Is Mangini smoking crack?

@beefjerky said:

PUT IN FURREY.

I'm amazed, there are now actually MORE VOTES for Cribbs now, than preseason.

just because he's a great kick returner doesn't mean he's a good receiver, you are foolish if you'd rather have him start than Furrey.

50% Cured lets look at defense.

PUT IN FURREY.

Furrey or the other rookies should definitely be the starter at WR2, Cribbs is great but he's simply not a receiver.

@thaak said:

i saw Jerome Harrison is the #3 KR/PR as well...something i've been saying for years and i'm just a dude on the street. just getting reps there will improve his open field running and toughening him up a little more couldn't hurt either. i really, really like what i see so far all over.

@sez.ej said:

I agree. Cribbs' value can be optimized by getting him the ball in space and letting him make a move down the field with that wicked stiff arm he has. I would hate to be a DB trying to bring him down one-on-one.

That said, Furry looks great and I am hopeful for some 4 and 5 receiver sets to shake opposing defenses up. We have the depth and could be real tough to cover if our o-line can keep the defenders off the QB.

IMO, they like the idea of Cribbs being spread out and having to be accounted for, while Furrey can operate on the inside and move the chains like he does. I can see Braylon having a pretty big year with these guys. Since MoMass is currently ahead of Robo, my take is he would be the one to replace Cribbs in certain packages or when Cribbs needs a blow. Furrey probably doesn't come off the field, which is a good thing.

Furrey is a serious ballplayer, and his being white has nothing to do with how the Browns are planning to use him in the offense. More of it is predicated on Cribbs IMO, because of what he can do to defenses, especially YAC.

Cribbs is going to tear some defenses up on some runs after the catch, he is flat out one of the hardest guys to tackle in the NFL. Quinn should be able to get him the ball in stride, something that DA always struggled with.

Either way, I reiterate this is the best WR corps top to bottom we've had since the 80's.

"Brady Quinn came up to me and said, 'You've really improved as a receiver. What's been the change?' " Cribbs said. "I think the change is this regime actually wanted me to play receiver. They said, "You're going to be one of the guys we get the ball to. They have to account for you every play.' That's when I got into the playbook and said, 'If I'm going to one of those guys, I have to be on my Ps and Qs in the playbook and make sure I'm fundamentally sound out there on the football field.' "

from an article by Jeff Schudel from the News Herald.

Shows just how much of an ignoramus RAC was.

@fan-of-steel-1 said:

@beefjerky said:

for me, I'm hoping it's Furrey, based on the preseason, he simply was catching almost every single ball thrown in his direction, he was great at route running, and he was(and is) definitely a smart, knowledgeable player. he's the perfect possession receiver to have.

on the other hand, Cribbs should be the slot receiver imo, he has great athletic ability, but he was lacking at running routes, so I would put him as the slot receiver and also play him in the red zone where running routes doesn't matter as much, since he's athletic he can catch some TDs there.

this is all assuming we aren't surprised by Mangini with him starting either rookie receiver(Massaquoi, Robiskie) instead of Cribbs/Furrey.

edit:

damnit I had this typed out before the depth chart was released, grr I'm upset with Cribbs being #2! feel free to lock/delete.

I appreciate what you wanted to do here Beef. It's still a good discussion piece. I ENJOYED seeing Cribbs as a more active part of our passing game. I think he COULD master this craft like he has his return game if that's how we prep him for Sundays. I also like what Furrey has added. I was thinking Edwards #1, Cribbs #2 and Furrey #3 (slot). I'm also looking forward to the rookies getting into the fold at times too. Seems like a promising area of the offense.

- Tom F.

@thomasw said:

Um, why?

@beefjerky said:

can someone get some stats from the preseason on what % throws to Furrey were complete? as well as Cribbs to compare.

and fixed.

I think people just automatically think Brandon Stokely because he's white. Which of course is extemely amateur.

I actually think of it the other way. Cribbs is a faster, more physical guy who will go over the middle and could do the slot well, IMO. And Furrey probably has the route running and hands to be a #2 possession receiver.

We'll see how it plays out.

@shepwrite said:

why does everyone say this? what makes you think he can't be a great possession receiver?

can someone get some stats from the preseason on what % throws to Furrey were complete? as well as Cribbs to compare.

and fixed.

if he's effective they are gonna be a blast to watch this year.

we could even see a Cribbs to BE TD someday. HA!

@dtbh said:

This will pay off for him. He's going to get a much bigger contract if he has a good year as a WR than he would have gotten if he got an extension on his KR credentials alone.

well I hope we won't see poor route running anymore then.

This will pay off for him. He's going to get a much bigger contract if he has a good year as a WR than he would have gotten if he got an extension on his KR credentials alone.

@dtbh said:

Good point. Hopefully it's Mangini's way of saying, "Here's your chance, George has some paperwork and a Sharpie waiting for for you after the game."