Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about an emerging Browns receiver, an unfair criticism and the Indians' need for defense

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Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about an emerging Browns receiver, an unfair criticism and the Indians' need for defense

Published: Saturday, October 01, 2011, 11:41 PM
By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The leaves are turning and temperatures are dropping. But in Northeast Ohio, we're always talkin' ...
About the Browns ...

1. The coaches believe Mohamed Massaquoi is ready to make a major impact as a receiver in the West Coast offense. Not much went right early this season for Massaquoi, who missed most of training camp and all four preseason games because of a foot injury. Then, he pulled a hamstring. Only now is he reasonably close to 100 percent physically. That leaping catch to win Sunday's game in the end zone displayed his athleticism and big play ability.

2. The coaches also love Massaquoi's self-discipline and attention to detail. He is averaging 5.4 yards after the catch (YAC), and that is expected to improve as Massaquoi plays more in the new system. Like Brian Robiskie, Massaquoi was a second-round pick of Eric Mangini in 2009. While Massaquoi's stock has risen with the new coaches, Robiskie (zero catches in 104 snaps) continues to sink. He has gone from 47 to 26 to 31 snaps in the three games and only been targeted with three passes.

3. Robiskie's problem is that he can't seem to get open early, and he lacks the speed to be a deep threat. The Browns like Massaquoi's quickness. He has eight catches, and is averaging 18.5 yardsper reception. He is a legitimate deep threat, but also can run the short, possession patterns.

4. According to Profootballfocus.com, Colt McCoy is tied with Chad Henne for taking the most quarterback hits this season. Those are plays where the quarterback is knocked down after throwing a pass. Henne and McCoy lead with 21. Aaron Rodgers has only four. Tennessee's Matt Hasselbeck (the Browns opponent this week) has been hit nine times, sacked four times.

5. The Browns did look at some video and said correctly that some of the time, McCoy throws off-balance and falls down when barely touched. They don't believe that he is taking one of the NFL's worst poundings after three weeks. They are thrilled that he has only three sacks -- the only starting QBs with fewer are Ryan Fitzpatrick (1) and Jason Campbell (2).

6. But the Browns also know that until the right tackle situation is stabilized, McCoy will deal with some serious pressure. They not only hope that Tony Pashos can play for the first time this season, but also that the veteran right tackle can be reliable. Because of injuries, Pashos has played only 11 games in two years.

7. Because Artis Hicks and Oniel Cousins have been so inconsistent -- there is a reason both were on the waiver wire before the season -- the Browns have had to play tight end Alex Smith a lot to help with blocking. With Smith in the game, it has cut down snaps available to Evan Moore -- a terrific receiver, but not a good blocker because of his history of knee injuries.

8. Being right-handed, McCoy often rolls to the right side -- where the line is its weakest. The Eric Steinbach season-ending back injury also led to this situation. Steinbach had missed only three games in his first eight seasons. Had he remained healthy and in his usual left guard spot, rookie Jason Pinkston would probably be the starting right tackle. Pinkston had done a decent job at left guard, and they have no intention of moving him.

9. The Browns will probably put together a package to control the ball, get McCoy some easy completions and see if they can establish the running game with both Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. In the first quarter, McCoy is 9-of-18, but only for 55 yards. By far, it's his worst quarter. His best is the second (17-of-29, 4 TDs). The Browns have been outscored, 20-0, in the first quarter.

10. D'Qwell Jackson's comeback from two pectoral surgeries in two years -- limiting him to only six games -- has been amazing. He has played all 214 defensive snaps, the only Brown to do so. Next are Sheldon Brown and Joe Haden at 213, followed by T.J. Ward (211), Scott Fujita (210) and Jayme Mitchell (202). The Browns gambled Jackson could return because they really had no other options at middle linebacker. Chris Gocong can play there, and Titus Brown is being groomed as a backup. But Jackson is the one truly made for the position.

About Peyton Hillis ...

I just don't buy it. I don't buy the hints that Peyton Hillis is soft because he sat out a game with a strep throat.

I don't buy the whispers that his unsettled contract situation had something to do with missing Sunday's game against Miami. Or that he was upset because Montario Hardesty was written in for a few carries.

I buy the obvious: He was sick and weak and both he and the team thought it made no sense for him to play. Hillis loves football, took a physical pounding last season and has never been afraid to risk his body. It would make more sense for the halfback to try and run around some tacklers rather than run through them.

Hillis ranked sixth in the NFL among running backs with 776 snaps played last season. He hates to come off the field. If it were a playoff game, maybe Hillis would have tried to play. But in the third game of the season, it made no sense to take any chances.

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