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Following a 4-12 season, the Cleveland Browns have undergone wholesale changes, from their front office to their coaching staff right down to the team roster.
Heading into the season, head coach Eric Mangini and company are faced with a brutal first-half schedule, as well as several position battles that need to be sorted out by the opening regular season game on Sept. 13.
In addition to the well-publicized standoff for the starting role at quarterback between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, the Browns also have competition at the unsettled positions of center, wide receiver, safety, tight end, and running back.
Mangini might have been tipping his hand on which direction he’ll go in at quarterback when he observed: "[Quinn] has done a really outstanding job in the off-season program. Not that Derek hasn't done well, but [Quinn] has the edge, so he took the first reps. . .there is no overwhelming significance to that."
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks: Brady Quinn’s short-lived experience as the number-one signal caller last year yielded uneven results. While he seemed in complete control of the offense in some moments, Quinn also displayed some flaws in his accuracy. Rifle-armed Derek Anderson will try his best to outperform the Notre Dame product, who is looking like the early favorite. The 6’6” Anderson doesn’t offer the Browns the same type of mobility Quinn does and has trouble reading defenses, as evidenced by his 35 interceptions in 31 games as a pro. Former Jet Brett Ratliff is the emergency option. The 24-year-old signal caller is still raw, but has showed signs of being the type of triggerman who can connect on deep routes.
Running Backs: The soon-to-be 30-year-old Jamal Lewis is the lead back going into the season, even though his 2008 performance was nowhere year what he provided the year prior. The burly runner barely eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark and showed little burst during most of the 2008 season. To be fair though, Lewis was also victimized by a passing attack that couldn’t get off the ground, leaving him very little room to operate. The 5’9” 205-pound James Harrison is a speedy scat back that’s offered glimpses of his breakaway ability, but is probably best suited as a third-down back. Rookie James Davis is someone to keep an eye on late in the season. Once viewed as the number-one collegiate back, the Clemson product is a quick runner with the ability to make defenders miss, but isn’t much of a pass blocker or receiver. Noah Herron is a short-yardage back that needs to flash some special teams ability to make the team.
 Wide Receivers: The ultra-talented but enigmatic Braylon Edwards is the cream of the Cleveland receiving crop. The tall wide out is a smooth route runner with the ability to go deep and out-jump the competition. Edwards, however, often lost focus last season and led the league in dropped passes with 16. The former Wolverine has the physical tools to bounce back from an awful year which saw his touchdowns drop from 16 to three. Cleveland addressed the lack of depth at this position by drafting Brain Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi. Robiskie, in particular, seems to be polished enough to contribute as a rookie. The second-round pick’s size, route running, and Velcro hands should make him a factor in the red zone. Massaquoi, on the other hand, is very elusive after the catch and possesses solid leadership qualities. David Patten and Mike Furrey will add a veteran presence and combine with the rookies to replace Donte’ Stallworth and Joe Juruvicius. The 35-year-old Patten, aka the “Little General,” is a shifty player that knows how to get open from the slot position, while Furrey is an agile route runner whose play really fell off after Mike Martz departed Detroit last season. Syndric Steptoe will also compete for a roster spot.
Tight Ends: It’s hard to identify who’ll step in as Kellen Winslow Jr’s replacement as the starter in this group, which includes Steve Heiden, Robert Royal, and Martin Rucker. Heiden (6’5” 270 pounds) is the biggest of the bunch and moves much better than you think. The nine-year veteran, however, will be hard pressed to be physically ready to compete by training camp given the fact that he’s recovering from both a torn ACL and MCL. Royal is a plodding tight end who’ll primarily serve as a blocker. Rucker should be the most relevant of the three in terms of offensive production due to his receiver-like route running and ability to adjust to poorly thrown passes.
Offensive Line: All-world left tackle Joe Thomas is the headliner of this show. The nimble lineman is an outstanding pass protector who uses his long arms and flawless technique to keep speed rushers at bay. But even Thomas couldn’t prevent Cleveland from taking a step back last year. The running game was a colossal disappointment as it went from being a top-10 team in that department to ranking 26th. Coach Mangini has added some beef to the unit by enlisting the services of right tackle John St. Clair, who is by no means a showstopper, but is a sturdy run blocker who won’t get pushed back. Veteran heavyweight Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack was brought in from Seattle and will add versatility to the line with his ability to play both guard and tackle. However, Womack’s injury history makes him a stopgap option at best. Over at left guard, the coaching staff seems to favor the wider Rex Hadnot over Eric Steinbach, who’s recently been plagued by back problems. Rookie Alex Mack will go mano a mano with Hank Fraley for the starting center position. Formerly of the Eagles, Fraley wasn’t as physical as Cleveland envisioned, which explains the team’s selection of Mack in the first round. The California product is tall, athletic, and keeps his legs churning downfield once he’s past the first level.
DEPTH CHART
| 2 |
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| 3 |
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FS |
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SS |
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| 4 |
CB |
BRADNEY POOL |
OLB |
ILB |
ILB |
OLB |
ERIC BARTON |
CB |
| 5 |
ERIC WRIGHT |
MIKE ADAMS |
WILLIE MCGINEST |
BEAU BELL |
D'QWELL JACKSON |
KAMERION WIMBLEY |
NICK SORENSEN |
BRANDON MCDONALD |
| 6 |
MIKE ADAMS |
ABRAM ELAM |
PHILLIP HUNT |
LEON WILLIAMS |
KRIS GRIFFIN |
ALEX HALL |
BRET LOCKETT |
GERARD LAWSON |
| 7 |
COREY IVY |
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KALUKA MAIAVA |
JONATHAN FOSTER |
MARCUS BENARD |
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HANK POTEAT |
| 8 |
K |
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BO RUUD |
ERIC BARTON |
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DON CAREY |
| 9 |
PHIL DAWSON |
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LDE |
NT |
RDE |
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COYE FRANCIES |
| 10 |
P |
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COREY WILLIAMS |
SHAUN RODGERS |
ROBAIRE SMITH |
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BRYAN WILLIAMS |
| 11 |
DAVE ZASTUDIL |
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LAVIS LEONARD |
SHAUN SMTIH |
BRIAN SCHAEFRING |
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COREY BOUDREAUX |
| 12 |
COACH |
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C.J. MOSLEY |
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DAVID VAIKUME |
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JASON VENSON |
| 13 |
ERIC MANGINI |
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KENYON COLEMAN |
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ADAM HOPPEL |
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NATHRAIN NESS |
| 14 |
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ANTONIO SMITH |
| 15 |
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| 16 |
WR |
LT |
LG |
C |
RG |
RT |
TE |
WR |
| 17 |
PAUL HUBBARD |
JOE THOMAS |
ERIC STEINBACH |
HANK FRALEY |
REX HADNOT |
KEVIN SHAFFER |
MARTIN RUCKER |
BRAYLON EDWARDS |
| 18 |
JOSH CRIBBS |
FLOYD WOMACK |
MARLON DAVIS |
ALEX MACK |
BRANNDON BRAXTON |
ISSAC SOWELLS |
STEVE HEIDEN |
SYNDRIC STEPTOE |
| 19 |
BRIAN ROBISKIE |
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JOHN ST. CLAIR |
ROBERT ROYAL |
MOHAMED MASSAQUOI |
| 20 |
MIKE FURREY |
FB |
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QB |
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RB |
MIKE MASSEY |
JORDAN NORWOOD |
| 21 |
DAVID PATTEN |
LAWRENCE VICKERS |
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DEREK ANDERSON |
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JAMAL LEWIS |
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BRENT CASTEEL |
| 22 |
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CHARLES ALI |
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BRADY QUINN |
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JAMES DAVIS |
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| 23 |
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RICHARD BARTEL |
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JEROME HARRISON |
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| 24 |
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BRETT RATLIFF |
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NOAH HERRON |
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| 25 |
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DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Nose tackle Shaun Rogers is often a man among boys along the line of scrimmage, dominating blockers with his sheer size (6’4” 350-pounds) while using his amazing agility to blow by would-be blockers. If the massive veteran could somehow improve his stamina, he’d rank right up there with Albert Haynesworth among interior linemen. Backup Ahtyba Rubin has the body mass to hold up versus double-teams. The picture isn’t quite as rosy at defensive end, where former Packer Corey Williams proved ill-suited for the 3-4 defense by only registering a half-sack after two consecutive seasons of seven quarterback takedowns. The Browns have also brought in former Jet Kenyon Coleman as a result of trading down with their fifth-round pick. Coleman will seldom distinguish himself due to his inability to read what’s in front of him. Reserves include Robaire Smith, who’s returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Shaun Smith, whose loud mouth and constantly expanding waistline are making him an unpopular figure in the Forest City.
 Linebackers: Inside ‘backer D’Qwell Jackson is an instinctive defender with the quickness to immediately stop most ballcarriers in their tracks. Joining Jackson on the inside is the sturdy Eric Barton, who packs a wallop, but whose lateral range in stopping the run doesn’t make up for his lack of speed in pass coverage. Barton may take a back seat to rookie David Veikune, who played defensive end as a collegiate. The former Warrior quickly reads offenses and can shed blockers with his impressive hand skills. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be lined up on the inside or outside. Weak-side ‘backer Kamerion Wimbley is out of excuses after two sub-par seasons. After a fast start with 11 sacks in his rookie year, Wimbley has combined for only nine over his past two campaigns. What’s more troubling is the lack of quarterback pressures he generated in his third year, as the Browns ranked next-to-last in sacks with 17, down from 28 the year prior. David Bowens, another Jet castoff, is a pass-rushing specialist on the strong side. Second-year man Alex Hall is a younger version of Bowens, but is a liability versus the run. Rookie Kaluka Maiava will have to make plays on special teams to earn his keep.
Secondary: Cleveland’s defensive backfield actually made some strides in 2008 despite injuries and a virtually non-existent pass rush. Brown corners and safeties combined to reduce passing touchdowns allowed from 29 to 19. This year’s group will once again be led by cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. McDonald is a quick and fluid cover man who had his share of ups and downs in 2008, but bounced back nicely after an embarrassing performance versus Denver. He ended up leading the team with five pickoffs. Eric Wright is a big-play defender with exceptional closing speed, but he faded down the stretch. The undersized Corey Ivy is a tough nickel back, as is the versatile Hank Poteat. Rookie corners Don Carey and Coye Francies are big and agile players who can both provide good run support. Newcomer Abram Elam should have the upper hand over Mike Adams at free safety. The athletic Elam is a risk taker who makes big plays and is also victimized by them. The concussion-prone Brodney Pool mans the strong side. The 25-year-old needs to be more of a difference maker.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Phil Dawson is a top-notch place-kicker who converted 30 of 36 field goal tries. Punter Dave Zastudil saved his job last season by significantly improving his gross and net averages. Though his numbers were down in 2008, Joshua Cribbs is one of the best return men in the business. The Kent State product combines power and vision in his runbacks.
CLEVELAND BROWNS OFF-SEASON TRACKER
Acquired
QB Brett Ratliff (trade)
WR David Patten
OT John St. Clair
OT Floyd Womack
TE Robert Royal
DE Kenyon Coleman (trade)
DE C.J. Mosley
LB Eric Barton
LB Bo Ruud
CB Corey Ivy
CB Hank Poteat
S Abram Elam (trade)
Drafted
RB James Davis, Clemson
WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
WR Mohamed Massaquoi
OC Alex Mack, California
DE David Veikune, Hawaii
LB Kaluka Maiava
CB Coye Francies, San Jose State
CB Don Carey, Norfolk State
Undrafted Free Agents
WR Jordan Norwood, Penn State
WR Brent Casteel, Utah
TE Mike Massey, Michigan
OL Marlon Davis, Alabama
OL Branndon Braxton, Oklahoma
DL Adam Hoppel, Cincinnati
DB Corey Boudreaux, San Diego State
DB Antonio Smith, Bowling Green
DB Jason Venson, Central Florida
DB Nathrain Ness,,Arizona
DB Bryan Williams, Akron
LB Marcus Benard, Jackson State
LB Jonathan Foster, Central State
LB Phillip Hunt, Houston
S Bret Lockett, UCLA
Re-signed
FB Charles Ali
WR Syndric Steptoe
CB Mike Adams
Departures
QB Ken Dorsey (released)
QB Bruce Gradkowski (released)
RB Jason Wright: UFA Cardinals; $2M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown
WR Joe Jurevicius (released)
TE Kellen Winslow (traded Buccaneers)
TE Darnell Dinkins: UFA Saints; 1 yr, terms unknown
OT Eric Young (failed physical)
OT Kevin Shaffer (released)
OG Scott Young: UFA Broncos; terms unknown
C/G Seth McKinney: UFA Bills; terms unknown
LB Antwan Peek (released/failed physical)
LB Andra Davis: UFA Broncos; $5M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown
CB Terry Cousin (released)
CB Travis Daniels: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown
S Sean Jones: UFA Eagles; $3M/1 yr, guarantees unknown
PK Jason Reda (released)
P Mike Dragosavich (released)
Unsigned
TE Brad Cieslak (ERFA rights terminated)
OL Lennie Friedman
DE Chase Pittman (not tendered as ERFA)
LB Kris Griffin
LB Willie McGinest
LB Shantee Orr
CB Daven Holly
PROJECTION
This year’s version of the Browns is loaded with question marks that may take an entire season to be answered. A brutal first-half schedule won’t help matters, as Mangini’s disciplinarian act may wear thin if the wins don’t come quickly. Some of the new coaching staff’s concepts may finally start sinking in at the end of the season, but it won’t matter at that point. The Browns’ projected record is 5-11.
Photo Credit: OSU Athletics, Hawaii University
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