Friday, August 19, 2005

Rounding corners

After some minor flirtations, the Browns didn't sign former Patriots all-pro cornerback Ty Law this offseason. They did, however, get the guy he replaced.
Law, plagued by injuries the past few years, went to the Jets earlier this month after New England released him. The Jets, in turn, released nine-year veteran corner Ray Mickens to make room.
Mickens signed with the Browns earlier this week.
Law might have a high profile after winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots, but Mickens is more desperately needed by his new team.
The Browns are suffering at cornerback right now. Prior to Mickens' arrival, they had offseason acquisition Gary Baxter and a bunch of question marks.
Daylon McCutcheon, one of only two holdovers from the 1999 expansion team (along with kicker Phil Dawson), is out of action with persistent headaches and dizziness. No one has yet be able to pinpoint the cause, but the Browns are wise to assume they won't be able to count on McCutcheon this year.
Michael Lehan left practice Wednesday with a strained hamstring. Rookie Brodney Pool is probably taking it easy after nearly being knocked unconscious trying to make a tackle on the opening kickoff last Saturday.
Mickens is more than a stopgap. He's the cavalry riding to the rescue.
Browns fans have longed for a shutdown corner to pin on the likes of Hines Ward and Chad Johnson in AFC North contests. But finding a shutdown corner is unfortunately not the most important issue at the moment. Having a pair of capable corners who can stay on the field and not get burned deep is the necessity.
To that end, Baxter needs some work. He did, in fact, get burned deep on a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the first quarter of Saturday's game.
Maybe if push really comes to shove, Braylon Edwards can play both ways. Might as well get maximum return on that nice, big investment if you are the Browns.

No comments: