Learn team chemistry building with Andrew Berry online -- free for 90 days.
Team building. It is equal part art and science, but is essential to constructing a successful NFL roster. Not only must the component parts of a football team align with a coach's offensive and defensive philosophy, but that collection of players has to to be transformed into a "team." NFL players earn millions of dollars, and most have lives and interests outside of football. Some even enjoy celebrity. So how does our young General Manager Andrew Berry attempt to build a roster of full-engaged football players?
In the NFL it all starts with the quarterback. If you have one of the best, a team will perennially contend for the playoffs, keeping teammates engaged. Baker Mayfield has not reached that status, but Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski appear to have a goal of giving him whatever he needs to get there and no excuse if he doesn't.
The running back position was loaded when Berry took over to the credit of John Dorsey and his scouts. Dorsey picked Nick Chubb with the draft choice that Shashi Brown bought from the Broncos by giving them a get-out-of-Brock-Osweiler-free card. Dorsey also scooped up Kareem Hunt after Kansas City dumped him for off-field issues.
Berry inherited a wide receiver position group that was top-heavy, with two big named wide receivers, but that lacked depth and size to provide a red zone target.
The offensive line was sometimes problematic, with the biggest problem being at tackle.
The tight end room and the Browns' red zone offense was a joke after Njoku was laid out on a high pass in the second game of the season.
Berry and Stafanski immediately went to work in an attempt to empower Mayfield. They plan to employ a scheme that will play to Baker's strengths instead of exposing his weaknesses. Boot action and rolling pockets will not only play to Mayfield's strong ability to throw accurately on the run -- it mask his biggest weakness. I expect to see more three-step drops and 12 personnel, allowing Baker to attack the seams. Less will be asked of Mayfield in taking deep pocket drops while reading through multiple progressions and the field will be cut in half for him more often.
From a personnel standpoint, Berry and Stefanski eliminated the weaknesses at tackle and tight end by signing Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper to big free agent contracts and drafting Jedrick Wills.
The only potential personnel problems remaining are at the right guard position and depth at wide receiver. Those holes are not glaring. Instead of jettisoning Chris Hubbard because he was a "Dorsey guy," Berry smartly restructured his contract to bring it into line with Hubbard's actual value and will allow him to compete with Wyatt Teller for the right guard spot. Failing Hubbard winning the position battle, he will give the Browns an adequate swing tackle to back up Conklin and Wills.
Stefanski also brought in a secret weapon in Bill Callahan to ensure that proper technique is stressed and the Browns get the most out of their offensive line talent.
The investment in the offensive line is heavy and seems to be a priority with Berry.
As to the wide receiver room, I believe that Berry has attempted to take chemistry to the next level and is trying his hand at alchemy. Let me explain.
What is the most important thing to ensuring passing game success for the Browns' wide receivers? A healthy and engaged OBJ, of course. The medicals are what they are. I expect the Browns to handle his recovery from off-season surgery with kid gloves. But how do you ensure that he remains excited and engaged?
Step one was started by Dorsey -- team him with his LSU teammate and best friend Jarvis Landry. Odell loves all things Tigers. He enjoyed the LSU college football championship way too much.
So what does it hurt to address positions of need with his boys? Grant Delpit's high upside alone commended the pick. It didn't hurt that taking another LSU Tiger in the second round fired up Beckham and Landry.
Who knows whether Jarvis put in a word for Peoples-Jones to Berry. Maybe he was influenced instead by the homeless guy's mock draft? Regardless, it would seem likely that this mentoring relationship will continue and perhaps help Peoples-Jones to unlock some of that vast potential that made him a 5-star college recruit and the most coveted wide receiver coming out of high school in his senior year. Peoples-Jones also becomes a potential red-zone target along with the returning Njoku and Austin Hooper. Peoples-Jones is 6'2" with a vertical leap of over 44 1/2 inches!
OBJ seems to approve of DPJ as well.
Berry is a young guy who might be better in tune with psyche of the modern athlete than prior GMs. Even if you are not of that generation, however, it is easy to see that Berry is attempting to build a team out of the collection of athletes that were on the roster he not only inherited, but helped assemble in prior years.
There is a lot to like, so far!
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In the NFL it all starts with the quarterback. If you have one of the best, a team will perennially contend for the playoffs, keeping teammates engaged. Baker Mayfield has not reached that status, but Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski appear to have a goal of giving him whatever he needs to get there and no excuse if he doesn't.
The running back position was loaded when Berry took over to the credit of John Dorsey and his scouts. Dorsey picked Nick Chubb with the draft choice that Shashi Brown bought from the Broncos by giving them a get-out-of-Brock-Osweiler-free card. Dorsey also scooped up Kareem Hunt after Kansas City dumped him for off-field issues.
Berry inherited a wide receiver position group that was top-heavy, with two big named wide receivers, but that lacked depth and size to provide a red zone target.
The offensive line was sometimes problematic, with the biggest problem being at tackle.
The tight end room and the Browns' red zone offense was a joke after Njoku was laid out on a high pass in the second game of the season.
Berry and Stafanski immediately went to work in an attempt to empower Mayfield. They plan to employ a scheme that will play to Baker's strengths instead of exposing his weaknesses. Boot action and rolling pockets will not only play to Mayfield's strong ability to throw accurately on the run -- it mask his biggest weakness. I expect to see more three-step drops and 12 personnel, allowing Baker to attack the seams. Less will be asked of Mayfield in taking deep pocket drops while reading through multiple progressions and the field will be cut in half for him more often.
From a personnel standpoint, Berry and Stefanski eliminated the weaknesses at tackle and tight end by signing Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper to big free agent contracts and drafting Jedrick Wills.
The only potential personnel problems remaining are at the right guard position and depth at wide receiver. Those holes are not glaring. Instead of jettisoning Chris Hubbard because he was a "Dorsey guy," Berry smartly restructured his contract to bring it into line with Hubbard's actual value and will allow him to compete with Wyatt Teller for the right guard spot. Failing Hubbard winning the position battle, he will give the Browns an adequate swing tackle to back up Conklin and Wills.
Stefanski also brought in a secret weapon in Bill Callahan to ensure that proper technique is stressed and the Browns get the most out of their offensive line talent.
The investment in the offensive line is heavy and seems to be a priority with Berry.
As to the wide receiver room, I believe that Berry has attempted to take chemistry to the next level and is trying his hand at alchemy. Let me explain.
What is the most important thing to ensuring passing game success for the Browns' wide receivers? A healthy and engaged OBJ, of course. The medicals are what they are. I expect the Browns to handle his recovery from off-season surgery with kid gloves. But how do you ensure that he remains excited and engaged?
Step one was started by Dorsey -- team him with his LSU teammate and best friend Jarvis Landry. Odell loves all things Tigers. He enjoyed the LSU college football championship way too much.
So what does it hurt to address positions of need with his boys? Grant Delpit's high upside alone commended the pick. It didn't hurt that taking another LSU Tiger in the second round fired up Beckham and Landry.
OKKKK la brudda more of us in the locker room we neeed dat!!!! LSU @realgrantdelpit— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) April 25, 2020
Then in the third round with the choice of numerous comparably skilled linebackers, Berry went LSU again with Jacob Phillips. The pick likely stands on its own as well, but was the closest thing to a reach of this year's selections. It is worth it if bringing aboard more of his beloved Tigers helps to excite OBJ and gets him fully engaged in being a Cleveland Brown.Oooo Yeaaa!!!!! Bayou Bengal Letssss Geaux https://t.co/Vo5qL2V9Sg— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) April 25, 2020
Wide receiver depth was addressed in the draft, if not as early and often as many fans would have liked in this deep draft at the position. Interestingly, Berry drafted an athletically-gifted but underachieving receiver in Peoples-Jones who is already being mentored by Jarvis Landry.We just added a whole lotta swaaaagggg 🐯 #GeauxBrowns— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) April 25, 2020
Who knows whether Jarvis put in a word for Peoples-Jones to Berry. Maybe he was influenced instead by the homeless guy's mock draft? Regardless, it would seem likely that this mentoring relationship will continue and perhaps help Peoples-Jones to unlock some of that vast potential that made him a 5-star college recruit and the most coveted wide receiver coming out of high school in his senior year. Peoples-Jones also becomes a potential red-zone target along with the returning Njoku and Austin Hooper. Peoples-Jones is 6'2" with a vertical leap of over 44 1/2 inches!
OBJ seems to approve of DPJ as well.
Even if Rashard Higgins is resigned by the Browns, Peoples-Jones and Ratley can be active as fourth and fifth receivers who are able to contribute on special teams.@dpeoplesjones 😂 ahhhhhh lorddddd— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) April 25, 2020
Berry is a young guy who might be better in tune with psyche of the modern athlete than prior GMs. Even if you are not of that generation, however, it is easy to see that Berry is attempting to build a team out of the collection of athletes that were on the roster he not only inherited, but helped assemble in prior years.
There is a lot to like, so far!
Learn team chemistry building with Andrew Berry online -- free for 90 days.
![Learn team chemistry building with Andrew Berry online -- free for 90 days.]()
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