Written by Dave Kolonich

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Welcome to the “Starving Time” of the Browns’ offseason – that painful existence where relevant news of our franchise is reduced to a blurry line of speculation.  Of course, this is an annual occurrence in Berea – as the post-frenzy of the draft finally crashes to a shuddering halt – leaving the remains of information to consist solely of sites who tell stories through slideshows and media outlets who love to rehash recycled talking points.

And those who just love to clean up the mess.

Speaking of which, how about a Sunday Roundup?

First, you’ll realize how desperate times are considering the “origin” of this first story.  Or, in other words, let’s go slumming.

Mangini on McCoy

The Cleveland Browns are obviously expected to start Jake Delhomme this year at quarterback and will insert Seneca Wallace if he falters.

So, does that leave rookie Colt McCoy glued to the bench?

“He will not play this year,” Browns team president Mike Holmgren said following the NFL draft. “I repeat, he will not play this year. .. Things could change, but I don’t expect him to play this year. We did not draft him necessarily to come in and play this year.

“Now, the final call will be Eric’s and practice will determine certain things, but we have three quarterbacks already here that we feel very good about.”

However, Mangini emphasized today that he wouldn’t rule out McCoy playing, noting the advice of former Ravens and Colts coach Ted Marchibroda.

“Never say never and never say always,” Mangini said. “I don’t know, I mean we’ll see. I think what Mike (Holmgren) says is what we’re anticipating happening, but you don’t know. You don’t know.

“I think as we mentioned last night, the best thing that might be able to happen to him is that he just sits, watches, learns and makes the transition into the pro game.”

Actually, this entire post comes from Mary Kay Cabot’s PD piece, which is ironic on so many different levels….not the least of which is my citation of both.

Anyway, in the grand scheme of things – at least in the 2010 version – Mangini’s comments offer very little regarding the future of the QB position.  However, what’s more interesting is the subtle change in language from Mike Holmgren to Mangini over the span of a week.

The entire working relationship between Holmgren and Mangini will be interesting to watch develop in 2010.  So far, there appears to be genuine consensus between the two, but as the new Browns move closer to becoming an actual “on-field” product – it could be fascinating to see how the opinions at the top of the franchise trickle down the chain of command.

After all, Mangini is adjusting to a new situation, one where in the words of Bill Parcells, he’s not exclusively “buying the groceries.”

Speaking of which….and this story should look very familiar….

Mangini’s Camp Thoughts

Of course, the plan is for the Browns to head into training camp with veteran Jake Delhomme as their starter, and the expectation is that camp will end that way.

“I don’t necessarily look at it as a comeback [for Delhomme],” said Mangini. “I think I look at it as last year being more of the exception to what has been a very good and consistent career. We have those blips, all of us.”

Mangini also said that the acquisition of three quarterbacks — Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and McCoy — doesn’t spell the end for Brett Ratliff, acquired last season in the Braylon Edwards trade.

“I’m not opposed to carrying four quarterbacks and Mike’s not opposed to that, Tom [Heckert] is not opposed to that so I think he’s got a great opportunity,” Mangini said. “He really did a good job in my time in New York with him.

From the Remember Me? Department comes reports that Brett Ratliff is alive and well in Berea.  Ratliff, after all, is the prototypical early May player – one who holds a ton of promise – especially on paper. 

Or, how about this?  Ratliff was McCoy – only without the sterling college resume and rampant hype.  Now, he’s just Ratliff.

However, in his defense, Ratliff appeared fairly competent during last season’s training camp and through some limited preseason action.  Size-wise, Ratliff compares well with McCoy and features a decent arm and some mobility.  Of course, something has to be said for Ratliff being buried behind two of the most historically inept QB’s in team history last season. 

But again, hope does spring eternal in the late Spring of the NFL calendar.

Along with some genuine concern…

None of the Browns’ restricted free agents has signed his tender and it’s unknown which will show up for organized team activities which begin May 17.

At least some of them have stayed away from the off-season program. The RFAs include D’Qwell Jackson, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, Abe Elam and Matt Roth.

Jackson’s agent, Brian Mackler, who’s seeking a new long-term deal for Jackson, said Jackson hasn’t participated in the off-season program “because he’s not under contract.”‘ He said he hoped the Browns would discuss a long-term deal after the draft.

Mangini admitted he has no idea how it will unfold.

“You want everybody here,” he said. “I would love for all those guys to be here. If they’re not then it gives an opportunity to some other guys to learn the system and get reps and do all of those things. So however it works out, it works out.”

It’s never early to worry like an old lady. 

Although it may be a bit too soon to concern yourself with the prospects of the Browns’ still restricted free agents, it is worth noting that all of the above mentioned players should be penciled in as starters for the 2010 season.  For those of you counting at home, that’s five starters on a roster whose depth is paper-thin.

Or, another way to view the situation – the team’s starting backfield/core of the running game, outside linebacker, only veteran safety and most athletic inside linebacker.

Of course, history tells us that most restricted free agents take a while longer to sign up for a coming season.  Combine this with the near certainity of uncertainity that is looming with the coming labor impasse, and perhaps the situation is not as dire as it would appear. 

But then again, is anyone else comfortable with two rookie safety starters and 45-year old Eric Barton as the anchor of the defense?

Speaking of more things recycled…

Mangini said the Browns are still waiting to see how the legal process plays out before they’ll know whether or not they have Shaun Rogers for the start of the season. He also said the Browns will take a look at him at right and left end. “I think [Ahtyba] Rubin did a nice job last year [at nose]. I’m excited about seeing his continued growth. I think he played well and I think he made a really strong case to continue to play and that’s a good thing.”

With the exception of the possible legal entanglements, isn’t this the exact same story that was written last year?  And besides a potential visit to Sheriff Goodell’s office, has anything truly changed since this time last year to suggest such a move will actually occur?

Hello?  Anyone?

To continue with the “green” theme, how about some more love for the Irish?  No, not him – calm down, Quinn-bots.

Schudel on Tate

Instead of filling their biggest deficiency by drafting a wideout, General Manager Tom Heckert Jr. used the 59th pick on Montario Hardesty, a 225-pound running back from Tennessee.

One pick later, wide receiver Golden Tate was drafted by Seattle.

Most draft forecasts had Tate going late in the first round or early in the second round. The fact he slipped all the way to 60 makes him a steal for the Seahawks, just as McCoy is a great value pick for the Browns at 85.

The Browns need a player like Tate. He is the playmaker the Browns never did supply Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson after trading Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards.

Before I talk about Schudel’s latest creepy Irish man-crush, let me offer the following disclaimer – for the 8,000th time:

I am not a Notre Dame hater.  In fact, they don’t even register with me as a prominent college football force.  After all, this is the same team that after playing USC, pads their schedule with mid-tier Big East opponents - then manages to squeak out 6 wins and a bowl payoff. 

Or, in other words – they are the classic definition of a mid-major….except for all that history, tradition and massive media coverage.

Anyway, back to Tate – or as I like to think of him, this year’s Brian Robiskie…only in a smaller package.  Thanks, but no thanks – I’m good with Hardesty.

Speaking of “green” of a different sort, there’s nothing like a little old-fashioned controversy to get the masses talking.

Rex Ryan on Rob Ryan

On Saturday, Jets coach Rex Ryan talked about Wilson.  And Rex possibly put his twin brother, Rob, in a tough spot by strongly hinting that the Browns defensive coordinator wanted Wilson, not Haden.
 
“There is somebody that I really know well for a long time that basically said that he was their guy and they picked a lot earlier than us,” Rex Ryan said.  “You can probably figure it out.  That’s who he wanted and then after practice, I’m like ‘Yep.  I guarantee you were right because this guy is the real deal.’”

Three points here:

1.  Who cares?

2.  If you do care, it’s worth noting the impossibility the Browns faced in trying to “trade down” from the 7th overall pick.  Simply put, the incentive for teams picking below the Browns was not great enough to make a potential move.  Hence, Joe Haden became a Brown with the 7th pick.  This is a good thing.  Although if the Browns were able to grab an additional pick and still get Haden later in the round, the move would have been much better. 

But again – this didn’t happen.  Haden could be a future Pro Bowler and the steadying force the team has needed at corner for nearly two decades.  Deal with it.

3.  Rex Ryan better win something….and soon.  For all the talk that comes out of his mouth – which I admit is refreshing in a sterile, homogeneous NFL where showing personality is usually vilified – Ryan has backed himself and his team into a corner. 

If Ryan’s Jets do anything less than win a Super Bowl in 2010, his current confidence will turn into blustery mush – and the love affair between him and the NY media will quickly end. 

For Ryan’s sake, let’s hope Kyle Wilson is part of the answer.

But then again, it should give us all something to talk about over the next few barren months.