Ace Davis' Weblog

May 2007 - Posts

• COMINGS AND GOINGS

  Former Browns Chris Rockins, Gregg Rakoczy, and Ernie Logan were each born on this date, three years apart. A few years earlier, Dave Atkins was also born on May 18. The Browns' running backs coach the previous two seasons, he's now "senior offensive assistant coach," which I think translates into "19 years older than Chud."   On a less festive note, it was 44 years ago today that Ernie Davis died in a Cleveland hospital, a victim of leukemia at age 23. Fans of a certain age don't need this reminder, but for the rest, the Browns traded away their first-round pick plus future Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell for the rights to Davis. The first black Heisman winner would have joined fellow Syracuse alum Jim Brown to form a most fearsome Browns' backfield, but he got sick and never played a down in the NFL.     Posted May 18 2007, 12:39 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Browns History

• SNAPSHOT: LINEBACKERS

  Projected starters: 95 Kamerion Wimbley (OLB), 55 Willie McGinest (OLB), 54 Andra Davis (ILB), 58 D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) Key backups: 56 Antwan Peek (OLB), 94 Leon Williams (ILB) On the bubble: 52 Matt Stewart (OLB), 51 Chaun Thompson (ILB), 90 David McMillan (OLB), 53 Mason Unck (ILB), Jason Short (ILB), 59 Clifton Smith (ILB) Practice squad eligible: 44 Mike Alston (OLB), 34 Kevin Sears (OLB) Probable number on 53-man roster: 9 Off-season departures: Nick Speegle Unit strength: average Analysis: A deep crew of versatile linebackers is an imperative for a successful 3-4 scheme, and the Browns are at least stable in this regard, with all eight players returning, plus some pass-rush help in the form of free agent  Peek.   On the inside, veteran Davis regressed last year from his previous production, dropping from eight to four tackles for loss and from 11 to two quarterback pressures. He is competent in coverage, but overall he's maybe a touch above average, not the game-changing force you'd like to see from your starter at this position. Jackson, the highly-touted second-round pick last year, beat out Thompson in training camp and started 13 games (and covered kicks on special teams) until turf toe ended his season in December. "Undersized but instinctive" reads his calling card. He figures to improve this year and may in fact be the favorite to lead the team in tackles. Williams has the ideal size/speed combo for an ILB, and the fourth-round developmental pick surprised many with some solid play late last year. He had as many tackles as anyone in each of his three starts. If he can build on that, he'll see plenty of time in a three-man rotation, perhaps challenging Davis down the road to start at strong side.   Thompson, the fourth inside backer, seems to have fallen from favor, having never quite put it all together after being drafted too high as a raw small-school prospect in 2003. Changes in position and scheme haven't helped, nor did a lingering wrist injury, though he's never missed a regular-season game. The Browns may rely on him for depth and special teams at most, then let him hit free agency after the season. I'd like to be proven wrong here, because I'd enjoy seeing him set free as one of many blitz options in a more adventurous defense, if he can handle the role mentally.   The other candidates at ILB include two special-teamers, Unck and the newly-signed Short, plus Smith, who will get a long look in camp due to the NFL Europa roster exemption.     The situation outside is similar: three players are set for the two positions, with one former starter in the mix as a reserve. Wimbley had the best rookie year of any Browns' first-rounder in memory. He already has more sacks as a Brown than anyone on the roster. Having made the conversion from college DE to 3-4 OLB, he seems primed for stardom. But a team needs more than one pass-rushing threat, and that's why Peek was signed to play the other side along with the 35-year-old McGinest, whose legs may permit him to be no more than a two-down run supporter at this stage. Peek could prove aptly-named (if not spelled): he has experience playing the 3-4 in the NFL, and he's hungry to return to that role in his home state under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who was a position coach while both were in Houston. It's not out of the question that he'll oust McGinest from the starting job, or at least play more snaps.    Stewart, with 61 career starts, is quality depth, and he'll be motivated too, entering his contract year. McMillan, the tweener drafted two years back, may be the odd man out unless he proves indispensable as another pass rusher. It's too early to handicap which bubble players will stick, but figure on three of the six, assuming no early injuries to the starters or key backups. One wild-card: if McGinest really lags, it's not impossible for him to be released, as it would benefit the team's future salary cap situation. As with all the Browns players, I'd rather see him succeed here, but if sufficient alternatives are already on the roster, then the future may as well arrive this summer.   In sum, Mike Haluchak's linebackers corps appears to have a fine mix of young talent and experienced depth suitable for the varied demands of the 3-4 system. Continuity should only benefit them. Until the expected breakthrough happens on the field, their grade remains average, with the trend line pointed skyward. Posted May 18 2007, 08:58 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: The Team Today

• SNAPSHOT: DEFENSIVE LINE

  With the decreased significance of the phrase "June 1st cuts," odds are that the off-season transactions are essentially finished. So at the risk of jumping the gun ahead of mini-camp, I can't help but make a few projections about the 2007 Browns based on what we now know. Today I'm starting a series of quick looks at each of the positional groups, starting with, for no particular reason, the defensive line. Projected starters: 98 Robaire Smith (DE), 92 Ted Washington (NT), 99 Orpheus Roye (DE) Key backups: 91 Shaun Smith (NT), 75 Simon Fraser (DE) On the bubble: 78 Ethan Kelley (NT), 69 J'vonne Parker (NT) Practice squad eligible: 97 Chase Pittman (DE), 60 Melila Purcell (DE), 96 Babatunde Oshinowo (DE?), 93 Orien Harris (DE), 73 Alvin Smith (DE) Probable number on 53-man roster: 6 Off-season departures: Alvin McKinley, Nick Eason Unit strength: Questionable Analysis: The Browns' D-line has been a liability ever since it became clear that the mammoth investments in Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren would not pay off. In the 3-4 alignment, gap integrity and stout run support are key, and the Browns made the conversion before they had the right players for this scheme. The free agent Smiths, Robaire and Shaun, are expected to remedy the situation immediately, as no effort went toward retaining McKinley (now with Denver) and Eason (Pittsburgh).   At the critical nose tackle spot, gargantuan Washington is 39 and is good for maybe 15 plays a game. Look for Shaun Smith to spell him frequently, possibly with Robaire sliding inside on third downs. If they all prove fit, I'd be surprised if another nose tackle makes the team, meaning an exodus for holdovers Kelley and Parker. The bigger need is at end.   Roye, if his knee holds up, is a high-motor stalwart on one side, but at 34 years old he'll be best in a rotation. Coaches love Fraser, who is supposedly beefing up as we speak to cancel future episodes of stampede victimhood on running plays. He'd be best as a third-down sub when Robaire Smith takes the nose. That leaves one, maybe two, roster spots for a handful of young defensive ends to battle out. There's two late-round picks this year, Pittman and Purcell, plus last year's disappointment, Baba, who seems better physically suited for end, though he played nose at Stanford. Expect at least two of the also-ran ends to develop on the practice squad, as this unit is aging fast.   If everyone stays healthy, if the Smiths adjust to the scheme quickly, if Fraser fills out, and if another end or two steps up fast, then maybe the Browns won't again be among the league's very worst rush defenses, and the vets can stay fresh by stopping drives before getting steamrolled by sheer momentum. But that's an awful lot of ifs. I fear that the belated attention to this particular unit will be the limiting factor to the team's fortunes this season. Posted May 17 2007, 12:17 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: The Team Today

• FILLING UP THE CAP

  If the reports are true and the Browns are indeed some $21 million under this year's salary cap, there are plenty of intriguing options at their disposal, even after shelling out $6 million for the rookies.   Below are some possibilities in each of three general categories. This is more descriptive than advisory: I don't endorse every option below, but within each category, I do list them in order of preference.   Fill in the remaining holes on the roster. Save a few million in case an injury creates an immediate need for a signing or swap somewhere, or to upgrade the roster by jumping in fast in case a good player gets released elsewhere. It's always a good idea to have cash stashed for such contingencies. Acquire a veteran via trade. I wouldn't put it past Phil Savage to work some kind of roster tweak if it serves dual purposes. It's all to the positive if he can get an immediate contributor while shedding a player who won't have much of a role, such as Chaun Thompson or one of the incumbent quarterbacks, or is a problem of some sort, as Kevin Shaffer may prove to be (see below). Sign a veteran free agent running back. The pickings are slim at this point, with Chris Brown being the best of the bunch. Sign a veteran free agent quarterback. Even slimmer pickings here. Aaron Brooks, anyone? Didn't think so. Ensure that the team's "core players" will be wearing Browns uniforms for years to come. Extend the contract of long snapper Ryan Pontbriand (assuming his back problem is no longer an issue) before he hits free agency after the upcoming season. Secure the long-term services of safety Sean Jones, whose contract expires after 2008, not only because of the cap space, but also because his price may rise as his performance continues to improve. Consider extensions for other UFAs-to-be, if and when they can prove something more on the field. In order of likelihood: RB Jamal Lewis, WR Tim Carter, LB Mason Unck, NT Ethan Kelley, LB Chaun Thompson, DB Jeremy LeSueur, LB Jason Short, LB Matt Stewart. (I'm writing off Ted Washington and the two Dorseys.) Consider extensions for CB Daven Holly, QB Derek Anderson, and DE Simon Fraser, who will all be restricted free agents after this season. If they continue to progress, it would work to the Browns' advantage to get their bonuses paid while there's plenty of room. Use this year's cap space to free up additional funds for the future. Come to terms with Kevin Shaffer. He could be the best long-term answer at right tackle, but if he won't play nice, a trade would at least accelerate his signing bonus into a cap year where we have room. A more conciliatory approach: restructure his deal to move up bonuses in exchange for reducing his high salaries in the out years. Release big-ticket players whose projected future value falls short of their upcoming salaries. This would improve the long-term financial picture by eliminating salary obligations and absorbing amortized signing bonuses into the current year. Joe Andruzzi's departure fell under this category. Who else am I talking about? In order of likelihood: Willie McGinest, LeCharles Bentley, Gary Baxter, Ryan Tucker, Orpheus Roye, Phil Dawson, Andra Davis. The downsides are loss of veteran leadership and potential alienation of remaining players. Restructure the contracts of a few "keeper" players to front-load more of the cash into this salary cap year. Without having the full terms of the deals in front of me, it's hard to make specific suggestions about who and how, but some clever tinkering with roster bonuses, salaries, and incentives could motivate certain players short-term and perhaps also keep them under contract a bit longer. Any more tactics or specifics to add? Log in and fire away in comments. Posted May 07 2007, 05:48 AM by Anonymous with 3 comment(s) Filed under: The Team Today

• THE LAST BADGER

  The last time the Browns drafted anyone from the University of Wisconsin, Joe Thomas hadn't even been conceived. Eight-nine Badgers have gone off the boards to other teams between the Thomas selection and the Browns' sixth-round pick in 1983: tight end Tim Stracka. I caught up with Stracka this week, and he was clearly delighted with the pick. "Joe Thomas is lucky because Cleveland is a great city and a great franchise, one of the classic organizations in the NFL. The fans and city support the Browns like no other." Stracka still follows Wisconsin football closely and lives in the area. He's met Thomas a few times, but he knows him better as a player. "He will contribute his first year. He's obviously a very talented guy," Stracka said. "He's probably the most athletic tackle ever to come out of Wisconsin." Conceding the difficulty of the left tackle position, Stracka still believes Thomas will have a "faster learning curve than most rookies coming into the league." It was half a lifetime ago already, but Stracka remembers not just the feeling of excitement of getting drafted by the Browns, but also plenty of details about the whole experience. He anticipated being picked anywhere from the third to the eighth round. He got the news by phone from his future position coach with the Browns, Joe Daniels, now the quarterbacks coach at Ohio State. He recalls celebrating the news at a Madison bar/burger joint then known as Jingles with his fellow Badger draftees, who included nose tackle Tim Krumrie, who somehow slid into the 11th round for Cincinnati, where he made the Pro Bowl twice in his 12-year career. Stracka also looks back fondly on his arrival in Browns Town, meeting players like Brian Sipe and Ozzie Newsome, who, like Stracka, was a converted wide receiver. "Ozzie is just a super person. He's taken his football knowledge to another level," he added. Browns fans were rightfully impressed by the 1,138 receiving yards posted by the tight ends last year. But in Stracka's rookie year, the unit amassed a team record 1,402, which was more than the combined total of team's top four wide receivers. "I was the weaker link on that, I think," Stracka said with a laugh. For the record, Newsome led the team with 970 yards. Harry Holt, a newcomer from the Canadian Football League, added 420, and Stracka had one catch for 12 yards. The offensive change that year was to rely on one back rather than the then-conventional halfback/fullback tandem. That meant the Browns frequently had two tight ends on the field. He subbed behind some strong talent, and his own rookie adjustments weren't always smooth. The Browns stood at 4-3 and were tied in the fourth quarter at Cincinnati, when Holt got dinged and Stracka strapped on his helmet. On his second play, he was called for pass interference. On the next play, Sipe fired a pass in his direction, but Stracka waited rather than coming back for the ball. Wily veteran cornerback Ken Riley stepped in front of him and returned the interception for the winning touchdown. It was a tough lesson, but coach Sam Rutigliano remained supportive and hopeful that Stracka would develop his full potential. Stracka remembers Rutigliano as "a well spoken guy, very interesting to play for and a lot of fun, and he believed in his players." Alas, it was not to be in 1984. Sipe took Donald Trump's USFL cash, Rutigliano was fired midway through the season, and Stracka suffered a variety of injuries, including a broken neck and leg. "I just couldn't stay healthy," he said, "It's a violent game." He retired from football in the summer of 1985 with just two career receptions. But having used his scholarship to good effect, he began a 20-year career on Wall Street before moving back to his native Wisconsin and starting an investment management company in Milwaukee. "I had a plan all along," he said. An underreported topic getting increasing media attention lately is the physical plight of many former players. Stracka said he probably would feel worse today had he continued his career. "I am a little beat up, but I'm better than most," he said. "I'm still working out and in pretty good shape." He said he sees former Wisconsin and Browns teammate Lawrence Johnson at least every year for a charity golf tournament. Today's rookies striving to establish themselves in the NFL know how hard it is to get to this level, so he advises them to take their preparation seriously in order to maximize their chances at longevity. But nothing last forever, and this long-retired player knows how quickly these moments can pass. "The most important thing is to continue to enjoy the game and competition."   Posted May 05 2007, 01:54 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Browns History, The Team Today