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2007 Team Report: Cleveland Browns

Quarterbacks

Starter: Charlie Frye
Backup(s): Brady Quinn [R], Derek Anderson

Starting QB: Frye was steady but unspectacular as a starter over the past two seasons. He threw a lot of interceptions and only produced 14 passing TDs in 21 games played. Once thought to be a franchise QB, Frye may be better suited as a competent backup.

Backup QB: At some point, Brady Quinn will take over as the starting quarterback; it's simply a question of when. While Quinn squirmed uncomfortably as he fell on draft day, Cleveland finally found a trading partner and consummated a deal to reel him in. Quinn had an excellent TD-to-INT ratio his final two years at Notre Dame, throwing 69 TDs to 14 INTs while playing in Charlie Weis' pro-style offense. Quinn is still listed as the third QB on the depth chart, but he has outperformed both Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson during the preseason so far. Derek Anderson played fairly well filling in for Frye last year and should fill the role of QB3.

Running Backs

Starter: Jamal Lewis
Backup(s): Jason Wright, Jerome Harrison
Fullback(s): Lawrence Vickers, Charles Ali

Starting RB: Jamal Lewis comes to Cleveland after a handful of disappointing seasons in Baltimore. Since his 2,000-yard rushing season, Lewis had had off-field, legal, and injury issues. Averaging just 3.5 yards per carry over the last two seasons is key to why he's no longer a Raven. The Browns averaged just 3.6 yards per rush as a team last year, so Lewis may find it tough going in Cleveland as well. Lewis will be expected to improve a rushing attack that finished 31st in the league a year.

Backup RBs: Wright did not do much last year in a limited role. He should be able to give Lewis a few plays off when needed but won't be a big cog in the offense. Undrafted out of Northwestern, Wright has posted a meager 3.0 YPC average in three seasons with the Browns and Falcons. Harrison did not do any better as he also had just a 3.0 YPC average in his rookie campaign; but has made plays as a receiver this preseason and could fill a 3rd down role.

Fullback: Former starting FB Terrelle Smith has moved on to Arizona leaving Lawrence Vickers as the primary fullback. Vickers played sparingly last season on offense and served mostly as a special teams player. The team added Lewis' teammate Ricard this year to help out. Ricard is a former Pro Bowler that aided Lewis in his 2,000-yard season, but he has really not seen much action since 2004.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius
Backups: Travis Wilson, Josh Cribbs, Tim Carter

Starting WRs: Braylon Edwards should enter this season much healthier than he did last year after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in 2005. Coming off of that injury, Edwards was able to catch 60+ balls on a very mediocre team with a bottom-five offense. He's one of the few big playmakers on the team and Cleveland will need him to continue to improve. Jurevicius started the year hurt and could not come close to the career-year he had the season before in Seattle. However, he did fare better later in the year averaging 5.5 receptions a game over the final month of the season. Jurevicius may be best suited as a third or fourth receiver, but the Browns don't have that luxury.

Backup WRs: The backup WRs in Cleveland are largely unknowns and very inexperienced. Wilson had two catches last year in his rookie season. Cribbs had 10 catches last year for 91 yards and also returned kicks. Carter comes over from the Giants where he played five seasons with a high of 26 receptions.

Tight Ends

Starters: Kellen Winslow, Jr.
Backups: Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkins

Winslow finally got on the field and showed that he was a stud in the making. After missing almost all of two seasons, Winslow exploded to rank as the No. 6 fantasy tight end last year. He led the team in receptions and had two games with 11 receptions. Winslow again is recovering from injury, this time it's microfracture knee surgery completed early in the offseason. Heiden has done well filling in for Winslow the past few years and should again be a viable option if Winslow can't go or if he is hampered to start the year.

Place Kicker

Phil Dawson : Dawson has been Cleveland's kicker since they returned to the League in 1999. From an accuracy standpoint, last year was his worst since his rookie year. He hit 21 of 29 FGs (72.4%), including 6 of 12 from 40-49 yards. This came on the heels of his best year ever, when he went 27 of 29 (93.1%) in 2005. He scored 88 points last year, after having scored 100 points in three of the four previous years. Dawson is usually a decent kicker, but his scoring opportunities have been very limited. He's averaged only 83 points a year during his eight years in the league. CAMP UPDATE: Last week, kicker Phil Dawson noted that he was back in form after an off year, "I'm very excited. Everything's going through. Even when I mis-hit, it's going through. And that's what you need here in Cleveland because you're not going to hit every one perfect. Being able to get out here, make some kicks, get my confidence rolling and let the other guys see the ball going through -- it's all good stuff. This is the kind of start I hoped for. I put a lot of pressure on myself. If I've proven anything in my career, it's that I'm kind of streaky. Once I get going, I can go for a while. My goal for preseason is to really get going, so when Pittsburgh rolls into town, we're ready. I'm ready to get back to my old self." His enthusiasm did not help in this week's game against Detroit, when he missed his only field goal attempt wide left from 36 yards.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Joshua Cribbs; Jerome Harrison; Lawrence Vickers

WR Joshua Cribbs won the KR job as a rookie in preseason in 2005, and turned in a solid performance (45 returns, 24.3 avg. 1 TD). He saw even more work in his second year and finished as the 7th ranked fantasy returner (61 returns, 24.5 avg. 1 TD). Several players are available as backups, including FB Lawrence Vickers (5 returns, 16.8 avg.) and RB Jerome Harrison.

Punt Returners: Joshua Cribbs; Brandon McDonald; Sean Jones; Eric Wright; Kendrick Mosely

The departure of Dennis Northcutt via free agency opens the punt return job for the Browns. Joshua Cribbs will get the first shot at filling the role. He filled in last year (6 returns, 8.5 avg.) when Northcutt missed several games, although he misjudged several balls. If he doesn't pan out, the Browns have several other candidates. Fifth round draft pick CB Brandon MacDonald averaged 6.6 yards on 46 returns during his two years at Memphis. Safety Sean Jones returned punts during his college years at Georgia, and had one for eight yards last year for the Browns. Second round draft pick CB Eric Wright from UNVL will get a look, although most of his experience dates back to high school. WR Kendrick Mosely is a long shot. The Browns have ranked in the top ten in fantasy return points in four of the last five years. CAMP UPDATE: WR Syndric Steptoe did not make the final roster.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Joe Thomas [R], LG Eric Steinbach, C Hank Fraley, RG Seth McKinney, RT Kevin Shaffer
Key Backups: Lennie Friedman, Ryan Tucker, Nat Dorsey, Kelly Butler, Isaac Sowells

This unit has been completely overhauled over the past couple of years and deservedly so as it was putrid. The first addition is the free agent acquisition of Eric Steinbach from the Bengals. He is one of the best linemen in football and is a massive upgrade for the team; although he hasn't practiced much if at all this preseason. The Browns also used the third pick in the draft to select talented left tackle Joe Thomas, who appears ready to immediately step in and become the cornerstone of the unit for the next 15 years -- he's that good. The Browns offensive line is shooting up the ranks. Expect an improvement in 2007 and great things by 2008. Dark horse LeCharles Bentley hoped to make a go of it this season, but he remains on the PUP list and probably won't contribute.

Team Defense

The Cleveland defense has been a work in progress since the Romeo Crennel regime took over and the transition to a 3-4 began. '06 was supposed to be the year it all started to come together. Unfortunately it didn't happen that way. Injuries at all three levels may have been a factor in the Browns finishing 22nd in scoring defense and 27th in yards allowed, but in reality they were probably a few playmakers away even with all healthy. The success of any 3-4 is based on pressure and big plays. The '06 Browns could muster just 27 takeaways and 28 sacks and the guys who were injured weren't exactly major playmakers. Corners Gary Baxter and Leigh Bodden each have averaged fewer than 2 interceptions over the past 5 seasons. Both inside backers missed time but with 27 starts between them, they recorded just 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions. DE Orpheus Roye missed 7 games but his career high of 5 sacks wasn't going to make a huge difference. Rookie OLB Kamerion Wimbley did his part in recording 11.5 sacks but the Browns still lack a dominating pass rusher from the other side. 36 year old Willie McGinest remains serviceable but with 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons, is clearly not the force he once was. The only effort made toward addressing the OLB need was the free agent addition of Antwan Peek who was no better than a part time starter for a bad Houston club. Free agency also added veteran depth at corner in Kenny Wright and lineman Robaire Smith who should make a good 3-4 end, but neither of these guys are difference makers. The draft netted corner Eric Wright who could prove to be an excellent cover man. The problem is the Crennel regime may be running out of time. Rumor has it the head coach is on the hot seat in '07. Last season wasn't a complete washout as Brodney Pool and Sean Jones stepped up to solidify the safety positions, but on paper it sure doesn't look as if they've done enough to turn things around.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Shaun Smith, DE Robaire Smith, NT Ted Washington
Backups: DE Simon Fraser, DT Ethan Kelley, DE Orpheus Roye

Starting DL: The Browns are starting a mammoth defensive front with three guys who have played tackle in their careers. At the ends are Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. Shaun Smith saw action in short yardage situations for the Bengals over the past two seasons and did a solid job. He has the right physical skills to be successful at the position; but could also move back to tackle if needed. Robaire Smith spent the '04 and '05 seasons playing DE in the Texans 3-4 so he will be right at home in Cleveland, but will be be an upgrade over last year's starter Alvin McKinley? Smith is only 271 pounds and his career best of 4 sacks came back in '03 while playing tackle in the Titans 4-3. Ted Washington can still be a serviceable nose tackle but at 39 years old, his best days are clearly behind him. Surprisingly Washington managed to play a full slate of games last season. He did a fine job of eating up space and blockers, but failed to record a sack, a fumble recovery or a fumble forced.

Backup DL: Stellar 3-4 linemen are a very rare commodity but decent 3-4 linemen are not particularly difficult to find. Simon Fraser did an adequate job filling in at DE when Orpheus Roye was down last season, but he is the only backup DE on the roster who has any experience at all. The Browns don't have much experience in reserve but they have a collection of young guys who should fit well in the scheme. Now if they can only have a little time to develop before being thrown into the fire.

Linebackers

Starters: ILB Andra Davis, ILB D'Qwell Jackson, OLB Kamerion Wimbley, OLB Antwan Peek
Backups: LB Leon Williams, LB Willie McGinest, LB Chaun Thompson, LB Mason Unck [IR]

Starting LBs: Andra Davis has been a mainstay at linebacker and the team's leading tackler for three of the past four seasons. Last year he did it despite missing the final 2 games. In fact, it would likely be four straight had he not missed 5 games due to injury in '04. He is a big physical linebacker who plays the run very well and has surprising range. Davis is a leader and has become the centerpiece of the defense. '06 second round pick D'Qwell Jackson was plugged right into the lineup as a rookie. He played well and gained valuable experience, however the club desperately needs him to make some big play in his second year. The ILB position produced just one sack, one fumble forced and two interceptions in '06. All of those were compliments of Davis. With 11.5 sacks as a rookie, '06 first round pick Kamerion Wimbley obviously had no problem making the adjustment from college end to pro OLB. He proved every bit as good as advertised. Wimbley improved quickly as the season progressed, recording at least 1 sack in seven of the final 9 games. barring injury, this is one piece of the puzzle that's firmly in place. Presumed OLB starter Willie McGinest will miss a number of games to start the season after having back surgery early in training camp. Peek began his career in Houston where he worked at OLB in the Texans 3-4. Injuries have plagued him in three of his 4 pro seasons but he posted 6 sacks in '05 despite playing part time. He's never really been given a chance and has looked good during the preseason as a full time player, so who knows, the Browns may have hit the jackpot. This is a solid group of linebackers but they need to make more big plays as a whole for the Browns to become successful.

Backup LBs: The Brown may not have any proven starter quality linebacker waiting in the wings but they have a good mix of experience and youth with upside. Chaun Thompson has switched positions so many times its hard to keep up with where the coaches have him listed. He's started game both inside and outside, doing a very serviceable job whenever called upon. With the injury to Willie McGinest, Thompson will likely see more time outside. Leon Williams started the final three games of last season and really turned some heads. Against the Ravens in week 15 he totaled 9 tackles, 3 assists and forced a fumble. For an encore in week 10 against Tampa Bay he put up 10-4 with a sack. Williams has already displaced Andra Davis from the first team nickel package and could steal a job from either incumbent ILB sometime this year.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Leigh Bodden, CB Eric Wright, SS Sean Jones, FS Brodney Pool
Backups: CB Kenny Wright, FS Mike Adams, CB Daven Holly, CB Brandon McDonald, CB Gary Baxter

Starting DBs: After losing Gary Baxter to double knee surgery and ending with a middle of the pack rating versus the pass, Cleveland made a lot of changes over the offseason. Baxter is reportedly ahead of schedule with his rehab but chances are he will not make it all the way back this season. He looks to be in competition for the nickel role. With the release of Daylon McCutcheon, the Browns will have a new starting tandem at corner. Leigh Bodden was expected to have a big role in '06 but also missed much of the season with injury. He's best suited as a complimentary #2 type or nickel corner, but is slated to step into the #1 role for the short term. Rookie Eric Wright should prove to be an excellent addition in the long run but his inexperience only contributes to a corner situation that doesn't look very strong for '07. On the other hand, the emergence of Sean Jones and Brodney Pool have solidified the safety positions. A second round selection in '04, Jones was a little slow to pick up the pro game but the organization's patience with him paid of big in '06 when he was the team's second leading tackler and tied for the team lead with 5 interceptions. Pool never officially earned a starting job in '06 but saw extensive action, mostly in the nickel package where he worked almost as a linebacker. The coaching staff was more than satisfied with the improvement of their two young safeties. So much so that they made no effort to retain FS Brian Russell.

Backup DBs: The Browns are not particularly deep in the secondary but they do have some experience and upside. '05 seventh round pick Daven Holly was forced into action last year due to all of the injuries. He did a very adequate job in coverage and managed to tie for the team interception lead with 5. Holly will have the early edge over Gary Baxter for the nickel role. Beyond Holly there is very little experience at the position. Rookie fifth round pick Brandon McDonald would probably be the next guy off the shelf. McDonald has some upside and could become a solid contributor, but he is raw and not very physical. The Browns certainly hope not to get that deep into the roster again this season. Free agent veteran Mike Adams was signed to back up at FS. He made a number of starts for the Niners over the past two seasons and played very well at times. At only 193 pounds Adams is not the physical type but he is solid in coverage and did manage 4 picks in '05. He could see action when the Browns go with 6 defensive backs.

Last modified: 2007-09-01 21:18:09