sportsjabber.net

Robiskie Fitting in With Browns

NFL.com’s Steve Wyche highlights the opportunity being presented to the Browns’ young wideouts in 2009 in lieu of Donte Stallworth’s likely suspension…and the alarming lack of overall depth at the position. Obviously, late June is the time for feel-good stories regarding young NFL players, and I hope that Brian Robiskie eventually becomes a consistent player for the Browns, but this piece just further reinforces the idea that the team is in big trouble at the wideout spot.

Browns coaches have not routinely addressed the status of jailed and suspended wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth to the team or used his absence as incentive to get players to compete for his spot.

“We’re all aware of it but they don’t bring it up and say this might be or not be or what could happen,” said wide receiver Brian Robiskie, one of two wide receivers drafted by the Browns in the second round (Mohamed Massaquoi is the other). “They just let us go play. They know that with all the receivers we have, there are going to be opportunities for a lot of guys. They just stress for us to go out there and compete.”

Robiskie, who is among 256 draft picks at the NFL Rookie Symposium at PGA National Resort, said that no depth chart was established during offseason workouts, although Braylon Edwards is a set starter at one receiver spot. Cleveland currently has 10 wide receivers on its roster, including Joshua Cribbs and Mike Furrey.

“They’re just rotating everybody in,” Robiskie said. “We haven’t designated a lot of units or guys going in with different groups. They are trying to give everybody opportunities.”

You can view Robiskie’s last quote…”they are trying to give everybody opportunities” as polite, team-first playerspeak, however, the reality suggests that the coaching staff is approaching training camp without a clear plan beyond Braylon Edwards. Considering the team has 10 receivers currently on the roster can be viewed as great for competition, but not encouraging when thinking about who will actually line up and contribute come September.

Ideally, Braylon bounces back and either Robiskie or Massaquoi can contribute some as the season progresses. Asking any more out of two rookie wideouts is a bit unrealistic. The rest of the candidates offer some experience, as David Patten and Mike Furrey seem to be interchangeable at this point in their careers, but realistically will only put up modest numbers.

The hopes for this unit rest in the emergence of one of the remaining group, which includes Lance Leggett, Syndric Steptoe or Paul Hubbard, all of whom have some potential, but have not gotten a serious regular season look. And after just admitting that Syndric Steptoe could be a key to the Browns’ offensive fortunes in 2009, we have to reflect a bit on how this position became so weak in the first place.

The folks at the excellent site, No Logo Needed, have put together two great lists that reflect on the Browns’ recent draft busts.

No Logo Needed’s All-Decade Browns’ Bust Team - Offense

No Logo Needed’s All-Decade Browns’ Bust Team - Defense

Looking at the offensive “unit” from the various wrecking crews that made up the Browns front office over the past decade, things start to make a little sense when realizing the challenge that Eric Mangini has just inherited.

Quincy Morgan – The Browns expected big things from the second round pick. He became known for big drops more than big plays. In his three seasons with the Browns, he had 432 yards, 964 yards, and 516 yards, respectively. The Browns traded the unproductive Morgan for Antonio Bryant in 2004.

Donte Stallworth – Signed a free-agent and inflated contract in 2008. He was supposed to add spark to the offense. Stallworth managed 170 yards receiving and has since been suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Honorable Mention

•Dennis Northcutt – A second round pick, Northcutt never managed to be an effective receiver. He became known more for his drops and avoiding contact than for his stellar kick returning ability.

•Tim Carter – Carter was the value the Browns received for the productive 1,000-yard rusher, Reuben Droughns, in a 2007 trade. In return, the Browns got eight receptions for 117 yards from Carter.

•Travis Wilson – Fans constantly heard how this third round pick had rededicated himself each offseason and was ready for a break out season. In his two seasons with the Browns he managed two receptions for 32 yards.

With a clear emphasis on Quincy Morgan, who equally represented the hopes and failures of the Butch Davis regime, the above list shows how truly weak wide receiver has been for the Browns since their return. With the exception of the 2007 blip, when Braylon, Joe Jurevicius and K2 all delivered superlative performances, the best the Browns can offer in the past decade has been Antonio Bryant and Kevin Johnson.

While I have gone on the record (in a purely bloggy sense) suggesting that the Browns are in serious trouble if they rely on two rookie wideouts in 2009, I admit that I am seriously relieved that the new management has at least invested in the position. Although Robiskie and Massaquoi appear to have great potential, I worry that the Browns’ Day One Receiver Draft curse will haunt them as well.

Of course, if you factor in all of the offensive line busts, as well as the vicious circle at quarterback (what a horrific omission - no Ty Detmer??), the pattern of offensive futility is one that has spread throughout the roster in recent years. Obviously, the fault of the offense does not lie solely in the receiver’s hands…and of course, nothing lies in Braylon’s hands during a game.

Yet the most encouraging sign that better times are coming to Berea has to be reflected in Mangini’s emphasis on adding bodies to the offensive line and holding an “open” quarterback competition. Although most Browns fans have already figured out who the winner is at QB…Of course, wide receiver will remain up for grabs.

By Cleveland Reboot
Blogger/SJ Contributing Author
More…of clevelandreboot.com