Browns rookie Montario Hardesty is raising eyebrows and hopes at OTAs.
Rookie Montario Hardesty is getting a lot of approving glances from the coaches on the sidelines during OTAs. But what will happen when the hitting starts during camp?
Cleveland, Ohio -- Rookie Montario Hardesty is raising some eyebrows on the coaching staff of the Cleveland Browns. But in a good way, honest!
Daniel Wolf, writing for bleacherreport.com, said the rookie's quick grasp of the playbook and the speed of the game has earned him some -- pardon the pun – Brownie points with the guys in coaching shorts and whistles.
But Wolf also knows, correctly, that Hardesty is performing sans pads and hitting. An onrushing 270-pound linebacker in full gear can influence anyone to zag when he should have zigged. The rookie should be aware, however, that he's going to find himself saying, "Feet, don't fail me now" a lot.
Browns head coach Eric Mangini has already informed the media that the 2010 Browns will continue the trend they started using to win their last four games of the 2009 season.
And that is to run, and run some more.
Oh, lord. Did someone just say, "Metcalf up the middle?"
Holmgren throws up a little D
Cleveland fans historically have been a little rough on team owners. If the phrase "Jump Art" sounds familiar, you know what Starting Blocks is talking about.
Browns President Mike Holmgren said his boss, owner Randy Lerner, is another of those getting a raw deal. In a nice, inclusive piece in USA Today, which talks about everything from the need to cultivate an attitude where winning isn't something the other guy does to instilling a belief in the fan base that this team really can put together the W's, Holmgren comes to his boss's defense.
"I think Randy gets a bit of a bum rap," Holmgren says. "His father (Al Lerner) was kind of larger than life, and the (Browns) were given to Randy overnight. Quite the contrary -- he is interested. When he sat in my living room in Arizona (while courting Holmgren), he said, 'Maybe I want this too much for Cleveland, the fans and my family.'
"He really cares."
The lengthy story ends with a prediction for the season:
Outlook: Since returning to the NFL in 1999, this franchise has mostly stumbled about with poor decisions made at the top regarding players and coaches. But the hiring of Holmgren and (General Manager Tom) Heckert is a strong indication ownership is serious about restoring pride and tradition. Strides were made in the offseason, but Holmgren tempers 2010 expectations: "You can't fix everything in one year."
He's right, of course. But the question is how much can you expect to fix in one year. Will loss-weary Browns fans accept a .500 team in the first year (really, a realistic goal)? Or is more expected, given the near reverence with which Holmgren's every move has been met?
From The Plain DealerTony Grossi reported that the Browns have extended qualifying offers to the five unrestricted free agents on the team. The procedural move involves safety Abram Elam, running back Jerome Harrison, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, linebacker Matt Roth and fullback Lawrence Vickers. If they don't sign by June 15, the team has the option of substituting a 10 percent raise over their base 2009 salaries, Grossi said.
"In four of the five cases, the substitute offers would be more than $1 million less than the ones currently only the table," according to Grossi's story.
Hmm, that would make all five $1 bazillion more than Starting Blocks was offered. We signed our offer, just in case anyone is keeping score.