Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answers readers' questions about the team and the NFL.
View full sizeBrowns running back James Davis should get some carries in the team's offensive system. Q: Hey, Tony: Do you think the performance of James Davis in the final preseason game will earn him some carries during the regular season? -- PB, Lakewood
A: Hey, PB: I think the Browns will use a back-by-committee approach, primarily featuring Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis. I think Davis better be ready if one of the top two backs is injured.
Q: Hey, Tony: I know it's preseason, but here are things I observed while watching the local broadcast (Chicago) without any commentator bias; let me know your thoughts: 1. McCoy is as good as anyone in checkdowns, possibly better than Quinn. That's not a positive. Did he hit a pass for over 5 yards in the air? 2. If they don't sign a backup center they are in real trouble if anything happens to Mack. Big time. 3. Veikune is a project still about 2-3 years away. He's never around the ball. What a waste of a pick. 4. Hardesty looks tough, when he is in. That's not often. 5. Steptoe - is he really 5'6"? 6. If they have to rely on backups at almost any position they may never win a game. 7. Dawson is good. 8. Bowens may be correct; he does not appear to have earned a spot. I looked hard for positives and all I found was #7. Am I missing something? -- Craig L, Tinley Park, Ill.
A: Hey, Craig: I would correct 7 to say Dawson is very good.
Q: Hey, Tony: Is it not fair to be critical of Tom Heckert not only picking a more than injury prone Monterio Hardesty, but also giving up 2 other draft picks to move up to get him? This team needs talent everywhere and to take a chance like that was too risky. Top teams can take chances like that not us. --Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio
A: Hey, Michael: I don't think the price Heckert paid to move up to take Hardesty was exorbitant -- one third-round pick and two fifths. I would be more critical of the Hardesty pick if he was the Browns' top choice in the first round. Let's fast forward to 2011: if Hardesty is healthy next year -- I realize this is a big "if" -- he will be like a bonus player.
Q: Hey, Tony: With Hardesty injured and Derrick Ward available ... do we look there? -- Dennis Bartlett, Queensbury, N.Y.
A: Hey, Dennis: The Browns have enough depth at running back to avoid picking up a 30-year-old running back.
Q: Hey, Tony: I'm excited to send a positive note about a few Browns players. Last night at the game a man (Billy) we were sitting near offered to introduce us to Aaron Shea. My 11 year old son was thrilled at the prospect, but I was wondering if he would show up, and how he would be. Sure enough, about 15 minutes later Billy told us Aaron was in the concourse. With Shea were Ben Watson, Robert Royal and D'Qwell Jackson. They were completely gracious, signed autographs, posed for pictures and chatted with my son. He was completely awestruck and floated on a cloud the rest of the night. Great to see some pro athletes be so cool with a kid given the negative headlines also out there. -- Tom Forristell, Sagamore Hills
A: Hey, Tom: I wish all athletes realized the power they have to brighten the day, or night, of young people.
Q: Hey, Tony: Your gut feeling; will the Browns win a Super Bowl in our lifetime? -- Dan Trigiani, Avon Lake
A: Hey, Dan: Depends on how old you are.
Q: Hey, Tony: This is a two-part question: 1) Is this latest injury to Montario Hardesty finally enough for you to end your insufferable love affair of the running back? and 2) Who were the players chosen in the draft with the picks the Browns traded (threw?) away to move up and select Hardesty? Thanks. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
A: Hey, Tim: 1. I just don't understand the non-love toward Hardesty. Like you don't want a back with superstar potential on your team? 2. The Eagles pulled off a couple more trades before using the Browns' picks to select: Kentucky DB Trevard Lindley at No. 105 overall and Clemson DE Ricky Sapp at No. 134. Lindley had a good camp and is listed as the backup to starting right cornerback Ellis Hobbs. Sapp is out for the year with a knee injury.
Q: Hey, Tony: With Montario Hardesty out, is there any chance that the Browns sign a veteran back to help the young core? -- Raj Nanavaty, Mayfield
A: Hey, Raj: No chance.
Q: Hey, Tony: Will Josh Cribbs be the punt and kick returner again this year? -- S Fowler, Palm Harbor, Fla.
A: Hey, S: Geez, I would hope so. He's only the best in the NFL.
Q: Hey, Tony: How much do you think the play calling would be affected if the NFL does away with radio communications? I know the NFL allowed this because (1) the technology was available and (2) it helped speed along the game. Seems like this would add another level to quarterback play, and a smart QB with an below average arm (i.e Brian Sipe) would have an opportunity to excel. -- Joe Rossin, Coumbus, Ohio
A: Hey, Joe: The NFL will never do away with radio helmets. If they did, it would force quarterbacks to become field generals again. No coach wants that (it seems).
Q: Hey, Tony: Why in the world is Scott Fujita listed as the starter at outside linebacker? Wouldn't it make more sense to put a player, such as Marcus Benard on the outside who has more speed and is younger and has shown some flashes of being a special player. Or is he that much of a liablility in run defense? Fujita is now 31 and was with a bad defense in New Orleans. I just don't see what they see in this guy. What are your thoughts? -- Josh Reed, White Oak, Pa.
A: Hey, Josh: You are really short-changing Fujita. He's a solid pro. Having said that, I think his future will be inside. Benard has the most speed among the linebackers, but he's still developing as an every-down player. Eventually, I think the Browns may be better served by inserting Benard as a starter. But it may take some time this year.
Q: Hey, Tony: Since expansion, the Browns seem to have had incredibly bad luck with injuries among their top draft choices and even free agents (e.g. LeCharles Bentley). Is this my loyal fan's bias, or have the Browns suffered more in this regard than most other teams? -- John Turner, Johns Island, S.C.
A: Hey, John: They certainly have had their share of misfortune. But they are not alone. I remember the top two recent picks of the Cincinnati Bengals being wiped out by injury and suspension -- David Pollack and O'Dell Thurman -- but they rebounded from it.
Q: Hey, Tony: When players get released and then signed to the practice squad how does their salary get decided? Is it a set amount or is it negotiated? -- Justin Coulter, Austintown, Ohio
A: Hey, Justin: The collective bargaining agreement calls for practice squad players to be paid $5,500 per week.
Q: Hey, Tony: The recent practice squad signings brought to mind a question about how the practice squad works. Do these guys get worked into the everyday team practices, or do they practice as a separate group, waiting for a chance to get promoted into the 53 man roster? -- Gabe Knuth, Omaha, Neb.
A: Hey, Gabe: Practice squad players do not practice among themselves. They are used at the coaches' discretion.
Q: Hey, Tony: With our division rivals the Ravens signing T.J Houshmandzadeh and Michael Clayton leaving for St. Louis are the Browns confident with their very young unexperienced wide receivers and are they regretting letting Brandon McDonald go with such tough divison match-ups coming there way!! -- Rein Pold, Clarion, Pa.
A: Hey, Rein: The Browns consistently have demonstrated their confidence in their receiving corps. Let's see how it plays out. As for McDonald, I don't sense any regret in releasing him. If Derrick Mason ever makes the Hall of Fame, he should select McDonald as his presenter.
Q: Hey, Tony: I really enjoy your podcasts for their solid, unbiased content. My question is: could you analyze in some detail the individual roles of all the players on each special team since this is the one phase of the game in which the Browns have excelled. -- Grant Crandall, Fairfax, Va.
A: Hey, Grant: Thanks for your comment. Your suggestion would make a nice feature story during the season. Space limitations would prevent me from answering your question here.
Q: Hey, Tony: I just read your former colleague Peter King's annual Ten Things I Think Will Happen In The NFL This Year. How about giving your loyal readers Three Things I Would Like To See Happen With The Cleveland Browns This Year. -- Paul Naudain, Portland, Ore.
A: Hey, Paul: 1. A win in the first game. 2. Two wins against Pittsburgh. 3. At least one win against Baltimore.
Q: Hey, Tony: Has there been any decision by the league office regarding Robaire Smith's gun possession charge? -- Joel Emrick, Sidney, Ohio
A: Hey, Joel: There is no apparent ruling coming down. All indications is this may have been the perfect crime.
Q: Hey, Tony: Being a life long browns fan of 40+ years tell me where the next spark is going to come from? I was mad when I watched Suh from Detroit ruff up Jake but I was more upset that not one Browns player came to support or show Detroit ,don't mess with our guy.I think this team needs exactly that to be a team to notice. We need that guy. -- Allan Cooper, Canandaigua, N.Y.
A: Hey, Allan: I think the next spark comes from the next quarterback. I believe Jake Delhomme will do well in 2010, but he surely is only a bridge to the next guy.
Q: Hey, Tony: One of the questions I have as the Browns head into their 2010 season is, what is your opinion of the job Eric Mangini and his coaching staff are doing? Regardless of this year's record I'd like to see the Browns stick with the people they've got now as far as the coaches and player personnel people. From what I've observed in the past, when you fire the head coach, the new guy is going to want his people and alot of his former players to come with him. From Chris Palmer, to Butch Davis, to Romeo Crennel and now to Eric Mangini I feel like the Browns are always in a state of rebuilding. Even if this team goes 0 and 16, let's go back to the draft, maybe even a couple or three drafts, build the team with players Mangini, Heckert and Holmgren like and then see what kind of win/loss record they can produce. What are your thoughts? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio
A: Hey, Greg: I think with a front office of Holmgren and Heckert, the Browns can now lay a foundation of stability. The best organizational set-up is to have a strong GM who can maintain the team's football philosophy in the event of a coaching change.
-- Tony