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COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
CAMP PRIORITY: The club must learn to stop the run. This has been a problem since 1999 and was one of coach Butch Davis' top priorities when he was hired in 2001. Davis knows that when you can't stop the run, you have a hard time winning because you can't get your defense off the field.
POSITION BATTLE: There is a three-person battle at weakside linebacker involving Warrick Holdman, Kevin Bentley and Ben Taylor. Holdman, in his sixth season, has the inside track on the job because of his ability in pass coverage and experience. He would provide a veteran anchor alongside third-year MLB Andra Davis and second-year SLB Chaun Thompson. Bentley was the starter last year and is the best athlete, but he is easily fooled by play-action passes. Taylor knows how to play the game and is always around the ball, but he lacks speed and athleticism.
ON THE SPOT: The team made DT Gerard Warren the third overall pick in the 2001 draft because it thought he could be a run stopper, but it hasn't worked out. He plays hard on Sundays but doesn't work hard enough in practice or the offseason. This is his fourth season: It's time for him to be the dominating player he was in college.
HONING THEIR GAMES: WR Quincy Morgan needs to catch the ball more consistently. Morgan makes the tough catches, but when the ball is on target, he tries to run before he gets it.... SS Robert Griffifth was signed to make plays in the running game, but he is shying away from contact and not wrapping up tightly. He needs to square up and be more aggressive, but he is 33 and might be getting hesitant as he gets older.
CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: WR Dennis Northcutt should have a big season. QB Jeff Garcia is an accomplished short passer, and Northcutt's specialty is turning short catches into big plays.... LE Courtney Brown is healthy after three seasons...
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