Written by Thomas Moore

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We have been a fan of Pat Kirwan ever since the first time we heard him on Sirius NFL Radio.

Kirwan spent eight years with the New York Jets beginning in 1989 as a defensive assistant coach and advancing to director of player administration, where he negotiated contracts and managed the team’s salary cap. Before his time with the Jets, Kirwan was an area scout for the Phoenix Cardinals (1989) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1983 to 1986).

One of the things we like about him is that he can speak intelligently about the how the league works without talking down to the audience (even when it is Adrian from the Burg). Unfortunately the same can’t be said for local talk radio, which is why we migrated to Sirius in the first place). He also understands what it takes to build a team and generally has good things to say about the Browns. Having worked on the player acquisition side of the game, he knows how much the Browns failed drafts of 2005 to 2009 have set the team back.

That’s why we found his column on the best way to build roster depth very interesting. Kirwan wrote that:

Roster depth is critical and some teams have done a better job of building up the back end of their roster in hopes of surviving the injuries and making a run in the postseason.

As one GM I interviewed said, “It is impossible to have perfect roster depth and hit on all the critical areas. But to be a team ready for the 16-game season, it must really hit on most of the areas listed below.”

Kirwan went on to list 10 criteria that teams need to meet to be successful (no surprise to Browns fans that Pittsburgh is one of the team’s Kirwan believes does things the right way. You figure there would have to be at least one team in the AFC North on the list).

Let’s take a look at the criteria and see where the Browns hit the mark and where there is still work to be done.

1. A backup quarterback that can go at least 2-2 if he had to take over for a month straight.

With little doubt that Brandon Weeden will be the starter when the Browns open the season against Philadelphia, the team faces the question of who the backup will be: Seneca Wallace or Colt McCoy. Wallace and McCoy have both started 21 games and posted 6-15 records. 

It seems possible either could go 2-2 if Weeden were to go down for a month, but it really would be dependent on the Browns schedule. So let’s give this one a maybe. (Half-point).

2. A second running back that could be a 1,000 yard back if he had to take over or at least generate 75 yards of offense a week as a runner and receiver.

Just as Weeden is going to be the starting quarterback, rookie Trent Richardson is going to be the every-down running back. If he were to go down, the Browns ground game could be in big trouble (just look at last year for an example).

Montario Hardesty has averaged 43 yards of combined offense in nine career games, Chris Ogbonnaya averages 38 yards in 15 career games and Brandon Jackson, probably the best of three, has averaged 42 yards in 52 career games. Jackson did gain more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2010 in 13 starts for the Packers, so he has the potential in him to carry the load – at least short term.

If Jackson is health this year after missing all of last season with a foot injury, this falls solidly in the maybe category. But if he struggles with injuries again this year, the backup spot doesn’t look so hot at running back. (Half-point).

3. A third wide receiver that could go in for a starter down and generate 4-6 receptions a game as an X or a Z.

Seeing as not a single Browns receiver averaged even four receptions a game last season – Greg Little “led” the team with 3.8 receptions a game, followed by Josh Cribbs (2.6), Mohamed Massaquoi (1.9) and Jordan Norwood (1.6) – the Browns need to worry more about their starters than their backups. Or, to put it another way, there’s not much drop off from one receiver to the next, so this one is a pretty easy no. (0 points).

4. A second tight end that could be a legitimate threat as a blocker or receiver.

Now we’re talking. With the addition of Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle, the Browns shouldn’t need to the tight end to stay on the line and help block, meaning more playing time for Evan Moore (if he can stay healthy, that is).

Moore is a poor blocker which, combined with John St. Clair and Tony Pashos at right tackle, meant his time on the field was limited. But if he can be relieved of any pass-blocking responsibilities, there is a good chance he can be a reliable target as a receiver (1 point).

5. Two experienced backup offensive linemen. A swing tackle for either side, and an inside player for the guards/center. Experience required because they will not get many reps in practice until injuries occur.

The Browns have some experience on the roster with Oniel Cousins entering his fifth season. Unfortunately, experience isn’t necessarily the same thing as talent.

The team is building a solid starting unit with Joe Thomas and Alex Mack as the anchors, but there is little to no experience (outside of Cousins) in the second unit, which could make life really unpleasant for Weeden and Richardson if one of the starters were to go down for an extended time. (0 points) 

6. A third defensive tackle already in a rotation that could play a whole game well if a starter went down.

This was looking good with third-round pick John Hughes joining a rotation with Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. But then Taylor went down with a torn pectoral that required surgery. Now the Browns have to hope Hughes can quickly adapt to the NFL (getting heavy reps in training camp will help), leaving seventh-round pick Billy Winn and returning players Brian Schaefering and Scott Paxson to work out the back-up roles.

Those players might be OK for a series or two, but a whole game? Not really seeing it. (0 points)

7. A pass rush specialist that could play some run down situations if a starter went down.

Juqua Parker was signed in the off-season to rotate with fellow free agent Frostee Rucker at the defensive end spot across from Jabaal Sheard. Collectively, Rucker (strong against the run) and Parker (still able to get to the passer as he had 22 combined sacks, hits and pressures with the Eagles last season) make a decent defensive end.

Parker hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2009, though, and at age 34 you have to wonder how he would hold up if forced to play every down for an extended period of time. (0 points)

8. A fourth corner back that could bump up to the nickel corner if that player had to replace an injured starter.

With Dimitri Patterson, Buster Skrine and James Dockery, the Browns certainly seem to believe they have adequate depth behind starters Joe Haden and Sheldon Brown. All three saw action last season, so being on the field wouldn’t come as a surprise to any of them. This is one area where the Browns may actually be OK (as long as the injured starter is Brown and not Haden). (1 point)

9. A third safety that can start or provide a defense with an opportunity to play some “Big Nickel” when needed.

If T.J. Ward can stay healthy this year, he can hold down one safety spot. On the other side, second-year player Eric Hagg practiced a lot with the first-team defense during OTAs and may grab the starting spot from Usama Young. But Young is a six-year veteran who can fill the “Big Nickel” spot if the Browns need him. (1 point)

10. Four core special team players that could help on offense or defense in a pinch.

Well, there’s Josh Cribbs, naturally. And we wouldn’t be surprised to see rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin handle some of the kick-returning duties this year, so we’ll cheat a bit and add him to the “core.” Other than that … who else is really a core special team player? When the Browns took Cribbs off the coverage unit last season no one else could make a tackle, so rather than worry about helping out the offense or defense, the guys on the special teams for the Browns probably need to focus on just doing their jobs. (0 points)

When you go through the list, teams need to identify 14 players not listed as starters who can step up and not hurt the team in case a starter is injured. We see the Browns scoring a four out of a possible 10 points when it comes to having viable roster depth.

That really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone; after all, teams with an abundance of talent generally don’t win just four or five games a year.

General manager Tom Heckert has done a solid job in rebuilding the Browns in the two-plus years (and three drafts) he has been with the team. We’re starting to see the results along the defensive line and secondary, he’s working to continue building the offensive line, and Weeden and Richardson should improve the offense in a major way.

But it’s clear after going through this exercise that there is still plenty of work to be done, especially if the Browns hope to compete on a regular basis in the AFC North Division.

(Photo by The Associated Press)