Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' young talent

[BernietheKid]

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' young talent
Published: Sunday, February 06, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer


Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer
Safety T.J. Ward, a second-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, is one of four Browns who received praise from the Web site Profootballfocus.com for their play in the AFC North.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Like falling snowflakes, there are an abundance of thoughts about Cleveland's big-league teams

About the Browns ...

1. One of my favorite NFL Web sites is Profootballfocus.com. It picked an all-AFC North team. The following Browns were picked the best at their positions: Running back -- Peyton Hillis. Pass-catching tight end -- Ben Watson. Cornerback (one of two) -- Joe Haden. Special teams coverage -- T.J. Ward.

2. Let's look in depth at Ward, the second-rounder who started at safety and led the defense in snaps -- he was on the field 98 percent of the time. Profootballfocus rated him No. 24 out of 61 starting safeties, a strong rookie performance. Remember how the Browns wanted Eric Berry in the draft? He went No. 5 overall to Kansas City, and the Browns took Haden instead. Well, at No. 18 among safeties, Berry didn't rate that much higher than Ward.

3. Here's the disclaimer: I don't understand how Profootballfocus rates the players in every area, as it is complicated. I also know the site can be wrong, as it doesn't know the coverage and blocking schemes of every team. But it rated the Eagles' Quintin Mikell as the top safety. Ed Reed was No. 4, Troy Polamalu was No. 5. By the way, Mikell was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State by Tom Heckert, the current Browns GM.

4. Among safeties, Ward is rated 10th against the run, but only 47th in pass coverage. His partner at safety this past season was Abe Elam, who played only eight fewer snaps than Ward. Elam ranked No. 43 among the 61 safeties. Because Elam and Ward played the most snaps on defense, it underlines the need to find another safety. If they had a backup, it was Michael Adams. Ideally, the Browns need to find a playmaker to team with Ward, and Elam then would be a quality backup -- rather than a below-average starter.

5. Here's what the site had to say about Haden, picked as one of the two best cornerbacks in the AFC North: "Looks like the best cornerback to come out since Darrelle Revis, with a real ability for making plays (and not just in coverage). We'll have our eyes firmly on this guy next year, because he could be something truly special."

6. I will be speaking about my book "What I Learned From Watching the Browns" at the Elyria Public Library on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It's free to the public.

About the West Coast offense ...

1. The Browns know they need an impact receiver, and they are looking at both the draft and free agency. But they also believe the change to the West Coast offense with a variety of short passes delivered "in stride" to receivers can mean more effectiveness for Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi. The belief is the previous offense didn't make a significant commitment to throwing to the wide receivers, especially near the sidelines. Mostly, they were told to run deep -- not the strength for either of them.

2. Tight end Ben Watson was thrown a team-high 102 passes, and he'll continue to be a main weapon -- especially in the middle of the field. Hillis came next in terms of being a target -- having 77 passes thrown his way. Then came Massaquoi (75), Chansi Stuckey (63), Robiskie (50) and Joshua Cribbs (39).

3. The new coaches believe the offense often settled for passes to Watson and Hillis, rather than create schemes more favorable for receivers. Odds are the Browns will bring in only one significant receiver. They have so many other needs to fill. The current receivers will be given a fresh start and a chance to find a job in the new offense. But they will have to prove they can catch passes near the sidelines.

4. The Browns also think sixth-rounder Carlton Mitchell (who didn't catch a pass last season) can help, if given a chance. They see him as a gifted 6-foot-3, 215-pound athlete who can run well with the ball after catching short passes.

5. And yes, they are sold on Colt McCoy as a West Coast quarterback. They believe his accuracy, quick release and ability to throw while on the run all fit the new system. He also has the maturity and football IQ that the new coaches want.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' young talent, the Tribe's potential power source and the younger Cavaliers | cleveland.com

[Brown Warrior]

The Browns have some very nice foundational players: Thomas, Mack, Hillis, McCoy, Vickers, Watson, Cribbs, Rubin, Fujita, Haden, and Ward. That's 11. Not a ton, but the talent cupboard isn't bare.

We really need to find about five more this offseason.

[Franchise]

I want to see mitchell get a chance.

[OconRecon]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

5. And yes, they are sold on Colt McCoy as a West Coast quarterback. They believe his accuracy, quick release and ability to throw while on the run all fit the new system. He also has the maturity and football IQ that the new coaches want.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' young talent, the Tribe's potential power source and the younger Cavaliers | cleveland.com

After the Quinn/Anderson thing, I'm soooo happy to read this. Colt isn't perfect, but thank goodness we're giving him a real chance.

What happens with Delhomme BTW? Was he a one year deal with an option?

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by OconRecon

After the Quinn/Anderson thing, I'm soooo happy to read this. Colt isn't perfect, but thank goodness we're giving him a real chance.

What happens with Delhomme BTW? Was he a one year deal with an option?

Delhomme, 35, agreed to terms on a two-year deal, agent Rick Smith confirmed for The Plain Dealer.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde..._quarterb.html

[nickers]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

Delhomme, 35, agreed to terms on a two-year deal, agent Rick Smith confirmed for The Plain Dealer.

QB Jake Delhomme agrees to 2-year deal with Cleveland Browns | cleveland.com

I say most likely they dump his salary...Keep Wallace and draft a kid to groom.

[Brown Warrior]

I'm pretty sure the second year isn't guaranteed. Rarely is. I've read a lot of year-end summaries assuming that Delhomme won't be back.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

I'm pretty sure the second year isn't guaranteed. Rarely is. I've read a lot of year-end summaries assuming that Delhomme won't be back.

His second year isn't guaranteed. I remember when he signed the contract that they noted that. Wallace is a FA and is going to want some money thrown his way, but that's okay.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

His second year isn't guaranteed. I remember when he signed the contract that they noted that. Wallace is a FA and is going to want some money thrown his way, but that's okay.

Wallace also thinks he should have a chance at being the starter. I say throw a grand out the back door and lock it when he goes out to get it.....

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

Wallace also thinks he should have a chance at being the starter. I say throw a grand out the back door and lock it when he goes out to get it.....

and knowing that most NFL teams need to go to their #2 and some their #3 during a season...............................your solution is what?

Wallace is a WCO type QB with NFL experience. He can manage a game. He is far from a broken down veteran and better then the DAs, and Quinns that will make their way through the league as career backups.

[Brown Warrior]

It'd be kinda crazy to let Wallace walk. He's like the ideal WCO backup QB. He was bummed that the Browns went back to Delhomme instead of him... and I find it REALLY hard to not agree. He's just way, WAY better at this point in their careers.

[Sez.EJ]

Wallace or Delhomme make good backups given adequate protection.