Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has confidence in his system after a year in the job under his belt -- and an office down the hall from team President Mike Holmgren.
View full sizeBrowns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll isn't timid about seeking advice from Browns President Mike Holmgren.BEREA, Ohio — Certain circumstances have a way of improving an offensive coordinator's outlook on his team. Brian Daboll is in his second year leading the Browns offense, and heading into Sunday's season opener in Tampa, Fla., he admits to feeling more comfortable. Time and experience are factors that cannot be duplicated.
So, too, is having one of the shrewdest offensive minds in the game move into an office down the hallway.
"Not a lot of guys have that where if you're curious as to how you want to run a route or what's going to be successful, can walk down the hallway and ask [team president] Mike Holmgren," coach Eric Mangini said Friday. "That's pretty good."
Daboll hasn't worn a path in the carpet yet in his treks to Holmgren's office, but he also hasn't been afraid to ask the Browns' new leader for advice.
"I don't keep the tally marks up, but anytime if I need to ask him about a certain thing, I have no hesitation doing that," Daboll said.
A mixture of experience and that experienced offensive advice have given Daboll renewed confidence in a Browns offense that last season ranked last among the NFL's 32 teams in total yards.
View full sizeMike HolmgrenThrough four preseason games, the Browns bumped their total offensive yards to 331.2 per game, good for ninth in the league. Most notably, the passing game, led by quarterback Jake Delhomme improved to 227.8 yards per game (11th in NFL), up from 129.8 (32nd in NFL).
When the regular season begins Sunday against the Buccaneers, Daboll will have an experienced quarterback running a system he believes will be more successful this year -- even if only for the ease he now feels calling the shots.
"Your first year is hard when you go from being a position coach to running a unit," Mangini said. "You have to run meetings, you have to put together a plan, you have to call the game in a very tight time frame, and you have to deal with all of the things that happen in a game. It's not an easy thing to just jump into."
Said Daboll: "I think anytime you get a year under your belt in any profession, you feel better about it. In the preseason games, just calling it and getting into the flow . . . I feel better, I do."
Haden's first game: Rookie defensive back Joe Haden will play his first regular-season game in the state where he played college football, and he already has jitters about it.
"I'm nervous for all the games, but this one especially," Haden said Friday. "This being my debut as a pro, then going back to Tampa, to Florida, all my friends from college will be there so that makes it really special."
Haden figures to play significant time, Mangini said, as the nickelback who will likely be on the field against a Buccaneers offense that often leans on its passing game.
The Browns hope to work Haden into their base defense, as well, and have confidence he'll soon be a regular in the lineup.
View full sizeJoe Haden"This guy gets better every day in practice," defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. "The ball is starting to find him. He gets two or three interceptions everyday in practice. He's a unique guy because he can tackle so well. He's outstanding. Another smart, tough guy that we added on our defense.
"Really, he is going to be a special guy. There's no question. He's a humble guy that comes to work every day to get better, and man has he improved. He's jumped out and made great strides. He's going to play right away and look for him to do some great things in this ballgame."
Injury update: Right guard Shawn Lauvao sat out Friday's practice with a twisted ankle, and is doubtful for Sunday's game. Linebacker Marcus Benard (shoulder), defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (ankle) and offensive lineman Floyd Womack (knee) are questionable, and tight end Robert Royal (ankle) is probable.
Mangini said the right side of the offensive line could see any combination of John St. Clair, Womack and Tony Pashos.
"Pretty much we know each other's responsibilities," St. Clair said. "Everybody does that. Everybody's moving around. We have versatile guys, you can do more that way."
Safety Nick Sorensen, who suffered a concussion when he was knocked unconscious Aug. 28 in Detroit, practiced Friday for the first time since the injury. Though he's out for Sunday's game, he reported no repercussions after practice.
"It felt great," he said. "It's good to be back."