Well, I just purchased my Browns/Bills tickets and made my first payment to the NFL ticket. It's a steep price to pay, but I'm a die-hard fan.
With training camp around the corner, it's time to talk about the Browns again. Last month, I wrote about the offense, particularly the skilled-position players. Obviously, with a new and improved line, these skilled-position players have the opportunity to be successful.
OL: To start, Ryan Pontbriand will continue duties as the long snapper. Rookie, Alex Mack, should take over at the center position. Hank Fraley (10-yr vet) was serviceable, at times, but most of the time, he got pushed around. Obviously, Joe Thomas will hold down the right tackle position, and the rest of the positions are up for grabs.
After reading some of the articles on Cleveland's Plain Dealer, it sounds like Eric Mangini is looking for the rest of the linemen to compete for three positions: LG, RG, and RT. Who are the favorites? Eric Steinbach (7), Floyd Womack (9), John St. Clair (10), Rex Hadnot (6), and Ryan Tucker (13). Steinbach is versatile but small, Womack and St. Clair were signed as FA, Hadnot struggled last year, and Tucker is probably the best lineman when he's not battling injuries. Another FA was signed after Womack and St. Clair; he is George Foster (6), and he might have a better shot at winning a starting position when compared to the following: Isaac Sowells (4), Dustin Fry (2), Kurt Quarterman (1), and rookies Marlon Davis and Branndon Braxton.
On the other side of the line, we thought we corrected our problems last year when we signed Shaun Rogers (9) and Corey Williams (6). Rogers turned out to be a stud, while Williams struggled.
DL: Many linemen will fight for the three starting spots, and assuming Rogers will have one of them...10 will fight for the other two spots. Then again, if Mangini rotates the linemen, they should stay fresh throughout the game. Who are the favorites? Veterens like Williams? Shaun Smith (6)? Robaire Smith (10)? Kenyon Coleman (8)? Hopefully, Williams will rebound after an unsuccessful season, but Shaun Smith had other issues, including injuries and off-field altercations. Robaire Smith was lost for the season last year after an injury, which leaves us with Coleman. Manginin traded for Coleman, leading me to believe that he will start next to Rogers. So, who is left? CJ Mosley (5), Santonio Thomas (3), Louis Leonard (3), Ahtyba Rubin (2), Melila Purcell (1), or rookie Adam Hoppel. Your guess is as good as mine...
Keywords: AFC North, Cleveland Browns
