Dawgs of War: Cleveland Browns, Post Minicamp

As the voluntary minicamp comes to a close, Browns fans all know one thing: It's time for change.  Since the league brought the Browns back into the NFL in '99, the Cleveland Browns have underachieved every year they were expected to succeed, and overachieved in years when no one saw them coming. 

While it's nice to be the surprise team on the block, more often than not the Browns have been the league punching bag.  Not only for jokes off the field—"I'm taking the Browns to the Super Bowl"—but on the field as well. How did that projected 10-6 season go last year? 

The mood in Cleveland, however, is slowly starting to change. That change happened when George Kokinis was named general manager and Eric Mangini was named head coach of this "new" Browns organization.

Cleveland fans know exactly how the new regime change begins.  One man comes in promising to turn the ship around, another man comes in with the same promise, coaches are hired, free agents are signed, and the Browns still haven't been to the playoffs since Tim Couch had the helm.

Couch—really? What do the Browns' faithful have to look forward this season?  More disappointment, more upset? Or will the Burnt Orange blaze like never before? Only time will tell. 

However, some positives that come from the regime change are plenty.  For the first time since 1999, the Browns avoided all the "sexy" picks in this year's draft. The front office showed a little faith in not drafting a quarterback in the first round, instead opting to go with either spot starter, Derek Anderson, or the possible diamond in the rough, Brady Quinn.

As minicamp ends, we don't have any real answers yet. Who's the starter? What's the depth chart looking like?

Mangini has said, "We don't really have a depth chart, rather a rep-chart. Some guys are moving around not based on where they are but based on us wanting to see that player run that route. We may want to see Brian Robiskie run a comeback. We may want to see Braylon (Edwards) run a certain route."

He also said Edwards "has done great job the first two days," which is great to hear.  Edwards seemed to have taken a step back last season, rather than a step forward.  He missed camps and training and seemed like he was behind most of the year. 

That doesn't explain the plethora of easy catches though he did miss.  It seemed like Braylon was just lost in the sauce, so to speak.  A Browns rebound starts with a healthy and game-ready Edwards catching balls. As our only real vertical threat, he needs to be prepared this season. 

Other news and notes that are worthy of mention:

Mangini had this to say about tight end and second year player, Martin Rucker: "It's been two days' worth of work, but he's done a couple of good things. He caught a nice double move the first day, went up there and got it, so that was good to see.

"He is learning like everybody else. It's a little different than most camps, because the whole group is learning information. It's positive in a lot of ways because it levels the playing field for even the rookies, because it's first time for everyone at the same spot."

Tight end is one of the most important positions in the Browns offense, a check-down receiver mostly.  Whoever is taking the snaps at quarterback needs to have faith in the tight end. With Kellen Winslow gone, the Browns have a glaring hole in their offense.  Steve Heiden is a very capable TE, but lacks the athleticism that Winslow brought to the table. 

In closing, The Browns look like a rebuilding team, without the rebuilding attitude.  Instead of focusing on negatives and trying to improve, Mangini and the Browns are focusing on the positives and moving forward—a system that Cleveland hasn't seen before. 

While it's only training camp, it's still a start to the rebuilding path.  I for one am looking forward to the upcoming season, just to see where this new regime stacks up. 

-Vinsane, VSN Writer

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