Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski looking for better results in 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

In the first year of offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system, the Browns jumped from 31st in total offense to eighth. Their 402 points were the third-most in franchise history.

Last year's Browns outscored the best season of the Brian Sipe-era Browns by 43 points. In the past 30 years, only the 1987 Browns of the Bernie Kosar era were more prolific. That team would have scored 434 points over 16 games if not for four games interrupted by the players strike.

So what do these Browns do for an encore?

Chudzinski sees a lot of room for improvement.

As the 2008 season unofficially kicks off Tuesday with the start of 12 organized team activities (OTAs), Chudzinski will tell his unit to develop amnesia.

"Last year's over," he said. "We came a long, long way. We made a lot of improvement, but we left some things out there. I'm a perfectionist, so it's never going to be perfect. But that's over.

"If anybody's living in the past, they're going to have a rude awakening. This is a brand new year. You have to prove yourself every day. Your reputation can't play for you.

"There's got to be that hunger and it's got to start with their mentality from the beginning. Talent gives you a chance [to win], but ultimately it's all those others things, like effort, toughness, commitment and discipline."

A year ago, the Browns were consumed with learning Chudzinski's new offense against the backdrop of an open quarterback competition between Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson.

This year, the challenges facing Chudzinski are preparing for a brutal schedule while carrying lofty expectations of a division title.

Starting games quicker and finishing the long season better are two obvious goals as the OTAs begin.

Chudzinski thinks familiarity with the system will breed better starts to games. The dropoff in production last year in the final month, he believes, had something to do with inclement weather but also with a dropoff in basic techniques caused by fatigue.

"Technique obsession," Chudzinski said. "We've used those words over and over. I just felt our technique and fundamentals slipped at end of last year. We have to put a big emphasis on it."

Chudzinski believes a breakdown in fundamentals hurt the offense in the running and passing games. He wants the offense to be more physical in the running game and better at gaining yards after a catch.

Chudzinski commented on other issues facing the offense.

On the quarterbacks: "We've been working with Derek as the starter. I think Brady [Quinn] has had a great attitude about the situation and where we are with it. The bottom line is he has to prepare as the starter every single day in his mind. I was fortunate to be around the Drew Brees-Phillip Rivers situation in San Diego. Two guys who turned out to be great quarterbacks in this league. [Quinn] will be a better football player because of this."

On the absence of an open competition: "Sometimes that's tougher on the team, or the rest of the offense, as it is on anybody. [They have to] know who the field general is. I think it'll help in terms of that. Certainly that's something we won't have to spend as much as energy on."

On new No. 2 receiver Donte Stallworth: "I think he's in pretty good shape [in catching up to the offense.] Obviously, there will still be a learning curve on the field. I really like what I've seen with Donte so far. He's going to help us in a big area we need improvement on - run after catch. We were one of the best teams in the league in generating big plays, but most were from Derek throwing the ball down the field as opposed to catching the ball short and translating that into big plays. Donte's been able to do that in the past."

On using rookie tight end Martin Rucker and Kellen Winslow together: "I've always got things in the back of my head. Most of that is going to be determined by assessing what Rucker can do. Certainly he's a guy with ability. He played receiver in a spread offense, always in a two-point stance, so there's going to be a big adjustment."

On the offensive identity he's striving for: "It's really balance. Not so much to run 50 percent and pass 50 percent. To me, it means when you have to run the ball, you can run the ball. When you have to throw the ball, you can throw the ball. That's the difference between the top offenses in the league."

Missing:

Offensive players not available for the start of OTAs include receiver Joe Jurevicius (staph infection), tight end Steve Heiden (disk surgery) and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee). While Jurevicius and Heiden are expected to be on hand as observers, Winslow is not. Attendance is voluntary, of course. But Winslow's absence may be a precursor to a contract dispute.

Spygate:

The Browns' 27-16 loss to New England on Dec. 9, 2001, was among eight stolen videotapes returned to the NFL by former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh.

The news that Patriots coach Bill Belichick videotaped defensive signals of the Browns brought a shrug from former Browns defensive coordinator Foge Fazio.

"We gave them a good game," Fazio said.

The Browns had the ball and were driving for a go-ahead touchdown when a Tim Couch pass was coughed up by Quincy Morgan and intercepted.

The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl. Fazio doesn't think New England's accomplishments are tainted by Belichick's loose interpretation of NFL rules.

"Let me tell you something, defensive coordinators, if you're not being taped, they have somebody in the press box with binoculars writing down what you do before every play," Fazio said. "They write, 'Play 1, he touched his head, touched his belt, and they played cover-3.' Then when they get the [game] film, they match up the play with their notes. That's how most guys do it.

"Plus, the coaches across from you are watching you like a hawk. That's why we had wristbands. I would have 20 plays written down and signal a number and two players would have the wristbands and call the play."

Fazio thinks the flap over Belichick's taping to steal signals is much ado about nothing.

"I think a helluva lot of people are doing it one way or the other in the league," he said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

quote:

On new No. 2 receiver Donte Stallworth: "I think he's in pretty good shape [in catching up to the offense.] Obviously, there will still be a learning curve on the field. I really like what I've seen with Donte so far. He's going to help us in a big area we need improvement on - run after catch. We were one of the best teams in the league in generating big plays, but most were from Derek throwing the ball down the field as opposed to catching the ball short and translating that into big plays. Donte's been able to do that in the past."

I'm glad they see how dynamic Donte is after the catch, that guy is a bitch to bring down. So are Winslow and Edwards, but Stallworth is nasty when he gets turned upfield, and I don't think a lot of fans understand just how nasty he is.

DA still has to get the ball there in rhythm though, and without rehashing all that crap, I still believe this to be the biggest difference between the two QB's. Rucker is supposed to be able to get after it, too.

quote:

Missing:

Offensive players not available for the start of OTAs include receiver Joe Jurevicius (staph infection), tight end Steve Heiden (disk surgery) and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee). While Jurevicius and Heiden are expected to be on hand as observers, Winslow is not. Attendance is voluntary, of course. But Winslow's absence may be a precursor to a contract dispute.

get that money buddy. get it all. take your time.

surprisingly, inviting yourself to the pro bowl actually works. good for you buddy. nice job.

what are the odds those three would all be out? all block, all great hands, all similar uses, a TE minded coach....
odd.

and PS traded back in and plucked Rucker for next years three?

Phil & Co. is the man!

this could be the year PS's 3rd rounders come to life. who knows, even our buddy Charlie Frye might get to play some this year. all three have unique opportunities right now. the soap opera continues....

Did you just talk up.....GULP....Charlie Frye?!?!

not really, just didn't want to disclude him.
why not though? the guy's still above arena league level and a drafted Brownie. I'll always hope the best for him.