Hey Tony: Tony Grossi answers your Browns questions.
View full sizeWith a veteran quarterback like Jake Delhomme (17) on the roster in front of him, the Browns will not rush Colt McCoy, back, into the starting spot.Q: Hey, Tony: The way I see it, the season will hang on Weeks 1 and 2. Win those games and we have chance to win seven or eight games, which I will be happy with. Lose those two or even win only one and it could be another long season. What are your thoughts? -- Ryan F., South Euclid
A: Hey, Ryan: I think a 2-0 start is doable and would shed a positive light on the first half of the season. I don't think 1-1 would guarantee anything bad. Now, 0-2 . . . let's not even think about it.
Q: Hey, Tony: I haven't heard much news on Colt McCoy's progress during practices and OTAs -- how is he progressing/meshing with the team? What do you think it would take to see McCoy under center in 2010-11? -- Dustin S., Washington, D.C.
A: Hey, Dustin: McCoy shared snaps with Brett Ratliff with the third team in OTAs and minicamp. There is no rush to get him acclimated because of the presence of two veterans ahead of him also new to the team -- Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. I think the chances of seeing McCoy as the starting quarterback this year or even in 2011 are slim. It would take a series of injuries or complete breakdowns by Delhomme and Wallace.
Q: Hey, Tony: What do you make now of Jim Brown's comments regarding LeBron James? Did this have anything to do with his change in status with the Browns? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake
A: Hey, Steve: Brown has been outspoken his entire adult life. He lost his executive adviser role with the Browns months before the comments about James. It just happened to come out around the same time.
Q: Hey, Tony: You wrote in your article (July 18) that Montario Hardesty -- a rookie who never played an NFL down -- will start ahead of Jerome Harrison. I don't see how that is possible given Harrison's late surge last year. I think this sends a lack of confidence message to Harrison and veteran players. -- Harry Eighmy, Erie, Pa.
A: Hey, Harry: I shouldn't be surprised at the volume of response in regards to this position battle, but I am. Harrison had three terrific games at the end of last season. At that point, the coaches were committed to running the ball because they had no confidence in the passing game. That doesn't detract from what Harrison accomplished, but helps to explain it. Nobody in the organization expects Harrison to do that over 16 games. Now, what's the biggest change since Harrison's surge? The addition of Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert. Heckert was the person who drafted Brian Westbrook for the Eagles. He considers Westbrook his favorite draft pick because he overachieved from what people expected of him. Heckert also saw Westbrook wear down -- over a season and over a career -- because of his undeniable physical limitations. Heckert drafted Hardesty as a feature back. He and the coaches expect him to fill that role. As for any messages sent or received by the rest of the team, it should be this: Just win.
Q: Hey, Tony: Do you still feel David Veikune is likely a bust or does he have a chance to start some day? Has Mike Holmgren privately felt, or actually told Eric Mangini, to finish at least 8-8 or Jon Gruden will be coaching? Do you feel Jake Delhomme has to go at least 2-2 after four games, or Seneca Wallace will start Game 5? Is Wallace or Colt McCoy more likely to finish the season than Delhomme? -- Fran Vella , Lubbock, Texas
A: Hey, Fran: Lots of questions. 1. Veikune has to show big improvement in year two to escape the bust label. 2.-3.-4. No, Delhomme is more likely to start and finish all 16 games.
Q: Hey, Tony: I've lived in Cleveland my entire life and am an avid Cavs and Indians fan. Although, I am a diehard Steelers fan. I can't understand why you are so arrogant. You don't know sports all that well in my opinion, so I don't know where this arrogance comes from. It makes your articles and telecasts quite painful to read and watch. And no . . . it has nothing to do with being a Steelers fan. This is to hoping you can come back down to earth a bit. Although its highly doubtful. -- Frank Calarco, Strongsville
A: Hey, Frank: I will try to do better.
Q: Hey, Tony: With NT Shaun Rogers possibly facing a suspension, why not sign a proven veteran like Ted Washington to contribute during Rogers' absence? -- Jack Williams, Rocky River
A: Hey, Jack: Funny. Contact Mike McIntyre of The Plain Dealer. He writes about standup comics in our Friday magazine.
Q: Hey, Tony: I was wondering what your assessment is of Eric Wright right now. It seems to me that Wright doesn't get his due as a very effective corner. I think with a dominant pass rush, he would be a Pro Bowler for sure. I say Wright and Sheldon Brown as starting corners this season, and Haden working as nickel. What says you? -- Joshua Jones, Fullerton, Calif.
A: Hey, Joshua: I had high hopes for Wright, but they haven't been met, as yet. He's OK as a coverage corner, not great. I like his hands when he gets them on the ball. But his lack of desire as a tackler in the running game is evident and hurtful to the defense. Haden would have to be pretty good right away to unseat Wright, though.
Q: Hey, Tony: I understand many people's low expectations since the Browns have been nothing less than terrible since their return, but this year, in my opinion, is different from all others because: 1. Seasoned and competent front office. 2. A coach and his system in its second year. 3. The QB position has been upgraded/veteran leader. 4. A solid offensive line. 5. A solid running game. 6. Receivers in their second year (positive reports from OTAs) 7. An upgraded secondary 8. A much improved defense over the last four games of the season. 9. A great special teams unit. 10. They beat Pittsburgh.
Everyone says it each year that there will be a "surprise" team that defies the odds and makes the playoffs. So with all that, my gut tells me they'll stun the masses and win at least 10 games, will be better than Pittsburgh and sneak into the playoffs as a wild card. We've "witnessed" some pretty crazy things already this year, so why not it be our beloved Browns, now seemingly under the radar be that surprise team? I know you'll have a much better read some weeks from now but what does your gut tell you even now since you cover the team, I value your opinion above all others. -- David Dobson, Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
A: Hey, David: Don't let anyone curb your optimism. My gut tells me they will be better than last year for all the reasons you point out. How much better depends on what I see in training camp and preseason. In my opinion, the size of improvement depends on the quarterback position more than anything else.
Q: Hey, Tony: Could you do a piece on our two long shots, the raw physical beasts Kwaku Danso and Joel Reinders? They have interesting stories; both physical specimens who started playing football at an older age, each born outside the U.S. Perhaps you, or a staffer, could provide a periodically updated piece called "The Long Shots" (like the movie) chronicling their status with the team? -- Robert Benjamin Jr., Crestview, Fla.
A: Hey, Robert: I did write a story on long shot defensive linemen Danso and Clifton Geathers at the conclusion of minicamp in June. I'm sure we will be updating their development, along with that of Reinders, at training camp in coming weeks.
Q: Hey, Tony: You've said that you hope every playoff game this year goes to OT to show how stupid the rule is, but I think it's just the opposite. This rule will be used as often as a traffic light at two dirt roads in Kansas. If it actually gets used this year, or even next, that will only be used to justify its existence, no matter how the results on the field end up. If it doesn't get used, it's likely the rules committee will change it again (though it's no lock that another change will be any improvement). With that in mind, isn't a lack of use (no OT playoff games this year) . . . 1) more likely, especially since it's been seven years since a playoff game that would have invoked the rule, and . . . 2) a better way to point out that the rule is not the best solution to OT? -- Jeff Miller, Columbus, Ohio
A: Hey, Jeff: The impetus for the rule was the New Orleans-Minnesota NFC Championship Game in January. You help to make my point, actually. If there are so few postseason games affected by overtime, why change its rules? The answer is: The NFL is horrified at the thought of a Super Bowl being decided by a coin toss. So just use it in a Super Bowl, no?
Q: Hey, Tony: What NFL teams voted against the Browns' move to Baltimore? -- Karl Dietz, Pepper Pike
A: Hey, Karl: Buffalo and Pittsburgh voted against it. Oakland and St. Louis abstained. The final vote was 26-2-2 in favor.
Q: Hey, Tony: OK, so I am finally going to have the opportunity to see my team (the Browns) play for the first time in person! I'm going to try to land tickets for me and my friend (a diehard Patriots fan) to go down to Cleveland for the game Nov. 7. My question is this: Can you give me any advice on where I should be trying to get tickets for the best seats while at the same time not putting my friend's life at risk as I am sure he will be wearing his Patriots jersey to the game? -- Matthew, Maine
A: Hey, Matthew: Any seat in Cleveland Browns Stadium is a good one, except for the ones in the top three rows encircling the seating bowl. Your friend might want to avoid sitting in the Dawg Pound wearing a Patriots jersey.
Q: Hey, Tony: Why aren't NFL players required to wear thigh and knee pads? I seen tons of players who neglect to wear them and it would seem logical that wearing these pads would help decrease injuries. -- Brian M., Cleveland
A: Hey, Brian: I don't know why they are not required to wear them, but there is a movement in the league to make them requirements for safety's sake.
Q: Hey, Tony: I really hate the fact that Browns fans have turned Art Modell into this awful villain who decided to sneak our beloved Browns out of town in the middle of the night. What will it take for Browns fan to forgive, and point the finger where it really belongs . . . at the city of Cleveland. The city got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jacobs Field, etc., and nothing for the only winning sports team in the city. The city knew that even if the Browns played in the city dump, they would still sell out. Art gave us a team that made us proud to be Browns fans for many years, and when he asked for a new venue . . . too bad, Art. The truth is the Sunday afternoon league is a business, I for one can't blame Art anymore. Thank you for the memories, I for one hope you get into the Hall of Fame where you deserve to be. -- Leo Smyth, Gulfport, Miss.
A: Hey, Leo: You forget three important points: 1. Modell's lease at Cleveland Stadium ran for three years, so the city prioritized its sports projects based on that timeframe. 2. Major League Baseball flatly stated the Indians would move without addressing its horrible stadium situation. 3. Modell promised privately and publicly he would never move the Browns.
Q: Hey, Tony: There is a lot of chatter amongst fans regarding Eric Mangini's immediate future being tied to his win-loss record. And there is the obvious comment by Holmgren that he is 61 and doesn't want to go through several years of rebuilding before another championship. Yet as one blogger put it in a recent post, "The Browns eight 2010 draft picks were not all in the first round and teams don't let young star players go just so the Browns can sign them as free agents and rebuild in one year."
My point is that I agree with the general belief that the Browns need at least one more draft and free-agent period and more probably two before they can become respectable. If I can see this you know that Holmgren does too. So just how much substance is there to this whole "Mangini must win this year or he is gone" thing or is it all just more hopeful wishing and blogging by all of the Mangini haters? And does Holmgren's "not wanting to wait for his next championship" comment ring a bit like the Dan Gilbert book of the expectation cart getting ahead of the reality horse? -- Fernando Fernandez, Parma
A: Hey, Fernando: I believe Holmgren has a realistic approach to his plan to rebuild the team into a winner. At the same time, the team needs to instill confidence in its fans, ticket-holders and corporate customers, during the rebuild process. A five- or six-win season is not going to do it, I believe. I use this line a lot but it's the truth: NFL teams can rebuild in two or three years. It is not a five-year process anymore.
Q: Hey, Tony: Here we go again it's a short time before training camp and still no significant rookie signings. Have there been substantial talks between the top picks and the Browns? Do you expect them to be at camp on time? -- S.C., Youngstown
A: Hey, S.C.: The true deadline for getting in the rookies is July 30. I expect them to be at camp for the first practice July 31. There may be one or two stragglers, but I don't anticipate any holdout lasting a week. As of this weekend, Dez Bryant of Dallas was the only first-round pick in the NFL under contract. They all come to terms a day or two before their teams' first practice.
Q: Hey, Tony: I don't think any entire draft class has ever made the final roster (practice squad included) before, but this class might do that. Does that make it a great draft or is the Browns' roster that weak? Give me your run down on each of the rookies and their chance of making it. -- Rod Sauer, Athens, Ohio
A: Hey, Rod: The only reason the 2009 draft class did not accomplish what you say is because the team stupidly waived cornerback Don Carey a week too soon and he was claimed despite being injured. I would expect every rookie draft pick to make the final roster or practice squad. The roster is that weak, plus GM Tom Heckert now is in charge of the final roster and I would expect him to favor a draft pick over another player -- all things being equal.
Q: Hey, Tony: On July 20, Yahoo Sports ran a story about how fast kicker David Buehler of the Cowbows is. In that article they also reported that he is now a member of the Browns. Any truth to the story? I haven't seen it anywhere else. -- Stephen Myers, Elyria
A: Hey, Stephen: Buehler is not on the Browns' roster.
-- Tony