Browns defensive back Joe Haden enjoys a 'You love me! You really love me' moment with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
View full sizeThe young Browns receiving corps, including Brian Robiskie, who couldn't quite get his feet in bounds for a catch against the Steelers last year, must erase the errors of 2009.Cleveland, Ohio – Derek Anderson could throw a football from here to Columbus. Unfortunately, most of the time his receivers were running routes to Detroit. Last season's other quarterback, Brady Quinn, could throw a football from here to, well, who knew where he was throwing it?
President Mike Holmgren, whose resume indicates a certain talent for evaluating quarterbacks, knew he had to upgrade. Holmgren believes ex-Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme still $7 million worth of gas left in his tank. And Seneca Wallace, who was brought into Seattle by Holmgren, is part of the mix in Berea now, as is the next-big-thing, Texas' record-breaking Colt McCoy.
But the reality is you could bring in a genetically engineered combination of Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Brian Sipe and (gack) John Elway and it wouldn't make a difference if the guys who are supposed to catch the ball have what we like to call Roberto Duran appendages (i.e. Stone Hands).
Joel Thorman, writing for sbnation.com, pointed out that that Delhomme, Wallace, McCoy and whoever else the Browns put under center will be throwing to the same receiving corps. It's a seriously sobering thought.
The Browns' group of receivers were among the worst in the league last season, even when Braylon Edwards was still on the roster. The group was young, inexperienced, and perhaps most importantly, didn't have an accurate quarterback delivering the football.
This year, in terms of players, nothing has changed. The team will try to go with youngsters Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, and Chansi Stuckey as their top three receivers. None of those players are going to make defensive coordinators lose any sleep, so fans can only hope that they have improved in their second year with the team.
On the plus side, the Browns added veteran tight end Ben Watson to the roster this season. Watson is an immediate upgrade over what the Browns had last year, and if Delhomme isn't comfortable with his wide receivers, he should find some relief in Watson.
Hmmmm. Starting Blocks is thinking about picking up Watson in the ol' fantasy league draft. There could be worse picks.
Oops. Shouldn't say "picks" in any story that has Delhomme's name in it.
Moore to sayGary Wertman, in his Day 2 analysis of the Browns' training camp, writes on bleacherreport.com that Watson seems like the real deal. But . . .
The tight end position looks so much better this year. Ben Watson is a savvy veteran slated to be the starter, but don't count out Evan Moore.
Moore has looked great, catching several passes while proving to be a mismatch against anyone trying to cover him. Last year at this time, Browns fans didn't know who Moore was.
Here's a hint: He's a pretty smart dude. Guy graduated from Stanford with a pair of degrees, a bachelor's in political science and a master's in sociology. What's more, the guy only got to play in five games last year, and led all tight ends in receptions and yards . Which sounds really cool until you realize by his "team-leading" numbers were 12 receptions for 158 yards and zero touchdowns.
From the Plain DealerThe talk all along is that there was a rift in the Browns executive suites. One camp wanted to draft Boise State's Kyle Wilson. Another -- the winning camp -- wanted the team to fill one of the holes in the defensive backfield with Joe Haden. Though it's hard to imagine that the player taken with the seventh pick in the draft could feel slighted, there was always that chance. Especially if the camp that reportedly wanted Wilson instead of you supposedly was led by your new boss, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Not so, said Joe Haden, talking to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. The rookie who signed a $50 million contract ($26 million guaranteed) said Ryan "cleared it up for me" in a one-on-one conversation.
Cabot also talked to cornerback Eric Wright, who could end up playing nickel -- and covering the slot receiver on crucial downs. That item is part of her Browns Insider, which also carries items about Shaun Rogers lobbying (successfully?) to play a little tight end from time to time.
OK, let's say you just got out of business school, and finished at the top of your class. Great potential, etc. Ya think you're going to make more than the CEO at your company? Ya think you SHOULD make more than the CEO of your company? Columnist Bud Shaw points out that that is exactly what happens in the NFL, where a guy who is drafted in the top 10 makes more money than veterans who've been doing their jobs for years. Is that right?