DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Come One Come All .... Its Prediction Time ...

Well folks trhe BS is over ... the next time they strap it on its for real .... so lets here what u all think about the upcoming season ... and just dotn give records ... give some thoughts and insights into what u think will happen ... where are strengths and weaknesses will lie ..... put some thought into it instead of just plopping out a couple numbers ...

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put some thought into it instead of just plopping out a couple numbers ...

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i'm currently at work, so i'm not allowed to think...But I'll say we finish 10-6.

gotta believe...

Alright here's a few calls....

Browns become the team people hate to play and we surprise some folks. We end up contending for the wildcard...(I won't guess an exact record)

Charlie Frye takes a massive leap forward as a legitimate QB. However, mid to late season, Quinn gets a shot to get in, either through injury or substitution mid-game and performs well. QB controversy for the rest of the season.... (I mean, what would a Browns season be WITHOUT a QB controversy)

LeCharles Bentley ends up going back on IR, sorry dawgs...not this year.

Jamal Lewis is the runner he was. Behind an improved OLine, he's top 10 rushing in the league.

Braylon continues to have the dropsies...but becomes more of a team guy.

KW2 is incredible again....

Wimbley and Peek become a feared pass rushing duo...Peek feeds off of the attention given to Wimbley and gets a career high for sacks.

Daven Holly gets alot of playing time as Bodden's ankle is still a little shaky. Plays up the challenge.

All in all, our team ends up looking a mile better this year and people start talking about the Browns as a legit team.

Its a good time to be a Dawg.

The OL should progressively get better. The investment and talent is there for that to happen. Hell,some of our depth is better than some starters we've had in decsent years. (ie...Matua)

And we can "think about it" untill hell freezes over,but nobody has a real clue as to the QB position in regards to Quinn playing. Everybody has an "opinion" but no logical reasons grounded in facts.

I don't believe Charlie will "light it up" or anything. But with an improved OL and Lewis in the backfield,I think he can look decsent. So what does that mean in regards to Quinn playing? Not much. It's anybodys guess how the FO and coaching staff will deal with that. My best guess is he'll be in between weeks 8-12. But that can fluctuate depending on how well Frye can "get the O to produce" with him as our starter.

RB? Lewis looks more legit back there than anything I've seen since our return. How much more legit? How quickly our run blocking will come together will help determine that. And I think Wright will do fine at spelling him. He has also shown very good hands. If he continues to progress the way he has thus far? Who knows next year.

We have a lot of youth in our secondary. Talent,but youth. That will lead to mistakes as they mature as a unit.

The LB position is quite deep and talented. We're shored up WELL there!


But the DL is going to give up some yards big time within our own division especially. I think we got a "little help" but very little. Look for us to go from last years 30th ranked run D to this years 22nd to 25th. Some improvement but not enough to make a marked difference.

Our WR's?


Flip a coin?


If Braylon can hang on to the ball unlike last night and Travis can START hanging on to the ball like last night? Good things can happen. Look for Cribbs to start getting more playing time at WR.

Team MVP's for this year?

O = KW2
D = Wimbley
ST = Cribbs

Record?
6-10

JMHO

19-0

If all the stars align, it'll be 8-8, but still last in the AFC North....
Wk 1 PIT L
Wk 2 CIN L
Wk 3 OAK W
Wk 4 BAL W
Wk 5 NE L
Wk 6 MIA W

3-3 at the bye, Charlie and the offense look much like last year, but with some better scoring drives, clock management and a slightly better running game that makes us more competative. Not a big-threat offense yet though.
Now the bad things start....

Wk 8 STL L
Wk 9 SEA L
Wk 10 PIT L
Wk 11 BAL L

Crennel is very much on the hot seat in that stretch, and probably starts Quinn at PIT or BAL. Randy Lerner will need a case of ear-plugs to drown out the masses calling for Crennel's firing.

Wk 12 HOU W
Wk 13 ARI W
Wk 14 NYJ W
Wk 15 BUF W
Wk 16 CIN L
Wk 17 SF W

A strong finish will provide optimism for next year, and keep Crennel's job. Unfortunately, if we drop a few of those late W's and win less than seven games, fans will clamor for the coach to be fired, and the merry-go-round spins again....The lack of a really lights out run D is going to hurt this year. If the offense can stay on the field and put up three scores a game with at least one TD, it can be managable. If not, it's going to be a loooongggg season of getting run over by Johnson, McGahee, Parker, Jackson, Alexander etc....

I'll give it a shot. I'm no football expert though.

First the offense;

QB's Obviously Frye starts week 1. I dont think he'll completely struggle but I dont think he does enough to keep Quinn from starting after the bye. Quinn will take the job by working hard and outperforming Frye in practice.

RB Lewis is going to do wonders for our offense. Him along with the OL will make us at least an NFL offense. I'd expect him to get 1400-1500 yds and 8-10tds. Which would be HUGE for our O. The guys behind him are ok as backups, I hope one of em step it up.

Recievers I expect Winslow to become one of the top 3 TE's this year. His leg is back under him and his ability to stretch the field. 1000-1100 yds and 6-8tds is a real possibility. Braylon looks about the same as he did last year. Jurevicious is a great #3 but not a #2. Cribbs shocks the world by stepping up as a reciever, and looks like he will be able to start next season. The rest are scrubs.

OL FINALLY a REAL OL. 4 of our 5 guys would start on more than half the teams in the league. I expect us to run alot better, and expect the QBs to have more time in the pocket. We've already seen this in preseason.

DL I really fear for this group. Maybe Roye makes it a better group., but it still looks like we're in the bottom 3rd in run D. Needs MAJOR attention next offseason.

LBsThis group looks solid! Even without Andra and McGinest. Phil has done a great job amassing talent for our 3-4. Expect Peek to get 8-10 sacks as a result of the attention Wimbley gets. Wimbley gets about the same but has a major impact on the defense as a whole.

DBsThis group is also solid. Jones is a beast. Bodden is a legitimate starter, and I feel E. Wright will be a top 10 corner in 2 years. There's considerable depth at CB with Holly, K Wright, McDonald. I think Baxter will be put on IR. Pool is the only ?? i see back here. He has the physical gifts but he always seems to be a second late, whereas Jones is right there. I hope the light comes on for Pool and he starts reacting, not thinking.

St's I expect this group to be as good as last year. Not much else to say.

OverallI see this group being much more competitive this year. We were "in" games last year, but we werent really in them. This year I expect us to actually be competing in those games.

Our offense should improve from ~30th to 15-20th. The talent and scheme improvements should allow for it.

Our defense will reap the benefits from the improved O. (esp Lewis/running game) I suspect the running yds will come down because of less attempts not because we are better up front. Our LB's/DBs have the potential for this to be a top 10 pass D. The running D just needs to get to 20th. Overall the defense should be ranked 10-15th.

What does all this gibberish mean? Probably 300-320 points scored, about the same given up, and 6-9 wins. I think thats enough for Romeo to see it through until our playoff run next year.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm (QUINN TIME) LOSS
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm LOSS
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm LOSS
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm WIN

5/11 in my mind right now. this can't predict opposing teams injuries or anything like that. this is JMHO.

I think this year's team has the most potential for success since we came back in '99. That's also the reason it's probably the hardest to figure out.

I believe we'll finally see an offense we can be proud of. IMO, Jamal Lewis will have a banner year. It wouldn't surprise me to see him hit 1500 yards. I think he's that good, again. Winslow should have a Pro Bowl season. The jury is still out on Braylon but if he plays close to his potential we should be fine at WR. (Fine, not great).

The Defense is what's gonna kill us this year. Although I think Wimbley, Jackson, Bodden and E. Wright will all have great years we'll still struggle to stop the run. And until we can make teams pass when we want them to we'll never ascend to the next level.

I hesitate to put a number on this team. Because of our schedule, especially in the Division, we could be improved from last year and not see much increase in the win column. But I do think we should be able to break even. 8-8 is my guess.

I also would like to add that while I would not be surprised to see us fall short of .500 I don't think the owner will see things quite the way I do. I believe that he expects a minimum of 7-9 or Romeo will be out the door. JMHO

I'll look at it from a sooner or later standpoint.

The sooner Quinn is the starter we will go 8-8.

The later he starts we will go 5-11.

my guess is that we end up 7-9 or 8-8 I think we have some key componets but we are still a little far away to end up over .500. Next year we will draft some DL & some depth at a few more places like RB FS DL WR or get some in FA and we will be moving into 10-6 land JMHO

It's pretty easy task considering what we had to work with in the years past... we had 20 needs and 7 picks... not a very easy tp plug a boat that looks like swiss cheese with only one cork.

Draft DL first round
WR second and the rest is depth once we get there...

Whew,,, I hate predicting,,, but here is my best shot....

Overall,, I'd be shocked at 9-7...

We finally will get some wins in our division going 4-2.. Big improvement.

The defense is much more stout than we expected because they found the ability to stuff the run finally.

ST is outstanding... we score a bunch on ST with Cribbs running back 5 for TD's over the course of the year..

OK OK,, Reading the above comments should be enough to make you all thik I'm outta my mind,,,,, no need to think it,, I can confirm it's true

September 9 PITTSBURGH STEELERS CBS 1 p.m.
WIN
Cleveland comes to play and Pittsburgh is still trying to find thier identity with a new coach and O-coordinator

September 16 CINCINNATI BENGALS CBS 1 p.m.
Loss
Cleveland is a little to high after our opening day win and even though we score some pionts, Cinci is just to good of an offensive team, especially with our run defense and young secondary.

September 23 at Oakland Raiders CBS 4:05 p.m.
Win
Oakland is still a mess and even though thier D isn't that bad, we have just improved too much and it really isn't even that good of a game.

September 30 BALTIMORE RAVENS CBS 1 p.m.
Win
This is just like some of the other games we have played agianst the Ravens and comes down to the final minutes. This time the combination of Wimbley and Peek is just too much of a factor in the pass rush and McNair just can't scramble like he used to, B-mores 0-line isn't what it used to be either

October 7 at New England Patriots CBS 1 p.m.
Loss
NE is just the cream of the crop this yr. and even though we play respectabley, we just don't have enough, but the NFL is beginning to take notice of the Browns

October 14 MIAMI DOLPHINS CBS 1 p.m.
Win
Miami and Oakland are fighting for the cellar of the NFL. Again, we look pretty good against a bad team.

BYE WEEK We go into the bye week at 4-2

October 28 at St. Louis Rams CBS 1 p.m.
Loss
See the Cinci game. St. Louis just has too much offense and while again we keep things close, we just don't have enough.

November 4 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS FOX 4:05 p.m.
Loss
Seattle is back to it's old form and Shuan Alexander picks them up and just carries them through our defense, we can't win if we don't have the ball, and Seattle just rides Alexander to the win

November 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers CBS 1 p.m.
Loss
Pittsburgh has figured things out by now and is looking for revenge. We lose another nail bitter, but it's a fun game to watch.

November 18 at Baltimore Ravens CBS 1 p.m.
Loss
Fans are beginning to wonder if the start of the season was just a fluke and the chants of BRADY are almost deafining.

November 25 HOUSTON TEXANS CBS 1 p.m.
Win
We are back home after a tough stretch and while Houston is showing signs of improvement also, we win on the shoulders of a monster game by Jamal.

December 2 at Arizona Cardinals CBS 4:05 p.m.
Win
Jamal has two outstanding games in a row against teams that can't stop the run.

December 9 at New York Jets CBS 4:15 p.m.
Loss
this is a game with playoff implications and the Jets, playing at home, key on Jamal and score just enough to pull one out.

December 16 BUFFALO BILLS CBS 1 p.m.
Win
Buffalo just doesn't have it this yr. and this should be fairly easy, our running game (see O-Line) and defense is really getting it together and we have stayed pretty healthy (for a change)

December 23 at Cincinnati Bengals CBS 1 p.m.
Win
The Bengals have begun to fall apart by this time and thier defense is just poruos, our young defense isn't so young anymore and Jamal is shooting for the probowl behind our best O-Line sinse our return to the NFL

December 30 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FOX 1 p.m.
Loss
I can't beleive I just said that as this game may have a play-off spot riding on it, but I just can't bring myself to predict a winning season and can't really beleive I have us at 8-8. I think San Fran will also be greatly improved this yr. and this could actually be a big game at home to end the season.

Realistically I only see 6-10 or possibley 7-9 , but doing it the way I did........is it THAT unrealistic to see 8-8 or 9-7............

yea, it problably is

Honestly. If we win the first game vs. Pit I think we have a good chance of breaking .500

If we don't? 8-8 is the best I can see.

Realistically, I think we go 7-9.

I'm going to say 9-7 and barely miss the post-season.

I think the offense will continue to gel and grow as the season progresses. I think we'll finally have teams be FORCED to stack the box against our run game and I think we'll finally be able to beat that stack through the air. It won't be all roses & clovers, but it will be a marked improvement.

I think the defense is going to be aggressive as hell. I think we're going to gable a LOT more... which will likely lead to an increase in the number of times we get burned, but it will also lead to an increase in Big Plays of the Sack and Turnover varieties.

Special Teams... the one coach I didn't want to lose, it looks like I won't miss him at all.

offensive headline: TALE OF TWO HALVES...

early on, we're gonna struggle...

OL is improved, but it still isn't the calibre that we can deal with significant injuries...our first 4 games, 3 against the AFCN, we'll have Tucker out, and who knows with Steiny's knee and Shaffer's concussion...Shaffer hasn't been good at RT in the first place...and with or without injuries, this line is gonna need time to get to an above avg. unit, which i think it can by later in the year...Thomas will have his growing pains, as well...

i expect Lewis to surprise a lot of teams with his receiving...the plan is to utilize him more in that regard...he's looked pretty good, and swing passes are good planning for a team that absolutely cannot afford an injury to Lewis...on top of that, Frye, who will lead this team early on, tends to skip from first to last in his progressions, IMO, and this will add to Lewis' looks out of the backfield...

i believe that Braylon and Winslow will play well overall, but the passing game will not be very encouraging, as both guys are prone to mental lapses, trailing only the Frye in that category...

Quinn will eventually start...probably between weeks 5-9...and as the season is finishing, a lot of fans and media will be proclaiming how infinitely better Quinn was than Frye...in the long run, i think that willl be true, but i believe that we will perform much better in the 2nd half of the year for a variety of reasons, Quinn being only one of them...OL playing better...Quinn stretching field (legitimate throws, not Frye's floaters)...easier schedule...more time in the offense...

ST headline: TAKE THAT, ROSBURG

our STs have been outstanding to date (minus Dawson's "struggles"), and i predict noone will be crying for the loss of, umm, what was his name? ...not predicting anything ridiculous like 5 TD returns, etc., but very few mistakes and a get as much as you can without being careless attitude...just have been very impressed at how few penalties we've had incomparison to Rosburg's groups...

defensive headline: WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR

on the DL, Roye will be helpful, but i don't think he's gonna help tremendously, b/c i don't think he'll stay healthy, which also limits Shaun Smith's effectiveness, who should be repping at NT...

i believe i see a front 7 that reminds me of the Jamal Lewis 500 yd season in one respect...i think we've got a group that will play quite well and limit opponents to minimal gains on 5/6 plays, punctuated with terrible breakdowns and large gains by the opponents...fortunately, good tackling S's shoudl limit how badly those breakdowns hurt us, unlike that infamous season...

with respect to Steinbach, i think Antwan Peek will prove to be the best pick up of FA...i believe he'll have as many sacks as Wimbley, perhaps more...and he can thank WImbley for it...KW so often forces the QB out the right side of the pocket, Peek is gonna have it relatively easy...he also shows good instincts in the pass game, and will come away with some big picks, IMO...

i'm not sure what to expect in the secondary...the talent is there, but at the end of the day, you've still got, 2 2nd-yr starters, 1 1st-yr starter, and 1 rookie back there...i think that backfield will exhibit some breakdowns when faced with OC's that know how to create confusion...

ok you don't want records, but really who cares what you want? ...i think we'll go 3-5 in the first half of the season, beating 1/3 divisional foes at home...the other 2 Ws will probably be Oakland and Miami, but it never works like it does on paper, so could be New England and Seattle for all i know...

2nd half of the year, we'll win one of those 1st two @ Pitt or @ Balt, then finish our final 6 off by going 4-2...

that's 8-8...Romeo will NOT get canned, Quinn will be the #1 going into the offseason, and our priorities will become DL and RB, followed by some possible WR and OL additions...

With all the emphasis the coaching staff has put on a fast start, I think the Browns could surprise some people this year. One of the nice things about being the underdog is that people tend to overlook you. If that happens, I could see the Browns going 5-1 in the first 6 games and 12 -4 overall. Unfortunately, I can also see the team going 5 - 11 if the fast start doesn't happen and confidence erodes.....

Realistically, I would say the more accurate prediction would be 7 - 9 to 9 - 7. No playoffs, but steady improvement. Romeo keeps his job.

Well folks trhe BS is over
No the real BS just started when you opened this thread up
Anyway..I think the BROWNS will go either 6-10/ 7-9 or at best 8- 8.
Anything to get the Cowboys from having a top ten pick.

Not going to get in all the little variables that could win/lose one to two games..

I think what I've seen so far in this preseason is a team that looks ready to play and not lifeless..
They look prepared..not in a allout state of confusion and thats due to the new OC who has a actual gameplan..

QB
We have a QB in the wings. We have Brady Quinn who projects to be our leader in 08.
Frye is a huge ????? in my book due to his inconstancy and skillset.
Anderson is a mistake waiting to happen and Dorsey is the brain.


RB
We have Jamal Lewis and he is the old disgruntled RB who is better than what we've had... After Lewis we have.....we hope we have running backs that will produce when he's out..

WR
We have Joe. He is a solid #3 WR on a good team, at least a 4...think Colts, Pats. We hope Edwards has grown up and applies himself. We have three guys who should be fighting for a roster spot.
One of them needs to emerge..that would be Wilson..he has to produce..


TE
KW, if healthy and if he applies himself is a top 10 and should be a top 5 TE. Heiden is a good solid TE...nothing fancy, but reliable.

OL
The bright spot on the offense, or at least it should be. .
It now resembles a Oline..we have depth for the first time..not backups playing starter.. We have Fraley, a jourrneyman who was beaten out of a job in philly.
We have McKinney an average journeyman who was out injured all last year. We have Shaffer who will change positions and hopefully will be an average ORT. We have Joe Thomas, a rookie who we hope learns the job quickly and becomes a solid player this year. ..

DL
We have Smith and............hmmm........... OK we have Roye whose knees are gone but is a favorite and we have Big Ted who was too old to play five years ago ..
Shaun Smith may be the key ..he is out of postion at DE but I think his skill set is NT..

Huge question..can we stuff the run this year ????
If not we're in trouble.

LBS
We have Jackson and Wimbley and Williams and Peek and if healthy they are good. We have Davis who may study and work and actually make a tackle on the other side of the LOS. Today it looks as if Chaun makes the team. We need depth.

DBs
Jones and Bodden if healthy give us two very good DBs. Pool can be very good and hopefully E Wright will be the real deal out of the box. I do like some of depth better than most..


Special teams should be good..

COACHING:
we have RAC some Donato's pizza a new offense and a new special teams coordinator .....
They seem to have the units ready to play..thats important..no emotion means the team gets emotionally beat before they even take a snap.


Our offense has a new coordinator and a new scheme. There are no pro-bowlers on the offense and if we are fortunate we might see Edwards and Winslow shine. On defense we do have Jackson and Wimbley and Jones. Bodden, if healthy could come of age and make a showing. E Wright...lets hope he is as good as billed. Wimbley may make the pro-bowl and others may receive consideration, especially Jones, if the defense plays as a whole.

I see a better team who should not only challenge our division rivals, we should win a few of those games..it's time...no playoffs but time to start making a name and not be controlled week in and week out.

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Honestly. If we win the first game vs. Pit I think we have a good chance of breaking .500

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That's a really good way of looking at it.

Right now it's hard for me to look past the stooler game,....It should tell us alot about our team,...I don't see us winning but if we've improved it will show.

Prediction: 7-9 or 8-8. Though I hope for more wins than that.

As for the team, well.............

Frye will start and show how capable he actually is, and barring injury he will start all season. Jamal will perform similarly to how Droughns performed his first year in Cleveland---he will give us our 1000 yard rusher. I see him finishing the season with around 1200 yards and between 5 and 9 TD's. I think that Harrison will play a bigger role this year than last year--and I'm hoping that we utilize him on third down more often than Wright. I think that Harrison is a better runner in space. So screens and swing passes to him would be great to see.

I like our wide receivers this year---though some think BEasy drops the ball to much--I don't think it will be as big a problem as it was last year. BE will have a 1000 yard receiving year. He will perform like a solid number 1. JJ will play his role, and make the catches when the ball is thrown his way. I expect Kellen to be even better than last year. He owes it to Cleveland--and this year, he is supposedly "healthy" so I want to see even more production.

The OL is improved and I think that it will work out very well for us. It will work out the best for Charlie, it will work out second-best for Jamal and Jerome. I think that the OL improvement is the one thing that gives this offense the capability to utilize the weapons that it has---the same weapons that had trouble getting involved last year due to HORRIBLE LINE PLAY.

On Defense I expect to see Wimbley make a strong case for pro bowl balloting. And Peek will be a force to be reckoned with on the opposite side. Our Backer in the middle will perform well. But they're play more than the outside guys will be dependant on the way our Defensive line performs.

Our DLine is the biggest "IF" and "I HOPE" on this team. I hope they play well, and are able to hold their ground up from. If they do this, than our Backers will all enjoy fantastic seasons. This is all based on when Roye comes back--and how effective he is. How will Shaun Smith play. How will Robaire Smith play. How long can Ted last. How long can we keep our scheme going by subbing in guys like Fraser, Smith, and whoever else makes the team.

Our secondary should be a little more solid this year--barring injury. I like Bodden and Wright to start at CB--Bodden having a great year, while Wright will make some mistakes. Daven Holly will come in as our number three. And our safety's should be good. Jones will be solid---but I think Pool is a little "wait and see." I really can't say whether he's up to the task of free safety yet. he's got the physical tools, and he's smart, but we'll see if the physical skills and smarts can mask his lack of starting experience.

Hopefully, our D will come together very well in scheme, and with Kam and Peek and some creative blitzing we will get pressure and force turnovers---and I believe we've got the guys in coverage that can make good on hurried throws and get the INT. Our D just has to worry about holding up against the run. But I think by rotating fresh guys on the line, and our DEPTH at linebacker, we will see some success holding running backs to two or three yards a carry instead of the four to six yards they usually get against Brown defenses.

Our Special Teams should be great once again, with Zastudil, Cribbs, and Pontbriand. Dawson needs to show some consistency.

Overall, I predict a 7-9 or 8-8 season, anything less is a disappointment--anything more and we got ourselves some overachievers.

Personally, the only thing preventing us from going 9-7 is our run-D. The Dline needs to play like they're years younger than they are. If we can stop the run, our pass D will make it hard for anyone to convert to receivers.

Secondly, I truly have full belief that we could put our corners on an island and end up shutting WRs down. So with that said our Run-D might actually end up being serviceable because we'll be able to put up more blitz packages.

With that said I say we end up 7-9. There are some very legitimate games that we can win here. I'd say right after the Bye we'll see our identity starting to form. The first game is going to be interesting... I won't say it will set the tone for the rest of the season but I will say that if we get blown out I'm going to shake my head.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm W/L
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm L
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm W
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm W
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm L
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm W

bye

This part of the season is going to be interesting... if the Run-D is doing it's job we could see some awesome stuff.

Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm W
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm L

We're playing at their house and their mad as hell... not only that but they're probably in mid-season form.

Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm L
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm L

All 4 teams here are teams that we could legitimately win against. NY and Buffalo look the most threatening but Buff is slightly going through a crisis right now, and New York was an awesome 8-8 team last year... they might have not been all that great but Mangini had the team playing competitively all year long... I would love to see that from the Browns this year.

Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm W
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm W
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm W
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm W

Cincinnati just has our number... I don't care what's going on they're just too offensively powered for their own damn good. And I think that San Fran is going to win the West this year... if not win they will just miss the playoffs.

Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm L
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm L

5 or 6 wins for the Browns. Some close games, and teams will have a harder time beating us this year.

We may even win one or two against a good opponent. I expect a stronger offensive line, of course, but there will be rookie mistakes both on offense and defense.

Unfortunately, injuries are to be expected...so it's really tough to predict, but I believe we are better this year, & will keep improving in the next few years.

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5/11 in my mind right now. this can't predict opposing teams injuries or anything like that. this is JMHO.

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That's not an opinion, it's "plopping out a number."

5 wins is a good starting point though, and I think we will be in the 5 to 8 win range, dependent on injuries and freaky ball bounces here and there.

For the first time in a long time, we are pretty much sitting pretty at every position on the offensive side of the ball, with the exception of the most important position......QB. Don't get me wrong, I feel that CF can do the necessary job for us, but I don't think he will get the chance. I think the media and fan morons will clamor and clamor until a change has been made.

Do I think BQ can step in and be the franchise QB for this team? That remains to be seen, but if he can it shouldn't be this season.

This team's failure or success will rely heavily upon the FO letting RAC coach this team and not the media or the fanbase.

We still have some rebuilding to do on the D side of the ball.....I think we give up some long drives and quick scoring plays just as we have in the past, but not quite as frequently due to the improved secondary.

It all comes down to the same thing that it always has and it always will.......we must be able to run the ball and we must be able to stop the run. If we can do both of those, we may jump into the 9 or 10 win range.

We shall see......in 8 days and a wake-up!!!

Quote:

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Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm Win
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm Win
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm Win
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm LOSS
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm Win
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm Win
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm Loss

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8-8,

This schedule isn't nearly as tough as people think it is. Buffalo? Oakland, Arizona, Miami, Houston, NY Jets are ALL over rated teams, we can beat.

Will we, I dunno, but we can.

I think this team can go 8-8, but realistically 7-9.

My guess, is going to be 8-8.

Well, I'm no Nostradamus, but here's my take on the possibilities...


Week 1 vs. PIT - WIN

We SHOULD have won the home game last year. We definitely got better over the off-season. Pittsburgh did not. It'll still be a nail-biter, but I think we'll come out on top this time.


Week 2 vs. CIN - LOSS

The Browns defense couldn't stop these guys last season. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to stop them again this year. It might be a closer game this season, but I don't think our offense will be able to keep up with the Bengals offense in this one.


Week 3 @ OAK - WIN

Oakland's defense is actually pretty good. However, I don't see any improvement on one of the few offenses that was actually worse than ours last season. We won't blow them out, but I think we'll win.


Week 4 vs. BAL - WIN

This was another game we SHOULD have won last season. I really think we've improved enough to put us over the top here. Like Week 1, it will come down to the last quarter, but we SHOULD be able to pull this one out.


Week 5 @ NE - LOSS

LOL, Yeah... Burn this tape and move on to Week 6!


Week 6 vs. MIA - WIN

Miami's offense is still a disaster and that defense isn't getting any younger. We beat them with a much worse team in 2005 and Miami hasn't improved since then in any tangible way.


Week 7 - BYE Week

No way we lose THIS week!


Week 8 - @ STL - LOSS

I waffled on this one a bit. The Rams defense isn't good at all. However, if Holt is healthy by Week 8, this game will look a lot like the Cinci game: our offense won't be able to keep up with St Louis' offense. We MIGHT be able to steal this one, but, for now, I'm counting it a loss.


Week 9 vs. SEA - LOSS

Unless something goes horribly wrong injury-wise for Seattle before they come to Cleveland, I don't see us winning this one. Too many weapons on offense and a fairly solid defense will keep the Browns at bay in this one.


Week 10 @ PIT - LOSS

Browns return the favor at the Mustard bottle. I think we'll be closer than last year AT Pittsburgh, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if we came on top here. I think its a bit early in our development to realistically predict a sweep of the Stoolers.


Week 11 @ BAL - LOSS

Whew! It's going to be a BRUTAL couple of weeks in November. See Week 10 for comments.


Week 12 vs. HOU - WIN

This was an upsetting loss last season. It sure looked like we had given up by the time we played the Texans last year. I don't think that will happen THIS year.


Week 13 @ ARI - LOSS

I went back-and-forth on this one too. I still don't think Arizona is going to be as good as the pundits want them to be. However, they have a ton of talent on offense and their defense is slowly improving. We might be able to steal this one, but I think the Cardinals will prevail here.


Week 14 @ NY JETS - LOSS

We were lucky to come away with a win last season. Even though we're better this year, I think the J-E-T-S will be out for blood at home and won't make the same mistakes that doomed them last season at CBS. This is another one that we MIGHT be able to pull off, but I'll give the nod to the home team here.


Week 15 vs. BUF - WIN

Buffalo is in more of a rebuilding mode than we are at this point. Losman is better but still turnover-prone. The Bills defense is going to be rebuilding all season. We SHOULD win this one.


Week 16 @ CIN - LOSS

I still don't think we'll be able keep pace with Cinci (barring injuries to most of their starting offense).


Week 17 vs. SF - WIN

A lot of the "experts" are predicting big things for the Niners this year. I'm not buying it just yet and they've got to come here... in December. I think our guys will prevail in this one.


So... running through the schedule game-by-game, I can see potential for a 7-9 season. Splitting games with The Pitts and Baltiwhore is definately a possibility and would be a sure sign of progress. Realistically, however, 7-9 is probably a ceiling to this season. We might win some of the games I've marked as losses, but losing some of the games I've chalked up as wins is equally possible (obviously). Regardless, I'm stoked to get the season rolling!

We play 6 division games and 10 non division games.
I see us going 3-3 against the steelers,bengals and ravens and at least one of those wins is away.
We go 6-4 against the rest of the schedule and manage to knock one of our division rivals out of the playoffs.

Our team is gaining respect throughout the league as a team ready to play rough and bloody....no more "lay down and roll over Browns"!

Now they only laugh about the river catching on fire from years ago....bring it on!

I love some of the numbers on here, but I just don't see it this year. I do really like the late season schedule. Charlie isn't making any friends early in the year with what is there, but assuming whoever is QB for the final 6 games could easily go 4-2. While I don't want Quinn to play this year, those six games provide lesser defenses and a chance to perhaps show something of what is to come (hopefully). I think the offense is close to finished. Obviously a long-term answer at RB is still needed (gee, Michael Turner is a UFA next year and the Vikes will probably want to lose Chester Taylor... next year is a good year to need an RB, IMO). Also, they need one of the younger WRs to step up, whether it be Cribbs or Wilson or even Carter. I'm really not that worried about the offense.

The defense on the other hand... They may be good enough to get us to mediocrity this year, but the wheels could come off quick. There is no depth on the D-Line, which is also the oldest unit on the team. I like adding Eric Wright and the secondary in general should be better for it (if Bodden can stay healthy, knock on wood). There are pieces in the LBs, but I'm not entirely sold on any of them yet. I want to give Todd Grantham the benefit of the doubt on this, because he has shown some ability to get a pieces/parts defense to play together in the past, but I still see the run defense being a concern.

On special teams, I'm not really that worried. Cribbs looks good as a returner, Zastudil is solid. I'm minorly concerned about Phil Dawson right now, but I don't think the season comes down to the kicker.

I think this team is one more year away. A draft/FA class that gets a RB, 2-3 DL and maybe a young kicker and add water, you have instant contender. I'm just too worried about that DL to be as generous as a lot of you are. 5-11 or 6-10 for me, and I'm leaning toward 5-11 in all honesty. One more year... one more year...

7-9 season... splitting the division at 3-3.

Lewis goes for 1100 yards, BE gets 1200, Winslow 900.

Wimbley gets 14 sacks

Quinn gets in after the bye week.

weakest schedule we could have asked for and there is enough talent to win 11

then i remember our HC is Romeo and Charlie is our starter and that makes me say we will win 3 and drop 13.

This is always difficult. I honestly believe we have a team that should come out in the 5 to 8 win range. Where, well that's what I haven't settled on yet.

We've improved in a lot of areas. We are better at OL, QB, RB, TE (a healthier Winslow alone makes it better), LB (by experience), DB. So the W number has to go up, right? Not so fast my friend, we stayed stagnant or gotten worse at a couple positions. PK (love Dawson, but he's the same), PR (say what you want about him, but DCutt was one of the best in the league), DL (age is quickly becoming a factor), WR (is Braylon going to make the leap? We shall see).

We should run the ball better. I don't know if we will throw better, but the line is improved so there may be a slight improvement there. Our pass D could be exciting, or it could not matter. So much is predicated on getting to the QB. And there lies this team's weakness again. The DL. Can they stop the run? If they can't stop the run, how can we stop the pass? The answer is, we don't. And special teams lost one of the most respected coaches for that job in the league. How much of an impact will that have? 1 or 2 losses? More? At least we have several years together for Dawson, Pontbriand and Zastudil. And we have Cribbs returning kicks again which is always exciting.

Long story short, we are starting to get better depth across the board, but it just isn't enough to say the team is ready to make "the leap". Now the 2008 squad, that has promise, for now, I say...

a very competive and exiting 6-10.

And the way we get there determines if it's enough to save Crennel's job. Today, I'm inclined to say it does.

Ok....tougher season to predict due to several factors.

The first factor is the Romeo factor.

If Romeo has grown any we can improve....if not, we will start out 1-4 and he will be gone.

Another factor for me is the opener. Win and we can win some games. Lose, we stand a good chance to flop badly as the team slowly slips away from Romeo.

Third is the Quinn factor. The team knows he is the starter in wait and play harder when he is in the game. You always play or work harder for the new guy, trying to put your best foot forward wanting him to look your way in the future.

All that said, we lose the opener, Romeo begins to sink, and Quinn saves his butt by game 4 and salvages a few wins on the back end of the schedule.

We win 7.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm LOSS
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm LOSS
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm WIN
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm WIN
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm WIN

I got 9 wins...

We should be able run the ball better and whoever is in at QB will have much better protection than ANYTHING we've seen since 1999.
Offence may start slow because of lack of coheseviness. Steinbach's camp injury didn't help us in that respect.
Jamal stays healthy, he'll get 1,300 minimum.

I predict Braylon will catch 70-80 balls, some of them for BIG yardage. Winslow will catch less than the 89 he had last year because he was often a dump-off target and now we'll have more ability to stretch the field and have more options.

Run D is big question mark as we all know... if we were better there we'd have a lights-out D...if we can blitz the snot out of the bad guys and rely on our secondary to do their jobs, that should somewhat offset a weak run D. Let's not forget Orpheus's return will help there... Peek and Wimbley are key, surely both can't be double-teamed.

Pro Bowlers: Wimbley, Zast and Jamal.

QB situation: Who knows? If CF is playing well and we're winning some games, he should be able to hold off Brady Quinn. If CF stinks it up (I doubt he will), look for Brady in October.


Record: 10-6, wildcard, if we stay relatively healthy and get some breaks (I ain't gonna sit here and say 6-10. Screw that. Besides, I don't even believe it. We are much better than 2006, we look like a real team finally).

not alot of time but I have them at 10-6 this year.
Unless Frye gets injured I dont see Quinn starting at all this year.
The running game will be a huge factor in the red zone and mostly its the defense being able to play a bit above its head this year to make that record happen.
Have to run.
Go Browns.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm Win
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm Win
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm Win
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm Win
Bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm Loss
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm Win
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm Win
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm Win
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm Win
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm Loss
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm Win

I'm being a bit ambitious, but here's to 9-7!

I see us finally getting needed help for Frye:

Thomas, Steinbach, Mckinney, Lewis and Chudzinski

The Oline help will allow more run production and more passing. If Bentley comes back we will be in much better shape. A quick Oline can move with the RB and clear the way very effectively. This is what Lewis did to us and now we have better linemen than Balt. The potential is there to run effectively.

Lewis will make more yards and especially draw coverage from LBs that must account for him. The play action becomes more important also short passes.

Chudzinski will be more creative and work with rather than force the talent...we have needed a creative OC for a long time...a coach that can game plan and design plays for our talent.

Offensive talent must prove they can get yards...Edwards should be good for 60-80 yards a game along with Cribbs and Jerevicous and maybe WIlson and Carter we should be OK. Winslow should also be good for 60-80 yards and always demands coverage. Cribbs/Carter could make the most from this and get open in areas cleared by Winslow.

Frye could get 250-300 yards a game without throwing many long passes just steady open 10-20 yard sideline passes or middle routes to Winslow or Edwards. Eventually they will break something with the right blocking.

Lewis/Wrigth could get 100-150 a game running and recieveing with the variety that Chudzinski makes possible. We can easily set up plays where Lewis is running and cutting back and fake to him and pass to him out of the backfield. A variety of plays will be open with good blocking downfield.

Our defense will be slightly better if for no other reason they are healthy. McGinest and Roye will come back but the best news is we have a Dline that can push the middle and prevent the QB from stepping up...Wimbley and Peek can then rush the edges and get to the QB.

We also heve both McGinest and McMillian that can help with run defense along with Roye.

If our CBs can cover and I suspecct they can then we will also take some chances with more LBs rushing...disruption causes QB mistakes.

Our STs will be our edge if we can just take advantage of field position. Zastudil is the best punter we have had and Cribbs is still running wild. If we can just cover and stop holding we will be better by 3-6 points a game.

I say if the team minimizes mistakes and stays healthy we should be able to get 25-30 points and 350-400 yards a game. Scoring inside the 20 will be critical and we still have the tall WRs and Winslow to make plays. The quick RB/WR types can also really help with quick screens and options for Frye. I think we have more offensive potential than ever.

Our defense can now start working to preserve leads and take some risks. If Wright/Holly and Bodden can stay sharp we should be very good defensively although our Dline will need some help. The good thing is we have depth at LB and Dline. Our new safeties will be better with more Dline help. I see improvement as long as we stay healthy.

I say potentially we could win 8-10...or worst case 6-8. There is no way to predict luck or how a player might improve. I do think we have potential to win and with some more Dline players next year will be even better.

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It's all about the trenches...And we aren't anywhere NEAR as bad off as many think

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I want to agree. I didn't see any preseason so maybe you can tell me if Smith/Smith had much push to prevent the QB from stepping up. that was one thing that Warren did although he usually was trying so hard he missed the ball.

Next year we should try for a top DT if we don't need a RB.