Tony Grossi once again delves into the weekly mailbag to ponder some of our readers' top questions.
A No. 1 receiver? It can be anyone who makes the clutch catch, and doesn't even have to be a "wide receiver," as proven by Ozzie Newsome in the 1980s, says Tony Grossi.Hey, Tony: In your roster analysis you asked this question about the WRs, "Will anyone emerge as a No. 1-caliber playmaker?" What exactly determines a No. 1 receiver? Speed? Jerry Rice was not a burner. Size? Steve Smith is a shrimp (not that I would say that to his face). Route running? Actually catching the ball? -- David King, Nashville, Tenn.
Hey, David: Simple. A go-to guy for the quarterback. A reliable receiver of any size or shape or speed who can be counted on to be the man on third-and-12, who can get open and make the catch to extend a drive. He's the wideout the QB looks to in the red zone, the one who demands the best cornerback on the opposing team. Someone who forces the opponent to spend extra time preparing for.
Hey, Tony: Of all the Browns' recent transactions, trading Kamerion Wimbley is the only one that remains particularly odd. He had a good second half in 2009, was probably the most athletic pass rush specialist the Browns had on their roster and was durable as well. Furthermore, given the defensive scheme will remain in place with Mangini, he seemed to be, at worst, an experienced, serviceable defensive player in the front seven where the Browns are particularly suspect. Any insight or specific reason on why the Browns peddled him this off-season? -- Leslie Marchak, Sagamore Hills
Hey, Leslie: Good question. My observations are that the Browns felt Wimbley was expendable because:
1. He did not possess the versatility that Mangini prefers at the position;
2. Wimbley's contract was up after this year and the Browns did not regard him any more as a cornerstone player to open the bank vault for; and
3. The team felt other players could compensate for Wimbley's contributions to the defense.
Keep in mind that the the Browns used the draft choice acquired in the trade to select Colt McCoy.
Hey, Tony: I have been hearing a lot about the linebackers and secondary but very little about the D-line. Are you a little concerned about the stability and depth there? It seems to me we have a lot of age at this position. -- Rob Rogan, Bellefontaine, Ohio
Hey, Rob: Agreed. That's why the coaches appear to be trying hard to get rookies Clifton Geathers and Kwaku Danso up to speed as quickly as possible. Both are green as the grass on the team's practice fields. Other prospects include Brian Schaefering, Swanson Miller and Brian Sanford. The team's intent was to take Kentucky lineman Corey Peters in the third round of the draft, but Atlanta snatched him two spots ahead of the Browns. The linebacker get all the glory in a 3-4 defense, but a stout line is the foundation of a strong defense.
Hey, Tony: Why do unsigned rookies participate in OTAs and mini-camp but not in training camp? This has always baffled me. -- Bert Harbinson, New York City
Hey, Bert: Only players signed to contracts can report to training camp, according to the league bargaining agreement.
The effort of a "long shot" such as defensive lineman Kwaku Danso is a yearly fascination for many Browns fans. It captures Tony Grossi's interest, too.Hey, Tony: I loved your article about the young man from Africa who will try out for a nose tackle slot. Someone suggested it and I would like to second that motion to have a column called "Long Shots." Or something telling about the progress of the guys who were undrafted, picked up on waivers, free agents etc. In other words, the guys nobody heard about or expected to make the team, much less be a contributor. -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio
Hey, Greg: Thanks for the suggestion. I do intend to update Danso's progress in an upcoming story. Your column idea is a good one. Wish I'd have thought of it before we planned our camp coverage.
Hey, Tony: In your opinion, how many games will Shaun Rogers be suspended? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland
Hey, Angelo: My guess is one or two games.
Hey, Tony: I was really impressed on the first day of camp [with] something I haven't seen or heard since the Browns have come back. We were sitting ... when who other than Mike Holmgren drives up to us in a golf cart and thanks the fans for coming out and supporting the Browns. This guy is a real pro. He should with time and patience bring back the Browns to an elite team. Thanks Mike Holmgren for making the average fan feel like someone important. Also Eric Wright signing autographs and thanking everybody for watching. A lot of class from these guys. LeBron James should come out and watch to take some pointers from these guys on how to be classy. -- Mike Varga, Mantua, Ohio
Hey, Mike: I agree with your sentiment. Holmgren is a class act, a former educator with a great gift for communicating. I would add, however, the key to Holmgren's success in rebuilding the franchise is getting players, and that falls on GM Tom Heckert. They have got to hit some bull's-eyes in this draft and then be right on a franchise quarterback. The rest of the stuff is common sense.
Hey, Tony: I am getting really tired of the Browns putting a talentless team on the field, year in and year out. Aside from maybe Joe Thomas, Josh Cribbs, Phil Dawson, Alex Mack and Shaun Rogers, what other players on this team would be true starters on any team who would be above .500? And aside from the above noted players, give me the next three best players, in your opinion. -- Craig L, Tinley Park, Ill.
Hey, Craig: When healthy, I think Dave Zastudil could punt for any team. Eric Steinbach could start for a lot of teams. Ben Watson started for New England's last Super Bowl-appearing team in 2007. I think Lawrence Vickers and Eric Wright could start for some teams over .500. I am also beginning to think that Ahtyba Rubin could start for most 3-4 defensive teams. Oh, and there isn't a better long snapper in the league than Ryan Pontbriand. According to my 2009 official Browns player rankings, my next three-best Browns other than the ones you mentioned were David Bowens, Jerome Harrison and Matt Roth. That was based on 2009 performance.
Hey, Tony: So RB Montario Hardesty has re-injured a knee before the pads even went on. Is it too early to start the "Fragile Fred" Taylor comparisons? This is Hardesty's fourth leg/knee injury (at least) in the last five years. Truth be told, I hope the kid recovers quickly and makes a solid contribution. But, it is easy to second-guess the decision to draft any RB this year when James Davis is still on the roster. If you'll look up the stats, all Davis did was keep this draft's "best" RB (C.J. Spiller) on the bench while both played at Clemson. As a matter of fact, Davis far outperformed Hardesty too (statistically) and doesn't carry any of the injury concerns (no, his shoulder injury last year is not a concern). Show Davis some love and let him show what he can do. At least his knees aren't a question mark. Would you agree? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
Hey, Tim: I agree that a healthy Davis will be interesting to watch. He was a camp phenom who was overwhelmed in his first real game against Minnesota. And then the unfortunate injury at practice occurred. I recently spoke with Davis and found him to be a more mature person in his second camp. He also has been looking good. Davis had better career numbers at Clemson than Hardesty did at Tennessee, but that was due to Hardesty's injuries. I agree he was a risk to take and also to depend on. But if both are healthy, Hardesty is the better NFL prospect, I believe.
Hey, Tony: Just watched Colt McCoy at practice have trouble with the snap from under center. Was this a problem for him in college? Are his hands too small or will this be corrected with time? -- Jason Blankenship, Medina
Hey, Jason: McCoy did throw a lot out of the shotgun formation and Texas. I'm sure it will be corrected with time.
Leroy Kelly remains a favorite Brown to a generation of fans who came of age in the late 1960s and early 1970s.Hey, Tony: I grew up idolizing Leroy Kelly but you don't hear much about him. Have the Browns ever reached out to him like they have some other "heroes," or has he disassociated himself from the team? He is my all-time favorite Brown, tied with Ozzie Newsome. -- Philip Swigert, Washington C.H., Ohio
Hey, Philip: I'm not aware of any ill feelings between the Browns and Kelly. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has attended team reunions in the past and he is a member of the Browns Legends club.
Hey, Tony: During last year's camp, we heard the horror stories about Quinn and D.A.'s passes thrown all around the yard and hitting everything except their intended targets. And receivers unable to hold onto passes that actually reached them. I haven't heard nearly as much bad news from this year's camp. Based upon your observations, 1) are the QBs more accurate, 2) are the receivers doing a better job of catching the ball, and 3) do you see a different attitude in this year's team (last year's seemed lost and confused early on)? -- Jim Seigle, Prospect, Conn.
Hey, Jim: Short answers are yes, yes and yes. For the most part, the quarterbacks have been a lot more accurate, though Jake Delhomme has experienced a boatload of interceptions this week in particular. Second-year receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie look good. I think coordinator Brian Daboll is more comfortable and at ease in his second year on the job, too.
Hey, Tony: I know that to place a player on the practice squad he must first clear waivers. He can then be claimed by any team at any time. Does his own team have advance knowledge of a claim so that they can retain him by putting him on the active roster? I am specifically worried about the chances of the Browns' losing Joel Reinders should they put him on the practice squad. -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.
Hey, Paul: Several teams have lost players over the years by exposing them to waivers for the purpose of putting them on their practice squad. That's how the Browns acquired Derek Anderson from the Baltimore Ravens in 2005. A player who is claimed by another team can actually decline to go to that team. But it doesn't make sense financially, as the minimum NFL salary is about 10 times the salary given to practice players.
Hey, Tony: Why was Tom Heckert allowed by the NFL to make a lateral move from Philadelphia to Cleveland? He obviously does not have final say on personnel, draft, or trades. Holmgren does. Just curious. -- John Karvinci, South Euclid
Hey, John: On the contrary, Heckert has "total football authority" written into his contract. He has final say on the draft and the makeup of the 53-player roster. Of course, Holmgren, as president, can overrule Heckert, but he hasn't really done that. As for making a lateral move, the Eagles granted permission for Heckert to leave. There is no issue there.
-- Tony