We're still several weeks from training camp, but the fans' questions are always in mid-season form.
Until the exhibition season gets underway, don't expect to see the Browns working out against anyone in a different NFL helmet, says Tony Grossi. Scrimmages against other franchises are quickly becoming a part of the league's past.Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns will scrimmage outside of Berea? In the old days they would play the Bills in Edinboro, Pa. Both teams drew huge crowds from their fan base. Is this practice a thing of the past, or could it resume again? -- Dave Nientimp, Erie, Pa.
Hey, Dave: Never say never, but I know that both Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini are against scrimmaging other teams and nothing is scheduled for this summer. Sometimes it takes a relationship between coaches to decide to scrimmage and I don't believe one exists between Mangini and the Bills' Chan Gailey.
Hey, Tony: What do the coaches see in John St. Clair that the fans are missing? Browns fans will disagree about who the starting QB should be, and possibly any other subject but the one thing fans agree on is the value of John St. Clair (or lack thereof). -- Glenn Studevant, Tucson, Ariz.
Hey, Glenn: I imagine what they saw was a big offensive lineman (6-6, 320 pounds) with 10 years of NFL experience. St. Clair had 55 starts with three teams before the Browns signed him in free agency last year. Going the free agent route with offensive linemen is always a risky proposition because they generally are too valuable for teams to let go.
Was the move from defensive end in college to inside linebacker in the NFL too big a leap for David Veikune? The Browns aren't ready to end that experiment this season.Hey, Tony: I always wondered why coach Mangini tried to convert last year's second rounder David Veikune, an end at Hawaii, into an inside linebacker. Seems to me that the more natural position would be outside linebacker. Has he lined up inside or outside during OTAs and what position does the coaching staff project him to play this season? -- Mike Zenobi, Plainfield, Ill.
Hey, Mike: Veikune started out at outside linebacker in minicamp as a rookie, but quickly was moved inside. In trying to explain the difficult transition a college defensive end must make to play linebacker in the NFL, Mangini once brought up Tedy Bruschi as an example. Bruschi played defensive end at University of Arizona and played both outside and inside linebacker in 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. Mangini has said that Veikune will stay at inside linebacker this year.
Hey, Tony: Is Lawrence Vickers going to be relegated to short-yardage situations? If Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison share a backfield, this has to assume at least 3-receiver sets in order to move the extra defender to a more outside position, I should think. I don't see Vickers in this kind of role, even though he is an effective pass catcher. -- Dennis Thompson, Akron
Hey, Dennis: Since Vickers has boycotted OTAs, it's difficult to project what the plans are for him when he returns. He is almost without peer as a traditional lead-blocking fullback. My guess is he would continue to be used in that role. That said, the rotation of the running backs -- Peyton Hillis included -- will be a mystery until we see them line up in training camp.
Hey, Tony: Joe Haden seems to have a swagger to him that I have not seen in a Browns DB since we have been back. What is your take on him and do you see something good gelling with all these new young DBs? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio
Hey, Michael: Swagger isn't what's impressive about Haden. It's his physical play, his willingness and effectiveness to support the run. As one general manager told me at the NFL combine, a cornerback who doesn't tackle on running downs will get you beat.
Hey, Tony: Before the draft, there was an article in which Tom Heckert vowed to stay true to his draft board. He said the worst mistakes he'd ever made on Draft Day came when he reached for positions of need instead of staying true to his board. I hope he did that, but I notice that most of our picks were for positions of need. For example, we needed a cornerback and a safety; sure enough, those were our first two picks. So what are you hearing from folks in Berea? Did the Browns stay true to their draft board, or did they let positions of need dictate some of their selections? -- P.T. Cooper, West Chester, Ohio
Hey, P.T.: I think an example of what Heckert was saying would be if he would have picked safety Earl Thomas ahead of Haden with the first pick. Everyone knew cornerback and safety were positions of need. But we all figured the need at cornerback was lessened by the trade for Sheldon Brown. But Heckert picked Haden first because he had him rated above Thomas.
Sheldon Brown (24, deflecting a pass away from Donte Stallworth) hasn't been joined by enough former Eagles to rival last year's influx of New York Jets to Berea.Hey, Tony: Funny, still haven't seen any Cleveland Eagles comments from you yet -- despite Heckert signing Alex Smith and hiring former Eagles scout Johnathan Stigall. So, has your wit dried up, or were the "Cleveland Jets" comments last year just a byproduct of your fierce anti-Mangini bias? Which is it? -- Kenny Boda, Parma Heights
Hey, Kenny: Since you brought it up, last year Eric Mangini hired at least nine coaches, executives or staff members who formerly worked with him with the Jets or Patriots and eventually signed 11 players who played for him with the Jets. That's at least 20 with connections to him. Two of the executives have since been let go. So far, Heckert has traded for three players who formerly played with the Eagles while he was there and has added at least four scouts or staff members from the Eagles. So my scorecard reads, 18-7, with Mangini's Jets easily leading Heckert's Eagles.
Hey, Tony: In your opinion, how excited should all fans be about the good reports coming out of the OTAs? I'm reading good things about Brian Robiskie, excellent showing by the new quarterbacks, Peyton Hillis has been catching some nice passes out of the backfield, it all sounds good. What do you think? Way to early to tell, quietly optimistic or the Browns should be deep into the playoff hunt between Thanksgiving and Christmas? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio
Hey, Greg: I'm encouraged by what's going on. They've got a lot of distance to make up, but they're gaining ground. It all comes down to the play of the quarterback(s).
Hey, Tony: I believe the Browns will finish 9-7, or 10-6; that's if Jake Delhomme's arm (and body) hold up. Where do you see the Browns finishing in 2010? -- Tim Heinrich, Lakewood
Hey, Tim: My official prediction will be unveiled the week before the season opener, but I would say more than five wins is in the cards. How many more is too early to say.
Hey, Tony: What's the story behind the story of Seattle cutting RB LenDale White after trading for him a few weeks ago? White is reportedly down to 220 pounds. Do you think the Browns would have any interest in adding him? Thanks. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
Hey, Tim: I only know what I've read, that White's practice habits and work ethic were not up to Seattle's standards. He also is facing a four-game suspension by the league. I don't believe the Browns have an interest in White.
Hey, Tony: Now that you've seen both Brady Quinn and Colt McCoy in person, which one has the stronger arm? -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.
Hey, Steve: It's close. I need to see more. I will say that McCoy throws the ball more effortlessly. Quinn's throws just looked to take a great deal of effort.
Hey, Tony: Yahoo.com recently wrote an article about Kwaku Danso, the 28-year-old rookie from Eastern Carolina. I was just wondering if you have had a chance to meet him and if you think he has a real shot at making the team. -- Chris Mangosh, Willoughby
Hey, Chris: Have not met him yet (there are more than 90 players on the roster). If he makes the team, he will be one of the all-time Cinderella stories in NFL and Browns annals.
Seneca Wallace may never start a game for the Browns this season, but the team certainly seems interested in seeing him make some plays.Hey, Tony: I just read your article on the Wildcat with Josh Cribbs and Seneca Wallace being overblown. I was thinking if coach Mangini was showing so much of this offense in hopes to get other teams to waste their practice time, well, didn't we just waste a lot more of our practice Time? -- Josh Phillips, Bellevue
Hey, Josh: I'm not saying it won't be used. My point is that Mangini appears to want opponents to think it's going to be used a lot.
Hey, Tony: If a player sits out while under contract, they are fined for each day that player misses. Why not threaten to do the same -- CBA or no CBA -- in 2011 to put pressure on the players' union to get a deal done? -- Jay Lasky, Dayton
Hey, Jay: Because the players union would never agree to it and it falls under the category of rules that have to be collectively bargained. Then again, nobody knows what to expect if a CBA is not agreed upon by March of 2011.
Hey, Tony: I see Montario Hardesty is raising eyebrows so far ... obviously very early on. But I was curious, what's the word on James Davis? How's he been looking? Is he fully recovered from his injury? -- Brian Henighan, Medina
Hey, Brian: Davis said he's fully recovered from his shoulder injury. I think the additions of Hardesty and Peyton Hillis have made it a steeper climb for Davis up the depth chart.
Hey, Tony: Do the Browns have any interest (or a chance to get) OJ Atogwe? -- Jason Brunner, Elyria
Hey, Jason: Not that I'm aware of.
Hey, Tony: A three-part question about the Browns' safety situation: (1) If T.J. Ward shows enough range and coverage ability, is it possible that he starts at deep/free safety and Abe Elam goes in the box at strong safety? (2) Would moving Ward away from the line of scrimmage lessen the advantage of his hitting ability? (3) Is it possible that sometime later we could see Ward starting with Lary Asante? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.
Hey, Paul: Mangini prefers to designate his safeties right and left, rather than strong and weak. He interchanges them, so that one may play in the box on one play and deep in the field on another. I saw Ward make an interception covering deep down the field on one OTA day. I think they consider him capable of covering NFL tight ends and receivers. I do believe it's possible we could see Ward and Asante starting together at some point, if not immediately.
-- Tony