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Tag Archives: Donte Whitner
MY TOP 10 CLEVELAND ATHLETES
1) LeBron James – Yes he’s back and better than ever. Not only is he Cleveland’s best athlete, he’s one of the best athletes in the world. This isn’t a bad resume – 2 NBA Titles, 4 NBA MVP trophies, 2 NBA Finals MVP trophies, an 8-Time All NBA First Team selection, a 10-time All-Star and a 2-Time All-Star game MVP.
2) Kyrie Irving – “Uncle Drew” just picked up another MVP trophy, this time at the FIBA Basketball World Championship after leading Team USA to the gold medal. Plus he’s a two-time NBA All-Star and was last year’s All-Star game MVP. Oh yeah, he’s also a former NBA Rookie of the Year and a 3-point shootout champion and a rookie game MVP.
3) Joe Thomas – He plays one of the most important positions in football at left tackle, and is a 7-time Pro Bowler and a 4-time NFL All-Pro selection.
4) Kevin Love – He’s never played a game for the Cavs, but he will this season and hopefully for many more after that. The former Timberwolves power forward acquired this off-season in a three team trade is a double/double machine averaging 19.2ppg and 12.2rpg in his six year NBA career. He’s a 3-time All-Star, a 2-time All-NBA second teamer, led the NBA in rebounding in 2011 and was also voted the league’s most improved player that season, and like his new teammate Kyrie Irving, an NBA 3-point shootout champion in 2012. Oh yeah, last year in Minnesota he averaged 26.1ppg and 12.5rpg.
5) Joe Haden – He’s becoming one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL and was named to his first Pro Bowl last year, as well as 2nd team All-Pro. How important is he to the Browns? He’s missed 7 games since being drafted in the first round by Cleveland in 2010 and the Browns are (0-7) when he doesn’t play.
6) Michael Brantley – He may be the best “Player To Be Named Later” in any trade in Indians history. He was the “PTBNL” in the Brewers-Indians deal in 2008 for C.C. Sabathia. Since then he’s become the Tribe’s best all-around player and was named an All-Star for the first time this season when he hit .322 with 15 homers and 63 rbi’s in the first half of the 2014 season. He’s on pace for a .320-20hr-100rbi season.
7) Corey Kluber – He came to the Indians as a no-name player in the Jake Westbrook three team trade back in July of 2010. Since then he’s slowly climbed the ladder from a guy who had struggled to make the roster, to one of the best pitchers in the American League this season, and the undisputed ace of the Indians staff. After going 11-5 with a 3.85era last season, Kluber has followed that up with a 16-9 mark so far, with a 2.54 earned run average.
8) Karlos Dansby – The self-proclaimed best linebacker in the NFL has only played two games for the Browns but has made an immediate impact. He picked off Ben Roethlisbrger in the opener in Pittsburgh and then came up with defensive play of the game against the Saints, sacking Drew Brees late in the fourth quarter to force New Orleans to punt the ball which then that allowed Brian Hoyer to lead the Browns down the field for a game winning field goal. His play on the field so far has been outstanding and his leadership in the locker room with a young team may be even more important. With the Cardinals last season, he was an NFL 2nd team All-Pro selection.
9) Yan Gomes – Talk about coming out of nowhere! Well Toronto is somewhere, that’s where Gomes was acquired from in a trade in 2012. After spending time at Triple-A Columbus in 2013 to start the season, Gomes got called up a second time when back-up catcher Lou Marson went down with an injury and hasn’t been back since. In fact he’s become the Indians every day catcher because of his solid defensive skills, his ability to call a game and manage a pitching staff and his offense and power continue to improve with every at bat. Gomes is hitting .286 with 19 homers and 64 runs batted in so far this season.
10) Alex Mack – A 2-time Pro Bowler and an NFL 2nd team All-Pro selection last season, Mack anchors the Browns offensive line and hasn’t missed a game since being selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.
Honorable Mention:
Josh Gordon, Donte Whitner, Dion Waiters, Carlos Santana, Shane Austin
POSITION BREAKDOWN – BROWNS AT STEELERS – LINEBACKERS and SECONDARY
In years past this was an easy pick as the Steelers defense dominated because of its linebackers in Dick Lebeau’s “Blitzburgh” scheme. The pressure Pittsburgh’s LB’s would put on opposing quarterbacks allowed Troy Polamalu to do whatever he wanted and Ike Taylor was able to cover the opposition’s top wide out.
That is not the case anymore.
The Steelers linebackers are average at best, and Polamalu and Taylor are older and slower. That is not a good combination for the “Black and Gold”.
How bad are the Steelers linebackers? They drafted one in the first round in Ryan Shazier, and he’s starting on the inside! Mike Tomlin doesn’t like to start rookies on defense, or anywhere. That should tell you something. Last year’s first round pick, another linebacker in Jarvis Jones, underperformed based on the front office’s expectations and the other two starters, Jason Worilds and Lawrence Timmons have also been disappointments, even though Worilds led the team in sacks last year with 8. They are a downgrade from Steeler linebackers of the past.
Pittsburgh brought in Mike Mitchell to replace the ancient Ryan Clark at safety and that is an upgrade. However, without pressure and creating havoc in the backfield from the Steelers linebackers, Polamalu, Mitchell, Taylor and fellow starting corner Cortez Allen can be exposed by good passing attacks.
The Browns feel they’ve upgraded the middle of their linebacking core with the addition of veteran Karlos Dansby. He’s more of a play-maker than D’Qwell Jackson was, but doesn’t have many years left.
2013 First Round Pick Barkevious Mingo
Last year’s number #1 pick Barkevious Mingo will be called upon to sack the quarterback. That’s why he was drafted. He’s very suspect against the run, so he has to make up for that with double-digit sacks this year.
Last year’s biggest disappointment was free agent linebacker Paul Kruger. He did not provide the pass rush that the Browns were expecting and needs to step his game up a lot or he’ll lose playing time to another guy that Jim O’Neil is hoping will get after the quarterback, Jabaal Sheard. The last starter right now is Craig Robertson on the inside, but for how long? He’s OK, but rookie third round pick Christian Kirksey was impressive in camp, in the preseason and is a better cover guy than Robertson, so don’t be surprised if the rookie from Iowa leap frogs Robertson and eventually becomes the starter.
Joe Haden is the best player on the Browns defense. When he’s at his best he can take away a quarter of the field and cover the opponent’s top receiver. It’s the other corner position the Browns were worried about so they passed on a much needed wide receiver at #4 and then at #8 in the draft, and selected defensive back Justin Gilbert to plug in opposite Haden. This has the potential to be an outstanding tandem even though Gilbert struggled at times in the preseason. The Browns believe he has the size, speed and instincts to be a top flight cover corner. This also moves Buster Skrine inside to cover the slot guys and it will benefit the team immensely, as Skrine was often picked on last year by opposing quarterbacks on the outside and beaten badly or flagged for a penalty.
The strong safety position will be led by hard hitting veteran Donte Whitner. He was brought here in free agency to replace T.J. Ward because of his experience and leadership, as well as delivering the big hit to make receivers think twice about coming into his area. The Browns also feel Whitner is a good compliment to free safety Tashaun Gipson who led the team with 5 interceptions last year.
The Steelers front office feels the linebacking core will take major steps forward this year with Shazier using his speed to make tackles and Jones his pass rush ability to sack the quarterback, but I’m not as sold on this group, especially when you compare it to what they’ve had in the past. Also the secondary has been a major problem for the Steelers for a number of years now and it’s just getting older. Yes the Steelers are using the same scheme, but do they have the players to make it work? Add in that Joe Haden is the best defensive player either of these two teams have, and the Browns have upgraded their talent and now have some depth, while it’s not a huge edge, I give the Browns linebackers and secondary the slight nod over the Steelers.
LINEBACKERS and SECONDARY ADVANTAGE – CLEVELAND
MIKE PETTINE, BRIAN HOYER AND JOHNNY MANZIEL WITH THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE QUARTERBACK COMPETITION
Here’s some of what Browns head coach Mike Pettine and quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel had to say about the quarterback competition following Monday’s practice……….
Mike Pettine – On if Hoyer getting reps with the ones today is still a statement that he’s ahead in the QB competition:
“Nothing’s changed. If there was a significant change on the depth chart, it would be reflected on the field.”
Mike Pettine – On if he might just start him (Manziel) to start him:
“I don’t know if I’d agree with that. To me, if you’re going to put a guy in a starting role, that needs to be earned.”
Mike Pettine – On if he needs to see him (Manziel) with the ones more often to get a better gage on that situation:
“Yeah, we will mix the reps this week, but as far as starting the game, we’ll make that decision as a committee. It’ll be based on several factors.”
Brian Hoyer – On how he approaches the next game knowing it will possibly determine who starts the season opener:
“I don’t change my approach at all. To me, this is my team until someone else tells me otherwise and you just come out here and try to be the best quarterback that you can. You just ignore all of the noise and the hype and worry about what goes on in that building and what I can control. For me that’s coming out here and practicing the best that I can and when I get a chance to play, playing the best that I can.”
Brian Hoyer – On following up on Whitner’s 50/50 comment:
“I think that everybody has their own opinions, and for me, he’s going against us every day. He can form whatever opinions he likes, but like I said, for me, that’s not a concern because all I’m concerned about is being the best quarterback I can be and earning those guys’ respect. The way you do that is going out on the field and game and executing.”
Johnny Manziel – On where he thinks he needs to improve moving forward after watching the tape from Saturday’s game against the Lions:
“Same thing as my initial thoughts after the game – saw some good things, saw some things I can improve on, but I felt like, for the most part, I went to the right spot with the ball, tried to get it to some check-downs and try and work through my progressions. I’m still getting better at. I thought it was a good starting point, and I took a lot away from the first game.”
Johnny Manziel – On if expects to start this week against the Redskins with the way reps have been divided up to this point in camp:
“I don’t expect anything. I expect to come out and get the reps and get the teamwork that I’m told I’m going to get. From there, go out and make the best of the opportunity that I have.”
Johnny Manziel – On if he hopes to start against the Redskins:
“I hope to do whatever the coaches tell me to do. That’s what I’m going to do, whatever they say, whether it’s No. 1’s, No. 2’s, whatever it is. I’m going to do what (Browns Head) Coach (Mike) Pettine and Coach (Browns offensive coordinator Kyle) Shanahan have in store for me.”
Johnny Manziel – On Browns DB Donte Whitner’s comments stating that the locker room was equally divided on who should be the starting quarterback and if he perceives it that way:
“I don’t feel any rift like that or anything going on in the locker room. As far as my end, I think they see two guys coming out playing football and competing as well as everybody else out on the field competing. Quarterback is obviously just the position that gets a lot of flash and gets a lot of attention, but at the same time there are guys battling all around. I don’t really know if there’s an exact split like that. It’s not something I’m really aware of right now. I know two guys are going out and competing, trying to move the ball down the field for this offense.”
MY 2014 BROWNS PROJECTED STARTERS FOR WEEK ONE
This is of course subject to change based on injury, practice and game performance, but this is how I see the 2014 Cleveland Browns lining up on Sunday, September 7th at Pittsburgh.
I’ve said it all along and I’m sticking to it, I believe it would be smart to start Brian Hoyer at quarterback for the first three games of the season if healthy, and see how he does. If he plays well and you’re winning you stick with him. If he struggles, or the offense struggles and you’re 1-2, or 0-3 after playing Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Baltimore then use the bye week in week #4, to reevaluate the QB position and decide if it’s time for Johnny Manziel to be your starter in game four at Tennessee.
On defense I know that the Browns spent a lot of money in free agency on outside linebacker Paul Kruger last year, but he was a big disappointment. I believe there’s a great chance for second year linebacker and last year’s first round pick Barkevious Mingo to step up in camp and earn a starting job there. I also believe that this year’s first round pick, Justin Gilbert will beat out Buster Skrine for the right corner back spot and start from day one.
Here are my projected starters as of (7-26-14) for the Cleveland Browns:
OFFENSE
QB- Brian Hoyer
RB- Ben Tate
WR- Andrew Hawkins
WR- Miles Austin
WR- Nate Burleson
TE- Jordan Cameron
LT- Joe Thomas,
LG- Joel Bitonio
C – Alex Mack
RG- John Greco
RT- Mitchell Schwartz
DEFENSE
LDE- Ahtyba Rubin
NT- Phil Taylor
RDE- Desmond Bryant
LOLB- Barkevious Mingo
LILB- Craig Robertson
RILB- Karlos Dansby
ROLB- Jabaal Sheard
LCB- Joe Haden
SS- Donte Whitner
FS- Tashaun Gibson
RCB- Justin Gilbert