Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2010: WR Preview, Part I (No Veterans Permitted)
It's time for Week 3 of our 2010 Cleveland Browns Training Camp Preview, and this week's theme is "See Ball, Catch Ball...and Block." The positions that will be covered this week are wide receiver, tight end, and fullback.
I didn't do the offensive line preview that was scheduled for late last week for a few reasons; among them were the fourth of July weekend, and the ridiculously humid temperatures in the room where my desktop computer is at that made it impossible to concentrate. That's why we have an overflow week scheduled from July 25 to July 30, so that's when you expect the OL preview.
The Browns' group of receivers were among the worst in the league last season, even when Braylon Edwards was still on the roster. The group was young, inexperienced, and perhaps most importantly, didn't have an accurate quarterback delivering the football. Will things be any different this year? It's hard to say, considering the team declined to pursue a veteran...
1. MOHAMED MASSAQUOI - NO. 1 WIDE RECEIVER
Mohamed Massaquoi (#11)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 207
Age: 23
Experience: 1 year
College: Georgia
Note: Still needs to find a way to cut down on drops
Despite all of the praise in mini-camp and offseason training activities for Brian Robiskie, Massaquoi has to remain the team's No. 1 receiver heading into training camp. I say that because for all of the times Robiskie didn't see the field last year, as good of a mini-camp as he may have had, I can't imagine how the staff would automatically slip him ahead of Massaquoi, who saw significant action last year.
Massaquoi really had a hot/cold year last year, but overall I suppose we can say he had an acceptable season for a second-round rookie, considering the quarterback situation.
Massaquoi finished last season with 34 catches for 624 yards as the team's leading receiver. When you take a look at his statistics, there were 10 games in which he recorded at most one reception. In the other six games, he caught 25 passes for 459 yards and 3 touchdowns. Finding a way to become a more consistent receiver will be the key for Massaquoi this year. He can be an effective deep threat, and I think the Browns will continue trying to utilize him down the field.
Besides hoping for a better quarterback this season though, Massaquoi needs to cut down on the number of drops he had last year. Stats, Inc. is generous with their drop numbers, and they had Massaquoi leading the Browns with seven. Mangini has praised him for having great hands, so we all know that Edwards made spectacular catches during practice as well. Game time is what counts.
Massaquoi's best game of the season last year came against the Bengals the first time around. Much of Massaquoi's success in that game was attributed to the fact that he was able to breakout since Cincinnati was double teaming Edwards (it was Braylon's final game with the team). This camp, we'll be looking for Massaquoi to show growth and take control of the No. 1 receiving position, rather than looking like a No. 2 receiving trying to fill someone else's shoes.
Job Security: A+
Player Quality: B-
Final Roster Odds: 100%
2. BRIAN ROBISKIE - NO. 2 WIDE RECEIVER
Brian Robiskie (#80)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 209
Age: 22
Experience: 1 year
College: Ohio State
Note: Will his mini-camp praise translate to training camp?
While Massaquoi's goal is to simply embrace the No. 1 receiving position this year, Robiskie needs to seize the other starting position because despite the positive press he has received, there's always a chance that the more-experienced Chansi Stuckey could sneak in and be the team's No. 2 receiver.
If Massaquoi and Robiskie are the starting tandem, then I think they have the potential to compliment each other very well. Massaquoi is a deep threat who can make a big play down the field in a pinch. Robiskie isn't fast, but he's supposed to be technically sound -- he runs good routes and is a sure-handed receiver.
It's still a bit puzzling as to why Robiskie, who was touted in last year's draft as, "the most NFL-ready receiver," wasn't quite ready by Mangini's standards. In fact, there were times in which free agent signee Jake Allen saw the field ahead of Robiskie. 7 catches for 106 yards in a rookie season for the 36th overall pick isn't the type of playing time/production fans envisioned him getting when he was drafted. He saw the field more than his statistics indicate, especially later in the season, but the quarterback mess played a factor as the ball really never came his direction.
Hopefully all of the praise Robiskie has received from the media in the mini-camp sessions will carry over into training camp. Because Robiskie can be the possession receiver, I really hope that Jake Delhomme is able to build a lot of chemistry with him early on in camp. With the offense we're trying to run, I envision Ben Watson being a guarenteed threat on third down passing situations. We need a receiver that can move the chains in those situations too, and if Robiskie and Delhomme aren't on the same page, we're going to be sending the special teams unit onto the field more times than necessary.
Job Security: B-
Player Quality: C-
Final Roster Odds: 99%
3. CHANSI STUCKEY - SLOT RECEIVER
Chansi Stuckey (#88)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 196
Age: 26
Experience: 2 years
College: Clemson
Note: Will have the chance to "fit in" this season (no mid-season trade).
Unless one of our rookie receivers perform like a Pro Bowler in camp, Stuckey should have the slot receiver role locked up. When the Browns traded Edwards last year, I was pleased to acquire Stuckey in the deal. He was only entering his second year, but he was familiar with Mangini and given the amount of playing time he received, he was productive in 2007 for being a seventh-rounder (32 catches, 359 yards, 3 touchdowns).
There was one major issue with Stuckey ever since he came over to the Browns though: he never seemed to fit in completely. I guess the excuse you make in this situation is that he was at a disadvantage trying to adapt to a new team, but the issue that plagued me was the fact that a player who wasn't known for dropping passes in New York suddenly developed a habit of dropping passes in Cleveland.
Stuckey isn't the type of receiver who is going to make a great adjustment on the football down the field. Where he excels is lining up in a bunch formation, and then squirting out to the sideline. He usually catches the ball between a half-yard to a full yard shy of a first down, but he has smooth moves to evade the tackler or bounce forward from the initial contact to pick up a first down. We saw this a few times late last season with the Browns, and every time he did it the play stuck in my mind.
Job Security: B+
Player Quality: C-
Final Roster Odds: 98%
4. JOSHUA CRIBBS - UTILITY RECEIVER / RUNNING BACK / WILDCAT EXTRAORDINAIRE
Joshua Cribbs (#16)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
Age: 27
Experience: 5 years
College: Kent State
Note: It's still hard to consider him a pure wide receiver
I didn't list Cribbs' title as being the No. 4 receiver, but rather the utility player. Despite the incredible playmaking abilities that Cribbs possesses, he hasn't shown in the past that he can excel as a wide receiver in the traditional form. However, he can excel as a wide receiver in the nontraditional form because of all of the variables he brings:
- When he is in the game, is a trick play coming?
- Is he going to shift out of the Wildcat?
- Is he going to receive the ball right off the line with a group of offensive lineman shifting over at the same time?
- Is he actually going to run down the field...like a regular wide receiver?
The beauty with Cribbs is that in order to use him, we don't need to run a four-receiver set. To the contrary, if he is in the game as a receiver, I'd more-so expect him to be paired with Massaquoi or Robiskie, shifting into the No. 1 or No. 2 slot. It might not happen regularly, but it will happen often enough to try to catch the opposition napping.
Cribbs seems to be most effective as a receiver when he receives a short three-yard pass, because when the ball is already in his hands and he knows he's not going to take an immediate hit, it basically becomes just another kick or punt return for him. He's best at utilizing his blockers, seeing the holes, and trying to pick the right time to burst through them. I hope we do not see Cribbs running 15-yard comeback routes like we saw last year, because trying to turn him into a possession receiver really doesn't play to his strengths.
Player Quality: A+ overall, but as a receiver specifically it's still around a D
Final Roster Odds: 100%
WR Position Quality: C- (Starters/Contenders Only)
NOTE: Tomorrow I will have Part 2 of the wide receiver preview, where depth players Jake Allen, Johnathan Haggerty, Syndric Steptoe, and Carlton Mitchell will be covered.
Our crop of starting receivers doesn't sound too explosive, which puts more pressure on the shoulders of QB Jake Delhomme to produce. These receivers need an accurate quarterback who makes smart decisions to deliver them the football in order for them to mature. Delhomme might end up being more accurate than Quinn and Anderson, but the more important asset he brings to the table is the ability to be a team leader and someone who can talk to the receivers from experience.
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Comments
and the ridiculously humid temperatures in the room where my desktop computer is at that made it impossible to concentrate.
The A/C that runs my side of the office building broke today. The high is 97deg today. I am sweating just sitting here right now typing.
A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths --- Steven Wright
Ouch. Meanwhile, some smartass in my office turned it down to 60-something.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I used to think highly of you…my thoughts have now changed. :)
A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths --- Steven Wright
Hey…man…that hurts. Its one thing to be working in a cool working environment – I prefer it. Sometimes I ride around with my AC on in the winter, no joke. However when I walk into work, I don’t want to get frostbite.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate AC, but I’d kill for it today.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
It’d be nice to have all week. I think Ohio is bi-polar.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha, WV is the same. Maybe its more of a regional thing
A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths --- Steven Wright
Same here in KY.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 6, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
We were at 75 today. :)
But 4 straight months of 95 – 110 starts in a week or two. :(
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Jul 6, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Meanwhile, something relative to the story. I have high hopes for Robiskie and MoMass (we still calling him that or did we come up with something better?) Now I know there’s really nowhere to go but up from last season but in the right situation I think they can be a good 1-2 punch to opposing secondaries.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 11:37 AM EDT reply actions
I think we’re still calling him MoMass. I wanted to reference the nickname once in the article, but I forgot.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 6, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Just went back and looked at it. After I lol’d I rec’d that comment.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked seeing this comment above that gave me a good laugh.
MoMoss is a really sucky nickname, please don´t grow accustomed to using it.
hahaha well that failed.
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Jul 7, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
how this has slipped by me, I do not know.
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Jul 6, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I support this.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
We're the Big Ten, who the F@*# are YOU??!?!?!
by Andrew Tolliver on Jul 6, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Mogwai. Ear shattering post-rock band from Scotland. Massacre. What we hope Mr. Massaquoi can do to opposing defensive backfields this year. I dig it . . .
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Jul 6, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
A few easy/early notes on the passing game:
A lot of the concepts we ran last year involved some type of option route. This absolutely killed Moore and Stuckey, who were the ones mostly running them—they had very little chemistry with Quinn. This should improve with Delhomme as “the guy”, and many targets around from OTAs on, not getting picked up mid-season without a clear #1 QB.
For how quiet Robiskie’s season stats were, he was on the field a lot. We just didn’t throw his direction very much. Reasons for that:
1. He was playing like a rookie, “thinking” instead of “playing” as has been reported in the PD, etc. Due to the camera angles, you can’t usually tell if he is open, but it doesn’t look like he is/will be.
2. Our QB play was poor.
3. The concepts we ran didn’t appear to look his direction as the 1st or 2nd look.
4. Something, somewhere was messed up with our reads. I obviously don’t know what our progressions were supposed to be, but between the QBs and Daboll, something was wrong. We’d force a ball in with someone else wide open, or we just weren’t getting through all the options well enough. I am still trying to figure out exactly why, but they were often so wrong with the throw that it is perplexing.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Re: point 4, this could be the sort of thing as to why Holmgren was so certain he wanted to start over at QB. They could have simply have been making awful reads.

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