The Cleveland Indians didn’t deal with last year’s success very well, and now it’s the Cleveland Browns turn. The Brownies narrowly missed the playoffs last season with a 10-6 record, and now many experts are projecting the brown and orange to get to the post-season for the first time since 2002. Expectations are high in our city. Fans expect this football team to have a very good season. Training camp starts today so let the hype machine begin.
Last year, the Cleveland defense had a problem stopping the run. So, GM Phil Savage went out and traded for defensive linemen Corey Williams from Green Bay and Shaun Rogers from Detroit to shore up the area. He gave up cornerback Leigh Bodden and draft picks to get them, and Savage’s aggressiveness is just one more reason for football fans in Northeast Ohio to be excited. Savage seems to understand that Browns’ fans are tired of waiting for a contender, and last season’s near miss just heightened their anticipation.
There is no question that the improvement of the defense is the key to a winning season. Early last season, the unit was abysmal, but got better as the year went on. Fortunately, the offense put up points at a rapid rate, and the Browns stole some victories. If this year’s defense, under new coordinator Mel Tucker, can move into the top half of the league’s rankings, it should be a fun fall and winter down at the lakefront.
While the line is stronger due to Savage’s acquisitions, the secondary, particularly at cornerback appears shaky. With the trade of Bodden and the season ending injury to Davin Holly, the starters are second year men Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald. There isn’t much depth either with veteran Terry Cousins as the nickel corner, and the fourth cornerback spot is very much up for grabs. However, the improvement up front could lessen the load on these guys.
The offense should still put up points if guys like Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Jamal Lewis remain healthy. Derek Anderson gets more support nationally than he does in Cleveland, but why shouldn’t he be better with a year’s experience under his belt. And, of course, Brady Quinn is here, meaning Romeo Crennel has a good option as a back up should Anderson be a one-hit wonder. The depth at wide receiver with Joe Jurevicius hurt, and at running back behind Lewis could be problematic, and is something to watch in the exhibition (read: pre-season) games.
It’s been a long time since Cleveland can feel good about its football team. Let’s hope the Brownies have a little bit more luck than the Indians is carrying things over from last year.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 