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This is a great read...and it exemplifies what NE did in the past and what I like about the direction the Browns are going...

 

Cleveland Browns' receiving corps is without a star -- and they like it

Friday, October 09, 2009

Tony Grossi

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Now that Braylon Edwards has been shipped down the Eric Mangini Pipeline to the New York Jets, the question is: Who's No. 1?

 

Who picks up the slack as the Browns' go-to guy in the passing game? Who's the playmaker, the touchdown scorer?

 

Along with the baggage, the attitude, and, of course, the drops, gone with Edwards are his 28 career touchdowns.

 

Those scoring plays don't carry over into the Browns' next game against Buffalo, of course. But the Browns have scored three offensive touchdowns in their past 10 games and 115 offensive possessions. Removing Edwards' playmaking threat from that equation wouldn't seem to help the cause.

 

"We don't have maybe the superstar that everybody's looking for, but we have quality guys that are out there who want to play and make plays and are looking forward to start gelling," Mike Furrey said.

 

Here's the state of things on the Browns' receiving corps: Furrey is the team's leading career receiver with 211 catches and seven touchdowns. And he's heading toward a dual role as a safety on special defenses.

 

Next best in career catches is Chansi Stuckey, who is not the leading striker on Randy Lerner's Aston Villa Football Club but the newest ex-Jet to join the Browns (via the Edwards trade). Stuckey has 43 career receptions -- 11 this season -- and four touchdowns.

 

Following Stuckey is Josh Cribbs, the former Kent State quarterback and special teams player extraordinaire. Cribbs has 25 catches for 192 yards and one touchdown.

 

Then come the second-round rookies, Mohamed Massaquoi -- 10 for 179, including eight for 148 in the Cincinnati game -- and Brian Robiskie, who is looking for his first catch.

 

Not a diva in the group.

 

"You saw New England [win without a star receiver] for a long time," Furrey said. "Guys just go out there, do what they're supposed to do and keep their mouth shut and make plays and win games.

 

"That's what it's about. It's great to have big names in the paper, big names around the public, but it's about winning ballgames. That's what we're going to try to do."

 

Based on his breakout game against Cincinnati, Massaquoi figures to inherit the No. 1 role. But nobody is willing to put that pressure on him right now.

 

"What I'm looking for is a group of receivers that get open and catch the ball, whether it's the 1, the 2, the 3," Mangini said. "Same thing with the quarterback's reads. I think Tom [brady] used to say that the receiver I like the best is the open one.

 

"Just be able to run the routes, be able to have the spacing in the routes, being able to provide the quarterback options. It's not always necessarily going to be one guy. I want them all to be able to do that."

 

Massaquoi is unwilling to declare himself the No. 1 receiver. Pressed to make his case for the job, he said: "I'm still working hard to get better every game. Everybody here can play. Everybody has to wait for opportunity. We're all going to try to capitalize on it."

 

Perhaps with Massaquoi's Cincinnati game in mind, Mangini said this week he is looking forward to seeing what Robiskie makes of his new opportunity. It's possible the Browns will put both rookies on the field together for the first time against Buffalo, with Furrey in the slot in three-receiver formations.

 

"We just have to grow up and mature fast," Massaquoi said. "If we're going to be called on to make a couple plays, then we have to be ready when that time comes."

 

Robiskie and Massaquoi not only play the same position and were drafted in the same round, they talk the same language - one that coaches like to hear.

"I don't know exactly what their plans are, but for me, I know I'm going to have an opportunity this week to come out in practice and get better and hopefully help the team," Robiskie said.

 

One thing's for certain. You're not likely to see either Massaquoi or Robiskie do a Braylon-like air guitar routine to celebrate a touchdown catch.

"If I'm fortunate enough to score, I'll probably do what I've done and hand the ball to the ref and celebrate with my teammates," Robiskie said.

 

Massaquoi said he has nothing planned to mark his first touchdown, either. And even if he warms to the No. 1 role, he won't change his personality to fit the prima donna stereotype of an NFL "star" receiver.

 

"No, I've been the same guy since I was a little kid," he said.

 

"You don't have to take on a different personality or change the way you approach things just to want to be a guy that's called on to make plays. Your persona or aura don't have to change. There's a lot of guys that are laid back and just go about their own business. Hopefully, I can be one of those guys that continues to make plays and it doesn't come with all the extra stuff."

 

I have always hated the "look at me" celebrations. If you are a WR and you make a catch...that is your JOB. If you are a LB and you make a tackle...that is your JOB. So what are you celebrating about?

 

(Maybe next time I DO MY JOB I should get up on my desk and play the air guitar!!!)

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I think the notion is all well and good, but outside of NE, who else has had success w/ that plan (note NE has also gone away from that plan).

I can't see I have seen anyone else COMMIT to it.

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Who was THE guy in New Orleans BEFORE they started playing well???

Actually, the question should be....who is THE GUY in NO right NOW?

 

The most catches is only 18 on a team with 87 total receptions....and that is a TE. The top WR is Colston (undrafted) at 17, then Henderson with 14.

 

And THIS is one of the best passing offenses in the league.

 

Just saying, spreading the ball around to a bunch of GOOD players instead of concentrating on one GREAT player can be very effective.

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Who was THE guy in New Orleans BEFORE they started playing well???

 

They kind of got their guy/found their guy in the draft in Colston.

 

The common between NE and NO, to me, is the QB. I don't think CLE has their Tom Brady or Drew Brees.

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I think the notion is all well and good, but outside of NE, who else has had success w/ that plan

Peyton Manning.

Brett Favre (in GB days).

Ben Ratinsthebasement

Drew Brees

 

I wouldn't characterize any of the above QB's as having elite playmakers. Obviously, the have to be good receivers, but not a Moss/TO/Fitzgerald in that group.

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Peyton Manning.

Brett Favre (in GB days).

Ben Ratinsthebasement

Drew Brees

 

I wouldn't characterize any of the above QB's as having elite playmakers. Obviously, the have to be good receivers, but not a Moss/TO/Fitzgerald in that group.

 

Peyton had Harrison (1st round pick in 1996)

Favre had Sterling Sharpe

Big Gay Ben had Ward and Plaxico

 

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Well I could say even most of the "ME ME" "TRUE #1" "great recievers" all had good QBs with them when they established themselves as such.

 

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. To me the common is the teams have QBs who can manage and handle the egos for those WRs.

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As I said before, (my post was deleted for some reason) I think that this is the perfect set up. With Edwards gone, and recievers that can actually catch, were seeing this offense come into shape, and it looks to be favoring Quinn.

 

I have a BIG hunch that were gonna see Quinn soon, throwing to these rookis is not something he had a chance to do. This team is looking jst like New England before the multiple SB appearances.

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I think the notion is all well and good, but outside of NE, who else has had success w/ that plan (note NE has also gone away from that plan).

Seattle got to the Superbowl with a bunch of noboies and underperfomers at WR.

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I think the notion is all well and good, but outside of NE, who else has had success w/ that plan (note NE has also gone away from that plan).

Also note that since they went away from that plan they stopped winning Superbowls...Yes they went 19-1 which is impressive, but an under achiever (NYG) beat them at the highest level...

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Also note that since they went away from that plan they stopped winning Superbowls...Yes they went 19-1 which is impressive, but an under achiever (NYG) beat them at the highest level...

 

I would not call that Giants team underachievers and NE lost because they couldn't stop the Giants pass rush (along with some serious luck by the Giants and a dropped INT on the Giants game winning drive).

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Seattle got to the Superbowl with a bunch of noboies and underperfomers at WR.

 

At the time Alexander, Hutchenson, Hasselback, Womack, Jones, Trufant, Darnell Jackson, and Engram weren't exactly noboiess and underperforming WR (if anything over performing WRs).

 

How did they end up doing in that SB and since then too?

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At the time Alexander, Hutchenson, Hasselback, Womack, Jones, Trufant, Darnell Jackson, and Engram weren't exactly noboiess and underperforming WR (if anything over performing WRs).

 

How did they end up doing in that SB and since then too?

 

 

Cribbs, Thomas, Steinbach, Mack, Harrison, Rogers and Jackson are pretty damn good players in my book.

 

The idea is to build a TEAM atmosphere and THEN see if a star will come out of the group or fit into at a later point.

 

No one is expecting a Super Bowl with THIS group, however, the pieces they have in place at key positions (LT and NT) are some of the best in the business, some very promising young talent at center and WR.

 

Sure, there are holes all over the place and that's why you see a 0-4 record. However, creating an atmosphere the guys in charge feel comfortable with is essential to what they are trying to do. Even Belichick went 5-11 his first year in New England. Go look at the 2000 Pats roster. There are a few good players on there (their defensive line was awful ), but look at the roster. It doesn't look like anything special to me. A few very good players at some key positions and they built around those.

 

In no way am I trying to compare the Browns to the Pats, but the point is, how many Pats fans were ready to hang Belichick after the Pats started.... wait for it..... 0-4 in his first four game as Pats head coach?

 

Pats fans thought he was a joke. They pointed to his track record and thought the Pats were a lost cause. The next year, with a slightly retooled roster, a new QB who was extremely effective (Tom Brady was a "game manager" as people put it, in his first year) and a little luck against Oakland, they ended up "stunning" the Rams in the Super Bowl and they ended up winning two more.

 

Will that happen in Cleveland with Mangini? Meh, chances are slim. But how are we going to find out if this team keeps firing coaches, drafting me-first malcontents and overturning the roster every three-to-four years like this is a college football program?

 

Chances are, the Browns will keep chasing their tails by keeping players like Winslow and Edwards on the roster and by firing coaches the second they fail to meet anyone's expectations.

 

I am by no means approving of the job that Mangini has done so far, but the more I am watching this team, the more I realize that this teams problems stem much deeper than Mangini. He is gutting this team of the ones that are holding them back, whether the talent exists with that player or not.

 

I like what he is doing for the team down the road. Whether he does a good enough job on the field or not is for another argument, but in terms of building a TEAM atmosphere, I certainly approve of that aspect.

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This is a great read...and it exemplifies what NE did in the past and what I like about the direction the Browns are going...

 

 

 

I have always hated the "look at me" celebrations. If you are a WR and you make a catch...that is your JOB. If you are a LB and you make a tackle...that is your JOB. So what are you celebrating about?

 

(Maybe next time I DO MY JOB I should get up on my desk and play the air guitar!!!)

 

We are not the New England Patriots and I am sick and tired of us trying to be the Patriots, let us be the Cleveland Browns

 

 

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We are not the New England Patriots and I am sick and tired of us trying to be the Patriots, let us be the Cleveland Browns

Sony...come on. We have known all along that Mangini's style is patterned after his mentor (duh). So, if we mimic their path to success, what does it matter as long as it works.

 

I, for one, love the 'no superstar' approach. It went 14-0 for the Dolphins (remember, no name defense, not a single HOF player on it) and it worked pretty good for NE on offense for years (looking at what happened last year I am even MORE convinced Tom Brady is a product of a system).

 

So, if you want to call it copy cat...go ahead...but this IS a copy cat league.

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Cribbs, Thomas, Steinbach, Mack, Harrison, Rogers and Jackson are pretty damn good players in my book.

 

 

No one is expecting a Super Bowl with THIS group, however, the pieces they have in place at key positions (LT and NT) are some of the best in the business, some very promising young talent at center and WR.

 

Go look at the 20000 Pats roster. There are a few good players on there (their defensive line was awful ), but look at the roster. It doesn't look like anything special to me. A few very good players at some key positions and they built around those.

 

I liked your post and I wasn't really arguing against most of your points (not sure how it really related to the context of my post, and what it was in response to).

 

The only guys in that first list that I see as "core players" you can build a team around are Thomas and Rogers. Don't get me wrong, I like the other guys, but you got a ST specialist and some average guys there. W/ better talent around them, I am sure they could be very good. But I can't make them out to be more than they are, which is NFL starters.

 

It's a little early to say any of the young WR are promising young talent. That right now is still only hope. One good game by MoMass is exactly that, one good game. Andre' Davis had a couple of those.

 

2000 Pats roster had a good number of core guys that would also emerge as stars. But again, CLE isn't NE and EM is not BB. It may all work out, but it is kind of asking for lighting to strike twice. As I said earlier, how many teams have had the success NE had w/ that approach?

 

I am hoping it works in CLE, but it's far from a sure thing.

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I liked your post and I wasn't really arguing against most of your points (not sure how it really related to the context of my post, and what it was in response to).

 

The only guys in that first list that I see as "core players" you can build a team around are Thomas and Rogers. Don't get me wrong, I like the other guys, but you got a ST specialist and some average guys there. W/ better talent around them, I am sure they could be very good. But I can't make them out to be more than they are, which is NFL starters.

 

It's a little early to say any of the young WR are promising young talent. That right now is still only hope. One good game by MoMass is exactly that, one good game. Andre' Davis had a couple of those.

 

2000 Pats roster had a good number of core guys that would also emerge as stars. But again, CLE isn't NE and EM is not BB. It may all work out, but it is kind of asking for lighting to strike twice. As I said earlier, how many teams have had the success NE had w/ that approach?

 

I am hoping it works in CLE, but it's far from a sure thing.

 

 

In hindsight, Bill Belichick is a Hall of Fame head coach.

 

Nine years ago, he was basically Eric Mangini with a little more experience as an assistant.

 

I know people are tired of comparisons and I don't personally think Mangini will be Belichick in terms of success, but like young players, young coaches progress as they get older. I don't hate Mangini and I think he is much more "there" than RAC was.

 

As far as the MoMass reference. My opinion differs a little from yours based on what I have been told. Everything that I was told about MoMass was on display Sunday. He needs to do it consistently, yes, but I am not one to get too high on a young player (with the exception of Joe Thomas) without having a firm opinion of his talent and I TRULY think MoMass develops into a reliable #1.

 

Time will tell of course, but the way everyone is still flipping out on the guy is insane. They are buying into this media hype bullcrap.

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Sony...come on. We have known all along that Mangini's style is patterned after his mentor (duh). So, if we mimic their path to success, what does it matter as long as it works.

 

I, for one, love the 'no superstar' approach. It went 14-0 for the Dolphins (remember, no name defense, not a single HOF player on it) and it worked pretty good for NE on offense for years (looking at what happened last year I am even MORE convinced Tom Brady is a product of a system).

 

So, if you want to call it copy cat...go ahead...but this IS a copy cat league.

 

How often does that copy cat work out? Not a lot.

 

The 1972 Dolphins also this had this guy on D, Buonticonti, Nick (LB in HOF). It also isn't 1972 anymore, of the 80's for that matter.

 

I agree with you that Brady might be a product of the system, though I don't fully buy that.

 

I like the no superstar approach as much as you might, but it doesnt' mean it really works. I go back to the last 10 years and the only team that kind of worked for is NE.

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Jerry Rice didn't have very good 40 YD times.

 

Thats exactly my point, Robiskie could be the best wideout we have.

 

Im not even an OSU fan, but im sick of people calling him slow, and the fact that he wont stretch the field. Both of which are very untrue.

 

People are saying MM will stretch the field and Robiskie wont, yet he's slower and not as big as Robiskie, doesnt make sense

 

thats all im trying to point out

 

(plus im an Anquan Boldin fan and he ran a 4.72)

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Thats exactly my point, Robiskie could be the best wideout we have.

 

Im not even an OSU fan, but im sick of people calling him slow, and the fact that he wont stretch the field. Both of which are very untrue.

 

People are saying MM will stretch the field and Robiskie wont, yet he's slower and not as big as Robiskie, doesnt make sense

 

thats all im trying to point out

 

(plus im an Anquan Boldin fan and he ran a 4.72)

 

Keep in mind, there is 40 times on a track in shorts, and there is football speed in pads.

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Sony...come on. We have known all along that Mangini's style is patterned after his mentor (duh). So, if we mimic their path to success, what does it matter as long as it works.

 

I, for one, love the 'no superstar' approach. It went 14-0 for the Dolphins (remember, no name defense, not a single HOF player on it) and it worked pretty good for NE on offense for years (looking at what happened last year I am even MORE convinced Tom Brady is a product of a system).

 

So, if you want to call it copy cat...go ahead...but this IS a copy cat league.

 

John, we have tried the Patriot way with RAC and it did not work and now we are trying it again and its not going to work because there is only 1 Billy B and Eric Mangini or none of the other Belichek former assistants is making anybody think they are the next Belichek.

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers hae been as successful as the Patriots yet I don't see anyone trying to be like the Steelers which amazes me

 

Tell me why nobody wants to be like the Colts, Titans, Giants or Eagles who like the Steelers I would be trying to copy

 

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Thats exactly my point, Robiskie could be the best wideout we have.

 

Im not even an OSU fan, but im sick of people calling him slow, and the fact that he wont stretch the field. Both of which are very untrue.

 

People are saying MM will stretch the field and Robiskie wont, yet he's slower and not as big as Robiskie, doesnt make sense

 

thats all im trying to point out

 

(plus im an Anquan Boldin fan and he ran a 4.72)

 

Dude, Robiske is as good as he will ever be and he was not a dominant receiver at Ohio State another product of people on this board overrating Ohio State players, where is Antione Pittman now? out of the league and we had posters who wanted the Browns to draft this guy

 

Robiske can't get separation against NFL corners thats why he is not playing, I attended practice many days and saw this with my own eyes not reading a newspaper

 

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Sony...come on. We have known all along that Mangini's style is patterned after his mentor (duh). So, if we mimic their path to success, what does it matter as long as it works.

 

I, for one, love the 'no superstar' approach. It went 14-0 for the Dolphins (remember, no name defense, not a single HOF player on it) and it worked pretty good for NE on offense for years (looking at what happened last year I am even MORE convinced Tom Brady is a product of a system).

 

So, if you want to call it copy cat...go ahead...but this IS a copy cat league.

 

 

IF that line about Brady is true, BB would be really wise to trade him for a few first rounders here soon and get some pieces for the future.

 

It would be the Gretzky deal of our time.

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