Browns coaches feel pretty good about the running game.
ABOUT THE BROWNS . . .1. Most football coaches are emotionally suited to work in the Worst Case Scenario section of the U.S. Department of Defense. So when Browns coaches talked about what part of their team makes them actually feel pretty good -- and they came up with an answer -- well, that's significant. And the answer is . . . the running game.
2. The coaches didn't know this until I looked it up for this story, but the Browns' No. 8 ranking in rushing last season was impressive not only because they had the lowest-ranked passing game in the NFL, but get this . . . the last time the Browns ranked as high as No. 8 in rushing was in 1985!!!
3. For the 20 teams between 1986 and 2008 (remember, the Browns lost three seasons in the move to Baltimore), the previous high was No. 10 in 2007. Even from 1986 to 1989, when the Browns were contending for the AFC title, they ranked 21st, 24th, 21st, 21st.
4. Except for the No. 8 in 2009 and the No. 10 in 2007, the next highest was No. 14 in 1994.
5. The 1985 team had two 1,000-yard rushers in Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner during Bernie Kosar's rookie season. But the Browns didn't have another 1,000-yard rusher until . . . Reuben Droughns in 2005. In between, their best seasons from a back were 890 yards (Leroy Hoard, 1994) and 887 (William Green, 2002). The only times the Browns have been in the playoffs since the 1980s were 1994 and 2002, when they at least had one viable rusher.
6. A 1,000-yard rusher is not a ticket to the playoffs. Droughns did it in 2005 (Browns still ranked 25th in rushing). Jamal Lewis did it with 1,304 yards in 2007 (Browns ranked 10th) and Lewis had 1,002 in 2008 (Browns ranked 26th).
View full sizeRB Jerome Harrison is an important piece to what the Browns expect to be a strong running game this season.
7. Jerome Harrison was the Browns' leading rusher in 2009 with 862 yards. So how did they rank so high, especially when Lewis (500 yards) was the starter for the first half of the season? They dominated in the final eight games -- rushing for 1,290 yards in those games compared with 797 in the first eight.
8. The difference was Harrison taking over as the starter, and Joshua Cribbs (381 yards, 6.8 average) being used more in the wildcat as a running back. The Browns had a varied attack. Rookie Chris Jennings ran for 220 yards.
9. The coaches said it was more than the backs, it was the line growing together and the emergence of rookie Alex Mack at center. As confidence grew and run blocking improved, so did the line. As the coaches studied the tapes, they saw the line being "very intelligent." Joe Thomas is a strong run-blocker, along with his well-known pass protection at left tackle. Left guard Eric Steinbach added some weight, which helped his blocking. A key was Thomas, Mack and Steinbach played all 16 games.
10. Porkchop Womack received solid grades for his run-blocking, both at right guard and at right tackle, where he started the final two games when John St. Clair was hurt. In fact, he seemed to play better than St. Clair at that spot. Rex Hadnot (now with Arizona) also was a reliable run-blocker last season.
11. Another big part of the running game was fullback Lawrence Vickers, who received high grades for his blocking in the second half of the season. He had to lose a little weight early in the year, and that helped his quickness. Coach Eric Mangini knows few media types or fans pay much attention to it, but the Browns' receivers -- Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Mike Furrey and Cribbs -- took blocking seriously. Tight end Robert Royal was a migraine as a receiver, but he is a strong blocker.
12. The coaches know having a strong running game doesn't automatically make a team a winner. But they believe playing in Cleveland with the lousy weather, you must run the ball. In the final four games (all victories), the Browns controlled the running game as the temperature dropped and the wind whipped. This season, they have six games after Thanksgiving -- three at home, one at Buffalo . . . the other two are at Cincinnati and Miami.
13. The Browns think the running game will be better this season because they have added impressive rookie running back Montario Hardesty to share time with Harrison. They know Cribbs is effective in the wildcat, and they added backup quarterback Seneca Wallace who can also run out of that formation.
14. The passing game ranked dead last in 2009. They believe it has to be somewhat better with veteran Jake Delhomme at quarterback and Wallace as his backup. They believe there also should be some improvement from no-longer rookie receivers Robiskie and Massaquoi. Ben Watson is a tight end who can catch a pass. None of this will bring back memories of Brian Sipe or Kosar, but there is some experience and order at the quarterback position.
15. Finally, there is third- rounder Shawn Lauvao, who impressed during the minicamps at guard. He may not start right away, but he adds depth to the line. The Browns believe eventually he can start at guard, and he also backs up at center.
ABOUT THE INDIANS . . .
1. The Tribe's recent improved play has me thinking about 2011. How does this team in the field look? C: Carlos Santana; 1B: Matt LaPorta; 2B: Jason Donald SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, 3B: Jayson Nix or Jared Goedert, LF: Michael Brantley or another young player; CF: Grady Sizemore. RF: Shin-Soo Choo. DH: Travis Hafner.
2. Let's start with Brantley. The Indians need this guy to start hitting. His average (.168 through Friday) is about the same now as when he was first with the team and demoted. He continues to struggle with inside pitches. It's worth remembering that he's only 23, but there's no reason to promise him a job for next year unless he starts to hit.
3. There also must be questions about Sizemore's surgically repaired knee. Just as Brantley must prove he can hit, Sizemore must show he can stay healthy, something he hasn't done since 2008.
4. Good news is that Santana truly is Mr. Line Drive. LaPorta has settled in and should be a 25-30 homer guy who hits for a decent average. Cabrera is a .300 hitter since the 2008 All-Star break. A thumb injury may have cost Choo a spot on this season's All-Star team. Between Donald and Nix, the Tribe should have a second baseman.
5. More good news when it comes to second base: Entering Saturday, Cord Phelps was hitting .325 (.851 OPS) between Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus. The switch hitter was a 2008 third-round pick. He's 23. Another 23-year-old second baseman is Jason Kipnis, hitting .312 (.898 OPS) with 12 HRs in 346 at-bats between Class A and Class AA. One of these guys could end up taking the job from Donald. Yes, there is depth at the position, and it's a relief not to bring Luis Valbuena into the discussion.
6. It's possible the Indians will need outfield help next year. Trevor Crowe is viewed as a fourth outfielder -- a big step, since there had been doubts about his worth in the big leagues before getting this chance to play. It's seems we've been hearing about Nick Weglarz forever, but he's only 22. He has four homers in his past 10 games at Columbus. Between Class AA and Class AAA this season, he's hitting .284 (.889 OPS) with 13 HRs in 303 at-bats. He could be a factor.
7. I've been a cheerleader for Jordan Brown to get a chance. He's batting only .244 in his past 10 games at Columbus. On the season, he's at .295 (.787 OPS) with only five home runs. At age 26, time is running out. He won the International League batting title in 2009. He was the 2007 Class AA Eastern League MVP. He's a career .306 hitter in the minors. I'd still like to see him get a shot at some point. He did have knee surgery in spring training, and that could be part of his problem this season.
8. Lonnie Chisenhall is hitting .269 (.758 OPS) with nine homers at Akron. He's not ready to open at third base for the Tribe in 2011, but could be the long-term answer. In the meantime, they can figure it out between Nix or Goedert. Yes, Andy Marte remains on the roster, but after batting .213 (.622 OPS) with 18 home runs in 748 at-bats, he's not considered an option as a starter at third base.
9. The Indians have been very happy with Shelley Duncan as a backup outfielder, first baseman and DH. He has a chance to be part of the 2011 roster. He could platoon with Hafner at DH.
10. As for the pitching, I'll look at that next Sunday.
ABOUT A LEBRON-FREE CAVS STORY . . .
This e-mail came from Walt Rostedt of North Ridgeville:
"Recently, my family had a few hours to kill between the wedding and reception, so we decided to go to the Starbucks at the corner of Cleveland-Massillon Road in Montrose. As we sat drinking coffee waiting for my parents to arrive, I noticed a rather tall, and familiar looking man sipping coffee at an outside table.
"It was Larry Nance relaxing, sitting outside the store having a coffee. I pointed him out to my brothers. They looked, nodded, and we all remembered the golden days of Nance, [Brad] Daugherty, Hot Rod [Williams], [Mark] Price, [Craig] Ehlo, etc.
"As we talked, I kept checking out the front window for my parents. My mom has had a knee replacement, has a pacemaker, so while she's doing great for her age, I just wanted to catch the door when she came in.
"Then I saw Larry jump up, and stretch over to open the door. I couldn't see who he was opening it for, until my dad came through the door. Larry stood there and waited for my mom, and held the door for her as well.
"I went out to Mr. Nance, took his hand, and simply thanked him for getting up to open the door for my parents. I wanted to shake the hand of a 'real' Cleveland Cavalier.
"Larry Nance's simple act of kindness reminded me that winning championship rings is not the most important measure of a man or woman. And, while there may be bigger, more exciting cities in this nation and world, Greater Cleveland, Akron, Canton, etc., are big enough to have everything, yet small enough to keep us normal."