Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 4 - QB Position Still Open

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 4, 2009 7:19 PM EDT in 2009 Training Camp

Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini is still waiting for one of the quarterbacks to emerge over the other.

Practice was closed to the public today, but the media still had the pleasure of watching and reporting on your Cleveland Browns. Here's what happened today, according to the media reports coming in...

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 4 (8/4/09)

A Tale of Two Sources: Form your own conclusion on how WR Brian Robiskie did in practice today. If you read Tony Grossi's report, Robiskie dropped three balls within a five-play span. If you ask Lane Adkins, Robiskie only had one drop and nearly caught two others that were off target.
Bubble Watch: For the second consecutive practice, WR Paul Hubbard made the most of his reps. Hubbard caught everything in sight, standing out amongst the crowd of receivers. The OBR notes that he has made the noticeable improvement of extending his hands for the ball rather than waiting for the ball to come to his body.
Mass is Matter: It was also a great practice for WR Mohamed Massaquoi, and perhaps his best one yet. He also caught everything that was coming his way, proving to be a threat due to his speed. Massaquoi had a nice catch on a crossing route which he was then able to run past the defensive backs for a long gain.

LB D'Qwell Jackson has been a favorite of Eric Mangini, as he blankets RB Jerome Harrison here.

Quinn Not Excelling: Tony Grossi had some nice statistics from today's practice as to why it's difficult to judge which quarterback truly has the upper hand in practice. Thus far, it seems to be Derek Anderson, but here's what happened today: in 3rd- and 4th-down situations, the offensive units under Anderson and Brady Quinn were each 4-of-9 with an interception. In the two-minute drill, Anderson moved the ball into field goal range with the first-team offense. Quinn, on the other hand, could not manage a first down with the second-team offense in the two-minute drill.
Props to the Defensive Players: I mentioned above that each quarterback threw an interception. From what I can gather, Quinn was picked by S Abram Elam on an errant pass to TE Aaron Walker, while Anderson was picked by LB D'Qwell Jackson. It wasn't an easy play for Jackson, who made a great read, tipped the ball, and then dove to the ground for the interception. Jackson was praised by head coach Eric Mangini when talking to the media for being a leader on defense.
Bad Snaps: It sounds like Alex Mack has had some trouble getting through multiple practices without a bad snap. I'm sure he'll have plenty of time to correct that before the regular season though.
Rogers Motoring Again: Big Baby Shaun Rogers was back at work today, proving to be a powerhouse on the defensive line once again. He did have to run a lap though, something that Ohio.com deemed as him looking like he "virtually tip-toed around the outskirts of the field drawing both applause and laughs from individuals in attendance".

WR Mohamed Massaquoi shouldn't have any problems locking up a roster spot.

Backup Corners: The OBR today pointed out that backup cornerbacks Roderick Hood and Corey Ivy have been providing stable coverage. I presume that means they are better than the Terry Cousin's of the NFL. I haven't heard any updates on CB Hank Poteat yet, and the news on rookie CB Coye Francies has been limited.
Robaire Still Holding Up: Adkins also reports that Robaire Smith continues to look strong in practice, including having a few "epic" battles with LT Joe Thomas.
Cribbs Not Returning Kicks: On kickoffs, Joshua Cribbs took a break from returning the ball in practice and just worked on being on the coverage team. Instead, WR Syndric Steptoe and WR Jordan Norwood handled kickoffs.
Mangini Practices "Icing": Coach Mangini needs to practice too. When Phil Dawson lined up for a 47-yard field goal, he drilled it. However, the kick was negated since Mangini called a timeout just before the snap. Dawson missed the second attempt wide left.

The Browns will practice for the public again tomorrow, with a morning session and an afternoon session. I might be a little late on the morning report tomorrow, meaning the evening recap might not come until some time Thursday.

Also, from the Official Team Site:

SIRIUS NFL radio, a 24-hour NFL talk channel, will be visiting camp with Tim Ryan, a former NFL defensive lineman, and former front office executive Pat Kirwan, hosting "Movin' The Chains" on SIRIUS channel 124 from 3-7 p.m.

Tuesday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

Bell more comfortable in year two (Official Team Site, Florjancic)
Lane's Training Camp Quick Hits (Orange and Brown Report, Adkins)
Training Camp: Day 4 (Akron Beacon Journal, Thomas)
Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 4 (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)

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Comments

y does it seem like quinn is always doin the 2 minute drills with the 2nd team offense?

by kjc on Aug 4, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

I read somewhere about Quinn and DA having one series each with the first team in the 2 minute drill.

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Hubbard sure has been making noise this TC. He and Leggett both. I wonder who Mangini likes better

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Aug 4, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

The good thing is that there might be room on the practice squad for both of them, if it comes down to that. If Mangini feels he can have an unknown thrive at the NFL level (alas Marques Colston with the Saints), maybe one of them outperform either Robiskie or Massaquoi. Long shot for the later option, though.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 4, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn’t it seem like our WR depth is very good right now?

There are 8 guys I wouldn’t mind staying with the team in some fashion, 9 if you count Cribbs.

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

(just trying to list those eight players, not in any particular order)

1. Braylon Edwards
2. Brian Robiskie
3. Mohamed Massaquoi
4. Mike Furrey
5. David Patten
6. Paul Hubbard
7. Lance Leggett

The eighth must be a battle between Norwood and Steptoe; I’m guessing you’d take Norwood. That’s pretty good if we want all of those guys before Steptoe, who filled in as our No. 2 receiver most of last year.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 5, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Norwood, no doubt. I am done with Steptoe. If he contributed much this year I’d be happy but very surprised.

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

By “he” I mean Steptoe. I don’t think Steptoe will contribute much.

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

If Hub and LL keep having great camps they might end up making the roster over patten

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Aug 5, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Why does DQ have a D on his back? Whom is the other Jackson? (Whom or Who’s?)

by SpecialBrownie on Aug 4, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

Cribbs Not Returning Kicks: On kickoffs, Joshua Cribbs took a break from returning the ball in practice and just worked on being on the coverage team. Instead, WR Syndric Steptoe and WR Jordan Norwood handled kickoffs.

I wonder if maybe more than giving Cribbs a break, this is a CYA in case Cribbs holds out.

by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 4, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

Or trying to evaluate Norwood vs. Steptoe in terms of special teams value.

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats what I think. Cribbs is outstanding in ST, but we need some decent back-ups. Better to start in training than in the games that count.

by tjk_doc on Aug 5, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Na, if they wanted to say c’ya to Cribbs, they wouldn’t be running trick plays in camp with him (*note: have only heard of one trick play).

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 5, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe he meant CYA as in Cover Your Ass in case Cribbs holds out, not Cya as in See Ya.

by Lisol on Aug 5, 2009 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I know that Cribbs has made some noise about skipping some games if his contract isn’t addressed.

I don’t want to cut Cribbs, I love him.

by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 5, 2009 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh, thanks, makes more sense now.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 5, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Another new post over at the OBR, this time from reporter John Taylor:
http://cle.scout.com/2/884822.html

Some interesting tidbits include:
-Quinn-to-Harrison, where Harrison jumps with three defenders on him to make the catch of the day.
-Mike Furrey never seems to drop a ball. That’s “possession receiver” spelled all over the place.
-LB Marcus Benard showing some practice squad potential.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 5, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

thanks for sharing this. Up until this point I hadnt really heard much about Mike Furrey . . . I hope that he can be our big 3rd and 4 guy a ala Jurevicious.

by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Aug 5, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

What’s the potential that Patten doesn’t make this team? I feel like so many young guys are preforming well and are intent on grabbing a roster spot, whereas I’ve heard virtually nothing (good or bad) on Patten. What’s the potential we end up with something like this for our receiving corps?

1. Braylon Edwards
2. Brian Robiskie
3. Mohamed Massaquoi
4. Mike Furrey
5. Paul Hubbard
6. Lance Leggett/Jordan Norwood

Or is Patten’s veteran experience/leadership too valuable for our primarily young receivers?

by Onyx Lightning on Aug 5, 2009 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

Don’t forget Cribbs.

I don’t know how much it would take for someone to beat Patten out. I don’t think you bring a guy in this summer to cut him during camp, but it could happen because I don’t think Patten is necessarily one of the 6 best WR on the team (and he definitely isn’t getting younger).

by rufio on Aug 5, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions

he is crazy old

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Aug 5, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Here´s my ten cents:

Mike Furrey is the steady eddy. When he was picked up months ago, is seemed abundantly clear to me, he would be the guy. He has accumulated excellent stats with other clubs, and there is no detractor on him. I also don´t see the astringent on him being more suited to be a slot back. He should be the starting wide out. He´s a high class athelete, and to relegate him to being merely a possession receiver spells waste to me.
Mohammad Massaquoi is Furreys understudy, he will have the wide out spot eventually. His burst of speed underscores that claim.
As I´ve alluded to before, I don´t believe in a slot back, I believe in a flanker, as a distinct type of player. It could be either a trusty dusty like Hines Ward or Wes Welker, or preferable, a new breed of freakishly athletic scary underneath and sweep guy, it just speaks havoc to me, like a ballcarrier threat outside the backfield. Can Cribbs do this? Other names in that context would seem to be: Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Leonard Weaver and Larry Johnson, a guy with bazooka legs, a heavy volatile sprinter type. I fantasize that that would go very well with my double fullback offensive backfield, and my quarterback that is willing to scramble on broken up pass plays.
Braylon Edwards, is burning a hole through my pocket. I´m looking to lick my fingers, once his trade collateral arrives. He´s the prime Browns product, with a for sale sign.
I gather Lance Legget is fast, and he can catch the long ball. That should suffice to buy his services.
That leaves the motley crew of Patten, Steptoe, Hubbard, Robiskie and Steptoe to battle it out for possession and specialty receiver. I imagine ability to take a lick, superior route running ability, leaping ability and sticky fingers are prerequisite skills for that designation.
Since I don´t expect Quinn or Anderson to be wearing Brown long term, the ole favorite target thing is negligable, too.

by mooncamping on Aug 5, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

C’mon now Moon, don’t hold back on us, you’ve got to ask the tough questions:
Can Mike Furrey lead block? (Preferably at a potent level.)

2009 Prediction: Att - Yds - TD
Jerome Harrison 95 - 532 - 8

by Simmsinns on Aug 5, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

congrats, MC! once again you’ve managed to type almost 4 paragraphs of utter jibberish. you’d think that just by luck or accident you’d type something we could understand, but yet time after time you manage not to.

by Dawg Nuts on Aug 5, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

hmm, you know, i think you just proved my point about mike furrey, you said he has accumilated excellent stats at other clubs he has been at, now, if he is that good, why did they let him go??

by brownsfanbehindenemylines on Aug 5, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

never listen to mooncamping

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Aug 5, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Just want to say

this is a great blog. Nice writing, Chris. I read it all the time, but this is my first comment here.

Nice information about the QB battle. It does seem like neither player has stepped up. However, the media has been critical of Anderson in the last couple of years for being a poor performer in practice. He seems to really be putting a lot of emphasis into practice and is performing well. More than anything else, I think that is a good sign at this stage of camp. We already know he is capable of being a gamer.

I've told you a million times never to exaggerate!!
http://www.thesportsdebates.com

by pscrblazer on Aug 5, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Who knows

with the QB situation. I hope Quinn earns the starting job, however either way, I just want this team to win games.
I am anxious for the preseason games to get a better evaluation of the QB’s.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Aug 5, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions