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Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the newest Browns and the struggling Indians
By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
May 02, 2010, 12:57AM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pondering some news and notes for the Browns and Indians, Terry's Talkin' ...

About the Browns' second rounders ...

1. I spent some time watching T.J. Ward on YouTube and doing some research. The Browns had him rated as the No. 2 safety in the draft, behind Tennessee's Eric Berry. The Oregon product is a fierce tackler, bringing back some memories of former Brown Eric Turner. He had 10 tackles against Ohio State, and delivered some memorable hits on Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

2. Oregon usually kept Ward "in the box," near the line of scrimmage to help defend the run. He was the heart of the Ducks' defense because he played with such passion. One NFL scout told me: "If Ward were bigger, he'd be a great linebacker. He crushes people."

3. You can also see why the 5-foot-11, 208-pounder gets injured, as he fearlessly throws his body around. The reason he wasn't a second-rounder on most scouting reports was his extensive history of knee surgeries, etc. He also was limited to only eight games this season because of a high ankle sprain. The Browns are counting on the fact that Ward played 13 games as both a sophomore and junior.

4. In the end, it will come down to this: Does Ward remain healthy? If so, he could be an impact player, worthy of being picked No. 38. If not, they will be easily second-guessed. The Browns did not think he'd last until they picked in the third round.

5. The coaches obviously were unhappy with the tackling in the secondary, which is why they also drafted Nebraska safety Larry Asante. He is much the same as Ward, a safety who played close to the line and defended against the run. As John Mayor emailed: "It seems the Browns have three safeties [Abe Elam/Ward/Asante] who are considered in-the-box safeties. Having safeties that come up and support on the run is great, but I would think they also need a safety that can cover." Mayor raises a good point, which makes me think Michael Adams or even newcomer Sheldon Brown will see some time at safety -- or at least covering slot receivers.


John Kuntz / The Plain DealerThe power of rookie running back Montario Hardesty was apparent in the Browns' first mini-camp for the new players, as he stiff-armed Royce Adams in an authoratative manner.

6. You don't need to be trained by Paul Brown to know Montario Hardesty is a pro-caliber running back. He had a monster senior year at Tennessee, rushing for 1,345 yards (4.8 yards per carry). At 5-11, 225, he is a power back with a surprising burst of speed. He tends to make one quick move, then put his shoulder down and run with a purpose. The Browns see Hardesty joining Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis to form a backfield that can play a ball-control game, especially in bad weather. Some of the Browns compared him to Thomas Jones, who was let go by the Jets and signed by Kansas City.

7. A pro scout told me: "He has an excellent spin move to break open. I like his vision, he picks holes well. He falls forward when tackled. He is very underrated as a receiver, does a good job in that area. I also think he's a decent blocker. I like how he fights for every yard, and he's a good kid. Like with Ward, if he stays healthy, he'll be a good player."

8. The Browns traded up, dealing their third-round pick and two in the fifth round, to grab Hardesty at No. 59. That still seems like a lot to trade up from No. 71. Supposedly, New England and one other team was considering Hardesty late in the second round -- but who knows? Hardesty has had multiple knee surgeries, but was healthy last season. The success of the picks will be determined by whether Ward and Hardesty can remain on the field on Sundays.

About first-rounder Joe Haden ...

The cornerback made an immediate impact when he was given some blitz formations to study, and the next day, he was called to the blackboard to diagram them. He was correct on every X and O.

This email from Paul Berne also was revealing about the defensive back from Florida:

"Joe Haden was on my plane [one of those little regional jets where there's one class of seats]. I saw Joe in the hallway after we landed and greeted him with 'Mr. Haden welcome to Cleveland. We're delighted to have you here and I'm sure you'll be a great success.'

"He gave the most cordial and polite response that could be imagined. He thanked me, mentioned how excited he was to be a Brown. When I asked him if he would mind if I took my picture with him with my cell phone to send to my son -- he not only agreed, but as I fumbled with using the camera, he showed me how to use it then leaned in for the picture.

"I know Mr. Haden has enormous skill and ability. If what I saw of his character is any indication of that playing ability, he will in a short time prove to be the best defensive back in the league."

About third-rounder Colt McCoy ...


John Kuntz / The Plain DealerColt McCoy's accuracy is already becoming a talking point at the Browns' mini-camp.The pro scout mentioned this about the Texas quarterback:

1. "Colt will discover that playing in Cleveland is a much different deal than Texas. That stadium is cold and windy, which is why you'd rather have a quarterback with a stronger arm. Colt is a smart, tough guy -- he can figure it out. But it will take a while for him to adjust."

2. "I worry about his durability, especially if he keeps hanging on to the ball too long -- as he did at Texas. When he gets thrown down, he seems to really feel it because he's not that big (6-1, 212)."

3. "I like his accuracy. I like how he can move around in the pocket and quickly set his feet before he throws. I like how he played in a big-time program at Texas. I like him better than [Tim] Tebow and [Jimmy] Clausen. By taking him in the third round, the Browns made a smart move because they don't have to rush him. I expect him to play in the league for quite a while, the question will be if he can start for a good team."

The comments at the end of this piece are the kinda thing that will fuel speculation on McCoy.. He's a third rounder.. maybe he makes it, maybe he doesn't. Don't know.. But we really need to bring him along thoughtfully to give him his best chance at success.

It appears obvious Holmgren is going to have a little more to do with this than he let on.. and he says he wants to let the kid sit and grow.. Hope it works out that way.

the comments on Haden at the airport echo what I've felt from watching his interviews. thoughtful, smart, funny and appears to be a high character kid. If that translates to the field, we have winner....

Ward and Hardesty and thier injuries are a concern of course, but I have to believe that the Browns did thier homework.. I'm sure it's way more in depth than the stuff we see. So until I see otherwise, I'll trust they did thier homework and came away satisfied they got guys that will hold up.

You know I did like our draft, but when you look at it like this - it appears we got allot of short basically 5'11" guys that played over their head in college and got hurt, because they were maybe a little to small. They have the heart - but...

Man I hope Im wrong. It just seems like you take a small guy later in the draft and its a nice surpise. Most teams take maybe 1 guy like this, we seem to take ours in the first half of the the draft.

I hope not! I hope allot of these project possible reach guys stay healthy.

the comments on having 3 "in the box" safeties was interesting.

Maybe it was the plan all along to require CBs to be able to be a coverage safety and it must be a CB that has tackling skills.Seems like the DBs will need to be versatile.

The safeties will prolly need to play both safety positions as well when needed.

Right now there are a ton of DBs in camp. You better be able to tackle to make the team.

I like how we addressed 1 specific area. The depth of this draft made it easier to solidify the DB's instead of the WR's. I am kind of excited about our secondary now. I believe Wright/Haden will end up being compared to Minnifield/Dixon.

You can say I am old-school, but I believe you build a team with OLine or secondary(mainly CB's).

I do wish we could ofsolidified the right side of our line a little better. Next year we take a WR in the 1st and a big RT in the second.

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"It seems the Browns have three safeties [Abe Elam/Ward/Asante] who are considered in-the-box safeties. Having safeties that come up and support on the run is great, but I would think they also need a safety that can cover.

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Funny, when I say it, I get called stupid.

Give me one good reason
Why Ward is only an "in the box" Safety.

In Collage Safties have more run responsibilities then in the NFL for one reason and it is a good one.
That is the option play.

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Yes and when I suggested Brown may be used as a S, I got the old, "No way cause MH said so".

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Actually, it was mangini in a presser with Holmgren present that said that and while he seemed to make it clear,, he in no way said it couldn't happen,, he just didn't see it happening..

talk about leaving the door wide open...

The fact is we need at least 2 CB's to go with Wright.
If we were to use S Brown @ Safety, that would be taking away from a position of need and IMO a bigger one then Safety.
Everyone wants to move an older CB to Safety, but the truth is it hardly ever happens, because they are simply to valuable to replace.

I would say that not only is McDonald a better nickel than Adams, I would say that Adams is a better Safety than he is a nickel corner.

I think Adams is a tweener and yes he does play in some nickle packages, what we call our "big nickle" and that's when we like to use a saftey to maybe cover a 2 TE offense.
I'm not saying it can't happen (Brown to Safety), but if that's the case.
We will be going with plan B.
I remember everyone wanted to move Dixon to FS. They never did, because most CB's are a liability in run support.

It's hard to project any rookie to a starting CB position, Including Hayden let a lone some UDRFA to play the nickle.
They can help on ST, but useally nothing more their rookie year.
Someone may come on at the position, but S Brown is our best CB on the roster as we speak.

I think that Brown could be a "variable". Depending on what the opposing O's formation is could depend on which position Brown plays.

Say in a two WR set, Brown plays S. In a three or more WR set, Brown plays CB.

Not saying that's how it will happen, but it does leave the door open to many possibilities.

And isn't having the options to mix things up and confuse opposing O's a wonderful thing?

I'd have to go back and listen to the presser again where Mangini said stuff about this, but (and I could be wrong) he was talking a lot about having 6 DB's in at some points..

I could see that. Even though some wish to ignore it, the NFL does rarely run a play here and there in the spread formation. In the those instances and with wildcat formations, not to mention opponents running the "two minute O", that could be a distinct possibility IMO.

jmho

As my O'l friend DiamDawg used to say.......
You just made my case stronger....... LOL.
That's what you get with a FS who can match up, because it's his responsibilty to cover the RB who splits out wide or if your defense is in a base defense and they come out with a 3 WR set, then your (Free) Safety is responsible to cover or oudible to a combination zone.
Adams is pretty good in this case, but like a CB is not quite the physical player you want at FS.
Sorry Mike......- still Love the play you have given us.
So imo Ward is option A.
Or at least we should hope he can be our starting FS by no later then 2011.

(Speculations 2011)
LCB) Wright
RCB) Hayden
NB) Brown
LS) Asante / Elam
RS) Ward

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(Speculations 2011)
LCB) Wright
RCB) Hayden
NB) Brown
LS) Asante / Elam
RS) Ward

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It's Haden by the way, but don't worry, we don't give out demerits for bad spelling

Anyway, that sounds like the base secondary they will end up with. Possiblly starting out with Haden and Brown switching at the outset and then as Haden shows he belongs,, he and Brown switch.

does that make sense....


Oh, just kidding you on the spelling thing..

I stand corrected......Haden

I'M new to and doing the best I can with this Black Berry Curve......no java and all and most importently no
(spell Check)

I can see Haden coming in in the nickle, but not @ NB.
Rather at CB and then we can move a Veteran (Brown) in to cover the slot. I of the John Madden school of football like a Vet @ NB, because they have seen all the complicated offences you see in the League today.

S Brown can only be a stop gap solution @ FS
And imo doesn't offer the best case scenario for the team.

I personally think if Bush Whacker plays the rest of his contract here that he will eventually move to FS. Inevitably he will lose a step or two with age and have trouble running with fast WR's, but he will never lose the fundamental tackling ability and mean streak that he has, and playing FS will be less of a liability with his eventually diminished speed but still take advantage of his other skills. Only makes sense. What I think is the question is when does that happen, or does he leave Cleveland before it does?

Ok,, Help me how here,, Who's Bush Whacker?

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Sheldon Brown. I'm assuming that nickname refers to when Brown destroyed Reggie Bush on a hit.

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LOL OK, got it.

Damn,, and he plays for us now.. Don't ya just love it...

J/C

I see Brown and Wright as the starting corners with Haden as the nickle , but only at the beginning of the year. Later I believe Haden and Wright will be the corners and Brown at the nickle spot.

Last year when we got beat on third down, it was usually because of the nickle coverage and McDonald. Getting Poteat and McDonald off the field will make a huge difference. I think McDonald would be good in the nickle, but not as good as Brown.

As for the safeties, I see Ward as the FS and being good. I really think his coverage abilities are being slighted a little. From what I've read about him, his move to safety was more about his injuries than his coverage skills. Time will tell. At the worst, Adams can play some decent coverage from the safety position, and with the way Mangini and Ryan play their DBs, IMO we will be better than last year.

It's not all who is playing; it is also HOW thry are played. I like the picks so far. Hope they produce. Nut we did adjust to ongoing shortdcomings. I respect Pluto's opinions and hope it is good for the most part. Good read for me. Thankee, Line Judge!

Thank you, I had forgotten that Brown was also a big hitter.


Haden likes to hit, so does Ward and Asante... and even Wright hasn't been afraid of it at times (he's more of a sure tackler than a hitter, though).

I think we've just put together a secondary unlike anything that we've had in a long while.... we can field an entire starting group that likes to hit HARD. Me Likey .!

Watching those clips of our new db 's there are going to be some sore receiveres in the afc north.

If these guys hit in the NFL like they did in College and if Brown continues to hit like he has (as in that clip) There are going to be some WR's that are afraid to go over the middle on us..

Eric Turner............if these guys play like he did, we are set.

We had a secondary full of heavy hitters in the 80's. I'd love to see that again!

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Eric Turner............if these guys play like he did, we are set

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Man he could bring the lumber......I cant count the sundays we sat on the couch and yell ouch......Love the Man...R.I.P.


I hope the young guys get to watch a highlight clip of ET and understand to be in the same sentence as him is an honor and a privilage not to be taken for granted.