3 1/2 weeks to training camp

These are the last days before the obsession kicks in. In some ways training camp can be much more consuming than the regular season because there is just so much going on at once. For 6 weeks we observe as all the players battle it out for the privledge of getting on the field. If you have a wife or a girlfriend now is the time to be spending some quality time with her. You might also want to get as much work at the office taken care of so you can skip out to go watch camp a few times.

Reading this article in USA today I was kind of struck my Gerard Warren's quote -- "I want to run along with it and not be left behind. I'm not a tone setter." Huh? Sure, on some plays it's enough for Warren to eat some blockers and let the linebackers make a play, but the Browns are looking for Warren to make a statement a few times a game. Earl Little, Ben Taylor, Anthony Henry -- those guys may not be "tone setters." But Warren has to be. I hope he is just looking at it from some other perspective that I don't understand. And, of course, never underestimate the value of dampening expectations.

I started gearing up for fantasy football recently and have been a little surprised at just how high William Green is predicted to go. Most drafts have him as a top 15 back, and many as a top 10. I can envision it happening because the Browns offense will be, IMO, fantastic this season. But I think the presence of Lee Suggs bears close watching before you spend your second-round pick on Green. Consider: The Browns just gave James Jackson a contract extention, he should make a good backup RB and he has some special teams value; it's very likely he makes the team. The reports about Lee Suggs, who we all initially thought would sit the year on IR recovering from shoulder surgery, are very encouraging and Suggs thinks he'll be ready for full contact when camp starts. Suggs is being projected as a short yardage back. So it seems a pretty good possibility that the Browns carry 4 running backs this season and Green may not get all the carries inside the 10 yard line. This doesn't kill Green's fantasy value but it could significantly affect it. If Suggs makes the active roster Green's not a 2nd round fantasy pick. That said, if you want to bet on Green this year perhaps it'd be worth talking up the Suggs-threat prior to your draft.

Finally, tha Cavs. You can now officially buy a Lebron jersey. Admist all the hoopla it'll be interesting to see how 2nd-round selection Jason Kampano makes out. He's a great shooter, but he's slow for the NBA which means he's not going to be able to defend very well. The Cavs left some interesting talent on the board in favor of a guy who will basically be a role player but I think it's a good pick and that suits the team well. Getting a college senior who survived the chaos at UCLA is the closest thing to a veteran you can get in the draft. And the makeup of the team may make it difficult to develop an unproven/high-celing guy like Beasely. If all goes as planned Lebron is going to need someone to pass to occasionally and it'd be nice to have someone who can nail a 3 here and there. It should be an interesting autumn and winter in Cleveland sports.

Lehan ahead of Crocker

5th round pick Michael Lehan sounds like he's impressed the coaches and is ahead of 3rd rounder Chris Crocker. Frankly the draft position is meaningless at this point (unless you are a 1st-pick QB making tons of money). I'll be really happy if either Crocker or Lehan can be a solid contributor this year. The odds still say our secondary is going to get beat often.

It's the Cavs day

Today the Cavs pick Lebron-bron with the first pick, everyone rejoices, etc. I'm am excited as well even if I am reserving total judgement until we see him play in the pros a bit. But by all means it's a cool thing for Cleveland and hopefully a great thing for basketball in this city. I grew up playing lots of basketball and going to Cavs games, and for a period there the Cavs threatened to win an NBA championship. It'd be fun for those days to come back again, and James threatens to be much more dangerous than any player on the 89-94 teams. It could be really cool.

You know people are excited when there is rampant speculation about who the Cavs will pick with their 2nd round pick. I really like some of the guys the Cavs have been working out. Walton would be great. A power forward like Beasely would great too. Of course the team needs a point guard, but I'd prefer to see a veteran fill that role; Antonio Davis would be my pick, though drafting Gardner would be a good move if he is there. Out of the second round the most you can really ask is to get a contributor who can play 10-15 minutes a game and they have a shot at getting someone like that.

Rumors of a trade of either Miles or Davis seem unlikely, though trading Miles would probably be a good move. He doesn't appear to have developed at all, and I wonder if he'll get much more of a chance to. If he still hase enough value to get a mid-1st round pick I'd do the deal. There are lots of players in the draft who are as intriguing as Miles and would fit the team nicely. We'll see though.

Nothing big

Anthony Henry is at 201 pounds, 9 less than the start of training camp last year and supposedly an ideal weight for him. It sounds like he's been working hard this offseason so if he's gonna be able to cut it as a starter, this would be the year...

Also, Policy is officially running the Browns for another 5 years. I don't dislike Policy, but doesn't it seems like he walks a very fine line between being a very good team president and being completely full of BS? I can never decide. I mean, he routinely and blatantly spins his way around questions to reporters but he'll also show his aggressive and down-to earth side such as his initial comments after he bottle-throwing incident or his stance on player contracts (see Jamel White, Jamir Miller). I've talked to him at the start of the Browns 5K and he seemed like a nice guy. I've also sat in a luxury box next to the owner's box where he was sweet talking Lerner for 3 hours and never even glanced at the football field. Perhaps he has the ideal combination of shrewdness, aggressiveness, and blowhardness. I mean that as a compliment. Mostly.

Back on the chain gang

Ah, back home in Cleveland, now married and with color from the Aruban sun. And only 28 days until training camp. I won't try and back-blog, but there's a few things to talk about....

• it does sound like mini-camp was just fine -- no big controversy regarding the QB situation and no one got hurt. Talk radio types will gab about the QB situation for the next 2 months, but we should really listen to what comes out of Berea. Having two good quarterbacks is a huge blessing, and the less "news" the better.
  
  
• good vibes all around about the defense. We have been treated to the 2nd Annual Gerard Warren "I'm Cleaning Up My Act" media marathon. Hey, I want to believe it too and it seems like a good possibility that he'll be a force. Campo is certainly counting on it.
  
  
• the reported comments about Henry being slimmer, faster, and stronger may seem a little contridictory unless he had 20% body fat to begin with, nevertheless it's good to hear something positive at this juncture. The team is going to need him to perform or else.
  
  
• If you read too much you probably think Andra Davis is a guaranteed stud. Let me just say it's not a guarantee but you're not foolish to root for the guy -- all indications are that he can do whatever is asked of him. And just cause I like to say it again, the three 2nd-year linebackers will be good. I'm looking for someone to bet me $20 that, unless there's a big injury, Taylor, Davis, and Bentley will start together early in the season.
  
  
• Mor good vibes from Tucker and the offensive line. We may not have an ideal left tackle, but you can tell this will be a good unit. Faine will make a significant difference. God knows who will start at guard at this point, but it's immaterial since the roles change every week depending on injuries and the team seems to have plenty of decent guys who, most importantly, know the system.
  
  
• Finally, William Green is reportedly a much improved receiver. This is a tantalizing thought. Could the Browns, who since Metcalf could not execute a screen pass to save their lives suddenly become masters of the dump-off? It is happening. I'm getting closer and closer to predicting a Rams-like offensive explosion for this team. You can count on two fingers the offensive pieces this team is missing.

Yes, it is summer and happy days are here. Cleveland currently has three professional sports teams with nice futures. Enjoy it. I also recommend falling in love and getting married this time of year. :)

James Jackson is next to get extension

He gets a 1-year extension and is now signed through 2004. Interesting. So in 2004 the team is likely to have 4 running backs competing for presumably 3 spots, unless the team tries to turn Jackson or Lee Suggs into a fullback. I don't know if Jackson has the build for fullback, and it seems a curious use of Suggs. Without knowing the implications of this deal, my guess is the team is saving a few 100K on this years cap. It's nothing compared to a restructuring of Couch's or C Brown's deal though.

White signs 4-year deal!!!!

It's been a long time coming but there is finally news, and it is huge -- Jamel White has resigned for 4 years. Not everyone will agree with me, but I think this is FANTASTIC NEWS. As important as Green, KJ, Morgan, Couch/Holcomb and Northcutt are to this offense, it is Jamel White who consistently makes big plays when the team needs it most. He is excellent receiving out of the backfield, but is a threat no matter how he gets the ball. Critics say he lacks the size to run inside, but he's gotten to be pretty good at that IMO. It is reasonable to expect the 2004 Browns to have a very good offense, if not one of the most dangerous in club history. Green and White for Orange and Brown! Holy crap this is good news.

BTW -- June 6 thru June 22 I am off to get married and, and wonderful as my Browns-life is, I won't be doing any posting during that time. Don't hold your breath waiting for incoherant Browns commentary. Besides, there are lots of other places for it.