DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Pluto's Talkin' ... about Cleveland Browns' plans

Some news...


Link

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Father's Day, Terry Pluto's talkin' ...

About the Browns ...

Odds are that Braylon Edwards will remain with the team this season. ... unless a team comes out of nowhere with a huge trade offer late in training camp because a receiver is hurt and it is desperate for a replacement. So far, Edwards has been doing what the coaches have asked. The Browns are hoping that as Edwards heads into some type of free agency (depending upon what happens with the collective bargaining agreement), he will be at his best this year. It's in his self-interest to do so and it's also a chance to revive his reputation, which took a hit when he led the NFL in dropped passes a year ago.

It turns out the Giants never did offer a package that included their first-round pick plus some other players for Edwards. Nor did any other team offer a first-rounder for Edwards. The trade offers the Browns received were far more modest than that -- middle-round picks and so-so veterans. So they decided to keep Edwards and see if they can get him back to playing as he did in 2007.

Even if Donte Stallworth stayed out of trouble, it's hard to know how much of a role he'd have played this season. One thing all the coaches appreciate about Edwards is that he blocks and can be a physical player. Stallworth has never been accused of that. Nor is he considered mentally tough. Brian Robiskie has been solid in camp. The hope is with Edwards stretching the defense with deep patterns on one side and Robiskie running strong medium routes, the Browns can develop a 1-2 receiving punch and also get contributions from others such as David Patten, Mike Furrey, Mohamed Massaquoi and maybe a long shot such as Lance Leggett or Jordan Norwood. Furrey, who has excellent hands, had some very good moments in the minicamps and he could play a lot early in the season as the kids adjust to the game.

Joshua Cribbs has been spending nearly all his time on offense as a receiver. The key will be his ability to run sharp routes and make sure he catches the ball before taking off down the field. Sounds simple, but nuances of the position are new to the former Kent State QB. He has played some receiver in his first four years with the Browns, but this is the most intense training the special teams star is receiving at the position.
By the end of last season, Eric Steinbach was playing in the 275- to 280-pound range. The Browns want Steinbach to at least get into the middle 290s because the linemen he's facing are so large. The new regime knows Joe Thomas and Steinbach can be one of the best blocking duos on the left side in the NFL, but they want more strength from both guys. Thomas has especially impressed the coaches with his willingness to buy into their program.

Shaun Rogers and Eric Mangini not only are on the same page, the Browns' star and his coach are in the same paragraph -- perhaps even the same sentence. Mangini has been impressed with Rogers' willingness to work with other players, and how the 350-pound nose tackle is physically gifted and relentless when rushing the QB. A couple of meetings a few months ago helped Rogers realize that Mangini has good ideas to improve the defense, especially against the run. The meetings helped Mangini get to know Rogers, who is a sensitive and sincere man behind the huge outgoing personality he shows on the field.

The key will be finding guys to play around Rogers. While the Browns have been saying some positive things about Corey Williams, there remains a major concern about his ability to adapt to the 3-4 defense. Robaire Smith will be a major asset, but he is still recovering from Achilles' tendon surgery. There is Shaun Smith, who also was hurt last year and had a weight room run-in with Brady Quinn. Kenyon Coleman is expected to play a lot at one end, ideally Robaire Smith will recover or Williams will adapt to the 3-4. They also have C.J. Mosley, a backup from the Jets. The key will be defensive coordinator Rob Ryan keeping the guys around Rogers fresh.

Link

Quote:

---

Shaun Rogers and Eric Mangini not only are on the same page, the Browns' star and his coach are in the same paragraph -- perhaps even the same sentence. Mangini has been impressed with Rogers' willingness to work with other players, and how the 350-pound nose tackle is physically gifted and relentless when rushing the QB.

---

Sooo....

Much (offseason) ado about nothing?

Good news, for a change.

Quote:

---

Shaun Rogers and Eric Mangini not only are on the same page, the Browns' star and his coach are in the same paragraph -- perhaps even the same sentence.

---

Amazing how this happens sometimes ..... despite what reporters report ......

Quote:

---

Amazing how this happens sometimes ..... despite what reporters report ......

---

It is isnt it, It's also amazing how little there is too actually read between the lines, or how quickly people are to judge just from a media report. Sometimes the best reaction is no action when it comes to hear-say.

So far, Edwards has been doing what the coaches have asked.
Really? I heard he wasn't catching the ball vera well


It turns out the Giants never did offer a package that included their first-round pick plus some other players for Edwards. Nor did any other team offer a first-rounder for Edwards. The trade offers the Browns received were far more modest than that -- middle-round picks and so-so veterans. So they decided to keep Edwards and see if they can get him back to playing as he did in 2007.

Interesting...probably between 3rd and fourth round picks..

Even if Donte Stallworth stayed out of trouble, it's hard to know how much of a role he'd have played this season.
More or less like year..he'd tweek a hammy and we wouldn't know he's on the roster..

The Browns want Steinbach to at least get into the middle 290s because the linemen he's facing are so large. The new regime knows Joe Thomas and Steinbach can be one of the best blocking duos on the left side in the NFL, but they want more strength from both guys. Thomas has especially impressed the coaches with his willingness to buy into their program.
Well is Steiny a guy that can actually hold a lot of weight?
He said he was up to 307..if his frame can't hold a lot of weight he'll lose it fast..but he can add muscle.

Also, Steinbach already has back problems. If he adds on too much weight, that's going to exacerbate the problem. However, if it's mostly/all muscle, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Steinbach seems fine and should be very strong next to Thomas. Tucker is the one we should be hoping stays healthy. He is great when he is able to block for Lewis...a real problem for defenses and just too much for most teams. With Foster we should be ready to run the ball either left or right and Mack shouuld be able to help with pass blocking and getting to LBs. This Oline is better than last year and could be our best so far. We will need to replace Tucker after this year especially if he is injured again.

Do we have 3 pro-bowl offensive linemen now? WOW

Thomas..
Steinbach..
Mack..


Cool...

Sorry...

I'm curious to see what Steiny looks like adding about 15 pounds of meat.

No cheeseburgers and Doritos, Eric. Leave that stuff to me.