An exclusive one-on-one interview with Thomas Moore, editor of “Dawg Pound Daily”
Prior to the Philadelphia Eagles’ first regular season game, we sat down with Thomas Moore, editor of Dawg Pound Daily to get some insight on the Browns headed into game one.
The NFL season is finally here, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, it begins on Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns. We at Inside The Iggles took some time to sit down with Thomas Moore. He’s a graduate of Kent State University, editor of Dawg Pound Daily (the Cleveland Browns‘ official sight on Fansided) and he’s followed Cleveland sports for quite some time.
Eagles
Below are the results of that interview:
** Cleveland enters a new era under Hue Jackson this year. The theory is this team’s front office has been relatively impatient recently, but they’re willing to give Jackson a little longer leash. Will Jackson have the time to turn things around are we wrong in what we’re hearing?
Thomas: That is always going to be the elephant in the room. Every time he makes a change, owner Jimmy Haslam talks about how he’s learned from his mistakes and that this time things will be different. Then, within a couple of years, he is back at the podium delivering the same message.
Times may be changing, however, as Jackson and the front office team appear to be on the same page when it comes to finally getting it right with the latest rebuilding. Haslam also has to realize that if he only gives Jackson two years (or less) to fix the mess, then he will never find another credible coach willing to come to Cleveland.
** RG3 has been rewarded the starting position despite spending most of the last few years on the sideline due to injury and because the Redskins decided to go with Kirk Cousins. Is RG3 back? How is he looking?
Thomas: (Robert) Griffin looks great on the deep ball — he had five completions in the preseason that covered 215 total yards for three touchdowns. It was everything else that proved difficult.
Take away those big plays and Griffin was just 17-for-33 for 98 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
Excitement is running high in Cleveland about Griffin as fans want to look at his rookie season in Washington and ignore everything else. It doesn’t work that way, sadly, and there are still plenty of questions surrounding Griffin.
The preseason is a tough gauge of whether or not he is “back” as the offense spent most of the time without top wide receivers Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman, and the Browns did not unleash the full playbook.
The offense has the potential to score points this year, and Griffin is a key to turning that potential into production.
** The Browns seemed to lose a lot of the guys we thought were the core of this team during the off-season. Then they seemed to score with a big rookie class. What’s a reasonable timetable for this team to get things turned around and eventually compete consistently with the Bengals and Steelers?
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Thomas: As esteemed state Sen. Clay Davis once said, “Crawl, walk and then run.”
The Browns are at least a couple of years away from being a serious threat within the division. This year’s draft was promising, but having 13 of the 14 draft picks make the 53-man roster is more an indictment of the roster than it is an affirmation of the draft.
This year was a foundational draft for the Browns and if things break right during the season, the 2017 draft will be a franchise changer. With the Browns holding Philadelphia’s first-round pick and Tennessee’s second-round selection, Cleveland could be looking at having four of the draft’s 35 picks, offering the team an opportunity to quickly take things to the next level.
Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman looks like the real deal, Terrelle Pryor is going to be a matchup problem for any defensive back, and if Josh Gordon can return from his suspension engaged with the team, the Browns will have a talented trio of pass catchers for Griffin.
** What’s this team’s realistic expectation of game one? Should the Eagles be worried?
Thomas: If we are being realistic, then the goal is that the Browns will be competitive. With so many new players — including rookies or second-year players at key positions — this is a team that is going to need some time to figure things out.
With the Eagles starting (Carson) Wentz, however, anything is possible as no one knows how he will respond to the pressure of making his NFL debut at home.
** What’s the major strength of this Browns team? What’s its major weakness?
Thomas: The passing game should be the unquestioned strength of the team. Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman looks like the real deal, Terrelle Pryor is going to be a matchup problem for any defensive back, and if Josh Gordon can return from his suspension engaged with the team, the Browns will have a talented trio of pass catchers for Griffin.
The weakness is the defense, which may be historically bad. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton talks about his defense so much that he could be an honorary Ryan, and his results are just as poor.
Next: How the Eagles will line up week one against the Browns
** Who are the players on this team that can be difference makers and help Cleveland walk out of Philadelphia with a victory?
Thomas: Griffin and Coleman. If the Browns can hit a few big plays and keep Griffin in one piece, they have a chance.
As you can see, it was excellent insight from an excellent source. We thank Mr Moore for his time and wish him continued success over at Dawg Pound Daily. First thing’s first though, the official season kickoff begins tonight with the Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers. Enjoy the game everybody.