EVERY GAME IS A PLAYOFF

Browns Could Use a Page from OSU's Playbook

published in Columbus Alive! on August 25th, 2006!
(c) Dannon Unsdorfer

Through poor draft choices and endless bad luck, the Cleveland Browns have become so pitiable that I've come to a contentious conclusion: the college offense at Ohio State is better than the NFL offense in Cleveland. At each position, the talent developed by the Buckeyes exceeds that of the Browns.

Running back. Ohio State has underrated Antonio Pittman, who totalled 1331 yards and seven touchdowns last season (in 12 games). For the Browns, Reuben Droughns ran for 1232 yards and two touchdowns last season (in 16 games). Droughns and back-up William Green did, however, lead the league in indictments and domestic stab wounds. Maybe the Browns should look up Maurice Clarett. I hear he's a free agent, and not many defenders would tackle a back wielding an axe.

Center. The Browns were left depleted after a series of star-crossed events took out their top three centers. Ohio State's Doug Datish could step in and win the starting job. The last two centers to come out of Ohio State, Alex Stepanovich and Nick Mangold, both start in the NFL. Datish is a proven leader who will be drafted early - maybe the Browns should take a look.

Quarterback. Troy Smith, strong in both the passing and running games, heads into '06 a leading Heisman candidate with a 13-2 record as a starter. He has played best under pressure and is still rapidly improving. By contrast, Charlie Frye was 20-25 as a starter at Akron. I still don't understand the Browns designating him a "franchise quarterback" before he took an NFL snap, especially when every single team passed on him in the draft - twice. Even the Browns didn't want him twice before they wanted him! He has yet to demonstrate game-changing ablility as an offensive leader- something Troy Smith has repeatedly done.

Wide reciever. The Buckeyes have speedy Ted Ginn, another Heisman candidate whose talent has NFL teams salivating, and consistent Anthony Gonzalez. Who do the Browns have? Surely you've heard of Frisman Jackson, no? Maybe Dennis Northcutt? He has eleven touchdowns in seven years. The Browns do have Braylon Edwards coming off a knee injury. But maybe the Buckeyes still have the edge, as Michigan went 1-3 against Ohio State during his tenure. Similarly, tight end Kellen Winslow has memories of the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. Winslow is good - at staying off the field. Since the Browns drafted him two years ago, he has played a whopping two of the Browns 32 games. Ohio State may not have a recognizable tight end, but at least they'll have one that runs more than his mouth.

Offensive Line. With Alex Boone (6-8, 325 lbs), Tim Schafer (6-5, 290), T.J. Downing (6-4, 305), and Kirk Barton (6-6, 310) on the offensive line, the Buckeyes have NFL-size. They actually total 4 inches taller than their Browns counterparts and weigh an average of only 6 pounds less.

People talk about the Cleveland Glenville-OSU "pipeline" that brought players like Donte Whitner, Troy Smith, and Ted Ginn to Columbus. With the success that these players have enjoyed at Ohio State, maybe someone should build a line back to Cleveland, for the benefit of the Browns.

posted by xcdannon @ 9:58 PM