Dawgbeat 05/14/2007
BREAKOUT...TIME TO STEP IT UP FOR 2005 DRAFT CLASS AND THE MAN LEADING THEM
by Eric Brown
05/14/2007
The 2007 Cleveland Browns season has several stories waiting to be told. Did Phil Savage acquire enough talent to compete in the brutal AFC North ? Will Romeo Crennel have his troops ready to fight in the first month of the season in which the Browns will face the entire, brutal AFC North at home ? Several other stories will be told as we embark on another season. Let's focus on a few of the main storylines that will shape the 2007 Cleveland Browns. They all involve players that are primed for either a breakout season or face playing in another city in 2008.
Charlie Frye has two seasons to put on his resume and should be ready to make a move in the direction of being a solid NFL quarterback or nothing more than a backup. Frye has shown flashes of being the type of guy a franchise can stand behind and make their leader. However his consistency and ability to read defenses haven't shown much improvement. Frye tends to hold the ball too long at times, only throwing the ball when receivers are already open instead of anticipating when a receiver will be open and making the throw prior. Frye has got to step it up and take hold of the job early or Brady Quinn, the intelligent young field general from Notre Dame will take the spot from him. If Frye can't prove he is more advanced than Quinn in training camp and preseason, then this regime will give the job to Quinn.
Braylon Edwards was selected third overall in the 2005 NFL draft. A receiver taken in that spot is supposed to be a franchise type of receiver. Near the end of the 2005 season, and especially in the Jacksonville game, Edwards appeared to be heading in that direction until he blew up his knee late in the game. In 2006, Edwards, who wasn't expected to make a return until midseason, stepped out onto the field for game one and actually produced very well for a guy who was playing at 80 per cent. For those fans out there that do not like Edwards you should really examine what you like out of a football player. Edwards is a hard worker, emotional about winning, and extremely talented. With that being said, Edwards has had two offseasons to make his knee stronger. 2007 should be a breakout season for Edwards or the trade rumors that we've heard involving him may come to fruition before the 2008 season arrives.
The Cleveland Browns personnel department has placed alot of responsibility on the shoulders of Brodney Pool. Pool will be taking over the free safety position from Brian Russell, who left for Seattle as a free agent without even receiving an offer from the Browns. Russell was a fan favorite after his bone crushing hit on Chad Johnson, and the quarterback of the secondary. Pool will need to step to the challenge mentally and physically this season. The front office must have a ton of confidence in Pool's ability to do just that. Pool, like Frye has shown flashes of becoming a key "core" player, but hasn't seized the opportunities given him to become that player. Pool will have to use his mental abilities to adjust coverages and make the correct calls so that the secondary is put in the right positions. He will also need to use his above average speed and coverage abilities to become a playmaker on defense.
Antonio Perkins and David McMillan are two other 2005 draft picks that have to make an impact in training camp and breakout if they are to be a part of the 2007 team. Perkins will be given every opportunity to compete for the vacant punt returner job. Perkins was an all-star punt returner at Oklahoma, but hasn't shown enough in Cleveland to even warrant a look. Perkins will also try to make his mark as a backup defensive back swinging between corner and free safety. Perkins was released in 2006 but brought back as a member of the practice squad. Unless an epiphany occurs and Perkins is able to beat out the likes of Kenny Wright, Jereme Perry, DeMario Minter, and Brandon McDonald he will be looking for work.
David McMillan seemed like a red light came on for him in the 2006 preaseason. He registerd two sacks in one game and seemed like he could be a pass rushing linebacker on third down opposite Kamerion Wimbley. It seemed, though, just as he turned he corner, he disappeared again. I have to believe his major issue is the numbers game. With first round pick Wimbley manning one outside linebacker spot, and high priced free agent, Willie McGinest manning the other, McMillan's talents were lost in the shuffle. Perhaps the 2007 preseason will give him an opportunity to show his talent more or he will suffer the same fate as Perkins.
Lastly, Romeo Crennel has had two seasons to show that he is a capable NFL head coach. Crennel has shown the ability to have his troops believe in him. If you asked the majority of the team , the response would be in favor of Crennel. The talent that Crennel has had to work with has been below average but several characterisitics strike me the wrong way about Crennel's abilities and demeanor. His game day decision making seem to be less than adequate. His ability to get and keep his team fired up and focused seem to be lacking. His public comments to the media always seem to display a defeated nature. Granted there hasn't been much winning in the last two seasons, but with the attitude he portrays, who would get fired up after listening to him speak. I'm willing to give Romeo the benefit of the doubt for 2007, but my opinion will be on a very short leash. The talent acquired, i believe is adequate enough to win football games. Crennel has got to step up and demand winning this season, and especially early on against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore. If he doesn't, in October we could very well see Todd Grantham or Rob Chudzinski roaming Cleveland Browns Stadium sidelines.