Cleveland Browns 2010 Training Camp: 'Tis The Season For Competition
The Cleveland Browns 2010 training camp is set to start for all Browns fans to see on July 31 at their training facility in Berea, OH.
One year ago when the Browns opened camp to the public for the first time, there were thousands of fans in attendance.
Now that the "Big Show" is in town—new president Mike Holmgren—the attendance this year should easily be even larger than last year's.
There are some very important battles happening in camp this year, and the following are the top positional battles to watch once camp opens.
RB Battle: Jerome Harrison Vs. Montario Hardesty
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This battle is really Harrison's to lose and not so much Hardesty's to win.
With a stellar 550 yards-plus in the last three weeks of 2009, Harrison showed both the team and fans that he can be highly effective running the ball as a featured runner. But the new Browns regime felt differently, picking up Hardesty in the second round of the 2010 draft.
No matter who is technically "the featured back," this is the NFL, and injuries can and will happen. That is why so many teams have multiple backs to run the ball—to reduce fatigue and the chance of injury.
Harrison's smaller stature (5'9" 205 pounds) is a compliment to Hardesty's fuller frame (6'0" 225 pounds) and both will see plenty of carries in 2010. Along with other strong teammates in the backfield, this position is easily one of the strengths on offense for the Browns to return to some good ol' fashioned AFC North smash-mouth football this year.
RB Battle: A Battle For The Bottom
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This time last year, then-rookie running back James Davis was all the buzz both in the offseason programs, training camp, and in preseason—much the same as Hardesty has been a big buzz so far this offseason.
An accidental injury during a regular season practice knocked Davis out for the rest of the season, which gave fellow back and also 2009 rookie Chris Jennings the chance to get reps in the last half of the season after Jamal Lewis went down for the year.
Now the backfield is much beefier with the additions of Hardesty and halfback Peyton Hillis, both of whom bring power to the Browns' running attack.
Looking to be a run-first team in 2010 and piggybacking off of their strong running performances in the final four games of 2009, the Browns' backfield is stacked. The fact that fans are debating on whether the team should keep either Davis or Jennings is a good thing, because you can never have enough backs in the NFL.
WR Battle: Brian Robiskie Vs. Josh Cribbs
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After coming into the NFL in 2009 and being touted as the most polished receiver in the 2009 draft class, Robiskie fought through the growing pains of transitioning from college to the pros with only seven receptions.
Cribbs may not be a true receiver, since he is more of a decoy or quick screen player for that position more than anything else, but he is the player for Robiskie to beat out to win a starting spot opposite of second-year starter Mohamed Massaquoi.
Reported to be looking better during the offseason programs, Robiskie will need to step up his game to become a solid contributor on offense in 2010. But do not forget that Robiskie also started off slow at Ohio State, catching only one pass his freshman year, then improving to 29 receptions in year two.
If he can get any improvement like that (or better) in 2010, then he would be taking a step in the right direction for both himself and the Browns.
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WR Battle: Another Battle at The Bottom
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The Browns have many questions at the receiver position, with the exception of Massaquoi, and there will also be a battle for remaining roster spots near the bottom of the position's depth chart.
Bobby Engram, Chansi Stuckey, Carlton Mitchell, Jake Allen, Jonathan Haggerty, and Syndric Steptoe will all be vying for the last spots on the chart after Massaquoi, Cribbs, and Robiskie.
Browns fans have debated whether the team could keep as many as six receivers on the final 53-man roster, but that answer will be decided once preseason nears its end.
Engram was brought in due to his veteran status and association with Holmgren, but he may just be a vet who is here now to help the young group learn the ropes.
Mitchell was the Browns' sixth round draft pick and even though he is raw, he still has tremendous size (6'3" 215 pounds) and speed (4.4 40-yard dash) which could help the Browns stretch the field. He also has zero pressure on his shoulders compared to a higher pick, and he could surprise many if he can adjust to the pro game with the questions surrounding the position.
Allen and Steptoe will most likely become pink-slip casualties.
Haggerty could be an undrafted steal and he might be able to sneak in with the final spot on the chart if he can find a place on special teams to contribute.
Stuckey is a favorite of head coach Eric Mangini, but he will have to step up his game to fend of the promising rookies.
TE Battle: Who Will Be No. 2 Behind Watson?
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Benjamin Watson is the incumbent seeing as how he was signed to a three-year deal from the Patriots this offseason, but the depth chart lineup after him is a mystery.
Evan Moore was a pleasant mid-season waiver wire pickup in 2009, but he is only in year two and he is also learning the position since he was a wide receiver in college. Moore's potential is very high, though, and if he can adapt and learn from Watson he could have a bright future in Cleveland and he could be No. 2 on the chart come the regular season too.
Alex Smith was picked up after the Eagles cut him from their roster, and general manager Tom Heckert wasted no time in bringing the tight end from his team last season to Cleveland.
Robert Royal is no pass catching tight end, and after his lackluster 2009 performance dropping passes there is nothing more to say about that part of his game. But he excels in both pass blocking and run blocking and he could make the cut just based on that talent alone since the Browns look to be a run-heavy team this year.
OG Battle: A Pork Chop Vs. A Samoan
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Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack found it difficult to block for the Browns at right guard in 2009, mostly due to the terrible play right next to him form the right tackle spot. But with the addition of new right tackle Tony Pashos, Womack's blocking should improve since the offensive line cannot have one weak link which will affect the rest of the line.
Womack needs to keep an eye over his should though, because rookie guard Shawn Lauvao is a big and bad Samoan guard who brings a warrior attitude with him on the football field.
The 2005 Hawaii Strongest Teen, Lauvao could push Womack for playing time in 2010 barring any injuries.
DT Battle: Shaun Rogers Vs. Ahtyba Rubin
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Rubin filled in nicely for Rogers after he went down for the 2009 season, and perhaps Rubin filled in too well.
Now rumors are rampant that Rogers will be moved over to defensive end due to Rubin's terrific play as his replacement in 2009, which saw the Browns' run defense improve by well over 50-plus yards per game in rushing yards allowed.
OLB Battle: Who Will Be The Starters? Who Will Be The Backups?
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Matt Roth was another nice waiver wire pickup by Mangini and the Browns in mid-season last year, and he stepped right into the starting lineup and made an impact almost immediately as a pass rusher.
Both Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan love versatile defenders, and they especially love versatility in the linebackers. It shows since the Browns went out and picked up Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong, who can play both inside and outside along with 2009 linebackers David Bowens and Jason Trusnik.
The question is is Roth is the starter on one side, who is the starter opposite of him?
Look for the Browns to have a constant rotation of outside linebackers rotating in and out depending on the game situation and formation called by Ryan.
ILB Battle: Jackson? Fujita? Gocong? Bowens? Who Will It Be?
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There is no doubt that D'Qwell Jackson is talented as an inside linebacker, but he could have hurt is long-term future in the orange and brown due to his offseason contract dispute and threats to possibly hold out.
Also not helping his cause is the additions of Fujita and Gocong, both who as mentioned in the previous slide can play either inside or outside positions, while Jackson is just an inside player.
Figuring out who will play where and who will start in the linebacker group will be one of the most important things to watch on the defense during camp.
CB Battle: Who Will Round Out The Bottom of The Depth Chart?
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Second-year cornerback Coye Francies had a promising 2009 preseason ,playing very aggressive on defense. But then he got lost in the depths for the entire regular season, seeing sporadic playing time on special teams here and there. Another good preseason this year could solidify a roster spot near the bottom of the chart once again in 2010.
Other corners who will be fighting for their roster lives are Brandon McDonald, Gerrard Lawson, and undrafted rookie Chris Chancellor.
Any one of these players could make the cut as the No. 4 and dime corner behind the top three of Eric Wright, Sheldon Brown, and Joe Haden.
Safety Battle: Who Will Be The Starting Free Safety For Game One?
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Currently penciled in as the starting free safety pre-training camp is veteran Mike Adams, but second round pick T.J. Ward is confident that he can transition over from playing strong safety in college to playing free safety in the NFL.
The starting strong safety will most likely be Abram Elam, unless late round pick Larry Asante breaks out in camp and the preseason. Mangini said himself that he is not opposed to starting two rookies at safety once the regular season starts.
Mangini saying that is somewhat of a surprise since Elam is one of his guys and he was the key is the 2009 first round draft-day trade with the New York Jets, who wanted to move up to pick quarterback Mark Sanchez.
The safety position has been rebuilt for 2010 and beyond, but will either of the rookies be able to start in one or both safety positions?
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