It really goes to show you that while we've got improved depth on our team, we still need to fill out the rosters with players who can contribute on special teams and other smaller things.

It is a slow path back up. We are getting there....BUT i do not like Shurmer in terms of how our team handles themselves on the field. Too many dumb mistakes which take place over and over is a reflection on the coaching staff. Mr Haslem won't let this slide, you can rest assured. Winning is about the little things as well and they DO matter.

My biggest concern will be the speed of the game and him just fighting to keep up with it after not playing in anything but practices.

I think he should split his time with Brandon Jackson on week 1 and roll from there. If he shows he's ready and up to game speed right away, you treat it like any other player you want out there.

You've got to imagine he will have a significant impact on the offense and lets face it, we need it!

Hillis-iz-Boss said:

You have the remember though that Watson is 2-4 odd years away from retiring and Moore is a serious injury threat. Jordan is obviously a project with a high possible ceiling that isn't meant to do anything until Watson leaves or Moore gets hurt (which lets be honest is almost guaranteed to happen.

As for Marecic I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt for a few reasons. First off most notably from what I can think of in the first 3 games (didn't watch much of last night) he has had one or two legit drops that were on the money and he just couldn't get, which in my opinion isn't that worry some because he is a rookie playing in his first few games. His first drop against Greenbay wasn't even his fault, if you watch he is running forward and the ball is thrown behind him, chalk up the fact that he didn't jump on the dropped lateral because it was his first game. Next I don't expect him to be some bruising power rusher either, he averaged 2 yards a carry in college and anyone who expected him to bash like Hillis is a moron. Honestly I feel like anything about his catching and running is a moot point when you consider that Vickers couldn't do shit in those regards either.

Now his blocking. I honestly feel that if he isn't blocking much worse than what Vickers was. Watching any of Vickers blocks last year and most of them where Hillis punches it for more yards, Vickers just sits with the guy he blocks, he doesn't drive him or pancake him, he just takes the body. Now I'm not trying to say that Marecic is on Vickers level as a blocker right now because he is a rookie, but I do think he is on level with what Vickers was doing as a blocker his rookie season.

Finally you can't deny the guys intelligence and work ethic. When you have the amount of people across the NCAA and NFL talking about how much this guy works you can't deny it. Plus the guy finished college with a 3.8 in something like a biological industries degree or some crazy crap. I have to doubt that Marecic is going to work hard to learn his blocks and his routes and work even harder on catching the ball. Ya I still wish Vickers was here, but I think we still have a good future FB who is going to get more comfortable in the regular season and show us all why we drafted him.

Seriously guys, its the preseason and only Greg Jennings can put his team on his back do.

Well said my man. I was going to post something but basically you covered a lot of what i wanted to bring home. It's waaaay early , after a pro-longed lockout and this is this kids first batch of NFL games. Folks need to take it the hell easy, he should be ok. If he isn't....Alex Smith can make the roster and blow the people the hell up.

I'm still hopeful Carlton Mitchell shows the Browns something. Perhaps it is hoping against hope that a low end pick from a year ago could become something amazing. I like some of the skills he has and really think he could be a solid guy in our WR rotation.

I'm excited to see Mo Mass in live action with Colt. He was a big part of "Camp Colt" and perhaps developed some nice chemistry with him during the off-season. I'd like to see less space out moments with Mo-Mass where he just isn't running the route for the routes completion sake.

He may be a cast-off but he's a former starter and a former 3rd rounder from a pretty good team kind of cast-off. If the back is going to cause Steinbach to miss many games or the season, you need experienced depth. Billy Yates retiring also probably is just as much a part of why we could use a guy like this.

I like the signing.

Roth seems to be one of those kind of guys who just doesn't "get it". He's a talented enough player but seems to wear out his welcome in the various places he's played. Is it ego? I'm not sure.

I still think the Browns could use some of his special skills in terms of getting to the QB. His cover skills....well....

Free agency rarely works out the way you'd like especially in regards to grabbing yourself a WR. I think the Browns will spend the money when it makes sense to do so. Honestly, the lockout probably hurt us a lot more than we realize as it didn't give our new coach the chance to gage where some of the younger players are at.

If Carlton Mitchell or Greg Little step up and Robiskie shows more signs of life like he did near the end of last year, we could be more than fine at WR.

It was all about economics and the desire for the new staff to have a guy they wanted to use in a different kind of manner. Vickers was a good football player and honestly i thought he didn't get to show some of his skills here BECAUSE he was so amazing and blowing people up with his blocking.

I wish him well. I understand why the Browns didn't retain him however...

@diehardbrownsfan said:

Good move by the FO. Wright quit last year. Worst coverage I have ever seen. I knew he was gone. Now watch him play like a Pro-Bowler for the Lions.

He wasn't talentless, so he could surprise for the Lions. He was a terrible tackler when he was good with us and a solid cover guy. When he couldn't cover last year and basically quit or lost confidence, he really fell into the beyond useless category. I won't miss seeing him avoid tackling people, even IF he has a nice year up in Detroit.

It is a steal for Detroit if they get the guy who played here before last season. Hopefully the Browns add some quality depth at CB here asap.

Haven't heard a lot about him. Do you think he's an upgrade or has a greater upside over Elam? Obviously the Browns must....

I wanted to see him on the field last year a bit more to see what he could do in game situations. He's been working on his weakest part of his game, so here's hoping we've got lightning in a bottle and gotten a late round pick who can be a real solid player for us.

You've got to love his size and speed combination at WR. You've got to imagine the WR starting positions are ALL up for grabs. Chance of a lifetime for this kid.

As long as their is positive play coming forth from the team, the coach needs to be kept around. Once the team stops listening (if that happens) you have no choice but to let a guy go.

The Browns need a talent upgrade and that takes time. Getting a few playmakers on this roster will make a world of difference. Not sure if "Dabs" will ever be an amazing offensive coach....but HC's can be told to remove that, IF he's deemed as the major source of trouble. We need to keep Mangini if at all possible UNLESS, as i stated, he loses the team.

The bottom line is mistake are costing us games and ultimately, Mangini will lose his job IF games such as these are consistently lost. If the players cannot execute properly, he doesn't have much choice, does he? I'm with everyone saying that a "Big Brother" approach isn't a beneficial one at all as players/workers who tend to have that hanging over them will often times mess up more. (or can) That being said, these things are correctable mistakes and i don't fault a man for wanting the BEST out of his team. They aren't playing their best and we are losing in part because of it.

Mangini has the right idea's but his approach is what i've always kind of questioned with him. It's a long season and one always full of surprises, hopefully we will turn this one around and this kind of talk will all be forgotten.

The one aspect of giving Harrision more touches would be the fact he's one of the few actual play-makers on our team. Ultimately though, the coaching staff felt in this game, Hillis was the better choice to run between the tackles. On one angle, i like this approach as we are moving away from a "we are going to do it this way just to do it this way" approach, on another hand, there seems to be perhaps a bit of overthinking element to it all. (which i think Mangini tends to do)

To me, i say you play your weapons. I want more Cribs, more Harrision and anyone else you think can make plays for your team. If other guys prove they can break off big plays, get them on the field. Perhaps over-simplified but i still think it is a truth. Hillis, to his credit, showed some skills and i was impressed. The fumbles took away from the performance but as a fan, i'm glad to have him as a Brown. Lastly, i've got to agree to those who say Mangini has a bit of a bug up his butt about Jerome. Just seems like he isn't going to go out of his way to make sure he gets on the field to me. (plus all the praise Monterio was getting -rightfully so- and very few pos-mens for Harrision) I have a feeling Jerome Harrison isn't in Coach Mangini or Holgrem or Heckerts plans , longterm-wise.

@thaak said:

Unless Jennings produces well on Special Teams, why do we need him? Davis, Hillis, & Harrison work very well behind Vickers. We can save that extra spot that Hardesty would have taken up to give another WR or LB a shot.

Thaak, i tend to agree with you in terms of Jennings being needed on the club. Just was wondering if anyone or someone over-valued his need to be on our team. I think the only way he makes the club is if James Davis's injury is something greater than the little limp he had.

IF there is any positive, it is at least at a position where we have a LOT of depth and could give a kid like James Davis a chance to shine. Hardesty will sit on the shelf and hopefully be able to rehab and come back next year and show what he can do. A shame....but i wasn't counting on him being the stud running back of our team anyway.

Does Chris Jennings make the club with this injury?

Always a tough call to make in terms of keeping a youngster over someone you KNOW can make a difference, like Engram proved last night. I suppose for the Browns it is a case of two things.....figuring how far you are from competing and to what sort of value do you hold on Jake Allen.

Personally, i thought last night was about showcasing Engram for potential teams who could use a vet wideout versus us actually keeping him.

Ratliff also has to me, shown nice composure as a 3rd string QB. He's played a heck of a lot better than last year and ironically, might be cut! It is tough to keep around 4 qb's when you can use another guy on special teams.....

@brownindian said:

Is it then safe to say that the Ratliff experiment is over ?

With Mangini and Ratty, it ain't over til it's over! Although i think i hear the exterminator coming to get this rat.....

I must agree with Peen on the announcer as Trumpy always gets to do Browns games and i always dislike his stances in regards to our team. The dude is an idiot and has been one for as long as i can recall. (I even recall as a teenager my old man saying the very same thing) --i'm 36--

The Brown i dislike i our current team would have to be St. Clair and that is from the swinging gate we all saw last season from him. Past players are Jeff Garcia for the same reason Zombo stated...it just didn't feel right and also Trent Dilfer.

Most folks on the board are pretty cool. I could do without SOME (not all) of the Steeler fools who troll around here...but hey...it comes with being a Browns fan!