As Eric Mangini's second training camp as coach of the Browns draws to an end, the progress made by his team is undeniable.
The rain and plenty of first-half errors last Saturday night couldn't hide the enjoyment Browns coach Eric Mangini was having with QB Jake Delhomme and an improved roster this preseason.BEREA, Ohio -- What does it say about the Browns' progress when the biggest complaint Eric Mangini has is that it hasn't rained enough in Berea?
It says the Browns' coach is otherwise pleased with a lot of things about his team in his second season.
President Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert might have other opinions, having recently been with playoff teams. They weren't here when Mangini's first team at this stage a year ago still was divided between those who trusted him and those who didn't. The former group clearly was in the minority as the third preseason week approached.
At this time a year ago, the Browns had no clarity at quarterback and no real hope of seeing leadership there. The offensive line was a huge question mark. Feature running back Jamal Lewis was hitting the age of 30, but not any holes. Receiver Braylon Edwards, well, was being Braylon.
The top two tight ends were Robert Royal and Steve Heiden. Cornerback Hank Poteat was counted on to fill an integral role in the defense. Mike Furrey was one of the surest tacklers in the secondary. Yes, Mike Furrey, the possession receiver.
We don't know where the Browns go from here, but we do know how far they've come in one calendar year.
As Mangini's second training camp formally winds down this week, here's a breakdown of what we've seen so far:
Biggest Improvement: The quarterback position and the secondary (tie).
Rookie cornerback Joe Haden (left) and safety T.J. Ward have brought positive attitudes and considerable talent into the Browns secondary -- exactly as was hoped when they were the team's top two draft picks last spring.You can read what you want into preseason games. Jake Delhomme appeared to be struggling in the days leading up to the Green Bay game. Then he displayed the decisive leadership and throwing accuracy that attracted him to Holmgren.
Then again, he wasn't a turnover machine in the Carolina preseason last year, and we know how that turned out. But Delhomme needed to have positive performances early for a couple of reasons. His new teammates and the fans needed to see him deliver. A struggling start, even in games that don't count in the standings, would have laid the foundation for another QB controversy heading into the season. That won't happen now.
As for the secondary, top picks Joe Haden and T.J. Ward have not disappointed. Both appear to be starting caliber very early in their rookie seasons. Their drafting overshadowed the trade for Sheldon Brown -- one of the best hitting cornerbacks in the NFC for many years. Together, the new trio will help eradicate the ridiculous sloppy tackling that pervaded the defense last year.
Biggest Surprise: Seneca Wallace.
How many of us actually saw him play in a game in seven seasons in Seattle? Who is the Seahawks' biggest rival, anyway, Edmonton or Calgary?
Holmgren and others said that we would be surprised by Wallace's arm and accuracy. Right on both counts. Factor in Wallace's mobility and ability to throw on the run and you have a playmaker forcing himself into a niche that demands creativity on the part of the coaches.
Biggest Disappointment: Montario Hardesty's inability to get on the practice field.
His well-documented injury history at Tennessee caused him to slide in the draft. Now he's spent his first NFL preseason behind closed doors running in a swimming pool and rehabbing a knee injury suffered in a non-contact workout before camp began.
The rookie running back displayed enough maturity at the position in the off-season program to command an immediate big role. But nobody's seen him play against live tackling because of a "twisted knee."
Running back is the one position in which natural instincts make up for lost practice time. The great ones can walk off the street and gain 100 yards without weeks of repetitions, as long as their legs are in shape. Hardesty's rookie season isn't in jeopardy yet, but this delay can't be seen as anything other than a huge disappointment to the club.
Unresolved Issues
There may be several questions yet to be decided as the regular season approaches, but none of those questions pertain to impressive veteran tight end Benjamin Watson.1. Who's the right tackle and will the position be any better than it was last year?
2. Where will Shaun Rogers line up on the defensive front, and when?
3. Can Shawn Lauvao handle the starting right guard spot immediately?
4. Is the Wildcat a diversion to make defenses prepare for, or will it be an effective option on offense?
5. Who are the best four linebackers?
6. Who's the backup center?
Resolved Issues
1. The wide receivers look vastly improved and effective -- when thrown to.
2. Tight end Benjamin Watson will be a huge factor in the red zone offense.
3. Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will manufacture a decent pass rush when the games count.
4. The trade of Brady Quinn to Denver for Peyton Hillis alone was a good move. Two potential conditional draft picks are icing.
5. Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin has earned his playing time when Rogers returns.
Observations, Opinions and Some Facts ...
1. A short-yardage package of Lawrence Vickers and Peyton Hillis in a jumbo formation involving extra tight ends should be formidable. Hillis was stopped on a fourth-and-3 carry against St. Louis using a three-receiver formation.
2. At some point, somebody has to rein in the showboating already showing up in the defensive secondary.
3. Running back Jerome Harrison has the right attitude.
4. Players who appear to need good showings in the last two games to make the roster include linebacker David Veikune, tight ends Robert Royal and Alex Smith, running backs Chris Jennings and James Davis, quarterbacks Brett Ratliff and Colt McCoy, and receiver Carlton Mitchell.
5. With Heckert now in charge of the roster, not only will the final cuts be interesting, but so will the flurry of player pickups over the subsequent week.