A need of increased turnovers by the Browns defense this season may sound obvious, but it's even more important because offensively they are not a big-play team.
View full sizeWhether it's from veteran Eric Wright (above) or one of the Browns' newer members of the secondary, the team's defense is in need of finding a serious ballhawk in order to challenge the rest of the AFC North, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Take heart, fans. With the Browns' season approaching and the Indians playing a bit better, there's still reason to smile as Terry's talkin' ...
About the Browns...
1. While Eric Mangini and his coaches spend time relaxing for a few weeks before training camp opens at the end of the month, they are thinking about turnovers. The offense wants to stay away from them, the defense needs to force fumbles and interceptions. This may sound obvious, but it's even more important for the Browns because they are not a big-play team. Last season, the Browns ranked 29th in turnover margin at minus-12, meaning they allowed 12 more turnovers than they forced.
2. If you break it down, they lost 13 fumbles (sixth in the NFL), but recovered only nine (25th). They threw 18 interceptions (11th), but only picked off 10 (29th). Four of those 10 interceptions belonged to former safety Brodney Pool, who has suffered multiple concussions and has since signed with the Jets.
3. While fans complained about the Browns' lack of pass rush, their 40 sacks ranked eighth. It seemed like a smaller number because those sacks and the general rush didn't translate into fumbles or interceptions. The defense did not score a single TD last season -- opponents' defenses had four.
4. The coaches were thrilled that Jake Delhomme had only one practice this spring where he threw more than one interception -- especially since the veteran quarterback had 18 INTs a year ago compared to only eight TDs with Carolina. They are stressing to all the quarterbacks "not to try for home runs and triples, you can win a lot of games with singles and doubles." They mean not to try to for difficult passes into a pack of defenders.
5. But the coaches also have said, "It's great for the offense that they're not throwing picks [interceptions], but we've got to find a way to get more on defense."
6. New cornerback Sheldon Brown had five interceptions in Philadelphia last season, a career high. He had only five combined over the previous three seasons. Eric Wright's four picks were a career high. Rookie Joe Haden had four last season at Florida. Rookie safeties T.J. Ward (1) and Larry Asante (2) are not known for pass coverage. So the Browns need a guy who has a knack of picking off passes, unless Brown can repeat his 2009 performance.
7. Between Jerome Harrison, Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis, the Browns are convinced they can have an major running game. That's especially true with fullback Lawrence Vickers opening holes, as he did at the end of last season for Harrison. The Browns ranked eighth in the league in rushing, and they really didn't establish the running game until the final month of 2009.
8. The running game was even more impressive, given that the Browns ranked dead last (32nd) in passing. You know defenses stacked the line against them, because the Browns also were No. 32 in passes for at least 20 yards. As the coaches watched Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, they are convinced that things have to be better this season. Then again, when youre' No. 32, you can't get worse.
9. Don't get too excited about the Browns signing free agent receiver Bobby Engram. President Mike Holmgren had Engram in Seattle from 2001-08. In 2007, he caught 94 passes. In 2008, it was 47. But only five last season in Kansas City. At the age of 37, Engram has a chance to show the Browns he can help. If not, they can cut him without it costing much. He'll compete with Chansi Stuckey (impressive in minicamps) for a spot as a slot receiver.
10. The Browns say since restricted free agent Matt Roth signed his contract, his attitude has been "good." There has been no more talk about wanting to be traded. The outside linebacker could emerge as the team's top pass rusher, because the Browns know how to put him in position to make big plays.
About the Tribe...
Jayson Nix? Why, there's no surprise about the offensive contribution of the Indians' second baseman, right? Right?1. How about that Jayson Nix? We all knew this was coming, his six homers in 51 at-bats with the Tribe since being claimed on waivers. Nix is 27, and the Indians say they have "kind of liked him for a while." There was not a lot to like before this. Last season, he batted .224 with 12 HR in 255 at-bats for the White Sox. He was 8-of-49 (.163) when the White Sox put him on waivers.
2. Once upon a time, the right-handed-hitting Nix was a prospect, a former No. 1 pick. While he showed a little power, some speed and decent infield defense, he never hit consistently enough to stick in the majors. In 411 big league at-bats, he's a .209 hitter (.686 OPS) with 19 HR. Of course, six have come in the last few weeks with the Tribe. Second base is wide open. Can he claim it permanently? Well, he can for right now as he'll play a lot for the rest of this season.
3. Just as we all knew Nix would turn into Carlos Baerga, everyone was sure Jason Donald would be the best player in the Cliff Lee deal with the Phillies. Actually, he was barely mentioned when the trade was made. But Donald entered the weekend hitting .280 (.769 OPS) in 143 at-bats playing both second and short. His defense at short has been a bit shaky, which is a surprise as he's considered a solid defender. He will see action (along with Nix) at second base when Asdrubal Cabrera returns from his broken arm to play short in a few weeks.
4. Speaking of the Lee deal, it seems Texas has nailed the best prospects in all the trades for Lee. In the last 12 months, Lee has moved from Cleveland to Philadelphia to Seattle to Texas -- as all these teams realize they can't afford to sign him as a free agent after 2010. The Rangers snared four players, the best being Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero, both ranked in the top 13 of all big-league prospects by Baseball America.
5. Also in the Lee deal was Carlos Carrasco, who is 7-3 with a 4.38 ERA at Columbus. In his Class AAA career, he's 20-15 with a 4.18 ERA. Lots of numbers look good, such as 8.5 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings. But the 23-year-old righty gives up a lot of homers, 33 in 280 Class AAA innings. For a good look at this, read Jon Steiner's excellent breakdown.
6. The Indians could be promoting Carrasco soon. Manager Manny Acta likes his 93 mph fastball and his control. Carrasco was crushed last September (0-4, 8.89 ERA with 6 HR in 22.1 innings) with the Tribe. He obviously wasn't ready. The Indians think he's close to being worthy of another look.
7. Given where Fausto Carmona was the last two seasons (hopelessly lost at 11-19 with a 5.90 ERA), he is deserving of an All-Star selection -- at least in terms of someone who must be picked from the Tribe. His raw stats are 8-7 with a 3.64 ERA. While quality starts (three runs or fewer in at least six innings) aren't the ultimate measure of effectiveness, it means a lot to the young Tribe that 14 of 18 starts have been "quality" for Carmona. That's No. 2 in the American League, behind Seattle's Felix Hernandez.
8. In the last two seasons, Carmona was torched by lefty hitters (.320). This season, he's at .250 vs. lefties, .245 vs. righties. Carmona is only 26. The Indians have him under contract through 2014, so it makes sense to keep him.
9. Matt LaPorta keeps hitting since returning from Columbus. He's 15-of-39 with four HR, 10 RBI and a 1.090 OPS. Best of all, he's driving in runs with singles, not just swinging for fences. He looks like a very disciplined hitter who should settle the first-base issue.
10. The Indians have been getting some trade interest in Austin Kearns and Jake Westbrook. A few more good outings by Kerry Wood may convince someone to deal for him. They'd love to move Wood and give the closer's job to Chris Perez.
Three seconds with the Cavaliers
1. Despite what Dan Gilbert said in his letter, promising a title here before Miami wins one -- the Cavs need to simply work on building the best team. Don't worry about what Miami is doing. Also, don't take any shortcuts with overpaid veterans, as they did the last few years trying to win now. They need to shop not only for draft picks, but for young players stuck on the end of a bench who can help if given the chance. It's time to be creative, but not desperate.
2. The Cavs want fans to know the reason they executed a sign-and-trade with Miami for LeBron James was not so the MVP could receive a maximum contract worth about $30 million more over six years than if the Cavs had simply allowed James to leave. Heat president Pat Riley called willing to trade draft choices, and the Cavs jumped at a chance to add a pair of first rounders, and two more second rounders, plus a trade exception over the next five years. They believe the picks not only can help add young players, but also be valuable in trade talks.
3. I think about how the James mess perhaps cost former GM Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown their jobs. Maybe Gilbert would have fired them anyway, if he knew James was leaving. Who knows? The good news is they came out of this with an experienced coach in Byron Scott. Chris Grant was trained by Ferry to take over as GM at some point. But it seems two good men lost their jobs in what turned out to be a very ugly situation.