2011 NFL PREVIEW - Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND BROWNS

2010 RECORD: 5-11-0
(3rd in AFC North)

HEAD COACH: Pat Shurmur

Offense: The Browns turned to Colt McCoy last season and he showed some good things at quarterback, passing for 1,576 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was also the second leading rusher on the team last year, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Peyton Hillis had a breakout season in 2010, gaining 1,177 yards while averaging 4.4 ypc and scored 11 touchdowns. Hillis also made 61 receptions for 477 yards and two more scores. Montario Hardesty backs up and the fullback is Owen Marecic.
The wide receivers include Mohammed Massaquoi (36 catches, 483 yards, two TD), Brian Robiskie (29, 310, three TD), Josh Cribbs (23 receptions) and rookie Greg Little (North Carolina). The tight end is Benjamin Watson, who led the Browns in receiving last season with 68 catches for 763 yards and three touchdowns.
Carlton Mitchell, Jordan Cameron and Evan Moore are also on hand in 2011 to provide depth for the Browns.
 The offensive line has center Alex Mack, guards Eric Steinbach and Shawn Lauvao and tackles Tony Pashos and Joe Thomas.

Defense: The Browns allowed 350 yards per game in 2010, which ranked them 22nd in the league, as they allowed 129 yards per game on the ground (27th) and 221 yards passing, which ranked 18th last season.
The 4-3 plan will have Jabaal Sheard (rookie from Pitt) and Marcus Benard (7.5 QB sacks to lead the team) at ends and tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor, a rookie out of Baylor.
Scott Fujita is the middle linebacker and the outside LBs are D'Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong.
In the secondary, Cleveland will play Joe Haden and Sheldon Brown at the corners while T.J. Ward (strong safety) and Mike Adams (free safety) will round out the unit. Haden led the Browns with six picks a year ago.
The Browns allowed just 332 points in 2010, while intercepting 19 passes. But they had just 29 sacks, which is less than two a game.That has to improve for the Browns to get more competitive in their division.

OUTLOOK: The Browns will look to avoid the basement in the AFC North for the second straight year after finishing 5-11 last season.
McCoy will continue to develop and if Hillis plays anything like last year, the Browns offense should improve after only scoring 271 points, which was 31st in the league.
There are definitely questions on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, two rookies will be looked upon to have an impact on the front four.
On offense, the wide receivers will also be looking at a pair of rookies to make immediate contributions.
 Pat Shurmur gets his first chance as the Head Coach and he will also handle the play calling on offense.
The Browns should improve overall and look for Cribbs to get back to his old ways as a Pro Bowl style kick returner after a down year.
A 5-11 finish for Cleveland is most likely once again, but don't be surprised if this team finishes at or near the .500 level in 2011.

TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Cincinnati
Week 2- at Indianapolis
Week 3- vs. Miami
Week 4- vs. Tennessee
Week 5- BYE WEEK
Week 6- at Oakland
Week 7- vs. Seattle
Week 8- at San Francisco
Week 9- at Houston
Week 10- vs. St. Louis
Week 11- vs. Jacksonville
Week 12- at Cincinnati
Week 13- vs. Baltimore
Week 14- at Pittsburgh
Week 15- at Arizona
Week 16- at Baltimore
Week 17- vs. Pittsburgh