Browns '07 preview
The dog years in Cleveland have descended to depths so dreary that reaching .500 would be a howling success. Even after a blockbuster draft that delivered left tackle Joe Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn, 8-8 is as high as this team can realistically aspire this year.
Coach Romeo Crennel could feel some heat because the Browns turned in an ugly 4-12 flop in his second season. The offense has continued to sputter, and the team yet again will start a season with a new coordinator and starting quarterback.
The hope is Year 3 of the Phil Savage-Crennel regime will be a turning point for the team. A lot of that hinges on young talents such as linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and wide receiver Braylon Edwards becoming dominant players. If Thomas and Quinn perform ahead of the curve, the team could turn it around more quickly.
GAME PLAN
Offense: Most of the staff is new, starting with coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who wants to install an attack style of offense that maximizes the talents of Edwards, tight end Kellen Winslow and new running back Jamal Lewis. That will mean fewer of the quick outs and dump passes that went nowhere last season and more downfield throws to Edwards. However, a lot will ride on the development of Quinn. The new scheme will rely a lot more on audibles, which will help the Browns when opponents load the box against Lewis.
Defense: Crennel and coordinator Todd Grantham have extensive knowledge of the 3-4 scheme, but the defense unraveled in 2006 after showing promise in '05. Cornerback injuries contributed to the unit's woes; the team was forced to provide extra help deep and adhere to more of a "bend but don't break" philosophy. Improved line depth could help the linebackers excel, and if rookie Eric Wright breaks through early at cornerback, Grantham could be more liberal and unpredictable with blitzes.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
QB Brady Quinn: Last season, Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson didn't prove they could be winning starters. Chances are better than even that Quinn will move ahead of them in training camp and secure the job.
Quinn has the maturity and talent to start right away, and he'll likely be given more latitude than most rookies to call audibles. His transition to the NFL will be helped by the training he received from Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who worked with Crennel on the Patriots' staff. Quinn must answer questions about his accuracy and ability to thrive in big games.
RB Jamal Lewis: The Browns have reason to hope Lewis will be an upgrade over Reuben Droughns. Though Lewis might not regain the elite form he showed in 2003, he is bigger and faster than Droughns and still might be able to wear down opponents if the team feeds him the ball. The Browns are counting on Lewis to be a strong inside option.
OLB Willie McGinest: McGinest, who starts opposite Wimbley, isn't the same player he was in his prime with the Patriots, but he was the Browns' best all-around linebacker in 2006. Perhaps just as important, McGinest, 35, was a valuable mentor to Wimbley. This year, he could help free-agent pickup Antwan Peek, who will get plenty of work as the No. 3 outside 'backer. Already a dangerous edge rusher, Peek is expected to improve as a run defender.
C LeCharles Bentley: Whether Quinn assumes the starting job or Anderson retains the role, the quarterback will benefit from better protection up front. And the healthy return of Bentley, who missed all of the 2006 season with a left knee injury after signing a lucrative free-agent deal that offseason, will go a long way in providing more security.
CB Eric Wright: The secondary got a huge lift when the Browns drafted Wright, who has the speed and instincts to start right away. The coaches believe he has outgrown his character issues.
VINNIE IYER'S TAKE
Cleveland is the weak sister in an otherwise strong division. It shapes up as a long season considering the lack of experience at quarterback and problems with the run defense.
Prediction: 3-13 (4th in the AFC North).
FALL FORECAST
Despite a few misses, Savage knows what he's doing with personnel and has systematically worked to straighten out a team that lacked a foundation. There now is enough talent to be competitive, and progress will be reflected in the wins column -- though that won't be tough to do considering the team went 4-12 in 2006.
An 8-8 record is realistic, given the latest infusion of talent and the development of the nucleus. The onus is on Crennel to field a team that looks like it's building toward a playoff run in 2008. If that doesn't happen, Savage will be looking for a new head coach in January.
Steve Doerschuk covers the Browns for the Canton Repository and Sporting News.
