I just tuned in to veteran Plain Dealer beat writer Tony Grossi’s latest chat, and he sure doesn’t mince any words. In the aftermath of a lackluster loss at Tennessee, Grossi let loose with plenty of opinions on the status of the team as various key personnel decisions loom.
On the Couch/Holcomb competition: Against Tennesee “both of them were handicapped by just a terrible supporting cast.”
“I think Holcomb is ahead in this thing. Whether or not he’s knocking out the champion is another thing.”
“If you just look at what Couch has done, its disappointing, it’s horrendous … like ’99 and 2000 all over again.”
“Just about everything Butch Davis has done and said during this quarterback controvery has confused me.”
On the left guard position, where Melvin Fowler started ahead of incumbent Barry Stokes: “I don’t understand how he got there.”
Stokes’ demotion on the depth chart to backup tackle was “surprising to those of us who are out there every day.”
On the offensive personnel scheme: The failure to sign a fullback as a pure lead blocker was “a major oversight for a team that wants to run the ball.” The Browns are unsure whether to use a fullback or an H-back scheme, and that decision will likely determine whether someone like Chad Mustard survives the cut.
On WR Dennis Northcutt: “They’re gambling if they sign him to a long term contract right now.” In addition to being prone to injury, “There’s also been a lot of dropped passes by him in training camp.”
On the defensive tackles: Alvin McKinley’s stock is rising, and Orpheus Roye remains a point of strength, but as for Gerard Warren’s performance in the game, ” I don’t think he physically touched an opponent, other than getting knocked off the line.”
On the linebackers: Andre Davis will eventually supplant Barry Gardner, who didn’t perform well in trying to stop Eddie George. Chaun Thompson looked “totally lost.” While Ben Taylor is shoring up one side, “It doesn’t speak well that (Kevin) Bentley is not on either of the nickel defenses” as he was during part of last season.
On the ESPN report that injured rookie RB Lee Suggs may sit out the season and re-enter the draft next year: Grossi suggested “the story was planted merely to get the Browns motivated to sign him.” He doubts that Suggs will find it in his best interest to give up a full year of salary.
