While We’re Waiting… Matching Wits With the Eagles

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

“It would be fair to characterize the Brown move as one of the handful the franchise made around that time that did not work out so well for them. Both he and Gocong went on to become staples in Cleveland’s defense — though Gocong is currently on IR, and what that statement even means anyway on a team that can’t win more than five games in a season, I’m not really sure. For whatever it’s worth, Brown’s play has remained reliable enough to hang on to a starting job despite his losing a step or two. Meanwhile, the Eagles went into 2010 with Ellis Hobbs at corner, then Patterson taking his place due to injury. Both were memorably torched.

The trade doesn’t look a whole ton better once you see what those picks turned into. The fourth rounder was used on cornerback Trevard Lindley, who has been cut from the 53-man roster for the second year in a row. The fifth was sent to Detroit for veteran linebacker Ernie Sims, who spent one forgettable season with the Birds. They also leveraged a seventh rounder in ’11 out of the Sims exchange, which as it turns out is the only remnant leftover from this apparent debacle in the form of Jamar Chaney.

Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong for Alex Hall, Ernie Sims, Trevard Lindley, and Jamar Chaney.” [Kulp/The 700 Level]

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“Running a fairly simplified version of their offense, Ohio State’s offensive performance against Miami (Ohio) both demonstrated areas for improvement and this offense’s large potential. The Buckeye offense was rarely slowed once Ohio State adjusted to Miami’s aggressive focus on containing the inside run game. Ohio State’s first performance largely confirmed that the offense’s strength is that run game, with big plays building off of that from Braxton’s Miller’s edge-running and play-action passing. Once OSU becomes more proficient in the drop-back pass game they will become a difficult offense to defend.” [Ross/Eleven Warriors]

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“If the Browns aren’t paying a lot of attention to the right side of their offensive line as Sunday approaches then it’s time to get some secret information through the shoe phone (sorry about that Chief … note the theme?). Because the Browns have a rookie right tackle lining up to face Jason Babin, who had 18 sacks a year ago. Sliding help to the right side seems possible because the Browns have Joe Thomas on the left side, but in the third preseason game against Philadelphia both Trent Cole and Darryl Tapp took advantage of Thomas. Then the Eagles roll in backups like Phillip Hunt and Brandon Graham, both of whom have the ability and the quicks to get to the quarterback. This in essence is why Sunday’s opener is so tough: The Eagles rush with relentless speed, and don’t need to blitz to bring the heat. Aside from Thomas and Phil Dawson, it’s honestly tough to find an individual matchup in this game that favors the Browns. Not that they can’t win, just that it’ll take some serious cone-of-silence planning to get it done.” [McManamon/FSO]

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Your Ebay item of the week. Eric Metcalf Starting Line-up. You’re welcome. [Ebay]

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Finally, WOW is that a big screen. [Ball Don’t Lie]