Browns wrap up preseason

Yesterdays final tuneup against the Bears generally went well and we have now arrived to the end of a preseason that gave us much to be optimistic about.
Roster cut down time is now upon us. Here is a good article from the Canton Repository's Josh Weir summing up the key roster decisions to be taken by the Browns within this Saturday. One interesting aside is Joel Reinders who has rarely played this pre-season and clearly is not ready for the NFL. The article mentions that Reinders will likely make the taxi squad so the Browns appear to be impressed enough with Reinders athletic skills to invest one year in seeing if his potential can be transformed into playing ability

Here are some roster decisions impacted by the final exhibition game:

Plus
- Colt McCoy was a perfect 13 for 13 passing. Colt has certainly made the active roster as 3rd string QB. Here is hoping that Brett Ratliff does not get cut. He too is an NFL caliber quarterback and it would be a shame to lose him. Perhaps the Browns put Ratliff on the taxi squad instead of cutting him.


- Carlton Mitchell showed enough skills that he might just make the active roster instead of the taxi squad or getting cut

Minus
- Montario Hardesty left the stadium on crutches. That will likely mean a season long trip to the disabled list for Hardesty which saves the roster spot of James Davis.

Grossi insights - Must read

Tony Grossi has an inside line to key Browns decision makers and the attached article is a must read for anybody who wants to know what is going through Mike Holmgren's head right now. The biggest surprise? Colt McCoy is fighting for his job. I am convinced that McCoy has a future in Cleveland but with today's NFL economics, even unproven rookie QBs who we plan to sit on the bench, have to show something to justify their salary. The problem with McCoy is that in two games he has looked quite lost. Right now the game is just too fast for him and it is tempting to management to save money but cutting ties now. Especially considering how good the top two guys have looked.

My guess is that the Browns are simply sending a signal to McCoy that he needs to have a sense of urgency. McCoy will make the team.

As the Brown Log has already pointed out, Carlton Mitchell is also on the firing line. I think the world of Mitchell's potential but to use a baseball analogy, he is a player who clearly needs a year or two in AAA ball. Whereas QB is a position in which the Browns can invest a roster spot for one year, it's not the case for receivers. If Mitchell cannot produce he will be cut loose and will have to find a spot on another NFL team or perhaps the CFL where he can work on his skills.

On the positive side, Joe Haden is clearly a winner. I was surprised during the Green Bay game at how good Haden looked returning kicks. In spite of a fantastic college career, Haden "fell to" the 7th pick in round 1 because he was relatively slow in the 40 yard dash at the combine. We all know how the Brown Log feels about using track meet data to judge if someone can play football and it looks like Haden is further evidence that football players cannot be judged only by track meet data. He may be slow on the track, but this guys recognition and guts give him that extra edge that makes him look blazing fast on a football field.

Browns vs Cardinals

Even though the Browns lost to the Cardinals 19-17, the second exhibition game of the season brought more good news than bad.

On the positive side, Jake Delhomme continued to show he can lead the Browns offense and that is of major import to the success of this years team. On offense, the only negatives were rookies. Carlton Mitchell once again struggled. Against Green Bay he couldn't get open and against the Rams he dropped the two passes thrown his way. Wide receiver is probably too critical a position to invest in Mitchell while he learns on the job, I'm afraid he is headed towards the waiver wire even if I still believe his upside will eventually result in a permanent NFL job. Colt also looked bad, though it's clear the Browns will give him the time he needs to help him adjust to the speed at which the NFL game is played. For now Colt is clearly out of his league.

On D, the line must improve. Right now our defense is weak and it is the defensive line play that is the source of the problem. Shaun Rogers return will help but not enough.

Browns minicamp

Insights from Browns minicamp by Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle Telegram. I am especially happy to see Carlton Mitchell off to a good start.

Proof that NFL scouts are often fools: Brian Sipe

We've just finished yet another NFL draft. Some players went higher than expected and some lower. As the years pass we'll be able to judge the scouts on their skill in the 2010 draft but there are also decades of proof in our rear view mirror.

A good example is Brown's great Brian Sipe, who in spite of the fact that he led the nation in passing his senior year at San Diego State, was not drafted by the Browns in the 1972 NFL Draft until the 13th round. Why? Well of course, his arm wasn't good enough and he was too short and not athletic enough. Sipe of course went on to a stellar career with the Browns, registering 6 winning seasons in the 7 years he was the Browns starter. When you consider that Art Modell was the owner all of those years, it makes Sipe's winning record all the more impressive.

In the below youtube video of a Sipe led drive against Minnesota, you can witness some of the intangibles that allowed Sipe to rise about the rest of the pack. Most interesting to note is how cool and collected Sipe is in the face of Minnesota pass rushers, who in two cases annihilate Sipe after he gets the throw off.

In the book Kardiac Kids by Jonathan Knight, Browns great Doug Dieken, when asked why Paul McDonald was a failure and Sipe was a success in the NFL, gave the following answer:

"In a seven on seven drill when you're just going against defensive backs and linebackers and nobody is rushing you, isn't the same as being out there and having guys zinging by your head. That was the difference between Sipe and McDonald"

The 2010 was, on balance, a good draft for the Browns. Ironically however, it will probably be players like Joe Haden, Colt McCoy and Carlton Mitchell, all of whom had a hard time impressing the scouts, who will really contribute to the future succes of the Cleveland Browns.

Browns steal Carlton Mitchell

Previously profiled here on The Brown Log, the Browns grab Carlton Mitchell in round 6. Grabbing Mitchell in the 6th round is a steal of historic proportions, The Brown Log said it first, so mark our words, this guy is going to be a major contributor to our success.



Here is a scouting report on Mitchell

STRENGTHS

Mitchell has an elite combination of size and speed for the next level. Has big, strong hands. His height and long-range speed make him a legitimate deep threat. Has a ton of upside potential. Is a ferocious blocker. Will really compete for the football in traffic and isn't afraid to take a big hit.

WEAKNESSES

Mitchell is still a very raw prospect whose draft status could have improved with another year of seasoning. At this time, he's a poor route runner on short to intermediate routes. He also likes to body catch and must do a better job of attacking the football away from his frame.

2010 NFL Draft: Carlton Mitchell WR USF

Mike Holmgren has been delightfully methodical in analyzing, quantifying and resolving the talent issues faced by the Cleveland Browns. First he cleaned up the quarterback position, then he set his sights on the defense and now it appears he is looking for solutions to the lack of talent at the wide receiver position. Rumor has it that the Browns are studying USF wide receiver Carlton Mitchell as a possible second round choice. Mitchell possesses blazing speed and would help the Browns open up the field, benefitting all aspects of our offense.

Have a look at some highlights of Mitchell from the 2010 NFL Draft combine



Here is one of Mitchell's highlight reel plays at USF