CLEVELAND BROWNS
2009 RECORD: 5-11-0
(4th in AFC North)
HEAD COACH: Eric Mangini
Key Additions: QB Jake Delhomme (FA/Carolina), TE Ben Watson (FA/New England), LB Scott Fujita (FA/New Orleans), QB Seneca Wallace (trade/Seattle), RB Peyton Hillis (trade/Denver), CB DeAngelo Smith (FA/Detroit), TE Alex Smith (FA/Philadelphia)
Key Losses: QB Derek Anderson (FA/Arizona), WR Donte' Stallworth (FA/Baltimore), RB Jamal Lewis (FA), QB Brady Quinn (trade/Denver), S Brodney Pool (FA/NY Jets), DT Corey Williams (trade/Detroit), WR David Patten (FA/New England), TE Steve Heiden (FA), TE Michael Gaines (FA/Houston)
Offense: The Browns added two new quarterbacks in Jake Delhomme (2,015 yards passing with eight TD and 18 interceptions for Carolina in 2009) and Seneca Wallace, who served as a backup in Seattle.
Gone are Brady Quinn (traded to Denver) and Derek Anderson (free agent signed with Arizona) as Head Coach Eric Mangini has a new game plan in place for 2010.
The offense has a strong running game (eighth ranked rushing attack in the NFL last year) which features Jerome Harrison (862 yards rushing in '09 with five TD) and all-purpose wideout Josh Cribbs is a threat to break a long play at any time. The fullbacks are Peyton Hillis and Lawrence Vickers.
The passing game was anemic is 2009, averaging just 130 yards per game. That was dead last in the NFL is passing offense.
With Delhomme, who had his worst season as a professional last season, the Browns are looking for him to resurrect his career and his targets include Mohamed Massaquoi (34 catches for 624 yards and three TD), Cribbs (2o catches) and tight ends Robert Royal and newly arrived Ben Watson. Chansi Stuckey and Brian Robiskie also are on hand for Cleveland.
The offensive line is anchored by center Alex Mack. The guards are Eric Steinbach and Floyd Womack and the tackles are Tony Pashos and Joe Thomas.
Defense: The Browns have a lot of work to do in 2010 to improve a defense that finished 31st in the NFL last year.
Cleveland allowed 144 yards per game rushing and 245 yards passing per game.
Ouch!
Up front in the 3-4 scheme is nose tackle Shaun Rogers. The defensive ends are Kenyon Coleman and Robaire Smith.
The linebackers are David Bowens and Matt Roth on the outside and inside backers will be D' Qwell Jackson and Scott Fajita, who was huge for the New Orleans Saints at linebacker a year ago in helping them win the Super Bowl.
The secondary has Eric Wright (four INT in '09) back in 2010 to play a cornerback spot along with first round draft pick Joe Haden. The safeties are Abram Elam and T.J. Ward. The team's co-leader in interceptions last year was Brodney Pool, but he left for the Jets, leaving the opportunities for Elam and Ward to pick up the slack.
OUTLOOK: Cleveland must stop opposing offenses if they want to see an improvement.
At the same time, the Browns must get some kind of a passing game going in 2010 if they want to be taken seriously.
The ground game is solid with Harrison and Cribbs (four kick returns for TD last season) is a spark plug that brings the crowd to it's feet.
Delhomme has to perform better than he did last season in Carolina and if he doesn't, then expect to see Wallace step in to call the plays.
Make no mistake, the Browns have a lot of work to do and facing the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers twice won't make it any easier.
A 4-12 finish is likely for the Browns in 2010 as they look to rebuild and improve in the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Tampa Bay
Week 2- vs. Kansas City
Week 3- at Baltimore
Week 4- vs. Cincinnati
Week 5- vs. Atlanta
Week 6- at Pittsburgh
Week 7- at New Orleans
Week 8- Bye Week
Week 9- vs. New England
Week 10- vs. NY Jets
Week 11- at Jacksonville
Week 12- vs. Carolina
Week 13- at Miami
Week 14- at Buffalo
Week 15- at Cincinnati
Week 16- vs. Baltimore
Week 17- vs. Pittsburgh
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