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Browns are another Cleveland construction project


BernietheKid

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Browns are another Cleveland construction project

by Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

 

 

The roads surrounding the Browns' practice facility on Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea are torn asunder during construction of an overpass on Front Street. The massive project is expected to be completed next year.

 

The facility itself has undergone approximately $6 million in improvements since Eric Mangini took over as coach Jan. 8. Crews worked round-the-clock to beat a summer deadline.

 

Now for the team. How long for that to be fixed?

 

Today marks the first look at the 2009 Browns in full uniform as Mangini, a team ball boy under Bill Belichick in 1994, opens his first training camp as Browns coach.

 

The camp roster of 80 features 31 players who were not here during the dreadful 4-12 season of 2008. Of the 31 newcomers brought in by Mangini in his first off-season, seven played for Mangini last year with the Jets. Three others have an association with Mangini from his years with the Jets and Patriots.

 

So, Mangini's stamp on the Browns has been profound prior to the opening of training camp.

 

Over the next six weeks, we will get a better read on how long Mangini's reconstruction project may take. During that time, position battles will be settled and a quarterback will be chosen to lead the team into its next new era.

 

Here's a primer on Mangini's first training camp as the blocking sleds get dusted off and pulled onto the field this morning.

 

Major position battles

 

1. Quarterback: Derek Anderson vs. Brady Quinn.

 

The mother of all "quarterback competitions." Mangini gave Quinn the edge at the start of the voluntary practice season and then backed off, though Quinn appeared to get more reps with the first team at minicamp. (Mangini said reps were equal.) Mangini and first-time offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have said that a winner will emerge and be obvious to everyone in time. But it did not go down that way in the 2007 competition between Anderson and Charlie Frye. Frye supposedly won it by a hair, and then the Browns banished him to Seattle after two quarters of the first game.

 

2. No. 2 receiver: Mohamed Massaquoi vs. Brian Robiskie.

 

Technically, veteran pickups David Patten and Mike Furrey, and perhaps even 2008 holdovers Syndric Steptoe, Paul Hubbard and Lance Leggett, are involved in this competition, too. But it would be a great disappointment if neither of the rookies drafted in the second round seize this job. Robiskie is a name familiar to Ohio football fans, of course, and is the favorite. But Massaquoi, who made 36 starts over four seasons at Georgia, is determined to stake his claim.

 

3. Right guard and tackle: George Foster vs. Rex Hadnot vs. John St. Clair vs. Ryan Tucker vs. Floyd Womack.

 

Mangini preaches about "position versatility," and all five candidates here have played more than one position. But every coach wants the five best linemen on the field together. So the best guard and tackle should prevail here regardless of how good he performs at another position. It's possible Hadnot may be assigned to challenge Eric Steinbach at left guard, which was the case at minicamp.

 

4. Cornerbacks: Rod Hood vs. Brandon McDonald vs. Eric Wright.

 

Hood, formerly of Arizona, was signed in May, so incumbents McDonald and Wright have not really been challenged yet. Of the three veteran cornerbacks added by Mangini, Hood certainly is the most accomplished, having started the past two seasons for Arizona. Among the starting candidates, Hood is the only one with game experience covering the slot receiver. If he won a starting job, Hood probably would drop inside, and the top backup would take his place on the outside.

 

5. Weak outside linebacker: David Bowens vs. Alex Hall vs. David Veikune.

 

Bowens has played the position for Mangini before, but he's 32 now, and the Browns would prefer to maximize him as a designated rusher in passing situations. Hall was rushed in for two starts as a rookie seventh-round pick last year. He's still a project and a risk in the run game if he starts. Veikune was a defensive end at Hawaii and will need time to make the transition to the 3-4. On paper, this is a position of great concern.

 

Players to watch

 

1. Jerome Harrison: Mangini hopes to expand his game to first and second downs. Is the third-year back from Washington State up to it?

 

2. Brett Ratliff: The former Jet wasn't included in the QB competition in June. Some NFL observers insist Mangini won't hesitate to play him if Anderson and Quinn fail to impress.

 

3. Alex Mack: The No. 1 pick from Cal wasn't drafted to play out of position or as a backup in his rookie year. How soon will he be placed ahead of Hank Fraley at center?

 

4. Kamerion Wimbley: New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan hopes to unlock his athletic potential by moving him around and teaching him new techniques.

 

Whatever happened

to . . . ?

 

1. Beau Bell: The fourth-round pick in 2008 lost his No. 1 fan when GM Phil Savage was fired. He has to stay healthy and open eyes early in his second NFL camp.

 

2. Martin Rucker: The trade of Kellen Winslow opened a slot for a tight end who can catch. Free-agent pickup Robert Royal was the starter at minicamp.

 

3. Leon Williams: His playing time on defense and special teams fell off last year. Entering his fourth season, the linebacker's role under new coaches is unclear as camp opens.

 

 

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5. Weak outside linebacker: David Bowens vs. Alex Hall vs. David Veikune.

 

Bowens has played the position for Mangini before, but he's 32 now, and the Browns would prefer to maximize him as a designated rusher in passing situations. Hall was rushed in for two starts as a rookie seventh-round pick last year. He's still a project and a risk in the run game if he starts. Veikune was a defensive end at Hawaii and will need time to make the transition to the 3-4. On paper, this is a position of great concern.

 

 

One of these guys will have to step it up and make a statement or the running back choo choo train will continue to roll on its technically the most concerning position on the defense unless robaire/chaun smith starts at that end in that case the train keeps a rollin all season long....;)

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