Browns’ Massaquoi hopes to finally catch a few breaks

Associated Press

BEREA

Mohamed Massaquoi is changing a few things as he tries to help the Cleveland Browns transform their passing game.

At the top of his list is staying healthy.

The wide receiver was limited the past two seasons after suffering concussions. He also missed most of training camp last summer with a left foot injury.

“My foot feels good, my head feels good,” Massaquoi said Wednesday after going through drills at mini-camp. “I’m taking care of my body.”

Both team president Mike Holmgren and second-year coach Pat Shurmur believe Massaquoi is a key to improving a passing game that ranked 24th as Cleveland went 5-11 in 2011.

Shurmur said Massaquoi appears better prepared to do it — both mentally and physically.

“I expect a lot from him and he expects a lot from himself,” Shurmur said.

“I see a much healthier Massaquoi. I think he has had a great offseason. I am very pleased. He has made plays out here. I think that’s money in the bank for him as he gets ready for training camp and the season.”

Two years ago, Massaquoi seemed primed for a good season. He had started 11 games as a rookie in 2009 after being a second-round draft pick out of Georgia. He caught 34 passes for 624 yards.

Five games into his second season, Massaquoi was the victim of a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit by the Steelers’ James Harrison in Pittsburgh. Harrison was fined $75,000 and though Massaquoi missed only one game, he wasn’t as reliable the rest of that year.

Last season, he left a game against Seattle with a concussion on Oct. 23. He totaled three catches for only 26 yards over his next four games.

He won’t use the injury as an excuse for his career-low 31 catches for only 384 yards.

“I’m not going to say ‘What if,’” Massaquoi said.