The days are getting hotter here in Cleveland, so even we six-legged critters
have to occasionally get out of the sun and into a nice, quiet place to enjoy
some liquid refreshment of the 21-years-and-over kind.
Fortunately for me, I was able to find an establishment south of Cleveland with
an open-minded policy towards my species and a glorious level of restraint in
the swatter department.
Kicking back and relaxing after a hard day of buzzing around the sweaty heads
of suburbanites, I was delighted to make the company of a current Cleveland Browns player who also had come in out of the sun. Not many players have shown a
lot of patience with my fellow representatives of the insect world, so I was
surprised that he chose to spend a couple of off-season hours talking with the
likes of me.
You'll have to figure out the player, but if you're visiting the Orange and
Brown Report, you're probably wise and well-informed enough to figure it out on
your own.
Here's some of the buzz:
-- Tight end Kellen Winslow, who this player knows well, is
doing great this off-season, according to our friend. He'll be a big part of the
2007 offense and stories about Winslow coming along slowly or not doing well are
"nonsense", he says. He works out almost everyday, at times with our source.
-- Our friend was himself coming off a serious knee injury he suffered within
the last couple of years, and feels physically good himself. He's dependent on
his speed and quickness, so this is a great thing for him. He's exciting about
the Browns in 2007, as well as his own potential contribution to their success.
-- New offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has major plans
to change the complexion of the team offense. The change in protection packages
and talent along the offensive line should permit the running game and play of
the quarterback to excel. Look for the Browns offense to look somewhat like the
Chargers offense, but with an added emphasis to controlling the football. Due to
the athleticism and quickness of Braylon Edwards, Winslow and
Travis Wilson, the Browns will attempt to be a vertical threat,
more so that the offense which was run in San Diego.
-- Our friend feels quarterback Charlie Frye can be
successful in the league, but needs to become more of a leader, with less caving
into the pressure of surrounding players. He believes Frye has a definite leg up
in the quarterback situation and notes that Frye spends a significant amount of
time studying the new offense, as well as working with Chudzinski.
-- When asked about the state of the offensive line, our source noted the
play of the line was graded "below average" consistently last season. Right
tackle Ryan Tucker was the highest graded lineman when he
played. Also, noted Frye received a lot of heat about the decisions he made with
the ball, but was trying to make plays. If the line would have played better,
Frye would have had more confidence in the play and players around him.
-- Our source likes the selection of offensive tackle Joe Thomas
and quarterback Brady Quinn. He expects Thomas to start and be
an impact player immediately, while expects Frye to give Quinn all he can handle
to start the season.
That's all from me for now... this has been Vinny the Fly, and I'm buzzing
off...
- Vinny