2009 Record: 5-11, Fourth in Division
2009 Playoff Record: Did not Qualify
Key Losses: Kamerion Wimbley, Jamal Lewis, Donté Stallworth
Key Additions: Jake Delhomme, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong
Cleveland has been regarded as one of the worst franchises since the team was relocated to Baltimore and brought back as an expansion team. Since their return in 1999 they've gone 59-117 with only two winning seasons out of eleven. They've never been able to build on their success, and their high draft picks pan out only occasionally. They hope to have a change in philosophy with new head of talent Mike Holmgren, but it could take a while for him to affect the organization. Coach Eric Mangini, after coming in his first year and clashing with players on many issues, could be in a make or break year very quickly. He's gotten significant upgrades in talent, but the pressure will be on him to get his players to perform at their best. They still don't have a team competitive enough to challenge the big boys in their division, but hopefully they have laid the foundations for a better team down the line.
Last seasons Cleveland was equally dismal on both sides of the ball. Their numbers in defense and offense are fairly similar in terms of ratings, but we'll start on offense. 20th in the league in interceptions given up, last in passing yards per game, and last in overall offense. Cleveland was miserable in the pass game in particular, and they're hoping that trading two unproven QBs for former Superbowl quarterback Jake Delhomme will up their production. Delhomme has struggled recently in Carolina despite a solid rushing game, and he could struggle in Cleveland as well. He doesn't have the luxury of Steve Smith anymore, though young receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Joshua Cribbs continue to show promise. Brian Robiskie also provides some depth along with veterans Chansi Stuckey and Bobby Engram, and veteran tight end Benjamin Watson is a significant improvement. How effective they will be as a group remains unclear, but they show plenty of promise.
the two areas Cleveland can't blame for its offensive struggles are the line and running back. Cleveland was 10th in the league in sacks allowed, a good sing for Delhomme and rookie McCoy of he comes in. The line also provided good support for a run game that was eighth in the league with over 2,000 yards and a 4.2 average. They seem convinced they have a good number one in fifth year pro Jerome Harrison, who went t over 800 yards in just seven games starting, and their second string back who will be in his first full NFL season has looked like a tremendous power runner so far in the pre-season. This tandem could gouge teams who are not careful to account for them.
On defense there is also a similar bright spot, as Cleveland was eighth in the league in sacks. Barring that, they never managed to get over 28th in any major category. Rushing was a problem for them, and passing defense was miserable. They especially needed more interceptions, something they hope to improve through some of their additions. The Browns have signed linebacker Scott Fujita from the championship Saints, traded for cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong, spent their first two picks on a cornerback and safety, and picked up a defensive end in the late rounds of the draft. In addition they get their defensive line standout Shaun Rogers back and will start him at what they feel to be his natural position of end. This is all needed improvement, but the question is will it be enough? The pickups at linebacker are great, but the other two starters are still lacking. Will the line be able to stand up to the run even with Rogers back? Can Gocong and a couple of rookies bump them up into the top half of the league in pass defense? Cleveland has had a great offseason on defense, but it might require one or two similar ones in the coming seasons before it pays off, due in no small part to the strength of their division rivals.
Cleveland has made some great strides this offseason, but whether or not they will pay off right away remains to be seen. Their schedule isn't favorable to them, the Chiefs and Jaguars could end up victimizing them if their run games doesn't improve. They could sneak some wins in against the NFC South and AFC East and I do expect them to pick up a division win or two, but they could again find themselves at 4-5 wins at the end of the season. If this offseason is any indication of their future, though, the AFC North could be getting a lot more competitive in the coming years.
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