2006 Cleveland Browns Preview
I am going on record right now to say that the Cleveland Browns, under the guidance of head coach, Romeo Crennel, are almost assuredly are going to restore the historic legacy of excellence that the franchise once displayed (many moons ago) on a perennial basis. However, I don’t expect that prediction to come true until 2007 at the earliest.
Nevertheless, Crennel is building this franchise one corner stone at a time, and in hindsight, probably should have been offered a head coaching position a decade ago.
No matter, Crennel has the Browns quickly headed back to respectability and then some. Here is my preview on the Cleveland Browns for 2006.
Quarterback
Maybe it’s me, but from the looks of it, I can see exactly why the Cleveland Browns are so high on second-year quarterback Charlie Frye as the undisputed No. 1 quarterback.
While it certainly would be nice (and wise) for the Browns to pick up a proven veteran to back up Frye, I am a believe that Frye has what it takes to succeed as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Should Frye go down however, the Browns could be in big trouble with Ken Dorsey as their only backup with any significant experience.
Running Back
Incredibly, last season, Reuben Droughns became the first Cleveland Browns running back since 1985 to rush for over 1,000 yards.
Droughns, who rushed for 1,232 yards in 2005, also broke Jim Brown’s team record for carries in a season with 309.
William Green will back up Droughns and Lee Suggs is also back after a trade to the New York Jets was rescinded because of Suggs’ failure of his physical. The competent Terrelle Smith also returns at fullback for the Browns.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The trio of Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Kellen Winslow Jr. should provide an immediate upgrade to this unit and help Frye complete more passes than he would have with Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt and Steve Heiden as his top three targets.
Edwards and Winslow are talented high draft choices, who should definitely be motivated going into 2006 after a couple of injury-marred seasons as professionals. Simply put, Jurevicius is a pass catching machine that holds on to anything thrown in his direction. Northcutt will make a fine fourth receiver this season as well, so the Browns appeared to be covered sufficiently with this unit.
Offensive Line
Although Crennel has tried to address and upgrade the Browns offensive line, I think Cleveland could still be in trouble here.
Free agent acquisition, Pro Bowl center, LeCharles Bentley is out for the season after injuring his left knee early in training camp. Left tackle Kevin Shaffer is a solid player and Jeff Faine, another veteran, replaced Bentley. Joe Andruzzi, Cosey Coleman, and right tackle Ryan Tucker are all serviceable veterans but nothing to write home to mom about.
Defensive Line
The presence of free agent acquisition, Ted Washington, should immediately help the Browns run defense. Veteran left end Orpheus Roye is also coming off a fine season, but is 32-years-old. Alvin McKinley, Jason Fisk and Nick Eason round out this mediocre bunch.
Until the Browns shore up their defensive line, their linebackers in particular, will continue to bear too much of a burden in stopping both the run and pass.
Linebackers
I know that Willie McGinest is 34-years-old, however, I believe his presence at the outside linebacker position for the Browns will not only help them immediately on the field, but also immensely in the locker room as well.
Veteran, Andra Davis, is also a very competent linebacker whose skills will mesh well with those of McGinest.
If D’Qwell Jackson can’t win the starting position opposite of McGinest, either Matt Stewart and Chaun Thompson will earn the spot.
Overall, I’d have to say that Cleveland’s linebackers, especially with the addition of McGinest, are a sound group that should have a decent year – if the defensive line helps them stop the run and get more pressure on the quarterback, that is.
Defensive Backs
I wouldn’t necessarily say that Cleveland has problems in their defensive backfield. However, I will say that they lack experience and what I would call a “lockdown” corner who can cover his own man one-on-one with no help.
Youngster, Leigh Bodden had a fine year last season in place of the injured Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon, who will start on the other side, is a competent, but unspectacular player as well.
Safeties, Brian Russell, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool, form the trio of safeties that the Browns will depend upon – although exactly who is going to start, is a mystery at this point.
Special Teams
Kicker Phil Dawson and new punter, Dave Zastudil may be the two most unidentifiable players in the entire NFL. However, both are sound veterans who get the job done when called upon.
Northcutt is a very competent, and sometimes explosive, punt returner, who scored one touchdown last season on a return while Joshua Cribbs did likewise on a kickoff return – so it would appear that the Browns are set with their return g
Coaching
Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about Crennel. The man won six games last season and more importantly, got the Browns to play until the end in every contest, which is a sure sign that the coach is in total control.
However, I’m not sold on Maurice Carthon as an offensive coordinator and will be watching the Browns offense intently this season.
If the Browns can somehow manage to win eight games this season, I think they will have to consider that an unqualified success. Anything more than that, and I’m nominating Crennel for the league’s Coach of the Year Award.
