NFL Preview: Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns


Key Additions:
DT Phil Taylor (draft)
WR Greg Little (draft)
DE Jabaal Sheard (draft)
G John Greco (trade)
CB Dimitri Patterson (FA)
S Usama Young (FA)
RB Brandon Jackson (FA)


Key Departures:
DE Kenyon Coleman
QB Jake Delhomme
S Abram Elam
LB/DE Matt Roth 
WR Chansi Stuckey 
FB Lawrence Vickers 
G Floyd Womack 
CB Eric Wright 




Report:
Cleveland experienced another lousy season, and Cleveland fans are used to it. Luckily, they have their quarterback for the future. QB Colt McCoy dropped in the draft because of his height. He fell to Cleveland and they are excited to have him. RB Peyton Hillis had a surprising season last year. The Madden cover athlete is trying not to be a one year wonder. Receiver is not a deep position the Browns. Brian Robiskie and Joshua Cribbs are the expected starters on opening day. Rookie Greg Little is a tall receiver you can get the jump balls. WR Mohamed Massaquoi will be entered in the line-up once he returns from injury. TE Benjamin Watson had his best season last year, and is a great target for McCoy. The offensive line a sturdy, especially Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. 


Rookies are going to be called upon early. Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard are going to start on a below average defensive line. Linebacker is another position that lacks talent and depth. Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong are stable players at linebacker. D'Qwell Jackson is listed top on the depth chart, though he has only played 6 games in the past two seasons. Secondary, on the other hand, is young and full of potential. CB's Joe Haden and Sheldon Brown are a good pair. Haden had a fantastic rookie year intercepting 6 passes. T.J. Ward had a great rookie year making that class good. 


K Phil Dawson is a longtime NFL kicker. P Richmond McGee was picked up from the Chicago Bears. KR Joshua Cribbs is one of the league's top returners, but with the new kickoff rule its not sure how much his impact will be. 


Review:
The Browns are a team that is building for the future. They may not have won much last year, but they showed they can beat quality opponents by defeating New Orleans and New England in consecutive weeks. If McCoy can develop into a good quarterback and Hillis continues what he did last season they should be able to contend in every game. They just won't have any shot at winning the division. 


Division Finish: TBA