CLEVELAND, Ohio — Much has been made, rightfully so, of the Cleveland Browns’ lacking a big-time playmaker at wide receiver.

Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi have done little to justify being second-round picks, as they both were, in the 2009 draft.

A second-rounder last April, Greg Little, apparently owns some of the qualities necessary for an impact wideout. Bottom line is, he’s a rookie.

Several young wide receivers are trying to earn roster spots, and though maybe one or two could emerge as contributors, it’s unlikely that any will be a game-changer.

And, there’s Josh Cribbs, the ace kickoff/punt returner who has not flourished in his opportunities as a wide receiver.

Craig Lyndall writes that Cribbs might still become a key to the Browns’ passing game. Cribbs and quarterback Colt McCoy connected twice for 37 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown, in Cleveland’s 27-17 exhibition game win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

Lyndall writes:

Josh Cribbs continues to get better and better as a receiver. This is really only Josh Cribbs’ third year playing wide receiver, and much of last year he was plagued by injuries. So far this season Josh has been healthy and he is really starting to put some polish on his game. He has shown some really great hands and is running his routes more crisply than ever before. In addition to that, there is nobody on the field who is more friendly to the QB on broken plays. Cribbs is always wary when McCoy has been flushed out of the pocket and he seemingly always gets himself into a decent position to bail his QB out in space. We don’t expect NFL players to continue to improve into their late 20′s, but it seems that Cribbs might be an exception to the rule.

The Browns play their second preseason game on Friday night, meeting the Detroit Lions at Browns Stadium.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi’s story on linebacker Titus Brown; Twitter updates from Tuesday’s practice; a training camp video report by Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot; Grossi’s training camp log; Cabot’s Browns Insider, featuring video of Colt McCoy talking about his offseason work with Brett Favre; Cabot interviewed on Starting Blocks TV, talking about McCoy and Favre; and, about former coaches Jim Tressel of Ohio State and Lloyd Carr of Michigan visitng the Browns’ practice — Tony Grossi’s story; Bill Livingston’s column; photos of the visit.   

Extra points

Jason Lisk writes about the Browns for The Big Lead blog, calling them “My 2011 Sleeper Team.”

AFC North training camp reports on ProFootballWeekly.com.

CBSSports.com’s new power rankings, by Pete Prisco.

Colt McCoy among the preseason Week 1 winners. By Don Banks for Sports Illustrated’s SI.com.

Running back Brandon Jackson wants to make the most of his opportunities, writes Daniel Wolf for the National Football Authority.

Linebacker Aaron Maybin has been released by the Buffalo Bills, but the Browns should pursue him, writes James Walker of ESPN.com.

Trying to figure the best way to use the Browns’ running backs. By Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Colt McCoy taking control of the Browns’ offense, by Gary Graves for USAToday.com.

Running back Montario Hardesty’s return to practice, by Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

Browns notes by Brian Dulik, more Browns notes by Rona Proudfoot, and more Browns notes by Scott Petrak. All for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette. 

Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr visit the Browns’ training camp. An Associated Press story on ESPN.com.

Browns notes by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Browns training camp news and observations by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A story about linebacker Titus Brown, by Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.