Some quick thoughts and observations on the Browns, some pulled from Pat Shurmur's speech Monday in Canton and some pulled from the top of my head...
**Though the Browns only ended up passing out a handful of playbooks during the short lapse in the lockout, Shurmur said he was "impressed by how quickly we reacted" with his staff meeting to discuss the strategy of how they'd contact their new players and proceed. Part of that, presumably, was the the thought/possibility that another court ruling would limit their contact period to just a number of hours, and that ended up happening. It's a coaching staff that's still waiting to actually coach, but it's one that apparently was successful in its first act.
**Twenty-four hours later and I'm still smiling about Shurmur calling the Browns-Atlanta trade "probably one of the greatest trades in draft history." He must think Matt Ryan is on the cover of Madden and about to get 3-13-type jinxed.
**This was just me guessing, but I inferred from the tone of Shurmur's voice that the Browns plan to be active in free agency; based on what Tom Heckert has said and what Shurmur said Monday about the coaching staff reacting quickly, the Browns appear to also have a quick-strike plan in place. More important than striking quickly, though, is getting it right. And based on past similar situations here and around the league, you can guess that the Browns will go for players who have history with Shurmur, Heckert, new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and maybe some others on the staff.
**Though the Browns are basically starting from scratch -- again -- Shurmur believes that his ties to Heckert and Mike Holmgren and their background with the West Coast Offense and the type of defensive scheme Jauron's 4-3 will be key in helping the Browns shrink the overall learning curve. They know what they want out of their players, what type of player fits best and what it takes to make strides in implementing and expanding the playbooks.
**Knowing which players will actually be unrestricted free agents would help, wouldn't it?
**Speaking of the West Coast Offense, anyone else think Joshua Cribbs as a part-time running back might challenge defenses a little and potentially get Cribbs in space with flares and screen passes? Shurmur did say Cribbs "is a huge part of what we are" and will be involved in the offense. The Browns need weapons, and a healthy Cribbs can still be one.
**I don't know new special teams coach Chris Tabor at all, but I know that ex-special teams coach Brad Seely was one of the best in business. And Tabor not only has to get Cribbs going, but use the threat Cribbs present to maximize any big play opportunity the Browns can get to create big plays in the kicking game.
**And re-sign Phil Dawson, not just to the temporary franchise tender but to the kind of contract he deserves. That would be a good idea, too.
--Zac Jackson
