Cleveland Browns Predictions
June 26, 2008
Cleveland was given five primetime games this season, an indication that someone in the NFL thinks the Browns will be a good team in 2008. That’s an outrageous amount of televised games for a team that failed to make the playoffs last year and a team that has only seen the postseason once since 1999. But they were awarded this many night games due to a 10-win season, an accomplishment that was more than worthy of a playoff berth last year. Let’s see how Cleveland handles things as the hunted rather than the hunter with our 2008 Cleveland Browns predictions and team preview below.
Offense:
The Browns feel good about their quarterback situation for the first time in a long time. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn give Cleveland two quality players that can lead their offense. Giving Anderson a three-year, $24 million extension indicates they are comfortable with him as their starter. His main problem was the 19 interceptions where many were costly down the stretch of the season. General manager Phil Savage called Quinn the future of the franchise. Now the Browns must manage the delicate problem of dealing with two quarterbacks who want to play.
Jamal Lewis proved his doubters wrong last season by carrying the Browns to 1,304 yards rushing and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Many thought he was done, but he showed there’s plenty left in the tank. Now that he signed a new contract in Cleveland, there will be more questions that arouse where Lewis will have to answer his critics yet again. He’s only 28, but he’s been in the league for eight years and has registered over 2,100 carries. Fullback Lawrence Vickers remains one of the team’s most underrated players.
The Browns have a Pro Bowl wideout in Braylon Edwards and the most talented tight end in the league in Kellen Winslow. Cleveland signed Donte’ Stallworth from New England to only make this receiving corps even more dangerous heading into the 2008 season. Joe Jurevicius will be the team’s third wideout after announcing he’s better suited there, as his body can no longer take the every-day pounding. These four studs will have to stay healthy because there is little to no depth behind them.
The addition of left guard Eric Steinbach and left tackle Joe Thomas last season proved to provide major dividends for this offensive line. Kevin Shaffer made a smooth transition from left to right tackle last year where he is better suited. Ryan Tucker played well at right guard when he took over for the injured Seth McKinney. But the Browns re-signed McKinney for depth to go along with Lennie Friedman and Rex Hadnot in reserve roles.
Defense:
The defensive line was the main target this offseason. The Browns started by trading a second-round pick to Green Bay for Packers‘ franchise player, lineman Corey Williams. The Browns then acquired Shaun Rogers from Detroit. Rogers has been known for a bad reputation and inconsistency, but he has all the tools to be a dominant force in the middle of this line and a change of scenery may be what Rogers needed to change his ways.
If the Browns had a pick in the first three rounds of the ‘08 draft, they likely would have selected a linebackers. This unit is OK at best, with Kamerion Wimbley on the outside. Willie McGinest is a year older and Antwan peek struggled with injuries at the end of the season. On the inside, Andra Davis took a pay cut in the offseason after what he labeled as his worst season ever in ‘07. D’Qwell Jackson seems too small for an inside spot. Leon Williams did not live up to the hype generated from a strong finish to his rookie season in ‘06.
A young and inexperienced groups mans the secondary. Veteran Leigh Bolden went to Detroit in the Rogers’ trade. That leaves the Browns with two second-year corners in Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald. Also two young safeties in Sean Jones and Brodney Pool man the back of this secondary. There is talent to go around, but not the kind that makes opposing coaches utilize too much strategy in the film room.
Info Plays 2008 Cleveland Browns Predictions
Finally, the Cleveland Browns have expectations to be an AFC North competitor this season. Now it’s up to the players to live up to those expectations without much of a chip on their shoulders any more. It will be tough to pull off another 10-win season, but if they do the chances are that the Browns will be back in the playoffs for only the second time since ‘99. This is the best offense in the league from top to bottom, but too many holes on their defense will keep the Browns from overtaking the Steelers in 2008. Cleveland will finish well ahead of Cincinnati and Baltimore to earn a trip to the playoffs via Wild-Card as they finish No. 2 in the AFC North division.