2012 is do or die for Massaquoi
With this being his 4th season with the Cleveland Browns, wideout Mohamed Massaquoi finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. Massaquoi was a 2nd round (50th overall) selection in the 2009 NFL Draft for the Browns. Both he and fellow receiver Brian Robiskie (also selected by Cleveland in the 2nd round in 2009) were touted as the future of the Cleveland Browns receiver corps. Robiskie was released by the team last season and Massaquoi may find himself on the bubble this year.
Massaquoi put up career low numbers last season in both receptions (31) and yards (384) in a season in which he played in 14 games. Massaquoi did admit to the press in May of this year that he had been “extra cautious” after sustaining two serious concussions over the past two years along with a foot injury that he sustained before the start of last year’s season. "My foot feels good, my head feels good. I’m taking care of my body." Massaquoi said after practice on Wednesday.
Massaquoi appears to be healthy and is now in his final year of a four year deal in which he was guaranteed a minimum of 1.8 million. If Massaquoi wants any shot of receiving a long-term deal with the Browns or any other team he will need to throw caution to the wind and produce this season.
As for now, Massaquoi has tentatively been penciled in as a starting receiver for the Browns along with 2nd year player Greg Little, and the effort he has put forth so far in OTA’s suggests he is leaving it all on the field. He is showing better concentration and motivation this season which he had not shown over the past two seasons.
Despite a passing attack that finished 24th in the league statistically both team President Mike Holmgren and head coach Pat Shurmur feel that Massaquoi’s performance in 2012 will be a key to the offenses success in the passing game.
"The wild card to me is Mo," Holmgren stated recently. "Mohamed has to come in and ... I believe in that young man. I really do." Shurmur’s praise of Massaquoi has been equally high. "I see a much healthier Massaquoi. I think he has had a great offseason. I am very pleased. He has made plays out here. I think that's money in the bank for him as he gets ready for training camp and the season."
Hopefully Massaquoi will be able to translate the effort he has shown on the practice field to Sunday afternoons this fall. But only time will tell if Massaquoi has what it takes to be a premier talent in this league.
Michael W. Youngman--Lead Analyst C.B.R.Michael is the Lead Analyst for the Cleveland Browns Report. He has written many articles that have been featured by playerpress.com, cantonrep.com, FoxSports.com, and of course this site. Michael has also written a book titled “The Dayton Project” published in 2008 by PublishAmerica. He makes his home in the Hall of Fame City of Canton Ohio with his wife Lisa and his two children Joseph and Jennifer. To learn more, visit his Website
This post was written by: Author Name
Author description goes here. Author description goes here. Follow him on Twitter
0 Responses to “2012 is do or die for Massaquoi”
Post a Comment