Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' new atmosphere, Cavs' coaching candidates

[BernietheKid]

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' new atmosphere, Cavs' coaching candidates and the Tribe's need for strong arms

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

May 30, 2010, 3:51AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On a lazy holiday weekend, there's plenty about the local pro teams that prompt Terry Pluto to be talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. It's hard to even compare the team during off-season drills to what was happening a year ago. Everything from knowing who will be the quarterback (Jake Delhomme) to the "Big Boss" (as Mike Holmgren has called himself) to who feels more relaxed as coach (Eric Mangini), to a general manager/super scout (Tom Heckert) has to add up to the Browns being a better team.

2. The Browns now have a business model in place that is much like the Baltimore Ravens, where President Ozzie Newsome is the Big Boss. The general manager role (once held by Phil Savage) is Tom Heckert's. Then the coach knows he is there to coach, and not have to worry about the draft, trades, contracts and other front office activities.

3. While some fans were hoping for a coaching change, you can see the wisdom of keeping Mangini and his key staff members. The players and coaches know what to expect from each other. There is a sense of order, discipline and focus. Far fewer players are running laps for missed assignment or penalties than a year ago.

4. That said, it's obvious offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has spent a lot of time with Gil Haskell, a former coordinator who is Holmgren's special assistant. The Browns will not -- repeat, will not -- be a team with a West Coast offense. But they are adding some elements.
John Kuntz / The Plain DealerGil Haskell (left)

is not the Browns offensive coordinator, and Mike Holmgren is not the coach. But it's hard not to sense how both men have changed the atmosphere in Berea, along with GM Tom Heckert.

5. More importantly, they seem to be running wild with ideas for Seneca Wallace and Joshua Cribbs in the double Wildcat formation. They are being bold, showing the media plays where Wallace throws to Cribbs, and Cribbs throws to Wallace. Long snaps can go to either player. They both can run and throw. Cribbs claims it will be nearly impossible for any team to prepare in one week for all the variety the Browns have planned.

6. Never forget that Cribbs averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, 381 yards in 55 attempts. For his career, Wallace has gained 214 yards (4.0 average) in 54 carries. Wallace may be 5-11 in very tall cleats, but he has a strong, accurate arm and throws well off the run.

7. The Browns have been pleased with Delhomme, who has made few poor throws. One of those was Thursday, firing into double coverage for an easy interception. They are working with him to avoid the risky passes. At 35, he can't fire the ball into those small spaces as he did a few years ago. He has been very receptive. He does a good job keeping the offensive organized.

8. Yes, Brian Robiskie has been the receiving star of the camp, but Chansi Stuckey has quietly impressed, showing excellent hands and precise pass patterns to get open. He had a rocky season with the Browns, joining the team for the final 11 games (19 catches, six drops) after the Braylon Edwards deal. The coaches believe he is returning to the form of 2008 when he gave hints of being a promising possession slot receiver.

9. Talk about a broken play on my part. Mike Knapp emailed: "[Last Sunday] you wrote that Brian Robiskie set career records at Ohio State for catches (118) and touchdown receptions (34). Not even close to being accurate. Robiskie had 127 catches (eighth all time) and 24 touchdown catches (fourth all time). David Boston has the OSU career receptions record with 191 and touchdowns with 34." By the way, Robiskie caught only one pass and played special teams as a freshman for the Buckeyes, then his career took off. Could the same thing happen with the Browns?

10. No idea if we'll be even mentioning this guy in the fall, but the coaches have been impressed with undrafted free agent receiver Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds). It wasn't easy to find information on the all-time leading receiver in Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) school history, but Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News wrote this: "Haggerty was a four-year starter and two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection. He caught 54 passes with a 13.9-yard average and six touchdowns in 2009. That didn't get the NFL's attention -- he wasn't invited to the annual scouting combine -- but his workout on campus did. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash in front of 18 scouts on his pro day."

11. In a recent meeting, the coaches asked themselves, "Has anyone noticed Montario?" What they meant was whether anyone saw Tennessee's Montario Hardesty line up in the wrong spot, run the wrong play, seem unprepared or overwhelmed. They said he doesn't seem like a rookie, because he's been very solid.

12. Because the players aren't in pads and there is no tackling, these camps favor players with speed and underrate those who hit hard and break tackles. That all changes in the summer when training camp starts. Nonetheless, Nebraska safety Larry Asante has been impressive in coverage and with his overall play. That's encouraging, because the best part of the rookie's game is supposed to be his tackling.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' new atmosphere, Cavs' coaching candidates and the Tribe's need for strong arms | cleveland.com

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' new atmosphere, Cavs' coaching candidates and the Tribe's need for strong arms

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

May 30, 2010, 3:51AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On a lazy holiday weekend, there's plenty about the local pro teams that prompt Terry Pluto to be talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. It's hard to even compare the team during off-season drills to what was happening a year ago. Everything from knowing who will be the quarterback (Jake Delhomme) to the "Big Boss" (as Mike Holmgren has called himself) to who feels more relaxed as coach (Eric Mangini), to a general manager/super scout (Tom Heckert) has to add up to the Browns being a better team.

2. The Browns now have a business model in place that is much like the Baltimore Ravens, where President Ozzie Newsome is the Big Boss. The general manager role (once held by Phil Savage) is Tom Heckert's. Then the coach knows he is there to coach, and not have to worry about the draft, trades, contracts and other front office activities.

3. While some fans were hoping for a coaching change, you can see the wisdom of keeping Mangini and his key staff members. The players and coaches know what to expect from each other. There is a sense of order, discipline and focus. Far fewer players are running laps for missed assignment or penalties than a year ago.

4. That said, it's obvious offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has spent a lot of time with Gil Haskell, a former coordinator who is Holmgren's special assistant. The Browns will not -- repeat, will not -- be a team with a West Coast offense. But they are adding some elements.
John Kuntz / The Plain DealerGil Haskell (left)

is not the Browns offensive coordinator, and Mike Holmgren is not the coach. But it's hard not to sense how both men have changed the atmosphere in Berea, along with GM Tom Heckert.

5. More importantly, they seem to be running wild with ideas for Seneca Wallace and Joshua Cribbs in the double Wildcat formation. They are being bold, showing the media plays where Wallace throws to Cribbs, and Cribbs throws to Wallace. Long snaps can go to either player. They both can run and throw. Cribbs claims it will be nearly impossible for any team to prepare in one week for all the variety the Browns have planned.

6. Never forget that Cribbs averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, 381 yards in 55 attempts. For his career, Wallace has gained 214 yards (4.0 average) in 54 carries. Wallace may be 5-11 in very tall cleats, but he has a strong, accurate arm and throws well off the run.

7. The Browns have been pleased with Delhomme, who has made few poor throws. One of those was Thursday, firing into double coverage for an easy interception. They are working with him to avoid the risky passes. At 35, he can't fire the ball into those small spaces as he did a few years ago. He has been very receptive. He does a good job keeping the offensive organized.

8. Yes, Brian Robiskie has been the receiving star of the camp, but Chansi Stuckey has quietly impressed, showing excellent hands and precise pass patterns to get open. He had a rocky season with the Browns, joining the team for the final 11 games (19 catches, six drops) after the Braylon Edwards deal. The coaches believe he is returning to the form of 2008 when he gave hints of being a promising possession slot receiver.

9. Talk about a broken play on my part. Mike Knapp emailed: "[Last Sunday] you wrote that Brian Robiskie set career records at Ohio State for catches (118) and touchdown receptions (34). Not even close to being accurate. Robiskie had 127 catches (eighth all time) and 24 touchdown catches (fourth all time). David Boston has the OSU career receptions record with 191 and touchdowns with 34." By the way, Robiskie caught only one pass and played special teams as a freshman for the Buckeyes, then his career took off. Could the same thing happen with the Browns?

10. No idea if we'll be even mentioning this guy in the fall, but the coaches have been impressed with undrafted free agent receiver Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds). It wasn't easy to find information on the all-time leading receiver in Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) school history, but Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News wrote this: "Haggerty was a four-year starter and two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection. He caught 54 passes with a 13.9-yard average and six touchdowns in 2009. That didn't get the NFL's attention -- he wasn't invited to the annual scouting combine -- but his workout on campus did. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash in front of 18 scouts on his pro day."

11. In a recent meeting, the coaches asked themselves, "Has anyone noticed Montario?" What they meant was whether anyone saw Tennessee's Montario Hardesty line up in the wrong spot, run the wrong play, seem unprepared or overwhelmed. They said he doesn't seem like a rookie, because he's been very solid.

12. Because the players aren't in pads and there is no tackling, these camps favor players with speed and underrate those who hit hard and break tackles. That all changes in the summer when training camp starts. Nonetheless, Nebraska safety Larry Asante has been impressive in coverage and with his overall play. That's encouraging, because the best part of the rookie's game is supposed to be his tackling.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' new atmosphere, Cavs' coaching candidates and the Tribe's need for strong arms | cleveland.com

Thanks for sharing that BTK! If you look at #6 above I want you all to forget 1 very important thing: all the hot air your buddy Flugel was full of when he said teams will shutdown that sandlot stuff in 2010. Goof ball!

I LIKED the stuff about Robiskie because it shows us an example his work ethic shines through a challenging growth process at the change in levels. History is a warranted subject of study anywhere.

Hardesty will add some dimensions to our short passing game that were lacking before him.

- Tom F.

[Shep]

Have to think Assante is one of the big positives to come out of the OTAs thus far. While many believed Ward COULD cover when given a chance, most saw Assante as a one-dimensional box player. He's looked quicker and better in coverage than expected.

Imagine when the pads are on. Somebody said Assante is the hardest hitting safety he's seen in years. Might have been Steuber. If I'm Abe Elam, I get my ass into camp.

Roth and Jackson have the most leverage, I think. The linebacking crew looks REALLY thin without them and it's pretty well known that Mangini thinks very highly of both. But it seems inevitable that both will eventually show up.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Originally Posted by Shep

Have to think Assante is one of the big positives to come out of the OTAs thus far. While many believed Ward COULD cover when given a chance, most saw Assante as a one-dimensional box player. He's looked quicker and better in coverage than expected.

Imagine when the pads are on. Somebody said Assante is the hardest hitting safety he's seen in years. Might have been Steuber. If I'm Abe Elam, I get my ass into camp.

Roth and Jackson have the most leverage, I think. The linebacking crew looks REALLY thin without them and it's pretty well known that Mangini thinks very highly of both. But it seems inevitable that both will eventually show up.

+1 right there alone.

I don't think anyone in our fan base is high on Elam and if Asante especially is impressing, with Ward's expectations pretty firmly in place. Elam could find himself on the bench to start the year if these rookies play well in Training Camp / Pre-Season. It's still too early to tell but I'm really enjoying all the buzz I keep hearing about Asante.

[YtownBacker]

I think there was a strong reason they drafted (2) two strong safety types this year and I don't tink it was because Elam gave them a warm and fuzzy feeling with his play last year. I know he is a Mangini UDFA find but he hasn't found a way to get to that next level.

As far as Roth and Jackson. I would love to see Roth come in and have them do a long term contract at the end of camp. I can see that the new front office wants to see him through training camp to determine if he's a guy that will play to the same level as he did last year when under a long term contract. Remember they got fed up with his whinning about a contract in Miami and cut him loose. As for Jackson, I can take him or not. Honestly, I think his time as a starter will be limited. I can see him splitting time at WILB because that's the only position he can play. No versility in a Ryan/Mangini defense means limited time on the field. The idea of not being the guy at the WILB spot might very well mean that a long term contract can't be earned and he might know that. I know some here are impressed with Jackson but, for me, he is a out of position guy in the 3-4 and will always just be average. Doesn't get off blocks well, over runs plays and doesn't attack the line of scrimmage. What he does is contain and make plays down field. I'd rather see Trusnik, Fujita or Bowens playing inside with Veikune and Maiava as backups.

[PlaygroundLegend]

Elam is a linebacker... shouldnt be playing safety. He's never had an interception in the NFL and im pretty sure he either had 1 or none in college.

Our defense needs to create turnovers...

BTW Ward is a FS, he is just a bit tougher than your average FS, Asante is a SS

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by PlaygroundLegend

Elam is a linebacker... shouldnt be playing safety. He's never had an interception in the NFL and im pretty sure he either had 1 or none in college.

Our defense needs to create turnovers...

BTW Ward is a FS, he is just a bit tougher than your average FS, Asante is a SS

That's the way I see it as well PGL and that's why they drafted them both. They both will play different positions.

[BernietheKid]

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' revamped backfield, the Indians' youngsters and leaders for the Cavaliers

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

June 06, 2010, 12:19AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's summertime, and Terry's talkin' ...
About the Browns...
Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerWhether or not defensive backs Joe Haden (left) and T.J. Ward are immediate starters for the Browns this fall, their presence reflects a determination by the team to dramatically buttress the last line of the team's defense, says Terry Pluto.

1. Coaches believe depth is the key to this season. They look at cornerback, where Eric Wright, Sheldon Brown and rookie Joe Haden are battling for two spots. They also have used Michael Adams at corner, and Brandon McDonald has received praise for his off-season work. McDonald looks good in these drills because there is no tackling, the accent is on speed. Brown and Haden are more physical cornerbacks, and they will be noticed more once tackling begins.

2. But the key is the options at cornerback. They don't have to rely on McDonald and his soft tackling. They don't have to have Wright on the field for every play. If a cornerback is not fully engaged in practice or film work, he can lose playing time to someone else. They believed Wright and McDonald had developed a sense of entitlement because no one was there to take their jobs. That all has changed.

3. While the Browns believe they have upgraded at safety with rookies Larry Asante and T.J. Ward, they know it remains one of the team's weak spots. That's true even if restricted free agent Abe Elam signs. Asante and Ward have not been disasters in pass coverage, but it's obvious that they are best against the run. Michael Adams is the best cover safety, but they like him as a cornerback and covering slot receivers.

4. Someone needs to remind Elam that he made it from Kent State to the NFL by being a smart guy who fit into the team. He also needs to remember the main reason he has become a starter is this coaching staff believes in him and gave him that chance, first with the Jets and now with the Browns. He has started 33 games as a pro with one interception, three sacks and only seven passes broken up. He is not an impact player, and no one is going to give a restricted free agent in his position a multi-year contract.

5. Linebacker is another area where the Browns seem loaded. They have two respected, legitimate leaders in Scott Fujita and David Bowens. Veteran Eric Barton is back from neck surgery, but the team won't know for certain about his recovery until the tackling begins. Chris Gocong seems made for 3-4 defense. Jason Trusnik has been starting at outside linebacker in place of Matt Roth, the restricted free agent who has not signed. Marcus Benard can rush the quarterback from OLB. The coaches say David Veikune is making progress at inside linebacker.

6. The point is Roth needs to realize that playing six solid games (28 tackles, four sacks) after being claimed on waivers doesn't turn him into Jim Houston or Clay Matthews. Like Elam, he's a restricted free agent and needs to sign the one-year deal and truly establish himself. In five years, Roth has only 29 starts, never more than five sacks in a season.

7. Restricted free agent D'Qwell Jackson simply needs to wake up. The Browns have Fujita, Barton, Bowens and Gocong as legitimate inside linebackers. Yes, they also can play outside. But Jackson is another who needs to sign, because he may not even start on this team. Just like what happened at cornerback to Wright and McDonald, Jackson's world has changed with all the new players who can take his job.

8. On the theme of restricted free agents and depth, given Jerome Harrison credit for being the first unsigned RFA to show up for voluntary workouts. He knows the Browns really do like rookie Montario Hardesty. He knows he had only three big games at the end of last season. He knows big money will come if he can have a strong season. And the coaches love what they see from Harrison, Hardesty and Peyton Hillis in the backfield. Then there's Wildcats Joshua Cribbs and Seneca Wallace, even more power for the running game.

9. One coach said, "I know people don't believe this, but Cribbs keeps working hard at being a receiver, and he'll help us there this season. Never underestimate this guy." The new contract just seems to have inspired Cribbs to work even harder.

10. I mentioned Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds) last week as someone who impressed the coaches. That remains true. The undrafted receiver from Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) has been getting a lot of work. ... They also are using third-rounder Shawn Lauvao at center and guard, the idea being to turn him into a lineman such as Rex Hadnot, who could play both spots.

11. The Browns keep stressing to veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme that he doesn't have to make big plays to establish himself. The job is his, just keep the team organized. Stay out of damaging plays and turnovers. Delhomme is a relentless worker, a natural leader. He knows that some people have written the end of his career at the age of 35. So far, the Browns have been pleased with him.

12. In my blog from Thursday's OTA, new tight end Ben Watson was praised for his pass catching. Some fans said, "What's the big deal, he had only 29 catches for New England." Let's look deeper. Five of those catches were for touchdowns. Twenty were for first downs. He caught 29 of 41 passes thrown in his direction. He had two drops.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' revamped backfield, the Indians' youngsters and leaders for the Cavaliers | cleveland.com