If there is a Sports God, he hates Cleveland. The last several decades have made that obvious. This season shouldn't be any better for Browns fans, as their looking at a thin roster and another year of Eric Mangini. To be fair to the Mangenius, at least this season he isn't playing "mind games" and withholding the name of his starting quarterback until week one. Personally, I can see his logic in that one. Preparing for one crappy quarterback versus preparing for another must have been tricky for defenses to scheme against, and had it worked out he would have been praised all across Cleveland, but because it failed he's the bad guy. This year, he's solidified his offense by sticking with rock star Jake Delhomme. How could a guy that threw 8 tds vs 18 ints last season not be the answer? Unless he breaks down and hangs himself at halftime in week three he should improve. It's hard to consistently put up JaMarcus type numbers. Even if by some chance he does falter, they have studs Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy in the fold to bail him out. McCoy isn't supposed to play this year and is considered the long term solution, but let's see if a bad start changes things. Honestly, I love the kid. He was great at UT and I'll always remember watching him play for the 'Horns but I think he'll bomb in the league. He didn't have to throw anything beyond ten yards and he looks like he still believes in Santa. That probably won't cut it.
One of the few good things coming out of Browns camp is that Wallace (who's lighting it up) and Josh Cribbs look great in their "Flash and Cyclone" package. It's their variation of the wildcat, and having two former college quarterbacks running it should make it effective. It'll probably be the only bright spot of Cleveland's offense, especially with their receiving corps counting on unproven Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie to step up in order to be solid. Most of the offense will have to come from Josh Cribbs, who is unarguably the best player on their roster. They rewarded him with a big contract, but didn't the Browns learn anything from Devin Hester? Return guys have a shorter shelf life than running backs, and one has to wonder how much longer Cribbs will be a factor. "Don't kick the ball to Dante Hall" and constant hi-lights of Hester taking back kicks seem like yesterday, so when does Cribbs slow down after trying to do too much? Maybe he'll do well this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him lose a step or two by the end of the season.
By the end of 2009, Jerome Harrison looked like the answer at running back. He won't be able to shoulder the same load he took on in the last few games, so the Browns are hoping for rookie Montario Hardesty to come up big. He's been hurt through camp, but if he can get himself together, the second round pick out of Tennessee should help improve the league's 8th ranked rushing attack. Jamal Lewis is gone so it isn't like they have other options.
The Browns were pitiful on defense (28th against the run and 29th against the pass). They brought in Scott Fugita (is there anything more disappointing than going from a Super Bowl winner in New Orleans to playing for a crappy team in a crappier city?) and Matt Roth to bolster their linebacking corps, and rookie cornerback Joe Haden out of Florida will contend for playing time in a secondary that now includes Sheldon Brown. Almost anything is an improvement for last year's second worst defense, but even if the new additions play as expected it's highly unlikely Cleveland will return to playoff contention. With LeBron gone from the Ohio's sporting scene, fans will be looking at the Browns for some kind of relief, but it looks like another long year for Brownie fans. The team finished last year on a four game winning streak to finish off at 5-11, but hope of anything more than a 6 win season in the tough AFC North is slightly delusional. Dog pound (Yes that was a cheesy ploy to get the Baha Men involved. Go to hell.): as long as Mike Holmgren has a say this team will improve. He won a Super Bowl once. Dude knows how to win.
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