Browns notebook: Jim Brown upbeat about Trent Richardson

By Marla Ridenour,
Nate Ulrich and Ryan Lewis
Beacon Journal sports writers

CLEVELAND: Hall of famer Jim Brown was upbeat about the Browns’ future after a 7-6 home victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. And his excitement seemed to have more to do with the players than new owner Jimmy Haslam, who won his first game.

“My feelings are great. That’s why I stopped here,” Brown said in the locker room after the Browns improved to 2-6. “I’ve seen the improvement in the team.

“You’ve got a quarterback, OK? You’ve got some other pieces; you’ve got a couple defensive guys that are really good. You’ve got two or three spots you’ve got to get somebody to fill, but you’ve got a young team. I think we’re the youngest team in the league. We’re looking towards a good future, no doubt about it. The foundation is being built properly.”

The temperature at kickoff was 44 degrees with the wind out of the north-
northeast at 19 mph, and the game was played in constant rain. Brown knew the conditions well.

“This is Cleveland weather. What do you mean do I remember? Of course I remember,” Brown said.

Brown was waiting at the locker of running back Trent Richardson after the rookie from Alabama recorded a career-high 122 yards on 24 carries and scored a 26-yard touchdown.

“A great running back breaks tackles. And when a running back breaks tackles, then you have someone who can control the ball,” Brown said. “On the TD run, I think he broke about four tackles. That’s the sign of a real fine running back.”

Although he once called Richardson “ordinary,” Brown no longer thinks that way.

“He’s done everything I thought he should do. He never took anything that I said the wrong way,” Brown said.

Asked what Richardson can do for the Browns, Brown said: “You eat the clock up, you can throw the ball in the last two minutes. The offensive line likes the fact that they can do some run blocking. They don’t like to just sit back and do pass blocking. It makes the defense feel bad when they’re being controlled by the running game and a great runner. Absolutely that choice was a good choice.”

Richardson was thrilled that Brown was waiting for him.

“It means a lot. He’s always been an icon,” Richardson said. “With him being here today, it shows a lot of how he feels about us.”

Asked what Brown told him, Richardson said: “He said, ‘Keep doing what you do. Keep preparing and don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do. Just keep fighting.’ ”

Cornerback Joe Haden having comeback season: Cleveland Browns Insider

By Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Joe Haden kept count. A year ago, the Browns cornerback had five chances at intercepting the ball. Five times, he dropped it.

"I've always had good hands," Haden said, shaking his head. "I don't know what happened."

His disappointing zero-interception season came on the heels of his six-interception rookie year. He vowed to improve.

This season? Haden has two interceptions, and the Browns' team total of 10 through seven games already surpasses last season's total of nine. It comes after a renewed emphasis on forcing turnovers and it comes with just a bit of good luck, too.

Haden chooses to believe the interceptions -- he, Usama Young, D'Qwell Jackson and Craig Robertson all have two apiece -- are a result of Browns defenders playing better this season.

"People are just trying to make plays," said Haden, whose two INTs have come in just three games played this season. "People just doing their part and basically trying to make a play for the team, not being afraid to take chances."

It helps that defensive coordinator Dick Jauron has spent most days since the spring reminding his squad that turnovers are essential to the Browns' success. Jauron reminds to not only try to make a hard tackle, to smack the quarterback with a sack -- but to also try to dislodge the ball.

That's exactly what cornerback Sheldon Brown said he did Sunday in Indianapolis when he homed in on quarterback Andrew Luck from his blind side. Brown focused on trying to time his hit precisely when Luck drew back the ball to throw, he said. And while the timing was a bit off, Brown did manage to force the fumble -- the team's fourth this season -- and recovered the ball. Last season, the team had 15 forced fumbles.

"Last year we missed out on a lot of opportunities to get interceptions," Jackson said. "This year we've been able to capitalize on those balls early. There are some things we do during practice to work on stripping guys, and getting interceptions is really a focal point on our side of the ball. If we can create those turnovers and give Brandon [Weeden] and the offense more opportunities, it just makes us better as a team."

The defense has even spent extra time working catching drills this season, another part of the renewed emphasis on coming up with interceptions.

"If you don't catch it, clearly, it's not an interception. We're catching the ball," Jauron said. "It's a big part of it every year. Every year, when you go back at the end of the season, you look at it as an individual player or as a football team and say, 'If we had only caught our chances.' Some of them are really difficult, a lot of bodies around, a lot of contact at the ball so you're not going to catch every one of those. Some of them are not that hard, the ball surprises you. You've just got to make your catches, and make your plays."

Then again, Brown isn't completely sure the higher interception numbers are all about the catches.

"Turnovers come in bunches," he said. "People say it's luck. Who knows."

Sold: The sale of the Browns to new owner Jimmy Haslam officially closed Thursday with his payment of $700 million of the $1 billion price tag. Per the agreement, another $300 million will be paid in four years.

Although the sale was final, new CEO Joe Banner did not officially start Thursday. He was in Boston with his father, who is ill.

Understatement: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor practiced again Thursday, his second full day of practice since returning from pectoral surgery in the off-season. He reported no soreness after .

"It's weird," Taylor said. "I expected to be sore."

Browns coach Pat Shurmur wasn't sure what to expect, but was surprised by what he saw out of the 6-foot-3, 355-pound defensive lineman.

"He looked big," Shurmur said. "I'm not used to seeing him out there. I'm not saying he's fat, I'm like, 'Wow.' It reminds you how big he is. I watched him quite a lot and he moved around fine."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/cleveland_browns_haden_haveing.html

Browns Fans Are Screaming For Haslam To Make A Move & It Doesn’t Include Starting Colt McCoy

Posted by LG on October 22, 2012 at 9:18 am.

The Browns fans have reached their last straw. Seeing Pat Shurmur let his team lose to the Indianapolis Colts was more than the great people of the City of Cleveland could handle. The die-hard fans got a glimpse of a pissed off Jimmy Haslam III from the owners box at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis when the Browns were trying to score the game winning touchdown only to see the targeted receiver drop the ball. The good people of Cleveland are calling for action from the Browns new billionaire owner. The fans want Pat Shurmur fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

If Haslam is listing to the fans, he can hear the screams of that’s enough. The play calling the Browns head coach uses during the games is just not getting it done. The fans can see the problems for the Cleveland Browns comes from the team’s head coach. Nothing would make the fans happier than to see Jimmy Haslam make a move to replace the team’s head coach. Sure it would be like starting over for the team. The fans I have talked with don’t care they want action and they don’t want to wait for Shurmur to be evaluated at the end of the season, they say they have seen more than enough to know Pat Shumur isn’t the guy to lead the Cleveland Browns where the team should be.

The Cleveland Browns are 1-6 under the direction of Shumur, the fans say this is the wrong direction and the team has far too much talent to have a record this bad. Since Shurmur has taken over the head coaching job of the Cleveland Browns his record is  5-18. The fans are tired of this guys poor performance and they want a change and they want it now. The main problem is Shurmur has now fire to get his team motivated. His attitude is rubbing off on the players and he offers no inspiration. Some fans say they can’t even imagine a 330lbs guy listening to anything Pat Shurmur says and take him seriously.

This head coach has lost his team and the fans want Jimmy Haslam III to make a change now. They want a head coach that can bring some fire to this team….

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/browns-fans-are-screaming-for-haslam-to-make-a-move-it-doesnt-include-starting-colt-mccoy/

VP Candidate confuses Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy

They both are on the roster for the Cleveland Browns. It’s just that one of them is the starter at quarterback and one of them was the starter. Vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan does not seem to know the difference between Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy.

Hoping to help his tickets cause, Ryan was visiting the Cleveland area today. One of the stops just happened to be the practice of the Cleveland Browns.

While talking to players on the Browns, Ryan took a moment to praise Weeden recalling his time at Oklahoma State. The problem is that Ryan was pointing at Colt McCoy when he was speaking.

When Ryan realized his mistake he began to backpedal as only a politician can.

“You always had your helmet on,” he said of the redheaded Weeden according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It may seem like a tough sell considering anyone who watched an Oklahoma State game last season would have been able to point out Weeden but perhaps Ryan convinced the quarterback that it was a mistake.

Ryan appeared with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who is an actual Browns fan and native of Alabama. Rice even had her photo taken with running back Trent Richardson.

“She told me she was a big fan and she said, ‘Roll Tide,’ ” Richardson told ESPN. “She mentioned my name when she was talking to the team, so that was an honor.”

The Browns won their first game last week upending the Cincinnati Bengals.

http://tireball.com/nfl/2012/10/17/vp-candidate-confuses-brandon-weeden-and-colt-mccoy/

Cleveland architecture and engineering firm suggests geodesic dome could cover Browns Stadium

By Leila Atassi, The Plain Dealer

The Ralph Tyler Companies conceptualized this geodesic dome to potentially cover the Cleveland Browns Stadium. Ralph Tyler Companies

Cleveland Browns fans, who have been asked to imagine a football team winning under new ownership, can now also fantasize about enjoying those victories in a stadium impervious to Northeast Ohio weather.
In reaction to incoming team owner Jimmy Haslam’s recent intimations that he might consider building a dome over the lakefront stadium, local architecture and engineering firm Ralph Tyler Companies has dreamed up a way to possibly make it happen.

The idea: A free-standing, glazed geodesic dome — 1,100 feet wide and 380 feet high — could straddle the stadium, shielding it from the elements, the company’s director of architecture, Geoffrey Varga, said in an interview Friday.
The dome, which Varga estimates could cost anywhere from $150 to $200 million, could open a world of possibilities for the facility’s off-season use and likely break a few world records while at it, he said.
“It would be like putting a giant umbrella over the entire stadium,” Varga said. “It’s just a fun idea we’ve been playing with. But it’s one we thought could really work. And the greatest economic benefit is that you could use the stadium more than eight times a year.”

The concept, at this point, is merely that — a tantalizing idea to feed the imaginations of Clevelanders, who have loyally cheered their team from often frigid or damp stadium seats. Hardy, true-blooded fans might argue that weathering storms, both literally and figuratively, is fundamental to Dawg Pound culture.

But the harsh Cleveland weather has taken its toll on the city-owned stadium, which opened in 1999 and requires yearly cash infusions for its upkeep. The Browns have a 30-year stadium lease that calls for the city to pour money into repairs. That money comes from a countywide tax on alcohol and tobacco sales. But the so-called sin tax expires in 2015.

Earlier this year, contractors did more than $5 million in stadium repairs, including refurbishing seats and replacing, repairing and waterproofing concrete.
That deterioration would slow substantially if the facility were sheltered, Varga said. The structure, however, was not designed to withstand the weight of an added roof. So if one were to be considered, it must envelope the 73,000-seat stadium while relying on its own supports.

The dome of Varga’s dreams would meet that criteria, without losing seats or obstructing views, he said. A geodesic dome is a partially-spherical shell structure comprised of tilting triangular tiles set on a lattice that looks similar to a playground climber. The mathematics underlying the structure were conceived decades ago by legendary architect R. Buckminster Fuller, under whom Varga studied at the University of Detroit School of Architecture in the early 1970s.

Northeast Ohio is home to a Fuller-designed dome that is part of the headquarters of ASM International in Russell Township. The largest dome of its kind in the country is the Desert Dome & Kingdoms of the Night in Omaha, Neb., which houses plant and animal life from desert climates. Built in 2002, the dome is 230 feet in diameter and 137 feet tall at its highest point. The largest similar dome in the world spans about 750 feet across a baseball field in Japan. Child’s play compared to Varga’s vision.

The Browns Stadium geodesic dome, despite its eye-popping price tag, would be more cost-effective than its traditional alternatives that rely on steel beams and girders, because it would require far fewer materials, Varga said. He likened each triangular tile on the dome to a leaf on a tree — “completely efficient, grows only as large as it needs to be and is structured to support itself.”

The dome boasts environmental sustainability, too, he said. The project could incorporate a variety of recycled materials. The glazed top not only would act as shelter, but would allow rain to be harvested for other uses, such as in the facility’s toilets or the field’s built-in sprinkler system. Some of the dome’s tiles also could be equipped with solar panels.

Varga said the dome would be made of light-weight, cutting-edge materials, such as carbon fiber instead of steel and aluminum. The lattice likely would measure between six and eight feet thick, and the panels could be made of insulated glass, composite plastics or materials so revolutionary they have yet to be invented, he said.
“It has to be investigated,” Varga said, as a disclaimer on his architectural offering. “This has not been engineered at all. The images are just fun to consider. And it certainly would add a beautiful element to Cleveland’s skyline.”

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/10/cleveland_architecture_and_eng.html#incart_river_default

Dilemma for Cleveland Browns coaches: How much Trent Richardson is too much?

By Tom Reed, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- The winless Browns have multiple problems, few of them good and none as enviable as one conundrum: How much is too much of Trent Richardson?

There are lots of NFL coaching staffs that would like to be saddled with such a dilemma. From the helmet-ejecting hit on Kurt Coleman in his NFL debut to his streak of four games with a rushing touchdown, Richardson leaves many fans clamoring for more.

Wouldn't it be great, for instance, if the Browns gave their muscular halfback as many opportunities as the Baltimore Ravens did Ray Rice? Believe it or not, they do. Each has 81 rushing attempts. The All-Pro has just three more receptions (23) than Richardson, who ranks third among running backs in catches and times targeted.

"I'm very impressed with Trent Richardson," said NFL on CBS analyst Dan Dierdorf. "When you're taken No. 3 overall as a running back when some teams are finding good backs lower in the draft, you had better be special. He warrants that pick.

"I just don't see where the kid has a weakness."

Such glowing commentary does nothing to mute the criticism of coach Pat Shurmur and his staff for not having him on the field during the game-changing third-and-1 play against the New York Giants last week that resulted in an interception and ignited the Giants' rally in a 41-27 victory.

Richardson participated in a season-high 84 percent of the snaps Sunday. He ranks seventh among all NFL running backs with 242 snaps, according to ProFootballFocus.com.

"He has to get a drink of water sometime too, you know?" Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress said.

When it comes to Richardson's playing time, Browns coaches find themselves in a similar predicament to that faced by Cavaliers coaches last season with NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. The halfback seems good enough, strong enough and productive enough to never leave the field.

"I love Trent Richardson," ESPN analyst Damien Woody said. "I love how hard he runs and how he doesn't take plays off. It will be interesting to see how (the Browns) develop him."

Richardson, who ranks 13th in rushing attempts, said he has no concerns about hitting the proverbial rookie wall. He leads the Browns in rushing yards (303) and receptions (20), and is second in receiving yards (169).

Beyond the check-downs, the Browns are making an effort to get him the ball in space with short passes.

"I feel like I have a full head of steam and I can do more in space and I like making guys miss," Richardson said of screen passes. "Lot of people think I'm here to just run over people. I don't have to run over people. That's part of being a complete back. . . . It's having a lot of talent and being blessed with a lot of the skills that God gave me."

Dierdorf, who served as the analyst for the Browns-Giants game, appreciates the confidence Richardson exudes and the willingness to speak his mind. The Alabama product inherited the candor from his mother (Katrina) who he said taught him, "don't hold anything in because that can kill you inside."

Woody and Dierdorf believe Richardson can handle an increased number of carries, although the CBS analyst is quick to note a coaching staff would know what's best for their player. Dierdorf envisions the 5-foot-9, 230-pound back becoming a terror against nickel packages and thinks Richardson could get 25-plus carries per game. The Hall of Fame offensive lineman is eager to dispel the notion that running the football is a dying art form in the NFL.

"The last two games I've done, New England ran all over Buffalo and the Giants ran all over Cleveland," he said.

The Browns rank 29th in total rushing attempts (94) – 97 carries behind the Patriots – in part because they are often trailing. They also aren't giving the ball to a halfback other than Richardson. Chris Ogbonnaya has two attempts – or two fewer than receiver Travis Benjamin.

Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden finds himself second in passing attempts (202) and tied for the most interceptions with nine.

Woody, who spoke to the Plain Dealer before the Giants game, sees improvement in Weeden and said the biggest problem with the Browns' passing game is its receiving corps.

As pigskin pundits debate how much is too much for Richardson, the player seems to trust in his coaching staff – making for one less problem for Shurmur.

"As a football player and an athlete you always want to play every play of the game . . . in due time that's going to come," Richardson said. "I know coach has a plan and he's doing what he knows best. He's going to get everyone in and make sure he puts me in the right position to score touchdowns or gain yards and make a first down. The game is much bigger than me and we have other guys out there with a lot of potential."

Just not as much as Richardson.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/cleveland_browns_coaches_dilem.html

OK It’s Time For Mike Holmgren To Stop Counting His Money & Save Shurmur,He’s Failing Miserablely

Posted by LG on October 9, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Remember last season when Mike Holmgren came rushing to the rescue of his boy Pat Shurmur when the Cleveland Browns didn’t handle the Colt McCoy brain concussion correctly? It is now time for the resurgence of Mike Holmgren, his friend Pat Shurmur the head coach he hand picked is about to have a nervous break down.   Shurmur is already to the point of verbally abusing the  Cleveland media. He is in way over his head and has no business being a head coach in the National Football League. Holmgren knew that when he hired the guy who couldn’t cut it in St. Louis.

Funny thing about the St. Louis Rams, they turned things around, could it be because Shurmur is no longer with the team? Mike Holmgren hired Pat Shurmur in a awful hurry after he fired Eric Mangini. Could this have been another example of Holmgren’s exploitation of  Randy Learners check book? It is bad enough they are paying Mike Holmgren 8 million dollars a year for not doing much, now the Cleveland Browns have a head coach on the  payroll that takes handfuls of money I am sure for not doing much. These guys are like thieves, they take money for not doing anything.

Could you imagine going to work and not getting your job done correctly week after week after week? How long would you be employed?  Now we have Pat Shumur taking his failures out on the Cleveland Media. When Shumur was asked about Trent Richardson’s absence last Friday he lost it and started dropping F bombs all over the place. Holmgren better get in here and save his buddies nephew.

But no, Mike Holmgren is letting Pat Shurmur hang himself alone. He is nowhere to be seen these days. Is it because he knows his days are numbered in Cleveland too? I really doubt Jimmy Haslam is going to put up with one of his people responding to the Cleveland Media the way Pat Shurmur is doing it. Shurmur is on way over his head and he has Mike Holmgren to thank for that. Holmgren threw Shurmur into the fire and has done very little besides collecting his 8 million dollars a year. It is way past time to clean house in the Browns front office.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/ok-its-time-for-mike-holmgren-to-stop-counting-his-money-save-shurmurhes-failing-miserablely/

Browns Owner, Jimmy Haslam III, Not Planning Immediate Changes

Cleveland Browns incoming owner, Jimmy Haslam III, has stated that he doesn't plan on making any immediate changes once the sale of the team is final. This comes after weeks of speculation that he will immediately replace team President Mike Holmgren with rumored part owner, Joe Banner.

Additionally, given the Browns 0-4 start and 10 game (and counting) losing streak dating back to last season, many fans and media members believe Head Coach Pat Shurmur is on his way out as well.

The $1 Billion sale will be final on October 16th as the NFL owners will vote on the matter. Haslam stated today through a team spokesman, that changes "are not something we will discuss until the end of the year".

Does this mean no changes will occur during the season? Maybe. Maybe not. But what do you expect the new owner to say? It would be extremely unprofessional to say anything other than what he said and to potentially distract the team and sabotage their chances at turning this season around. However slim they may be.

http://rawsports.yardbarker.com/blog/rawsports/article/browns_owner_jimmy_haslam_iii_not_planning_immediate_changes/11886040

If only the Cleveland Browns could find a receiver

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself about the Browns and receivers.

Question: Why did you do it?

Answer: Do what?

Q: Look at the Browns' recent history of drafting receivers? Do you like to suffer?

A: What do you think? I've been writing about Cleveland sports full-time since 1980.

Q: Isn't that the last time the Browns had good receivers?

A: Yes, the 1980s were everyone from Dave Logan to Reggie Rucker to Brian Brennan to Reggie Langhorne to Webster Slaughter. And Ozzie Newsome was one of the great pass-catching tight ends.

Q: Weren't those the days?

A: The answer is Webster Slaughter and Braylon Edwards.

Q: What's the question?

A: The last two Browns receivers to make a Pro Bowl: Slaughter in 1990 and Edwards in 2007.

Q: Well, at least that's two.

A: That's two in 22 years. That's one since the team returned in 1999.

Q: Don't you think the quarterbacks are to blame, at least to some extent?

A: They don't help, but let's consider what has happened since 1999.

Q: You mean: Besides the losing . . . besides quarterbacks being replaced along . . . besides coaches and general managers being fired?

A: We're talking receivers, right? Well, since 1999, the only one picked in the first round is Edwards. He had one superb season in 2007 with 16 touchdown passes. Two years later, he was traded to the Jets. He's had some decent years. In the last two years, he has 20 total catches . . . 15 with San Francisco in 2011 and five this season with Seattle.

Q: Meaning what?

A: The Browns have taken eight receivers in the second round since 1999. That's right, EIGHT. Guess who has been the best of that group?

Q: Kevin Johnson?

A: He led the Browns in receptions from 1999 to 2002. For four years, he caught the ball. The longer I watch Browns receivers, the more I appreciate Johnson and guys with good hands. But after he left the Browns, he only caught 52 more passes and retired after the 2005 season.

Q: The point?

A: They took Dennis Northcutt (2000), Quincy Morgan (2001) and Andre Davis (2002) in the second round. Northcutt had value as a slot receiver and returner. Morgan often appeared to be trying to catch the ball with two pingpong paddles for hands. After he left the Browns, he caught only 31 more passes. Davis was a sprinter, a returner and a marginal receiver. He played five more years after leaving the Browns, catching a total of 63 passes.

Q: I repeat, the point?

A: Brian Robiskie was a second-round pick in 2009. He was cut by the Browns, cut by Jacksonville. Travis Wilson was a third-round pick in 2006. He caught two passes for the Browns, was cut and hasn't played since.

Q: What are you trying to say?

A: It's not as if these receivers leave the Browns and become stars, as Keenan McCardell did in the middle 1990s. Most of them had their best seasons here, and most of those years were mediocre or worse. So it's not as if the Browns mishandle their receivers, who then figure out the NFL when they play for another team. They just draft the wrong guys, over and over.

Q: Why are you trying to depress everyone?

A: It hasn't mattered who did the drafting, who was the coach and who threw the passes -- the Browns have picked nine receivers in the first or second round since 1999 . . . and they rarely get it right.

Q: Didn't the current Browns regime seem to think the West Coast offense would help the receivers?

A: Yes. Along with changing quarterbacks. But Greg Little dropped balls for Colt McCoy, and now he's dropping them for Brandon Weeden. He has 17 drops in 20 NFL games.

Q: Should the Browns have picked Justin Blackmon instead of Trent Richardson?

A: Josh Gordon (a supplemental second-round Browns pick in 2012) is having a similar start to his pro career. He's caught seven passes for 93 yards. Blackmon has 10 catches for 79 yards. Jacksonville traded up to pick the Oklahoma State star at No. 5, and they want him to make an impact. So far, nothing.

Q: What about Gordon?

A: Other than having the obvious size (6-3, 220 pounds) and speed that make him look like he could be a viable NFL receiver, it's hard to know. Just as Little was a risky pick in 2011 because he didn't play the season before the draft, the same was true of Gordon. Browns General Manager Tom Heckert sees these two as having the athleticism needed by a receiver. Gordon started one year, catching 42 passes in 2010 for Baylor.

Q: And what about Little?

A: He was a star high school running back and played that position in his first two seasons at North Carolina. In 2009, coach Butch Davis switched Little to receiver, where he caught 62 passes. Then Little sat out 2010 for taking money from an agent. He did not come into the NFL with the reputation of having questionable hands -- something that was said about Braylon Edwards and Quincy Morgan in pre-draft reports.

Q: That history says what?

A: Little hasn't played much receiver. Yes, he had 12 drops but also caught 61 passes as a rookie, leading the team. Like Gordon, he hasn't played that much receiver in college or the pros. So, who knows? The key for both will be the coaching staff, along with their desire to improve.

Q: Wasn't Mohamed Massaquoi a second-round pick?

A: Eric Mangini took him (along with Robiskie) in 2009. Massaquoi caught 34, 36 and 31 passes in his first three seasons. He has nine catches this year, by far his best start. But then he missed the last game with a hamstring injury. He has been the team's most consistent receiver. Travis Benjamin (fourth round, 2012) has shown some promise, but it's so early in his career.

Q: Should the Browns have picked Julio Jones instead of making that trade?

A: In 2011, the Browns gave up the No. 5 pick to Atlanta for Jones. In return, they have these players to show for it: Phil Taylor, Brandon Weeden, Little and Owen Marecic. They also tossed in a third-rounder to move up and take Taylor, the defensive tackle who had a promising rookie season but has been injured this year.

Q: How has Jones played?

A: He caught 54 passes -- eight for touchdowns -- as a rookie. He has 16 catches and three touchdowns this season. He is receiving good reviews. He also plays with four-time Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White and a good quarterback in Matt Ryan.

Q: Was the deal worth it?

A: Too soon to know. A lot depends on Weeden. If he can establish himself as an effective quarterback, the Browns were smart to make it. If Taylor becomes a Pro Bowl-type defensive lineman as the Browns hope . . . if Little can catch the ball . . . lots of IFs. But I'll say the trade doesn't bother me because it did bring a lot of young talent to the Browns.

Q: Aren't you missing something?

A: What?

Q: Why don't the Browns sign a veteran free-agent receiver?

A: Fans have asked that for years. They have signed only one significant free-agent receiver since 1999 -- Joe Jurevicius. He's one of my favorite Browns of the new era. He caught 90 passes over two seasons (2006 and '07). But then he had a knee injury, a staph infection and several surgeries that ended his career. He was a good player, and these Browns could use someone like him now.

Q: So what's the bottom line?

A: Over and over, the Browns have dropped the ball when it comes to receivers. Maybe Massaquoi will stay healthy and develop a chemistry with Weeden. Maybe Little, Gordon and/or Benjamin will figure out the NFL. But definitely, the Browns should consider adding a veteran receiver in the off-season, no matter what happens with their young guys.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2012/09/if_only_the_cleveland_browns_c.html