Cleveland Browns coaching staff must earn players' trust once NFL lockout ends

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Cleveland Browns coaching staff must earn players' trust once NFL lockout ends: Terry Pluto's Talkin'

Published: Sunday, July 10, 2011, 2:10 AM Updated: Sunday, July 10, 2011, 2:40 AM

By Terry Pluto, The Plain DealerThe Plain Dealer


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The Plain DealerNew Browns coach Pat Shurmur has his work cut out for him when the lockout ends.

About the Browns . . .


1. Most fans know about the obvious challenges facing the Browns at the end of the lockout. They have a new head coach in Pat Shurmur, who also will call the plays for the new West Coast offense. They have a new defensive coordinator in Dick Jauron, who will install the new 4-3 defense. And it all must be done in a tight time frame because of the mini-camps being lost to the labor problems.

2. But another issue is relationships. As one NFL coach recently explained to me, when a new staff comes in with new ideas, some players naturally are uneasy. They don't know their new bosses, and they are suspicious of major changes -- and the Browns plan major changes.

3. One way to speed the understanding of X's and O's is for coaches and players to get to know each other. Good communication is critical. Shurmur did retain some coaches from Eric Mangini's staff: Gary Brown (running backs), Jerome Henderson (defensive backs), Steve Hagen (tight ends), George Warhop (offensive linemen), Kent Johnson (strength coach) and Rick Lyle (assistant strength coach). That can help with the players, and it also is a good sign about Shurmur -- too many guys become head coaches and then want to fire the entire staff.

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Running back Montario Hardesty was injured in the final preseason game last year.

4. I hear the Browns will look for another running back once free agency begins. The new coaches absolutely love what they saw of Montario Hardesty on film from his days at Tennessee. And Hardesty is supposed to be fully recovered from his knee surgery. But he does have a history of injuries and surgeries. The Browns don't want to risk him being hurt again and Peyton Hillis being worn down as he was at the end of last season.

5. They won't spend huge money on a running back, but they will look for someone with experience who can be a decent backup. They also plan to shop the list of undrafted college free agents for a back -- and they may sign between 10 and 15 players who were passed over in the last draft.

6. At the end of the season, Floyd "Porkchop" Womack indicated he'd like to re-sign with the Browns. If the interest remains, the Browns may bring back Womack -- and add him to Tony Pashos, hoping to hold down right tackle. According to profootballfocus.com, Womack played 174 snaps at right tackle and came out with higher grades than Pashos or John St. Clair (whose ratings were poor).

7. One area where the Browns may be in decent shape is the offensive line, because there aren't many changes. Warhop returns as coach. Pro Bowlers Alex Mack (center) and Joe Thomas (left tackle) are back. Veteran Eric Steinbach will be the left guard, and the Browns have high hopes for second-year man Shawn Lauvao at right guard. As of now, the projected candidates for right tackle are Womack and Pashos.

8. The Browns picked first- team All-Big East left tackle Jason Pinkston in the fifth round. They believe he can play guard or tackle, but it's hard to imagine him playing a lot immediately. Nonetheless, it is important to keep adding young blockers with some talent.

9. Before the lockout, the Browns had scheduled rookies to report on July 25, the entire squad on July 28. Whenever they do arrive, a big concern will be the physical condition of the players. That will vary widely, as some took workouts seriously and others did not. But very few will be in the same condition as players who work out in their team's facility during the off-seasons when there is no lockout.

10. The fact that Colt McCoy has been able to get most of the receivers into his voluntary camps is an asset, because the quarterback does have the basic patterns and passing plays that will be used in the West Coast offense. They can work on those and develop some timing.

11. It's doubtful the Browns will use Joshua Cribbs much as a wide receiver. They want to sort through the group of Mohamed Massaquoi, Greg Little, Brian Robiskie and Carlton Mitchell (the front office likes him a lot). But they will have open competition for a slot receiver, and Cribbs could be in that mix along with Jordan Norwood and perhaps a veteran who is signed.

12. I will be talking about my book "Things I've Learned From Watching The Browns" and other subjects at the Bay Village Library on Thursday at 7 p.m. Call 440-871-6392 for more information.

Cleveland Browns coaching staff must earn players' trust once NFL lockout ends: Terry Pluto's Talkin' | cleveland.com

[Aaron Aloysius]

Rotoworld mentions Kevin Smith as a cheap FA back the Browns could pursue: I think he'd make a lot of sense.

As for undrafted RBs, Mario Fannin makes a lot of sense. He's a big boy, like our current guys, but he's got some speed and is feisty in blitz pickup. Derrick Locke and Noel Devine are two small speedsters the team could look at, but I'm not sure they fit what the team's looking for.

Perhaps WVU RB/WR Jock Sanders could do double duty: he's done some good work as a threat out of the backfield and could compete for that slot receiver spot. I don't have any prospect videos, but this highlight reel gives you a sense of what Sanders can do.