August Football Column for Scout.com

A Coach’s Point of View: Strong Depth Charts

As always the NFL is doing its best this off-season keeping the league in the news. The media circus around the league never ends, as we go from Super Bowl to combine to free agency to draft day to OTAs. And now as you are reading this we are at training camp. The sun never sets on the hype machine known as the NFL.

There are several websites on the Internet that pop up when you Google Browns depth chart. And when they come up its nice and neat, showing each position and who is the starter, the backup, and the third stringer. But in truth, things are never that simple. On most football teams the depth chart runs horizontal as much as vertical, especially in the NFL.o

NFL teams are quite different than college teams, or even teams from big high schools. The NFL has a 53-man roster; colleges often have over a 100 players on their roster. A large high school might have 200 boys involved in football. The Browns roster size is comparable to that of a medium to small size high school. So it is important that all 53 players are quality players and contribute to the team’s success.

At several times during my high school coaching days I coached teams from small schools, sometimes only 24-30 boys on the team. Talk about depth chart problems. The backup quarterback was also the starting wide receiver, and running backs often played defensive line. I also coached at a college that at times had two hundred players on the team.  One year I was the running backs coach and I had close to thirty players at the position. Try to keep that many players on the depth chart happy.

On the NFL level you want a depth chart that moves horizontally as well as vertically. What I mean is the best teams have a strong group of guys who can interchange at most positions, where there is not a big drop off from the guys who start the game to those who come off the bench. Teams need guards that also can back up the center; tight ends that can also be fullbacks; linebackers that can get down in a three point stance and play defensive ends; and cornerbacks that can also play safety and vica versa.

Coaches are always thinking about their depth charts. It is never as clean and simple as a list of names that you see on the Internet.  For example, if a center goes down often the backup is a guard.

Lets look at the current Browns depth chart going into summer practices. If you listen to the media you would think the only position to talk about is quarterback. However, let’s see how the rest of the team looks first. I feel a lot better about the talent and depth of the team than I did six months ago. Much has been done to improve the roster since the last regular season game.

The strength of the Browns is their defensive line, where they have a strong group of players who rotate in and out throughout games. Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, John Hughes, and Billy Wynn are all interchangeable parts.  Desmond Bryant was a nice pickup from Oakland where he was a solid player.

The Browns defensive line is a good example of depth that can go both vertically or horizontal on the depth chart. Rubin, Taylor, Hughes, and Wynn can all play both nose and end in a 3-4 look, and when the Browns give a four-man front look they can all handle those positions too.

The rest of the defense is not as deep or talented, but has upgraded since last season. Inside linebacker is lead by the recently signed Karlos Dansby and much maligned last year Craig Robertson, backed up by second round draft pick Chris Kirksey from Iowa. Hopefully one more quality player will arise in training camp. Outside linebacker has a bit more quality to it, lead by Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, and Barkevious Mingo. It will be interesting to see what type of shape Mingo comes to camp in, has he gained any upper body strength to go with his tremendous quickness? I was surprised the team let Quentin Groves go. With the Browns planning to have an attacking defense the guys at linebacker are going to be expected to play inside and out, and on both sides of the defense. There might be some surprises at linebacker when the final roster is posted in September.

The depth chart at defensive back is filled with players who have played a lot over the last several years, but with only two really proven top-level players. Cornerback Joe Haden and recently acquired Donte Whitner are both as good as it gets, but they are surrounded by a group of guys who need to improve for the team to finally reach the playoffs. We know the names, including Tashaun Gipson, Leon McFadden, Buster Skrine, we need these guys to get better. Skrine especially has been praised this off season, and we will have to wait and see how long it will take first round draft pick Justin Gilbert to get up to speed on the pro game. The defensive backfield could really be something if Gilbert is ready and Skrine has gone to the next level, we will have to wait and see.

I use to think about the offensive line much like I look at the defensive line, but things have changed and there is some uncertainty. Joe Thomas is solid at left tackle, and the team resolved the Alex Mack situation and made sure he is staying with the team. Guard started last year as solid position with three starters returning, but since then Shawn Lauvao has left via free agency and Jason Pinkston keeps having health problems. Only John Greco can be counted on at this time. At right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is coming off a disappointing sophomore season and who knows who will be playing that position on Opening Day. I can’t wait to see second round draft pick Joel Bitonio play live. I have heard nothing but great things about him on the coaching grapevine. He could turn into the best pick of what looks like a very good draft.

Many fans were disappointed when the Browns did not pick a wide receiver in the draft. However, they have spent some of their cap money wisely picking up some solid veterans including Andrew Hawkins and miles Austin. The Josh Gordon soap opera keeps rolling along, but he is as good as it gets when he is eligible. Travis Benjamin will hopefully bounce back from his knee injury. Greg Little is gone, and maybe he needs a fresh start some place else.

Running back definitely has to be upgraded. Signing free agent Ben Tate was definitely a good start, and I love the drafting of Terrance West. Don’t buy the fact he went to a small school. He played for a Towson that is at the top end of the FCS division, a team that has sent several guys to the NFL, and from a league whose alumni include Joe Flacco. Its not the Big Ten but they play pretty good football in the Colonial league.

A position that has to be upgraded is tight end. Jordan Cameron is turning into a top-level player, but in today’s NFL offenses you need two or three quality players at the position. Between now and the end of training camp I think they will bring in a bunch of guys to get a group of three or four to complement Cameron. This is a position where the depth chart definitely has to go both ways. Cameron is athletic enough to also play outside, but the team also needs tight ends that can also play a little fullback and also block like a tackle on the goal line.

Punter Spencer Lanning, place kicker Billy Cundiff, and long snapper Christian Yount all seem to be returning, which is good. Why mess with something that isn’t broke? Hopefully Benjamin will be back to 100% and be the top kick returner again.

O.K., let’s talk about quarterback. If you follow both the national and local media you would think it is the only position on the Browns. Were you like me and turning off the local talk radio shows because you just couldn’t listen to any more about Johnny Menziel?  I’m going to keep this short, I’m worried about Brian Hoyer’s knee and his ability to throw the long ball. I hope Menziel has watched films of what has happened to RGIII the last two seasons. And I think the one guy who hasn’t been mentioned at all who I think is going to be a pretty good pro is Connor Shaw, the free agent from South Carolina. I like his arm and his leadership qualities, and he played in a pro offense under Steve Spurrier for the Gamecocks. I’m not sure if it is going to be for the Browns, but one day he’s going to get a legitimate shot in the NFL and he is going to be fine.

NFL teams need depth charts that not only go vertical but sideways also, where quality players play alongside or back up other quality players. Because of their salary cap position and abundance of draft picks, the Browns have had a chance to really upgrade their depth charts on both sides of the ball this past off-season. Let’s hope they did the right things.