2009 Browns Preview: The Cleveland Browns Lay A Great Pumpkin

AFC NORTH
4. Cleveland Browns
Projected Record: 4-12

Offense: C
Defense: D
Coaching: F

What’s new: The most notable is the coaching staff. Unfortunately, it’s Eric Mangini who is charge. After having players quit on him and after mismanaging the Brett Favre situation with the Jets, Mangini somehow duped another franchise into giving him a chance. Mangini still has the marginal talent that was left by former co-worker Romeo Crennell.

What’s good: Well, the Browns have two quarterbacks that are better than serviceable. Personally I like Derek Anderson way more than Brady Quinn, who will never amount to anything more than an average NFL QB. It looks as if Cleveland is going with Quinn to start the season. The offensive line, at least the left side of it, is also pretty good. Defensively, Shaun Rogers can put his claim in of being one of the best nose tackles in the game.


DO NOT START THIS MAN!

What’s bad: The Browns have two quarterbacks, which means they really have none. I see at least one quarterback change coming during the season…if not more. Jamal Lewis as the premier running back is a mistake. Forget having serious miles on him. His odometer broke off long ago. Braylon Edwards is still a very good target, but will be doubled-teamed all year after the Browns traded away Kellen Winslow. Other than Rogers and D’Qwell Jackson, the defense doesn’t have much on it.

What to expect: Unless Edwards stops dropping passes at an alarming rate, and unless one of the quarterbacks has a phenomenal year (not impossible since Anderson did have a good 2007), the Browns are going to be awful. They will be hard-pressed to compete with Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the North. They may have the worst coach in the NFL. They may have one of the three or four worst defenses in the NFL. For a franchise that was so close to being a contender two seasons ago, it’s almost shocking to see how far the Browns have fallen.