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Position preview: Wide receiver
By Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
July 16, 2006
Joe Jurevicius
Photo By John H. Reid III
With Braylon Edwards on the mend from surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered late last season and quarterback Charlie Frye taking the reigns, the Browns' wide receivers will be faced with several challenges early on in 2006.
Edwards' possible absence places an emphasis on the receivers who do enter camp healthy, especially Dennis Northcutt and Frisman Jackson, the only returning receivers who saw significant action last season.
The team added experience and consistency on the unit in the offseason in the form of Cleveland native Joe Jurevicius, a veteran of nine seasons and three Super Bowls. This will be Jurevicius' fourth NFL team, but he is undoubtedly the most excited he has ever been to suit up for a new squad.
The team also is fortunate to have a bevy of young receivers anxious to garner more playing time. Jackson, second-year men Joshua Cribbs and Brandon Rideau, and rookie third-round pick Travis Wilson know there's not enough room on the field for all of them, even before Edwards returns. The crowd should raise competition and performance in the group.
Probable Starters
Joe Jurevicius: The Browns added a reliable pass-catching target this year in Jurevicius. He had his best season as a pro last year, marking 55 catches for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping Seattle reach its first Super Bowl.
Dennis Northcutt: The shifty playmaker is back for his seventh season as a Brown. Aside from his notable contributions as a punt returner, Northcutt has marked 254 catches for 3,210 yards and 11 scores in his time in Cleveland. He'll be especially crucial early in the season to take pressure off of Jurevicius and tight end Kellen Winslow.
Or...eventually...
Braylon Edwards: Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel have been hesitant to put a timeframe on Edwards' return to the field, but according to Savage, the date may be around or before Oct. 1. Even then, he'll probably have to be phased back into the offense. However, at some point this season the Browns hope to have their second-year playmaker back in full force.
Also in the Mix
Frisman Jackson: Jackson hasn't seen a ton of playing time as a receiver in his four years with the Browns, but when he has been on the field, he's been consistent and visible. A big target (6-foot-3), Jackson marked career highs last year with 24 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time. The early portion of the season is his chance to be in the mix more than ever.
Joshua Cribbs: Already an established kick returner, the collegiate quarterback has continued his transition to the receiver position and would love to see more playing time this fall. As he grows more comfortable with the receiving role, Cribbs could eventually be used on option passes and end-rounds. If Cribbs is going to take the step towards the next level, this is the time to do it.
Brandon Rideau: Signed as a tryout candidate a year ago, Rideau impressed early and often and became a favorite project of his coaches. Now, it's time for the long, quick wideout to stop being a hopeful and start showing he can produce on the field.
Kendrick Mosley: The 6-foot-2, 205-pound target spent the final four weeks of the 2005 season on the Browns' practice squad and would love to make his NFL debut this fall in Orange and Brown. He'll likely compete for a roster spot with the team's other backup options.
Travis Wilson: Don't think he was only picked to provide an extra body while Edwards is still recuperating. The Browns have high hopes for their 2006 third-round pick. Wilson finished his career at Oklahoma with 105 receptions for 1,315 yards and 17 touchdowns in 42 games.
Carlton Brewster: If there's yet another rookie free agent receiver who will impress this year (a la Jackson, Cribbs and Rideau in the past), it could be Brewster. The former Ferris State receiver and kick returner has turned heads early with his play during minicamps and offseason workouts.
Brent Little: A rookie free agent out of Southern Illinois, Little was a Division I-AA stud, finishing third in school history with 124 career receptions, second with 2,303 receiving yards and second with 20 touchdowns.
Steve Sanders: Don't count out Sanders, a former Bowling Green Falcon who would love nothing more than to make it onto the roster of his hometown Browns. The Cleveland native finished seventh all-time in BGSU history with 156 receptions and 2,324 receiving yards, also adding 24 touchdowns.
Bottom Line
Depending on the health of Edwards and the presence brought by Northcutt and Jurevicius, the receiving corps could be a strength of the Browns offense. Which direction this group heads will depend not only on the production of these starters, but also from the bench and the several young players clawing to get on the field.
This is the third part in a series previewing the Browns' position groups in 2006.
Link
By Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
July 16, 2006
Joe Jurevicius
Photo By John H. Reid III
With Braylon Edwards on the mend from surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered late last season and quarterback Charlie Frye taking the reigns, the Browns' wide receivers will be faced with several challenges early on in 2006.
Edwards' possible absence places an emphasis on the receivers who do enter camp healthy, especially Dennis Northcutt and Frisman Jackson, the only returning receivers who saw significant action last season.
The team added experience and consistency on the unit in the offseason in the form of Cleveland native Joe Jurevicius, a veteran of nine seasons and three Super Bowls. This will be Jurevicius' fourth NFL team, but he is undoubtedly the most excited he has ever been to suit up for a new squad.
The team also is fortunate to have a bevy of young receivers anxious to garner more playing time. Jackson, second-year men Joshua Cribbs and Brandon Rideau, and rookie third-round pick Travis Wilson know there's not enough room on the field for all of them, even before Edwards returns. The crowd should raise competition and performance in the group.
Probable Starters
Joe Jurevicius: The Browns added a reliable pass-catching target this year in Jurevicius. He had his best season as a pro last year, marking 55 catches for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping Seattle reach its first Super Bowl.
Dennis Northcutt: The shifty playmaker is back for his seventh season as a Brown. Aside from his notable contributions as a punt returner, Northcutt has marked 254 catches for 3,210 yards and 11 scores in his time in Cleveland. He'll be especially crucial early in the season to take pressure off of Jurevicius and tight end Kellen Winslow.
Or...eventually...
Braylon Edwards: Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel have been hesitant to put a timeframe on Edwards' return to the field, but according to Savage, the date may be around or before Oct. 1. Even then, he'll probably have to be phased back into the offense. However, at some point this season the Browns hope to have their second-year playmaker back in full force.
Also in the Mix
Frisman Jackson: Jackson hasn't seen a ton of playing time as a receiver in his four years with the Browns, but when he has been on the field, he's been consistent and visible. A big target (6-foot-3), Jackson marked career highs last year with 24 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time. The early portion of the season is his chance to be in the mix more than ever.
Joshua Cribbs: Already an established kick returner, the collegiate quarterback has continued his transition to the receiver position and would love to see more playing time this fall. As he grows more comfortable with the receiving role, Cribbs could eventually be used on option passes and end-rounds. If Cribbs is going to take the step towards the next level, this is the time to do it.
Brandon Rideau: Signed as a tryout candidate a year ago, Rideau impressed early and often and became a favorite project of his coaches. Now, it's time for the long, quick wideout to stop being a hopeful and start showing he can produce on the field.
Kendrick Mosley: The 6-foot-2, 205-pound target spent the final four weeks of the 2005 season on the Browns' practice squad and would love to make his NFL debut this fall in Orange and Brown. He'll likely compete for a roster spot with the team's other backup options.
Travis Wilson: Don't think he was only picked to provide an extra body while Edwards is still recuperating. The Browns have high hopes for their 2006 third-round pick. Wilson finished his career at Oklahoma with 105 receptions for 1,315 yards and 17 touchdowns in 42 games.
Carlton Brewster: If there's yet another rookie free agent receiver who will impress this year (a la Jackson, Cribbs and Rideau in the past), it could be Brewster. The former Ferris State receiver and kick returner has turned heads early with his play during minicamps and offseason workouts.
Brent Little: A rookie free agent out of Southern Illinois, Little was a Division I-AA stud, finishing third in school history with 124 career receptions, second with 2,303 receiving yards and second with 20 touchdowns.
Steve Sanders: Don't count out Sanders, a former Bowling Green Falcon who would love nothing more than to make it onto the roster of his hometown Browns. The Cleveland native finished seventh all-time in BGSU history with 156 receptions and 2,324 receiving yards, also adding 24 touchdowns.
Bottom Line
Depending on the health of Edwards and the presence brought by Northcutt and Jurevicius, the receiving corps could be a strength of the Browns offense. Which direction this group heads will depend not only on the production of these starters, but also from the bench and the several young players clawing to get on the field.
This is the third part in a series previewing the Browns' position groups in 2006.
Link