32 in 31: Cleveland Browns

Another year of 32 for 31, Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013.  Our Ohio office finally makes some noise with some life from Browns Training Camp.

My first opportunity to be around an NFL team other than my beloved Green Bay Packers has been filled with exposure and access that I never dreamed of.  As many of you know I got the call up to the big leagues and moved to Cleveland, Ohio to start off July and work with ESPN Cleveland. One of the greatest opportunities that came with the job was ESPN 850 WKNR had just become “The Home of the Cleveland Browns.”

Northeast Ohio is one of the most interesting sports communities and region's I have ever experienced. A Browns town is how locals choose to describe the “Mistake on the Lake” and Cleveland has lived up to the billing to date. Local sports dominate the discussion in break rooms, on the radio and at the bar. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs since 2007, one would be hard to find a Clevelander without an opinion on if Brandon Weeden is the their future QB or if Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton’s blitz crazed defense will be the backbone of the team.

The Browns have a new owner and almost an entire new front office from General Manager Mike Lombardi to Public Relations Director Zak Gilbert. The term new life and energy are familiar statement's in the "216" since Browns training camp has broke. A city that’s just dying for a winner may get teased in 2013-2014, but will be building towards success and hopefully will not face any bumps in the road due to Owner Jimmy Haslam’s legal issues.

Offense:  It has been long recorded in the NFL that a team only will reach heights that its leader and quarterback take them. The Browns offensive outlook will be under different watch this season. Gone is Public Enemy #1 and lame duck Head Coach Pat Schurmur, in QB Guru and Head Coach Rob “Chud " Chudzinski and offensive mastermind Norv Turner. Their goal is clear and simple; Figure out if Brandon Weeden was a product of player not in the right system last season (West Coast) or if the near 30-year-old is not an NFL level quarterback. I have had a chance to see Weeden a few times and until watching him live in Game 1 of the preseason, I was convinced he did not have much. I’m all for giving the guy a chance and that’s what he will get, the job will be Weeden’s to lose and the 2013 Browns will go as he goes.

Skill wise the Browns have two of the top second year skill position players in the league in Trent Richardson and Josh Gordon. Both are specimens and have dominated camp so far when given the chance. Gordon who was selected in the rare NFL supplemental draft in 2012 in the second round, is on the verge of running out of chances. The Baylor product will start out the year suspended for the first two games due to testing positive for Purple Drank/Sizurp/Codeine. Gordon was a major surprise in his rookie year, hauling in a 50/805/5 line as a 21-year-old.  Fantasy gurus are labeling Jordan Cameron as a fantasy sleeper due to the success tight ends such as Antonio Gates have had in this offense. I would not touch him in most leagues personally. . One surprise could be Dion Lewis impact as change of pace back and a receiver out of the backfield. Joe Thomas is animal and is the staple of this offensive line.  Look for Greg Little to finally make that next step, reminds me a lot of Muhsin Muhammad during his Carolina days.

Defense: The talk of Berea and Browns training camp has been how underrated this Browns defense could be this year. Key offseason additions such as Paul Kruger boost a defensive that is not short of quality NFL talent. Big Phil Taylor is a mover and all you ask for from the nose tackle position in the 3-4.  1^st round pick Barkevious “Keke” Mingo will not be asked to play starter snaps instantly, but will be used as a situational rusher until he fills out his NFL frame. D’Qwell Jackson is the best middle linebacker no one ever talks about despite being a staple in the middle for years. The Browns secondary is headlined by party boy Joe Haden , who feels he is one of the best corners in the league and that’s half the battle. Finding someone to solidify the other outside slot and more important nickel role is key. City punching bag in 2012 Buster Skrine has really caught my eye and I believe the guy is just a football player. T.J Ward is a well rounder undersized safety, but has been above replacement level in during is short NFL career. 

Special Teams:  For a team that has been accustom to losing and playing QB musical chairs since its re-arrival into the league in 1999, one can grow attached to a kicker. Phil Dawson is the Browns all-time leading scorer since the team returned, he now plays in San Francisco. Josh Cribbs the second leading scorer since 1999 is now in Oakland. Whoever wins the Browns kicking job will be under hall of fame quarterback replacement pressure scrutiny.  Brandon Bogotay the backup to Blaire Walsh at Georgia could win the job over journeyman Shayne Graham.

As far as the return game many thought Dion Lewis would snag the roll, but I really love Travis “ Throw Dem “ Benjamin’s. To start the guy is string beam and probably wears a t-shirt swimming he’s so skinny, but man he can fly. I would love to see the Browns promotions department drop “Benjamin’s” from the sky into the dog pound after he scores in 2013.

Key Additions:Paul Kruger, Davone Bess and new front office Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi

Key Loses:  Phil Dawson was the heart and sole of this franchise and Scott Fuijita retired.

Game to Watch:  The Browns are 1-13 in their season openers since returning to the league in 1999. The new regime of Haslam, Banner, Lombardi and Chudzinski would love to start off on the right foot at home against the new look Dolphins.

Prediction: This team needs Brandon Weeden to be its MVP for it to succeed. As far as that goes winning 7 games would be a major accomplishment for this team, but bottoming out for Manziel or Bridgewater could be a quick but another  painful process for Clevelanders.

-Nolan