McManamon on the Browns
Browns don't inspire confidence
Low-energy scrimmage play recalls last year's shortcomings
By Patrick McManamon
BEREA - One hates to put too much emotional energy into a scrimmage -- especially one without tackling -- but the Browns did not provide much reason for optimism in their intrasquad work at the stadium Friday night.
In fact, the Browns on offense looked like much the same team that struggled through a 6-10 season a year ago.
Take it piece by piece:
• The offensive line.
This is the group that was going to be so much more improved, but holes for the running game were not there.
Granted, the first team was only on the field for 17 plays and the more a team runs, the better it gets. But with LeCharles Bentley sidelined, the concern is that running inside might be tougher.
The evidence Friday was that running inside will be difficult.
The second-team defense clogged holes, and the first-team offensive line didn't open holes. There was no tackling and Reuben Droughns was whistled down at first contact so it's conceivable to think Droughns could have broken a few tackles.
But judging whether the holes are there isn't difficult, and they weren't.
• The passing game.
Showed the same inconsistency as a year ago. A good play followed by a bad play. A bad decision followed by a good decision.
Charlie Frye completed a couple of passes but should have had his first pass intercepted and threw a ridiculous end zone interception on his last.
Dennis Northcutt caught a couple of passes, but dropped another.
Granted, Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius did not take part, and they are the team's starting receivers.
But there might be times during the year when they will not play. Guys have to play.
They didn't Friday.
• The overall energy.
For some reason it was low. Maybe players are tired from camp. But camp has been taking place in 31 other cities in heat too, so come the regular season nobody is going to give the Browns a break because their camp was hot.
Players talked about having time to straighten things out and not worrying, but that's the same old routine that's been heard since 1999. At some point, people have to perform.
This also brings to mind what Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame tackle Joe Greene once said about players who shrug off preseason losses: ``They're the same guys who lose in the regular season.''
The early camp hype, before Bentley's injury, was that the Browns might contend for a .500 record and a playoff spot.
The reality after watching practice and a scrimmage indicates improvement will be difficult, and the record might not be much better than last season's, if at all -- especially when the overall quality of the AFC North is factored in.
It almost looks as if 2005 was a get-back-on-our-feet season and 2006 will be a build-a-foundation-for-2007 season.
As in... Get Frye more experience. Work Edwards and Kellen Winslow back. Continue to build an offensive line. Get Willie McGinest and Ted Washington to hang in for a season. Develop Kamerion Wimbley. Supplement in the offseason with more free agents and another draft. Then compete for real next year.
Wins would be great this season, but the real timetable to expect winning might start a year from now.
That, once again, asks a lot of the team's fans.
<-- Signed Lee Suggs dynasty owner
