Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Greg Little needs to emerge as a top wideout

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns hold their first 2012 training camp practice on July 28 in Berea, and play their first exhibition game on Aug. 10 in Detroit against the Lions.

The Browns open their 60th NFL season -- that's not counting the All-America Football Conference (1946-49), but the 1950-95 seasons and from 1999 until the present -- on Sept. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Browns Stadium.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com cover the Browns. Tom Reed writes that the Browns shouldn't be in a hurry to trade quarterback Colt McCoy, who as of now stands to be the backup to rookie Brandon Weeden.

Included on cleveland.com is the Browns history database, which features the Plain Dealer game stories for every regular season and playoff game in Browns history, from 1946 through 2010.

For the Browns to improve on their recent history -- a 4-12 record last season and a combined 18-46 over the last four campaigns -- they must get more production from a wide receiver group that has a rather thin NFL resume.

Fred Greetham writes for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report that the Browns hope Greg Little, about to begin his second season, will emerge as a difference-making wideout:

Little, who just turned 23 on May 30, officially became a starter after the first four games of his rookie season. He responded with 61 receptions for 709 yards and two touchdowns, including a season long 76-yard score against the Cardinals in December. Little was second in the AFC among rookies only to the Bengals A.J. Green, who had 65 receptions.

Overall, Little ranked 17th in the AFC in receptions. His 709 yards was the fourth highest in Browns history among rookies. His reception totals were second best only to Kevin Johnsons 66 grabs in 1999. Little had six receptions in three games, with his high being 131 yards against the Cardinals.

Most Browns fans feel Little can be a fine NFL receiver, but not all outside the Browns front office consider him a sure-fire top tier receiver. However, Little has shed 11 pounds and the Browns are hoping one year of experience will help him to become one of the top receivers in the league.

The top five things that messed up the Browns' 2011 season, and where those matters stand now....and other observations. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

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Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Greg Little needs to emerge as a top wideout