2010 NFL Predictions: Cleveland Browns

August 11, 2010

The Cleveland Browns have only managed nine total wins the last two seasons after a 10-win campaign in 2007.  This has left the organization looking for answers, and it found one. The Browns brought long time head coach Mike Holmgren aboard to run the show from the top. Holmgren is a proven winner, and the organization is hopeful they have found the right guy to start a new rebuilding project.

While I do expect progress to be made under Holmgren, the Browns still have a long way to go. This is a team that only averaged 15.3 points per game in 2009.

Offense: Holmgren brings his West Coast offense with him to Cleveland. After parting ways with quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, he’s hoping Jake Delhomme can succeed in the attack. Hope is the key word because Delhomme has had more success throwing to the opposition lately. He threw 10 more interceptions than touchdowns for Carolina last season. If Delhomme continues to struggle, the Browns will likely turn to Seneca Wallace, a player Holmgren knows well from his days in Seattle. The Browns were also able to land Colt McCoy in the third round with hopes that he can be their quarterback of the future.

Losing Braylon Edwards last season certainly hurts the receiving unit. Now, it will be up to Mohammed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie and Carlton Mitchell to step up. Massaquoi is a big play threat, racking up 624 yards on 34 receptions last year. That’s good for an 18.4 yards per catch average.

The Browns relied on their running game a season ago. In fact, they ranked No. 8 in the NFL in rushing offense with a 130.4 yards per game average. Jerome Harrison was their best option, running for 862 yards and five touchdowns.

While Holmgren loves the West Coast attack, I don’t see him completely abandoning the Wildcat formation that the Browns had success with late last year.  The Browns must find a variety of ways to get their top playmaker, Josh Cribbs, the football.  The Wildcat will be one of those ways.

Defense: Cleveland ranked near the bottom of the NFL in total defense (No. 31), giving up 389.3 yards per game, but it showed major progress late in the season when it held three of its last four opponents to 17 of less points.

Head coach Eric Mangini has really shaken things up on this side of the football since his arrival. He’s looking for the right combination of players to execute his scheme, and he believes he’s getting closer.

We won’t see Kamerion Wimbley, Corey Williams or Alex Hall this season, but we will see Chris Gocong and Scott Fujita. We will also see Matt Roth, who played very well after coming over from Miami last season.

The Browns know they must get better against the pass after allowing nearly 245 yards per game through the air last season. They have begun to take the necessary steps to get better with the additions of Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, T.J. Ward and Larry Asante.

Prediction: 4th AFC North – While it may not show up in the win column, the Browns will be an improved football team in 2010.  I have a lot of faith that Cleveland can get this thing turned around sooner, rather than later, with Holmgren running the rebuilding project. NFL lines makers have listed Cleveland as a +1500 long shot in the AFC North.  Find out who I like to win the AFC North in my 2010 NFL predictions.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions, Football Rankings 

Comments

Comments are closed.