standpoint, as the Browns have one of the top 10 run blocking lines in the league.

Kevin, Cleveland: Matt—Love your chats. How much is Daven Holly’s injury going to hurt the Browns? How much will their weak secondary hurt their playoff chances? Matt Williamson: It is a substantial loss and Holly was a find for them. I hear what you are saying, but I also think that secondary is vastly underrated overall. It is young, but dripping with talent. You might not know him yet but E Wright will be a star in this league if he keeps his nose clean. The safeties are also potential stars and they found another steal in McDonald. The problem is youth leads to mistakes and the bigger problem was that Clev couldn’t get after QBs. Now with Rogers and Williams bringing interior pressure, the secondary and K Wimbley will all greatly benefit. But…one more CB injury could be critical.

Thus, the link above calls McDonald a top 10 (statistically) corner. Matt Williamson (a fan of Pittsburgh who’s from there) calls Wright a future “star.” I’m comfortable with that.

by kwoog on May 30, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs