It's Steelers Sunday, so the majority of Browns fans contributing to this week's mailbag want to talk ... well, quarterbacks, of course.
Brett Ratliff could have remained with the Patriots after the Browns made him a contract offer last week, but decided the possibility of playing time was more important.Hey, Tony: Can any team sign any player from any other team's practice squad? Is there any compensation to that team (draft pick) involved? -- Dan Kopp, Mansfield
Hey, Dan: Any team can sign a player from another team's practice squad. The player is not required to accept an offer from another team, however. He can elect to stay on the practice squad. There is no draft pick compensation involved. The only requirement is the player is guaranteed three game checks with the new team. In the case of Brett Ratliff, the Patriots offered him the same deal the Browns offered, but Ratliff chose to sign with the Browns because he felt he had a better opportunity of actually playing with them.
Hey, Tony: The Browns have been moving in the right direction and establishing a run game. That being said, it seems that we have no deep threats. What is going on with rookie Carlton Mitchell? At 6-3, 215 lbs., and a 4.3 40-yard dash, he would have to be a deep threat to opposing defenses. -- Eamon L., Cleveland
Hey Eamon: Mitchell may be the fastest player on the team, but he is a project. Look how Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie struggled as rookie players. Seems like any time the Browns send a receiver on a deep route, the quarterback throws the ball out of bounds, anyway.
Hey, Tony: Eric Mangini's game of not naming a starting QB until the last minute has been going on since he's been in Cleveland. Is it getting as old to you as it is for the rest of us? Wouldn't it be great someday for a Browns coach to say, "This is my QB, game plan all you want, you won't stop us." How much game plan changes could opposing teams need anyway -- regardless of who starts ... they are QBing the Browns! -- Brett Ormsby, Bay Village
Hey, Brett: I long for the day a Browns coach says something like that.
Hey, Tony: I definitely feel like this Browns team is greatly improved over last year, especially on offense. However, one thing that has always bothered me was that they never seem to re-sign their existing players before they get to free agency, like other teams do. I would point to Lawrence Vickers, Matt Roth, Joe Thomas, Phil Dawson and Eric Wright as guys who are contributors that have their contracts coming up in the next year or so that we will probably end up losing. In a year with no salary cap, wouldn't this have been an opportune time to lock some of them up long-term? Especially Vickers and Thomas who may be the best at their position! I feel that this is a major reason why we are always in a state of rebuilding. We draft poorly, and then don't keep the guys that we do hit on. -- Jim Becker, Broadview Heights
Hey, Jim: You're right about everything except Thomas. He is signed through 2011. Otherwise, it would seem the perfect time to sign up potential free agents valuable to the team. Most teams, however, are refraining from doing that because of the uncertainty of the labor situation.
Shaun Rogers might be valuable to a contender needing some beef on the front line, but his jumbo paycheck would scare most teams away, says Tony Grossi.Hey, Tony: The Browns need young talent on both sides of the ball. The way to build that talent is through the draft. Why not trade Shaun Rogers to help facilitate getting another draft pick? -- Molly Treharn, Boardman
Hey, Molly: Perhaps a huge obstacle to a trade of Rogers is his contract. He's making $6.9 million in base salary this year, $5.5 million in 2011 and $5.6 million in 2012. Any team trading for Rogers inherits those hefty salary figures.
Hey, Tony: With no disrespect intended, why is Vince Lombardi seemingly more (or much more) revered than Paul Brown? -- Neuronsy Adams, Toledo
Hey, Neuronsy: I understand your point completely. Both are legendary figures. Lombardi took the Green Bay Packers to six NFL championship games in nine years and won five. He is the only NFL coach to win three consecutive championships. Because the latter two become known as the Super Bowl, they boosted Lombardi's legend. NFL history did not begin with the Super Bowl; it just seems like the league regards it as such. Brown coached the Browns to six NFL championship games in six years and won three -- all before the Super Bowl term was coined. The NFL championships were preceded by four successive championships in the All-America Football Conference. Brown was a more accomplished innovator and I would make the case that he mentored more future great coaches than Lombardi. Brown went on to found a second NFL organization, the Cincinnati Bengals, and coached them to a Super Bowl appearance. Still, Lombardi has been romanticized as the greatest coach in NFL history. The truth is, if Brown had not established such a powerhouse in Cleveland in the 1950s, and shipped numerous quality players to Green Bay in trades, Lombardi might never have achieved the success that he had. Because of his trades, some wags have said Brown actually built two dynasties -- his own in Cleveland and the Packers in Green Bay.
Hey, Tony: Several years ago, I went to see the Browns in Tampa, and I was dressed up like a Browns fan should be. Even ran into the Bone Lady on the street. Anyway, I had to use the men's room, and while waiting in one of the many lines, a bunch of Tampa Bay fans started harassing me. It kept building, and I was trying to handle it in good humor. Then, one of the Bucs fans said, "Hey, guys, leave him alone. They didn't even have a team for three years." The others groaned in agreement, and there was peace, but frankly, I think I preferred the harassment to the pity. -- Seren Hrachian, Athens, N.Y.
Hey, Seren: I know how you feel, pal. A good, late friend of mine used to call me the beat writer for the 100 Years War.
Hey, Tony: If the Browns lose to the Steelers I have to either get a shaved head or a Mohawk due to a bet with a bandwagon Steelers fan. What would be your pick? I hope this doesn't count as a uniform question. -- Caleb Dotson, Columbus
Hey, Caleb: No brainer. Shaved head.
Hey, Tony: I have seen all four stadiums in our division and have been underwhelmed by all four. I must admit though that Cincy and Baltimore at least look better on TV. What are the Browns waiting on? Where is the FieldTurf? -- Patrick Yarnevic, Lakewood
Hey, Patrick: I would rate the stadiums this way: 1. Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. 2. Pittsburgh's Heinz Field. 3. Cleveland Browns Stadium. 4. Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium. Of the four, the Browns' stadium hosts the fewest football games -- by far. If more games were played on the field, there would be greater impetus to have the natural field replaced by FieldTurf.
Hey, Tony: I'm fascinated by the size of the Browns front office. They now have over 150 people working, about three times what they put on the field. Lots of overhead. Do the Browns make any money considering the size of the front office and that they have the lowest ticket prices in the NFL? -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.
Hey, Steve: Keen observation -- one that has also been made by the owner, from what I understand.
Hey, Tony: Has C.J. Mosley vaporized or is he still on the Browns roster? PUP List? -- Mike B, Dover
Hey, Mike: Mosley was waived by the Browns in September and recently signed by Jacksonville.
Seneca Wallace is out of action for a while, but that doesn't mean he isn't the focus of several Browns fans.Hey, Tony: I saw Seneca Wallace's "hot feet" during the preseason. Why aren't we seeing any plays designed around this potential "fifth man" in the backfield? Are they too afraid of him getting hurt? -- JC Sullivan, Northfield
Hey, JC: Your question falls into that vast category of questions about the Browns' offense that I can not intelligently explain.
Hey, Tony: I have seen enough of Seneca Wallace to believe he should be starting and possibly the answer to our QB problem. (Though he just got hurt, I hope it's not serious) What better way to learn than sit for more than one year? I like the way he doesn't lock in on one WR and can make the accurate throws. I know he's short and hasn't really been considered a starting QB, but this guy poses a problem to defenses. What do you think? -- Rick DelPrado, Middletown, Conn.
Hey, Rick: Wallace likely will be sidelined for three or more weeks with a high ankle sprain. I like a lot of things he does. But if he is your No. 1 quarterback, I don't believe the team is going anywhere. I think he is a very good NFL backup quarterback.
Hey, Tony: What the heck is the deal with the field conditions at the stadium? When being run on, the middle of the field looks like a scene from the dust bowl. The sides are greener but I thought I saw some kicked up dirt there too. What gives? -- Mark Hartshorn, Madison
Hey, Mark: I understand the middle of the field was just resodded.
Hey, Tony: Is there something wrong with Joe Thomas this season? I just finished watching the Atlanta game and he got his rear end kicked (as well as getting Wallace injured) and it seems that he's been mediocre all year. What gives? -- Chris Pappas, Westlake
Hey, Chris: I don't believe Thomas is off to the greatest season of his career. He's made the Pro Bowl three years in a row. To make it to a fourth, he'd better turn it around quickly. I thought he was literally and figuratively dehydrated by the hot summer training camp and began the year under weight, and hasn't recovered his previous form yet.
Hey, Tony: Let's be honest here, the Browns offense against the Falcons was like trying to drive a car with one wheel. I saw the Browns attempt to rush the ball and fail. Should the Browns try Cribbs at RB on third down, since Hillis is banged up? Is there any possibility the Browns bring back Chris Jennings? He is bigger and more physical than Jerome Harrison especially since James Davis is a no-show. The defense looks much improved though (the defense against the Falcons worked their tails off). Do you blame all this on lack of talent in the offense? Should we be calling out Holmgren/Heckert? Thanks! -- D.A. Pimley, Centreville, Va.
Hey, D.A.: I've maintained for years that Cribbs' talents would be better utilized in the backfield. Since you submitted your question, the Browns traded Harrison to Philadelphia for running back Mike Bell. As for Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert, they have elected to back off once the regular season started and leave the team in the hands of Eric Mangini.
Hey, Tony: Is Cleveland a black hole for QBs, or are the QBs they get "black holes?" -- Dan Desai, Westlake
Hey, Dan: The only quarterback who came through Cleveland and had any success after he left was Jeff Garcia. So I would have to say it's the latter.
Hey, Tony: What was the logic of putting in a still-injured Delhomme instead of McCoy after Wallace went down with an injury? I know that McCoy is expected to "sit and watch" this year, but this move screams "wasted draft pick" and shows the staff has no confidence at all in McCoy. I mean really, does anyone honestly believe McCoy would have had a worse half than what Delhomme delivered? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
Hey, Tim: The coach rolled the dice that Delhomme could bring home a winner with moxie and guile. Didn't happen and Delhomme aggravated his high ankle sprain. Delhomme got a lot more reps at practice than McCoy during the week. McCoy simply was unprepared to play for an extended period of time.
Georgia receiver A.J. Green is exactly the kind of deep threat that intrigues several fans already looking ahead to the 2011 draft.Hey, Tony: While I think this team has shown great improvement over last year, we are certainly still lacking in overall talent. That being said, there are glaring holes on the D Line and WR (need speed) and still have that pesky franchise QB question to answer. Looking ahead, what is the greatest need based on what you have seen so far? Personally, I would love Marcell Dareus, Andrew Luck or AJ Green. -- John Smith, Dayton
Hey, John: Quarterback. I begin and ends with that position. You have to have a quarterback and you have to have luck. Sounds like they could fill both needs with one player this year, Andrew Luck from Stanford.
Hey, Tony: At what point do we question Holmgren's credibility or will to win when his coaching staff continues to let games slip away. Where is his leadership? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.
Hey, Eliot: When he brought Mangini back, Holmgren vowed to not interfere with his coaching. Some view that as giving Mangini the rope to hang himself.
Hey, Tony: This year's team is drastically improved over last year. Any fan that can not see that is a misinformed Browns fan. [The record] is disappointing but they are in every game and at the very least we fans are not leaving or turning the game off at halftime like years past.
But listening to fans on Browns postgame shows and comments on the message board, can fans honestly think that they know better than the men in the front office? Did fans really expect this team to make a dramatic improvement and make the playoffs? Fans need to take a step back and realize that the passion they have for this team is making them sound very unintelligent. -- Matt R, Hartville
Hey, Matt: I said since training camp that this team was better than last year's 5-11 team. I thought they let the first two games slip away. Now they are in the midst of the inevitable avalanche of injuries. Unless things turn around, we will see another coaching change after the season.
Hey, Tony: Is there anything to the theory that the Browns lose consistently because the coaching staff doesn't make the necessary adjustments at halftime and their talent level is inferior to most teams and eventually the better team wins? -- Steve Aronowitz, Great Neck, N.Y.
Hey, Steve: I think it is a combination of both factors.
Hey, Tony: I heard your chat Monday and you said that you believe Wallace is a career backup. You said the team made a concerted effort to get the ball to Mohamed Massaquoi. But why, based on that, do you think he is a backup? He is in a new system, and is just getting his feet wet with this non-west coast offense. Am I just wishful thinking that even though he is vertically challenged he can't be our QB for a few years? He looks like a Pro Bowler compared to Anderson and Quinn. -- Rick DelPrado, Middletown, Conn.
Hey, Rick: I don't think Wallace sees the whole field. I don't recall the offense running a single slant route with Wallace at quarterback, perhaps because of his height disadvantage. I don't see a wide variety of pass routes, in fact, only "go routes." In the three close games that he started and finished, I did not see him make a play in crunch time to pull out the victory. The only game they won, Wallace handed off to Peyton Hillis on the game-clinching drive. All that said, I agree he is a big improvement over Anderson and Quinn. But it's still not good enough to take the team anywhere.
Hey, Tony: When the NFL publishes its "points allowed" stat ranking defenses, does it include points actually allowed by the offense and/or special teams? As in pick sixes, safeties, punt and kick off returns? Or is it just the points that the defense itself allows? Because it would seem that our defense comes off much better it you don't count the "help" our offense has given. -- John J. Berezo, Culloden, W.Va.
Hey, John: There are rankings based solely on points allowed and rankings based on points allowed by the defense.
Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns would trade Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Montario Hardesty, Colt McCoy, Shawn Lauvao, Larry Asante, Carlton Mitchell and Clifton Geathers for Sam Bradford? Do you think they offered their entire 2010 draft for the No. 1 pick to take him? Would St. Louis have taken it? -- Howard Schwartz, Bettendorf, Iowa
Hey, Howard: No, St. Louis would not have taken the entire Browns' draft for the No. 1 overall pick. It would have taken something comparable to the Browns' first- and third-round picks in 2010 and at least their first in 2011.
Hey, Tony: Of all people I would have thought Holmgren would have made QB priority No. 1 and yet he brought a retread and a career back-up that he rarely won with in Seattle. Where is the franchise guy and what are we waiting for? -- Michael Spitale, Galena
Hey, Michael: Holmgren considered Sam Bradford the only "franchise quarterback" in the 2010 draft, and he was unable or unwilling to meet the price for him in a trade. He will reload and try again for the next great hope in 2011.
Hey, Tony: I made the Falcons game last week, I have to ask you about the touchdown pass against Sheldon Brown. Do we have on our roster a QB who could make that throw and/or a WR who could run that route and make that catch? This team still lacks talent on the skill positions. -- Rod Sauer, Athens
Hey, Rod: The answers are no and no, and, you're right.
Hey, Tony: Does the decimation of the QB position buy Mangini time, or sink him? On one hand, I can see management saying he didn't have a QB for X number of games. On the other hand, it really is all about wins and losses, and this isn't going to help the win column grow at all. -- Sean Samuels, Chandler, Ariz.
Hey, Sean: I believe Mangini's future in Cleveland rests entirely on wins and losses.
Hey, Tony: Will someone please ask the Browns why is James Davis on the inactive list when he's not hurt? Why won't they put him in? -- Brenda Lockhart, Cleveland
Hey, Brenda: Don't know. Davis certainly has had trouble staying healthy when he is made active. But now the team has put all its eggs in the Peyton Hillis basket. It seems that any offensive player with speed is considered not the right fit.
Hey, Tony: Why is Richard Bartel not on our roster? He was nothing but impressive when given the chance in preseason. Yes, it was against third stringers, but other Cleveland QBs have been killed by third-string defenses and still had more of a chance in Cleveland -- Ken Dorsey and Brett Ratliff are good examples of that. Bartel had another great preseason with the Redskins and was cut. Can you shed any light on this? -- Clint Mayo, Wichita, Kan.
Hey, Clint: For one thing, you are overvaluing performance against third-stringers in preseason games. Bartel is currently a backup quarterback with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL.
Hey, Tony: At what point in any given season was the highest and lowest level of overall fan/media/league confidence in a Browns coaching staff since the team returned? If the lowest point is a "1" and the highest is a "10", where are we now? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake
Hey, Steve: When the Browns went 7-9 and then 9-7 in the first two years of Butch Davis, I thought he was the guy and I'd say my confidence in him was an 8 or 9. My confidence in Mangini as being "the guy" to take this team to the playoffs peaked in training camp this year and now has fallen to a 4 or 5.
Hey, Tony: Although they are 1-4, it does seem that the team is maybe turning a corner and improving. Possibly one or two good drafts this team might be back on top? Is this wishful thinking? -- Alan Wilson, Fredonia, Wis.
Hey, Alan: I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I can't see this team "turning a corner" until it locates its franchise quarterback. There are so many players over 30 and in the final year of their contract that I suspect another roster overhaul is in the offing in 2011.
Hey, Tony: Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'm looking forward to seeing what Colt McCoy will do this weekend. I know the Steelers will be blitzing like crazy, but at some point you have to be able to see what you got in this guy. I have a gut feeling that with the QB class of 2011 being pretty strong, that their future QB will be in next year's first round if they find out McCoy is not the answer. I say better to find out now if this guy can do it than later. What do you think? -- Josh Reed, White Oak, Pa.
Hey, Josh: Agreed. I just think it's unfortunate that McCoy has to make his NFL debut in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. That's a really bad hand for him to play poker with.
Hey, Tony: I read in the PD on Tuesday that Eric Mangini's explanation for Joe Thomas' rough day Sunday was that he was facing John Abraham -- a "great player." I was confused, isn't Joe Thomas supposedly also a "great player?" Help me believe the Joe Thomas hype! -- Brett Ormsby, Bay Village
Hey, Brett: Thomas just had a bad game, his worst as a Brown. I'm not scratching him off my elite player list just yet.
Hey, Tony: Why don't the Browns look at picking up newly released Shawne Merriman? Sure we already have tons of linebackers, but this might just be the anchor to our defense. -- Brett Shaver, West Park, Ohio
Hey, Brett: I don't believe Merriman has done anything since he violated the league's steroids policy.
Hey, Tony: After every fourth quarter letdown we have had, shouldn't coach Mangini be held responsible? To me that's what the head coach's job is -- win games, period. I think Rob Ryan should be promoted to interim head coach immediately. -- Curtis Emrick, Castine
Hey, Curtis: You are correct. The No. 1 job of an NFL head coach is to win. I have said numerous times that I thought Mangini could coach, but I didn't know if he could win. Big difference. If the Browns felt the need to name an interim coach -- which I don't think would happen -- I believe it would be Brad Seely, not Ryan.
-- Tony