Mark Leonard

March 2006 - Posts

• About Chaun Thompson inside

  There are a few topics which keep recurring among fans and commentators concerned with the Browns' personnel, its needs and utilization. Who will the team draft? Will Matt Wilhelm be coming to the Browns? Will Braylon and Kellen be at full strength by camp or is an additional target needed? Can Chaun Thompson play inside? etc. Much has been written and said about the others, but not much about the last. Therefore, it shall be the focus of this entry. Last year about this time, I, too, thought Romeo Crennel might test Chaun inside. I wrote as much in speculation. I'd seen the size, the speed, the physique, the long arms, requisite desire, as well as the conspicuous need. Ben Taylor and Matt Stewart appeared as adequate alternatives outside to assume Chaun's role, sacrificing some quickness for savvy, instinct, familiarity with the role, coverage, among other less tangible qualities. One significant doubt remained. Does Chaun have the instincts for the post? Can he diagnose quickly enough? How would he handle mis-direction, filling, hand-to-hand combat, shedding inside, where the traffic is heavy and the confines intense? Can he get off blocks? Outside it is often sufficient to string out a play, turn it inside, simply control the block long enough for assistance to arrive. Realities are different inside. Thompson remained outside throughout camp and a largely-dismal losing season during which some personnel experimentation seemed advised. It seemed apparent the braintrust similarly doubted the fit inside. Among the factors possibly influencing that conclusion are Chaun's explosiveness off the edge, absent in all other OLB candidates, and his still-healing (we hope!) wrist. The first of these is self-explanatory, but the second is relevant because one must be able to grab and pull and yank and throw off a blocker as a regular event inside. One must often stuff a blocker and plug the hole, with one's hands a critical part of executing that assignment. Outside, where one's positioning, speed, quickness, anticipation, elusiveness and body control can assist one's capacity to slip and escape blocking attempts, one can get by with an impaired hand, wrist or arm. This is less true if one's duties involve combating the TE, however, as Carl Banks did so well during his brief tenure here under Belichick. Unless and until Chaun's wrist is fully available to him, he has no future inside. Even if it should rebound, there remains the question of his football instincts. Fans should remember it is not necessary to audition an athlete in an actual game to determine whether he has promise or potential at a given position. That is what practices are for. This fundamental truism is lost on too many fans each season, when clamoring for more playing time for a given favorite. It should be assumed Thompson's utility inside has been fully contemplated by the coaching staff. If the temptation was strong, he was probably tested in the role. He was likely found wanting, for any number of reasons, foreseeable or otherwise. It could be the staff has given Chaun an off-season of drills and positional assignments/prescriptions upon which to work so as to enhance his viability inside, while they chase his replacement outside, someone able to bring approximate or superior speed and quickness. There has been considerable analysis and discussion regarding draft prospects for the edge-rushing duties. In other words, it could yet be that Chaun Thompson will factor inside in the Crennel-Grantham 3-4. All things considered, however, it is not likely, except possibly on a situational basis when an interior blitz is desired, whereby the athlete is moving forward without regard to other responsibilities. The instincts, the innate sense for the linebacker position---whether inside or out---seem to be lacking in Chaun thusfar as a pro. Perhaps film study, the influence/mentoring of McGinest, another season of familiarity with the system and the pro game will enable Thompson to demonstrate the polish and anticipation necessary to impact anywhere on the second level. At this point, however, such developments would surprise and cannot be relied upon. More likely, Chaun seems destined for situational use. One could be wrong and may even hope to be. But at this time, that would be the assessment. Posted Mar 23 2006, 08:47 AM by Salinian with 1 comment(s)

• Zierlein's favorite Browns' center

  Just as I was contemplating whether Jeff Faine---invited to find himself a trade partner---could bring back Bills' WR Eric Moulds---also invited to find himself a trade partner---Melvin Fowler signs with the Buffalo club. That's what I get for forgetting where the former Browns' OL coach landed. Larry Zierlein is now responsible for coaching up the Bills' OL talent, such as it is. Browns' fans will recall it was Zierlein who expressed feeling Melvin was the superior of the two centers when Fowler and Faine coexisted in Cleveland. I'm anticipating many readers would scoff at the idea Faine, deemed expendable in Cleveland, could bring back a heralded talent like Moulds. We'll never know in any event. But it is not inconceivable, dependent certainly upon Buffalo's assessment of Jeff. Faine's contract is affordable, runs for years to come and is carried by a still-young, improving and dedicated professional player. What is more, the Bills are moving away from center Trey Teague, creating what had been a void in their maligned OL. Fowler has been invited to fill it. It is rather well documented Moulds is unhappy in Buffalo and emphasized it by refusing to consider any renegotiating concerning his $7.1 mil contract. This to force his way out of western NY despite the removal of the coaching staff with which he differed last season. This does not mean he would not re-do his pact for another organization, however. And there would not likely be many teams willing and able to temporarily absorb the Moulds' existing contract while simultaneously offering an inexpensive young starter like Faine. Nonetheless, an offer of Faine for Moulds would not likely have been Buffalo's only opportunity to get return on a player certain to depart and potentially released after June 1, by which time much of the available salcap monies from around the league would've been exhausted. It might also have not been Buffalo's best offer. Then again, it might have been. We'll never know now. At any rate, if Zierlein remains true to form, he'll have some obscure Indiana Hoosier OL in camp with him this summer. He'd brought Enoch DeMar, Craig Osika and Anthony Oakley (who transferred to Western Kentucky, Crennel's old school) to Cleveland as undrafted free agents---a rather peculiar tendency given the Hoosier's modest football successes. Vikes' Chris Liwienski is a deposed starter/free agent from that university who might somehow find his way to Zierlein's side. As for Moulds, interest in him would be explained by the uncertainties relative to Braylon Edwards' availability. Even if he does not open on the PUP, which seems plausible, he cannot be expected to approximate his full or former self for another calendar year. That is characteristic of an athlete coming off an ACL injury. Until he proves otherwise, Edwards should be considered typical. With that the case, a starting target opposite Jurevicius is needed. There is no reason to anticipate Northcutt could be that guy, unless the presence of Antonio Bryant held mystical powers over Dennis' play. Northcutt was unable to establish himself as starter-worthy when invited to last season and should be expected to revert to his situational role unless liquidated. Bruce Ariens in Pittsburgh, who maximized Dennis so well when the two were together in Cleveland, may campaign to secure Northcutt as Randle-El's replacement. Those others who envisioned Randle-El possibly joining them---the Bears, for example---might also have interest in the former Arizona Wildcat second-round selection. With Tim Dwight having joined the Jets yesterday, one less multi-dimensional quickster WR/KR is on the market. Dennis' value and appeal may resultantly escalate. Ideally, the Jurevicius counterpart would provide deep speed, to keep defenses honest and from crowding the line of scrimmage to better negate Droughns and Jurevicius. Hence the reported interest in Ozzie's nephew Tim Carter. Moulds is not a burner, but he has demonstrated an ability to get behind defenses, make big plays, score and carry the mantel of a team's number-one wideout. That is no minor consideration. Such individuals are not often made available. Yet it is unlikely Eric Moulds would elect to come to Cleveland, given the market that is likely to materialize if ever he hits the market unencumbered. The fact remains the Browns cannot consider their work done at the wide receiver position. A trade and contract renegotiation involving Eric Moulds might be a route worth investigating. If the infusion of and dependence upon veteran newcomers was not sufficiently evident last summer, the continuation of that trend should amply communicate that winning now is an objective of the Browns' braintrust. For that to occur, a top-shelf contributor at wide-receiver seems prescribed. Posted Mar 22 2006, 10:58 AM by Salinian with no comments

• Only a heavily-indulged, spoiled brat would complain.

  But what has been done to rectify the opposition's tendency to exploit the defensive right side by running to its left? We've been told each year all holes can't be filled in a single off-season. (Frankly, that has always struck me as a self-serving bit of excusifying.) However, at the rate things are progressing thusfar in Free Agency 2006, it shouldn't require the full weekend to complete the fortifications: a run-stuffing ILB, a prototypically physical enforcer for SS, an all-purpose RDE and an athletic edge-rusher at ROLB. I suppose one can wait to be filled by the choice at 12; after all, why render meaningless a perfectly good April 29th Saturday? It has been a marvelously stimulating several days for excitement-starved Browns' loyalists. Conspicuous areas of profound need have not only been acknowledged but addressed, and done so with genuinely quality entities. What is more, many come with local ties, winning pedigrees, championship attitudes, demonstrated football intelligence and an appreciation for what it means to don the Brown and Orange. Not a bad week by any means. While it is not meant to seem ungrateful, hard-to-please or overly-demanding, it is nonetheless true the defensive right side---so often gashed by the many left-handed running games in the AFC North---appears thusfar to be unattended. What will be done to make games more difficult for Alan Faneca-Marvel Smith, Edward Mulitalo-Jonathan Ogden and Eric Steinback-Levi Jones, as well as the RBs they represent? The available cap space and monies must be running low by now. The market for headliners---except among the population of over-inflated CBs, perhaps---is drying up. Another round of musical chairs is drawing to a close.  Alvin McKinley and Chaun Thompson remain unchallenged thusfar as Cleveland starters in the preferred areas of oppositional focus. As long as they do, the reconstruction job cannot be considered completed. It may not come this weekend. It may not come this month. It may not come with trumpets and headlines. But competition for both will come before summer. If only via in-house emergences. Having strengthened itself in the middle with Washington and on the strongside with McGinest, the Browns' D is virtually inviting opponents to continue to look left for ground yardage. That may be part of the plan, of course, a means to dictate to an opponent, in a somewhat perverse sort of strategy. More likely it is evident to the brain trust those enhancements will be significantly negated if something isn't also done to fortify what can be done on the defensive right side. Therefore, expect it. Posted Mar 15 2006, 08:04 PM by Salinian with no comments

• More bits and pieces from Day Three

  A potential reason for the Browns' reported decision to pay the soon-due roster bonus to wr/kr Dennis Northcutt may be related to the league-wide interest in now-Redskin Antwaan Randle-El. Certainly, there was going to be but one winner for his services, with several others left exasperated and searching. Perhaps GM Phil Savage anticipates he may get a call or two for his versatile and shifty trick-play artist, thereby getting some compensation for an athlete who believably could be subtracted before camp opens. Detroit's re-signing of Eddie Drummond, similarly, removes another wr/kr from the market. Until that announcement, coupled with the surprising addition of Texans' wr Corey Bradford, there was some thought Northcutt might factor with the Lions, who could use a slot receiver and may be ready to part with one of their recently-drafted, disappointing wideouts. One I'd like to see Northcutt exchanged for is Vikings' RFA Nate Burleson, though his hometown Seahawks may be a likelier destination, if he goes anywhere at all, since Jurevicius must be replaced. Edgerrin James' landing in Phoenix is an understandably heralded event, not only because he balances an offense which featured two receivers with more than 100 catches for more than 1,000 yards (Imagine catching 100 balls for 1,000 yards and not leading your team!), but also because James helps the Cardinals inaugurate a  new stadium this fall. Baltimore had seemed like a good place for his skills and he might well have gone there had not Jamal Lewis reconsidered and the Cards not overwhelmed. SF was a sleeper for James. An elite runner might've jump-started the Niners' reconstruction. As it is, SF seems to have followed the Rams' lead, if only coincidentally. StL reunited collegiate teammates Marshall Faulk and La'roi Glover (San Diego State), while SF has a pair of Pitt Panthers to lead its ground and air games, respectively. Antonio Bryant, the former Brown, is now in the Bay Area, again huddling next to Kevan Barlow. Bryant's agent admits the likelihood his client will be the focus of the passing game---if only by default, as was the case last season in Cleveland---was "a compelling reason" for their joint decision. Bryant and former ND QB Arnaz Battle lead the depth chart at this point, with former number one pick Rashaun Woods---a record-breaker out of Oklahoma State I felt certain would excel as a pro---facing his last chance to prove he can get off the line and separate. With that thusfar apparent mistake in judgment already out there, I wish to admit I am not a believer in Kalimba Edwards. I focused on him during his first Cleveland appearance in the Great Lakes Classic Joey Harrington's rookie year and found the South Carolina product to be situational at best. He appeared to be one-dimensional and without instincts, flexibility, ballast or repertoire. I came away better understanding why the Lions did  not go 3-4 themselves at the time and pair him outside with Boss Bailey. Perhaps the former second-round choice has made marked strides and will surprise, but I'd pass on him, based upon what little he showed that August evening. A legitimate alternative is off the market, however, with the announcement Dallas has signed a former ballboy and Purdue Boilermaker, Jax's Akin Ayodele. On the other hand, it fills the Cowboy hole Willie McGinest might have filled, thereby increasing the potential he follows Romeo Crennel and Ted Washington to the Northcoast. More likely, he'll be back in NE, especially with today's release of former Steeler and Seahawk Chad Brown. Even the aged and declining Brown is preferred to Edwards, by the way. That LaVar Arrington is not a front-runner does not disappoint. His bone-on-bone knee condition is a turnoff, as was the back trouble afflicting Trevor Pryce, now with the Ravens. With that former Bronco unavailable, a beneath-the-radar RDE to watch for is Gary Walker, familiar to D-Coor Todd Grantham from their days together in the Houston Texans' 3-4. Walker is a community and clubhouse asset and a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has impacted against both the run and the pass. He began his career with that Texas city's first NFL entrant, the Oilers, before going onto Jacksonville prior to expansion. He was released by Houston last week but  might complete an exemplary triumverate alongside Washington and Orpheus Roye. Though all three are less than they had been, each is a savvy professional who brings consistency, intensity, leadership and the capacity to mentor anticipated protoges. Savage and Crennel may fill with vets but they'll draft behind them future starters who'll learn from the old heads. In a similar vein, Bart Scott's decision to remain in Balt could create an invitation for NFL graybeard Sam Cowart (31), a longtime 3-4 advocate who learned under and played for Wade Phillips (Marty Schottenheimer's Charger D-Coor) and Ted Cottrell, who Cowart followed from Buffalo to NYJ to Minnesota. The Vikes' resurgence last autumn coincided with the team's decision to spontaneously convert from the 4-3 to the 3-4. Strongside backer Keith Newman, another free agent, was similarly responsible for the improved defensive performances. Both are physical, active, tough and can range. Prior to an Achilles injury when still in western NY, Cowart was a premier up-and-comer at the LB position, excelling both inside and out. Neither Cowart nor Newman is a notorious blitzer. As I prepare to close, allow me to apologize for an earlier entry containing a superfluous prefix syllable in "unconscionable." (This was in the context of discussing Steve Hutchinson's offer sheet.) There is no excuse for not proof-reading. We'll have no more of such nonsense.   Posted Mar 13 2006, 06:25 PM by Salinian with 1 comment(s)

• Bits and Pieces

  As Day Three of NFL Free Agency 2006 passes into afternoon here on the West Coast, time has come to comment on some of the occurences thusfar. A very under-rated transaction but one of the very best of the weekend was SF's excellent exchange of stingbean acrobat Brandon Lloyd for a pair of Washington draft selections. Receiving a three and a four (in 2007) for Lloyd constitutes maximum return on one with disdain for appearing within the hashes. It is therefore realistically possibly the Niners will secure two commodities of equal or greater value. Easily the worst move regards the sport's premier OG, Seahawks' Steve Hutchinson. Why the 'Hawks merely transition-tagged him when franchising him brought greater protection is inunconscionable, and something for which they'll be answering for years. No way such a talent is permitted to leave without compensation. The transition tag allowed right to match, but a "poison pill" could preclude that option. Minn has included one and can expect to position the Mich star between its two best returning OL: center Matt Birk and tackle Bryant McKinnie. These three will ultimately achieve more for that club than did the tandem of Moss and Culpepper. It was foolish for Sea to lock up RB Shaun Alexander if it meant losing Hutch. Steve could make another back approximate Shaun sooner and surer than Shaun will make another guard approximate Steve. Furthermore, Steve's work benefits every offensive Hawk; Shaun does little without a lot of assistance. StL is doing things right. Reconfiguring its defense with intelligent, astute, instinctive, cerebral leaders like La'Roi Glover, Will Witherspoon and Corey Chavous is a means to improving every defensive position. The Rams will actually have something worth identifying as a defense, particularly with Jim Haslett coordinating. Look for Clemson CB Tye Hill to be the club's choice at 11. A shutdown corner such as he will solidify a re-done secondary and assist a formidable pass rush.  A thusfar under-reported explanation for the Saints' interest in Charger QB Drew Brees may concern his background. Should the franchise relocate to San Antonio or LA, Brees helps sell tickets by providing a familiar face.  He was born in the Texas town and has played most recently just south of the latter location. The parade of OLTs Kevin Shaffer has now joined obscures one of the more remarkable personnel statistics in pro football history. From 1946-1984, only three men handled the post for the Cleveland Browns: Lou Groza, Dick Schafrath and Doug Dieken. Since 1999, however, the cast has been ever-changing, from Lomas Brown through Roman Oben, Ross Verba, Barry Stokes, LJ Shelton to Shaffer. The spot might've been stabilized and solidified had not Butch Davis alienated Tony Jones when the latter was unable to commit to regular practice sessions, due in combination to a personal loss and chronic knee aches. But that is just another of the hidden costs associated with hiring hubris. Jones did most of the starting at the position between Dieken and the move. That 1995 relocation itself obscured one of Bill Belichick's greatest professional errors. Much was made of the tantrum the former Cleveland coach pitched upon learning the Jets had beaten him to Penn State TE Kyle Brady. But so profound was the loss of composure, Belichick overlooked the availabilities of Warren Sapp, Ruben Brown and Derrick Brooks---each a subsequent perennial Pro-Bowler---to deal his tenth-overall selection to SF, so that Bill Walsh could draft UCLA WR JJ Stokes. Belichick ended up with the SF pick at 25, used on forgettable OSU OLB Craig Powell, and a pair of later choices which turned out to become Georgia QB Eric Zeier and Virginia DE Mike Frederick. Bill also received the Niners' top choice in the following spring's draft. Unfortunately, that one was spent on behalf of the relocated Browns in Baltimore. It became MLB Ray Lewis. In the aftermath of Belichick's fit, the '95 Browns finished badly enough that its own top selection became OLT Jonathon Ogden. As badly as Modell typically drafted in Cleveland (He would not entrust a fully-empowered GM until Ozzie got the job in Baltimore), 1996 was actually the third draft in which his club chose a pair of future Hall of Famers. In the championship season of 1964, Art nabbed both Paul Warfield and Leroy Kelly. In '78, it was Clay Matthews and Ozzie Newsome. Yes, it is true that Clay has yet to be elected; but neither has guard Gene Hickerson and we all know they are both deserving. Now that LeCharles Bentley has been added to the Browns' roster, it should be remembered the man for whom the franchise is named, Paul Brown, was such an advocate of the center position, he made Tenn pivot Bob Johnson the Bengals' first-ever draft selection. That was not too surprising to those who knew how he felt about the late Frank "Gunner" Gatski, a Hall of Famer who never missed as much as a practice and was there to help Otto Graham to ten championship game appearances in as many career seasons, seven which ended favorably for the Brown and Orange. What has gone under-acknowledged is Brown's influence on two of his primary disciples, Chuck Noll and Don Shula. Both copied the master and launched their own Hall of Fame coaching careers by featuring premier centers on their physically-dominant offensive lines. Shula began winning once he installed Browns' castoff Jim Langer between Larry Little and Bob Kuechenberg. Langer was succeeded by Dwight Stephenson, who also followed him into the Hall. Stephenson was succeeded by frequent Pro-Bowler Tim Ruddy, who the club has yet to adequately replace, losing seasons resulting. Pitt's run also began once Noll installed a system which eventually featured Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermonti Dawson and now converted OG Jeff Hartings. Many are the championships won by this assemblage. Another of PB's disciples, Bill Walsh---who learned under the master innovator when the pair was together in Cincinnati---joins Noll and Shula in dominating the titles in the modern era of professional football. Walsh, in turn, gave root to Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, Andy Reid, Steve Mariucci, John Gruden, et al. It is great to see the Cleveland Browns remembering what is was they understood so well at the very beginning.   Posted Mar 13 2006, 01:28 PM by Salinian with no comments

• Free Agency's first day

  Nothing is official regarding the Cleveland Browns' progress in free agency 2006, but the initial reports are encouraging. That the team is aggressively pursuing and possibly snatching from the talons of the Eagles the services of the best-available UFA OL, LeCharles Bentley, is suggestive of a front office that gets it, an organization intent on improvement and a team perhaps ready to move assertively in the correct direction. It's what's up front that counts, after all. This writer has long advocated for the St. Ignatius/Ohio State product, back to the error-filled (not that the adjective does much to distinguish it from other such processes) 2002 draft, when a reported deal-down from 16 was forsaken and RB William Green was selected over what might have become a package of Ed Reed and the top interior OL prospect in that class. The top nine went between 29 and 45 that year, Bentley among them. LeCharles was outstanding as a consensus All-American center at OSU the prior fall and has since established himself as one of the sport's elite interior performers, having already been named to two Pro Bowls. Frankly, it is inexplicable that NO is allowing him to leave. Young, still crossing the threshold of his prime, fiery, combative, physically aggressive, a pile-mover in the run game and able to reinforce a needy roster at either center or guard, Bentley is precisely the type of talent the Cleveland offense needs to inject into its huddle, interior and OL in general. To have passed on an opportunity to secure such an asset would've been negligent on the part of the club. In fact, such an attitude was expressed by this writer last autumn when the club, through the words of Head Coach Romeo Crennel, articulated a disturbing position of stand-pat complacency relative to its roster/personnel. This writer ripped that non-approach and challenged the organization to instead become proactive, display requisite daring, creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity---hell, whatever it takes!---to promote its supposed commitment to reconstruction. With such league allowances as raiding oppositions' DEVs (practice squads) available to it, as well as a yet-to-arrive trade deadline and the potential to exercise its presence near the top of the waiver-claim list, it seemed imperative the team got busy enhancing its defective and deficient talent pool. By that time, it was already known certain teams would be making certain players available once free agency arrived. The Saints duo of Bentley and DE Darren Howard were two such commodities. What is more, the unfortunate Saints' organization was justifiably concerned it would have difficulties retaining its own free agents, much less enticing anyone else's. Its braintrust felt it would be, due to the uncertainties relative to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, at a competitive disadvantage when it came to securing the talent necessary for viability as an NFL franchise. It seemed reasonable that someone should approach that team with an offer of compensation for players it was otherwise going to lose/sacrifice for nothing. Not only could both Bentley and Howard contribute significantly here, but acquiring them in October might preclude an expensive and risky bidding war for them. A trade would also bring the additional benefit of having the Franchise tag available to encourage negotiations on longterm extensions. It would send the proper message, too, to both the clubhouse and the fan base, that the organizations was intent upon fulfilling its expressed commitment to winning again as soon as possible. It seemed to be a no-brainer---a description too literally true of too many of the New Browns' decisions. It would be win-win-win for all involved: the teams and players. Plus, the manuever might have salvaged what was again shaping up as another moribund campaign. But the Browns did nothing, of course, extending its string of ignoring the DEV loophole as well, though all it requires is the promise of a varsity roster spot to another team's prospect. With all the injured-reserve occassions of recent seasons, we had no spots to offer? With 31 other NFL organizations---most of whom are far more successful than Cleveland's---employing from 5-8 developmental prospects, are we to believe NONE would be good enough to assist this unit? Are we to conclude the 2005 Cleveland Browns controlled so fabulous an assemblage of talent that none could be pushed  aside, challenged or motivated by an infusion of  additional positional competition? For those who buy the company line that gems among the DEVs are rarely found, consider starting OTs Anthony Davis (TB) and Jason Peters (Buffalo) are DEV graduates recent Browns' teams could've stolen during seasons replete with IR designations, mentioned because each player lost opened a varsity roster spot. It is well-known Cleveland has, in fact, been among the NFL leaders in IR incidences. That was then and this is now. As far as Free Agency 2006 is concerned, the early indicators are encouraging. Nothing more can be said. Nothing is, after all, confirmed or official. But the supposed negotiations relative to Bentley and NE WR David Givens perhaps indicate a more progressive posture will be employed to reestablish one of pro football's legendary franchises among the elite. What has happened heretofore---by that is meant the procedings since its rebirth in 1999---has been demonstratively uninspiring, unsuccessful, inadequate, defective, deficient, revolting and, in many instances, inexplicably negligent, irresponsible, unprofessional, unconscionable and inept. Word just came in: Bentley is a Brown. Hooray. Happy Days are here again? Posted Mar 11 2006, 10:38 AM by Salinian with 5 comment(s)