NFL 2006: Cleveland Browns

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Cleveland Browns.)

Romeo Crennel begins his second season at the helm of the Cleveland franchise. The former Patriot defensive coordinator feels confident heading into the season after signing some high priced free agents and drafting young talent he feels will come in right away and contribute.

The Browns have nowhere to go but up. Last season Cleveland had the worst scoring offense in the NFL at 14.5 per game, en route to a 6-10 record. The offense must improve if the Browns hope to get out of last place in the AFC North.

Offense: To say the Browns offense last year was anemic isn't doing the anemics any justice. The offense was terrible. Cleveland scored a whopping 232 points, dead last in the NFL. They managed only four, yes it's true, four rushing touchdowns all season!

Trent Dilfer has moved on and the reigns have been handed over to second-year signal caller Charlie Frye. The youngster started the last five games of 2005 and showed signs that he could be a real good NFL quarterback. There's a learning curve though. All of the greats had to go through it and Frye will to. He'll have games were he looks like Superman and some were he plays like that stupid Wonder Twin that only morphs into some kind of useless water thingy. Cleveland fans must be patient and let him grow.

The serious concern is with his backups. If Frye would go down, there isn't much left in the cupboard. Former 49er Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson are the current backups for Frye. How confident is Crennel in his reserves? Well, last report is he's desperate enough to try and talk Vinny Testaverde out of retirement. Yeah, he's really comfortable.

Reuben Droughns (1,232 yards) returns to the backfield after a solid 2005 campaign, but he was arrested earlier in the year for domestic battery and could have other things besides football on his mind. William Green and Lee Suggs, two stars in college, have never made the transition to the pros. Suggs because of injury and Green because of personal issues. Rookie Jerome Harrison will be given every opportunity to move up the depth chart. Terrelle Smith is a solid, blocking fullback.

Wide receiver is one area where the Browns look to be in good shape offensively. Leading receiver Antonio Bryant is gone, but Joe Jurevicius was brought in from Seattle to take his place. Jurevicius is a high character guy who brings a winning attitude and a strong work ethic to the table. He caught 55 passes last year for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns. Dennis Northcutt (42-441-2) returns as does 2005 top pick Braylon Edwards (32-512-3). Edwards hopes to bounce back from a knee injury that cut short his season. Rookie Travis Wilson will be the fourth receiver.

Also returning from injury is Kellen Winslow Jr. The Browns hope that his talent can finally be shown on the field after missing two years due to injuries. If Winslow's matured just a little and stays healthy - Cleveland could have a superstar on their hands. Steve Heiden (43-401-3) is a solid tight end who can be counted on if Winslow falters.

The biggest changes for the Browns are on the offensive line. LeCharles Bentley, arguably the best center in the game right now, was brought in from New Orleans and left tackle Kevin Shaffer was pulled out of Atlanta. Both will start immediately and make a big impact on the Cleveland offense. Cosey Coleman and Joe Andruzzi return at guard as does Ryan Tucker at right tackle.

Defense: The defense was solid if unspectacular last season and Crennel set out to make it even better this year. He signed Willie McGinest after the Patriots released him in a cap cutting move and three of his top four picks in the 2006 draft were on defense.

The defensive line is the weak part of this unit and got even weaker after Jason Fisk departed to the Rams. Orpheus Roye was the unquestioned leader of the line as his 88 tackles and three sacks proved. Alvin McKinley returns at the other end spot and grizzled veteran Ted Washington was brought in from Oakland to replace Fisk. Simon Fraser, Ethan Kelly and rookie Babatunde Oshinowo will be counted on for depth.

McGinest is a huge addition to the Browns roster. Despite being a little long in the tooth, McGinest brings leadership, hard work and three Super Bowl rings to Cleveland. He knows Crennel's system and will teach the young guys how to excel in it. His 56 tackles and six sacks proves he can still play. Andra Davis (149 tackles) and Matt Stewart will occupy the inside spots, while McGinest and top draft pick Kamerion Wimbley will be outside. Chaun Thompson, Mason Unck and David McMillan will see action as well.

The secondary features Daylon McCutcheon (76-2) and Leigh Bodden (56-3) at the corners with rookie Demario Minter used in the nickel. Brian Russell (70-3) returns at free safety, while Sean Jones, Brodney Pool and veteran Gary Baxter fight it out at strong safety. Baxter also will see action at corner.

Special Teams: Special teams are a strength of the Browns and will be even stronger with the addition of punter Dave Zastudil (43.5) from Baltimore. Phil Dawson scored 100 points last year and missed only two field goals (27-29). Josh Cribbs (24.3) is back returning kickoffs and Northcutt (10.5) will handle punt return duties.

Outlook: Crennel is slowly but surely building a solid foundation in Cleveland. Unfortunately for Browns fans, the rebuilding process isn't done yet. A young quarterback has a learning curve and will take his lumps, not everyone can be a Dan Marino or a Ben Roethlisberger out of the shoot. The running game is inconsistent, the defensive line is shaky and there's some holes in the secondary. The biggest problem of all is the Browns are in a division with the Steelers, Bengals and Ravens. No fun at all.

Prediction: Crennel is bringing in the type of players he wants to learn his system and good things are starting to happen. In any rebuilding process, it takes time and the same thing can be said with the Browns. Crennel is definitely the man to change the fortunes of the Cleveland Browns. Just not this season. The Browns will finish 6-10 or 7-9.

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