Dawgbeat 05/10/2007
PLAYOFFS ... PIPEDREAM OR POSSIBILITY???by Eric Brown
05/10/2007
To use a quote from a very familiar Indianapolis Colts post game interview of Jim Mora Sr. "Playoffs, Playoffs, Are you kidding me?" As I contemplate the possible fortunes of the 2007 Cleveland Browns I can see a run at the playoffs as a definite outcome for this up and coming franchise. Now before you click on to the next article and decide that I'm insane, hear me out.
The 2007 Cleveland Browns, are, on paper a much improved team that is ready to prove itself. Sure the team has some holes to fill and questions to answer, but most teams do. Unless your the early to mid 90's Dallas Cowboys, or the mid to late 80's San Francisco 49ers, most playoff teams have weaknesses. Six teams from each conference make the playoffs each season, and for the most part each of them have deficiencies. Teams that devise game plans to play to their strengths and disguise their weaknesses successfully, usually find their way to the playoffs, herein lies the challenge for Romeo Crennel and his staff.
When I examine the Cleveland Browns roster and the changes made in the offseason, I see a resemblance to the 2006 New Orleans Saints. The 2006 New Orleans Saints had a roster turnover of thirty-three players from 2005. While the turnover shouldn't be quite as drastic in Cleveland, an upgrade of the roster is apparent, especially at key positions. An upgrade was made at the quarterback position in Brady Quinn, and his talent should solidify this position early on in training camp. Before you laugh at me for comparing Quinn to Drew Brees, let me clear the air. I am not saying that Brady Quinn is comparable to Brees or ever will be, but he is talent-wise a much better option than what was on the roster. At the running back position Jamal Lewis will take on the lion's share of the carries, much like Deuce McAllister did for New Orleans in 2006. Lewis, behind a revamped offensive line, will become a factor again. Adding a nice change of pace will be Jerome Harrison, now in his second season. Harrison has the skills to be a Reggie Bush type player, and after a year of learning and the aforementioned offensive line talent infusion, may have an impact.
The Offensive line for the Cleveland Browns, once considered a major weakness, has now,potentially become a strength. When you consider a starting five of Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley, Seth McKinney, and Kevin Shaffer/Ryan Tucker , it is certainly much improved. By comparison, Jamaal Brown, Jamar Nesbitt, ex-Cleveland Brown Jeff Faine, Jahri Evans, and Jon Stinchcomb are the fivesome New Orleans trotted on the field for the majority of 2006. On paper I would take our new starting five over theirs ten out of ten times. Our offensive line features youth, experience, and versatility that will be the rock that this offense builds upon.
One area that I feel will improve the Cleveland Browns exponentially in the 2007 season will be the combination of healthy playmakers Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow. These two have matured, should be totally healthy, and primed for breakout seasons in 2007. Add in a solid second receiver with a season under his belt in Travis Wilson, and Joe Jurevicius and you have several big targets that are nice threat through the air. Providing depth and speed are Tim Carter, who may benefit from a change of scenery, and Joshua Cribbs, a playmaker with yet untapped productivity on the offensive side of the ball. Steve Heiden has proven he is capable of starting and provides excellent depth at the tight end position. I feel that our team is much more advanced in this area than were the 2006 Saints. Their normal starting lineup featured Marques Colston, Joe Horn/Devery Henderson, Ernie Conwell, with Terrance Copper and Mark Campbell providing depth.
On the defensive side of the ball our linebacking core is clearly the strength of the unit. Kamerion Wimbley, Dqwell Jackson and Leon Williams will be entering their second campaign and already have all shown flashes of being "core" Cleveland Brown players. Add in the mix veterans Andra Davis, Willie McGinest, and newcomer Antwan Peek and you have one of the most solid linebacking corps in the NFL. Peek and Williams, incidentally, may very well give McGinest and Davis a run for their money at their respective positions. They are aggressive, high motor players that have big-play potential. McGinest is aging but still has some value, while Davis, a solid player does not get to the ball carrier like Williams can. Either way the depth of the unit should be solid with others including Chaun Thompson, Matt Stewart, Mason Unck, and newly acquired Jason Short. David McMillan who showed some promise in the 2006 preseason just hasn't yet reached his potential but is still an intriguing pass-rushing prospect. In comparison the 2006 Saints team linebacking core wasn't even assembled at the beginning of last season with late acquisitions of Mark Simoneau,and Scott Shanle. Their other linebacker spot was occupied by Scott Fujita. Again all solid players but not the quality of what the Cleveland Browns will put on the field in 2007.
Stopping the run has been a major problem for the Cleveland Browns since their return in 1999. In 2007, stopping the run will be an important task once again in a division that features bruising and speedy runners like Rudi Johnson, Willis McGahee, and Willie Parker. An acquisition that has gotten little attention but may be the most important one is Robaire Smith. Smith is an excellent run plugger that can take up two lineman at a time. Pair him with wideload Ted Washington, and an active Orpheus Roye and the linebackers will be more free to make plays. Add in Shaun Smith who will give Washington a breath to keep his legs fresh and depth in Simon Fraser and Ethan Kelley and you have an adequate if not solid defensive line. A surprise may be Orien Harris who if motivated properly can be a force on the line, he was once considered a first round prospect. This is one area of the 2007 Cleveland Browns that is still a question mark at this point but the players here kind of remind me of the mid 80's Carl Hairston, Al Baker, Sam Clancy trio. The 2006 Saints may have a leg up on our unit as their line featured Will Smith, Charles Grant, Hollis Thomas, and Brian Young.
With Mel Tucker as an up and coming coordinator prospect, the secondary may be another strength of this team. The emergence of Sean Jones in 2006 and the continued solid effort, although oft-injured Leigh Bodden give the Browns two potential Pro Bowl type players to cover the AFC North's pesky receivers. Add in the mix, Brodney Pool, Eric Wright, Daven Holly, newly acquired Kenny Wright, Jereme Perry, and Brandon McDonald and the depth is starting to look solid. Gary Baxter's status is still up in the air as is DeMario Minter. Minter is another interesting prospect as he was once considered a first day draft pick. Justin Hamilton played well on special teams in his rookie campaign and has the potential to give Pool or Jones a run for their money if his progress continues. A player that many of us may become quite fond of is Mike Adams. If Adams is used in dime defenses his penchant for being around the ball and being a solid tackler will be a nice prospect to have on key third down plays. Again I see the 2007 Browns as having an advantage over the 2006 playoff team New Orleans Saints. Their defensive backfield saw Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas at corner, with Josh Bullocks and Roman Harper at the safety spots. The backups included Jason Craft, Jay Bellamy, and DeJuan Groce.
Lastly, the special teams being a key unit in playoff games seems to favor the 2007 Cleveland Browns. Phil Dawson has been solid for 8 seasons and at least inside the 45 yard range is basically perfect. Dave Zastudil was an excellent addition and should continue to put offenses in poor field position. Joshua Cribbs seems to become more and more explosive each season and will at least return two kicks for touchdowns in 2007. He may see double duty as the punt returner unless one of many candidates can beat him out. Long snapper Ryan Pontbriand has been flawless since his debut. The 2006 Saints featured John Carney and Steve Weatherford as the kicking specialists while Kevin Houser has been the mainstay at long snapper for years. The kick return teams had Reggie Bush on punts and Aaron Stecker on kickoffs.
No one expected the 2006 Saints to even sniff the playoffs, but, Mickey Loomis, Rick Mueller, and Sean Payton carefully rebuilt their roster and they ended up in the NFC championship game. It can be argued that New Orleans made the playoffs in a less competetive conference but consider this:
The 2007 Cleveland Browns will be facing a rebuilding, perhaps confused Pittsburgh Steeler squad that may have their doubts about the leadership. It is still confusing to me how the Rooney's passed on Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, the interns under a very successful Bill Cowher. They will also be facing the Cincinnati Bengals, who may be better off playing against the Dirty Dozen in the Prison Conference than in the AFC North. The Bengals are a solid club offensively, but have many questions on defense and in the locker room. The Baltimore Ravens lost some key talent along the offensive line and Adalius Thomas on defense. Willis McGahee may prove to be a solid addition but this team is one play away from having Kyle Boller at the helm, a very disturbing fact if your a Raven fan. The team also plays winnable games against Oakland, Miami, St. Louis, Houston, Arizona, New York Jets, Buffalo, and San Francisco. Some of the tougher opponents will be New England and Seattle. I don't believe it is out of the realm of possibilty for this team to win 10 games and qualify for a wildcard berth. In my opinion there is enough talent on this team to challenge for the playoffs in 2007, Romeo crennel has to get his troops in gear from preseason game number one. The first four games of this season will tell us whether the playoffs are a 2007 pipedream, or possibility.