Whether the wins and losses show it this fall, there's no question the Browns are more cohesive than any edition in recent memory.
The new faces at quarterback is just one of the many clear examples of a revamped franchise that is trying to build something at the Browns' Berea complex, says Terry Pluto.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On a lazy holiday weekend, there's plenty about the local pro teams that prompt Terry Pluto to be talkin' ...
About the Browns...
1. It's hard to even compare the team during off-season drills to what was happening a year ago. Everything from knowing who will be the quarterback (Jake Delhomme) to the "Big Boss" (as Mike Holmgren has called himself) to who feels more relaxed as coach (Eric Mangini), to a general manager/super scout (Tom Heckert) has to add up to the Browns being a better team.
2. The Browns now have a business model in place that is much like the Baltimore Ravens, where President Ozzie Newsome is the Big Boss. The general manager role (once held by Phil Savage) is Tom Heckert's. Then the coach knows he is there to coach, and not have to worry about the draft, trades, contracts and other front office activities.
3. While some fans were hoping for a coaching change, you can see the wisdom of keeping Mangini and his key staff members. The players and coaches know what to expect from each other. There is a sense of order, discipline and focus. Far fewer players are running laps for missed assignment or penalties than a year ago.
4. That said, it's obvious offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has spent a lot of time with Gil Haskell, a former coordinator who is Holmgren's special assistant. The Browns will not -- repeat, will not -- be a team with a West Coast offense. But they are adding some elements.
Gil Haskell (left) is not the Browns offensive coordinator, and Mike Holmgren is not the coach. But it's hard not to sense how both men have changed the atmosphere in Berea, along with GM Tom Heckert.5. More importantly, they seem to be running wild with ideas for Seneca Wallace and Joshua Cribbs in the double Wildcat formation. They are being bold, showing the media plays where Wallace throws to Cribbs, and Cribbs throws to Wallace. Long snaps can go to either player. They both can run and throw. Cribbs claims it will be nearly impossible for any team to prepare in one week for all the variety the Browns have planned.
6. Never forget that Cribbs averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, 381 yards in 55 attempts. For his career, Wallace has gained 214 yards (4.0 average) in 54 carries. Wallace may be 5-11 in very tall cleats, but he has a strong, accurate arm and throws well off the run.
7. The Browns have been pleased with Delhomme, who has made few poor throws. One of those was Thursday, firing into double coverage for an easy interception. They are working with him to avoid the risky passes. At 35, he can't fire the ball into those small spaces as he did a few years ago. He has been very receptive. He does a good job keeping the offensive organized.
8. Yes, Brian Robiskie has been the receiving star of the camp, but Chansi Stuckey has quietly impressed, showing excellent hands and precise pass patterns to get open. He had a rocky season with the Browns, joining the team for the final 11 games (19 catches, six drops) after the Braylon Edwards deal. The coaches believe he is returning to the form of 2008 when he gave hints of being a promising possession slot receiver.
9. Talk about a broken play on my part. Mike Knapp emailed: "[Last Sunday] you wrote that Brian Robiskie set career records at Ohio State for catches (118) and touchdown receptions (34). Not even close to being accurate. Robiskie had 127 catches (eighth all time) and 24 touchdown catches (fourth all time). David Boston has the OSU career receptions record with 191 and touchdowns with 34." By the way, Robiskie caught only one pass and played special teams as a freshman for the Buckeyes, then his career took off. Could the same thing happen with the Browns?
10. No idea if we'll be even mentioning this guy in the fall, but the coaches have been impressed with undrafted free agent receiver Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds). It wasn't easy to find information on the all-time leading receiver in Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) school history, but Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News wrote this: "Haggerty was a four-year starter and two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection. He caught 54 passes with a 13.9-yard average and six touchdowns in 2009. That didn't get the NFL's attention -- he wasn't invited to the annual scouting combine -- but his workout on campus did. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash in front of 18 scouts on his pro day."
11. In a recent meeting, the coaches asked themselves, "Has anyone noticed Montario?" What they meant was whether anyone saw Tennessee's Montario Hardesty line up in the wrong spot, run the wrong play, seem unprepared or overwhelmed. They said he doesn't seem like a rookie, because he's been very solid.
12. Because the players aren't in pads and there is no tackling, these camps favor players with speed and underrate those who hit hard and break tackles. That all changes in the summer when training camp starts. Nonetheless, Nebraska safety Larry Asante has been impressive in coverage and with his overall play. That's encouraging, because the best part of the rookie's game is supposed to be his tackling.
About the Cavaliers...
Byron Scott coached New Orleans into the playoffs and led New Jersey to a pair of Finals berths. That experience should appeal to the Cavaliers.1. As they look for a new coach, there's a preference for a former NBA head coach, or at least someone with experience at a major college program. But if they find "a Mike Brown type" assistant who is impressive, Dan Gilbert is will make a bold hire. He doesn't consider experience a necessity, but it certainly is a plus.
2. Which brings me to two names -- Byron Scott and Mo Cheeks. Now an assistant with the Oklahoma Thunder, Cheeks had only one losing season in 3 1/2 seasons with Portland, ending in 2005. His next stop was Philadelphia, where he led the surprising Sixers to a 40-42 start in 2008 and made the playoffs. He was fired after a 9-14 start the next season.
3. Scott led the Nets to the NBA Finals in 2003 and 2004. After a 22-20 start in 2004-05 (a year after the second consecutive Finals appearance), he was fired. His next stop was New Orleans. In 2008, he was 56-26 and went to the second round. In 2008-09, he was 49-33, losing in the first round. This season, he started 3-6 and was fired. Some say Scott was too tough on players, Cheeks too soft. When a coach fails to reach expectations, he's always "too something."
4. Consider these names: Avery Johnson, Sam Mitchell, Scott and Brown. All were voted NBA Coaches of the Year from 2006-2009. All have been fired within two years of winning the award.
5. Yes, Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson is a candidate, but probably one of several. Before hiring Brown, Gilbert talked to at least a dozen legitimate candidates. He talked to twice as many before hiring Danny Ferry as general manager.
6. While Sampson has close connections to the Spurs, where he worked after being fired for NCAA violations at Indiana in 2008, there are concerns about the former Oklahoma coach. Twice, he was nailed by the NCAA. The Cavs talk about their "culture" which puts the accent on character. Does Sampson fit? It seems Scott or Cheeks makes more sense.
7. While waiting for LeBron and looking for a coach, the Cavs also are talking about their big men. They didn't say much about Leon Powe, but they are extremely pleased with his progress from major knee surgery. When they signed the former Celtic, they weren't sure he'd even be able to play this season. By the end of the year, he was close to 100 percent -- but the Cavs were loaded with big men, so he didn't play much.
8. Next season is a different story. It's doubtful Shaquille O'Neal will be back. Zydrunas Ilgauskas also is a free agent, and a decision on him may depend upon who is the next coach. Right now, Anderson Varejao is the only one on the roster who can play big minutes at center. They have J.J. Hickson, Antawn Jamison and Powe as power forwards, although Hickson did play some backup center. They will probably sign a veteran center to come off the bench.
About the Indians...
A franchise hungry to develop starting pitchers isn't about to give up too quickly on Justin Masterson, says Terry Pluto.1. If it is determined that Justin Masterson needs to remain a starter, but is struggling too much in the majors, they may send him to Class AAA Columbus. Masterson was rushed to the majors in 2008 by Boston. He threw only 96 innings in Class AA, and 9 1/3 in Class AAA. The Indians think Masterson can make some adjustments to help with left-handed batters (.386, 1.020 OPS). Also, he's on a 10-game losing streak dating back to last season, and needs to regain some confidence.
2. Another reason they want the 25-year-old right-hander to succeed as a starter is they need them. They believe he can help now in the bullpen, but they have plenty of relievers at Columbus close to being ready: Jensen Lewis (1.69 ERA), Joe Smith (2.84) and Frank Herrmann (0.36, 25 1/3 IP, 1 ER).
3. The Indians are hoping Masterson can pull it together Sunday in New York. It's still unclear when David Huff can pitch again, but it seems that he did not suffer a major injury despite being hit in the head with an Alex Rodriguez line drive Saturday. Some have suggested inserting Aaron Laffey (1-1, 5.61 ERA) in the rotation. But Laffey has been hit hard -- and not just the six runs he allowed in 1 1/3 innings Saturday. He gave up runs in each of his previous five appearances: 5 ER in 5 1/3 innings.
4. While Masterson has been savaged by left-handed hitters, a key to success of Mitch Talbot (6-3, 3.73) is his change-up, which darts away from lefties. The right-hander is holding lefties to a .157 batting average. In his last three minor-league seasons, it was .234.
5. When Fausto Carmona allowed four earned runs Friday in New York, it was only the second time in 10 starts that he has given up more than three runs. He had a 4.05 ERA in April, and it dropped to 3.30 in May as his confidence continues to grow. Another good sign: lefties are hitting .277, compared to .321 the previous two seasons. Who would have guessed in spring training that Carmona and Talbot would be the most reliable starters?
6. Carlos Santana (10 HR, 42 RBI, .314, 1.017 OPS) continues to destroy Class AAA pitching. But the catcher has thrown out only six of 32 base stealers. He has a good arm. The previous two seasons, he threw out 38 percent. But he has developed some bad throwing habits. If the Indians can be patient with Luis Valbuena batting .138 at second base, they can promote Santana and let coach Sandy Alomar work on his catching skills in Cleveland.
7. The Indians are expected to receive some calls from teams interested in Austin Kearns (.309, .842 OPS). If there is an attractive package of prospects, the Tribe may trade Kearns. But they like him for being a right-handed hitter who is above average in right and left field. He just turned 30 on May 20. At Columbus, the top outfield prospects are left-handed hitters -- Michael Brantley, a now healthy Jordan Brown (.319) and speedy Jose Constanza.
8. Hard to believe, but Mark Grudzielanek has 26 hits, all singles. But at least the veteran second baseman is hitting .274 and is solid in the field.