Commenting on the games right now is pointless. The Browns suck. There's no getting around it. The only things I care about are the things that are indicative of the future. What follows is my current opinion on the state of the Browns. A good team, a playoff caliber team, would average out to a B. I don't think we are there at any position. We're close in places. We're far off in many, especially when you consider the long term effect of injuries and free agency. The front office is going to have a lot of work to do... :/
Ownership: Randy Lerner, in the words of one radio commentator, has had a "bad experience" owning the Browns since his father died. You think? Still, I don't know what Lerner is or isn't doing since last offseason's dust-up that is adversely affecting the product on the field. I think hands-off is the right approach right now. Grade: C-.
Front Office: Phil Savage is still in charge. People are grumbling. And Savage has made some poor decisions, most notably not drafting an OG and not securing a decent Plan B quarterback, as well as a very mixed draft record thusfar. But you don't hire a GM -- a guy who should have the long-term plan for the roster -- and then jettison him two years later. Not to mention Savage began with a team in turmoil, got a new coach, and had to survive the Collins power-play last offseason. The team is not looking good, but there are so many issues here that it'd be unfair to pass final judgement on Phil Savage just yet. I think he deserves two more seasons without a doubt, like it or not. But he is entering the hot seat. This decisions he makes this offseason, and how those play out over the next couple years, will make or break him. Grade: C-
Head Coach: Romeo has looked shakey the last couple months. He's a good coach, but maybe not a good head coach. Nevertheless he is so well respected and has such a long track record I think he must get 2007. And that is putting aside the issues that may be out of his control, such as injuries and the QB situation and the OL personnel. Still, the tone he's set this season is concerning and will result in increased scrutiny. Also, the failure to successfully challenge bad calls is infuriating to those watching at home, and probably doesn't look good from the owner's box either. Grade: D+
Offensive Line: We are screwed. Seriously, we are screwed. Bentley isn't playing for us. Tucker is a major question mark. Shaffer has played poorly the Browns are heavily invested in him, and if he doesn't elevate his game we are screwed. And Adruzzi and Coleman are backups at this point and will either be playing for less in 2007 or not on the roster. And Hank Fraley, who's playing on a one-year deal, has perhaps been the "bright spot" and I'm not even optimistic about the Browns resigning him. The backups are mostly either undistinguished or nearing the end of their shot in the NFL. This unit will determine the success of the team in 2007, and it's the unit that is furthest away from being any good. Current status: F
Defensive line: Pretty screwed, though not as bad as with the OL. Roye is still okay, I guess. McKinley might be serviceable, or not. Ted Washington has proven he is ready to be a coach full-time. Backups like Simon Fraser have shown some fight. While this unit is not going to be a force anytime soon, they may only be a player or two away from being acceptable. Current status: D
Quarterback: There is no doubt in my mind that Derek Anderson is a better prospect than Charlie Frye. I'm willing to relegate Frye to the bench for a couple years or trade him. He still has promise, but he needs the time on the bench. And his value to another team may be higher than to the Browns, especially when you consider the other needs on this team. Anderson, on the other hand, is a guy who'd be an ideal 2nd-stringer behind a veteran starter in 2007. He's acquitted himself very well so far. And he either learns the ropes and ascends to starter status in 2008 or 2009, or the Browns trade him for a decent pick or player. In other words, his value will only increase. A final, sort of worst case scenario, is to go into 2007 with Anderson the starter and Frye the backup. I'm not a big fan of this, though it's better than Frye being the #1 guy. I suppose you could make a case for this approach if Savage instead wanted to focus his dollars on the trenches. Still, I find it hard to believe Savage would put his fate entirely in the hands of Derek Anderson. Current status: I
Running back: Droughns should be back, but other guys have to get in the mix. Droughns has both proven himself to be a decent back and a guy who can't carry the load by himself. Jason Wright has been okay. Vickers and Jerome Harrison have done nothing, to my continual amazement. vickers hasn't made even one decent looking play that I can recall. Harrison at least has some good preseason performances to fall back on. There won't be a big signing here, but there ought to be some competition. Current status: C
Wide Receiver: Question marks. Braylon Edwards has looked okay when you consider his early return from injury, but it's unclear where his head is at. There's a long tradition of WRs being head cases so I won't get too alarmed about that. The bigger concern is his ability to hang on to the ball and to fight for receptions. Both are still open questions, but Edwards has at least shown he can make a big impact and thus, he's a key piece of the future. Jurevicius will remain and his performance in 2006 has proven he's still viable. After that, the cupboard is empty as Travis Wilson has shown nothing yet and no one past that appears to be ready to play regularly. Dennis Northcutt will move on and, frankly, 2006 has been by far his worst season. Current status: C
Tight End: Winslow has proven to be a good tight end, not a game-breaker. His health -- either a continued recovery or lingering knee problems -- will determine whether he can take another step forward next season. Heiden continues to prove a valuable player. Dinkins has done nothing of note. And it's difficult for this fan to evaluate blocking ability. Grade: B
Linebacker: An infusion of talent here gives a confusing impression. Andra Davis is the anchor, but he's not a star. Kamerion Wimbley has proven to be capable and exciting, but has also struggled down the stretch -- but we should be hopeful with him. D'Qwell Jackson has proven to be capable, aggressive and undersized. McGinest has looked okay when his health has allowed. Leon Williams has provided some excitement and appears to be a part of the future. I question whether the overall talent level here will be enough to build a good defense. But there is promise anyway, and with some well chosen moves this unit could progress into a good one. No one has proven to be a consistent threat to rush the passer, imperative in this system. Grade: C+
Cornerback: Painful. Gary Baxter's career is likely done. And McCutcheon is likely done as a Brown. As a result, the Browns have scrambled here and assembled a decent unit. Can Daven Holly or Ralph Brown be a part of the future? I think Holly probably can, and Brown perhaps. But these guys aren not impact players. Leigh Bodden has struggled through an injury-plagued season but is still a good starter. Despite calamitous injuries the unit has performed rather well -- it could have been much bleaker. That doesn't change the future though. Grade: C
Safety: Sean Jones has emerged. or not. He appears to be capable of being a good, perhaps even very good starting player. But he's had his share of struggles of late so let's not get irrational. Brodney Pool has had a mixed season and is still to be considered a backup. Brian Russell has been hurt a lot, but I still think he could wind up on the team and starting in '07. Grade: C+