Danny Shelton ready to rumble in NFL debut
September 11, 2015Browns trade Billy Winn to Indianapolis
September 11, 2015Finally, the 2015 NFL season is upon us. Finally, there can be potentially positive news about the Cleveland Browns. Or, at least, there can be news about actual football rather than about coaches appearing on police blotters, backup quarterbacks shoulders, and the seventh wide receiver on the team being waived for a third string running back who will not be able to play until well into October. Yes, the Cleveland Browns playing the New York Jets in New Jersey is just a couple of days away.
So, here at WFNY, we need to put some stakes in the ground. We need to wet the index finger, stick it in the air, and see what the wind is yielding. Most importantly, we need to create a bunch of predictions that will likely be laughed at by the end of the season. And, the world needs more laughter in it.
Here are our predictions. Notice that Terrelle Pryor is not included in any of them thanks to careful editing of all the original questions and answers. Uh, I mean due to our entire staff predicting his release.
Browns Offense
(1) Will the running game be good enough for defenses to respect?
Craig: In the end, I will say yes. This depends almost exclusively on the offensive line, and if they can remain healthy then whoever is running the ball will keep defenses honest over the course of the season and entire games.
Joe: I believe the running game will be good enough for the Browns this season. I really have a high opinion of Duke Johnson and believe he will become the running back who takes control of the position. He is a versatile back who can catch the ball out of backfield along with his big play running style. For a smaller speed back, he is a pretty tough runner who is not afraid to run between the tackles.
Isaiah Crowell is also a solid running back who will be a good complement to Johnson. Crowell is a downhill runner who can break tackles. Another reason for my optimism of the running game is due to the fact the Browns have one of the best offensive lines in the league. The backs will have good space to operate and find running lanes.
Josh: Isaiah Crowell will have a decent year. But with only two RBs on the roster (one being a rookie and battling through a concussion), it’s hard to put much hope into the Browns run-game. Josh McCown’s play also plays a major role – if McCown struggles, the opposing defenses will load the box, which will make it hard for Crowell to run anywhere.
Michael: Isaiah Crowell needs to prove he is past his fumbling issues, is willing to pickup blitzers, and has actually learned the playbook (too many times he was in the incorrect spot last year). However, his ability to run is spectacular. I love how he leans into his cuts so much he appears to be falling only to use that momentum to shift his weight in the opposite direction. Between Crowell, rookie Duke Johnson, and mid-season addition Robert Turbin (when he comes back from injury), I think we have the horses. And, we definitely have the OL. All barring injuries, of course.
Scott: If Duke Johnson is fully healthy and can provide some lightning to Isaiah Crowell’s thunder, I believe so. The offensive line is good enough to get position and create holes. The only issue will be that opposing defenses may “respect” the run game too much and stack the box, forcing Johnny D to look elsewhere when it comes to amassing yards. (Pat Shurmer once said that short passes are just as good as a run and this form of thinking scares the absolute crap out of me.)
(2) What WRs/TEs will emerge as the most reliable? Who will be the red zone threats?
Craig: Brian Hartline is the choice for most reliable. Andrew Hawkins is second choice, but I feel very good about Brian Hartline having something of a revival to his career here in Cleveland.
Joe: I believe Brian Hartline will be the most reliable receiver on the team and become the team’s redzone threat. His sure hands, good size and solid route running makes him a good target for Josh McCown to look for in the redzone. I am really excited about Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel this season, too. They both give the Browns quick, speed receivers who can create plays after the catch. They both will be good complements to the bigger Hartline and Dwayne Bowe.
In terms of tight end, Gary Barnidge will be reliable like always, but I believe E.J. Bibbs will become the top receiving target of the tight ends. He has the most unique skill set of all the tight ends on the Browns, possessing the best receiving skills.
Josh: My answers may be the obvious ones, but Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins. With plenty of experience in Miami, Hartline will most likely be the most reliable receiver on the Browns this season. He may be the fastest receiver, but he will be a possession receiver that will be leaned on heavily in 2015. Hawk opened a lot of eyes in 2014. He may be small, but he will find ways to get open and be the go-to-guy outside of Hartline for the WRs. Hartline will most likely be the go-to-guy in the red zone. Hawk and Taylor Gabriel are just too short to be much of a red zone threat.
Michael: Sigh. When you have a bunch of non-descript wide receivers, it is difficult to pin one down as reliable. Brian Hartline is the obvious answer and he will likely be the most reliable third down target. Taylor Gabriel will have some big plays down the field, but those are hardly reliable. I suspect Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin will frustrate defenses at times with their quickness, but receivers that small are usually not the guys you can keep feeding the ball.
For red zone threat, I’m going to surprise many and go with Travis “Rabbit” Benjamin. Rabbit has a way of finding the open spots in the endzone, and he utilizes his elite leaping ability on the back line as well as any player that we have. I wish I had a bit more faith in any of our tight ends to be that weapon, but, in such an absence, I’m going with the guy who led the Browns in receiving touchdowns in 2014.
Scott: The answer here should be Dwayne Bowe, but I’m going to go with Brian Hartline. I don’t trust Bowe when it comes to having the mental toughness to win 50/50 balls, and Hartline has shown to be everything the team was looking for when they signed him to a two-year deal this offseason. He’s 6-2, has great hands and runs some of the most crisp routes in the league. There’s no reason he shouldn’t emerge as the team’s biggest red zone target. It’ll be up to him to convert that into a “threat.”
(3) Will Josh McCown hold onto the job throughout the year? Why/Why not?
Craig: An emphatic “NO!” Did you see the shots McCown took during the pre-season? I really hope I’m wrong about this, but it just doesn’t seem likely. I’m afraid that McCown believes a bit too much in his athleticism and will hold on to the ball too long and / or otherwise take physical shots that will force him to miss time.
Joe: I am not sure that Josh McCown will be able to hold onto the starting job all season. But, the reason might not be for lack of production, but for injury concerns. Josh McCown is an average quarterback, who in my opinion is a slight improvement over Brian Hoyer. But, that does not mean he will play well enough to keep the job all season. There is also always a possibility for injury with a Cleveland Brown quarterback. Just like the many seasons since 2001, we have not seen a single quarterback man the backfield the entire season. This will likely not change with McCown. Based on just history, it is a good probability that we will see multiple quarterbacks start a game this season.
Josh: I would love to say yes, but since the Browns are known for their many quarterbacks, I unfortunately don’t think McCown will be the starter by the end of the season. The city of Cleveland is so in love with Johnny Manziel that even without playing a regular season game, McCown is already digging himself out of a hole. The first mistake he makes, especially if the team’s losing, a lot of Browns fans will be calling for his head. My heart hopes that McCown is the starter on Week 17, but my gut thinks that he won’t be.
Michael: Honestly, not a chance. Josh McCown has no evidence in his career that he can stay healthy throughout a season. Despite our elite offensive line protection, he is going to get hit. And, he seems to enjoy running the ball even in the preseason games. He scrambled himself into some sacks last year in Tampa Bay, and I worry he’ll do the same at times here. Add it all up, and the backup quarterbacks better be ready.
Scott: Unfortunately, no. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think this team is heading for a four-to-five-win season with a very tough string of losses somewhere in the middle of the schedule. There’s a nine-game stretch between October and December that may see just one win. By this point, McCown will either be injured (you can only take so many of those scrambling shots) or the clamoring for change will be too loud. I’m setting McCown’s start total at 11, max.
(4) Who will be the surprise performer on offense?
Joe: I believe the surprise performer on offense will be Duke Johnson. I think Johnson will become one of few true playmakers for the Browns on offense. He has big play ability both in the running and passing game. He runs tough for a smaller back and has the agility and speed to make defenders miss. As I noted in the first question, I believe Johnson will take control of the starting running back spot and be the back the Browns have been looking for.
Josh: Isaiah Crowell. Without Terrance West, Crowell will be leaned on much more in 2015. With the power and athleticism he showed last season, the running back can turn a lot of heads this season.
Michael: Well, I already mentioned Travis Benjamin, so I’ll go with Andrew Hawkins here. McCown enjoys his underneath routes and he is going to give more targets to Hawkins and Benjamin than expected. The opportunity will help them push their stat-lines higher than most expect.
Scott: Surprises are a function of expectations. Given the lack of current competition, if he can hold on to the football I see Crowell notching a slew of touchdowns on the ground. I’m going to go out on a bit of a limb, though, and say E.J. Bibbs. The Browns are going to need pass catching options on offense, and I think Bibbs gives them the best shot at having a tight end who can provide a semblance of a threat in the passing game. It may not be right away, but they’ll have to give this kid a shot. He’s my “surprise” performer.
Browns Defense
(1) Will the secondary replicate its dominance from last year?
Craig: Yes. In fact they might be even better. Tramon Williams is a nice addition and Pierre Desir and K’Waun Williams have more experience. Oh yeah, and Joe Haden is Joe Haden. This group has talent, experience and most of all leadership. Easily the best part of the Browns is living in the defensive secondary.
Joe: I actually believe the secondary will be even better this season. The replacement of Tramon Williams for the departed Buster Skrine is an improvement in my opinion. Williams is a veteran corner who can be relied upon to make a very strong starting duo with Joe Haden. The depth behind those two is also strong with the likes of K’Waun Williams, Pierre Desir and Justin Gilbert. It is a youthful group with a lot of talent.
At safety, the Browns have an elite duo in Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson. Both players are Pro Bowl level players with the ability to make plays at the safety position. It is a great backend of the secondary, who the team can rely heavily on. Behind the starters, the Browns have the solid Jordan Poyer and the impressive rookie Ibraheim Campbell. The Browns secondary has great starting talent with good depth to fill in when needed. The secondary should be the strength of the entire team and they should help make the jobs of the front even easier.
Josh: The secondary will be leaned on heavily in 2015 and if they can stay healthy, they will be able to replicate their performance from 2014. Health is very key for this group though, with so many injuries last season and during the preseason.
Michael: Statistically, the Browns had the second best secondary in the NFL in 2014. I do not believe we will achieve such a ranking two years in a row as there are too many factors outside our control in achieving it (competition, luck, weather, etc.). However, I do believe that the unit is even stronger in 2015 than it was in 2014. Tramon Williams is an upgrade to Buster Skrine, the younger defensive backs have a year of experience, and we at least seem to have more depth now.
Scott: I think it will be even better. I hated to see Buster Skrine get completely ignored by the Browns during free agency, but Tramon Williams provides that veteran know-how across from Haden. I think Haden will not have the slow start he experienced a season ago. And I think Tashaun Gipson is out to prove a point after not getting a multi-year deal. It’ll be Seattle and Cleveland, and the gap won’t be as wide as the casual fan would think.
(2) Will the team improve on its dreadful run defense?
Craig: A little bit. The Browns hopefully won’t give up the big plays, but adding Danny Shelton alone won’t be enough to improve that that much. They’ll be better with Shelton and Randy Starks, but unless there’s been some drastic improvement across the board, I don’t know how it turns on a dime from bad to good.
Joe: I believe the Browns will improve their horrible run defense. As I predicted yesterday, I believe the Browns will improve to a
top-20 run defense. The main cog for the enhanced run defense is rookie defensive tackle Danny Shelton. Shelton’s presence really settles the entire defensive line, which struggled last season. The Washington State alum has the strength and girth to help fill up the interior running lanes. He forces double teams, which will open up the play for the rest of the defenders.
Along with Shelton, the Browns also added veteran lineman Randy Starks and rookie Xavier Cooper. These two linemen will help give depth to the position that sorely needed it following a dreadful 2014 season. Another factor in the improved run defense will be the simple fact that the players will be in the same system for the second straight year. I am hoping this will help in fixing the team’s horrible run contain on the edges. Fingers crossed on that one. But, overall I believe we will see an improvement in the run defense.
Josh: I mean, the only way to go is up, right? With the addition of Danny Shelton and a couple free agent signings, the Browns’ run defense will improve. They won’t be among the best in the league, but they will be much better than last season’s dismal performance.
Michael: Our interior run defense should be a bear. It should be actually really good this year. It suffered last year anytime that Phil Taylor was injured, which unfortunately was often (good luck big man, get healthy). However, the additions of Danny Shelton and Randy Starks should help the inside immensely. Our run defense on the corners, however, scares me to death. I assume we’ll improve on our 31st place finish statistically, but Paul Kruger, Scott Solomon, Nate Orchard, and Barkevious Mingo better set the edge or there are going to be beer cans thrown at their television sets all across Northeast Ohio again this fall.
Scott: God, I hope so. If Danny Shelton and Max Starks aren’t the answer, I don’t know what more the Browns can do. Kirksey and Dansby are one of the most solid middles this team has seen in a very long time. If that front three can’t get penetration and let them get in the gaps, it will be a head scratcher.
(3) Who will be the surprise breakout performer on defense?
Craig: This is some wishful thinking, but I’m going to say Nate Orchard. I’m hoping he brings the heat to opposing quarterbacks like Mingo hasn’t been able to do. It could be Armonty Bryant too, but I’m looking at someone who piles up QB sacks.
Joe: The surprise breakout performer will be Xavier Cooper. Cooper is an athletic penetrating defensive lineman who will be most effective on passing downs. We will see him emerge as a dangerous interior pass rusher. He showed off these skills already, leading the team with three sacks in the preseason. Cooper has the ability to disrupt the backfield with his quick and penetrating pass rushing moves. Cooper will be a huge player for a defense that needs more pass rush.
Josh: Can Danny Shelton be a “surprise” as a rookie? Well, even if he may not be a surprise, he’s my answer for this one. He will not only clog up the middle, but he will at times take on double times, opening up things for the guys on the outside.
Michael: I do not count Danny Shelton as everyone should expect him to be a star at this point. If you do not, then there is plenty of time for you to throw on a lavalava and get on the bandwagon. I actually believe the surprise will be Christian Kirksey. I did not like him all that much as a draft prospect, but he really surprised me in the second half of the season last year, and I believe he will build upon it this season.
Scott: We’ll only notice the big plays, but I believe Desmond Bryant is in for a huge year if he can stay on the field. With two blockers taking up Danny Shelton on the inside, Bryant has the athleticism to really do some damage in the pass-rushing game. I loved what he flashed last season before his injury and what he did against Tampa Bay in the dress rehearsal.
(4) Who are you most worried about on defense?
Joe: I am not worried about a single person, but a single area, the pass rush. The Browns ranked 27th in sacks with just 27 last season. The team added Nate Orchard, Xavier Cooper and Randy Starks to improve the team’s pass rush, but it is still an uncertainty going into the season. The Browns have only one real dangerous passing threat in Paul Kruger. After him, the Browns do not have a reliable pass rushing threat. The defense will need to find a edge rusher to complement Kruger and take the blocking focus off Kruger.
Josh: Justin Gilbert. Like teams did in the preseason, if he is in the game, the opposing offense will always look his way. He may not be a top-2 starter, but if/when a team goes with more than two wide-outs, Gilbert MUST be able to defend his man and not embarrass himself.
Michael: Whoever starts at OLB opposite Paul Kruger. Unless Mingo makes a leap, I don’t think we have a real starter at that position.
Scott: I really wish we saw more from Nate Orchard this preseason. I know he wasn’t picked as high as Barkevious Mingo, but Orchard was effectively drafted to fill in for Jabaal Sheard and we’ve seen nothing of the sorts thus far. My hopes are that it was happenstance; my fear is that we’re going to be seeing a lot more Scott Solomon than initially planned.
Special Teams
(1) What parts of special teams worry you the most?
Craig: Kicker. I could go out on the street and ask 100 people who the Browns kicker is. 60% would say, “No clue.” 5% would say Carey Spear and 35% would still say “Phil Dawson.”
Joe: I am most worried about the kicking game with Travis Coons. He is a raw inexperienced kicker, who has not kicked in a regular season game in the NFL. Can he kick in the unpredictable weather of Cleveland and the rest of the AFC North? Does he have the confidence to hit a game winning field goal? There are a lot of questions about Coons and if the team can rely on him throughout the season. We just don’t know.
Josh: Kicker, Travis Coons. I’m sure most of you reading this didn’t even know that a man by the name of Travis Coons is the Browns starting kicker. And well, that’s why our kicker is the part of special teams that worries me the most. Like past Browns teams have showed, the kicker is heavily leaned on throughout the season, hopefully Coons can surprise all of his and have one hell of a season.
Michael: Obviously, Travis Coons. After watching the Pittsburgh Steelers miss two field goals…Wait a second, let’s repeat it. The Steelers missed two field goals and let Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski throw all over the field as the Steelers lost their week one game. What were we talking about again?
Scott: The return game looks better with a healthy Travis Benjamin, so I’m going to go with the field goal unit. This team can ill afford to not capitalize on scoring opportunities. If they plan on winning ground-and-pound games, they’ll have to convert when it’s three instead of six
(2) What parts of special teams will be a strength?
Joe: The special teams’ greatest strength is punter Andy Lee. Lee was one of the more unheralded moves for the Browns that should pay big dividends during the season. Lee has a very accurate leg to pin opposing teams in bad field position. We saw this in many situations during the four preseason games this year. His leg strength is also pretty good, punting 46.8 yards a punt last season, which was fifth best in the league. Lee will have a major part in changing the field position advantage and could come up really big in close games this season.
Josh: The Browns didn’t use a draft pick to bring in a Pro Bowl punter, Andy Lee, for nothing. He will have a good season, along with Travis Benjamin returning punts. Benjamin not only has the speed, but the athleticism to make some things happened and turn the field position around with just one punt return.
Michael: Andy Lee is great, but, out of respect for Spencer Lanning, I’m going to go with Marlon Moore. I love watching him cover punts and kicks. The guy is an absolute animal as a gunner.
Scott: Andy Lee has Cleveland folk hero written all over him. If a game comes down to field position, I’m glad we have this dude’s leg on our side. You just have to hope he doesn’t get Liu Kang’d in the face.
Overall
(1) Season record prediction
Craig: I’m going to be optimistic and say eight wins. I can’t bring myself to think of the Browns winning fewer games than they did in 2014 even though the “schedule is tougher.” I think while the Browns still are lacking in skill position players, they’ve improved their defense and depth along the offensive lines. I think coming into the second season of Mike Pettine’s defense should pay dividends with the strongest unit on the team. So please let them challenge for 0.500.
Joe: 8-8
Josh: Another dismal 5-11…unfortunately.
Michael: 9-7. I would rather be hopeful and wrong, then dismal and correct. But, I do believe in our pass defense, interior rush defense, ability to run, and Mike Pettine. A good, strong leader at the head coaching position can help make up for some deficiencies on the team. At least, that’s what I’m going on.
Scott: I had them pegged for 5-11 all summer long, but I’m amending this to 4-12 and a huge regression from last season. I don’t think they have improved on offense and the schedule is brutal. Every team we’re looking at as a win is saying the exact same thing about the Browns. Two of the first three seem attainable, then just two from there. Maybe St. Louis, Maybe Arizona. Maybe one of the Bengals games. But anything more than four wins for me will be a surprise.
(2) How do you see the season going
Craig: The Browns will start strong against the Jets, Titans and Raiders. The team will be included in playoff talk for a minute, despite the fact that we know in our brains that they’re not really a playoff team. They’ll fall back in the middle of the season and become mathematically eliminated before finishing strong against the 49ers, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Steelers. Like most Browns seasons it will be a roller coaster.
Joe: I have a lot brighter view of the Browns 2015 season than most experts and fans. I believe the defense will really drive the team this season, keeping the Browns in most games because of their strong play. The defense will be suffocating in coverage and I think the run defense will see a huge improvement. The unit will be one of the best in the league.
The biggest question mark will be on offense. The quest to find a starting quarterback has taken us to Josh McCown, making the position still uncertain. I believe McCown is an upgrade from last season, but I am not sure how much. The skill players on offense are improved from last season too, in particular wide receiver Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe. But, what makes me think that the offense will be more productive than most people think is the dominant offensive line the Browns possess. We saw in a short stint how much a great offensive line can do for the success of an offense. These five men give me hope for a solid offensive output this season.
So overall, I see the Browns improving to an 8-8 season in 2015. The defense will be a huge force, leading the Browns to many of the wins and keeping them in almost all of them. The offense will once again be the major question mark this season, but the offensive line should solidify it to a point where it can be successful. The 2015 season will be an improvement from last season and will give hope to fans for the future.
Add Comment Collapse
Josh: I truly believe that the Browns can win their first three games and start the season 3-0, but then it will only go downhill from there. With a tough division, Cleveland will most likely lose at least four of the six games in the division as well.
Michael: Well, the NFL gave us some of the teams expected to be weaker at the forefront of our schedule, so we better start strong. I also see us going 3-3 by defeating each of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore for the first time in our history. I see us falling just short of the playoffs though.
Scott: If my abysmal record prediction wasn’t indicative, I feel like we are all in for a long season once again. Their only running back option has a history of fumbles. Their quarterback is a journeyman. They’re two big weapons on offense from a season ago are either suspended or now call Miami home. The defense will make this city proud, but my fear is that they’ll be on the field entirely too much, breaking at the most inopportune times. And if this team has the ball with two minutes to go and in need of 80 yards to nab a win, I just don’t see it happening consistently. We’ll be talking draft by mid-October.
35 Comments
4-12/5-11 which should be just good enough to prevent them from drafting the best or one of the best QBs out of college!
McCown’s effectiveness, wherever he’s been, depends completely upon an effective running game. And the Browns start the season without a known reliable RB, in a league where such players can be had at a fair price. Then there’s McCown’s injury history and poor instincts at avoiding injuries. Better pray he stays vertical so that the season is not left in Johnny’s jittery hands. Guess how many times 36 year old McCown has played a 16-game season? (that would be zero). Run the ball, Browns, on any down and distance. Run it with the Crow, run it with the Duke, run it until the d-line wears down and fans jerk awake at the Allstate crash commercial with drool running down their faces. Running: your shot at mediocrity.
Also, please scout college QBs like … like you need a QB. You know, the dudes who do the forward pass thing.
[Hey remember when we passed on Bridgewater? And disregarded the expensive study they commissioned? Kinda like when Butch shushed everybody and drafted Big Money?]
They should be better against the run in the second year of the same system and if Shelton stays healthy.
[Hey, remember when we were all worried that Ray Horton was going to be here for just one year to fix the defense before he got the inevitable HC job? And then how his defense collapsed in like every 4th quarter? And how no one cared a bit when he was canned? There’s another column idea: coaches we were excited about].
Damn, haven’t been this down before an opener since like never. Must mean a hellacious 3-0 start is a-coming. Must. Woof.
Offense:
(1) Run game: No, it will not. This o-line should be phenomenal, assuming they all stay healthy. But this crew of RBs is my concern. Crowell’s ball security issues a real concern, as is Duke Johnson’s inability to remain healthy thus far. We will see flashes of possibility, but I think we also see 4-5 guys at RB by season’s end, none of whom can sustain much performance.
(2) WR.Red zone: Hartline is the guy at the WR spot. Hawkins will make a play here and there, but Hartline is the workhorse. Bibb at TE has a real chance to be a red zone go-to, assuming we can get there.
(3) McCown: No. Even with our superb o-line, nothing in the past 15 years of Browns football makes me think a single QB can go 16 rounds for us. I like McCown more than Hoyer or anyone else on the current roster, but his age and willingness to get hit does not bode well for health. I think we end up irrationally excited about Austin Davis by season’s end, and ready to send John Pigskin packing.
(4) Surprise: Bibb seems the safe bet here, though Hawkins becoming a consistent threat and breaking plays could qualify as well. I’d love for it to be Duke though.
Defense:
(1) Secondary: No, though that doesn’t mean it will be bad. I just don’t think they can repeat at the top statistically. Our depth concerns me a bit at CB, but they should be quite solid if healthy. At safety, enjoy Tashaun Gipson while he’s here, folks.
(2) Run defense: They’d almost have to after last season. I still think our LBs are the weak link though, and Nate Orchard doesn’t feel like the solution. Better, but still not anything to write home about. Unless you enjoy making the people at home sad.
(3) Breakout: Shelton. It’s an easy answer, but that doesn’t make it wrong. And he’s a rookie, so he has to actually live up to the expectations first. If he does, that’s a breakout guy. Sure would be nice to see a LB step up and stand out, though. And not in a “wow, he just got smoked” or “wow, he’s so out of position” type of way, that is.
(4) The LBs. All of them. Doesn’t much matter how well we tie thing up at the line if these guys can’t make hay. Even the best secondary needs some support in the form of QB pressure sometimes.
ST:
(1) Concern: Kicker, followed closely by the punt return game. Field position and possession are too critical to throw away on muffs. And obviously, this offense will need all the points it can get, so the kicking game needs to be on point.
(2) Strength: Andy Lee.
Prediction: Pain. Ok, fine…
(1) I’ll give them 5-11. They will find a way to waste the early schedule, give us a couple of (good) surprises, then stumble through December. 2-4 in the division, failing to beat the ratbirds.
(2) Another long, frustrating march to less-than-mediocrity. My hope is Pettine survives, because I think he can do this job, but he won’t do it based on W-L record. And we totally won’t get the pick we need to get a QB, because of course not. A team we beat will probably end up ahead of us and taking the guy we want.
Yeah, my excitement for the season is at a record low. Single digits low. Perhaps even negative numbers. Just start the entirely too long and largely pointless NBA regular season ASAP, Cavs.
Better than having the top pick with no good QBs this year
One week into college football not sure I’d say that but that’s just me.
Watch other games that’s what I do but you are right NBA can’t start soon enough.
Referring to the Browns luck vs QBs. When they are wagon and have top pick, there are no good QBs. When we are 10th pick, there are 3 good QBs gone before we can select.
Oh yea okay agreed.
yes, NBA reg season please. Our players trying to shake off hangovers and feign interest when playing lesser opponents. Our players. We’re the bullies when basketball starts.
4-12. McCown gets hurt by week 5 and Johnny takes over. Crowell posts good numbers and Duke is the next Dave Meggett.
Defense is not as good as they think they are, finishing 26th against the run.
Gabriel returns 2 kicks.
Pettine returns in 2016.
I keep thinking – we’ll be lucky to win 7 games again, but it probably won’t be Pettine’s fault but they can’t fire him because yet another sucky season they’d have to hope they get lucky finding a promising assistant coach with a HC skill set. Because no good coach wants to come here with this history of non-stop turnover. And the percentages of getting lucky with a newby coach aren’t in their favor because the hiring aren’t necessarily competent themselves. But, looking at it objectively before this season starts, Haslam probably would fire Pettine if he wins like 6 games. Because he’ll think a better coach would at least half his games.
What the hell is wrong with me. Woof.
Sham, I’m recording predictions to see which person has the most accurate one at the end of the season. Which prediction do you want me to write down next to your name? 4-12 or 5-11?
Curious, I want to see how accurate everyone is with their predictions. So i’m going to record each one and compare on a game by game basis during the “Winners and Losers” articles on WFNY. Leave a comment with your prediction to be added to the list.
Craig = 8-8
Joe = 8-8
Josh = 5-11
Michael = 9-7
Scott = 4-12
Saggy = 4-12
The Real Shamrock = ???
Keeping track of predictions. I have you down for 4-12.
Keeping track of predictions. I have you down for 5-11
Oh…what will I win? Go with 5-11 it’s Friday the Patriots won I’m feeling optimistic!!!
You should welcome being the bully for once!
5-11 so has it been written so shall it be!
Done.
Put me down for 9-7. I think the schedule factor is overblown and this team is better than last year’s 7-win team.
Missing Lunch. I hate missing Lunch.
Unfortunately I think we’re in for 4-12. Better team, tougher schedule. McCown will last 4 games. Davis will end up finishing the season for us at QB, unless we sign someone else when McCown goes down. Our defense will out score our offense in at least two games.
Got it.
Keeping track of predictions. I have you down for 4-12.
Try going here during lunchtime.
http://meltbarandgrilled.com/
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Oh! You were referring to my prediction. Hmmm… I’ll just say this. The Browns will surprise everyone by winning more games than they thought and will put all the haters and doubters in their place. Thus I’m going BOLD and say 12-4. IMO:
1. I feel the defense is much improved. I think top 5 overall.
2. The offense appears productive enough that they will produce enough points to win, even though they don’t have elite WRs or a “franchise” QB, but I’ll bet the point that Flip wants to make is that we don’t need elite players to win.
3. Notice that if the Browns kept their opponents that they lost to from scoring a touchdown and a field goal last season, their record would have been 11-4-1.
4. I really don’t think the strength of the opponents are so strong that we have no chance of beating them. And finally…
5. It’s quite possible that a NFL team can go from a poor record to a great record in one season. So I’ll stick to the Browns accomplishing the impossible.
“I keep thinking – we’ll be lucky to win 7 games again…”
So should I put you down for 6 games?
Been saying 4-12 since the draft and weve only gotten worse. Sticking with 4-12 and will BOLDLY state 5th overall pick which nets us 0 qbs.
All set.
Let me get in on this.
I’m actually optimistic about this season, trending toward 9-7. The “tough” schedule is fraudulent. It’s just an NFL schedule, and I do think the Browns are better than last year.
THAT SAID . . . put me down for a 7-9 repeat. Only because: (1) it hasn’t been picked yet; and (2) I never want to discount the ability of the Browns to disappoint me.
I knew Coons was our kicker. [pats self on back]
Ok. I got you down for 7-9.
unfortunately. But I hope they win the division and prove me wrong.
fine
Okie dokie.