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Cleveland Browns: Building in the mold of the Atlanta Falcons

The Cleveland Browns may currently be the joke of the NFL, but they can contend sooner than many realize by following the path of the NFC title bound Atlanta Falcons.

While many Cleveland Browns fans will pay little to no attention to the NFC title game on Sunday, all football fans should check out the emerging Atlanta Falcons. Watching Atlanta closely, Cleveland fans will see many similarities between their young 1-15 team and the champions of the NFC South.

When examining the cheap jerseys china Falcons, fans will realize that the Browns could be closer to contention than anyone would ever imagine.

Atlanta wins by scoring 33.9 points per game, the most in football. They ranked third in passing yards during the regular season despite not having Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees at quarterback. They also ranked fifth in rushing, despite not having a household name at running back.

So how does Atlanta score so many points, and wholesale jerseys how is Cleveland ever going to duplicate this?

A combination of factors has led to the rise of the Falcons and this offense. Of wholesale jerseys china course, it doesn’t hurt to have a 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver like Julio Jones, who has four career 1,000-yard seasons, including this year in which he put up 1,409 yards.

But without another sizable threat in the passing game, Atlanta mostly relies on the speed of Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, and former Brown, Taylor Gabriel. These weapons are utilized and maximized through the brilliant play-calling of an offensive coordinator Cleveland fans are familiar with, Kyle Shanahan.

The rushing attack is led by Devonta Freeman, a 24-year-old back who contributed 1,541 all-purpose yards during the regular season. Tevin Coleman is the offense’s second running back, an adequate but not flashy ball carrier.

For an offense lacking household names, collaboration is key. This, as well as an offensive line anchored by center Alex Mack, another former Brown, has allowed the Falcons to redefine themselves as an offensive juggernaut.

The line ranks sixth according to Pro Football Focus, with Mack as the second best lineman in football and the top run blocker. With an offensive line like Atlanta’s, there is no need for players who can make one-handed catches or run a 4.3 40-yard dash.

The Browns cheap jerseys may be a long ways from acquiring the sorts of players which make them comparable to the Falcons, but it could be argued that they already have the bare bones in place.

Terrelle Pryor, most notably, had one of the top seasons of all NFL receivers, and may get even better. His size, hands, and route-running ability is similar to that of Jones.

Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson will never be considered as the league’s top running backs, but they are similar in build and skill set to Freeman and Coleman, respectively. Behind the right offensive line, Crowell could be an extremely productive back.

Besides Jones, Atlanta’s other wide receivers don’t stand out any more than Cleveland’s. Sanu is much like first-round draft pick Corey Coleman, while Gabriel and Hardy can be compared to Andrew Hawkins and either Ricardo Louis or Rashard Higgins.

Most of all, red zone efficiency is what makes the Falcons so successful offensively. Ranked 10th in football inside the 20-yard-line, the Falcons score touchdowns on 61 percent cheap jerseys from china of their trips.

Similarly, the Browns have the potential to be the same sort of offense in this respect as well. Tight end Gary Barnidge is a lethal weapon the Browns have in the red zone, as 14 of his 178 career receptions have been touchdowns. Plus, with Pryor’s size and nose for the ball, the red zone could be a strength for the Browns in the future, much like it is currently for Jones and the Falcons.

But play-calling is what makes this all possible. Offensive genius Kyle Shanahan certainly deserves a great degree of credit. And while Browns fans didn’t always like the play sequences called on multiple occasions this past season, head coach Hue Jackson is an established and well-respected offensive mind.

For Cleveland to continue following in Atlanta’s footsteps, they need to trust that coach Jackson cheap nfl jerseys can use his experience in play-calling from his time in Cincinnati to gain a step on the rest of the NFL’s offenses. This is how Atlanta has made their potent offense work, and it is how the Browns can do the same.

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Cleveland Browns: Front 7 takes a hit from PFF rankings

The Cleveland Browns have some building blocks along the defensive front seven, but there is still work to do according to PFF’s annual rankings.

The Cleveland Browns had some bright spots along the defensive front seven despite the shortcomings of wholesale jerseys china deposed defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

Second-year nose tackle Danny Shelton was a consistent thorn in the side of opposing guards and tackles, rookies Emmanuel Ogbah (5.5 sacks) showed promise as the year went along and Carl Nassib flashed early before breaking his hand.

Linebacker Christian Kirksey easily led cheap jerseys the team in tackles with 148 – many that actually made a difference, unlike what D’Qwell Jackson used to do in Cleveland – and Jamie Collins did some nice things after arriving in town following a mid-season trade with the New England Patriots.

Those were the high points, which were heavily negated by the fact that the defense finished:

31st in the NFL in touchdown passes allowed with 36 30th in points per game at 28.2 30th in sacks with 26 31st against the run at wholesale jerseys 142.7 yards per game 28th in average run per carry at 4.6 That reality was highlighted by Pro Football Focus, which placed the Browns front seven at No. 32 in their annual ranking of the league’s front sevens. Shelton earned the unit’s highest grade (82.4), while Jamie Meder came in at the bottom (42.8). As for the rest:

This ranking was to be expected when relying on a handful of rookies to play impactful snaps up front. What wasn’t as expected was the general ineffectiveness of Jamie Collins after coming over from New England. During his eight games with the Browns, Collins surrendered 27 catches on 30 targets for 235 yards and two touchdowns cheap nfl jerseys without getting his hand on a single pass. It is interest that the summary pointed out Collins as the Browns have a major decision to make on him this off-season.

MORE FROM DAWG POUND DAILY Cleveland Browns: ESPN.com gives Browns a low grade in free agency12h ago Cleveland Browns: Post-free agent mock draft roundup1 d ago Cleveland Browns add WR James Wright off waiver wire2d ago Rumor: Isaiah Crowell drawing interest from “at least” three teams3d ago Terrelle Pryor reportedly gave Browns a “second chance” to keep him4d ago When the Browns swung the trade there was talk the Collins, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March, would be in line for “Von Miller-type” money when he signed a new deal. (Although Collins subsequently denied that was the case.)

Once the season was over, however, Collins did say that he would be OK remaining with the Browns “if the money is right.”

While Pro Football Focus is not the final say on any personnel moves that the Browns will make, the fact that Collins may not have played as well as the “pay him whatever it takes” crowd would have you believe should at least give the Browns pause while negotiating a new deal.

Turning back to the front seven as a whole, the Browns are in the process of building a nice nucleus along the defensive front. They also have a new defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams who, despite having some issues in the past, at least has seen his defenses perform, unlike Horton.

If executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson view the front seven in a similar light as Pro Football Focus, the Browns also have cheap jerseys china the assets to make a major talent infusion in the 2017 NFL Draft, starting with the possibility of selecting Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick.

NEXT: Feeling sympathy for Chargers fans If nothing else, when you are ranked as low as the Browns currently, there is no where to cheap jerseys from china go but up, right?

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2016 Cleveland Browns roster analysis: The running backs

Our look back at wholesale jerseys the 2016 Cleveland Browns season continues cheap jerseys chinawith a look at how the running backs performed in what was a tough year overall for the offense.

The Cleveland Browns rushing attack found success under offensive-minded coach Hue Jackson in 2016. Cleveland lacks talent at almost every position on the field, yet the running back position should be the least of the front office’s worries entering into cheap nfl jerseys the 2017 offseason. The Browns backfield averaged 4.9 yards per attempt which was ranked second in the entire league.

However, with the success of the running game the Browns did not run the ball enough and often failed to establish the run in many games throughout 2016. With such a high yard-per-attempt average the team only ranked 19th in total rushing yards (1,712). The good news is that the Browns have young athletic backs on cheap jerseys the roster that have tons of playmaking ability.

Moving forward within Hue Jackson’s offense, I expect Jackson to incorporate more of his run game wholesale jerseys chinafeaturing Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson as his lead guys. cheap jerseys from china As the team enters its second season under Coach Jackson, expect Jackson to revamp the offensive line and expand upon his play book to bring out the strengths of his dynamic and versatile running backs.

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Cleveland Browns: Senior Bowl rosters finalized

The Cleveland Browns coaching staff now knows who they will be working with after the rosters for the 2017 Senior Bowl were announced.

The Cleveland Browns coaching staff has known for a short while now that they will be participating in the 2017 Senior Bowl and now they know which players they will be working with in Mobile, Ala., for the game on Jan. 28.

The rosters were announced today and head coach Hue Jackson and his staff will be in charge of the South Team, which has some familiar names on it, including Alabama tight end O.J. wholesale jerseys china Howard, Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware, Auburn defensive lineman Montravious Adams and Florida State defensive back Marquez White.

The one player that everyone wanted to see – and that Jackson likely would have loved to work with – is Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who declined wholesale jerseys an invitation to participate. Watson has received some criticism for passing on the game, and Phil Savage, executive director of the Senior Bowl, worked overtime to try to sell the notion that Watson needed to play in the game to help his draft prospects.

MORE FROM DAWG POUND DAILY Cleveland Browns: ESPN.com gives Browns a low grade in free agency12h ago Cleveland Browns: Post-free agent mock draft roundup1 d ago Cleveland Browns add WR James Wright off waiver wire2d ago Rumor: Isaiah Crowell drawing interest from “at least” three teams3d ago Terrelle Pryor reportedly gave Browns a “second chance” to keep him4d ago The reality is that Savage and the Senior Bowl need Watson as a ratings boost far more than Watson needs to participate in the game. If taking a pass on one exhibition game outweighs what Watson did in three years at Clemson, then something is wrong with the process.

And if there is any lingering cheap nfl jerseys doubt, scouts can just ask Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer or Alabama head coach Nick Saban for their opinion of Watson.

Even without Watson on the roster, this will still be a great opportunity for Jackson and his staff to work closely with several players cheap jerseys at positions that the Browns very likely will be targeting at some point during the 2017 NFL Draft.

The quarterbacks on the South roster include:

Josh Dobbs from Tennessee, who finished his collegiate career with school records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, and fifth in career passing yards. Cal’s Davis Webb, who took over the Bears offense following Jared Goff and threw for 4,295 yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 61 percent of his passes. Antonio Pipkin from Div. II Tiffin, who finished as the school’s career leader in 300-yard passing games), passing attempts, completions, passing yards, total cheap jerseys from china offense and passing touchdowns. The Browns also need help in the secondary, most notably at safety, and will have the opportunity to work with:

Oklahoma State’s Jordan Sterns, who started 38 games for the Cowboys and cheap jerseys china finished with the seventh-most career tackles in school history Miami’s Rayshawn Jenkins, who was third on the Hurricanes this season with 76 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss. Auburn’s Jonathan Ford, a three-year starter who finished with 275 career tackles. Texas A&M’s Justin Evans, who had 78 tackles in 12 games for the Aggies. While North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky was not eligible to participate in the game, Tar Heel wide receiver Ryan Switzer will be there, and he should be prepared to have Jackson in his ear asking about Trubisky.

NEXT: Browns: Analyzing the running backs The Senior Bowl will take place on Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m. and be televised on the NFL Network.

Don’t be surprised if there are more than a few televisions in Northeast Ohio tuned in that afternoon.

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Cleveland Browns should look to Ohio State to fill their needs

The cheap jerseys from china Cleveland Browns have needs and Ohio State may be able to fill them during the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns have significant needs on both sides of the ball that could be met by drafting former Ohio State Buckeyes as Ohio State is sending a wealth of talent into the 2017 NFL Draft.

In the past, it was a case of “ne’er the two shall meet;” but this draft season should see a change in this trend if the Browns want to improve.

On offense, the most pressing need for the Browns is at center. The Ohio State Buckeyes are sending the best center, per Sports Illustrated, into the 2017 draft in Pat Elflein. The 6-foot-3 and 295-pound Elflein enters the draft having also played guard for the previous two seasons, and his diversity in the middle of the line will provide depth.

In 2016, Elflein was named an All-American at center and took home the Remington Trophy, which is awarded to college football’s best center. He served as a team captain while leading the Buckeyes offensive line to one of the best rushing attacks in college football.

With Cameron Erving failing at center this season, and backups Austin Reiter (7th round pick) and wholesale jerseys Anthony Fabiano (undrafted free agent) not providing more than a one-game spark, it might be time to turn to Ohio State for help at center.

The Browns should begin targeting Elflein late in the second round to early in the third. While most serviceable linemen are drafted between the third and fifth rounds, a stand-out player like Elflein will probably be taken late in the second round so the Browns may have to move early if they want him.

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) cuts inside offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) under cheap jerseys pursuit from Michigan Wolverines linebacker Mike McCray (9) on the way to score the winning touchdown in double overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports Another pressing need for the Browns is safety. The play of the current safeties on the roster was uninspiring this past season and they helped the Browns land the first overall pick. Why not use that pick on a Buckeye to shore up that position?

Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com recently ranked Mailk Hooker as the second-best prospect in the 2017 draft. Is it really a stretch to take him first overall? (On a historical note, wholesale jerseys china only one defensive back has ever been selected with the first overall pick: Gary Glick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1956.)

Hooker earned All-American honors in 2016 and starred in several games for the Buckeyes, including the game against Michigan where he returned an interception for a touchdown. Known as a ball-hawking safety, Hooker ranked sixth nationally with six interceptions and led the nation with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He is a dynamic player against both the pass and run.

The Browns sorely need help at the free safety position and Hooker fits the bill. If the Browns want Hooker, the need to either take him first overall or trade up from No. 12 to get him. It may be a high price, but landing Hooker will go a long way to shoring up the Browns secondary.

MORE FROM DAWG POUND DAILY Cleveland Browns: ESPN.com gives Browns a low grade in free agency12h ago Cleveland Browns: Post-free agent mock draft roundup1 d ago Cleveland Browns add WR James Wright off waiver wire2d ago Rumor: Isaiah Crowell drawing interest from “at least” three teams3d ago Terrelle Pryor reportedly gave Browns a “second chance” to keep him4d ago Speaking of secondary help, the Browns often injured cornerback room needs help this off-season.

The Browns struggled mightily against the pass due to a combination of a failure to pressure the passer and an inability to cover wide receivers. The Browns could land some help in that cheap nfl jerseys area by drafting Buckeye standouts Marshon Lattimore or Gareon Conley.

Lattimore is a hometown prospect having played high school ball at Glenville High School. The redshirt sophomore played his first entire season in 2016 after having suffered injuries the previous two. His play on the field was outstanding as he earned all All-Big Ten honors as voted by the coaches. He was second on the Buckeyes with four interceptions.

He is currently ranked the third-overall prospect on Jeremiah’s big board. If the Browns want to draft Lattimore, they will need to take him at No. 12 overall, assuming he falls that far to them.

Conley is another local player having played high cheap jerseys china school ball at Massillon High School. Conley is a redshirt junior and two-year starter for the Buckeyes. He was third on the team behind Hooker and Lattimore with three interceptions, and was a second-team All-Big Ten performer as voted on by the coaches. He was the only returning starter in the Buckeyes secondary last season.

Conley is currently ranked at No. 29 overall on Jeremiah’s big board. If the Browns are wise enough to pick up Conley, they should target him with one of their second-round picks.

NEXT: Deshaun Watson skipping Senior Bowl not a big deal For years, the Browns have passed on players coming out of Ohio State and it is time for this trend to end. The Browns could add significant help to their secondary and offensive line, both major areas of concern, by choosing players from inside their own state.

Let’s hope the Browns front office is paying attention.