[h=1]Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' confidence, Josh Gordon's problem, the Cavaliers' decisions and Nick Hagadone dispute with the Tribe[/h][h=5]Published: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 11:50 PM[/h]By
Terry Pluto, The Plain DealerThe Plain Dealer
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The Plain DealerTom Heckert has bolstered the Browns roster without worrying about media or fan criticism, which is a good sign of his confidence, says Terry Pluto.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Fourth has passed, and this qualifies as those lazy, hazy days. But let's start talkin' ...
About the Browns...
1. Tom Heckert doesn't care what the experts think of his draft. The Browns' general manager doesn't care that some thought Brandon Weeden at No. 22 was too high, or that picking a 28-year-old QB is a bad idea. Heckert likes Weeden's arm and attitude. After watching Weeden in minicamps, the general manager and coaching staff are convinced they are right about Weeden. The quarterback play will improve with the former minor-league pitcher and Oklahoma State football star.
2. It's the same with picking Josh Gordon in the second round of the supplemental draft. Yes, Gordon sat out last season after transferring to Utah. Yes, he had two failed drug tests at Baylor. Yes, it's believed the Browns are the only team to submit a second-round bid. But it's also true that the supplemental lottery system gave Buffalo a higher spot than the Browns, and they feared Buffalo would submit a third-round pick. If that was the case and the Browns waited, Gordon would have gone to the Bills.
3. Just as the front office was not shy about trading a fifth-round pick to Minnesota to make sure they got Trent Richardson in April, Heckert and Co. were determined to grab Gordon. Heckert remembers being criticized for second-round picks used on T.J. Ward (2010) and Greg Little (2011), and both ended up as productive starters as rookies.
4. The Browns target about 20 players in the first few rounds -- and go after them. They know other observers may have some of them graded for the middle rounds, but they only are concerned with getting as many of that top 20 as possible. They projected Gordon to be in their top 20 next season, assuming he played at Utah.
5. They believe there's some speed with Travis Benjamin (fourth rounder) and Gordon. They have Little, who led the 2011 team with 61 receptions, 20 more than anyone else. For all the compliments given to Mohamed Massaquoi, the Browns have added three young receivers -- Little, Gordon and Benjamin. They know Massaquoi has yet to establish himself as a starter, and has a history of concussions.
6. Add Joshua Cribbs and Jordan Norwood to the mix, and there are six receivers. Seven if you want to count Carlton Mitchell, but he didn't impress the last two coaching staffs enough to get on the field for this receiver-hungry team. Cribbs will be primarily on special teams, as he is really valued on coverage along with returning kicks and punts.
7. For all the talk of Gordon, the receiver most likely to take a big step forward is Little. The Browns love how he's lost 15 pounds and seems quicker. He arrived after sitting out his last season at North Carolina for accepting money from an agent. Little missed rookie and minicamps in 2011 because of the labor dispute.
8. Yes, Little dropped a lot of passes, but he also had more thrown in his direction than any other player in an orange helmet. The Browns threw to Little 121 times (14 drops, 61 catches). Next was Massaquoi (74 targets, 31 catches, 4 drops).
About Josh Gordon and risk...
View full sizeAP fileJosh Gordon hasn't run away from the reasons for his departure from Baylor, which is an encouraging sign.
1. Yes, there is a risk about a guy who flunked two tests for marijuana and was suspended at Baylor. In most circumstances, I would be against it. I admit, a disputed report of a third failed drug test at Utah makes me nervous.
But I like how Gordon said the reason he had to leave Baylor was the marijuana tests. The school simply said "breaking team rules." He owned up to the second offense. He messed up and said so. His honesty impressed the Browns.
2. He stayed in contact with Baylor coach Art Briles, who believes the young man can turn around.
3. Gordon told the PD's Mary Kay Cabot: "I was in a rehabilitation program with group counseling, and I saw a psychiatrist, like, three times a week. ... I had to report back to the team while I was practicing. But I never tested positive at Utah."
4. At some point, we will find out if the report of failed test at Utah is true. I do know that Gordon's comments matched what the Browns discovered in their dealings with Utah, where coaches said Gordon was no problem off the field and their most talented receiver in practice.
5. The Browns have strong connections at Baylor. Brian (father of receiver Jordan) Norwood is the assistant head coach. They have been watching Baylor tape and attending practices for years. They heavily scouted Phil Taylor (their No. 1 pick in 2011) with the Bears. They believe they've done their homework.
6. When Gordon played in 2010, he tied Kendall Wright for the team lead with seven touchdown catches. Wright led the team with 78 receptions. Then came Tevin Reese (45), Terrance Williams (43) and Gordon (42). The quarterback was Robert Griffin III. Entering his junior season, Gordon was listed as the No. 2 receiver on the depth chart when he left school.
7. The bottom line will be how Gordon conducts himself with the Browns, where he should be drug tested regularly and remain in a support group. Staying straight will be the key to his success.
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