Posted on Tuesday 29 August 2006 by Kenny Roda @ 1:07 pm
Kenny Roda from WKNR SportsTalk 850 will be writing a weekly blog on Cleveland Scores covering the sports world both locally and nationally. Check back often for his updates!
The 3rd pre-season game in the NFL is the one that is considered the most important of the meaningless games. Why? Because it’s the game where the starters play their most minutes and hope to get their timing down with each other so they’re ready for the regular season opener. A 20-17 win for the Browns, even though it was against one of the worst teams in the league in the Bills, is still a step forward. With that in mind, here’s a look at what players are ready, who’s not, and some I’m not sure of yet, as the Browns near their September 10th regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Call’ em butter…they’re on a roll
CB Leigh Bodden - From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, is the camp MVP this year. The only starting corner who’s healthy and impressed every time he was on the field.
RB Jerome Harrison - In my opinion this fifth-round pick out of Washington St. has impressed enough to be the back-up to starter Rueben Droughns. He’s averaged nearly 7 yards per touch, gets into the end zone and can run and catch it. Could be one of the top steals of the draft. Kudos to Phil Savage!
TE Steve Heiden - Everyone has been focused on the “Chosen One” Kellen Winslow Jr.
Heiden has quietly made plays catching, scoring and blocking on offense. Should Winlsow be limited in his playing time or, heaven forbid, something happen to #80, Heiden has proven to me he can be a starter if needed in the NFL.
DT Ted Washington - Here’s hoping there’s enough gas left in his huge tank to get as many miles out of this run stopper as possible. He’s become Andra Davis’ best friend, allowing Davis to go sideline to sideline and run free. If “Big Ted” can do that in the regular season, opponents’ rushing yards will surely go down and #54’s tackles will go up!
KR/WR Josh Cribbs - Catching on as a wide receiver and still returning kicks better than anyone on the team. Could be the “slash” player the Browns have been looking for to pose many problems for the opposition.
DE/LB Kamerion Wimbley - Whenever I’ve seen him on the field he’s been in the opponents backfield sacking quarterbacks, causing fumbles, dropping running backs for a loss or forcing an offensive lineman into a holding penalty. Not bad for a rookie learning a new position!
Question Marks?
LB Willie McGinest, CB Gary Baxter and CB Daylon McCutcheon - three vets who are recovering from surgery or injury. McGinest looked decent against Buffalo and should start on Sept. 10th. Baxter said today after practice that he will start on Sept. 10th. McCutcheon, I’m hearing, probably won’t be ready for the opener on Sept. 10th.
WR Braylon Edwards - Participated in 16 plays in the win over the Bills. Caught one ball. Made a few blocks and got hit a couple of times and got up and walked off the field without a limp or getting re-injured. I think they’re rushing Edwards back and taking a big chance, but both Braylon and the team seem to be willing to roll the dice. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come up craps.
TE Kellen Winslow Jr. - Looks physically ready to play and start, but really hasn’t done much in games. In practice, from what I’ve been told, he has looked great at times, but can he take that and duplicate it on the field on Sunday afternoons?
QB Charlie Frye - With only five regular season starts under his belt and his fourth starting center, with maybe a fifth to take over soon, who knows, Frye has handled things pretty well in camp and in games in 2006. But can he continue to do that and get better when it really counts. The Browns are throwing him into the “Frye-ing Pan” and we'’ll find out sooner or later if Charles is indeed in charge!
Major Concerns
Back-up Quarterback - Derek Anderson and Ken Dorsey, that’s my order of who’s 2nd string and 3rd string. But neither excite me. In fact, both concern me. Who’s Frye going to go to with questions? What if Frye goes down? Hopefully the Browns will find a veteran QB after all the cutdowns to bring in and back up Charlie.
The Secondary - Other than Leigh Bodden, the entire defensive backfield is a major concern. McCutcheon and Baxter are coming off injuries and may or may not be ready to go by Week 1. If so, can they both stay healthy? Sean Jones and Brodney Poole have hardly any experience at the safety position and one of them will start. Brian Russell really doesn’t strike fear into the heart of the opposition. This could be the weakest part of the team.
The Offensive Line - Center LeCharles Bentley is out for the season. Left tackle Kevin Shaffer looks barely average in games and practice. Right tackle Ryan Tucker is coming off knee surgery. This could surpass the secondary as the weakest part of the team and that’s not good news for a young quarterback who’s trying to grow at the toughest position on the field.
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I agree that the offensive line is a hge concern. I like the weapons on offense, and I think Frye will be fine, but the line is a concern.
I’m less concerned about the secondary. I like the safeties, and the key at corner is whether Baxter can stay healthy. If he comes back this defense should not have any major holes.
First thing first, the offensive line I think, is the best unit we’ve seen since the re-introduction of the Browns in 1999, and they’re only going to get better. Expecially when we get the Bentley out the shop. All they have to do is make sure no one gets to Charlie on every play, and open up the holes for Reuben and Jerome. Charlie has plenty of weapons on offense. I think Carthon’s offense will keep a lot of teams guessing, especially with a bona fide running game, an all pro tight end, and receiver. This is something the Browns have been wishing for since 99. Not to mention our version of “slash”, in Josh Cribbs, who can catch, run and pass.
With our veterans on defense, and the emerging rookies. This may be one of the best defenses in the AFC. Don’t sell the Browns short, in a year or two, they’ll be unstoppable. And that’s real.
hey i replied to a blog from a few days ago, just wanted to make sure you got it. i have the sixth pick in my fantasy draft (10 team, pt per rec. league) i know 1-3 are the big 3 rb’s, 4 and 5 are probably going to be manning and barber. who do you think i should target in round 1 and 2. i’m thinking either ronnie brown in round one and torry holt in rd. 2(if he falls to me) or vice versa. i don’t like portis because of the injury, jordan because his team sucks again and just don’t think he’ll produce like last year or s. jackson because of the injury and the way he played down the stretch last year (read 17 yards against san fran in week 15 or 16, a.k.a fantasy playoffs) just would like to hear your opinion. thanks man take it easy.
what about rudi johnson of th bengals? they’re going to score alot and he’ll be the feature back. steve smith is a great option as well.
good luck….kenny
iceberg,
i agree, in a year or 2 this could be a very good team if frye develops. without bentley it’s a concern that frye can learn and stay healthy. it would have been the best o-line if bentley was in there with a healthy ryan tucker.
french frye,
big question with baxter though…can he stay healthy or is he going to tear another peck muscle when he makes his next tackle. his replacements right now suck.
he better come back healthy or teams are going deep every game on the browns!
if the O-line can do a decent job K2 will come up huge along with Braylon there for frye and rubin will be fine no need to be concerned Kenny. The only worries I have this year are the injuries of the O-line and the DB’s we arent the deepest in these spots. but all i gotta say is look out Steelers……and for that matter look out NFL the Browns are coming back and they will demand respect coming soon.
this is easily the first season since the browns return that i actually am going into the season with a positive feeling, even with bentley out this year, i still think this is the best line we have since returning. our defense is going to be tough this year and our offensive weapons also hold a lot of promise.
The one thing that I haven’t heard yet is there going to be a team chemistry? Charlie has proven that he has escapability, but a moving pocket would be a better scheme just to keep the defense honest.
Let’s face it, in a third a long Charlie is going to need some or be able to buy some time to look downfield, to his check off receivers, or to dump it to a back (that hopefully does not have bricks for hands, e.g. Green).
With this many options and a variety of players to get the ball, let’s hope that the team supports each other and no one gets the T. O. complex. With all of the star offensive players now on the same field, we still need to see the chemistry.
The addition of Jurevicius, was a brilliant move to provide the veteran leadership and clutch receiver that the Brown’s needed. So with chemistry, team support, and a pocket that moves or doesn’t totally collapse, Jurevicius, Edwards, Winslow,
Heiden, Nothcutt, Cribbs, and the third down back, the future looks bright. The AFC North teams will all try to stop the run, but I think that the Brown’s can also provide some defensive problems through the air as well.
As part of your list of players ready for the season, another player to consider would be D’Qwell Jackson. In just his first NFL season and training camp, he’s already making a case for a starting position. He’s been solid so far and he’s only going to improve once he gets a feel for the system and starts reactiing out on the field rather than thinking.
Kenny - Great point - Baxter has to prove he can stay healthy. If he does, however, I really like the secondary. I like the safeties, and Bodden can be a stud.
What do you think of the inside LB situation?
I think the Browns will probably address the secondary next year, unless Ginn or Smith is available when they’re on the clock. If Baxter and McCutcheon can’t stay healthy, that will definately put the Browns back at least a year. I’m confident about Bodden, but not about Ralph Brown, or Pete Hunter. Both of them got beat deep in the preseason. Therrion Fontenot, and Daven Holly might not even make the team. Antonio Perkins is still unproven. And that leaves Jereme Perry. Kinda makes you wish they signed Ty Law.
After the Bentely injury I was really hesitant about the direction of team, especially after the first preseason game. However, since then, this team has come around, especially on offense. As long as Frye has more time in the pocket, he should be fine. Keep in mind that we do have one of the best fullbacks in the league to help with the run and pass.
What do you think about going after someone like Billy Volek from Tennessee if they decide to shop him around? He could be a quality back-up yet still challenge Frye.