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

Another good reason why 7 to 9 wins isn't too impossible is that we're getting to a point with the offense where we won't have to rely too heavily on the receivers. That is if we have a consistent running game.

We have legitimate threats that can come out of the backfield and make plays as well as getting the ball to our TEs. The only problem is when they start shutting those down is when the WRs will have to step up and catch the ball. Either that but if they're paying too much attention to the TEs that we can come out and start destroying them with our consistent running game.

Quick Question: Can anybody name one of San Diego's recievers?

My first prediction is that Crennel better figure out a way to win division games or he won't last the year.

Within our division ..... I dunno. Just playing the AFC North gives us a tough schedule. However .... the chin is gone in Pittsburgh ..... half of Cincy is in jail ...... and Baltimore looks to be getting a little long in the tooth at some key positions ...... so who knows?

The rest of our schedule offers some hope. Oakland, Miami, Houston, the Jets, Buffalo and the 49ers all appear to be possible wins, at the least.

Split the "possible" wins ..... win 2 in the division, and steal a game somewhere, and it adds up to 6-10. I think this is reasonable ... and likely, as I forsee Quinn starting around week 8, and our older DL players starting to break down about the same time.

I love what Savage has done these last couple years. We have potentially franchise caliber LT, CB, QB, and blind-side pass rusher. Adding Bentley and Steinbach were terrific FA moves, even if we've had horrible bad luck with LCB. I love the talent in the linebacking corps and secondary and I really believe we have the makings of a strong defense for a long time to come.

With all that said, there are still some holes on the team and I can't look up and down the roster of any of the 3 other AFCN teams and say the Browns have a leg up on any of them.

The offensive line is easily the best we've had since our rebirth. The left side of Joe - Steinbach - Fraley is just excellent. JT can't be expected to come in and dominate, but hopefully we have a special player here for a long time. The right side I have my concerns about, but I'm hoping they can come together and play solid. I'm expecting to see Fraley - McKinney - Kevin. The fact that Tucker can play both of the right spots is fantastic. The depth of this entire unit is also a lot better than we've seen in the past.

The backfield is pretty weak. At best, Lewis has just lost a couple steps. He looked better than I expected in preseason though. I think we'll have a much better feel of what we have here after week 1. I'd like to see Jason Wright win the backup job behind him, and he's a guy I hope we carry for a long time, even if only as a 3rd string RB/special teamer. I can't say I'm very high on harrison or barclay. I honestly havn't paid enough attention to vickers when he's played to really have an opinion of him.

QB situation.. I LOVE it even though I see it as a weakness this year. Frye is clearly the starter until he loses it or Quinn wins it. For the future, I think Quinn - Frye - ??? is excellent. I'm somewhat indifferent on our 3rd QB and the opinions either way between DA and KD have been rehashed a million times. FWIW, I like Anderson, even though the fact that Quinn has performed very well in the preseason has diminished his value somewhat. My biggest concern here is that if/when quinn wins the starting job, Frye might test FA and try to continue as a starter, even though he would start on very few, if any, other NFL teams.

Receivers - I've never been much of a fan of Edwards, given the investment that we made with him. He's looked great this preseason though. Definitely a huge talent. JJ is a respectable possession receiver, but he's not a 2. He never has been. I can throw out names here but nobody else is worth mentioning (but I will anyway ). Cribbs has some real heart and I hope he can develop into an offensive threat. Travis Wilson........ lol. Terrible. He did look better against the Bears though. Overall, this group is definitely a weakness but it's not the biggest of our worries.

TE - Winslow.. straight up stud. IMO, based on 2006 performance, our only pro-bowl caliber player (a couple others were up there as well, ). I can accept that he's a very poor blocker; he makes up for that with his athleticism and pass catching ability. Easily my biggest concern here is that his knee doesn't hold up for the long-term. We have solid depth here as well, and I love the 2 TE sets with Winslow and Heiden.

Defensive line... barf. I like how the Patriots built their line. 3 first round picks.. Seymour, Wilfork, Warren. 3 pro-bowl caliber players. All drafted by NE. We don't even have a single average starter in this unit and it's not even close. Maybe Roye who was always a very solid, but he's getting up there and can't stay on the field anymore.

LB's - I think we have an awesome group for a long time to come here. I see Wimbley developing into the type of player you can build a defense around. He will continue to get better, particularly in coverage and in the run game. Obviously he exceeded all expectations as a rookie. I'm not as excited as everybody else seems to be about Peek. This may be a really bad way to look at it, but he was let go by a bad team with no repercussions and we signed him to a small contract as a backup linebacker. Meh. He has been involved in some QB pressures and big plays in the preseason though.. we'll find out what we have here in the first couple weeks of the season. I do think he's a dropoff from Mcginest though, who isn't as flashy but has the smarts and is very good in the run game. This is getting too long but I like how the inside of this unit fills out with AD, DQ, and LW.

Secondary- Jones is excellent. The funny part is though, even though he was probably our best defensive player last year, he's the 3rd best safety... in this division. I wasn't that impressed with his effort in the preseason, but I'm 100% sure he's one of the guys we can count on to give his all starting week 1. I'm hoping that Pool can step it up, and I have a strong feeling that RAC/Savage let Russell walk because they like what they see in this guy. Let's hope so, because our depth here isn't impressive. Bodden was a great find, but he needs to stay on the field more. The ability to stay healthy is incredibly underrated by most football fans. Eric Wright.. I love what I've seen as far as his coverage skills go in preseason. I think we can expect OC's to attack him early in the season and we'll have a much better idea of what we've got then. Baxter... such an unfortunate game against Denver. I still remember Javon Walker and John Lynch running over to him and saying some encouraging words no doubt.. definitely a class move. If he can come back and even contribute that will be amazing considering his injuries.

Anyway, this is getting way too long so I'll try to sum it up real quick. I see the Browns being respectable this year (something they were NOT last year). I'm going to say 6-10 this year, with a reasonable chance of contention in '08 if things go well. Turner in FA, best d-lineman we can get in round 2 as long as it's not too much of a reach.

My prediction is we're gonna look better, and if we can run the ball successfully we'll win more than anyone expects us to, regardless of who the QB is. The key to this year is going to be Jamal Lewis and the offensive line, no question in my mind.

O-line: I like what we have going. The line's played better as Shaffer's gotten used to playing on the right side and Thomas gets used to the speed of the game. With Steinbach back we'll hopefully be able to run at will on the left side.

D-line: Ehhh...not so much. This will be our achilles heel all year, as we all think will be the case. That said, we SHOULD be better at stopping the run just by the fact that we have 3 linebackers going into their 2nd year in the league.

I'm predicting a BIG year from Kamerion Wimbley, and a solid year for Peek, but Peek only goes as far as Wimbley takes him. If Wimbley draws all sorts of attention, Peek's gonna be a surprise for us.

I expect Quinn to take over either after the bye week or after the New England game, and I expect no dropoff in QB play.

Breakout players:
Lewis
Pool
Peek
Edwards
Jackson
Williams

Potential superstars this year:
Winslow
Wimbley

Final record...ehh, I have to give two.

If Jamal Lewis runs for 1,500+ yards = 9-7
If Jamal Lewis runs for 1,200 yards or less = 6-10

Just like the 2002 playoff season, the running game will determine how much we win.

The annual pressing question...

Without a prediction and takes on what you think the record will be...?

Too many non-committed, no prediction reply's here? What’s up with that???
Just more verbal diarrhea...

My prediction, 6 wins, will be a good improvement. 7 or 8 will be an outstanding year for our Browns. My time is limited, so I do the best I can...

With CF as the starter more than 6 wins is a stretch... Hor-ri-ble...

O-Line must come together and stay healthy. Starters should be good to solid. If they have an injury or two they will be below average.... Wins will be hard to come by if this unit doesn't stay in tact. Must be around 4 yards per in the run game, be able to pick up 3rd and 1 & 2's and make consistent holes for JL... We shall see...

D-Line is better, but how much? Starters should be average, better than last year but again with any injuries this unit will be below average again. If they can't stop the run and push the pocket some the D will suffer. Team weakness.

The Browns are better in all areas and have better quality depth. But they still have a long way to go to be contender’s year in and year out...

The Browns are still in the cellar position in our division. We will be very fortunate to win 2 games in it again this year.

If JL doesn't stay healthy, RB will be a big area of concern... When Bodden goes down our secondary will suffer again... Although I like the youth movement, the draft moves in the secondary very much.

Our WR situation other than JJ, sucks...

I'm very concerned about our ST's other than Z and Cribbs...

Strengths: LB's, Safety, OL & RB if starters JL stays healthy, TE, Z and Cribbs on ST's...

Weaknesses: The rest of the team... The exceptions are: until BQ and Wright are up to speed and ready that is...

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm - WIN
I do believe we have the element of surprise and can win if Jamal busts through the Steelers tough run D. I cannot believe how many people are picking the Browns to win this game - it is a bit disconcerting.
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm - LOSS
Too much offense, too much Rudi Johnson
Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm - WIN
Much tougher game than most expense. A low-scoring game, since the Raiders have no good RBs to exploit our weak run D
Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm - LOSS
Baltimore's defense is good. Very good. I see Baltimore's tough pass-rushers (Suggs, and even that 4th rounder Barnes) giving us fits.
Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm - LOSS
Duh
Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm - WIN
I would pick the Dolphins if this game was in Miami. Miami's defense is aging, and their secondary and LBs (outside of Zach) should scare no one. I think Miami's offense will be better than expected, but the Browns pull out another close win to go into the bye at a respectable 3-3
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm - LOSS
Steven Jackson runs all over us. My fantasy team is happy; my Browns are sad. I think this will be a fairly high-scoring game for both teams.
Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm - LOSS
Shaun Alexander runs all over us (notice a theme here??). I think this game will be close, as the Seahwaks has their own d-line questions (especially if Tubbs isn't healthy) and I think Lewis has a big game.
Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm - LOSS
Browns are on the ropes. Pittsburgh wants revenge from the opener, and LaMarr Woodley starts to develop as a beast, sacking Frye 2x. WTAM changes it's program schedule to a 24-hour show called 'Romeo: Fired or Fired?" Lerner gives Crennel the dreaded vote of confidence.
Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm - LOSS
After being down by 10 going into half-time, Quinn is finally inserted and leads the Browns to a couple of TDs. However, it's not enough, as the Browns lose. RAC is asked in the post-game if Quinn is the starter and says "Well, he has an arm."
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm - WIN
Quinn starts and the Browns dominate Houston at home. Jamal runs for 150, and Quinn has 2 TDs. Frank Jackson gives Quinn the keys to the city.
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm - WIN
The good times keep rolling. Quinn and Lewis have great games, and Eric Wright limits Fitz to under 75 yards receiving. Bodden is injured, but Daven Holly does a respectable job against Anquan Boldin
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm - LOSS
This is a tough choice for me, because I think that the Jets are vastly overrated. However, they are fighting for a playoff spot and playing at home.
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm - WIN
Buffalo's defense is deflated at this point in the season, and Marv Levy realizes that not having Clements, Fletcher-Baker, and Spikes is a bad thing. Browns offense rolls. This will be a surprisingly high-scoring game, if only because I'm high on JP Losman and the Bills receiving game (Marshawn Lynch = bust, RBs who fumble typically don't last long. IMHO)
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm - LOSS
Bengals are fighting for a playoff spot. Brady has a big day, but also has a couple of INTs that shoot the Browns in the foot
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm - WIN
I think SF is overrated as well. Alex Smith may be a decent QB, but has no receivers. The Browns focus their entire gameplan on stopping Frank Gore and Vernon Davis - it works.

Browns final record: 7-9. Romeo lasts the whole season.

Not going to lie, I've been saying 6-10 for most of the offseason, but my homerism is starting to kick in

I am thinking 8-8.

Last year, the Browns finished 4-12, the reasons.
the OL was a mess, leading to poor QB play.
A terrible running game, Droughns was hurt and did not play well.
The DB's were signed off of the waiver wire.
An inability to stop the run.

I think that this year.
The OL will be much improved.
The running game will be effective.
Eventually, Quinn will start.

I have not seen improvement in the ability to stop the run.
The Browns only have the ability to pressure the QB when they bring more than 4.
I think that the depth at RB, WR amd DL is a concern.

Things that could turn the prediction around.
Injuries to a key player.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS
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 WIN
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm WIN
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 LOSS
Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm WIN
Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm LOSS
Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm WIN
Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS
Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm WIN

7-9 is my OPTOMISTIC prediction....i feel 6-10 is a great possibility.

I feel our O will be around 15-20 is total offense.

Jamal will get 1350yds
Frye will passs for 1800yds with 8tds and 7 ints.
Quinn will pass for 875yds and 5tds and 3 ints
Braylon catches 70 passes with 6tds
KW2 has 55 with 5tds

The Defense will improve in the run D but our Sack total will improve BIG TIME....which will make our total defense look better than we really are.
We finish 10-15 in total defense.

ST will be the bright spot. Z is Z and Phil will hit around 24 of 30. Cribbs will have better numbers than Northcutt had and will make us never look back.

Coaching will survive even a 6-10 year because we will vastly improved with some D line problems to cure before next year and a real playoff push.

GREAT year to be a CLEVELAND BROWN!!!!!!!

Ok, I have several thoughts about this season. First, our two biggest weaknesses are, on offense, scoring TD's and on defense, stopping the run. I think Jamal Lewis will help out quite a bit by getting us in the red zone more frequently, although getting there has not been such an issue, scoring in the red zone has. I also feel that Lewis will add to our run scoring, at least to a degree.

I feel Wimbley and Peek, with a good pass rush will help the defense get off the field qucker for the most part. I'm concerned about us stopping the run, especially against better rushing teams. Though I feel with the better RB's and rushing teams it's not a matter of stopping them as simply slowing them down. I'm really hoping Ted, Robaire Smith and others on the DL can step up and help stuff the run while allowing our LB's to both stop the run and get pressure in the backfield.

I'm a bit concerned with Josh Cribss pulling triple duty at PR, KR, and WR. I really can't help but get a feeling that his chance of injury has just increased greatly. That's why I think Chris Barclay could have helped at KR.

Obviously, we will still need solid play at QB and even though Frye has shown slight improvement in preseason, I still don't see anything to lead me to believe that he's all that much better but time will tell. I'm scared as hell at DA getting in the game, he shows flashes of good play at times but also shows inconsistant play a lot of the time. Brady has shown enough ability in his limited time for me to put all of my confidence in him once he becomes the starting QB and I feel that could happen at some point this season.

As far as ST goes, I think we will drop a bit. First, because of losing Northcutt at PR and second because Mason Unck is out for the season. Cribbs will help the PR situation but not quite as much as Northcutt did, I also fear him being injured because then it's a tough call who to put at PR? I do feel Cribbs will step up as a WR.

Speaking of WR's, I'm hoping to see more consistancyi at catching the ball, B.E. has shown possible improvement, so far. Travis Wilson has not shown improvement but I hope he gets it together. Joe J will be Mr. Consistant and Cribbs should be good for some plays as well. Now the unknown is Tim Carter, we haven't got to see much of him so I'm not sure what to think? He's got speed but he needs to be able to catch the ball, otherwise he becomes little more than a decoy and subpar depth.

We're set at TE, obviously, though I thought Krause had a good showing and might make the team.

I'm very pleased with the play of our OL. This should be the best OL we've had in a very long time, especially once Steinbach gets back in the lineup and IF LCB can return at some point, WOW.

Our secondary should be fine, barring any injuries. Bodden and Wright should do well and we have pretty good depth, though Perry does scare me a bit. Jones and Pool should also be solid. I would have liked us to have kept Hamilton for depth.

I like what Chud's offense is looking like and Grantham should continue to do well with the defense. I think Dashier will have some issues with ST but if no injuries occur then we shold be ok.

All in all I can see the Browns getting 7 or 8 wins if all goes well, maybe even 9 if we pull an upset or two. I can also see us only winning 5-7 games simply because we are not a scoring machine.

This is my prediction for 07:

I think we go 2-4 in the division, we will get swept by one divisional opponent. . I think we split with Pitt and Baltimore but get swept by Cincy. The only way I see us having a chance to beat Cincy is IF we can get enough consistant pressure on Palmer.

@ Oakland W
@ N.E. L
Miami W
@ St. Louis L
Seattle L
Houston W
@ Arizona L
@ N.Y. Jets L
Buffalo W
@ S.F. W

I tried to base my predictions on teams we should match up well against. Now obviously the wins and losses could be slightly different, such as, I see this schedule as being favorable for an 8-8 season, 9 wins if we pull an upset. However, I wil predict we win 7 games. I think we might pull an upset but at the same time we may very well get stunned by a team like Arizona or S.F.

Sun 9/9 Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS/Win New Coach, new offense They can be had
Sun 9/16 Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS/Win The Defense looked really bad in the pre season, but the offense can score a lot of points

Sun 9/23 at Oakland 4:05 pm WIN They're going to be picking top 5 next spring. We win this game

Sun 9/30 Baltimore 1:00 pm WIN/Loss It's at home and age is going to catch up to that D sooner or later They won't win 13 games again. We can win this one.

Sun 10/7 at New England 1:00 pm LOSS Might I suggest a good book? It's going to be a long Sunday

Sun 10/14 Miami 1:00 pm WIN/Loss They don't have a lot on offense and that D can't defy Father time forever, this is another game we can/should win.

Best case: We are 4 - 2 or even 5 - 1 at the bye and R.C. is getting a lot of love for coach of the year.

Worst case: We are 1 - 5 or 2 - 4 and the Cowher/Marty Schott rumors are geting really loud and the seat is getting really hot.

Reality: We're looking at 3 - 3

Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm WIN/Loss The Rams are rebuilding, so are we. We can win this one.

Sun 11/4 Seattle 4:05 pm LOSS The Best team in the NFC West... might I suggest a good book?

Sun 11/11 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm LOSS/Win If we split the home/road it will be a good year.

Sun 11/18 at Baltimore 1:00 pm LOSS/Win See above comment for Pittsburgh

Sun 11/25 Houston 1:00 pm WIN/Loss. We can and should win this game.

Sun 12/2 at Arizona 4:05 pm WIN/Loss A new coach, a new system, same old Arizona team.

Sun 12/9 at NY Jets 4:15 pm LOSS/Win They made the playoffs last year and we beat them. We can do it again

Sun 12/16 Buffalo 1:00 pm WIN/Loss Psssst.... don't tell anyone, they're a really young, and really BAD team. We're talking top 5 pick here. We can and should win this game.

Sun 12/23 at Cincinnati 1:00 pm LOSS Cinncy will probably be looking for playoff position, we will be playing for draft position.

Sun 12/30 San Francisco 1:00 pm Win/Loss If S.F. is as good as advertised we lose. If they don't live up to the hype, we can win this one.

Best case: Everything goes right, everyone stays healthy and the new offense fires on all cylinders. No one is debating who the starting QB is because Frye looks like a world beater. The Defense reminds everyone of New England and the kids improve drastically. We finish 10 - 6 and we're flirting with a division title.

Worst case: Everything falls completely apart. The offense never gets going, we have to rush Quinn out there and watch another T.C. situation unfold right before our eyes. We discover that Lewis and J.J. have aged in a hurry and Edwards and KWII will never live up to the hype. T.W. and Willie are never factors on the field, Wimbley and Jackson regress badly and the secondary discovers we overpaid for Eric Wright and we're giving up big plays left and right. R.C. is a lame duck by the bye and the rumors of who the new head coach will be dominate the rest of the regular season. We finish 4 - 12 or
5 - 11, we've handed Dallas a top 5 draft pick and we're wondering if we can get Cowher or Marty to come back to Cleveland.

Reality: 7 - 9 or even 8 - 8

9 wins, and wildcard possibilities. Our run defense is still weak, but only so much can be done in the off season. Enough was done offensively to be in the mix coming down to the wire.

My silence in this thread is not one of a boycott or anything.

Like always as it has been every year prior. When I go over our future games...I see us winning them all. 16-0 Baby. Hey I'm a fan. When I get paid to be an analyst that will be the day I'll scrutinize it...lol Its just me as you know.

But please don't use this in future debates on why my opinion has no credibility. This is the prediction thread. Nobody has any credibility on it. Well maybe Robbie the Rooster - in Kansas does as he has one of the best prediction results....

JMHO

Ive got us going 8 & 8 this year.
I think our OL improvements will show, gradually throughout the season, how much we were held back because of that weakness.
I think our D will be better with the addition of the Wrights at CB, with Peak and a year under the other newer LB's belts.
Our DL will be our weakness...but every team will have some sort of weakness.

Go Browns!

Heart says 8-8

Head says 6-10

GM says 7-9

7-9 or better

I'm thinking a 9 - 7 record. There's still a lot of 'ifs" though to them achieving that.

QB position is settled.
OL works like a cohesive unit with minimal injuries.
We shore up the run D
KW II stays healthy and inspires the team to be winners
Whole team develops positive attitude taking the field
Jamal Lewis is back to his old self in performance

Of course there are about 95% of the NFL teams that have the"if" factor to deal with also. About the only 2 or 3 teams that might be considered pretty sure bets are:

Pats, Chargers or Colts.

Alright for starters 10-6 I believe!

Braylon Edwards will finally put up numbers that resemble those of a number 3 overall draft choice. I'm thinking along the lines of 75 catches for 1,000 yards

Kellen Winslow will pull in 85 for 950

Jamal Lewis regains his form and rumbles through opposing D's for 1,300 yards.

On D

Eric Wright wins defensive rookie of the year and compiles 9 int's

Leon Williams replaces Andra Davis as a starting ILB

Wimbley total 15 sacks and punishes opposing Q.B's all the way to the Pro-Bowl

Sean Jones will join Wimbley in the pro-bowl

The Browns WILL make the playoffs.

As usual, injuries can kill us if they hit in the right spot..........I mean replace Jamal with Wright and we can easily go 4-12. I'll go on the premise that he stays healthy for this thread..................


1. QB...........Fry get's the nod, and he should. Oh not because of the "loyalty" crowd....lol.....but because I believe it is the right thing for the Browns to do for our long term sucess. Quinn is obviously the superior talent, but he still a rookie that doesn't know the O yet, and there is no need to rush him this year. Let Fry start until the bye week, and then put Brady in for good. This year we will see inconsistant QB play though, because the one guy just doesn't have the talent to do it every week, and the other one is just to young and green.

2. RBs............Jamal should be very good if he stays healthy. However, an injury here would be absolute disaster, becasue we have nothing but BUMS behind him. Jamal is the difference in about 4 wins imo.

3. FBs............Vickers and Ali should provide a pretty good combo for us this year and years to come.

4. WRs..........Hopefully Braylon continues to build upon a fairly promising pre season. I want to see him grow on and off the field........I have my fingers crossed on this one, but am not sold yet. JJ is a pretty good slot WR, but only problem is he's starting...lol. Past him is JUNK. I had promise for Wilson, but just don't see any signs of development. I know you and me disagree on this, but we will need a younger side kick to BE next year that moves JJ in the slot and the likes of Carter or Wilson off the team. This unit will continue to struggle this year imo, becuase the talent still is below par to really be solid.

5. TEs.............If KW stays healthy we should be fine, and he should continue to put up very impressive numbers. Heiden is a solid 2 TE, and Dinkins is good in run blocking situations. A good group that should be productive.

6. OL..............The best for last...hehehe. Joe will be dominant, but will struggle at times this year like ALL rookies. Steiner should be solid, and as him and Joe develop some chemestry we should start seeing a left side that is as good as there is in the NFL by season's end. Hank is unspectacular, but solid. The right side is a big ???, and alot of those ???s can be answered by Kevin. If he can handle the RT spot and allow Tuck to play RG our OL could be down right beastly by the 2nd half. If not though, we could see a right side that needs to be rebuilt at season's end. Here's to hoping Kevin suprises me...lol. Then we have the wild card in La. If he came back healthy........heck even by season's end we could have an absolute unbelievable OL (assuming Kevin did suprise me..lol). We finally have some good depth though in Mckinnly, Sowells, Butler etc. I don't think any of those guys are long term starters, but I have no problem with them having to play a game or 2 this year. This unit shouldn't be what kills us this year..............FINALLY


7. DL..........Well you can only do so much, and this is the unit that needs fixed the most. I still haven't seen enough of S. Smith to make me believe he's a long term answer, and Ted and Roye are just butt old. R. Smith can probably give us another year or 2, but he needs to be the weak link and not the best DL we have (which he currently is). As you know I am a OSU homer, but I don't get the love for Frasier..........get's pushed around way to easily for a 3-4 DL. Our depth here is putrid...........heck if we had real starters and our starters were depth I would be feeling much better...lol. However, as it stands we still can't stop the run or control the LOS. This unit will be a big reason for this teams struggles this year.

8. LBs...........Pretty dawg gone good here bro. Wimbley and Peek should provide a solid pass rush, and DQ and LW (notice I didn't put AD in here as a starter..hehehe) should be decent in the middle. We have solid depth in AD, WM, CT, etc. This unit is ready for a big time run.......too bad the DL won't let them be as good as they can be this year.

9. Secondary.........We have talent back there, but they are either green or injury prone......or both...lol. They will get better as the year goes on, but expect to see missed assignments and big plays given up as a result throughout the season.



Overall I like the talent on this team, but we are so green at key positions, and are still lacking talent and depth at some spots. I hate to mention it again, but if Jamal goes down we are more than screwed. Imo we are looking at a 7-9 team if we can stay healthy and that is mainly do to an extremely week 2nd half schedule. So I'll say 7-9, but could easily see us going 4-12 with a couple of key injuries.

Quote:

---

7. DL..........Well you can only do so much, and this is the unit that needs fixed the most. I still haven't seen enough of S. Smith to make me believe he's a long term answer, and Ted and Roye are just butt old. R. Smith can probably give us another year or 2, but he needs to be the weak link and not the best DL we have (which he currently is). However, as it stands we still can't stop the run or control the LOS. This unit will be a big reason for this teams struggles this year.

---

Well here in lies the common theme...Forever we've been fed this 5 year plan stuff...FINE...For quite sometime I've been harping on a TWO YEAR PLAN...Even tho none of us could foresee it happening...This previous draft AND picking up a STUD at LG...One of which virtually NOONE ever thought would sign with us let alone leave Cincy...These things have ACCELERATED this 2 year plan...

What's left???...The Defensive Line...The big one anyways...lol...And I'm sure it will be a major stress of importance come next off season...Gotta get the old men outta there...But to call Robaire Smith OLD is flat out WRONG...

We all sit here screamin' we can't control the defensive LOS yet we HAVE NOT YET SEEN ONE SNAP OF THE STARTING THREE ON THE FIELD AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Starting with the Corners...And I start with the Corners because they can single handedly allow Grantham to become more aggressive versus passive...When you've got TWO corners out there that can effectively play TIGHT to the LOS...It opens up ALOT as far as sending a Safety (Jones) ...Also an extra LB...

Bodden and Wright compared to Holly and Poole is a JOKE in comparison...

Next the LB's...MARK THIS DOWN...Antwaan Peek will be the single biggest off season acquisition...Willie McGinest just found a SPLINTER UP HIS BUTT...Peek and McGinest/Thompson compared to McGinest and Stewart is yet another JOKE of a comparison...

The Defensive line from last year WAS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM CONTROLLING RUNNING GAMES!!!!!!!

How bout an INEXPERIENCED LB crew???...Wimbley/Jackson/Williams...All now in year 2 of the NFL and this system...

Much of our success this year is going to be predicated on getting guys like Stewart OUT OF HERE...DONE...McGinest's playing time decreased...DONE with Peek here...Washington's snaps reduced...DONE with Shaun Smith here...Alvin McKinley GONE...DONE...

I'm seeing the building of a FAST OPPORTUNISTIC Defense here...There are WORSE Front 3's in a 3-4 in this league than Roye/Smith/Smith...And we haven't even seen those 3 on the field at the same time...

These guys stay healthy and this Run D will be significantly better...And it doesn't come from JUST THE FRONT 3...

We're at the point where the Youth on this team will sometime soon start to click...WHEN is the question...I'm going with SOON...We're gonna start to see exactly what kind of DC we have in Grantham...Pieces are there to start becoming more aggressive...

Playoffs?...Not necessarily in 2007...But starting in 2008???...U betcha...These guys get a half dozen games in and then it becomes interesting...And it just so happens our bye week comes after those first 6...PERFECT...The last 10 are gonna be very interesting...

Of course all of this is predicated on staying semi-HEALTHY...Just like any other team needs to stay healthy to meet expectations...

Alot of people are UNDERESTIMATING the pick-ups on the defensive line simply due to the fact that we haven't SEEN THEM YET...And do not forget Shaun Smith came from a 4-3 Defensive Front...DIFFERENT ANIMAL...Early in camps Smith at NT was holding ground and also PENETRATING...This could be HUGE...

The run D is gonna be better...How can it NOT...lol...Combined with the fact that we will be able to RUN ourselves FINALLY...This team has the makings of clicking after the bye and ending up in the 9-7 10-6 range...Especially once we get Quinn in there...

Quinn WILL have his mistake moments...The KEY is to make those mistakes NOT EQUAL POINTS on the board...

I'm only one of a few who sees 9-7 10-6...The entire key is WHEN will the youth start to click...IMO it's gonna be sooner rather than later...Then in 2008 WATCH-OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

7-9

My thesis is going to be about depth.

I'm late to this.. been mulling it over.. I've scanned and reviewed the predictions and there is quite a variety. This year I think for the most part everyone tends to agree within reason about the parts of the team and the whole.

From what I can tell.. most people are identifying the DL as the weakest link. I tend to agree. Another weak link is overall depth. IMO the deeper you are.. the farther you go.

One of the biggest factors in this mans game is injuries. If your starting OL stays the same for 16 games from the left to the right.. thou shall win thy games. The big question is.. how strong is our depth in certain positions and how strong it it overall? I think our overall grade for depth gets pulled down at certain positions and is strong in others..

OLine depth.. Looking past the starters.. I'm a little worried.. what if that sprain keeps hampering Steiners? Tuck is out longer than I would like but thats the bone we are dealt. If JT or Fraley goes down, all of a sudden we have some major gnashing of teeth going to happen.

Similarly, if we have DLine injuries.. I'm worried there too.. Same with RB.

Since I feel our depth grades at a C+ to a B- my season grade reflects that. My pessimistic side says 5 wins and my optimistic side says 7.

6 - 10 and RAC keeps his job.

Go Browns hammer the squealers!

Bro R. Smith is a solid DL............my point was he shouldn't be your best DL on a team that wants to be a good D.......and he is the best we got. I can't comment on S. Smith, because I live in MS and haven't been to camp. Therefore, I am going on what I've seen in pre season..........which isn't enough for me to view him as a long term answer. Sorry bud, but Roye and Ted have jumped the shark and are of very little use at this point. Both of those guys would ideal depth (they can still give you 10-15 plays a game), but they aren't very good starters at this point. Furthermore, what happens when these guys get hurt (and yes the likely hood is high considering the age of the DL)..............we are screwd, becuase there is little to no quality depth behind them. We are going to still have to employ the gimmick bend but don't break D, becuase these guys aren't going to able to hold up. Remember, Ted and Roye where starters last year and they couldn't control the LOS.........and when they got hurt it really went bad. Again bro, sorry but I can't see any reason to believe that those 2 will be much different this year, or that our depth behind them is any better.........they are the same guys.

I agree about the LBs..........we should be better there, but they won't be as good as they can be until the DL get's it together. Oh and rookie CBs are going to have growing pains.........same with Pool. The secondary has alot of young talent, but this will be a growing year back there as well.

I also agree about 08. Get a DL and a long term answer at RB (mike turner is my pick if we can get him) and we are in line for a playoff type team next year. This year however your looking at aroung 6-8 wins, becuase we just aren't there yet. Oh and what do we do on 3rd and 5-above??? Do you feel confident with Carter/Wilson in the slot with the game on the line??? I sure as hell don't.

We're knocking on the door, but we don't have the peices to kick it in just yet (like my blatent Bum Phillips rip off there... ).

Great post Saint..........depth is still the biggest ??? we have. Like I said in my earlier post if Jamal goes down the Boy's might get a top 5 pick. We also have guys that would be ideal depth (JJ, Roye, Ted..etc) starting. We are getting there, but aren't there just yet.

I'll still take 6 - 8 wins..thats a improvement..

I don't think Wright is so bad we will fall off the edge of the earth if Lewis goes down.

Yes he is.......lol. I honestly don't know if Wright would make another NFL Roster.........and definitly not as a 2nd stringer. We have the worst depth at RB that I can think of. Wright cannot move the pile at all, and brings back shades of PP every time I see him run. He has avg. speed, and little power.........in short he will never be a productive NFL RB even if you put the AFC Pro Bowl OL in front of him. There is a misconception on this board that an OL makes crappy QBs and RBs look great.........well they don't. They give skill talent the oppurtunity to showcase their skill set................Wright just doesn't have much of a skill set.

Anything under 7-9 and Romeo is gone.

That being said, I think we go 7-9.

I don't know what the big deal is about Wright. Personally, I don't think he's the real deal either. But I don't see how Phil could have done anymore about it than he has..

He'll address that either next year or the year after... along with the Dline....

I am not saying Wright is the real deal....just saying he isn't as bad as some portray.

Quote:

---

I am not saying Wright is the real deal....just saying he isn't as bad as some portray.

---

I understand that and I agree.. I don't know how good he really is. I know he isn't AWFUL, but I didn't exactly see him light it up either..

What I was actually commenting on is that I don't think the Backup RB is something Phil could have done much more about up to this point..

I would say more to the tune of anything below 6-10...........but yeah barring any major injury (see Jamal statement above) and we have a shot at 7-9. We've got some real cup cakes in that 2nd half.

DAMAN...

i don't think many have complained about the RB situation...except Peterson pimps, LOL...i think the main point here is that if Lewis goes down, get the fork out and start sticking, b/c we're done...PEEN doesn't agree, but i think it's a lock...

When it comes to Tail Back ; I thought we might see Vickers getting some reps ??

Ahh, I see.. Well, as always, it could go either way. But if I were a betting man,, I'd say that it's gonna be tough if Lewis goes down...

Where did I say he could have fixed it Damon??? Whether Phil could have fixed it or not doesn't change the fact that Wright blows chunks, and if he is our starter for any prolonged period of time we are hosed BIG TIME. Jesus guys watch him play..........does he have great speed??? No average. Does he have great allusiveness?? No below avg. Does he have great power?? No simply putrid here. Does he have great instincts??? No average here as well. So we have a guy who is an avg. speed back, with avg. instincts, and sucks at everything else............and you guys think we will be okay with that?? This kid wouldn't make most rosters in the NFL, and we have him as our 2nd.........again if Jamal gets hurt the Boys will be jumping up and down because of their new found top 5 pick.

We are an O that is going to need our RB to carry the load.......does anyone think that Wright can carry the load??? If not do you think CF can be successfull without a running game and throwing 35 times a game??? How about the rookie Brady??? Want to see him come in with Wright as you "feature" back???

9-7, the schedule is in our favor

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 WIN
bye
Sun 10/28 at St. Louis 1:00 pm WIN
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 am not really good at this, but I'll give my 2 cents worth. for the record.

I really think it will be interesting with the new offense. I see us being more explosive. However, that will be tempered by an inability to make the play when it counts and that will be, at first, because Frye has a habit of making a dumb play at the wrong time and then later on it will be because Quinn is making rookie mistakes. (sooner or later they will do to him what the did with Frye in his first season)

I think defensively we will stack up well against the teams that don't have a dominant line or zone block. We seem to struggle at defending the zone blocking schemes.

All in all, I would think that there will be a eye on Crennel all season as to his job performance. If we don't hit 8-8 people will clamor for his head.

I think we will probably make 7 or 8 wins. It won't come easy because we still have needs at defensive line, and a compliment to Jamal, who will wear down by the end of the season.

I am going to make a very bold prediction and say that the Browns record will be somewhere between 0-16 to 16-0. Seriously I say somewhere around 7-9 and .500.

Have it your way Willie,....