31 August 2010
Additions, Departures, Big Questions & Key Match-ups.
2009 Record: 5-11
2010 Prediction: 5-11
The Cleveland Browns, long the owners of my very favorite helmets in the NFL, won 5 games last year. At times I wonder how they even managed that many. Then I look again and I think maybe they should have won a few more. To be sure, the Browns have some pieces in place that should give fans hope for the future, but it is equally true that there are areas where Cleveland can’t match up with the strong AFC North or the rest of the NFL. Call this an enigma, but I think the Browns will be improved this year, while posting the exact same record they had last year. Go figure.
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Key Arrivals
QB Jake Delhomme (FA), CB Sheldon Brown (Trade), CB Joe Haden (R), RB Montario Hardesty (R), LB Scott Fujita (FA), LB Chris Gocong (Trade), S T.J. Ward (R), OT Tony Pashos (FA), TE Ben Watson (FA), QB Colt McCoy (R), QB Seneca Wallace (Trade)
Key Departures
QB Derek Anderson, QB Brady Quinn, LB Kamerion Wimbley, OL Hank Fraley, WR Mike Furrey, OL Rex Hadnot, TE Steve Heiden, RB Jamal Lewis, S Brodney Pool, S Hank Poteat, WR Donte Stallworth, DL Corey Williams
The Big Questions
1. Whose taking the snaps by the end of the year? OK, this one’s easy. . .NOT Colt McCoy. The Browns don’t want to throw him to the wolves right away and I don’t blame them. The receiving corps is nothing special, and while I like the tandem of running backs and the o-line is more than half done, there’s no reason to rush McCoy into the starting lineup. The Browns aren’t going anywhere this year and McCoy can learn some things in the meantime. Now, I know Jake Delhomme was atrociously, monstrously God-awful last season, but I do think the change of scenery (and decreased expectations will do him some good). Seneca Wallace is a career backup, and he won’t see time unless Delhomme gets hurt. Barring injury, Delhomme will be the last day starter.
2. Is the Browns defense the strength of the team? The only reason people believed the Browns’ defense was so good was that their offense was so bad most of the year. In reality, the Browns were near the bottom of the league in defense, and the significant amount of roster turnover is proof that the Browns knew they weren’t good enough. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan favors the same sort of attacking defensive scheme his brother Rex likes, but he hasn’t had the corners to run it. That should improve this year, with the addition of veteran Sheldon Brown and promising rookie Joe Haden, but the Browns lack defensive playmakers in general and still have holes. Plugging in players like Chris Gocong and Scott Fujita may add a little stability, but it will hardly make the defense scary. The strength of the team is not the defense, I think it’s the running game.
3. Eric Mangini - Man-Genius or Dead Mangini Walking? 5-11 won’t save Mangini’s job this year, even if he does pull off a late season winning streak. Mangini isn’t new GM Mike Holmgren’s guy in the first place, and I think Holmgren gave Mangini another year out of fairness more than anything else. It doesn’t help that Mangini’s players were practically ready to brain him last season. The guy does not help his cause with his personality. Look for a coaching change in the offseason, around the same time that the Browns may be ready to announce that Colt McCoy will get a chance to compete for the starters job next year.
Key Matchups
Week 2 vs. Kansas City: The Browns could start 2-0, opening with Tampa on the road before hosting the Chiefs. The bad news is that the next seven games are against five playoff teams plus Pittsburgh and Atlanta, so the Browns need the momentum they can get from a good start.
Week 12 vs. Carolina: You know how Favre got to play the Packers last year and McNabb will get to play the Eagles this year? This is the really crappy version of those games.
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh: Job saver? If Cleveland exceeds expectations this year, then beating the Steelers on the last day of the season could just earn Man-Genius another one-year extension.
