McManamon on the Browns
Honeymoon over for Carthon
Offensive coordinator to be scrutinized heavily this fall
By Patrick McManamon
<!-- begin body-content -->One of the worst-kept secrets around the Browns last season was that Maurice Carthon, the team's offensive coordinator, was not the most popular coach among the players.
At issue were play-calling, overall strategy, clock management and style. Carthon is said to be a brusque, confrontational coach.
It's hard to judge this, because practices are not open to the media, and because Carthon is not readily available for interviews. Coach Romeo Crennel's policy grants interviews with assistant coaches only if the coach approves.
Carthon's one offseason interview took place when he sought to become coach of the New Orleans Saints. He was criticized widely for saying the media was trying to run him out of Cleveland the same way it ran Bill Belichick out of town.
Crennel discussed Carthon at length at the NFL Meetings, and he again steadfastly stood by his coordinator. (An interview with Carthon was not requested for this story.)
In an offseason in which several high-profile, highly credentialed offensive coordinators were looking for a job -- guys like Mike Mularkey (hired by Miami), Mike Martz (hired by Detroit), Norv Turner (hired by San Francisco), Chris Palmer (hired by Dallas) and Al Saunders (hired by Washington) -- Crennel said he never entertained the thought of dumping Carthon.
``And likewise,'' Crennel said. ``I hope (owner) Randy (Lerner) never gave consideration of changing the head coach.''
This should not be surprising. Crennel is fiercely loyal, and he also believes in continuity. Too, players' complaints sometimes need to be taken with a dose of salt.
This past week, fullback Terrelle Smith defended Carthon, saying he was like legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight.
``It's not all hunky-dory,'' Crennel said. ``Maurice is one of those hard-nosed, old-school coaches, and some guys have to get used to it.''
Even so, Crennel said he wasn't thrilled with having the NFL's lowest-scoring offense.
``(That) doesn't speak volumes for the way that we want to be,'' Crennel said, ``but I thought Maurice worked very hard. He knows the offense, and I think the second year will be better on offense -- particularly as we get some of the playmakers (like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr.) on the field.
``I expect it to improve. We did have a 1,000-yard rusher, 1,000-yard receiver. We just didn't score enough points.''
Players would say that strategy and coaching led to the problems in scoring points.
There were big-picture questions.
One, for instance, dealt with the game in Cincinnati, when the Browns mainly ran outside against a quicker defense. Players wondered why the Browns didn't use their strength to overpower the smaller Bengals' defense inside.
Then there were smaller issues, like audibles.
Players said Carthon did not let quarterbacks change the play at the line. He did, though, at times give them a choice of two plays they could run -- and they could use either depending on what they saw at the line.
Players thought Carthon was exerting too much control, that he should have let a veteran like Trent Dilfer change plays to take advantage of his experience.
This is partly what led to the situation at the end of the first half in Minnesota, when the Browns inexplicably let 35 seconds run off the clock to botch a scoring opportunity.
After a Reuben Droughns run gave the Browns a first down at the 11 with 47 seconds left, the team did not spike the ball. Instead, the offense casually huddled, lined up and was flagged for a penalty with 12 seconds left.
A chance to run two or three plays and score a touchdown was missed. Instead, the Browns left with a field goal.
After the game, Dilfer said he was ``just doing what I was told.'' Translation: He did not agree with the decision but couldn't do anything about it.
Crennel said he wanted the field goal.
``We were struggling offensively,'' Crennel said. ``I felt if we could have gotten points at the end of the half, that was going to benefit us. We were in scoring range, so I didn't feel like we necessarily had to push through and maybe make a mistake that would maybe not allow us to get points.
``So I was satisfied with the three we were able to get in that situation.''
Carthon has the chance to end questions about his coaching. But there's no question he'll be under a little more scrutiny this season than his first as a coordinator and play-caller.
``If you have a hard shell, it helps when you're being criticized,'' Crennel said. ``I think Maurice is one of those tough guys, and he had to be to play the position he played, to play under some of the coaches he played for.
``But he's human just like everyone else. He doesn't like to be criticized. He wants to do well. And I think he's gonna work hard to improve that offense.''
Local guys
The Browns will host about a dozen players with local ties today for pre-draft workouts.
League rules allow the team to bring in draft-eligible players who attended high school or college in the area, and the Browns always take advantage.
The Browns do not release names of players coming in, but two are from Michigan: defensive lineman Patrick Massey (Cleveland St. Ignatius High) and outside linebacker Pierre Woods (Cleveland Glenville).
The local players will take physicals and go through position drills. Most would be second-day draft picks.
Massey could be an interesting player.
He's 6-foot-8 and 285 pounds. With work, he could play end in a 3-4 defense. He did not have a great year as a senior because he moved inside to tackle, where his size worked against him.
He learned to fight blocks, and could project to end in the NFL -- if a team is patient.
Brownies . . .
• Has the league created a monster by allowing the defending Super Bowl champion to host the opening game on Thursday night? The Denver Broncos squawked about playing in Pittsburgh on opening night, and Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he was thrilled he didn't open in Pittsburgh. ``Why would I want our game in Pittsburgh to be there on a Thursday night to open the season?'' Lewis said. ``(It favors the home team), particularly coming off a world-championship season.''
• Crennel again will eschew the preseason scrimmage with the Buffalo Bills. He said he would prefer an intrasquad scrimmage.
• Unless the Browns find another receiver, Dennis Northcutt will be the starter opposite Joe Jurevicius until Edwards comes back from knee surgery. Northcutt struggled in that role last season. ``Because I think he was a little frustrated from the year before and previous years about his production,'' Crennel said. ``But, you got a new quarterback, new system. I think you have to take some of that into consideration.''
And finally . . .
Ron Tedeschi continues to add attractions to the Akron Browns Backers Banquet.
Quarterback Charlie Frye has agreed to be at the head table, joining General Manager Phil Savage, Droughns, and Crennel among the guests.
This year's banquet is set for May 8 at Tangier, and will honor Frank Ryan, Jerry Sherk, Frank Minnifield and Jim Ray Smith (all are scheduled to attend).
Doug Dieken will provide comedic analysis, Droughns will be honored as the team's 2005 Player of the Year and center Jeff Faine will be presented the Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award. For tickets, call Tedeschi at 330-322-6662 or 800-736-1890, or at
[email protected].
All proceeds benefit the Interval Brotherhood Home.
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