Cabot: Massaquoi Learning His Position From NFL Veterans

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 11, 2011 11:30 PM EDT in General News

How would you like to see a little bit of Chad Ochocinco, Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Wes Welker all in one player this season? Third year Cleveland Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has spoken to, worked out with, and/or watched film with those players at various points this offseason, showing that he has not limited himself to just participating in Colt McCoy's offensive minicamps to improve.

Per Cabot, Massaquoi said that each of the receivers brought something unique to the table:

"If you watch Chad, you watch his feet," said Massaquoi. "You watch Larry and you see how he adjusts to certain balls. You watch Calvin, how smooth and controlled he is at all times. Hines and Wes Welker, they understand the game so well. It's not always about just running out there and running a route. They really understand what they're doing out there."

One of the alarming quotes from Massaquoi during his interview with Cabot was about film study:

"It's just different, because somebody actually taught them how to watch film," said Massaquoi. "They know how to break down film. They're not just watching it as a game, or watching it as a fan. They're looking for tendencies and things. Every guy watches film a little bit differently, but you can see the difference it makes in their game."

Massaquoi spoke as if the way these veterans watch film was something completely foreign to him. Does that mean our receivers coaches (or whoever was responsible for showing film the past two seasons) was not doing their job appropriately? Apparently, Massaquoi thought "film study" was just a time to see "how the other team has performed this season" rather than finding out ways to pick up a competitive advantage.

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I think the idea of him learning from Ochocinco is great. I’ve already pounded that to death though.

Happy to see he’s using the offseason to his advantage.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jul 12, 2011 12:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

while I don’t think the browns need to sign ocho, I am fine with him giving pointers on playing the game to momass.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!

by bross09 on Jul 13, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I love this kid more and more.hard working, classy, and getting better and better as a pro ball player all the time.

"It is unlikely that anyone has ever read Nietzsche or Derrida and has been inspired to open a soup kitchen"

by troy145 on Jul 12, 2011 2:03 AM EDT reply actions

aside from the fact that he sucks, i love him, too…

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 13, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m going to call this year (if a deal gets done) MoMass’s breakout year. Not quite a 1000yd season, but close, 900 or so. If he lets me down this year, I am prepared to finally call him a bust.

"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden

by Kimble_79 on Jul 13, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i’m thinking an avatar bet may be in order…

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 13, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I have robiske someone needs momass

Nissan GT - R.

Sexy. Sexy. Sexy.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 13, 2011 7:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Ah come on, can’t I be in on the Robiskie bet?

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 14, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I was the 1st to call Robiskie.

(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)

by North Coast Flea on Jul 14, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Why not, I’m down. What are the terms based on…yardage or rec’s?

"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden

by Kimble_79 on Jul 14, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

let’s do yards. i’ll take the under on 900, which is where i assume you want to set the number? should we keep the rivers avatar alive?

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 14, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

should we keep the rivers avatar alive

The Rivers pic is getting old. Here’s a better suggestion:

We're going to hold onto him by the nose and we're going to kick him in the ass. We're going to kick the hell out of him all the time and we're gonna go through him like crap through a goose. -- Patton (channeling his inner Joe Thomas)

by burntorangeandbrown on Jul 14, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yikes I was thinking slightly under that. You still have the high side of this bet, but if you agree to say 800yds I will agree and you guys can pic whatever avatar you like.

Man, only been back a few days due to the lockout and all, and I find myself in an avatar bet.

"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden

by Kimble_79 on Jul 14, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll take the rookie, G. Little. A rising tide lifts all boats. His on field presence will get the other WRs into more single coverage situations. MoMass, Robo and Mitchell will benefit.

by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 18, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Way to go Massaquoi, extra credit! Hope you can translate what you´ve learned to the field.

by mooncamping on Jul 12, 2011 5:17 AM EDT reply actions

I watch those guys all the time too – but I am still awaiting the big contract.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Jul 12, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Here are Massaquoi´s stats:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/12581/mohamed-massaquoi
He´s not in the 1000 yards per season column, but that would be hard to achieve with an average of 35 receptions per year. The stats are steady enough to imply that, given an increase in receptions, he will achieve that benchmark, though. Especially given his penchant to pull down long balls near the 50 yard mark.
So, although he´s not in that elite category, yet, seeing what we have at this point, I would risk the big contract. Which in turn, given the Browns policies, would lot him more receptions. Allowing the franchise to tie the ends of causality. I predict this ship will come in, if we let it.

by mooncamping on Jul 13, 2011 6:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Logic fail buddy. You are acting as if the 35 catches are fixed. The reality is he is allowed to catch more to get to 1,000 yards. I will get off my continual “I hate our WR” rant – but I have nothing against MoMass and Robo except they don’t scare a defensive coordinator. I implore Holmkert to bring in a WR better than MoMass and give him, Robo, Little a little breathing room to develop. I know they don’t grow on trees – but pay extra on a 2 yr deal or so. The idea of Little as a number 1 receiver is absolutely absurd. Guy has played 1 more season of WR than me, and in a weak football conference.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Jul 13, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

i hate our WR

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 13, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he was acting as if the 35 catches aren’t fixed and that an increase in catches per year will lead to increase in yards per year.

"I wasn’t asked to catch the ball and go out in the flats and run routes, because that wasn’t how our offense was," Lawrence Vickers said. "Now people are lying and people think I can’t catch. I guess I shouldn’t have started knocking people out."

by Villeslgr on Jul 13, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, logically you would expect that with more receptions comes more yards. but there’s no guarantee he’ll get either of those.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I say two years of consistent stat keeping, plus the immeasurables he possesses, are as close to a guarantee as you can get.

by mooncamping on Jul 14, 2011 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I was really disappointed in MoMass – not so much from a statistical standpoint – but just from an overall improvement perspective. He seemed to take a real step back from a decent rookie year. He had real trouble with the sideline as a soph, showing much less awareness than his rookie year. In addition, I thought his competitiveness was down somewhat. I remember on Colt’s heavily criticized interception against Pitt, MoMass seemed disinterested on the ball. Every QB throws a ball up for grabs to their “go to” WR – and you trust them to go get it or break it up. MoMass gave virtually no effort.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Jul 15, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I think he displays a knack for snatching the ball, if it´s close enough. He has shown this talent, even in traffic, regularly.

by mooncamping on Jul 16, 2011 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I am hoping/thinking that he is used to watching defenses and how to beat them, not WRs and how to emulate them. During the week there probably would only be time to figure out what the defense is doing and then get work from your coaches on the field.

It’s great that Mogwai is doing this now.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jul 12, 2011 5:50 AM EDT reply actions

i prefer his nickname to be wigwam

THREAD KILLER

by pwndabear on Jul 12, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Is that a MIDAS-sanctioned name?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jul 12, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m really hoping you’re right. Also, can’t believe I forgot about that nickname.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 12, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Mogwai is a band name if i’m not mistaken.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 12, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Mogwai Massacre is the full nickname.

(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)

by North Coast Flea on Jul 12, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Mogwai, the band.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 12, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

mogwai like gremlin, yes.

THREAD KILLER

by pwndabear on Jul 13, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I know, but I think it was moon who also used it as a nickname for momass

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 13, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

You are correct sir, and a great nickname it is I must add.

"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden

by Kimble_79 on Jul 13, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

well aside from the band, what is Mogwai supposed to mean for Massaquoi? is it just that no one likes the name Muhammed or is there some real meaning behind the nickname?

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to mooncamping.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jul 14, 2011 4:10 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

It´s just prose, I guess. I was trying to make up catchy names when these guys were drafted. Kaluka Maiava was Kaluka Bazooka, David Vaikune was something like Harpuna Whackapuna and Mohamed Massaquoi was Mogwai Massacre.

by mooncamping on Jul 14, 2011 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

this is literally the most legible post in your history.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 14, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I vaguely remember one post a long time ago that I didn’t even realize was his until someone else pointed it out.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 14, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

How would you like to see a little bit of Chad Ochocinco, Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Wes Welker all in one player this season?

that’s asking a lot. sure i would love it, but i don’t have great expectations it will happen. this story sounds nice and it does give us a little bit of hope to see he’s at least trying, but like moon said if it doesn’t translate to the field this means nothing.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 12, 2011 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

but like moon said

I wonder how many serious comments have included this phrase.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 12, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs

I’ve only been around for a couple months, but this is the first I’ve seen.

by acousticswk on Jul 12, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

MoMass and Robo will flourish if Little can draw coverage from the top CB’s. Also we’re finally putting together a team of playmakers that’s going to make double coverage a crap shoot for opposing DCs.

by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 12, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

we’re finally putting together a team of playmakers

are you sure you’re talking about the cleveland browns?

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 13, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL. Yes but, let it be known, that I haven’t taken the Browns seriously, since the hiring of Carmen Policy. Followed up by Chris Palmer. Which led to Tim Couch over Ricky Williams (who could still play for my team). In Holmgren/Heckert I trust!

by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 18, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I love this.

by acousticswk on Jul 12, 2011 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

This is a good sign.

by emily522 on Jul 12, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

i appreciate the subtle (?) pot-shot at whoever didn’t teach him how to watch film.

the kid’s got his head on straight. Again, let’s hope it translates to on field skill.

"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping

by discoinferno083 on Jul 12, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Why is he watching film and working on his game? Doesn’t he know that he’s already a bust?

Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 13, 2011 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

as far as a true #1 that could be true, but i like that he’s still making an attempt to improve. you can’t knock a guy for trying.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 13, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Sarcasm alert.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 13, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

488 doesn’t recognize sarcasm.

(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)

by North Coast Flea on Jul 13, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

In fairness, this is the internet.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 13, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

i just figured golan was another person who doesn’t like our receivers (not that i’m crazy about them either, but it’s not uncommon to see haters around here). but yeah sarcasm is difficult to recognize for me being rather new to this board and not really knowing any of you personally.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Sarcasm is risky business on the intertubes.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 14, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I know Heckert has said, “no receivers needed” but, a signing of Sidney Rice, to top out the WR depth chart and all of a sudden our recieving corp looks rather stout. MoMass and Robo would/will be on teams elsewhere. While, Little, C.Mitchell and J.Cameron have tons of upside potential.

I’ll be the first to say: Ben Watson is going have a huge career in Cleveland.

by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 18, 2011 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

i don’t think you’re the first to say that about ben watson.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 18, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

You dont? Why not?
I dont see a lot of praise for our ‘Big Ben’. Is “huge career” a common phrase for the “iGen” (thats mine too)? It’s possible to be true.
“Ben Watson is probably the next Browns HOF nominee”. I didnt say that initially because, I was only considering the current roster. Ha! Now, I’m the first to go out on that limb too! LOL

by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 18, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions