By John Nestor ||

Berea, OH

The Cleveland Browns have a new coach and will also have a new offense this season and whether or not they get through their growing pains early will depend on some young players.

That combination doesn't always translate to instant success but the Browns don't really have any other choice.

New head coach Pat Shurmur is bringing with him his version of the West Coast offense. That means there will be a lot of learning to do in an abbreviated camp, putting pressure on young players like second-year quarterback Colt McCoy.

Practices organized by McCoy during the lockout established the former Texas star as a leader and helped with building chemistry but that will only go so far in implementing a brand new system.

One player that has shown he might be able to step up and help McCoy is receiver Greg Little.

Little is getting noticed early in camp while making the most out of an opportunity to get more work. Josh Cribbs has a minor left knee injury and Mohamed Massaquoi still has a cast on his right foot. Tight end Ben Watson watched after sustaining a concussion Saturday.

All those injuries mean more reps for Little, which is a good thing for a new receiver trying to learn the intracacises of the West Coast offense.

"When the lines get shorter, guys get more reps and it helps them," Shurmur said. "If you can handle it, the more you do, the better you get. He's getting more."

And Little could actually use the work after a long layoff.

The 59th pick in the 2011 draft, Little missed all of last season at North Carolina after being declared ineligible by the NCAA because of improper dealings with an agent.

But that is behind him now and his college experience in a west coast offense and his attendance at McCoy's offseason workouts have been a plus.

"Just coming from a pro style West Coast offense in college has helped me tremendously," Little said.

 

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New-Look Browns Could Get Boost From Rookie Receiver Greg Little