Massaquoi struggles in second season with Browns

At first glance the season stats for Cleveland Browns starting wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi seem to be a mistake.

Four catches for 60 yards and one touchdown in four games, including three starts. That can’t be right.

But it is.

And therein lies the quandary that Massaquoi finds himself in when the Browns (1-3) play host to the Falcons (3-1) on Sunday.

On one hand Massaquoi, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound receiver in his second season, is an established starter for an NFL team, which is a job that many people would love to have.

On the other hand Massaquoi plays for a run-oriented team with two quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace who do not figure to play in the Pro Bowl anytime soon. So, Massaquoi isn’t likely to have All-Pro stats this season.

Massaquoi said he enjoys playing with the Browns and would prefer not to talk about his stats.

“The fans here are passionate about the Browns, and we get a lot of support,” he said.

The reason for Massaquoi’s subpar stats isn’t entirely his fault.

“I think Mohammed’s stats are the result of the Browns trying to find their identity offensively,” said Andre Knott, the sideline reporter for the Browns’ radio broadcasts.

It all starts with the scheme of the Browns' offense, which is designed to take advantage of the all-around skills of running back Peyton Hills, who has rushed for 322 yards and four touchdowns and has 16 catches (second on the team).

Then, there is the fact that the Browns' quarterback situation is in flux.

Delhomme, the starting quarterback, has missed three consecutive games with a sprained right ankle after completing 20 of 37 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the Browns’ season-opening loss at Tampa Bay.

Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said there is a chance Delhomme could start against the Falcons, but he wanted to see how he held up in practices leading to Sunday’s game.

“We’re going to play someone who is ready to play,” Mangini said.

Knott said having Delhomme in the lineup would make a big difference for Massaquoi based on their play in practices and games.

“I think Jake has good chemistry with Mohamed,” Knott said.

If Delhomme can’t play, Cleveland will start Wallace, the backup quarterback. Wallace has completed 52 of 85 passes for 554 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in three consecutive starts.

With Wallace at quarterback, Cleveland’s offense doesn’t have a lot of emphasis on getting the ball downfield for big plays. The Browns leading receiver this season is tight end Benjamin Watson, who has 18 catches for 185 yards and one touchdown.

“Wallace is only 5-11 or 6 feet tall, and he has a tendency to read coverages inside out, starting with the tight ends, then the running backs and then the receivers,” Knott said.

Still, Cleveland has hope the Massaquoi can be the top-flight receiver the Browns thought he would be when he was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft.

“When you look at his body, the fact that he carries himself like a pro and takes care of his body, his natural ability,” Knott said. “He can be that 50- to 60-catch guy.”

Meanwhile, Massaquoi is looking forward to the chance to play against the Falcons, a team that he followed a lot during his career at Georgia.

“The Falcons have a dominant defense,” he said. “In Georgia everybody loves the Falcons, and they have a lot of great tradition.”

Massaquoi said he still goes back to Athens and frequently talks to Bulldogs coach Mark Richt.

“The best advice Coach Richt gave me was to continue to work hard and have fun with it, and take it for the blessing that it is meant to be,” Massaquoi said.

And as long as that happens who knows what could happen with Massaquoi?