Cleveland Browns Open OTAs With Plenty of Questions
The Cleveland Browns began their organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday, giving the media its first look at the rookies practicing alongside the rest of the team. And with a number of intriguing new additions to the roster, the Browns went into their OTAs with plenty of questions.
- Naturally, the most coverage will be on the “quarterback competition” that is supposedly taking place between Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy. General manager Tom Heckert has said that he expects Weeden to be the starter, so it’s going to be a tremendously tough uphill battle for McCoy. All McCoy wants is a fair shot at the starting job, but the deck is stacked against him and, unless Weeden falls flat on his face, it’s not going to happen for him.
- As of right now, Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi are the starting wide receivers, but rookie Travis Benjamin is especially intriguing because of his speed. There is no way he is a starter, but if he improves on his routes, he could be very useful for the Browns.
- The team is also hoping that wide receiver Carlton Mitchell can make an impact this season, especially with Weeden slinging the ball around. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver has 4.4 speed, but the Browns have been waiting for him to breakout for two seasons. This has to be the year that Mitchell shows them something.
- Despite tearing his left pectoral muscle, it seems likely that the Browns will be getting defensive tackle Phil Taylor back sometime this season. He will be a big boost to a line that is likely to get overworked from the get-go.
- Will Scott Fujita sit out the first three games of the season? He has reserved his right to an appeal, which stems from the punishment he received for his alleged role in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty program when he was a linebacker there. If he does, the Browns will be prepared, as Chris Gocong took Fujita’s spot on the strong side last season when he went down with an injury.
- It appears Sheldon Brown won’t be moving from the cornerback position. There was a thought that he could become a safety this season, but head coach Pat Shurmur shot that down. How much does he have left in the tank?
- Any questions about Trent Richardson appear to be answered. From the sound of it, the veterans have given the rookie running back their seal of approval.
Will any of these questions be answered during OTAs? Of course not, but these are the things that will no doubt occupy the minds of the Browns (and their fans) throughout the summer. And until training camp, everyone can keep wondering just how Colt McCoy expects to win the starting job.