Written by Dave Kolonich

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Browns’ training camp is in full swing and the key word being bandied about Berea is “optimism”….or should that be phrased into a question?  So far, two days have passed - and there have been no signs of any stretchers, semi-automatics or staph infections to be found. 

So far, so good…and maybe even better than we realized….

PD – Browns’ Rookies Getting Opportunities With First Team

The only rookies currently working with the first team are safety T.J. Ward and guard Shawn Lauvao. Lauvao is the indirect beneficiary of Tony Pashos’ time on the sideline with cold symptoms. Floyd Womack has moved over to Pashos’ right tackle spot, giving Lauvao the spot at right guard.   

Perhaps some day in November we’ll be thanking the summer cold season for Shaun Lauvao’s ascension into the starting lineup.  Thanks to Tony Pashos feeling under the weather, Lauvao is receiving some work at right guard – which has been a trouble spot for years in Cleveland….with the exception of the seasons in which Ryan Tucker was healthy.

Anyway, it’s early and none of us should be truly excited regarding a raw rookie who finds himself in a prime position.  However, if Pashos’ slow start to camp means anything, it is this:

1.  I’m still not sure how much of an upgrade Pashos is over last year’s starter at right tackle, John St. Clair.

2.  Having said this, Pashos’ absence means that Floyd Womack shifts to right tackle – a spot in which he played well during the final month of the 2009 season.

3.  Lauvao brings some much-needed athletic ability to the right side of the line – and could prove to be 2010’s version of Alex Mack.

4.  But then again, if Pashos falls behind, the odds of John St. Clair making the final roster increase.

5.  And now I’m torn.

As for a “rookie” in another sense of the term….

Receiver Brian Robiskie made a nice leaping catch in the corner of the end zone on a lob throw from Jake Delhomme. Robiskie, who looks more comfortable and fluid in his second camp, said the quarterbacks are putting the ball in the right places. Robiskie is pressing Josh Cribbs for the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Mohamed Massaquoi.

Let’s interrupt the promise and fancy of training camp for a little dose of reality.

Actually, here are two spoonfuls for you:

1.  Is anyone else worried that the Browns’ passing game will come to rely on a second-year leap by Robiskie in order to become remotely competent?

2.  Are we once again creating the illusion that Josh Cribbs is a wide receiver?

Regarding Robiskie, it’s scary to think that his two biggest recent performances have come during last year’s NFL Scouting Combine and during the team’s offseason OTA sessions.  While obviously it’s far too soon to write off Robiskie, part of me is wondering if he will become anything more than a “workout warrior.”

As for Cribbs, haven’t we been down this road before?

What is in the immense skill set Cribbs has shown over the past several years that has convinced anyone that he is a wide receiver? 

Certainly, he’s an explosive and physical runner – and does represent the lone game-breaking threat currently found on the roster.  But again – he’s not a wide receiver.  His game is not enhanced by running set routes.  If anything, Cribbs’ enormous contributions elsewhere on the field are wasted by him pretending to be a wide receiver.

But then again – if the idea the coaching staff has is as follows….then just disregard the above….

Canton Rep – QB Platoon?

During an 11-on-11 set, Cribbs lined up wide right and came in motion as if to take a reverse. Wallace made a nice fake to Cribbs, sucking away some of the defense. He deftly popped an inside handoff into Jerome Harrison’s gut. Harrison weaved through a wide lane in the middle.

A short while later, they lined up the same way. This time, Wallace faked an inside handoff to Harrison. Cribbs got the ball on the reverse and steamed toward the corner, needing to get past a couple of possible one-on-one tackles. You know how hard he is to tackle.

A while later, Cribbs was at quarterback, taking a shotgun snap. He simply took off left and looked for a lane, much the way he did in running eight times for 87 yards in the win over Pittsburgh.

If what Steve Doerschuk has laid out is a reference to Cribbs as a “wide receiver”, then I think we’re all onboard. 

If not, then let one of the rookies like Carlton Mitchell or Johnathan Haggerty get some reps.

Anyway, as for the “platoon” idea – is that what we’re calling the Wildcat now?  Please, Doerschuk – don’t give people any ideas.

And speaking of ideas….ones that were expressed by virtually every other Browns’ writer back in June, here’s this….

Ridenour on Linebackers

But with that depth comes more questions. How will Mangini keep the egos in check? Will the fact that Roth, Jackson and Trusnik were restricted free agents who came out on the financial short end this spring rankle them if their playing time is reduced? Can the Browns keep players like Bowens, Jackson and Barton, whose 2009 season ended with a neck injury, and still make room for up-and-coming youngsters like Marcus Benard and key special teamers like Blake Costanzo? (Generally only nine linebackers make the final roster.)

And while the Browns have improved their depth, have they improved their athleticism? Is their speed on defense – especially at linebacker – still sorely lacking?

This is the kind of hard-hitting analysis we’ve grown to accept from people like Marla Ridenour….and just when we needed it.  But then again, it is early August and not the end of May.  Has there been a source of Browns information and analysis that has not already focused on the linebackers?

What’s next?  Jake Delhomme threw a lot of interceptions last year?

How about those restricted free agents?  Will they hold out?

Did you hear about Shaun Rogers at the airport?

And to think – some people actually make a living off this…

Finally, for some more recycled stories…..

ESPN – Schefter’s Camp Visit

Here’s what we learned from Adam Schefter’s training camp party bus, according to the ESPN infotainment machine, the Browns are composed of the following parts:

1.  Mike Holmgren

2.  Mike Holmgren

3.  Josh Cribbs

4.  Colt McCoy

5.  Mike Holmgren

As much as he is a coach at heart, Browns president Mike Holmgren is doing his best to break the addiction. He has told Mangini that he will leave him alone and not get involved in any coaching. It has not always been easy, but Holmgren knows he must do it for the greater good of the organization.

Holmgren attends practice in a golf cart. He was sitting in it Monday, watching practice with former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, discussing the roster that Holmgren has helped compose. Holmgren is letting Mangini coach while he rules.

…. 

When McCoy took his pre-draft visit to Cleveland in the spring, he arrived at the Browns’ training facility at 6:30 a.m. The moment McCoy walked into the Browns’ quarterbacks meeting room, he found Delhomme engrossed in game film, studying Cleveland’s offense. Right there is an example of how Delhomme’s presence will benefit McCoy for years to come. There are few quarterbacks in the league who are better role models than the classy and professional Delhomme.

So, here’s the question – on an actual gameday, which of the above names will actually have an impact on the field?  Remember, Holmgren’s foot is still in a cast. 

And for all you fantasy nerds out there…here’s a little advice for you….

Cleveland might not have top-shelf wide receivers, but its tight ends are formidable. Ben Watson will be a weapon in the Browns’ offense. The best-kept secret on Cleveland’s roster just might be tight end Evan Moore, a 2009 undrafted free agent from Stanford whom most fans don’t know. In a West Coast-type offense, Moore might catch 90 passes. In this offense, he won’t catch that many passes, but he will be a player that the rest of the league will come to know.

And why will the rest of the league come to know Moore’s name?  Stats…which are clearly the “best kept secret” in Berea these days.