Written by Dave Kolonich

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After throwing out this nearly rhetorical question yesterday - I thought today I would address a related situation developing among the Browns’ potential 2010 roster.  Or, another link in the chain – if you will.

In honor of those of you who enjoy a good snowclone, I offer the following:

In Cleveland, tight ends are the new receivers.

And in Jake Delhomme’s case, let’s hope another applies:

35 is the new 31. 

Although my logic is clearly flawless here, there are two very distinct factors that come into play here.

1.  Have you seen the Browns’ receivers?

2.  Just how many tight ends are on the roster now?

I sense something is afoul here.  After all, afoul is the new askew.

In order for Delhomme to acheive the lofty proclamation I made for him yesterday, he is going to have to do something that hasn’t been done in Cleveland since the halycon days of 2007 – that is, complete some passes.  Easy enough, right?

However, the tricky part of this equation is actually finding someone to catch the ball.

Although our current collection of raw wideouts faced quite the twin challenge last season – first, trying to adjust to the NFL and second, catching the passes of Brady Quinn with their feet – they are still unquestionably short on both talent and experience.

While Mohammed Massaquoi showed some flashes of NFL ability during his rookie campaign, the rest of the position features an eclectic cast of unknown potential. 

Perhaps the most experienced wideout currently on the roster is Chanci Stuckey.  Stuckey was added in the Braylon Edwards trade to presumably add some of the missing ingredients of America’s Next Top Model – namely, professionalism and discipline.  However, Stuckey never quite fit into the team’s offensive designs last season.  In his defense, Stuckey is your traditional fourth wideout option, who spent most of 2009 masquerading as something quite different.

In Brian Robiskie, the Browns now have a year of film to evaluate the player once heralded as “polished.”  Of course, any game film featuring Robiskie must have been confiscated by the team’s crack security staff.  I can only imagine Lew Merlotti somewhere in the bowels of the Stadium, torturing an unruly fan with hours of Robiskie sitting on the bench.

Although I could think of a far worse fate.  Perhaps a visit to Primanti’s and a case of Yuengling. 

As for the rest…exactly.

Our wide receiver destiny is basically in the hands of Massaquoi and late-round hope Carlton Mitchell.

Which means it’s time to talk about those tight ends…who have to become the new receivers. 

With the recent signing of Alex Smith, the Browns now feature five tight ends, at least entering the summer.  I guess there’s something to be said for quantity.  After all, both the Browns’ old version of offense, along with the alleged new one, emphasize short passing.  I guess there’s also something to be said for quality.

Of the five, at least two - Watson and Moore – are decent pass catchers.  Smith was long ago considered a solid pass catcher, but has not proven as much during his career, while it’s hard to evalute Royal based on his injury-plagued 2009 season.

As for what we truly have…who knows?

Greg Estandia –

In about four years, you’ll be watching The Ultimate Fighter 57 and guess who will be a contestant…

Robert Royal –

Royal is basically the Rich Man’s Scott Galbreath.  This is not a good thing.

Evan Moore –

Perhaps Eric Mangini’s best dumpster find of 2009.  This is no small statement.

Alex Smith –

Smith has become known as a pass catching tight end who drops a lot of balls.  Not good.

Ben Watson –

There’s something very disturbing about the lack of attention Watson’s signing was given.  Also not good.

Of course, given the Browns’ woeful third-down production last season, perhaps the addition of Watson – who is a very good third-down receiver – will help tremendously.  Add in the continued development of Moore and we may be onto something. 

The rest of the depth should exclusively serve the kind of underbelly tight end functions which are also incredibly valuable to the team.  Royal and Estandia are decent run blockers, while Smith has developed into a quietly solid physical player.

As for a final snowclone, how about this:

Tight ends are the new backup running backs.

Consider the case of Jerome Harrison this time last year. 

Harrison entered the 2009 season carrying a ton of potential, along with a locker room full of injury-plagued teasing hype.  However, considering the absymal depth at running back at the time, I stated that if Harrison couldn’t contribute in 2009; he never would.  Throughout most of the season, I was afraid that I was becoming a prophet of doom.  However, December happened – and Harrison’s role on the team is being viewed in a new light.

Perhaps something similar could occur with one or more of the team’s tight ends in 2010. 

Since the Browns’ depth at wideout is still alarmingly thin, and considering that the ball control offense that should be featured will consist of a lot of safe, short throws – 2010 will serve as a make or break year for one of these players. 

It’s not improbable to suggest that the likes of Watson or Moore could finish the 2010 season as one of the team’s leaders in receptions….while the wide receivers continue to struggle mightily. 

After all, 2010 is the new 2009.