Quarterbacks
Jake Delhomme - Jake has looked good for the most part through 2 weeks of camp. While he may never be as good as he was while leading the Panthers to the Super Bowl, he has provided the Browns with a veteran QB who will get people in the right spots and help develop our young WRs. He has looked accurate for the most part, which was the No. 1 problem with DA and Brady Quinn. I think barring injury, He will be our QB for all of 2010, and will surprise some of the naysayers in the national media.
Seneca Wallace - Wallace is an ideal backup QB for the Browns. He has experience, has shown the ability to play in the league and will add productivity on game day at other positions. During camp, Wallace has shown that he has the best arm on the team and can throw on the run. His value will be measured by the success of the Cyclone package (basically a wildcat, but in honor of his playing days at Oklahoma St.) He will see time playing WR and lined up in the backfield. When on the field with Josh Cribbs, this could develop into a part of the offense, not just a trick play.
Colt McCoy - Colt has looked like a rookie. He has shown enough arm strength to play in the NFL, which was a knock on him coming out of Texas. He has made some nice throws and has made some mistakes. He will not be playing this year, unless they give him some mop up times in games. I'm looking forward to watching him play in the preseason games, where he should be getting a lot of time.
Brett Ratliff - Hey buddy, its been real. 2 years ago in the preseason you torched the Browns, but have done nothing since. Picking up McCoy means you're the odd one out. Good luck!
Running Backs and Fullback
Jerome Harrison - Harrison looks to continue what he started last year. He was the NFL's leading rusher over the last 4 games. It is hard to tell how RBs look in training camp because there is limited contact. However, Harrison looks like he is quick, recognizes the holes and is more dedicated to blocking. He is playing on a one-year tender and should be plenty motivated to show that hes got what it takes to be a feature back. He has his chance and should run with it. (get it?) However the RB group is deep and talented, so don't be surprised when his carries are reduced. That being said, I still like his chances to be a 1,000 yard rusher this year.Monterio Hardesty - The Browns traded up to get Hardesty, who likely fell a bit because of injury concerns. He played only one full season while at Tennessee, but showed he could be an every down back. Hardesty is the biggest back in the group and has drawn comparisons to a younger Jamal Lewis. He is a big powerful back that will pay dividends in our division with his punishing running style. Also he has a nifty spin move that I'm looking forward to seeing. Hardesty tweaked his knee during the rookie only portion of camp and has not practiced since. Mangini says hes getting closer, but he will not play tomorrow in Green Bay.
Peyton Hillis - When the Brady Quinn trade was announced I felt underwhelmed. I didn't think that we got enough in terms of draft picks. However the more I hear about Hillis, the more I think we got the better end of the deal. Hillis is built like Quinn, but doesn't play QB. He is a BIG bruising RB/FB who has been excellent coming out of the backfield. In short yardage situations, he will see time at RB with Vickers leading the way. That's over 500 pounds of jacked rhino running behind a good o-line. Hillis could also play on 3rd down as a blocker and/or threat coming out of the backfield.
James Davis - Last year's preseason sensation is looking forward to getting back on the field. I think Davis will be the final RB to make the team. He has looked solid in camp and while rehabbing his shoulder injury last year, as gotten bigger and stronger in his legs. He has shown the speed and one cut quickness similar to Harrison but is a bit bigger. I like his chances to make the team, but don't see him getting a ton of touches unless someone gets injured. Hopefully he can play special teams and make an impact. I'd like to see him play well enough that if we can't resign Harrison after this year than we'll be set with Davis and Hardesty.
Chris Jennings - Jennings is clearly the forgotten back on this team, Although he was in the news in the offseason for getting in a fight downtown. I will always remember Jennings as a hero because of his game last year against the Steelers, where he scored from 10 yards out on an off tackle run to the right. Unfortunately for Chris, this group is too deep and too talented for him to make the squad. Its possible they keep him, but he'd have to play special teams and beat out an extra WR or Safety.
Lawrence Vickers - Vickers is an absolute stud. If the Browns running game is any decent this year, which I think it should be, he ought to be getting his first Pro-bowl nod. He is also playing on a one-year tender, but I expect that he will get paid. He dominated toward the end of last year, and I believe he will start where he left off.
Tight Ends
Ben Watson - Watson should be entering his prime. Coming from the Patriots, Watson has been a productive player, but fell short of expectations as a former 1st round pick. However, I think he will have a good season, especially with the rawness at the WR position. He's a threat in the passing game, showing very good speed and route running. He has been inconsistent in the past however. Watson is having a good camp, showing soft hands and beating up on the safeties in the seems. I think he could easily have 40 catches and 6-7 tds this season.
Robert Royal - Royal was a huge disappointment last season in the passing game. He dropped a ton of balls and never seemed to make a big play. The Browns seem to think that his broken finger is to blame and look like they will give him another shot. Helping Royal is the fact that he is a very good run blocking TE. He has shown better consistency in camp this year and should see a lot of time in 2 and 3 TE sets.
Evan Moore - Moore came from the Green Bay practice squad to be the Browns most reliable pass catcher a season ago. He has shown the ability to catch everything thrown his way and gets good separation from opposing LBs and safeties. He has had a good camp and is working hard to get better with his run blocking. As a WR at Stanford, he has shown the ability to be a receiving TE, but needs to improve his blocking. I think he will make the team, but will see limited playing time and almost exclusively in multiple TE sets as a receiver.
Alex Smith - Despite having the talent, Smith has had a disappointing NFL career. With the three tight ends above making the roster, Smith will be left out. He has not done much in camp to make a case for himself.
Greg Estandia - He'll be gone in the first round of cuts.
Wide Receiver
Mohamed Massaquoi -Mo Mass had an up and down rookie season, catching 34 balls for over 600 yards. He averaged over 18 yards per catch breaking Paul Warfield's rookie record from 1964. Mo has had a decent camp but has not stood out often. I'm not sure if its because hes facing a better secondary most of the time, often lining up opposite Sheldon Brown, or if he is just not having the best camp. I think he will be fine during games. We still don't have a true No. 1 WR, but at least we no longer have a No. 1 dbag (Braylon). Finally, the play of the QBs last year could not have made things easy on Mo. Delhomme has had good things to say about these WRs commenting on their work ethic and intelligence. I think 800-900 yards for Mo Mass is realistic hauling in 7-8 tds.
Brian Robiskie - Perhaps no player has looked more improved through camp than Robo. Last years struggles were well documented for the Former "NFL ready" WR from Ohio State and Chagrin Falls. Coming in with that build up and playing in front of fans who watched weekly as you produced in college can't be easy to live up to. Robo has worked hard throughout the off season and looks like he is ready to contribute this fall. His development is critical to the success of the Browns passing game. Having Delhomme will help Robo, as the two have some chemistry developing.
Chansi Stuckey - I have not heard much about Stuckey's performance in camp so far. He is the veteran of the WR corps, at least prior to the Bobby Engram signing, and is still only in his 4th year. I think Stuckey will improve having a year in this system and going through a full offseason and camp with the Browns. As part of the Braylon trade, Chansi has a the potential to be a solid slot receiver and has the ability to create after the catch. As with the other WRs having an accurate QB greatly enhances a WRs ability to gain significant yards after the catch.
Josh Cribbs - His value as a special teams player is obvious. However, Cribbs appears to be growing as a WR. His route running still needs some refinement, but he could see significant time on the field as a WR. Included in this is the times he is on the field with Seneca Wallace. Cribbs will also undoubtedly run the wildcat as he did last year with great success. In addition, Cribbs played one play at Safety during the Brown and White scrimmage. He came on a blitz and insists that he would have had the sack, if there was live tackling. I love the imagination that the coaching staff has with regards to Cribbs and I expect a big year from Cribbs from all over the field.
Carlton Mitchell - Like Colt McCoy, Mitchell has looked like a rookie so far during camp. While he has the speed and physical ability to become a good deep threat WR, he has not grasped the system enough yet to be productive. I look forward to watching him in the preseason games to see his talent, since I didn't watch much S. Florida games last year. He will make the team, but will not see alot of action until mid season at the earliest.
Johnathan Haggerty - This undrafted free agent from Southwest Oklahoma State has been turning heads this season. He has decent size at 6'1 and has shown good speed. He will have to impress big time during the preseason to make the 53 man roster. I think he'll end up on the practice squad to continue his development.
Bobby Engram - Engram is entering his 14th season out of Penn State. He looks to still have a bit left in the tank and will challenge Stuckey for the slot receiver role. My guy tells me he will make the team, but I am having hard time justifying it. We'll see how he looks through the preseason, but the former Seahawk under Holmgren might get caught in the numbers game. It is important to note however, that he has been great in the locker room and in the WR meetings. I'd like to see him stick around, but not at the expense of a younger talent. This is one of the players I've been struggling with.
Nate Allen and Syndric Steptoe - they're OUUTTTT. They've shown some flashes but the numbers catch up to them.
Offensive Line
Joe Thomas - Pro Bowl. Nothing else needs to be said. He's the leader of the line, the best LT in football and hes still getting better. In the age of athletes like LeBron (last time ill mention him) and Braylon, its nice to have an elite player who really is a good guy and likes playing in Cleveland.
Eric Steinbach - Steinbach has been an above average LG his entire career. I wanted him badly coming out of Iowa, yet we picked Jeff Faine instead. I remember telling Steinbach this one time, when I saw him out and he laughed and said "Jeff f'in Faine" My friend also continuously pointed out to Steinbach that he and I have the same name. Needless to say he was impressed. But I digress... Steinbach may not be the big power blocking type of lineman that Mangini loves, but he is more than adequate in run blocking and is solid in pass protection. His contract may ultimately get in his way, but teamed with Thomas and Mack, hes part of one of the best left sides of the line in the NFL.
Alex Mack - Mack was famous for his lap running a year ago. Mangini requires players to run laps when they make a mistake. Mack made a lot of mental errors in camp playing the most difficult to learn spot on the line. However, as the season wore on, Mack got better and better. He finished strong, a huge reason the running game was so successful in December, and looks to be light years ahead of where he was last year. Mack looks like the real deal at center and could be a Pro Bowler in the near future.
Shawn Lauvao - Lauvao has impressed coaches throughout minicamps and training camp. He is putting himself in a position to see significant game action. He is working as the back up center and often with the first unit at RG. A former tackle at Arizona State, he is making the transition inside. He has good size and is very powerful. I'd love to see him land the starting job at RG and make Womack, Pashos and St. Clair duke it out for the RT spot.
Floyd 'Porkchop' Womack - Porkchop played average at best while at RG last season. However, when kicked out to RT to end the season, he played well. Granted, we almost always ran the ball, which helped him at RT because hes a great run blocker. I think he'd play better this year at RG, but would be thrilled if Lauvao takes the job. I'd be interested in the competition between Pashos and Womack at RT.
Tony Pashos - One of our FA pick ups this year, Pashos has had trouble staying on the field so far during camp. He has an injured shoulder and looks to be out for this weekends game. Another big run blocking lineman, he would certainly be an upgrade over what St. Clair offered last year at RT.
John St. Clair - I think St. Clair will make the team as the 7th lineman. He has played all over the line in his career and his versatility is valuable. However, I hope he is not starting when we open the season. He got abuse last year by speed rushers and was nothing special in the running game. As of now I think Pashos will be the RT with Womack starting at RG until Lauvao takes over.
OVERVIEW
This is a Browns offense that should be much improved. The Browns ranked 8th in rushing last year despite Jamal Lewis starting half of the season and having no passing game. The ability to run will be the cornerstone of this offense. Off of the running game will develop a play action passing game, which will take advantage of an 8 man front. Delhomme will be better than DA or Brady Quinn and the WRs have another year of experience. No one will confuse this offense with the Saints, but at best could look like the Jets from last year. I think we'll be a middle of the pack team in terms of total offense, with the running game being a top 5ish team. I think also we'll finish better this year and not settle for so many field goals. I like the running game to move the ball but we've got some red zone threats at TE and Delhomme won't make the same bone headed mistakes made by Cleveland Qb's of yesteryear.
