Plenty of Battles at Cleveland Browns Training Camp

It’s been quite a few years since the Cleveland Browns had this many positional battles of note going into summer camp (outside of the revolving door at quarterback).

Actually, it is a pleasant surprise that the team actually has a few extra veterans with real NFL starting experience who may end up as backups on this team.

Probably the biggest issue the Browns franchise has faced since re-entering the league in 1999 is that every injury sustained has crippled the team due to its lack of depth.

General Manager George Kokinas and Head Coach Eric Mangini are doing their best to rectify that problem.

When a new coach and management team enters the fold, you can always expect that the new regime is going to open up competition at nearly every position on the roster.

This Browns team has taken that axiom to a whole new level.

Below is an analysis of some of the more compelling stories for the Browns as they get ready for training camp.

Quarterback: Brady Quinn v. Derek Anderson

The quarterback is the face of the franchise. The focus from many fans’ points of view never strays far from the quarterback dual between Quinn and Anderson.

The local (and to a lesser extent, national) sports talk shows speak ad nauseum about the Browns quarterback situation.

Everyone has an opinion on who should start, but the only opinion that matters belongs to Eric Mangini.

Anderson made the Pro Bowl in 2007, but regressed badly in 2008.

There was plenty of blame to go around for the ills of last year’s disastrous offensive performance, but Anderson sure did not help himself with his play.

Brady comes with the better pedigree as a first round draft choice out of Notre Dame.

Women adore him and he probably received more advertising dollars than any second string quarterback in NFL history.

Everyone loves the backup, but the only gauge we have to evaluate Quinn’s performance is some mop-up work in a few preseason games and a couple of average starts.

At this point, it is pure speculation as to whether he is the second coming of Joe Montana or the reincarnation of David Carr.

Mangini did throw out some signals during a recent press conference that he is leaning Brady’s way.

He mentioned that he likes what Quinn has done in the offseason and that he has a good presence in the huddle.

On the other hand, he had very little to say about Anderson. That speaks volumes.

Anderson’s personality, or lack thereof, may just cost him the starting job. He has never been a very good practice player, so most outside the organization predict that Quinn will get the nod.

Cornerback: Eric Wright v. Hank Poteat v. Corey Ivey v. Brandon McDonald v. Roderick Hood

The Browns recent signing of Roderick Hood, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, adds some quality depth at a position that was woefully thin in 2008.

With the addition of Hood, the team now has five players who have started in the NFL at cornerback.

None of the five could be termed a “shut-down” type corner, but the position certainly has improved since the end of last season.

In 2008, the Browns struggled to even find three healthy bodies when they were in their nickel package. They even resorted to using safeties as a third corner in passing situations.

Wright and McDonald both struggled at times last year, but also showed promise in their second years in the league (first as starters).

Wright started all sixteen games in 2008 and accumulated 66 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 return for a touchdown.

McDonald had 75 tackles, 17 passes defensed, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and also had a return for a touchdown in 2008.

Both Poteat and Ivey came to Cleveland under the guise that they would push Wright and McDonald for playing time or at the very least, move into the nickelback role.

Poteat is now 31 and has bounced around the league after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000. He is thought to be an Eric Mangini favorite after playing the last three years for him with the Jets.

Ivey has spent the last three years with the divisional rival Ravens. He has 21 starts in his 110-game career and is better known for his tackling ability than ball-hawking skills.

Adding Hood to the mix throws the position in a state of flux (for the better). Hood started 30 of the last 32 games for the Cardinals. At 27, Hood is in his prime and did have five interceptions for the Cardinals in 2007.

It is doubtful he was brought in to watch from the sidelines. He will get serious consideration to take over one of the starting positions from Wright or McDonald.

Center-Left Guard: Eric Steinbach v. Rex Hadnot v. Hank Fraley v. Alex Mack

It was almost unfathomable that former Pro Bowler Eric Steinbach would be fighting for a starting spot in 2009.

But the addition of Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack to play right guard has the Browns experimenting with a number of options on Steinbach’s side of the line.

The team has been practicing with former right guard starter Rex Hadnot at Steinbach’s position because they like Hadnot’s mauler type mentality in the run game.

Steinbach is an accomplished pass blocker, but is more of a “technique” run blocker than a down-hill road-grader.

Last years’ starting center Hank Fraley is only keeping the seat warm for first round draft choice Alex Mack.

Fraley is a solid veteran, but too often got pushed around by some of the bigger nose tackles around the league.

Mack was drafted for his intelligence as well as his nasty disposition on the football field. He has superior strength and size to Fraley, so it is just a matter of the coaches feeling comfortable with his ability to call out line duties.

However, both Fraley and Mack have the ability to move over and play guard. There is a chance that one of them could be added to the mix at left guard if Steinbach or Hadnot do not impress.

It is hard to tell whether the coaching staff is just trying to add versatility to the offensive line, or if Steinbach’s hold on the starting job really is in jeopardy.

Wide Receiver: Brian Robiskie v. Mike Furrey v. Mohamed Massaquoi

For now we are going to have to assume that Braylon Edwards is going to remain a Cleveland Brown.

Edwards and management have been saying all the right things about the trade speculation that followed him at draft time. Everyone involved has been trying to squelch any speculation that Edwards will not remain with the team.

But it is clear after using two draft choices in the second round on wide receivers, the team is gearing up for life without Braylon in the near future. That, however, may not come until after this season is over.

Donte Stallworth? Until his legal battles are over, Mangini is going about his business as if Stallworth were a former-Brown.

The coaching staff learned during rookie mini-camp and OTAs that Robiskie comes as advertised.

He has good size, is a smooth route runner, and has excellent hands. He is what you expect when your father is a long-time NFL wide receivers coach: NFL ready.

He looks like a solid number two wide receiver. But his average speed will keep him from ever being a game-breaker.

Massaquoi has all the “combine” measurables you want in a rookie wide receiver. That means he looks really good in a uniform and tests really good in non-football related activities.

The question that needs to be answered is whether that translates to the field.

He certainly is a big target at 6’2” 215 pounds. But there still are some questions about his hands and his lack of big-time productivity while at the University of Georgia.

Veterans Mike Furrey and David Patton were added to the roster to push the youngsters, along with holdover Joshua Cribbs.

Cribbs will get on the field for special packages, but isn’t a real contender to start. He will continue his slash role at WR/RB/QB/PR/KR/gunner and may add defensive safety to his resume.

Patton is a 13-year career journeyman who adds a veteran presence to the roster. He is a third or fourth wideout at best.

Furrey has the best career numbers of the group, once catching 98 passes with the Detroit Lions in 2006. His lack of size makes it more likely that he will line up in the slot in passing situations.

The Defensive Front Seven

The number of different combinations that could be on the field out of this group is too numerous to mention.

The only players assured of starting spots are inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and nose tackle Shaun Rogers.

Even Wimbley might get a push from whoever loses the other outside linebacker battle between David Bowens and Alex Hall.

Bowens is a solid run-stopper. Hall has the most upside as a pass rusher.

Rookies David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava are fighting for playing time with ex-Jet Eric Barton, Beau Bell, Bo Rudd and Leon Williams at middle linebacker.

Barton is an 11-year veteran and has had 100 or more tackles in five of the last seven years. His knowledge of Mangini’s defensive system gives him a big edge.

The defensive line will be shuffling in and out depending upon down and distance.

Another former Jet, Kenyon Coleman is the probable starter as a bookend to Shawn Rogers.

Corey Williams (coming off shoulder surgery), Robaire Smith (coming off an Achilles injury), C.J. Mosley (yet another former Jet), and Shawn Smith (attitude issues) are all in the mix.

There is even some talk that the team could use mammoth nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin while sliding Rogers over to end in some situations.

Others

There is also some ironing out to do at safety, tight end, right tackle and backup running back.

The new regime has made a point of stressing that practice habits are the key to playing time and that no one player is bigger than the team. Nobody’s job is safe for long.

Depending upon injuries and a number of other variables, all of these situations are malleable.

If anything, summer camp will be interesting.