When the Browns return to the field for the opening of training camp in about seven weeks, these figure to be the major storylines to follow in the exhibition season.
Joe Haden did enough in the Browns minicamp to show he'll contend for a starting position in the fall. With veteran Sheldon Brown a likely starter, does that mean third-cornerback duties for Eric Wright?CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Browns report to duty July 30, these should be the prominent story lines of their 2010 training camp:
• How do coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll divide playing time among new quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy, and give Brett Ratliff a fair shot to make the team?
Playoff-caliber teams use the preseason to prepare their starter for the season. Mangini has been hesitant to name his starter heading into training camp. He hasn't declared an open competition, but has said he intends to give Delhomme and Wallace time with the first-team offense.
Presumably, Wallace will be acclimated into a Wildcat role in some packages with Josh Cribbs. The theory is that when Wallace is on the field, defenses can't automatically assume a Wildcat play is coming because Wallace could just as soon execute the regular offense.
Although Delhomme is new to the team and the offensive system in place, the club feels his experience will make up for any lost snaps.
McCoy and Ratliff will compete for the No.3 role. Keeping four quarterbacks wouldn't seem to be a luxury the team can afford.
• Can Montario Hardesty hold down the No.1 feature-back role?
The power of rookie running back Montario Hardesty could make him a strong starting candidate when fall camp gets underway, says Tony Grossi.The second-round pick from Tennessee got a jump start on the job when Jerome Harrison initially stayed out of OTAs. Hardesty impressed the coaches with his knowledge of the position and his assignments in blitz pickup and receiving out of the backfield.
Harrison's heroic, late-season surge evidently didn't convince the club he could do it over 16 games, else it wouldn't have traded into the second round to select Hardesty.
• Do the receivers justify the team's confidence in them?
Mohamed Massaquoi, Cribbs, Brian Robiskie and Chansi Stuckey had more good days than bad in OTAs. Privately, coaches are instilling a "we're just threes and fours" mentality into the group, reminiscent of the Deion Branch-David Givens New England Super Bowl championship team. In other words, there's no classic No.1 receiver on the team, so everyone has to pitch in.
Sixth-round rookie Carlton Mitchell and undrafted rookie Johnathan Haggerty also will compete, but the lesson of last year is don't expect much from rookie wideouts.
• Where will Shaun Rogers line up on the defensive front?
Ahtyba Rubin's stout play at nose tackle in Rogers' absence kindled thoughts of moving Rogers to end when healthy. Rogers' rehab from ankle surgery kept him on the sidelines in OTAs, but he is supposed to be ready for the start of camp.
Rogers' mind-set about a potential move is unknown because he has declined all interview requests since his gun-related arrest at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on April 1.
• Can D'Qwell Jackson win back his starting spot at weakside inside linebacker?
Jackson's season-ending injury and subsequent contract dispute made him a forgotten man at a crowded position. The additions of Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong illuminated Mangini's philosophy to field linebackers with the versatility to play inside and outside. Of 12 linebackers in camp, Jackson is one of the few without that versatility.
• Will rookie Joe Haden and veteran pickup Sheldon Brown knock Eric Wright to the No.3 cornerback spot?
Wright is entering the final year of his contract and has given off vibes of expecting a big payday. While his coverage skills have steadily improved, Wright remains a liability in run defense.
While shorter than Wright, Haden is a more physical corner -- at least at Florida -- willing and able to stick his head in against the run. The seventh player taken in any draft is expected to be an instant contributor. And the Browns didn't give Brown $5 million after trading for him to play in sub defenses.
Of course, all three will receive considerable playing time as opponents field three receivers. But corners have to play the run in Mangini's defense and Wright had the benefit last year of being the best of a weak bunch.
• Will either rookie safety crack the starting lineup in his first year?
Second-round pick T.J. Ward has more coverage ability than fifth-rounder Larry Asante and both are big hitters. Asante's selection almost seemed like insurance because of Ward's injury history.
If Ward is able to stay healthy, he could be the enforcer so lacking in the secondary and set up a competition between Abram Elam and Mike Adams at the other spot. Asante should be expected to be a core player on special teams.