Written by Dave Kolonich

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The following is Part Three of a near endless series of 2010 Browns’ position previews.

Check out Part One – Quarterbacks here and Part Two – Running Backs – here.

Unlike the tremendous change that has occurred at both the quarterback and running back positions, the Browns’ wide receiving corps enter 2010 much like they left 2009.  For a passing offense that sunk to historically inept levels of performance, this lack of change is not the most positive development coming out of Berea.

As part of Eric Mangini’s painful process to change the culture in Berea, the starcrossed Braylon Edwards was shipped out of town, bringing in Chanci Stuckey as the only “veteran” wideout to team with raw rookies Mohammed Massaquoi on the field, and Brian Robiskie in a more figurative sense. 

Naturally, the entire unit struggled in 2009, as a blend of untested rookie pass catchers met with two of the most inaccurate passers in team history – resulting in a melange of stalled production which at times bordered on the absurd.

Entering 2010, the names really haven’t changed.  Let’s hope the overall narrative does, however. 

Mohammed Massaquoi

Despite the horrid state of the Browns’ passing “attack” in 2009, the team may have found a gem in rookie wideout Mohammed Massaquoi.  Essentially forced into a number one wideout role just four games into his NFL career, Massaquoi proved to be the lone bright spot at the position.  Although his numbers weren’t anything special, Massaquoi’s rookie season was nothing short of remarkable, considering the lack of talent surrounding him.

Hopefully, Massaquoi can continue to progress in 2010 with the additions of Jake Delhomme, Ben Watson and an improving rushing attack.  Perhaps the thing Massaquoi needs more than anything is simply another diversion among the offense.  Massaquoi brings some good size, disciplined route running and decent hands to a position that desperately needs to develop more overall depth.

In an ideal sense, having a more accurate and competent veteran passer should allow Massaquoi to continue his natural growth as an NFL wideout.  Like the rest of the 2009 unit, Massaquoi’s growth was stunted thanks to the inaccurate throws delivered by Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.  Or, in other words – it’s hard to progress as a rookie when passes are thrown at your feet – some two yards behind a given route.

Brian Robiskie

A couple days ago, I mentioned the huge “gamble” that the Browns are undertaking by merely assigning Jake Delhomme – he of the two-year slump – to the reigns of starting QB.  Because of the team’s fragile condition at wide receiver, anymore regression by Delhomme could cost the Browns’ young receivers in terms of their precious development.  Exhibit A is the curious case of Brian Robiskie. 

Entering the league as allegedly “polished”, Robiskie was anything but in 2009 – as he struggled just to make the active gameday roster.  Reports of Robiskie’s “entitlement” and lack of willingness to play special teams led to his rookie demise.  Although I suspect that Robiskie punched one of Mangini’s kids, his continual absence from the lineup was unsettling, especially given the lack of depth found on the 2009 roster.

Whatever the case, early OTA reports have suggested that Robiskie is emerging as a legitimate starter in 2010.  For the Browns, the timing couldn’t be any better.  Known as a late bloomer in college, let’s hope that Robiskie’s rookie season proves to be nothing more than an extreme learning curve.  Simply for nothing other than providing Massaquoi some much needed relief, Robiskie could prove invaluable towards the Browns’ continued 2010 progression. 

Or, much like Delhomme – relying on Robiskie to do this and more could be another huge gamble.

Much like Massaquoi, Robiskie brings some decent size and solid route running to the wideout position.  Known for his consistent hands in college, Robiskie could prove to be the reliable pass catcher the team has lacked since the days of Joe Jurevicius. 

But again, he has to actually get on the field first.

Chanci Stuckey

Another of Mangini’s ex-Jets, Stuckey arrived via the Braylon Edwards trade and was penciled in as the veteran complement to Massaquoi.  Unfortunately for all involved, Stuckey was plagued by a series of dropped balls and a general sense of ineffectiveness.  Stuckey’s size suggests that he is destined for an underneath wideout role in the offense.  Of course, all things being equal, the Browns’ current collection of wideouts dictates that Stuckey needs to do more than simply serve as a safety valve.

This point is incredibly important, given the raw nature of the team’s wideouts.  In many ways, the Browns have three players in Massaquoi, Robiskie and Stuckey who are best served to play the exact same position.  However, given the limited number of options currently found at the position, the offense hasn’t reached this ideal state of luxury. 

Or, in other words, unless Massaquoi and Robiskie make some major leaps of development in 2010, Stuckey will again be lost.

Josh Cribbs

Since we’re headed into July, this is the time of year where we all pretend that Josh Cribbs is actually a wide receiver.  Although for those of us who have actually watched one of the most dynamic players in team history perform on the field, all evidence points to the contrary.  Simply put, Cribbs is not a wide receiver.  For a couple seasons now,  evidence points to Cribbs’ skills essentially being wasted in running formulaic routes and trying to get open against an opposing defense.

In perhaps the most simple, yet brutally honest statement regarding our Browns that one can make, Cribbs’ best attributes are found when he has the ball in his hands – heading downfield.  However, because of the Browns’ lack of depth at wideout, there is no doubt that Cribbs will again be looked at as a contributor at a position he has no business playing. 

For the sake of preserving our most dynamic player, the Browns are basically wasting Cribbs at wideout.  Given that his special teams returns will always far outweigh any contributions he can make at wideout – and because he will still be counted on to provide exceptional kick coverage and Wildcat rushes – we would all be wise to drop the illusion of Cribbs as a wide receiver.

But then again, if not Cribbs – then who?

Carlton Mitchell

You know it’s bad in Cleveland when a sixth-round rookie could end up as a major contributor.

Like some others, I was pushing for Mitchell way back in February after catching some of his college tape.  In terms of size, Mitchell is the Browns’ equivalent of Brandon Marshall – only faster.  Although unlike Marshall, Mitchell’s skills are far from refined. 

The knock on Mitchell is that his hands are anything but consistent and the fact that he played in a run-first college offense seems to be working against him at the NFL level.  But in case you haven’t been watching over the past year, I’m not sure that Mitchell could have found a better NFL home.  Inconsistent hands and a run-first offense?  Welcome to Cleveland, Carlton.

Although at this stage of the offseason, Mitchell represents more idealism than actual on-field production – it’s reassuring to realize that the Browns may have a future playmaker at the position. 

As for 2010 – we shouldn’t get our hopes up.

Johnathan Haggerty

The other young receiver getting some quality buzz during the offseason is Haggerty, the undrafted rookie.  Reportedly, Haggerty has quickly picked up the Browns’ offense and has showed some speed and playmaking ability.  It remains to be seen how Haggerty will fare in facing live NFL competition, but with this devastated level of depth, it’s more than possible that we’re looking at the team’s eventual fourth wideout.

Jake Allen

Here’s what I know about Jake Allen…he played more than Brian Robiskie last season.  What does this mean?  Either Allen has some potential or Robiskie offended Mangini in some still unreported, sinister fashion.

Syndric Steptoe

From the Echoes of the Past Department comes news that Syndric Steptoe is still alive and well.  After playing down the stretch in 2008, Steptoe’s 2009 season was shortened due to injury – much to the young wideout’s chagrin.  Although I’ve had my fun with Steptoe over the past couple years, it’s worth noting that he has as good of a chance to make the final roster as any of the above wideouts.  Steptoe brings some experience and has proven that he can get open.

But again….Syndric Steptoe?

Ideally

Unlike the sudden improvements in depth at running back, the Browns’ receivers have their work cut out for them.  However, in a most idealist sense, there remains some hope for 2010 progress.

Ideally, both Massaquoi and Robiskie attain the sometimes mythical fruits of the NFL second-year leap – which will dramatically improve the moribund passing attack.  Massaquoi proves to be a solid first option at wideout, while Robiskie’s main contribution is to allow other wideouts more comfort to get open.  Stuckey finally demonstrates his underneath route running skills, while Mitchell proves to be a revelation as a rookie.  Cribbs is preserved for the roles he actually excels at, while the presence of Delhomme and Ben Watson help ease the burden on the entire receiving corps.  Finally, no one assaults a midget bouncer, commits vehicular homicide or gets spiked.

But Really

Since none of us really know the personal lives of any of these players, all of the above scenarios could once again befall the Browns.  Either that, or we all quickly figure out how raw the talent is at wide receiver. 

In a most depression projection, Robiskie continues to be lost in an NFL haze, leaving Massaquoi as the only legitimate target for Delhomme.  Because of this, Massaquoi is constantly double-teamed, while Stuckey continues to struggle across the field from him.  Rookies being what they are, Mitchell and Haggerty never see the field, while Steptoe assumes a starting role sometime in November.  The ongoing Cribbs project continues – acheiving the expected results, while Delhomme completely melts down and severs his ever-exposed tongue. 

The Pick

Look, I’m rational about most Browns things - it’s not good. 

For the Browns’ passing game to evolve in 2010, the team is counting on two 2009 rookie wideouts to carry them.  The first, Massaquoi, is close to being a solid NFL wideout, while the second, Robiskie, has barely even seen the field.  To consider the rest of the receiver talent as complementary would be a massive bit of hyperbole.  Without solid players ahead of them, the rest of the receiver depth could prove utterly meaningless.

In the end, much like Delhomme at QB, the Browns are in kind of a holding pattern at wide receiver.  Certainly, this group is not the one that will eventually carry the team back to prominence.  However, in 2010 – it all comes down to a matter of semantics.

To quote John Wayne…

“A game-legged old man and a drunk – that’s all you got?”

“That’s what I got.”

Exactly.  Hopefully, we’ll make due.