Cleveland Browns Report Card

I take you back 20 years. It was the eve of the 1988 NFL football season. While some people chose to use journals as an outlet for their feelings, keeping it hidden from any wandering eyes, I chose a plain notebook and filled it with my writings about the Cleveland Browns. I used the News Herald, the local Lake County newspaper, as my template writing several paragraphs of anecdotal review and opinion, a position by position report card for each individual game, quarter by quarter scoring recap, important statistical categories and predictions for the following week that included who was stronger at each position, keys to the game for both sides and finally the final score.

Without going into that much detail, this is my preview of the 2008 Cleveland Browns. I plan to post my predictions of the upcoming year in the near future.

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Derek Anderson returns after a break out year. He cooled significantly in the second half leading to some concern for the upcoming year. With the first round draft pick, Brady Quinn, waiting in the wings, Anderson needs to play well to avoid a brimming QB controversy which can quickly divide a team and begin a downward spiral. What Anderson brings is a strong arm, year of experience, chemistry with the multiple weapons in Cleveland's offense and head coach who does not question his spot as the starting QB as they open the year. What Anderson needs to improve is his touch on the shorter passes and consistency through the entire regular season.
GRADE:B-

Running Back:Jamal Lewis returns after a solid year rushing for 1,304 yards for a 4.4 average per carry. He was a huge surprise and big reason why the offense had so much success last year. It is going to be critical that he repeats this performance this coming year as the depth at RB is not strong. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison are nice change of pace backs but they cannot carry the load. Look for Harrison to open a few eyes this season coming out of the backfield and on third downs and make sure you say you read it here first when he does. I don't anticipate All Pro numbers, just some added firepower and highlight plays.
GRADE:B

Wide Receiver: 2007 was a breakout year for Braylon Edwards. He made some dazzling plays that belong on "Top Plays" with the ESPN Sportscenter chime playing in the background. But he also missed balls that I think I could catch. It will be important that he finds more consistency this year. The addition of Donte Stallworth by GM Phil Savage was key with the staff infection (where have we heard this before) to Joe Jurevicious. He should bring a deep threat and winning experience with him. Other wideouts battling for the last spots include Travis Wilson, Syndric Steptoe, Efrem Hill, Kevin Kasper and more. Joshua Cribbs has locked in a spot with is returning abilities but more on that later. Wilson has shown flashes and Steptoe has shown promise on special teams as well. Kasper can't avoid the injury bug and Hill may be the odd man out. The WR spot behind Stallworth and Edwards will be key to the depth of this offense.
GRADE: B

Tight Ends: Kellen Winslow has matured quite a bit since he was drafted by Butch Davis. He is a legit top three TE in this conference if not league. It is a luxury to have him as another legitimate threat in the passing game helping the WRs should the backups not live up to expectations. His backup Steve Heiden is good enough to start on numerous NFL teams in my mind and gives the Browns depth at this position.
GRADE: A-


Offensive Line: Coming into the preseason I was high on this unit. Finally, it seemed like my Cleveland Browns had a strong offensive line. Not since the days of Mike Baab, Cody Riesen and Paul Farren (although I called him Paul Flag-en since he was either holding or false starting) have we had a line that actually allowed a QB to throw the ball on time and opened holes for RBs to run threw. The drafting of Joe Thomas and signing of Eric Steinbach as well as the emergency trade for Hank Fraley put Phil Savage atop the ladder in Cleveland GMs. But thus far in the preseason, they have looked downright abysmal!! I am getting Tim Couch flashbacks with the pressure being put on Quinn and Anderson and Dorsey. No holes for the RBs. It is really discouraging. So which line will show up this season? The line from 2007 or the line from this preseason?
GRADE: D- (if the preseason line shows up) B+ (if the 2007 line appears)

Overall Offense: C
Due to the Offensive line and the fact that everything stems from this unit and they are not looking good.


DEFENSE
Safeties: Sean Jones and Brodney Pool will start at the safety positions this year. Both safeties are solid but they need a stronger pass rush to help alleviate some pressure put on them in the secondary. For example Sean Jones was second on the team in tackles with 96. In a 3-4 defense, the linebackers need to be leading the team in tackles.
GRADE: C+

Cornerbacks: Leigh Bodden was traded and Devan Holly is injured leaving Eric Wright in his second year and Brandon McDonald, also in his second year as our starting cornerbacks. I liked what I saw out of both of them last year but, like the O Line, worry after what I have witnessed this preseason. The Giants absolutely destroyed and exposed Wright making him look bad....real bad. Against the Lions, every time I looked up a Lions receiver was wide open. Once again, which version of this position will show up this year? The 2007 cornerbacks? Or will the preseason cornerbacks appear?
GRADE: C (2007 version) F (Preseason 2008 version)

Linebackers: In a 3-4 the LBs are supposed to rack up tackles while the DL plugs the gaps. Last year the DL did not plug many gaps putting a big burden on the LBs as they tackled runners 3-4 yards beyond the line of scrimmage setting up manageable 2nd and 3rd downs for the opposing offenses and putting more pressure on the LBs to make plays. At the same time I have a hard time evaluating this position using stats because they are a bit inflated due to this system. Overall this position looks decent with some age and veteran leadership in Willie McGinest and Andra Davis as well as youth and athleticism with D'Qwell Jackson and Kameron Wimbly. Leon Williams in specific packages and Antwan Peek also show some promise. I feel Davis is overrated because his numbers may be a result of playing on mediocre to bad teams over the span of his career. McGinest is getting old. So all in all, this is a year Wimbly and Jackson need to come out. Watch Jackson. I feel a big year for him and remember.....say you read it here first when you do.
GRADE: C-

Defensive Line: Maybe the weakest position on the team last year, this unit has been revamped by Savage over the offseason. Key additions include Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Both players bring some talent to a struggling squad. Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith are serviceable but this unit must improve if the Browns are going to have any measured success on defense or as a team this year. Some sort of pass rush needs to exist to take the pressure off the DBs. Gaps need to be filled so the LBs can get in and tackle runners for 3-4 yard losses instead of gains. Pressure needs to be put on the opposing offense to convert 3rd and longs instead of 3rd and shorts. The DL, in my mind, is the most critical facet of this team this year. So far in the preseason....I have not see anything encouraging. Because of this observation, I am very pessimistic about the upcoming season.
GRADE: F

Overall Defense: D+
Again, one position brings this whole unit down.


SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicking Teams: Phil Dawson is as steady as they come. Some of those kicks against Buffalo in that blizzard last year were downright remarkable. His one weakness though is strength. From what I have seen in preseason, more specifically warm ups when I was at the game against the Jets, he must have raided Paul Byrd's locker and found some HGH. He was hitting them from 60 yards out. Granted, it's different with no rush or line in front of you, but the leg may be better than I thought. Dave Zastudil is a good punter. Point blank, he is good and dependable.
GRADE: A-

Return Teams: Joshua Cribbs was exciting to watch last year in this position. I hope he gets used in some QB/RB packages as well this year but one thing we know is he brings a legitimate threat to the return game. If he is not scoring he is changing field position in our favor. Not only does he return kicks well but he covers well too. Syndric Steptoe has shown some promise in the preseason as well. I doubt Cribbs will repeat last year's numbers because that rarely happens, but I feel he can still be considered a legitimate weapon returning kicks and punts changing momentum and the score in our direction.
GRADE: A

Coverage Teams: I'll be honest. I have a hard time feeling valid in my assessment of this dimension of the team because I am not football savvy enough know what is good and bad. I know Cribbs hustles and tackles. I don't recall giving up a large amount of touchdowns on special teams last year. So I would say this unit is solid.
GRADE: B+

COACHING/FRONT OFFICE
Coaching: Despite a 10-6 record last year I am still not sold on Romeo Crenel. Apparently the players like him. They seem to respond to him. Winslow's maturity may be a credit to Crenel's mentorship. A defensive minded coach, he should field a strong defensive team but that hasn't happened. It is highly possible that is a sign of the lack of talent more than coaching though. This year will be a make or break year for Romeo in my mind. TO get me to buy in, he needs to get this team to 8-8 at worst. It needs to be a solid 8-8, not smoke and mirrors 8-8.
GRADE: C-

Front Office: Phil Savage has won me over. Drafting Joe Thomas alone with that 3rd pick was a big winner. Getting Steinbach and Fraley were key acquisitions. Let's not forget he also signed LeCharles Bentley who didn't pan out due to injuries and (here we go again) staff infections, but was an All Pro at the time. He was able to use the draft to get Quinn and Wright. He drafted McDonald in the late rounds. He spent this offseason shoring up the WRs with Stallworth and getting much needed help on defense in Rogers and Williams. He also signed Lewis before last season as well which turned out well. He is a reason Derek Anderson is here starting too. Savage has won me over. There have been mistakes and there will be but if he keeps moving in this direction, the Browns will be a winner soon.
GRADE: A

Overall Assessment:
I worry very much after what I have seen in the preseason. I understand it's only preseason and Romeo has done a good job of not playing key guys with nagging injuries to avoid any serious damage, but there are scary signs that the first team offensive and defensive lines are in trouble. You win games in the trenches and those are the two weakest spots outside the defensive secondary which has zero depth. These three weaknesses may be lead to an ugly season. I know I usually go the way of pessimism with my teams, but this is legitimate, objective commentary that can't be explained away. I just hope these players show up in the regular season for real. There have been no encouraging signs this preseason.

OVERALL: C