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Reaction to Browns' Depth Chart

Here is the depth chart released by the Browns yesterday. This doesn't mean that anything is set in stone in terms of who will make the team, but it's always interesting to know that certain individuals were placed in a spot for a reason. My notes for each position will be in red. If there is nothing to comment on, there will not be a comment next to it.

BROWNS' OFFENSE

QB: Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Ken Dorsey (Crennel stated that this doesn't mean Frye will start the game against the Chiefs. Since OTA's though, Frye has at least done something to move back into the starting role.)
FB: Lawrence Vickers, Charles Ali, J.R. Niklos (Early chart shows that the rookie fullback, Charles Ali, is the backup, as I expected.)
RB: Jamal Lewis, Jason Wright, Jerome Harrison, Chris Barclay, Jerome Jackson (Do not misinterpret this. Jason Wright will be the backup running back this season, in the sense that he'd start if Jamal Lewis had an injury. This depth chart has nothing to do with the third down running back role, which Jerome Harrison should fill.)
WR: Joe Jurevicius, Tim Carter, Josh Cribbs, Kendrick Mosley, Syndric Steptoe. (Just a note: Mike Mason is not on the list due to injury. No real surprises here, although as you'll see later, Travis Wilson appears ahead of Joshua Cribbs.)
LT: Joe Thomas, Nat Dorsey, Cliff Louis (If something happens to Thomas, I doubt Nat Dorsey would come in. Kevin Shaffer would go back to the left side, and Kelly Butler would play at right tackle.)
LG: Eric Steinbach, Andrew Hoffman (Pretty weak backups at the guards.)
C: Hank Fraley, Lennie Friedman, Rob Smith. (Friedman did well as a backup last year, but he's almost been a forgotten man this season. That's not to say he won't make the team; it's just you don't hear his name too often.)
RG: Seth McKinney, Isaac Sowells, Fred Matua
RT: Kevin Shaffer, Kelly Butler, Ryan Tucker
TE: Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkins, Ryan Krause, Buck Ortega (It'll be interesting to see if Chud's tight end ends up unseating Darnell Dinkins.)
WR: Braylon Edwards, Travis Wilson, Steve Sanders, Efrem Hill, Maurice Mann

BROWNS' DEFENSE

LDE: Shaun Smith, J'Vonne Parker, Melia Purcell (If Orpheus Roye's surgery goes well, then he'll be back on top here.)
NT: Ted Washington, Ethan Kelley, Babatunde Oshinowo (The big negative to Roye's injury is that Shaun Smith can't get as much work at his future position. Babatunde may not make the roster again.)
RDE: Robaire Smith, Simon Fraser, Orien Harris, Chase Pittman
LOLB: Willie McGinest, Antwan Peek, Jason Short
MLB: Andra Davis, Leon Williams, Clifton Smith
WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Chaun Thompson, Mason Unck, Kris Griffin (Thompson's still pretty high on the chart, but could still be cut.)
ROLB: Kamerion Wimbley, Matt Stewart, David McMillan
LCB: Leigh Bodden, Daven Holly, Brandon McDonald, Therian Fontenot (I expect Brandon McDonald to make it over Fontenot, Minter, and Perry.)
RCB: Eric Wright, Kenny Wright, DeMario Minter, Jereme Perry (Kudos to Eric Wright for earning a starting role on the depth chart without even playing a preseason game. More so than Quinn, Savage probably believes that this could be the steal of the draft.)
SS: Sean Jones, Justin Hamilton, Jeremy LeSueur
FS: Brodney Pool, Mike Adams, Justin Sandy (Sandy is the only player on this whole list that I didn't know was on the roster. Never heard of him; on a site note, Baxter isn't listed due to injury.)

BROWNS' SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Dave Zastudil
K: Phil Dawson, Jesse Ainsworth
PR: Joshua Cribbs, Syndric Steptoe, Brandon McDonald (Don't be surprised if this changes to Steptoe.)
KR: Joshua Cribbs, Chris Barclay, Jerome Harrison
LS: Ryan Pontbriand, Steve Heiden (Heiden can long snap? Cool.)

On a final note, there is a website dedicated to a petition for Brady Quinn to sign with the Browns: Petition for Quinn to Sign.

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Re: Reaction to Browns' Depth Chart
Things that jumped out to me:

Frye likely is the week 1 starter, I would be shocked if its anyone else.  Quinn starts game 6 at the earliest, and probably none until after the bye week.  And that is only if Frye and Anderson both look bad/are injured.

Cribbs couldn't get passed Carter or Wilson.  I know this could change, but its still a little disappointing to me.  If those trick plays they are working on are going to mean anything, Cribbs is going to have to be able to be on the field reguarly and contribute as a normal slot reciever.

Friedman and Bentley are the back up Guards/Centers.  I doubt Sowells sees any time and it wouldn't surprise me if Hoffman doesn't make the team.

Winslow may be named as the #1 TE, but he is also the real #3 WR.  That means plenty of time on the field for Heiden, and I think that is a good thing.

I'm surprisingly happy with the line backing core.  How has Peek looked?  I'm guessing he is going to get a lot of time since McGinist is old and hurt.  I'd also love to hear more on Thompson as an OLB on passing downs.

Is there any consideration of having Simon Fraser start at end with Robaire Smith and Ted Washington, letting Shaun Smith get more reps int he middle?  Fraser had some moments last year and I'd like to see him in the regular rotation to start this season.

What are chances that the late round D-Linemen make the team?

Who is the nickleback? (I'm hoping Holly)  Who is the dimeback?  (Baxter? McDonald? Hamilton?)
The saftey position looks very shallow.  Hopefully Baxter can answer one of these questions.

Man, I hope Dawson gets his stuff together.  I would hate to loose a game or two because of missed FG's.

by Ryan Kelsey on Aug 8, 2007 12:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Reaction to Browns' Depth Chart
I hope Holly is the nickelback too; he deserves it after how he played last season. The safety position is potentially very shallow; we're placing a lot in faith in the group, hoping that Pool breaks out and that Sean Jones does better than his second-half effort last season.

rlmthree: Yes, the Browns ended up making a revision to the chart by bumping Eric Wright back. Originally, he was listed as I had listed it.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 8, 2007 6:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Reaction to Browns' Depth Chart
Peek could have a breakout year if given time; with McGinest so fragile and D'Qwell being...well, D'Qwell, he'll get his opportunities.

by BringBackKosar on Aug 9, 2007 5:44 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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