Who wins starting jobs and where?

C.B.R Coin Flip is an opinion-driven series on your Cleveland Browns. Each installment will have question posed, and then debated between C.B.R’s Lead Analyst Michael W. Youngman, and Cleveland.com Featured Browns Blogger Keith B. McGlothin. Each coin flip will be a question related to current topics on what’s happening in Berea. Then at the end of each session, you the readers and the fans can vote on who you think make the best point. You can even chip in your own two cents by posting a comment.

But first let’s meet the panelists.


The Question for this C.B.R Coin Flip is:


“With training camp underway, what four positions battles should we be focused on and who do you think will win, or at least deserves the starting role?”


Keith’s answer:

1.     2nd TE Jordan Cameron vs. Evan Moore

Benjamin Watson will be the no.1 TE heading into 2012, hopefully he can stay healthy. Evan Moore has been a fan favorite since arriving in Cleveland (2009), and recently inked a 2 year extension, worth nearly $3 million per, that carries through 2013. Much was expected from Moore last season, yet not much was delivered. Moore suffered his share of injuries last season, but much like Hillis, just didn't appear to be a part of what the Browns were attempting to do offensively.

Cameron has been outstanding, he appears stronger, has improved his route running, has caught the ball very well, and just seems to standout. Moore has recently returned to the practice field, but Cameron has clearly been the better of the two. Cameron appears on track to be the heir apparent to Watson. I'm not sure the Browns will carry 4 TE's this season, but at this point, Moore appears to be in a battle with Alex Smith for the no. 3 TE. The Browns also have Dan Gronkowski (Maryland) in camp. Could very well be 5 players vying for 4 spots.


2.     CB (Opposite Joe Haden) Dimitri Patterson vs. Sheldon Brown

I thought Patterson should have started opposite Haden last year, but Brown actually played pretty well. He had minor injuries that lingered throughout the season, but he came to play on Sundays. With the recent loss of Mike Adams (Denver) It seems the moving to S would be an easy transition for Brown.

While most are quick to say Brown may have lost a step entering his 11th season, he's a savvy veteran, who knows the tricks of the trade, and provides leadership. By being the Browns most experienced player in the secondary, it makes perfect sense to put him in the position of being the QB in the secondary. With so many offenses now operating from spread attacks, Brown is still more than a capable cover guy.

Buster Skrine is another player who's having an outstanding training camp, I think he's more suited to cover the slot, where the smaller, faster WR's are. Skrine is physically stronger than he appears, has great speed, and operates well in small areas. James Dockery has also had a very good camp, along with rookie Trevin Wade (Arizona). who I viewed as a steal. The Browns definitely have depth at the position, and appear to be on the positive side of health so far in camp.


3.     FS Eric Hagg vs. Usama Young


Usama Young was the Browns marquee FA pickup in 2011, and was expected to anchor the back end of the Browns secondary with T.J. Ward. while both suffered through injuries, Young managed to appear in all 16 games, starting 8, while Ward's season was cut short at just 8 games started. While Young managed 70 tackles (51 solo, 19 assist), he just never seemed to make an impact. I viewed he and Ward as the same type player, and to me at first thought, the signing didn't make much sense.

Though handed the job during training camp, he had a hard time holding onto it. Mike Adams who could play CB, and S, appeared to have more of an impact, always seemed to be making plays around the football, and led the team in interceptions with 3. Hagg who also missed time due to injury last year, was limited to 10 games, showed flashes when on the field, and though he was limited in camp last year, the Browns really liked his upside. He's also another guy that is having an outstanding camp,  being healthy helps, as I look for him to be the starting FS.

The common theme this training camp, appears to be having guys back healthy. Hagg has more of an instinctive feel for the position, and in my opinion, is more of a compliment to Ward. Hagg is a sure tackler, who's more physical than I anticipated, and he can cover from the position. He appears to have the same versatility that Adams had.

4.     LB James-Michael Johnson vs. Scott Fujita (3 game suspension to start season)

This was one of my impact rookies this year. The recent injury to Chris Gocong (Achilles) may lead to Johnson securing one of the LB spots. Johnson has had an outstanding camp, and shown big play ability. Heading in, I thought if Johnson started and played well at the position, it would be hard for Fujita to reclaim it. The Browns needed to get more athletic at the position, and Johnson more than fits the bill.

Once again, the injury to Gocong, may increase time on the field for Kaluka Maiava, and create time, and opportunity for rookie Emmanuel Acho (Texas). Marcus Bernard is also healthy and having a good camp, recent injuries to the defensive line, has given him repetitions at RDE, though I wouldn't mind seeing the Browns use him as a rush LB. I look for the Browns to probably add another LB, or 2 depending upon how cam goes, and what's available on the waiver wire, after the first wave of camp casualties.

There are other intriguing position battles, as well as those that should be battles, but these are the four that interest me most.


Michael’s Answer:

1.     The #1 wide receiver position

It is no secret that the Browns wide receiver corps was one of the worst in the NFL last season. And through free agency and the draft the Browns appeared to do little to improve the position. Then they took a risk in the supplemental draft and  with a 2nd round 2013 pick they selected (From Utah by way of Baylor) Josh Gordon. I say risk not because of the kid’s talent but because of his “colorful” history with marijuana. He failed a total of three drug tests which gave him a spectator view of the field last season at Utah. His talent however is not in question. One un-named NFL executive said Gordon possesses “Randy Moss like ability”. Another compared him to a bigger version of Brandon Marshall. If he is sincere about cleaning up his act, then Gordon is the playmaker the Browns have been missing for a very long time.

He has looked outstanding in camp and provided he has the playbook down he will be the number one receiver at some point this season. Maybe not right away but he will be once he’s got the playbook and timing with QB Brandon Weeden down.

Otherwise the number one receiver will be Greg Little. He improved at the end of last season limiting the drops and looks even better at camp this season. Either way Gordon and Little will be number 1 & 2. The only question is which one is where.

Mohammad Massaquoi has looked good in camp as well but simply doesn’t have what it takes to be a number one receiver. It is my opinion that ultimately if Massaquoi isn’t careful; he may lose out to Jordan Norwood Josh Cooper, or Travis Benjamin as the #3 receiver.

2.     FS Eric Hagg vs. Usama Young

I was very impressed with the way that Usama Young stepped up when and where he was needed last season. But through mini-camps, OTA’s and finally the start of training camp Eric Hagg has been nothing short of impressive.

I like the idea of Hagg starting and Young filling in for either Safety or as a 3rd Safety when called for. He is the new “Mike Adams” of the Browns secondary. He won’t be a starter, but an important piece none the less.

So is it technically a battle? No but if you get a chance to see camp or preseason make sure you watch Eric Hagg. You will be impressed.


3.     DT (for injured Phil Taylor) Billy Winn vs. John Hughes
This one is one of the more interesting battles. On paper, I give it to John Hughes, but Billy Winn has, and is displaying serious effort and appears more comfortable than Hughes at this point. And even though Winn was picked 118 slots under Hughes, I think he wins the battle.

Either way both will be in a rotation with Ahtyba Rubin and when Phil Taylor returns from his injury either later this season or next, the two of them will go back to rotation role, but until then, this battle will be interesting in the trenches.

4.     2nd CB opposite Joe Haden

To me this is the toughest one to decide. The reason for this is because I feel there is a lot of great talent on this team at CB and it goes deep in the roster. The candidates for the #2 CB are as follows:

Sheldon Brown; Brown has done a great job for the Browns since coming to Cleveland. He is a savvy veteran that always manages to get the job done. But with his age and salary increasing, I think his days are numbered on this team. There are a lot of excellent young players on this team nipping at Brown’s heals.

Dimitri Patterson: Patterson who was resigned to a multi-year contract played primarily as the Browns nickel back last season. As a side note, the Browns incidently played in the nickel package 60% of the time last season. But the coaching staff is high on him and he has come into camp ready to compete for a starting job. Ultimately I think he will be that guy if he has a good preseason.

Buster Skrine: Skrine has impressed me from day one in Cleveland. He was a steal in the 2011 draft and just keeps getting better each and every day. He will likely start the season as 3rd or 4th on the depth chart but he will get his playing time and make the most of it.

There are other players in each of the position battles I have mentioned but I do feel that these are the guys that have the opportunity to start in 2012 if they have a good camp and/or preseason. For example with Scott Fujita’s suspension for three games and Chris Gocong's season now in question after being carted off the field with an ACL injury both rookies James-Michael Johnson and Emanuel Acho will see significant playing time. Both of them have golden opportunities in camp and preseason to establish themselves and earn time when the veterans Fujita and Gocong return.

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