Cleveland Browns Preseason: Brownie Thoughts Halfway To Regular Season
The Cleveland Browns are 1-1 after their first two games of the 2010 preseason schedule.
With two more games left, one being the actual dress rehearsal for the starters and the other being the "bubble bowl" for the young players to make the team, the Browns have already made leaps and bounds compared to one year ago at this same time.
The following are some of my thoughts and opinions at the halfway point of this preseason as the regular season quickly approaches.
Quarterback Play Is Night and Day From Last Year
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The Browns do not have their version of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or even Aaron Rodgers, but they do have two competent veteran quarterbacks in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.
Delhomme was feared to be washed up and that along with his turnover issues are reasons he was cut by the Carolina Panthers this offseason, only to be scooped up quickly be new team president Mike Holmgren.
After two preseason games, Delhomme has shown the ability to stay away from interceptions in the Browns' short, ball-control passing game, and he has shown that he can overcome bad snap exchanges and playing in monsoon-like weather too.
Both great signs for what is hopefully to come from him this season.
Wallace has shown that he can and most likely will come in randomly throughout games this entire season to provide some excitement in the Cyclone formation with Josh Cribbs and he also can make plays with both his legs and his cannon of an arm throwing.
Colt McCoy is a rook and he looks like one too, but that is fine since 2010 is his time to sit back and learn.
Mohamed Masaquoi Is More Important Than Most Thought
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Massaquoi is going into the 2010 season and the only sure thing the Browns have at receiver with all others underneath him on the depth chart needing to prove themselves this year.
He was not able to play in the rainy game versus the St. Louis Rams, and it showed because the passing game was hurting outside of fellow receiver Chansi Stuckey who was the only one that stood out.
Massaquoi's value as the Browns' No .1 receiving option is quite obvious and he skill-set and talents make opposing defenses focus on him since he is the biggest threat the team has on the outside.
Without Massaquoi, the Browns will get shut down unless another can step up their game to the level that Massaquoi's is at.
Running Back Group Is Still an Open Competition
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The Browns do have Jerome Harrison, but the highlights in the backfield so far have been provided by Peyton Hillis and has uncanny ability to run with power and drag defenders behind him as well.
Harrison has a touchdown run from the very first drive against the Green Bay Packers, but other than that he has not looked like the starter the Browns were hoping especially with his fumbles in game two. Some have even suggested that Harrison could be trade bait before the deadline if rookie Montario Hardesty is as advertised from the offseason program.
Hardesty is really the unknown and his knee sprain and not being at training camp to condition with others has been shrouded in mystery, but that is how head coach Eric Mangini likes to run things too.
Backups James Davis and Chris Jennings have not made any big contributions so far either.
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Ben Watson Will Have a Big Season In 2010
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When the Browns signed Watson they were hoping to get a versatile player who could come in and not only block, but makes plays with his hands too.
Watson has been everything the Browns have wanted so far after two preseason games and he has already caught two touchdowns which is one more than he caught all season lone last year with the New England Patriots.
In the Browns' short passing attack, Watson will get many passes thrown his way and don't be surprised is he leads the team in receptions this season.
Also impressive has been backup Evan Moore, who most likely will take over as the backup and No. 2 to Watson once the season begins.
Moore's potential is sky-high and he can be in the Browns' future way after Watson's three-year deal is done.
Right Side Of The Offensive Line
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The left side of the line is solid with Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, and center Alex Mack anchoring what is one of the best left side's in the NFL.
Then there is the right side.
With questions surrounding how the depth chart will fall on the right side between guards Floyd Womack and Shawn Lauvao and tackles John St. Clair and Tony Pashos, the Browns need to find stability on that side with some kind of combination between these four.
Early reports look like St. Clair is much improved over last season and he could start with Womack at guard next to him, but that can change in the last two preseason games too.
Defensive Lineman Needs a Jolt Of Something
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Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers has been out for all of training camp and preseason so far which does not bode well for the defensive line, but does bode well for Ahtyba Rubin who will most likely be the centerpiece of the line all season long now.
Mangini has also told the Cleveland media that there is a chance Rogers may miss the first six games of the regular season now due to his slow recovery from ankle surgery.
That leaves many questions on the Browns' line and you better believe that they will focus on the defensive line next offseason to improve the depth, talent-level, and age to get much younger at the position since it has the oldest average age of players on the team.
Are The Linebackers Really Improved?
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The Browns went out and acquired Scott Fujita for his leadership and Chris Gocong for his potential in the offseason to help bolster the depth and versatility of the linebacking group.
No one has really stood out in this group with the exception of second-year player Marcus Benard being everywhere on the field in game one, but there has been hardly any pass rush and pressure on opposing quarterbacks through two games.
This may be a result of bad defensive line play too, but the linebackers need to step up their game if they are going to come anywhere close to matching 2009's 40 sack total.
T.J. Ward and The Secondary
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The Browns' secondary is quickly becoming T.J. Ward's secondary especially after his terrific game one performance where he was Troy Polamalu-like and making plays and hits all over the football field.
This is not to say rookie first rounder Joe Haden has not done a good job too, but Ward has made more an an impact more quickly.
Veteran corners Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright look to be a great combo this season covering the AFC North's opposing receivers that got a jolt of talent to it by adding both Anquan Boldin and Terrell Owens.
The Browns secondary should be much more productive in its coverages and its ability to create turnovers this season too.
Offensive Playcalling
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Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll took a ton of shots at his playcalling from 2009 and many Browns fans wanted Holmgren to replace him in the offseason.
Crazy as it sounds, the playcalling has looked much better after two games and that could be the result of either having veteran quarterbacks or advisor Gil Haskell's presence to help Daboll.
Whatever the reason is the playcalling looks much improved so far.
Any Others?
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These are only several thoughts and observations I have had after two preseason games, but there are plenty more.
Browns fans, let me and others know what thoughts and observations you have in the comments section below.
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