By: MIKE McLAIN (Tribune Chronicle) —
BEREA – Like it or not, receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi will have to become friends.

Although they will compete for playing time next season for the Browns as second-round draft choices, both should get on the field for an offense that was woefully weak in depth at the position prior to the draft. The better they co-exist, the better the chance of offensive success in the 2009 season.

From the little coach Eric Mangini has seen in two days of a rookie minicamp, the Robiskie-Massaquoi duo might work out well in the long run.

“What I really like is that there seems to be a friendship building there,” Mangini said. “I can envision them pushing each other in a good way and supporting each other.

“They’ve been very impressive in terms of their work ethic, their concentration and their recall of information. It’s a great situation when you come in with players at similar positions to build that relationship and grow together.”

Robiskie, who played at Ohio State, was the first of three second-round picks, and Massaquoi, a product of the Georgia Bulldogs program, was the second of the three picks. Robiskie has been projected as a solid second receiver, and Massaquoi is looked at as a possession receiver.

Entering the offseason, the only receiver with much experience on the roster was Braylon Propecia buy Edwards. The Browns have since signed the well-traveled but effective David Patten in free agency. Adding Robiskie and Massaquoi instantly gave the receiving corps much-needed depth.

Robiskie became known for his big-play skills for the Buckeyes as a junior, when he caught 55 passes for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns from quarterback Todd Boeckman. Boeckman lost the starting job to true freshman Terrelle Pryor early last season. The switch to Pryor, known more for his running than passing skills, hindered Robiskie’s production.

“The one thing the receivers took a hit on with the quarterback change was catching the football,” said Robiskie, who finished the season with 42 receptions for 535 yards and eight touchdowns. “To me, that’s in the past. I’m not thinking about it at all. I’m in a great situation. I’m a Cleveland Brown. I couldn’t be more excited to be here.”

Massaquoi was among the most highly recruited receivers coming out of high school in North Carolina. He struggled in his early years at Georgia as he developed a reputation for dropped passes. He finished on a positive note in his senior season, catching 58 passes for 920 yards and eight touchdowns.

Joining a team along with Robiskie is something Massaquoi thinks will pay dividends.

“If anything it just makes the learning curve a little bit easier,” Massaquoi said. “We go through the same things, so we can chat a little bit, but we still have to come in here and work hard and learn from the vets as to what to do.”

While Robiskie struggled with Pryor on the field, Massaquoi enjoyed the benefits of catching passes from Matthew Stafford, who was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions. Stafford is known for having a John Elway-like arm.

“We had a special senior season,” he said. “I had a chance to play with some great players. Of course, everyone knows (running back) Knowshon (Moreno) and Stafford, and just the bond I had with my teammates was a special feeling.”

Robiskie has the advantage of having a father, Terry, who is the receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Robiskie was interim coach of the Browns for five games in 2004.

“He said to continue doing what I’ve done to get to this point,” Brian said. “Don’t change what you’ve been doing. Keep trying to make progress and get better.”

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Browns could have two good options to throw to in Robiskie and Massaquoi.

No related posts.