Cleveland Browns
2010 Record: 5-11
Last Playoff Appearance: 2003, 9-7, L36-33 PIT
General Manager: Tom Heckert, Jr (2010-Current)
Head Coach: Pat Shurmur (2011-Current)
Offensive Coordinator: Pat Shurmer
Defensive Coordinator: Dick Jauron
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 16.9 PTS (31st); 289.7 YDS (29th); 186.8 PASS (29th); 102.9 RUSH (20th)
DEF: 20.8 PTS (13th); 350.1 YDS (22nd); 220.7 PASS (18th); 129.4 RUSH (27th)
AJ’s Outlook: Cleveland is not a contender but they are a fun team to watch. The Browns are a team “on-the-rise”. Colt McCoy looks like he is going to be the Browns’ quarterback of the future and (Madden cover model*) Peyton Hillis can just plain run over defenses. Cleveland’s defense looks strong and if the Browns can just keep it together in the fourth quarter (the Browns lost their first three games of the 2010 season despite leading in the 4th quarter of each game) they should win a few games.
Prediction: The Browns are a fine team but their division is just too tough for them to compete for a playoff spot this season. The Browns should improve their record this season. I think they will go 7-9, missing the playoffs.
Projected Starters:
QB- Colt McCoy
RB- Peyton Hillis
FB- Owen Marecic
WR- Brian Robiskie
WR- Joshua Cribbs
WR- Greg Little
TE- Benjamin Watson
OT- Joe Thomas
OT- Tony Pashos
OG- Jason Pinkston
OG- Shawn Lauvao
C- Alex Mack
DE- Jayme Mitchell
DT- Phillip Taylor
DT- Ahtyba Rubin
DE- Jabaal Sheard
SLB- Scott Fujita
MLB- D’Qwell Jackson
WLB- Chris Gocong
LCB- Joe Haden
RCB- Sheldon Brown
FS- Mike Adams
SS- T. J. Ward
K- Phil Dawson
P- Richmond McGee
Fantasy Performers:
- Peyton Hillis
- Benjamin Watson
- Colt McCoy
- Greg Little
- Brandon Jackson
2011 Schedule:
Week 1- Sep 11: vs. Bengals
Week 2- Sep 18: @ Colts
Week 3- Sep 25: vs. Dolphins
Week 4- Oct 2: vs. Titans
Week 5- BYE
Week 6- Oct 16: @ Raiders
Week 7- Oct 23: vs. Seahawks
Week 8- Oct 30: @ 49ers
Week 9- Nov 6: @ Texans
Week 10- Nov 13: vs. Rams
Week 11- Nov 20: vs. Jaguars
Week 12- Nov 27: @ Bengals
Week 13- Dec 4: vs. Ravens
Week 14- Dec 8: @ Steelers
Week 15- Dec 18: @ Cardinals
Week 16- Dec 24: @ Ravens
Week 17- Jan 1: vs. Steelers
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Brandon Jackson RB (Packers)
Oniel Cousins OL (Ravens)
Dimitri Patterson CB (Eagles)
Usama Young S (Saints)
Richmond McGee P
Free Agent Losses:
Lawrence Vickers FB – signed with Texans
Shaun Rogers NT – signed by Saints
Abram Elam S – signed with Cowboys
Trades:
Browns trade an undisclosed draft pick to Rams for OG John Greco
2011 Draft Review:
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft:
Overall Draft Grade: A
Rd 2, Pick 5 (37): Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh- Sheard is a big and quick DE and was named the 2010 Big East Defensive Player of the Year. A really good pick for the Browns, Sheard will most likely start at defensive end this season. Grade: A
Rd 2, Pick 27 (59): Greg Little, WR, North Carolina- At 6 foot-2 inches tall and 231 pounds Greg Little is a physical specimen. Little is big and fast, he will definitely get some catches this season. I’m going to draft him onto my fantasy team. This kid is a monster. Grade: B+
Rd 4, Pick 5 (102): Jordan Cameron, TE, USC- Jordan Cameron is a big boy. The Browns don’t have a need at the tight end position but I guess you don’t pass up on a 6’5” receiver. Grade: B
Rd 4, Pick 27 (124): Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford- Owen Marecic should be able to step right in and impact Cleveland’s running game right away. Marecic is currently listed as the Browns’ starting fullback. The kid is a solid blocker and can be a big body to run during short-yard situations. Grade: B-
Rd 5, Pick 6 (137): Buster Skrine, CB, Chattanooga- Buster Skrine is an undersized Corner from a school in a small conference, who is injury-prone. The good news is, he has time to sit and backup a skilled core of CBs. Grade: C-
Rd 5, Pick 19 (150): Jason Pinkston, OT, Pittsburgh- Pinkston was an absolute steal for the Browns. Pinkston has looked impressive in the preseason and will be starting at offensive tackle, replacing the injured Eric Steinbach. Pinkston will be an immediate impact-player and will be a future pro-bowler. Grade: A
Rd 7, Pick 45 (248): Eric Hagg, S, Nebraska- Hagg was a versatile defensive player at Nebraska. He played Defensive Back but dropped into coverage more than occasionally. Hagg is exceptionally fast. He could be used effectively on special teams. Grade: B
2010 Stat Leaders:
Colt McCoy: 135-222 (60.8%), 1,576 YDS, 7.1 YPA, 6 TD, 9 INT, 74.5 RTG
Peyton Hillis: 270 ATT, 1,177 YDS, 4.4 YPA, 47 LNG, 11 TD
Benjamin Watson: 68 REC, 763 YDS, 11.2 YPC, 3 TD
T. J. Ward: 123 TCK
Marcus Benard: 7.5 SCK
Joe Haden: 6 INT
Off Season Storylines:
Browns are a team on the rise
How good is Colt McCoy?
*Will Peyton Hillis be affected by the Madden Curse?