AFC North
Browns Buzz - Year In Review
By Andy Rioux
Jan 15, 2007, 06:37

There is no truth to the rumor that the Cleveland Browns have adopted Green Day's Boulevard of Broken Dreams as their new theme song, but it would make sense. Seeing the Browns lose is definitely not an unusual site; in fact it's almost as common as tuning into TBS on Christmas Day and seeing A Christmas Story. The Browns could actually learn from little Ralphie since he at least stood up to the neighborhood bully while the Browns went 0-6 against their foes in the AFC North.

The 2006 draft and free agency period were supposed to have propelled Cleveland towards contention and respectability. Instead, after a dismal 4-12 campaign, the Browns have so many questions that they must have a hard time keeping track of all of them.

One thing that won't change is the head coach. The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Romeo Crennel will return in 2007. However, the Beacon Journal and other Northeastern Ohio media have reported that many of Crennel's assistants from 2006 won't be back in 2007.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, tight ends coach Ben Coates, strength and conditioning coach John Lott, wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie and offensive quality control coach Carl Crennel II were all given the boot. Even the fact that Carl Crennel is Romeo Crennel's nephew didn't save him.

During the season the Browns promoted Jeff Davidson to interim offensive coordinator and according to the Plain Dealer Davidson and quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer are in the mix to become Cleveland's permanent coordinator. The Plain Dealer also reported that the Browns asked the Miami Dolphins for permission to interview Dolphins quarterbacks coach Jason Garrett for the OC position. Additionally, the Akron Beacon Journal indicated in a story that the Browns could even look at implementing the West Coast Offense should former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp land the same position in Cleveland.

It's doubtful that Browns fans would be captivated by any of those candidates, especially since the offense under Davidson didn't bring back memories of Brian Sipe and the Cardiac Kids and Knapp never seemed to get enough out of Michael Vick.

As for the players themselves, the Browns have some building blocks in spots, but they'll need to iron out a lot of positions and find some quality free agents and draft picks if they are going to have any chance at respectability on the field in 2007. Cleveland will draft either third or fourth in April depending on the results of a coin flip with Tampa Bay.

Here is a positional review of the 2006 Browns:

QB - Three players took snaps for the Browns - Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, and Ken Dorsey. Dorsey only has adequate arm strength for signaling in plays and carrying a clipboard, so we'll limit the discussion to Frye and Anderson. Frye was the starter for most of the season and like many first year starters took his lumps and made some costly errors. Still, at times Frye showed off the form that led the Browns to believe so strongly in his future. Anderson, who came off the bench when Frye was injured against Kansas City, looked like a real revelation when he rallied to team to a win against Kansas City and then played well in hostile territory such as Pittsburgh and Baltimore. However, he looked dismal in Week 16 against a bad bunch of Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both young quarterbacks deserve a second chance in 2007 to prove they should be considered as Cleveland's long-term quarterback. Another scenario might have at least one of them going elsewhere should the Browns opt for Brady Quinn in the draft. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Quinn would welcome the opportunity to play for the Browns.

RB - Reuben Droughns regressed after a solid season in 2005. Granted, most backs would have struggled to find holes with Cleveland's offensive line woes, but Droughns has never been considered a franchise back. Those thinking Droughns would be a sleeper in the fantasy football world were extremely disappointed. Shifty rookie Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright looked adequate in spurts, but the Browns almost certainly will consider Adrian Peterson if he's available. And they would be wise to strongly consider Peterson. Even though he's been injury-prone at Oklahoma he would give the Browns a chance at having a franchise back for the first time since the franchise returned in 1999.

WR - Braylon Edwards provided some big plays for the Browns, but in the end he dropped too many passes and caused too much trouble. If Edwards can grow up and mature he has all the potential to be a dominant playmaker for the Browns and fantasy owners. He'll definitely start at one position in 2007. His tag team partner at the end of 2006 was solid veteran Joe Jurevicius. Jurevicius is not a fantasy headliner, but his sure hands make him easy to trust when you need a catch on third down. On the other hand, Dennis Northcutt (soon to be a free agent) dropped so many passes one had to wonder if he had an incentive clause in his contract that rewarded him for every drop he made. The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Northcutt likely won't return next season. That's a clear case of addition by subtraction. The Browns might not have anything with 2006 third round pick Travis Wilson, but they really should have given him more playing time over Butterfingers Northcutt. Joshua Cribbs has become a very good kick returner. The Browns may try and bring in some new blood at the position, but a starting duo of Edwards and Jurevicius would be solid provided Edwards improves his attitude.

TE - As long as Kellen Winslow Jr. stays healthy, Cleveland has one of the best tight ends in the game. He's also the best Browns player to have on your fantasy team on the offensive side of the ball. Backup Steve Heiden is not a fantasy factor, but he's a productive player who was fourth in the team in receptions. The dismissal of Coates is somewhat curious since tight end was easily the strongest position overall on the offense.

OL - It all went downhill after that faithful day in training camp when prized free agent LeCharles Bentley was lost for the season. Bentley, a Cleveland-area native who played at Ohio State, was counted on to anchor what was to be an improved offensive line. After running through almost as many candidates as the judges on American Idol, the Browns opted to entrust the center duties to former Philadelphia starter Hank Fraley. Fraley was undoubtedly happy to land a starting gig after being phased out in Philadelphia but he was no Bentley and the rest of the Cleveland line didn't exactly bring back memories of Doug Dieken and Gene Hickerson (who hopefully will be voted into the Hall of Fame in February). Lots of rebuilding is needed after the overall poor play of the line, and it would not be a major surprise if the Browns make this their number one priority in free agency and the draft. For now, it is likely that tackle Kevin Shaffer will return as a starter next season after signing a big contract before the 2006 season, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that fellow tackle Kelly Butler signed a two year contract extension.

DL - Cleveland was the setting for one of the most memorable sports movies of all-time, Major League. In that film the brain trust of the Cleveland Indians isn't thrilled when devious owner Rachel Phelps provides them with a list of players they'll be inviting to spring training. One of them blurts out that he hadn't heard of most of the guys, and the ones that he did know were way past their prime. Keep the Cleveland setting, substitute the Browns for the Indians, and that's the current state of Cleveland's defensive line. Starring in the role of past their prime are Ted Washington and Orpheus Roye. Both are quality veterans, but they've seen better days. Alvin McKinley, Nick Eaton, and Ethan Kelley would certainly fall into the area of players most fans have never heard of. So would Simon Fraser, but of all the unknowns on Cleveland's defensive front he would have the most potential to come out of nowhere and produce like Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn did in Major League. Fraser finished second on the Browns with 4 1/2 sacks, and might be worth keeping an eye on for next season. This is an area where major additions and changes are needed.

LB - Since the Browns returned in 1999, most of Cleveland's first round draft picks have been horrific disappointments. The worst disappointment of all came in 2001, when the Browns braintrust passed on LaDanian Tomlinson to take Gerard Warren. Kamerion Wimbley can't change the past, but Cleveland's first round selection in 2006 certainly did his part to make the present and the future look brighter. He led Cleveland with 11 sacks. And Wimbley wasn't the only standout linebacker for the Browns from the class of 2006, as D'Qwell Jackson was among the top three tacklers on the team. Veteran Andra Davis also continued to provide solid tackle numbers and this trio along with Willie McGinest and Leon Williams help make linebacker a position of strength. The Browns might make some minor moves here, but they seem to be plenty happy with what they have and they should be.

DB - Injuries created chaos in the defense backfield for the Browns. Daylon McCutcheon landed on injured reserve before the season started and then Gary Baxter joined him during the season after suffering a gruesome injury against Denver. Leigh Bodden also missed significant chunks of action, but Bodden played well when he was on the field and should head into next season as a starter. The identity of the other starter could come from a free agent acquisition, the draft, or possibly from someone already on the Cleveland roster. Daven Holly came out of nowhere to snag 5 interceptions and certainly earned a look for 2007. The safety trio of Sean Jones (a topflight stat machine), Brian Russell, and Brodney Pool was solid.

K - Phil Dawson only hit on 72 percent of his field goal attempts in 2006. Because of Cleveland's offensive woes he's rarely viewed as a fantasy standout, but he definitely needs to improve his accuracy.

P - Dave Zastudil gets his fair share of work, and does a good job.

Stay tuned to the off-season show in Cleveland. It will be quite interesting to see what moves the Browns make.

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