2008 NFL Season Preview: #8 Cleveland Browns

Division: AFC North
Last Years Record: 10-6
Head Coach: Romeo Crennel
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Chudzinski
Defensive Coordinator: Mel Tucker

Key Additions:
DT Corey Williams
G Rex Hadnot
WR Donte Stallworth
DT Shaun Rogers

Key Losses:
CB Leigh Bodden
WR Tim Carter
DT Ethan Kelley
LB Chaun Washington

Offensive Breakdown:
Last season the Cleveland Browns reached double digits in victories for the first time since 1994. With a 10-6 record, they tied for the division lead but missed the playoffs due to their inability to beat their hated division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is a brutal rivalry that I got to know in that 1994 season. We had just moved to a suburb of Cleveland from Hawaii, we lived in Brook Park about a block away from the Browns old practice facility. The team was led by a future "genius" in Bill Belichick and was full of studs(at least in this 11 year-old's mind) like Vinny Testaverde, Eric Metcalf, Michael Jackson(the wide receiver not the pederast), Pepper Johnson, a young Keenan McCardell, and an old Earnest Byner. It was a weird time to move to Cleveland; the city was being rejuvenated by the building of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the openings of Jacobs Field and Gund Arena (say that really fast). But the Browns needed a new football stadium and their owner Art Modell felt slighted because the politicians were ignoring his plea for a new stadium. A year later the news was announced that the Browns would leave, at that point we had already moved on to Rhode Island, but the pain I felt for the fans was very real. Everyone in Cleveland did not like the Cavaliers or the Indians, but everyone I met was a Brown fan and their team of 50 years was stolen from them. I can imagine last seasons fantastic run healed a lot of wounds, but I know Art Modell will never be welcomed in Cleveland again. In defense of Art Modell, the Cleveland politicians are as much to blame for the Browns removal from Cleveland. They had just given the Indians and Cavaliers a new stadium, built a new mall adjacent with Gund Arena, a new science museum, and built the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. All the while ,the Browns wishes were ignored. The city would eventually get their franchise back and this time the city would hold ownership, so that their beloved Browns would never leave again. In 1999, the Browns and their fans finally got a new stadium to call home.

The first couple years in the new stadium were forgettable, the Browns would go through QB after QB looking for the next Brian Sipe or Bernie Kosar. All they needed was someone who could play with some consistency.The Browns found that starting quarterback they had been looking for since their rebirth in 1999. Derek Anderson took over as the starting quarterback after the second quarter of the first game, when starter Charlie Frye's ineffectiveness got him pulled from the game. As Charlie Frye was warming the bench in Seattle, Derek Anderson in his first start (the second game of the season) was busy throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. His passer rating for the game was an astounding 121.0 as the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 51-45, solidifying Anderson's role. Anderson finished the season with a 10-5 record and 29 touchdown passes(just one shy of Brian Sipes 1980 record of 30). Anderson's remarkable rise would have its bumps and bruises throughout the season, he threw 19 interceptions as he tried to force throws far to often. In 2007, Anderson was basically a rookie and should improve with the experience he has gained and the work he put into his short passes in the off season.

Jamal Lewis' season may have been as unpredictable as Andersons', it looked as if his best seasons were behind him. The Browns took a one-year chance on Lewis and it paid off well. Jamal Lewis' often carried the team on his back down the stretch as he ran for 1,304 yards. In the off season he was rewarded with a new three-year deal worth $17 million. If the former 2000 yard rusher can match his exploits of last season, the Browns will be playing in January. He is joined in the backfield by fullback Lawrence Vickers, who takes out linebackers with authority and can run the ball well when needed(8 0f 9, on 3rd and 1 last season). Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison are valuable backups to Lewis. Wright knows his role as a change of pace player and plays it well.

The Browns did very little in the off season to mess with the offense but they did make one signing that should help Braylon Edwards immensely. They signed wide receiver Donte Stallworth to start opposite of Edwards, Stallworth will be the downfield threat to open the middle for Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. This should also help when the Browns go to three receiver sets, as Joe Jurevicius could be dangerous out of the slot. The acquisition will help the Browns control the ball more on offense, giving their defense more rest and should result in more production in the redzone. Kellen Winslow Jr. is the starting tight end and in the off season went through his usual knee surgery, that has been common place since his motorcycle accident. Kellen Winslow Jr. has developed into one of the most consistent tight ends in the NFL, but he is consistently playing with pain and there is no telling how long he can manage to play through it. As a precautionary measure the Browns drafted tight end Marcus Rucker out of Missouri, he is a pass catching tight end and should offer some stability.

The offensive line deserves a lot credit for the Browns ressurgence, they allowed only only 14 sacks on Anderson in his 15 starts. The line is stacked with Joe Thomas at left tackle, Eric Steinbach at left guard, Hank Fraley at center, Ryan Tucker at right guard, and Kevin Shaffer at right tackle. They formed a wall for Anderson to do his job worry free. Depth is not an issue in Cleveland as they signed Rex Hadnot in free agency as a utility backup. Seth McKinney and Lennie Friedman who were both resigned are good guard/center backups. The only question is how healthy is LeCharles Bentley, who signed a monster deal in 2006 and subsequently tore his right patellar tendon. He has not played since, if he can play it will add even more depth to a deep line.

Defensive Breakdown:
The Browns biggest goal in the off season was to fortify its defensive line. Phil Savage came through with the acquistions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, both are coming off of seven sack performances. In Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense, the lineman don't need to rack up stats. All they need to do is tie up the offensive lineman so the linebackers can act as the playmakers. Both acquisitions should have no problem with eating up space. They will joined by Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith in a four-man rotation, to give each man plenty of time to rest. This should help the defense improve against the run (allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season). The only worry is the depth, if any of the aformentioned lineman get injured for an extended period of time, the Browns' plan will be ruined.

The linebacking core should benefit from the improved defensive line, especially inside linebackers Andra Davis and D'Qwell Jackson. Andra slipped last season as he saw his tackles drop from 133 to 104, but some of that can be attributed to Leon Williams playing more. Expect Williams to get more playing time, as Davis will be a free agent at the end of the season. Kamerion Wimbley is the right outside linebacker, has played extremely well but offenses have adapted to his quickness off the edge. He will need to adapt if wants to get his numbers back to what they were his rookie year, where he had 11 sacks(he only had 4 last season). He will joined on the outside by Antwan Peek, who was nagged by injuries all last season. Rookie Beau Bell can deliver punishing hits but isn't schooled enough to be an every down player yet. Veteran Willie McGinestt is back for his 15th season, he offers some depth and some leadership that is needed on such a young team.

The improved defensive line will help out the secondary as well. This unit gave up 29 touchdown passes last season and traded starter Leigh Bodden in the Rogers deal. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald will be the starters at corner, and should improve with the experience they have gained playing with safeties Brodney Poole and Sean Jones. McDonald is in a battle for the starting job with Daven Holley at right cornerback. The loser will get the job at the nickel back position. The Browns have signed some cornerbacks during training camp so they can add more depth.

Season Outlook:
The Browns face a tougher schedule, along with the rest of the AFC North, but they will be ready for it. They are hungry from missing the playoffs in 2007, and they will not be satisfied until they make it to January. I see them winning 12 games, and becoming a force in the AFC.

Schedule:
Week 1: Sep 07 Dallas 4:15 PM FOX
Week 2: Sep 14 Pittsburgh 8:15 PM NBC
Week 3: Sep 21 @ Baltimore 4:15 PM CBS
Week 4: Sep 28 @ Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6: Oct 13 Giants 8:30 PM ESPN
Week 7:Oct 19 @ Washington 4:15 PM CBS
Week 8: Oct 26 @ Jacksonville 4:05 PM CBS
Week 9: Nov 02 Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS
Week 10:Nov 06 Denver 8:15 PM NFL NETWORK
Week 11: Nov 17 @ Buffalo 8:30 PM ESPN
Week 12: Nov 23 Houston 1:00 PM CBS
Week 13: Nov 30 Indy 1:00 PM CBS
Week 14: Dec 07 @ Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS
Week 15: Dec 15 @ Philadelphia 8:30 PM ESPN
Week 16: Dec 21 Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
Week 17: Dec 28 @ Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS