BEREA (92.3 The Fan) – Browns general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine have been trying to drive competition since they took reigns of the team last year.
Competition shouldn’t be a problem as they enter their second training camp because there will be plenty of it.
For the first time in a long time the Browns will actually cut players that should have no problem finding jobs around the NFL and being drafted a few months earlier no longer guarantees a roster spot in the fall. Some of their 12 draft picks will not be on the roster and Farmer will likely have to try to stash 1 or 2 on injured reserve and get a few others through waivers and onto the practice squad.
Outside of the usual questions at quarterback – and we all know the situation there with Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel – there aren’t many spots on the roster where there are gaping holes, but there are a few concerns and plenty of questions.
With not much expected offensively, points could be at a premium this season placing even more emphasis on the kicking game. Carey Spear and Travis Coons – a Mayfield High School grad – will compete for the job but there is no guarantee that either one will actually win it. The new 32-yard extra point also adds to the intrigue and importance of accuracy required at the position with PATs no longer a given. The Browns need a kicker that can knock home 50-yard field goals should drives stall out around the opponents 35 yard line. Neither have kicked in an NFL game and it is possible the Browns could look for more experience at the position during the first week of September.
Despite the additions of veterans Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline there remain big questions at receiver and just who will be the go-to play maker in 2015. Bowe, 30, should slide in as the No. 1 target while Hartline could assume the third down possession receiver role. Taylor Gabriel, who flashed last year with 36 catches for 621 yards, is expected to take that next step and speedster Travis Benjamin is completely healthy and should also produce more than 18 catches for 314 yards this season. Andrew Hawkins had a solid first season in Cleveland leading the team with 63 catches for 824 yards and a pair of TDs in 2014 but is hoping for even better production this year. The receivers accounted for just 8 TDs in 2014 and that number must increase this year for the Browns to contend.
Pettine feels the most intense competition could be at running back for roster spots, as well as playing time. The focus is on the 3 youngsters – Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell and rookie Duke Johnson. West and Crowell combined to run for 1,280 yards and 12 touchdowns as rookies and are being counted on to show more maturity and consistency in their sophomore seasons. Johnson, drafted in the third round, is the leading rusher in Miami history and should provide some extra flexibility as well as punch out of the backfield. Should 1 of the 3 stumble, don’t sleep on Glenn Winston, Shaun Draughn and Luke Lundy as well as rookie fullback Malcom Johnson from Mississippi State.
The Browns lack of depth and versatility on the offensive line was exposed last year when Alex Mack was lost for the year to a broken leg. The problem was solved with the selection of Cameron Erving 19th overall. Erving will move around quite a bit during camp and will see time at right guard, tackle, left tackle and maybe even a few snaps at center but don’t read too much into it. Erving will still compete for a starting job with John Greco at right guard while the other 4 spots on the line are pretty much set. Vinston Painter, Michael Bowie, Joe Madson, Eric Olsen and Karim Barton will compete for the final OL slot.
The secondary should be fun to watch in camp. Outside of the offensive line it is the deepest and most talented group. No secondary broke up more passes last season than the Browns. Tramon Williams should win the starting job opposite Joe Haden but K’Wuan Williams and Justin Gilbert should push him for it. Gilbert and Williams likely will be fighting it out for the nickel and dime slots.
Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo enters his third season and it could be make or break for him. Mingo was limited by a shoulder injury and played most of last season with 1 arm. Now that he’s healthy, he’ll have to hold off rookie Nate Orchard who was taken 51st overall after netting 18.5 sacks in his final year at Utah. Paul Kruger led the Browns with 11 sacks last season and has the other outside spot locked up. Armonty Bryant, a defensive end by trade, will also get reps outside and Scott Solomon, who caught everyone’s eye after being elevated from the practice squad last year, is another player the coaching staff loves and you should keep an eye on him.
Here’s how we project the starting lineup and final 53 to look like when Sept. 5 and Sept. 13 rolls around.
OFFENSE
WR: Dwayne Bowe, Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin, Terrelle Pryor
LT: Joe Thomas
LG: Joel Bitonio, Vinston Painter
C: Alex Mack, Ryan Seymour
RG: Cameron Erving, John Greco
RT: Mitchell Schwartz
TE: Gary Barnidge
WR: Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, Vince Mayle
QB: Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel
RB: Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Malcolm Johnson
TE: Jim Dray, Rob Housler
DEFENSE
RE: Desmond Bryant, Armonty Bryant, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen
NT: Danny Shelton, Phil Taylor
LE: Randy Starks, John Hughes, Billy Winn, Xavier Cooper
OLB: Paul Kruger, Scott Solomon
MIKE: Karlos Dansby, Tank Carder
WILL: Craig Robertson, Chris Kirksey
OLB: Barkevious Mingo, Nate Orchard
FS: Tashaun Gipson, Jordan Poyer
SS: Donte Whitner, Johnson Bademosi
RCB: Tramon Williams, K’Wuan Williams, Pierre Desir
LCB: Joe Haden, Justin Gilbert
SPECIALISTS
LS: Charley Hughlett
P/H: Andy Lee
K: [Not on the roster]
