There's a groundswell of optimism among Browns fans after the team's busy minicamp season.
Phil Dawson has been the Browns' leading scorer in 10 of the team's 11 seasons since its 1999 return.Hey, Tony: Since joining the Browns in 1999, how many years has Phil Dawson been in the top three for points scored by a Cleveland Browns player? -- TC Coan, Dayton, Ohio
Hey, TC: In 11 seasons, Dawson has led the team in scoring 10 times. He was second in 1999 by one point to running back Terry Kirby.
Hey, Tony: Nice write-up on Phil Dawson. Where does his field-goal conversion percentage rank among other kickers from last year? Just wondering for comparison's sake since it was omitted from your story. Thanks. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
Hey, Tim: Dawson was 17-of-19 last year for an .895 mark. The only kickers better were: Neil Rackers of Arizona (.941), Ryan Longwell of Minnesota (.929), Olindo Mare of Seattle (.923), Nate Kaeding of San Diego (.914) and Sebastian Janikowski of Oakland (.897).
Hey, Tony: I understand your long-standing refusal to talk about the Browns' uniforms. However, maybe my question/suggestion can be an exception to the rule.
In 1989, the Browns started wearing brown jerseys at home -- and it's been tough going pretty much ever since. Now, I'm not superstitious enough to believe that the switch from "home whites" to "darks" has a lot to do with their current lowly state. I am, however, aware that most of the Browns' on-field success (the championship seasons to the more recent Kosar era) occurred while the team wore white jerseys at home. Coincidence? Maybe, but if I were running the show I'd be willing to see if a switch back helped.
Your thoughts? Furthermore, is there an NFL rule that says that the home team must wear dark jerseys? -- Rob Keel, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Hey, Rob: Home teams can select to wear white or dark. The decision must be submitted before the season. You do realize, I'm sure, that what color jersey a team wears has no bearing on how it performs.
Hey, Tony: After lobbying for the dismissal of coach Eric Mangini for much of last year, I'm actually glad team President Mike Holmgren decided to keep him around. I'm also very excited about the new front office and revamped scouting departments. Things seem to finally be in place for a long overdue resurgence. All that said, I do have one concern and it's spelled E-G-O. If Mangini manages to become a winning coach, thus gaining more credibility with the team and around the league, would you anticipate him trying to wrestle power away from GM Tom Heckert and/or Holmgren? As it stands right now, Mangini must feel lucky (and thankful) to have a head coaching job. However, if the wins come, Mangini may feel he has earned more say in other areas of the organization and a damaging power struggle could ensue. Legitimate concern? -- Brennan Taylor, Nashville, Tenn.
Hey, Brennan: I'm not saying Mangini would try to wrestle away more authority. You are. That said, I've seen it happen time and again. When a coach wins, he gains power within his organization. The best organizations have an authority above the coach to monitor power plays and preserve the flow chart that works best for the common goal of winning.
Hey, Tony: It seems like Carlton Mitchell and Jonathan Haggerty are both impressing during practice. Is there a chance both make the roster and if they do, how many receivers do you think the Browns will carry? -- Chris Mangosh, Willoughby
Hey, Chris: I would guess one makes the roster and one heads to the practice squad. As we learned again last year, rookie receivers struggle in their first NFL season. I wouldn't get overly excited about the touch football portion of the preseason.
The sight of experienced football men such as GM Tom Heckert (left) and Browns president Mike Holmgren flanking No. 1 draft pick Joe Haden has some fans feeling like the tide has finally turned for the often-beleagured franchise.Hey, Tony: I see the Browns being at least .500 this season. What is your take on how many games the Browns will win? -- Johnny D'ambrosia, Garfield Heights
Hey, Johnny: My early take: more than last season. I'll be more specific after exhibition season.
Hey, Tony: How impressed or surprised are you with how things have shaped up? I mean if you think about it, we got Mike Holmgren (would you have ever thought that?), a good proven GM in Tom Heckert, kept Eric Mangini, shipped out two QBs, got two new QBs, landed the champion Saints' defensive leader, got Sheldon Brown, Chris Gocong ... it's mind-boggling to think about in my opinion, not to mention I'm still leaving things out. So, how impressed and positive are you about things, and can you ever remember this much turnover in the Browns in all your time covering them? -- Eric Myers, Victoria, Minn.
Hey, Eric: I'm an expert on regime turnovers, believe me. Every two years, I see unbelievable turnover. Sometimes, it happens from year to year. Overall, let's say I'm encouraged by what I see. But I'm optimistic by nature.
Hey, Tony: What are the odds the Browns make a bid for veteran receiver Patrick Crayton? The Browns and the Cowboys have been willing trade partners in the past. Also, with all the backs currently on the roster, James Davis appears to be expendable. Do you suppose the Browns may offer Davis and maybe a 2011 late-round pick for a solid veteran wideout? -- Greg Stelz, Durango, Colo.
Hey, Greg: I'm taking the Browns at their word that they are comfortable with their receiving corps. At this point, I would be surprised if they traded for a wideout but not if they added one through waivers or free agency.
Hey, Tony: What are your thoughts on Joel Reinders, the undrafted right tackle from Canada? Like you and the Browns' brass, I saw the YouTube video and was impressed. Is there any potential to make the final roster, or is he practice-squad bound?
Also, would the Browns sign Jake Delhomme again if they knew the price on Donovan McNabb would go so low and the ensuing availability of Jason Campbell? -- Darius, Rittman
Hey, Darius: 1. My thoughts on Reinders is let's see him block first in a game or a full-speed practice before measuring him for a bronze bust. 2. Yes. Mike Holmgren told me he did not want to part with a high draft choice for a quarterback. Plus, I don't believe he ever thought McNabb would agree to a trade here. Everyone knew Campbell would be available and Holmgren had a higher opinion of Delhomme.
Hey, Tony: Two questions. 1.) Has Tony Pashos shown that he has recovered from last season's injury and is he the RT the Browns need; and 2.) Have any of the current offensive linemen with four or fewer years experience shown potential to be the young left tackle backup you have often said the Browns need ? -- Alan Fojt, Manassas, Va.
Hey, Alan: 1. Pashos shows no sign yet of not having recovered from his injury. 2. To be honest, I can't make that judgment based on touch football practices.
Hey, Tony: I know you just wrote an article about the starting QB situation. What is Eric Mangini thinking? I know he wants to be secretive and keep the opposing defenses guessing, but I am pretty sure 99.9 percent of the league knows Jake Delhomme will be our starter next season. Mangini is not fooling anyone with this smokescreen. I only really had two complaints about Mangini last year: 1.) His handling of the draft/GM abilities; 2.) Handling of the QB situation (the ever-rotating carousel).
Do you think the Browns are correct when they decided not to sign a veteran WR (i.e. Torry Holt)? I think the Browns' wideouts should show a tremendous increase in production this year just because we can throw a quick slant pattern accurately! -- Chris Connors, Shaker Heights
Tony fully expects Chris Gocong to grab a starting spot and help improve the Browns' linebacker play this fall.Hey, Chris: I just don't see the harm in stating, "Delhomme's the starting quarterback heading into training camp." It doesn't guarantee him the job for life -- just for the start of camp. People I've talked to say Holt doesn't have much to offer at this point in his career. We'll see what the Patriots get out of him. I agree that quarterback accuracy was horrendous last year -- the worst I've seen since Paul McDonald in 1984. Improved accuracy surely has to help the receivers improve.
Hey, Tony: I know it's early, and hard to give exact lineups because of injuries and different packages but what do you believe the Week 1 lineups will look like? -- Ryan Gaskey, Plano, Texas
Hey, Ryan: Offense: LT -- Joe Thomas, LG -- Eric Steinbach, C -- Alex Mack, RG -- Shawn Lauvao, RT -- Tony Pashos, WRs -- Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, TE -- Benjamin Watson, RBs -- Montario Hardesty, Lawrence Vickers, QB -- Jake Delhomme.
Defense: LE -- Kenyon Coleman, NT -- Ahtyba Rubin, RE -- Shawn Rogers, LBs -- Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, David Bowens, Matt Roth, CBs -- Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, S -- Abram Elam, Mike Adams.
Hey, Tony: What is your opinion of Jake Delhomme so far? I was watching some highlights of Jake on YouTube and the song, "Hot N Cold" was playing. On these highlights he could throw a really nice pass but then throw right into double coverage. He also appeared to struggle with the defenders when they would fade into the passing lanes. It was hard to tell if all those picks were his fault or receivers were running incorrect routes. -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio
Hey, Greg: Everybody knows Delhomme had a horrible season in 2009. The Browns believe it was an aberration. We'll find out soon enough. He looked good most of the time in minicamp.
-- Tony