Preview of ‘07 Browns
By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
Coach on the Hot Seat
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2006 Record: 4-12
Last Year Summary: In 2006, the Browns were terrible and opponents outscored them 356 to 238. The Browns ranked 31st in total offense (averaged only 264.6 yards a game), 30th in points scored (14.9 per game) and 31st in rushing yards (only 83.4 per game). Cleveland’s offense wasn’t much better ranking 27th in total defense (allowing 344.7 yards per game) and 29th in stopping the run (allowing 142.1 yards per game). Basically teams could run all day on the Browns and they couldn’t run it back at them. Last year, RB Reuben Droughns rushed for only 758 yards on 220 carries (3.4 yards per carry) 
and scored four touchdowns. In his defense, the Browns were normally behind in games and therefore had to give up on the run. In Cleveland’s four wins, Droughns totaled 428 yards and in the team’s 12 defeats he totaled only 499 yards. Akron-star QB Charlie Frye struggled throwing 17 interceptions to his only 10 touchdowns, while leading his team to a 4-9 record in his starts. QB Derek Anderson started three games and didn’t fare any better, however those games he went up against three great defenses in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Tampa Bay. One of the positives was the emergence of safety Sean Jones, who finished the year with 111 total tackles and five interceptions. In the ‘06 NFL Draft the Brownies took Florida State’s LB Kamerion Wimbley and Maryland’s LB D’Qwell Jackson in the first two rounds. Both were impressive as rookies, Wimbley played as an OLB and recorded 11 sacks and 62 total tackles. Jackson played inside and recorded 93 total tackles despite missing the last three games.
Additions: OL Eric Steinbach (Cincinnati), RB Jamal Lewis (Baltimore), LB Antwan Peek (Houston), WR Tim Carter (Chicago), CB Mike Adams (San Francisco), OL Seth McKinney (Miami), FB Alan Ricard, DT Robaire Smith (Tennessee), Shaun Smith (Cincinnati) and CB Kenny Wright (Washington).
Subtractions: WR Dennis Northcutt (to JAC), RB Reuben Droughns (to NYG), S Brian Russell (Seattle), OG Joe Andruzzi, DL Nick Eason (to PIT), DT Alvin McKinley (to DEN) and FB Terrelle Smith (to ARI).
2007 Season Summary: Coach Romeo Crennel enters his third season at the helm of the Browns with a 10-22 record. Cleveland has been terrible ever since getting their team back in ’99 (team moved to Baltimore after the ’95 season). Since ’99 the team has complied a record of 40 wins and 88 losses in the regular season. The team had a wining record once in ’02. In ’99 the team appointed Chris Palmer head coach and he was fired after the ’00 season (his record was 5-27). Then Butch Davis turned around a 3-13 ’00 team to a 7-9 ’01 team. Then a 9-7 playoff team in ’02, but expectations increased and Davis couldn’t improve the club. In ’03, Cleveland went 5-11 and after going 3-8 in ‘04, Davis was fired. If the Browns don’t show improvement in ’07, Crennel could be the next coach to exit Cleveland. However, the next coach would benefit with the good young nucleus that Crennel has built. In the ’07 NFL Draft the team drafted three possible starters, they also have a great linebacking unit and signed a great offensive lineman in Eric Steinbach. Signing RB Jamal Lewis and LB Antwan Peek were great moves. Every game is a tough game for the Browns.
Best Rookie: QB Brady Quinn – I’m not completely sold that Quinn will be a great pro, but all he has to do is beat out QBs Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson. Quinn might not be the starter at the beginning of the season, but I would be surprised if he isn’t by halfway through the season. You know fans will be cheering for him to come in starting this preseason. OT and #3 overall pick Joe Thomas out of Wisconsin will be a great player for a long time. Also, second-round pick CB Eric Wright from UNLV could start right away. The Browns obviously had a great draft.
Big Games of the Year: vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 9- 1:00pm- Opening weekend), vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 16- 1:00pm), vs. Baltimore (Sept.30- 1:00pm), at Pittsburgh (Nov. 11- 1:00pm), at Baltimore (Nov. 18- 1:00pm), at Cincinnati (Dec. 23- 1:00pm
2007 Projected Record: 3-13
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Browns to win the AFC North are 25/1. The win total betting is set at 6 games. Currently, the Browns odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 100/1.
