Cleveland
Browns

Browns Team Report

Updated: February 11, 2012 02:11 EST

Most of the attention since the 2011 season ended has been devoted to what the Browns might or might not do at quarterback, but they also must address another critical issue on offense - what to do at running back.

With the start of free agency a little more than a month away, the Browns seem to be thawing a bit on re-signing Peyton Hillis, but so far nothing has changed. The back who followed up rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010 with a disappointing season in 2011 will be an unrestricted free agent without a new deal.

Hillis had a rocky start to last season but finished strong and healthy. He had a good exit meeting with coach Pat Shurmur and admitted to a reporter he could have handled controversies better. He was consumed by stalled contract talks that halted altogether in midseason and relied on the advice of his agent to sit out the Sept. 25 game against the Dolphins because of strep throat.

"Probably, on both sides (mistakes were made) - certainly on my side," Hillis said. "I like this organization and just want them to know I did my best and hopefully they want me to be here."

Hillis does not have the Browns over a barrel. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement the Browns can let Hillis walk and take running back Trent Richardson with the fourth pick in the draft, but they have so many other needs they would be better served by re-signing Hillis and using the fourth pick on quarterback Robert Griffin III or a wide receiver, possibly Justin Blackmon.

The conundrum for general manager Tom Heckert is deciding how much better Colt McCoy would be with a true No. 1 receiver and a viable running attack. He had neither last season while going 4-9 as a starter.

The Browns tied the Rams for the fewest possessions (31) inside the red zone. Not surprisingly, the Browns were 30th in the league in scoring (218 points) and the Rams were 32nd (193). The Chiefs finished 31st in scoring (212).

McCoy ranked 27th passing. He gained an average of 5.90 yards an attempt - the lowest in the league. McCoy is 6-15. Coincidentally, Seneca Wallace has made 21 starts in his nine-year career and is also 6-15.

When the 2010 season ended, team president Mike Holmgren said McCoy would be the starter in 2011. Now Holmgren says he is not ready to "anoint" McCoy and Shurmur says there will be competition in training camp. Part of that competition could involve Matt Flynn, the soon to be free agent of the Green Bay Packers.

McCoy, Flynn or a rookie quarterback would benefit from drafting or signing a starting-quality wide receiver.

Greg Little, the 59th pick in the 2011 draft, led the Browns with 61 catches but also led with a dozen dropped passes.

"Do we think we have a pretty good group of wide receivers? Yeah," Holmgren said. "Did we drop too many passes? Absolutely. But, I think we see some things that you can build on.

"Greg Little hadn't played much football (before 2011). Did he make some mistakes? Yes. Did he catch a lot of passes? Yes. Do you see something in him that you can build on for the future? I believe you do. Do we have to upgrade (wide receiver) and make that stronger? I would say there isn't an offensive area that we won't look hard at and try and do that. Receivers fall into that category as well."

Tight end Evan Moore caught a touchdown pass in the opener and one the next week in Indianapolis. He caught just two after that. He caught 25 passes through the first 14 games and then nine in the last two when Wallace was the quarterback. As he was cleaning out his locker the Monday after the season ended Moore said he has to become a more complete player. That means he has to become a better blocker.

Benjamin Watson caught 37 passes in 2011. He was not as involved in the offense as he was when he caught 68 in 2010. Watson missed the final three games of this past season with a concussion. He says he wants to return, but his playing time, if not his job, could go to 2011 rookie Jordan Cameron. Cameron caught five of his six passes in the last three games.

Left guard Eric Steinbach hopes to return after missing 2011 because of preseason back surgery. Four offensive linemen, all reserves, are targeted for free agency. Oneil Cousins, Artis Hicks, John Greco and Steve Vallos will all be unrestricted. It means the Browns will have to restock their bench.

--Browns president Mike Holmgren, speaking on the team's radio show, said he expects a huge turnaround from the 4-12 season of 2011.

"If we can continue to get players in here by the draft that contribute like they did the first two years, your roster then gets appreciably stronger each time," Holmgren said. "When you get enough good players like that you have a chance to win games.

"Last season was hard. There were a lot of close games that didn't come out the right way. My hope is - we have to take a pretty big step this next year."

Holmgren did not say what the consequences would be if the Browns do not take a big step.

--Josh Cribbs was a celebrity cook on the Rachel Ray Show on the Friday before the Super Bowl. His filet mignon did not win the competition. That honor went to Takeo Spikes of the San Diego Chargers for his lamb chops.

--Cleveland City Council voted to give the Browns $5.8 million for repairs on Cleveland Browns Stadium, which was completed in 1999. The city owns the stadium which was built largely on a tax on tobacco and alcohol.

--The Browns finished second in the NFL defensively, but one area they want to improve on is interceptions. The Browns had nine picks last year. Only the Vikings and Colts with eight each had fewer.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a very, very bright guy. He knows how to coach quarterbacks. He's a tough guy. He demands a lot. I think it was a great hire for Pat." - Browns president Mike Holmgren on new offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

The Browns went 12 years without using a franchise tag and then broke the streak last year when they tagged kicker Phil Dawson. They might do the same thing this winter to make sure the only full-time kicker the Browns have had since returning in 1999 doesn't go anywhere else.

Dawson was 24 of 29 on field-goal tries last year. Two were blocked and twice Dawson was victimized by a bad snap. The one miss with no glitches was a 38-yard attempt against Jacksonville that Dawson swears snuck inside the right upright.

MEDICAL WATCH

--LB Titus Brown underwent knee surgery the week after the season ended. He is in the process of recovering.

Concussions were epidemic for the Browns in 2011. Concussions kept quarterback Colt McCoy, tight end Benjamin Watson and wide receiver Jordan Norwood out of each of the last three games. All three have since been cleared medically.