Shaquille O’Neal Wants Kobe and Carter to Join LeBron
January 20, 2010Raffy Perez and His One Year Contract
January 20, 2010Now that The Big Show Mike Holmgren has shored up his front office roster, it’s time for him–and for us–to look at the team’s roster. We’ve borrowed from the Department of Homeland Security and will be looking at each position group day by day, finishing with a roster upgrade ranking based on need. Check back each day this week for a new position group. Previous reports: RB, OL
As a flurry of new names graced the Cleveland Browns roster over the last 12 months, many of them were attached to jersey numbers in the teens or eighties. It was just a few years ago that fans had the pleasure of watching reception after reception from names like Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius. But after several trades, a few free agent acquisitions and a a select number of draft picks later, the Browns seemingly threw pass-catching names against the wall simply to see what would stick.
With the addition of Mike Holmgren – the offensive mind to Eric Mangini’s defense – there is a strong feeling that the Browns will implement some form of the infamous West Coast Offense that will put more focus on the receivers and tight ends as the team would (in theory) look to spread the field out with an arial attack. When establishing a shorter passing game, an offense needs players that can catch the ball. And while we attempt to call a spade a spade, the Cleveland Browns have been the antithesis of a pass-catching football team.
The 2009 Season
Starters: Braylon Edwards (WR)*, Mohamed Massaquoi (WR), Robert Royal (TE), Joshua Cribbs (WR), Jerome Harrison (RB)**
Key Reserves: Mike Furrey (WR), Chansi Stuckey (WR), Evan Moore (TE), Steve Heiden (TE)
*Edwards was traded after the fourth week of the 2009 season
**Tied for the team lead in receptions. Sad truth, couldn’t leave him out
Statistics
Player | Games | Receptions | Yards | Long | TD |
M. Massaquoi | 16 | 34 | 624 | 59 | 3 |
J. Harrison | 14 | 34 | 220 | 18 | 2 |
C. Stuckey | 11 | 19 | 198 | 40 | 1 |
M. Furrey | 16 | 23 | 170 | 22 | 0 |
E. Moore | 5 | 12 | 158 | 24 | 0 |
B. Edwards | 4 | 12 | 139 | 24 | 0 |
J. Cribbs | 16 | 20 | 135 | 35 | 1 |
R. Royal | 13 | 11 | 134 | 29 | 1 |
That is correct, fans. We must add up the yardage from the top three receivers from the 2009 season simply to crack the 1,000-yard mark. Arizona, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and New England each had two players that cracked the 1,000-yard mark on their own. Then again, the Browns were forced to rely on a rookie, a guy that split time at free safety and a running back to be their leading receivers…
The trade of Kellen Winslow last off-season left a large hole at the tight end slot which would be later filled by a blocking tight end in Robert Royal. The mid-season trade of Braylon Edwards brought along Chansi Stucky who took a few weeks to get acclimated to the Browns offense. Furrey was a name that was added last off-season along with David Patten (who was later released). Second-round draft selection Brian Robiskie found himself inactive more often than not. Of course, this all occurred while last year’s big free agent addition, Donte’ Stallworth, was in and out of court for his actions in the death of pedestrian Mario Reyes on a Miami, Florida causeway.
Not exactly the best concoction for a successful season through the air. Thankfully, the emergence of Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison on the ground towards the latter half of the season placed a large camouflage jacket on the receiving corps as a whole.
The issue at large is instead of having one or two above-average receiving options, the Browns have a handful of mediocrity. Massaquoi and Robiskie will be entering their second year as professionals, and were both second-round selections. We know that we have a vertical threat in Massaquoi; we think we have a possession receiver with excellent route-running ability in Robiskie. Josh Cribbs remains an excellent weapon on screens and short slants, but still appears shaky on any routes beyond 10 yards. Furrey has strong abilities out of the slot, but the team also has Chansi Stuckey who not only has a history with Eric Mangini, but was also received in the Edwards trade.
When it comes to the tight end brethren, things may be even worse. Robert Royal is largely a blocking tight end. Steve Heiden can catch passes when healthy, but that is a big “when.” And the second-half hero Evan Moore is looking at free agency, albeit the restricted variety. Whether or not he is in the team’s long term plans remains to be seen…
Browns Roster Upgrade Advisory: High
2010 Contract Situations
- Mohamed Massaquoi – Signed through 2012 with $1.863 million guaranteed. Another $23,000 is available through incentives. 2010: $395,000; 2011: $480,000; 2012: $565,000; 2013: Free Agent
- Chansi Stuckey – Signed through 2010. 2010: $550,000; 2011: Free Agent
- Mike Furrey – Contract expired in 2009. 2010: Free Agent
- Evan Moore – Restricted Free Agent
- Josh Cribbs – Signed through 2012 with a $2 million signing bonus. Another $400,000 is available through incentives and he can earn an additional $25,000 workout bonus each year. 2010: $635,000; 2011: $650,000; 2012: $790,000; 2013: Free Agent
- Brian Robiskie – Signed through 2012 with a $2.125 million signing bonus. Also can earn an $800,750 onetime escalator bonus based on playing time that can increase annual average salary to $1.23 million. 2010-2012: Under Contract. 2013: Free Agent
- Robert Royal – Signed a 4 year $10 million contract through 2012 with $3 million guaranteed. 2010-2012: Under Contract. 2013: Free Agent
- Steve Heiden – Signed through 2011. 2010: $900,000; 2011: $950,000; 2012: Free Agent
- Michael Gaines – Contract expired in 2009. 2010: Free Agent
- Jake Allen – Signed through 2011. 2010: $395,000; 2011: $480,000; 2012: Restricted Free Agent
- Donte’ Stallworth – Signed through 2014 with $10 million guaranteed including a $4.5 million signing bonus. Also contains an “out clause” that allows the Browns to recover $3.857 million if Stallworth breaches contract. 2010: $1.5 million; 2011: $2.775 million; 2012: $4.55 million; 2013: $5.65 million; 2014: $5.95 million; 2015: Free Agent
When it was announced that Mike Holmgren was coming in, and the general assumption was that Eric Mangini would be replaced so Holmgren could install the West Coast Offense here, we thought maybe the Browns would be ok (not great, but ok) at WR for now. The beauty of the WCO is that it can mask your deficiencies at WR as it doesn’t rely on big receivers who can stretch the field. Instead, it requires precise route running and an accurate QB who can deliver the ball in the right spot at the right time. You can’t teach size or speed, but you can teach route running, and so we are hoping (maybe?) some of these guys would be able to step up in that system.
If Brian Daboll really is returning as Offensive Coordinator, all of that changes. In Daboll’s offense, the Browns desperately need that downfield threat who can pick up some big gains and keep defenses a little honest on loading up against the running game. Although Mohamed Massaquoi showed glimpses from time to time, we do not see that big play WR on this roster, and it’s something we feel is imperative that the Browns address.
The Browns have a wealth of draft picks at their disposal this year, but we are not sure we trust Mangini and his staff to develop young WRs. Particularly after the way the used high draft picks on Massaquoi and Robiskie only to see minimal returns. Some of the blame probably needs to go to the players, but when a team has a 2nd round pick who can’t even get on the field for one of the worst teams in the NFL, there’s an issue there. We assume that the Browns use one of their picks at some point on a WR, but believe it will be one of their first couple picks. However, down the line they could consider looking at some options such as Jeremy Williams, Dexter McCluster, Eric Decker, Danario Alexander, Jordan Shipley, Riley Cooper, Jacoby Ford, Marcus Easley, etc.
The Browns have a couple interesting options at their disposal. With all their available picks, it’s conceivable that they could package some picks to acquire a solid WR. A possible target is Arizona’s Anquan Boldin. Sure, he’s 29-years old and riddled with injuries, but his upside is intoxicating and last year he was seeking a trade out of Arizona. However, he has since cooled on the idea and now says he wants to play out his contract for the Cardinals, but there’s a chance Arizona could still look to move him. It’s an option for the Browns to pursue, but we would say it’s a long shot at best.
Another option for the Browns is to bring back Donte’ Stallworth upon his suspension being lifted. I realize all the red flags with Donte’. He’s always hurt, he disappears for long stretches, is wildly inconsistent, and nobody knows for sure what kind of playing shape he will be in after serving a year suspension. Furthermore, his contract is seriously back loaded.
Having said all that, Donte’ does have friends in the front office now with new GM Tom Heckert being in Philadelphia when Stallworth was there. Plus, although his contract is excessive down the road, he would only cost the Browns $1.5 million this season. For all his weaknesses, Donte’ is still a WR who represents more of a downfield threat than any other WR currently on this roster. On a team lacking veteran presence at the position, I would think Stallworth is at least worth a look.
The best option for upgrading the WR position, though, is unquestionably going to be through free agency. The 2010 WR free agent class is simply loaded. Here’s the list of potential free agents:
- Vincent Jackson, Chargers – RFA
- Miles Austin, Cowboys – RFA
- Brandon Marshall, Broncos – RFA
- Terrell Owens, Bills – UFA
- Braylon Edwards, Jets – RFA
- Malcom Floyd, Chargers – RFA
- Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers – UFA
- Kevin Walter, Texans – UFA
- Derrick Mason, Ravens – UFA
- Steve Breaston, Cardinals – RFA
- Nate Burleson, Seahawks – RFA
- Lance Moore, Saints – RFA
- Chris Chambers, Chargers – UFA
- Jason Avant, Eagles – RFA
- Mark Clayton, Ravens – RFA
- Mushin Muhammad, Panthers – UFA
- Demetrius Williams, Ravens – RFA
- Jerheme Urban, Cardinals – RFA
- Brad Smith, Jets – RFA
- Domenik Hixon, Giants – RFA
And that’s just the top 20. There are plenty more lower cost UFA options they could consider such as Arnaz Battle, Josh Reed, Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, etc. I can’t even begin to predict which of these guys will be re-signed by their teams and which guys will look at Cleveland as a possibility, but these are some of the options the Browns will have in free agency.
As for their own free agents, the only guy of note is Mike Furrey. Furrey obviously endeared himself to Eric Mangini with his selfless desire to do whatever the coach asked of him. He’s versatile and can help the team in multiple ways, even if his WR skills are somewhat limited. He’s a guy who gets the most of his abilities and we think Mangini will push hard for Holmgren to keep Furrey in Cleveland.
Looking at Tight End, the Browns will surely be making some moves here. Without being able to rely on Heiden’s health, the team knows they’re lacking a true place holder at TE. Mike Holmgren teams have almost always had impact players at TE and Tom Heckert has made some quality draft picks at TE, so I expect this to be a position of interest for the new regime.
We think the Browns will be hard pressed to justify the money they’re due to give Robert Royal and feel that he will be released. The Browns could go either way on Evan Moore. We feel he showed enough to warrant giving him a roster spot, but his blocking is still not to the point where he can be an every down TE.
As bountiful as the FA class is at WR, it’s equally barren at TE. Given this, we fully expect the Browns to draft a tight end in this year’s draft. Some of the top names in the draft include Aaron Hernandez, Jermaine Gresham, Anthony McCoy, Edward Dickson, Dennis Pitta, Tony Moeaki, Garrett Graham, and Colin Peek. Any of those guys would have a chance to contribute right away for the Browns.
However, we are going to throw a name out there to watch: Jimmy Graham from Miami (FL). As a basketball fanatic, I know Graham from his days playing basketball for the U. He played four years there and was an athletic shot blocking freak who never fully seemed to realize his potential. After his basketball eligibility was used up, he had a year of football eligibility to burn, and so Randy Shannon let him play TE for the Canes this year.
At 6’8” 258 lbs with a 40-inch vertical, Graham is surely a project. In his one season, though, he had 17 catches for 213 yards and five touchdowns. He has sure hands and has the potential to be a lethal red zone threat with his size and leaping ability. We don’t think it’s coincidence that two of the best TE’s in the game (Gonzalez and Gates) are former basketball players. The skill set lends itself to becoming an elite player at the position. The question will of course involve his ability to pick up NFL offenses as this is all relatively new to him, and his ability to be a physical blocking TE at the NFL level. We don’t know if Graham will fall to the 5th round (he’s projected around the 4th round as of now), but if he does, the Browns have three picks that round and we would love to see them take a shot on this kind of upside.
Without much to rely on at WR/TE, and with plenty of guys in the draft and free agency, these positions should be a pretty high priority for the new regime. We fully expect a TE to be drafted and we would expect at least one free agent signing and one draft pick at WR in this offseason. Low on talent and low on depth, the Browns pathetic passing offense will not improve whatsoever unless the Browns look to pick up some value at these positions.
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(Editor’s Note: This post was combined efforts from Scott and Andrew)
32 Comments
“Having said all that, Delonte’ does have friends in the front office . . .” Freudian slip?
We don’t want to distract “Delonte” during the Cavs stretch run with football F/A, do we?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, our “dearth of picks” really starts in the 5th round, except for a single extra third rounder. Better keep this in mind before getting too psyched about what this draft might bring, or trading our “extra” picks. You’re not getting Boldin for a third rounder, or your 2 extra fifth round picks. You hope a third rounder eventually starts. A fifth rounder gets cut after a few years on special teams more often than he becomes a starter.
Once again, I dont know if we get anyone here in FAs. We have some younger players at WR, and would really like to see them develop. It”d be nice to see Robo live up to his tag of being an ‘NFL ready’ WR. If he could get into the possession WR role (like Joe J in 07) then I think we could do alright. Passing numbers were awful, but shotty QB play for over half the season (by both guys) matched with Daboll having no clue how to call a game played a giant role in the ineffectiveness of passing. MoMass, Stuckey, Robo and Stallworth would be a decent group with a lot of room for development (I think Stuckey is only entering his 4th season).
As for TEs itll be interesting. I hate Royal, and didnt like that signing last March when it happened. I like Heiden, but like you say he’s certainly injured an awful lot. Moore showed promise at times, along with Michael Gaines. Heckert has had some good late round (Brent Celek, TE) selections so I think he might be able to get someone who could contribute at some point in the season.
@ Harv – a bounty of picis is a bounty of picks, regardless of when the occur.
Disclaimer: This is only applicable when one covers the draft via any sort of media, and may have to dedicate an entire weekend of their life to covering said draft with said numerous picks.
The graphic makes me chuckle every day.
To whomever came up with it, bravo.
Harv – Brent Celek was a fifth rounder…
Historycat – thank you.
The Browns should contact Arizona about Anquan Boldin looking at that list of WRs makes my feeling about that position even worse.
Kevin Walter and Chris Chambers are both posession-types – of course, we didn’t make a waiver claim for Chambers when he was released this season and we had first crack…
I concur with historycat. Second day in a row I saw “Holgren Report” in my feed reader and couldn’t wait to see it again.
Dearth means “lack of” or “scarcity”.
As far as TEs, man I hope Royal isn’t on the team next year. Moore and Gaines looked pretty promising but you don’t really want to stake a season on that since it was tough to really see a lot of them. Agreed that Heiden would be great for us if he wasn’t so hurt all the time.
EZ, I fixed that.
I would also point out that Kevin Boss played a significant role in the Giants’ Super Bowl win, and he was a rookie that year (7th rounder, I believe). TE is a spot where contributions can be had from later-round picks. Are guys like Todd Heap and Heath Miller better? Yes. But, that doesn’t mean you can get decent players further down.
DP: of course, and chances are that among six picks in the 5th and 6th round they will get one starter. But the point is that just saying “11 picks!” doesn’t mean you’re set up to rebuild. In our case we’re dumpster diving.
I would be real interested if we traded Shaun Rogers for a second and third rounder, then traded some of those extra 5ths and 6ths to slide up in the first 3 rounds to grab potential impact players that have slipped. That would be a fun draft.
I really really like MoMass. I like his upside, I like his speed, I like how he played down the stretch, I like his attitude, I like what he showed when he got a chance. I think he’s a 1st option WR in a year or two. I like Kevin Walter as a #2 who could slide to #3 if/when Robo develops. Domenik Hixon would be a great addition if we could steal him away from NY.
On the TE side, I like Moore, and hope he works on blocking in the offseason. We definitely need a TE via draft or FA though. A TE I like is Ed Dickson from Oregon. Good size (6’5″ 240lbs.), good blocking ability, decent hands, and may drop to the 5th round (projected 4th).
I know that guys like Boss and Celek are more the exception than the rule. But, it does merit mentioning that if (and I’m definitely still saying, “IF”) you have smart front office people making those picks, late rounders can definitely help your team in the mid- to long-run. And that’s the goal, IMHO. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and I’ll go on record now as saying the Browns won’t finish better than third in the AFCN in 2010, so why not go long on some picks in the late round?
I mean, why is it that teams like the Steelers keep losing players on defense and are still always good on defense? It’s because they take solid guys in later rounds that are ready to be starters in three or four years. There’s nothing wrong with that. In my ideal world, that’s how the Browns will be built for the long haul.
Call me crazy but I want Brandon Marshall, give the man a fresh start over here, come on dudes the guy can flat make plays. Tight end is not a huge need with the aforementioned players, but a late round steal is always a possibility. I do not want another mediocre wide out. Finally send Robo and Mas to the receiver camp but Chris Carter, look what it did for Rice at Minn.
I really like Aaron Hernandez, if he somehow slips to the 2nd round. WR in a TEs body.
Maybe I’m inspired by the #allwhitehoopsleague on Twitter right now, but get me Jordan Shipley and Riley Cooper. If history serves me right, as long as they are roommates with Brady Quinn they’ll be mighty productive.
This is def a need we need to address in the draft and free agency. I personally would like to see a pass-catching TE out of the draft. It would be a dream to see if Hernandez or Gresham drop to the second round or have the Browns trade up to get one of them (both unlikely scenarios). If we are gonna go ahead with Brady we need a play-making tight end. As for WR, there are lots of big name FA but is unlikely they are going to venture to cleveland. Think we may have to take some chances with the guys we have and hope they improve. Would love to see Dante have a break out year.
And if none of the above works we can always bring back Braylon.
Sike.
@ dan- Rice is good dont get me wrong, but he does have one of the best QBs in the game, having a career year throwing to him. A good QB can make avg. WRs look good. Good playcalling helps too.
Go after Bradford if you want to improve your passing game. There is nothing out there that will improve these 2 qb’s that the browns have.
btw- The TE from the U sounds nice. If he can catch and has awareness to find the ball he would help out BQ.
I think you need to add Rob Gronkowski to the list of potential draft picks (if his health is ok). He was an awesome tight end at Arizona before being sidelined this year after he had back surgery. But he can catch and block and is incredibly athletic and strong.
I don’t want Hernandez. Dude reminds me too much of Winslow in terms of attitude on the field, and I’m so over that.
I really think bpa. If dez bryant is the best player at 7, take him. If the bpa is a wr at our other draft positions, same thing. On the flip flop, if no wrs are at the top of the list, then dont draft any.
Simply put, we need to stockpile talent.
We really need to get a good TE but i dont think we need to draft 2 WR .I wouldnt mine to see alot of deffence picks. The browns might not do so bad next year. I would predict the browns go 7-9 next year if we switch to a west coast offense.I really hope we that we switch to a west coest offense. Mike Holmgren Needs to make the great picks to get the record i predict, but like the website says gota wait for next year.
Regardless of how bad the situation is, I think it’s fair to say that we can safely leave Butterfingers Edwards off the list.
I personally think this is an incredibly poor article. I think one free agent acquisition at WR is all this team needs. With a stong #1, Massaquoi becomes a solid #2 threat, with Robiskie and Cribbs being good #3’s. Evan Moore I thought looked fantastic. Look for him to improve his blocking this offseason and be the sure handed starter we need. West coast offenses need sure hands, and he sure has those. With one free agent signing at WR, we can save cap space and money for other needs. Particularly on defense and possibly a veteran QB signing.
I don’t know what the problem was but our receiver’s don’t seem to be on the same page as the our QBs on their hot reads. I think that was the main problem with the passing game. I think that is the tough transition from college. In college pure ability is everything but in the pros you got to have a brain too.
TE: Gaines and Moore seem to be OK. Robert Royal must have gone to the Braylon Edward school of pass catching.
WR: Massaqoui will keep learning and Robo should be OK. I didn’t see enough from anyone to make a good decision on their value.
We should be able to pick up a free agent or a mid round draft to help out. Too many other holes: CB, Safety, Right side OL.
We need a butt kicking TE and Dennis Pitta from BYU is the guy. Especially if still on the board in the 3rd.
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