Team Profile – Cleveland Browns

With the NFL Preseason under way, its time to take a look at the Cleveland Browns from a positional stand point.

QB – Frye was listed as the starter on the first depth chart, but that is meaningless. Quinn is is finally in camp, and I do expect him to be the starter during the year (Hint – Week 8 after the bye when the team is 2-4). I don’t like Derek Anderson and Ken Dorsey doesn’t deserve to be in the NFL or CFL. Barring MASSIVE over achievement by the team, theres no reason Quinn shouldn’t be starting by the end of the year. Grade – C+, Quinn saves this group and gives it hope

RB – Not to happy at this position. I don’t like Jamal Lewis and his “stutter-step” at the line then hit the whole thing. His YPC the past two seasons? 3.4 and 3.6. The only thing I can hope for is that he has a huge year to earn a new contract that some dumb GM will hand out to him. Backing him up is Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison. Grade D, RB is a position that needs some talent infusion.

WR – This is a big year for Braylon Edwards. However, I don’t think he will have one, especially if he has to get thrown to by ANOTHER QB, and a rookie at that. He is far from a bust though. Once a game he will make a play that shows you how talented he is. The Pittsburgh game at home last year was a very good showcase of the skills he has. Hes just been thrown in to a terrible situation. Jurevicius is a solid #2, and hopefully Travis Wilson won’t be useless. I hope Tim Carter falls into Lake Erie. Grade – C+, Decent unit that could be good if Braylon steps up this year.

TE – KII has amazing hands and Heiden is a good #2 TE. I am very worried for KII though. He was safety valve at best last year and was dragging his leg across the field. Hes had microfracture surgery and now hes apparently “fine.” I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m a big fan of his though, and hes one of the few bright spots on the team. Grade – B, if KII goes down, then a D.

T – Thomas should start at LT and Shaffer at RT. This is a solid unit with upside. Thomas will have his bad games, but so will the rest of the team. Grade B, I think Thomas is going to be a very solid LT.

G – People say guards are overrated, but the team needed some talent infusion in the offensive line and had cap space. Steinbach can even play some T if needed. Seth McKinney will probably be playing RG. Grade – B-, Steinbach is good, McKinney is mediocre

C – Fraley played well last year, all things considered and I was glad the team resigned him. I’m not counting on Bentley for anything, even if he does come back. I find it pretty hard to believe that he will be anywhere near as good as he once was. Grade C+

DL – This is not a good unit. Ted Washington is ancient and I’m surprised he came back. I doubt Oshinowo will amount to anything. As for DE, the two Smith’s, Robaire and Shaun can’t be much worse than their counterparts last year. I still don’t expect very much from them. With all the talk of how teams are using the 3-4 and drafting these “sack monster” OLB’s, no one ever mentions that its really damn hard to find a NT. Grade D-, Probably the biggest weakness on the team, this unit teamed up with a young LB core is a formula for problems.

OLB – Wimbley is a great pass rusher, and he should have another double digit sack year. McGinest is old and already injured – I’m not expecting much from him. Antwan Peek will be replacing him. Grade B, Wimbley is very good at pass rushing although Peek brings the grade of this unit down.

ILB – I hope D’qwell Jackson can stay healthy and continue to develop. His counterpart, Andra Davis is a controversial subject among Browns fans. While he led the team in tackles last year, some people feel that it is misleading and his tackles come 10 yards downfield. His backup, Leon Williams played very well when the team was tanking last year, and I’d like to see him see the field somehow. Grade C, D’qwell needs to stay healthy and make strides.

CB – Bodden will start and Eric (NOT Kenny) Wright SHOULD start opposite him. With a young, rebuilding team, theres no reason to have a top pick sitting on the bench. Eric Wright had some off the field issues that hurt his stock, but Phil filled a major need by drafting him. I personally feel Bodden is a little overrated, but solid. Eric Wright was a first round talent that slipped to due getting caught with ecstasy and rape charges that were dropped. The two of them could be a very good combo someday. Theres always a chance that Gary Baxter will actually play too! Kenny Wright needs to fall into Lake Eric too, I saw enough of him on the Redskins. Grade B, if Bodden and Eric Wright start, C, if Bodden and Kenny Wright start.

S – Brodney Pool needs to continue to develop and I expect a pretty big year from Sean Jones. He is a good playmaker in the secondary. For a player comp, think of a poor man’s Ed Reed. I even think Jones might make a few Pro-Bowls in years to come. Grade B, Jones will make some plays, Pool needs to develop some more.

PR/KR – Cribbs is decent on returns. Northcutt was actually a pretty good PR but he dropped way to many passes. Grade C+

I expect two outcomes from the team this year, I can’t really decide which will happen though.

#1. The team has another 4-12 year. Quinn gets put in Week 8.

#2. The team overachieves and suprises a few teams, a la the Texans last year.

Their schedule is not easy by any means and I can’t see them winning anymore than 6 games either way.