2008 Cleveland Browns NFL Predictions
Climbing from just four wins in 2006 to
10 wins in 2007 has expectations high for the Browns. Can
the Browns get back to the playoffs for the first time since
2002? Find out in Jimmy Boyd's
2008 Cleveland Browns predictions and season preview.
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Offense
Derek Anderson will be the starter again in 2008
after throwing 29 touchdown strikes last year –
just one shy of the team record. Anderson also
threw 19 interceptions and that is why there are
a few skeptics out there that think Brady Quinn
should be taking all the snaps. I think the old
saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" can be
applied here though. After the turnaround that
Cleveland made under Anderson, there's no way
they can defer to Quinn at this point.
Jamal Lewis started over with a new team last
year and he looked like a new player, rushing
for 1,304 yards. Jason Wright and Jerome
Harrison are adequate backups. If the running
game does as well to compliment the passing game
as it did last year, the Browns will be playing
in January.
Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., Braylon Edwards,
and Donte Stallworth give Anderson plenty of
talented targets. Stallworth comes in and will
be the deep threat because of his blazing speed
to open up even more routes over the middle.
The Browns have an exceptional offensive line
and that's why the offense was so potent last
season. Left tackle Joe Thomas and left guard
Eric Steinbach, center Hank Fraley, right guard
Ryan Tucker, and right tackle Kevin Shaffer were
all magnificent last season, allowing Anderson
to be sacked just 14 times.
Defense
The defensive line has been the unit that has
held the Browns back, but it shouldn't be near
as glaring of a weakness this season. Landing
nose tackle Shaun Rogers and defensive end Corey
Williams will instantly improve this unit. Both
of these guys have seven sacks last season.
Rogers was the best defensive player on the
Lions and Williams is a major upgrade at
left end.
Linebackers Kamerion Wimbley, Andra Davis, and
D'Qwell Jackson are all very important to
Crennel's 3-4 scheme. All three of these guys
should benefit from an improved defensive line.
Leon Williams and Willie McGinest will also see
action.
The fact that the Browns did not get a
cornerback in the draft is a bit troubling since
they allowed 29 touchdown passes in 2007 and
traded cornerback Leigh Bodden in the Rogers
deal. This unit should be improved though with a
better line to pressure the QB. Eric Wrightand
Brandon McDonald will start at the corners with
Brodney Pool and Sean Jones at the safety spots.
Special Teams
Josh Cribbs is an exceptional kick returner who
fans want to see worked into the offense more.
He is also a major asset in coverage having led
the Browns with 23 special teams tackles. A
playoff berth could finally earn place kicker
Phil Dawson the recognition he deserves. He has
scored 100 or more points in three of the last
four seasons.
Prediction – 1st AFC North
The Browns finally have a team capable of
winning the North and I think they will this
season. The
Ravens,
Steelers, and
Bengals do not have the offensive balance
that the Browns showed last season. Ultimately,
the two key defensive line moves that Cleveland
made will put this team back in the playoffs for
the first time since 2002.
Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's
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July 1st, 2008