Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' maligned receivers, the Indians' problems at second base and Grady Sizemore's future
Published: Sunday, July 24, 2011, 2:30 PM
Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lockout or not, there's always news from Northeast Ohio's sports teams.
About the Browns ...
1. Unless they were mouthing complete misinformation for months, the team really does want to find out about their receivers this season. They believe the combination of Colt McCoy's accuracy and a receiver-friendly West Coast offense can improve the cast of characters who have been catching the ball the past two seasons.
2. McCoy completed 60.8 percent of his passes last season, ranking No. 18 in the NFL. Very average, but consider the Browns completed 49.4 and 48.8 percent of their passes the previous two seasons. McCoy connected on 70 percent of his passes at Texas. The Browns believe McCoy can deliver the ball to receivers in stride so they can gain significant yardage after the catch.
3. Yards after catch is a big part of the West Coast offense. It's part of the reason they picked Greg Little in the second round of the draft. The receiver from North Carolina was a star running back in high school, and even played the position for part of his three-year college career. His 62 catches in 2009 were the fifth most in Tar Heels history.
4. Two members of the front office told me how eager they are to see wide receiver Carlton Mitchell in training camp. They believe the 6-3, 215-pounder can be like Little in the sense that he turns into a running back after he makes a catch. Mitchell was a sixth-round pick in 2010, and he played only 12 snaps. He carried the ball once for nine yards. At South Florida, he averaged a healthy 15.7 yards per catch.
5. The new coaching staff has watched tape of Mitchell in college. They see a "fantastic athlete" who runs "pretty good" routes. They like his speed and strength, but they saw some dropped passes. In this offense "dropped passes are death," as one coach told me. It's why they like Little, his hands were very impressive -- along with his pure athleticism.
6. Mohamed Massaquoi played 83 percent of the snaps last season -- by far the most of any Browns receiver. He caught 53 percent of the passes thrown in his direction and was credited with only four drops. He averaged 4.1 YAC, the best of any Browns wide receiver -- but only 54th in the league. Others' YAC on the Browns: Brian Robiskie (2.0), Ben Watson (4.0), Evan Moore (5.4) and Joshua Cribbs (6.7).
7. I'll be very curious to see what happens with Cribbs in the new offense. Unless someone is signed, they need a slot receiver. Cribbs played 42 percent of the snaps last season, sometimes in the slot, other times as a Wildcat in the backfield. He caught 23 of 36 (64 percent) passes thrown to him. He had only one drop. His 6.7 YAC was No. 8 in the NFL. Kansas City's Dexter McCluster (8.0) was the leader.
8. While spending a lot of time talking about receivers, I've been told the Browns will start most of their formations with two backs ... either next to each other, or in the "I". They may use a fullback or tight end in the backfield, but there will be two on most plays.
9. The Browns also believe they can use Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis together in some formations. One can be the fullback. Hillis received exceptional grades for his blocking last season. But the fullback must be able to catch the ball. While I've heard some lip service about retaining Lawrence Vickers, I doubt they will. Otherwise, why draft Stanford's Owen Marecic?
10. In Pat Shurmur's two seasons calling the plays for St. Louis, Stephen Jackson rushed for 1,416 and 1,246 yards -- and the Browns intend to have a 1,000-yard rusher this season.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_35.html
