Cleveland Browns: Overrated, Underrated
May 21, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Ben Tate (44) during organized team activities at Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are a team on the rise. The biggest thing lacking on their team has been stability. Here is to hoping that Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine can bring that stability back to the Browns organization. A lot of signs point to them being able to, but those signs were evident in past regimes as well. On the players side of things the Browns have a very talented roster. One so talented that it ranks high on Pat Kirwan’s list of number of Top 100 players on it:
An impressive group for the Browns to be lumped in with for sure. Quarterback play will be the key, can Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel put all that talent to use? The team also has players that are a little overrated and underrated. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports put out a list of players on each team, 1 over and 1 under, based on his thoughts. We will give you a few of our candidates then show you his winner. First starting with Overrated:
Overrated
Candidates
Ben Tate – Tate came over from the Houston Texans on a moderate deal to be the starting running back for the Browns. Almost any RB would be an upgrade over last year’s group. Yet Tate is expected, and expects himself, to carry the workhorse load for the Browns without any long term proof he can handle the load. Tate’s injury history and lack of history of being able to be anything close to a 300 carry back could mean he is overrated.
Donte Whitner – Whitner was one of 2 star defenders the Browns brought in early in the free agent class, along with Karlos Dansby (could of been a candidate here). Whitner is expected to provide strong hitting and coverage skills in the back end of the defense. While he is an upgrade over T.J. Ward in coverage, his regular pursuit of the big hit has led to a number of big plays for the 49ers opponents the last few years. Whitner could be a solid starter, but he has been ballyhooed as a game changer which could mean he is overrated.
Ahtyba Rubin – Rubin is a fan favorite for his big motor and making an impact as a 6th round pick. We in Cleveland love the gritty hard nosed players as much as anyone. The problem for Rubin is that as he as aged his ability to make an impact has gone downhill. Browns fans believe they have a stellar front 3 with Rubin, while recently on Bleacher Report he was the reason they were ranked in the mid 20s. Fans will always overrate the hustle guy. Rubin is the ultimate hustle guy which could mean he is overrated.
Prisco’s “Winner”
"Overrated: OLB Paul Kruger — They paid him a lot of money to amp up their defense and he didn’t provide much in terms of pass rush. They essentially paid a lot of money for an edge setter. Oh, boy."
Not much of a surprise here as Kruger has been paid a ton of money and his numbers don’t back up that money. Many have noted that coach Mike Pettine may even look to move Kruger inside to take advantage of his strength and run stopping ability. Either way the Browns aren’t getting their money’s worth from Kruger and may have been better off giving that money to Cliff Avril instead at the time they signed Kruger.
On the next page we look at underrated candidates and Prisco’s winner.