AFC North
2008 Cleveland Browns: Contender or Pretender?
By Mike Carroll
Jan 22, 2008, 19:33

A strange thing happened on December 2nd, 2007...

Stranger than that fateful call on the final play of the game, which ruled Kellen Winslow Jr. out-of-bounds, in the corner of the end zone - costing the team a victory and its first post-season appearance since 2002.

Stranger even than some of the first round draft picks the organization made in the pre-Phil Savage era: Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren and William Green.

What happened that night was strange indeed…

For the first time since they returned to the league in 1999, the Cleveland Browns mattered. There is a buzz circulating around the NFL. Is this team for real?

Front Office and Coaching Staff

With Phil Savage running the show, the Browns have pulled off three solid drafts and have spent judiciously in free agency. They have acquired players that fit their scheme. A contract extension for Romeo Crennel is in the works and the team expects to have his deal completed before the 2008 draft unfolds.

Offensive Coordinator, Rob Chudzinski, the up-and-coming, mastermind behind the resurgence of the Cleveland offense was retained for 2008. This may be a his last year with the team, as 2009 will likely present head coaching offers. Quarterbacks Coach, Rip Scherer, long-rumored as the next OC of the UCLA Bruins, has declined their offer and will return to Cleveland.

Gone is Defensive Coordinator, Todd Grantham. Mel Tucker, with the organization since Crennel arrived in 2005, will take the reigns of the defense and Cory Undlin, has been promoted to replace Tucker as defensive backfield coach.

Skill Players and Offensive Line

The development of former 6th round pick, Derek Anderson (RFA) has put the team in the enviable position of having two young quarterbacks on the roster. Anderson will be coming off a fantastic 2007 where he threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns.

But, his performance had issues. His 19-interceptions were among the highest total for a starting quarterback. Anderson rated 8th in the NFL in passes attempted and only 28th in completion percentage with 56.5%. In games where the opposition took away the deep pass (see losses to New England and Pittsburgh - twice), Anderson struggled to move the team.

With 2007 first round pick Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, Anderson will likely be made a tender offer by the team. This will ensure that if Anderson leaves via free agency, the team will receive a 1st and 3rd round pick as compensation. It also locks in his value at a cap-friendly $2.6M.

Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE) led the team in receptions with 82 while racking up 1,106 yards and 5 touchdowns. A remarkable 56 of those catches went for a first down. And, Braylon Edwards (WR) accounted for 57 first downs of his own while leading the team in both receiving yards with 1,289 and touchdowns with 16.

A better complement is needed opposite Edwards. And, the team may address this issue later in the draft. Savage likes bigger wide receivers; so, look for the team to consider Jabari Arthur 6‘4“ 226 Lbs 4.65 - 40 (WR-Akron) on Day 2. If 6’5” Limas Sweed (WR-Texas) falls to the second round, the team may consider the 4.58 - 40 speedster too good to pass up.

Jamal Lewis (RB) has revived his sagging career by rushing for 1,304 yards and 9 touchdowns. He expects to see a bigger pay-day after signing a 1-year deal with the Browns in 2007. But, running backs approaching 30 have a very poor track record in the NFL; so, expect to see this issue addressed in the draft. The 6’1” 225 Lb, Tim Hightower (RB- Richmond) could be one consideration. Hightower has both the speed and pass-catching ability that Lewis lacks.

All five of the season-ending starters on the offensive line are back and many are already locked up through 2010. The leader of the group is pro-bowler, Joe Thomas (OT), who will be an anchor into the foreseeable future. 2007 free agent acquisition, Eric Steinbach (OG) is in the prime of his career at 27-years of age. Ken Schaffer (OT), Ryan Tucker (OG) and Hank Fraley (OC) combined to allow a miniscule 14 sacks in 2007.

If two time pro-bowler, LeCharles Bentley returns from his 2006 knee injury and Lennie Friedman (UFA) is lured back, the line will have good depth. Otherwise, the depth will likely be bolstered through the draft with perhaps 6’6” 320 Lb, Brandon Keith (OT - Northern Iowa) being the selection.

Defense and Special Teams

Ah…the defense. In 2007, the Browns gave up 2,072 yards rushing - 129.5 yards per game or 27th best in the NFL; 3,656 yards passing - 230.1 yards per game or 24th best in the NFL and an amazing 359.6 total yards per game.

Couple this with the meager 17 interceptions (Leader: CB Leigh Bodden 6) they had and the lowly 28 sacks (Leader: OLB Kamerion Wimbley 5) and its easy to see the problem. The defense lacks playmakers! But, it goes well beyond that…

On the d-line, the Browns went into 2007 with the aging Ted Washington (NT); free agent pick-up, Robaire Smith (DE) and Orpheus Roye (DE) as their starters. The entire d-line rotation accounted for a league-low five sacks last year; so, there’s a lot of work to be done here.

The team may be able to get a good defensive end in Round 2: pass-rusher, Jason Jones (DE - E. Michigan) 6’5” 240 Lbs, 4.65 - 40 should still be on the board. Or, if small college gem, 6’5” 270 Lbs Brian Johnston (DE - Gardner-Webb) falls to them; they may grab him. Free agency appears another likely route. Former Florida Gator, Defensive End, Alex Brown (UFA) is losing playing time in Chicago and would be a nice fit for the team.

With the exception of Kamerion Wimbley (OLB), the linebacking core lacks players capable of creating turnovers or recording big plays. The real problem is the inside linebackers Andra Davis and D’Qwell Jackson. They make too many plays three to five yards downfield rather than at the point of attack. Jackson led the team with 114 tackles but only three were tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Inside linebackers are tough to find on Day 2 of the draft; but, if smallish Spencer Larsen (ILB - Arizona) is still there he might be worth a look. The kid makes plays - 12.5 tackles for a loss against the speedy Pac 10 running backs is a solid resume.

The one bright spot is the secondary. Although they gave up a ton of yardage, they were being asked to cover wide-outs for 8 to 10 seconds which is a life time in the NFL. Leigh Bodden (CB); Eric Wright (CB); Sean Jones (SS) and Brodney Pool (FS) make up a solid core. With youngster Davon Holly (CB) in the wings, the unit is set to rebound nicely.

But, they are one star away from being a great secondary. A starting cornerback would allow Bodden to move to the nickel spot which would really solidify the group.

Perhaps its time for Romeo Crennel to give Asante Samuel (UFA) a call. Remember that Crennel coached Samuel at New England in 2004 when their defense keyed a Super Bowl run. Still not convinced…then how about this…the special assistant, that same year in New England, in the defensive backfield was Cory Undlin. The same Cory Undlin that was recently promoted to Defensive Backfield Coach in Cleveland.

Phil Savage is a shrewd man; he understands that playoff teams need leaders. They need someone who’s been there before to help “set the mood” in the locker room. By grabbing Samuel, they help themselves and hurt the team which they will likely need to beat to make it to the top.

Well, Cleveland fans can dream; for now, they’ll have to settle for being a contender

Draft Day and Free Agency Needs

Pass Rushers: Outside Linebacker and/or Defensive End

Defensive Line: Starters at Defensive Tackle and Defensive End

Wide Receiver: a starter to complement Braylon Edwards and who can allow Joe Jurevicius (WR) to turn into a WR3 - for which he is better suited.

Inside Linebackers: Need to get tougher against the run inside

Defensive Backfield: Depth at Cornerback and Safety

Offensive Line: Depth at Tackle and Guard

Running Back: The time is now to begin the search for Jamal Lewis’ replacement and the 2008 draft is loaded with good running backs.

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