Mercifully, the all but meaningless practice games called NFL exhibition games are over and done with. Many who received a great deal of playing time in those games have now been released or traded. The Cleveland Browns are set to embark upon the 2016 season with a 53-man roster predominantly loaded with 1st and 2nd year players, including approximately a dozen of the clubs' myriad of draft picks from April.
Sunday's opponent is the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly, with rookie QB Carson Wentz expected to get the call for the Eagles. This is thee same Carson Wentz the Browns could have picked with the 2nd overall pick of the draft, yet instead, opted to deal the pick to the Eagles for a slew of extra picks.
So, other than who wins the game, the Wentz storyline is one to watch closely. The guy can throw the football and had an excellent college career quarterbacking North Dakota St. A QB that comes to mind that came from a smaller school like N.D. St. was Phil Simms, who had a very good NFL career with the N.Y. Giants. However, expect the Eagles to run the ball a lot against the Browns' highly suspect run defense.
The RG3 (Robert Griffin 111) era is beginning in Cleveland. Highly touted coming out of Baylor three years ago as a rookie with the Redskins, the past two seasons he's been injury riddled and banished to 3rd string in the Skins' doghouse.
He's clearly a reclamation project new Browns coach Hue Jackson has relished right from the start. Griffin's actually quite articulate and seems to have learned valuable lessons from his time in Washington. Just as important, he also appears to have all the same skills he had coming out of college; strong arm, accurate with his throws and the speed and agility to run when necessary. Additionally, he's shown good poise and pocket presence, other critical skills any good QB must demonstrate to succeed.
It's refreshing to have an NFL QB that understands the name of the game is to lead the team and look to throw first and only take off running when that's the only remaining option left, not the other way around ! The NFL is NOT college football.
Everyone knows what problem child I'm referring to whom is currently unemployed in the NFL. Now that's he's outta here, the Browns still have another, or two, left on the roster. Check that, Josh Gordon once again, though being reinstated by commissioner, Roger Goodell, is under suspension for the first 4 games of the season. That's 1/4 of the season. It's a common theme with Gordon whom can never stay clean for very long.
If not for the fact he's a supremely talented receiver, Gordon would have been gone a long time ago. It's a given that highly skilled players get special treatment from teams in both college and the pros. That said, here's hoping a minor miracle (literally) occurs and for once he manages to stay clean and realize the success he achieved in Cleveland 2 seasons ago.
Presuming Gordon does indeed take the field in game 5 for the team against the Patriots, the Browns clearly will have a variety of weapons for Griffin to throw to, including speedy rookie WR, Corey Coleman who has the speed to run past defenders as well as make them miss in open space. It's up to Jackson and his offensive staff to put Coleman in multiple formations and create opportunities for him to make plays.
Converted QB, Terrelle Pryor has shown the ability to run past people on the 'go' route, but a true NFL WR has to be able to excel at a variety of pass routes, including slants and crossing routes over the middle where nasty linebackers and safeties often lurk, salivating at the chance to deliver a hard blow just as the ball arrives. If Pryor is able to master all aspects of the position, he, Gordon and Coleman could make an incredible triple threat.
There are other receiving options as well, including tight end, Gary Barnidge, a veteran of several seasons who had a breakout season last year for the Browns. He was dependable all season long and made several circus catches, including a few for TD's. Speedy Duke Johnson is a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield to be reckoned with as well.
The view here is that Isaiah Crowell, if given ample opportunity as the featured back running the football out of the backfield, can become one of the better runners in the league. He's shown flashes on several occasions the past two seasons, yet hasn't consistently been able to get untracked. Many runners need to tote the pigskin regularly to develop a rhythm and get better as the game goes on. Of course, this never happens if the team always has to play catchup in games.
The saying goes, the game is won in the trenches. If RG3 is always on his back, or, running for his life, he'll never receive ample time to throw and Crowell won't gain many yards unless perennial all-pro, Joe Thomas and co. do their jobs. The huge question on the offensive line is whether new center, Cam Irving can function as an NFL center.
The right tackle spot is also a question mark after the club lost RT, Mitchell Schwartz to free agency. The two guards, Bitonio at LG and Greco at RG appear relatively solid.
On the defensive side of the ball, the team has more question marks than answers at this point. Several young players need to step up and show they belong in the NFL. The Browns are lacking in 'impact' players, guys who are dominant 'game changers.' One who could become such a players is top 2nd round rookie, Emmanuelle Ogbah. Hopefully the team determines how to utilize his immense physical gifts, whether it be from the DE, or, OLB position.
Rookie defensive end, Carl Nassib was voted top training camp rookie and flashed the ability to get to the QB in several exhibition games. Veteran John Hughes and 2nd year lineman, Xavier Cooper are also at end and need to show the ability to at least hold their ground against the run, enabling the linebackers to come up and make the play.
Returning highly experienced defensive coordinator, Ray Horton has his hands full in attempting to put the pieces together to make this defense competitive and not relinquish a ton of points. The all important inside linebacker position is very suspect with veterans, Christian Kirksey and free agent pickup, Demario Davis manning those spots for the time being.
Ogbah will likely hold down the left (strong side) outside linebacker spot, with 2nd year player, Nate Orchard starting at the right outside LB position. However, don't be surprised if Horton flip flops those two part of the time to take advantage of possible mismatches, another critical aspect of NFL strategy.
Returning vet cornerback, Joe Haden has apparently sufficiently recovered from an ankle injury, and none too soon as the team desperately needs him. Several corners whom were figured to be heavily counted upon are no longer with the team, therefore what once appeared to be a stable position no longer is, particularly considering Tramon Williams, a starter last season is about 33 years old.
Even more questionable are the two safety spots with basically unproven rookies and 2nd year men. Come next April, it appears the Browns will need to seriously consider picking a few defensive backs in the early rounds of the draft.
To sum things up, this is clearly a major rebuilding year which the front office has conceded to all along. Jackson spews the typical coach rhetoric that the team plans on winning, which admittedly is the correct and only approach in the process of hopefully, finally for once, building a winning culture. But, no one should expect miracles. As that saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day ! And, this football team won't be built in one season.
DAVE BURKEY
Email: daveywriter@yahoo.com
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