2012 NFL Season Preview: Cleveland Browns
By Editorial Staff
Cleveland Browns
Front Office:
Owner: Randy Lerner
GM: Mike Holmgren/ Tom Heckert
B: Holmgren has this team moving in the right direction. The Browns have a scheme on both sides of the ball. The roster is improving because of their improving draft selections. I would think by 2013 the Browns will be competing with the Ravens and Steelers. Of course Holmgren’s job would be much easier if he wasn’t in the AFC North.
Coaching Staff
HC: Pat Shurmur
OC: None
DC: Dick Jauron
C: I like Shurmur; however, he didn’t make his job any easier. I typically don’t like when first time HC also plays the part of Coordinator; but we will see how he does. Sometimes I fret that it shows trust issues, but that is the life of being a control freak. You also run the risk of over extending yourself as a HC. I think Shurmur’s ideology perfectly fits Homlgren’s. I feel the Browns could have done better with the DC selection of Dick Jauron.
QB: C
Colt McCoy has all the makings of Jeff Garcia. Small, athletic, accurate, consummate competitor…but limited in size and arm strength. I think McCoy fits this system, I just don’t see him winning you a championship. It’s not from lack of effort. I want to be wrong, but don’t feel I am.
RB: B
Peyton Hillis is a battering ram. He is physical with surprisingly good athleticism and hands. Problem is he was over-used last season, due to lack of other weapons, and wore down. Browns are hoping with Montario Hardesty rotating in and Colt McCoy not being a rookie anymore it will help Hillis stay fresh. At this point though, Hardesty is still having knee troubles and his involvement might be limited.
WR/TE C
This is the last season for Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie to prove they are not busts. Both were 2nd round picks from the 2009 draft. Both showed slight improvements last season but are still disappointing. Browns drafted Greg Little in the second round and are hoping he can be a play maker. He has the size and speed but does he want it? Browns are loaded at TE with the likes of Ben Watson as well as recently drafted Jordan Cameron. Evan Moore also has had a great offseason and might push for playing time.
OL: C+
Browns might have the best young center and LT duo in the league. They have Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. LG Eric Steinbach is a solid veteran whose end-time is approaching. Right side of the OL is up for grabs. FA might help clear it, but team is hoping Jason Pinkston can win the RT spot and Shawn Lauvao the RG spot.
DL: C
The switch to the 3-4 to the 4-3 made most of the DL the Browns had obsolete. So in the draft the Browns first two selections went to this unit. Phil Taylor is a massive run stuffing, buffet line terror. He will team with Ahtyba Rubin to form near 700 pounds of beef to stop the Ravens and Steelers from running anywhere near the middle. Jabaal Sheard is a capable pass rusher and will team with Marcus Bernard. More talent and depth will be needed in the next few offseasons.
LB: D
Switching to the 4-3 from the 3-4 also threw the LB unit into a mess. Problem is the Browns didn’t use the draft to fix this unit as they did with the DL. Browns are hoping that Scott Fujita can be a solid SLB and Chris Gocong a solid MLB. At WLB Browns hope D’Qwell Jackson can stay healthy. The Browns cannot afford any injuries since the Browns have little depth at this position.
DB: C/C+
2010 Draft brought Shut Down CB Joe Haden and head hunting SS TJ Lang. Both are pillars for this defense. Problem is, the other CB and Safety are nothing to brag about. Sheldon Brown is a shadow of what he was and the Browns do not have anything worth mentioning at FS. Browns must surround the young duo of Haden and Lang with more talent.
2011 NFL Draft: B
Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, and Greg Little are all starters…possibly as soon as this season. I like the selection of Jordan Cameron and Jason Pinkston and think they have the possibility of starting down the road. I wish the Browns would have drafted some LB’s, but Rome was not built in a day.
Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers
Greg Little is a Mike Williams clone. Supremely talented, but seemingly just doesn’t care. Both are extremely athletic and big bodied with enormous hands. If Little can get the wake up call that Williams did that I believe he is capable of 60 receptions for around 800 yards and 5-6 TD’s.
Jabaal Sheard finally put it together in his final season at Pittsburgh University. He has some major speed coming off the end and at times plays with an unbridled passion for the game…sometimes. Inconsistency is his problem. I still think he can get 5-6 sacks and show glimpses of something special.
2012 Season Prediction: 6-10
The Browns are trending up…but still play in the AFC North. They play the Steelers and Ravens for 1/4th the season. I like the moves the Browns have made and there are lessening the difference between them and the elite but still have a long journey. So Browns fans keep rocking the Journey and Don’t Stop Believing.