There was nothing that occurred during summer's minicamp that has lessened the Browns' certainty that the running game will improve this fall.
View full sizeTrent Richardson is the embodiment of the Browns' renewed determination to be successful on the ground in 2012, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the streets are sizzling, talking about football at least calls to mind cooler afternoons ...
About the Browns and the running game...
1. The coaches were excited with the performance of Trent Richardson at the minicamps. The final test of a running back is when there is tackling, but the Browns already believe their selection of the Alabama running back was worth the No. 3 spot in the draft.
2. Start with the fact that the running game in 2011 was bad. Make that terrible. Make it No. 28 in total yards. Even more revealing, the Browns were 31st out of 32 teams in yards per carry, at 3.7.
3. Football Outsiders has a complicated formula for rating teams, using the type of metrics that many front offices employ. The details are very complicated, but the bottom line was the Browns ranked 31st in running the ball. No matter how you look at it, they were awful.
4. That's why they didn't care that only 14 teams start first-round draft picks as running backs, or none of the top five rushers from 2011 were picked higher than No. 53 in the draft. For all the talk about the West Coast Offense, the Browns are determined to run it with authority this season.
5. So they went against the trend and took Richardson because they believe he'll make an immediate impact. He played in Nick Saban's pro offense at Alabama. The Browns thought Richardson was easy to evaluate because he played in the SEC, which usually has the fastest and most elite athletes. He played for a tough coach who has an NFL background, and Saban gave the Browns glowing reports -- telling them how did the little things such as blocking in pass protection and even was very effective (and willing) as a special teams player in his first two seasons.
6. The Browns like that he didn't have a massive amount of carries in college. Richardson had a total of 257 carries in his first two seasons, then 283 (for 1,679 yards) in 2011. Some running backs are physically beat up by the time they reach the NFL.
7. The Browns don't talk about it, but the staff was shocked at how poorly Peyton Hillis blocked in 2011. Maybe it was because he battled injuries, or because he was depressed over his contract situation. But Hillis was not the physical force that he was in 2010.
8. In the minicamps, the Browns liked how Richardson picked the right holes. They appreciated how he "hid" behind his blockers. He's listed at 5-10, and that may be if he's measured on his toes. But shorter backs can have an advantage because it's harder to tackle them -- and it's easier to use their legs to kick off the hands of defenders.
9. Saban insisted Richardson was a good receiver, and that proved true in the minicamps. He didn't lose a fumble as a senior. In his career, he fumbled only seven times -- losing one. His good hands were evident.
10. The Browns called him a "patient runner," allowing the blockers to get ahead and waiting for an opening -- then showing a quick burst once making a decision. His work ethic and attitude has been excellent. The Browns appreciate how he has not said anything controversial about Jim Brown's criticisms.
11. Even more exciting is they see real depth at the position. Veteran Brandon Jackson is healthy and has established himself as the No. 2 back. He is solid in blocking, catching passes and doing what the coaches expect. In 2010, he rushed for 703 yards and caught 43 passes for the Packers. He's only 26, so Jackson fits with the younger team the Browns are building.
12. There will be a major battle between Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya for the third back. This is the healthiest and best that the Browns have seen Hardesty. But the 2010 second-rounder has been hurt in the last two training camps once full contact began. Hardesty gained 266 yards, but averaged only 3.0 per carry last season.
13. Ogbonnaya's 334 yards translated into a 4.6 average. He also caught 23 passes with one drop. Hardesty had 14 catches and six drops. Hardesty was never close to 100 percent physically, but if Ogbonnaya were a second-round pick and Hardesty the free agent, wouldn't there be more talk about Ogbonnaya?
14. That said, the coaches have noticed Ogbonnaya. They want the third running back to play special teams, especially on coverage. Ogbonnaya can do that. Can Hardesty do so and stay healthy? One of these backs will be cut, unless someone is hurt in training camp. It will be worth watching how they make the final decision.
15. Finally, back to the 2011 running game. The Browns' longest run of the season was 40 yards, with their four rushing touchdowns ranked dead last in the NFL. In two seasons as the Rams offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur gave the ball to Steven Jackson enough for him to gain 2,657 yards and average 327 carries per season. New offensive coordinator Brad Childress had Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, and he also likes to run the ball. So Richardson fits into their game plan for 2012.
About the Indians ...
View full sizeJosh Tomlin's performance against the Rays on Thursday night provided a much-needed boost to the Indians' rotation, which is proving to not be as deep at the minor-league level as the organization had hoped.1. I was told Boston wanted Josh Tomlin in any deal for Kevin Youkilis. The Indians may have considered that if they had more depth of starting pitching in the minors. But the problem is Jeanmar Gomez struggled and was sent to Class AAA Columbus. The Tribe wants to keep him there for a while. David Huff (3-4, 4.66) has not impressed. Kevin Slowey (3-3, 5.14) has been hurt since the middle of May.
2. The Tribe thought between Zach McAllister, Huff and Gomez opening the year at Columbus, they'd have several options for the rotation. McAllister is in Cleveland and expected to remain for at least several starts -- and the rest of the year if does well. If the Indians do look to Columbus for another starter, it's expected to be Corey Kubler (8-7, 3.68). Cody Allen (2-2, 2.60) may be the next reliever promoted.
3. One of the stranger stories this season has been Nick Hagadone. He was strong in spring training, opened the year at Columbus. After seven scoreless Class AAA innings, he was promoted to the Tribe. He entered June with a 2.20 ERA in 16 1/3 big league innings. Since then, he's been shelled for 18 hits and 14 earned runs in nine innings. He was sent back to Columbus Saturday. But the odd part is Hagadone's velocity rose from 92-95 mph range to 95-97 the last few outings. But his control faltered.
4. The Indians are hoping the Lou Marson (.295, .792 OPS) of this season is the player they scouted in the minors before making the Cliff Lee deal. They saw Marson as a catcher who didn't have much power, but reached base and was a pesky hitter, especially against lefties. He entered the season with a career .215 average for the Tribe in 549 at-bats. He had batted .288, .314 and .294 at three minor-league levels before the Tribe made the Lee deal.
5. As the Tribe has looked at tapes of Carlos Santana, they realized that stopping the "toe tap" with his front foot while awaiting a pitch led to another problem -- a huge leg lift as he swung the bat. That seemed to cause even more issues with his balance and swing. Now, they are telling him to go back to the toe tap, because it is what he's done his entire pro career. The key is trying to create some balance when he swings.
6. According to ESPN's Buster Onley, the Tribe has the easiest schedule of any of the AL contenders after the All-Star break. The Indians have 36 of 77 games at home, only 33 against teams with winning records. They also have seven games left with Boston and New York.
7. Since being recalled from the minors, Drew Pomeranz has allowed one run in 12 1/3 innings for the Rockies. He is 1-3 with a 3.06 ERA. Alex White (2-6, 6.45 ERA) was sent to the minors.
8. The Indians paid $150,000 for Esmil Rogers, who had an 8.06 ERA in 25 2/3 innings with the Rockies to open this season. He throws 95-98 mph, and the Indians thought they could help him harness that powerful fastball. So far, Rogers has been outstanding: a 1.46 ERA since the trade.
About Jason Kipnis ...
This email came from Jim Meneely:
"On a Sunday in May, when the little kids are on the field at the beginning of the game, Jason's actions were exemplary. All of the guys make sure the kids get the ball, shake their hands and send them on their way. They are not rude to them, as far as I am can tell, but they have to get ready for the game, therefore not spending ... much time with them.
"Jason took the young man's hand and did not hand the ball over immediately. Instead he spent some time talking to the boy. Then, he handed over the ball, took the young man's hand and continued to talk to him for a few more minutes before sending him on his way. This showed me the kind of man Jason is. He seemed really interested in what the boy had to say."
About the Cavaliers...
View full sizeAlonzo Gee could provide a test of his value to the Cavaliers, should another NBA team make a substantial offer to the restricted free agent.1. They have said they don't plan to be a factor in free agency, and that's not likely to change. Their main concern is retaining Alonzo Gee, whose agent reportedly wants a "Landry Fields contract." The Knicks guard received a 3-year, $19 million offer sheet from Toronto. Fields averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field, 25 percent on 3-pointers in 28 minutes a game.
2. Gee is a restricted free agent, and it's possible someone could give him an offer sheet like that one. The Cavs have enormous cap room, and they can match it. Gee averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and shot 41 percent, 32 percent on 3-pointers in 29 minutes a game. The Cavs have limited wing players. The shooting guards are Dion Waiters and Daniel Gibson. Omri Casspi and Gee are the small forwards.
3. Yes, the Cavs were interested in Brandon Roy. But a guy who has had six knee operations and retired from basketball in 2011 because of a degenerative condition is a risk. They wanted Roy to take a physical and work out. He refused. He received a 2-year, $10 million deal from Minnesota.
4. My guess is the Cavs will wait until after the first wave of free agents are signed before adding a veteran or two. While they'd like a classy veteran guard such as Derek Fisher, it's hard to imagine him signing here if there are contending teams interested.
5. I've heard Royal Ivey mentioned as a possibility. He's a 6-4 veteran whose never been a starter. He averaged 3.4 points for his career. He played for Oklahoma City the last two seasons, but didn't see much action.
About Tyler Zeller...
1. Some fans still can't figure out why their team traded picks 24, 33 and 34 to move up to 17 and grab the 7-footer from North Carolina. Here's one reason: Houston gave 7-footer Omer Asik a 3-year, $25 million deal ($5 million, $5 million, $15 million). Asik averaged 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 minutes. He is almost a zero on offense, shooting 46 percent from the foul line. Yet, big money came his way.
2. To be 7-foot, breathing and standing reasonably upright can lead to huge dollars. Which brings us to Zeller, who averaged 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, shot 55 percent from the field and 81 percent at the foul line. He was the ACC Player of the Year.
3. In four NCAA tournament games, Zeller shot 52 percent and averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds. In the Tar Heels' overtime victory against Ohio, he had 20 points and 22 rebounds. In their loss to Kansas, Zeller had 12 points and six rebounds.
4. In two games against highly-rated Duke, Zeller was 17-of-26 shooting (66 percent), averaging 21 points and 10.5 rebounds. Against Kentucky, he scored 14 points and had eight rebounds, shooting 4-of-9 from the field.
5. While Zeller didn't shoot much from the outside, he was 16-of-32 beyond the free-throw line. He is a very solid selection and will play in the league for a long time.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2012/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_54.html
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