Are the Browns in a position to take the division in '09
Posted February 7th, 2009 by Luke Chandler
The new-found strength at the top of the AFC North is hardly comforting to Browns fans. Picturing another set of seasons where the Ravens and Steelers trade the division crowd is hard to swallow. Luckily for Browns fans, both the Ravens and Steelers are on edge of a downturn.
In Baltimore, they have already lost their defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, and now the heart and soul of their defense could be gone. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis may be departing in free agency. It seems likely that the Ravens will find a way to keep Lewis, their unquestioned leader, but at what cost?
Also on the free agent chopping block is inside linebacker Bart Scott, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, and strong safety Jim Leonhard. Scott may be tough to resign, as he already took less money once to stay in Balitmore. Suggs wthinks all three can stay if they agree to take a hometown discount, but how realistic is it? Even with a franchise tag and a transition tag at their disposal, it seems unlikely that they can keep all four. Plus using both tags would be extremely expensive. My best guess is that Lewis and Suggs stay, and that Leonhard and Scott walk.
In Pittsburgh, things are looking a bit more difficult. Not only are the Steelers looking at a heavy class of unrestricted free agents this season, but next also.
This year the Steelers have both starting offensive tackles, their backup quarterback, and several key backups set to hit unrestricted free agency. Check them out here. More telling though is the listing beneath, the players who will be free agents after 2009. Having to resign nine starters, including the reigning AP Defensive player of the year will be extremely difficult.
Both teams are adept at building their rosters through the draft and then turning over free agents when they become too expensive, but facing that amount of atrition could give the Browns a perfect opportunity to take over the division. If the Browns can draft a productive rookie class and play their cards right in free agency, they could take over the division in a down year.
Other news
For you Akron Zip fans, I did an interview with linebacker Kevin Grant. Check it out, he was a great player to talk to. He might be a late-round selection, but should be on an active NFL roster this fall.
The Browns were supportive of the veterans during the Super Bowl also.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Playing the afc west , nfc north , Jags and the Bills next year . What is that 4 new head coachs ? Will the o-line stay healthy , QB's healthy ? Who is our QB? Will the nfl renew the same schedule ? It was set up to end after 2009 season. I think we can beat Det. Lions as long as we are not down to 4th string QB. Out of all the new head coaches hired , where does Mangini rate ? Factor in TV guys like ex Steeler coach ect. ….. not so good. WR Edwards contract year , bet he doesn't drop a pass all year. TE Winslow always playing for new contract . Redo it more more more money. Was his dad like that ? I will wait till see some defining draft moves , free agent pick ups ,maybe some trades till I decide the fate of this sad sack bunch. Small college players , small results
February 7th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Wow. The Browns just drove the Bengals out of the cellar and started into (another) rebuilding. A lot of folks think that they didn't get the best of the available GMs, just the one that would work with the coach that they (may have) hired prematurely. We still haven't seen enough of Quinn to know if he's the answer, though we're pretty sure that Anderson isn't. We are weak in the DL and LB areas, faltering on RB and OL, and are short three draft picks due to trades last year, and lack viable depth at just about every position. So, the short answer to the question in the title is 'No'.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Ya gotta be dreaming,having a flashback? Too many holes to plug and not enough quality people to fill them.The Browns should be better but the path to success still leads through Pitts.;maybe Balt.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I am a bit optimistic…based on nothing more than being a fan.Stranger things have happened.The Steelers and Ravens falter….we get really lucky on draft day[assuming we get a couple picks back via trading down, Kokinis snags a few free agents[Leonard for sure cause Jones will prob.bolt...maybe Suggs too while I'm dreaming].I have to think the new regime will see the same things we all do when they're in the film room…needs; RT,GD or CTR, LBS and a playmaker on offense[hopefully someone already on the roster like Cribbs,Harrison or even Steptoe or Rucker].Our corners are fine.They need some pressure up front and only Rogers showed up.Good coaches and managers can make a big difference.Romeo and Phil's record speaks for itself.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Talk about wishful thinking. Theres really no denying that the Browns are AWFUL! Next season's gonna be a lot like this one, with the Browns and Bengals fighting it out for last place in the division and the Ravens and Steelers beating up on everybody in their path.
Sort of reminds me of the AL East over the last decade…forget about TBs fluke season
February 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
The headline provided immediate opportunity to reply to the question with: "Yes, of course, the Browns are in precisely the same position to take the division as they have been for some time—they can take the division up their a…., same as they have for more than a decade."
Additionally, I don't think having guys heading into potential free agency constitutes being on Baltimore's "chopping block."
Yours is the type of blue-eyed optimism, rose-colored-glasses perspective that ends up hurting the professional football experience in NE Ohio, one that unrealistically raises and feeds hope to a long-suffering populace (though many of us have relocated to distant locations). It is lunacy to envision the Browns, as remotely constituted as they somewhat already are, as realistic contenders against the likes of Pittsburgh and Baltimore—even if they should have disastrous off-seasons, admittedly highly-unlikely, and Cleve had an uncommonly-productive one.
Why get yourselves all set up for huge disappointment, place undo pressure upon a not-nearly-filled-much-less-ready roster and contribute to what will again be ultimately a deflating atmosphere—to which Clevelanders characteristically respond to with vitriol that features vulgarity, mis-placed hostilities, finger-pointing and promoting the agendas of selling this guy and that down the river ASAP, damn patience, continuity and what the better organizations might instead do?
February 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Thanks for the laugh. The Browns will always play like the color of their jerseys. Remember when, in the Ravens-Browns game at Cleveland this year, Braylon Edwards dropped a sure, long touchdown pass, basically clinching the game for the Ravens? That was so funny.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
23rd in yards per game,29th in yards per carry,29th in sacks allowed,22nd in interceptions and three of their starting five lineman are free agents this year.The starting front three on defense are 30 or older.James Farrior is 34,James Harrison is 30.The Steelers won because of their defense and they are starting to get old.The offense was terrible and will have a big turnover on the offensive line.The Steelers will slip fast as well as the Ravens.Three of their starting four linebackers are free agents.They will probably release Samari Rolle,Chris McAllister and Trevor Pryce is in his mid thirties.Mason is 35 and their only big threat on offense,Willie Anderson is 33.Both of these teams can get old real fast.The Browns need to add speed on defense at the linebacker position.Aaron Curry is a perfect fit to play inside linebacker for the Browns.He's a physical player with speed has great instincts and can tackle the ball carrier.He runs through the running back instead of catching and dragging him down.Curry has the ability to cover a lot of ground in pass coverage and has three interceptions returned for touchdowns.I'm am not a Rey Maualuga fan.He's to stiff and plays out of control.He doesn't have get speed and misses to many tackles.I think he's benefits from the talent around him and will be exposed in the NFL.Everette Brown is the best pass rusher in the draft.He's has great quickness off the ball and also has a great spin move.He reminds me of Dwight Freeney the way he sets the tackle up for his spin move.Florida State lined him up at both ends of the line of scrimmage and inside against the guards and they could not block him.If they take Curry with the 5th pick they could get a good pass rusher in the second round.I believe the Browns will trade Derek Anderson and get back in the third round.Minnesota could be a possibility.The Jets,Kansas City,Detroit,Chicago,San Francisco also could be in the market.I believe we could get a third and a fifth round pick out of Anderson.Derek's too inconsistent,inaccurate and doesn't have the leadership qualities this team needs to get to next level.If the Browns do get a third pound pick, Dominique Johnson a cornerback out of Jackson State would be a nice pick up if he's available.Sean Smith is also an excellent cornerback but he won't last till the third round.Free agency has some offensive lineman that could fill the holes on the right side.The Browns are not a bad team.We were not a very well coached team.The lack of discipline and focus was evident this season with all the pressure and high expectations.Mangini will take care of that problem and get this team redirected and focused on football.But how well Brady does at quarterback and his leadership qualities will be as important as the draft and free agency.Stay strong and keep the faith.GO BROWNS!!!
February 13th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Let's face it ,a big part of Derek Andersons down fall was Braylon Edwards.I would not be sorry to see Braylon Edwrads go. But I believe that with the right draft choices and the signing of some good free agents who can catch the all Anderson could come to be a good back up QB.But if the Browns do trade him I would like to see the Browns Uniform on Brian Leftwich the free agent from Pittsburgh.The man is one heck of a QB.Scuggs from the Ravens would also be a welcome sight in Clevelands back field.Along with Curry and Jenkins, I really like to have the son of one of Clevelands best Linebackers Clay Mathews on the Browns team.I also agree with some of the other comments written here.The Steelers and the Ravens are looking at the lost of some major players this year to free agencey and I believe they will not be the power houses this upcoming season as they where last season.But I don't have a Crystal Ball so I can't predict the furture,I would like to see Cleveland get a third round pick and if we can get that from trading D.A. or Edwards so be it.We need alot of help in OLB,FS,DC and RB.Jamal Lewis is a no quit running back but he isn't the running back he was in his prime.I'm in hopes that Mangini and Kokinis don't lets us Brons fans down this year.Go Browns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Wow your head is in the sand or somewhere a little darker. With the steelers history of drafting good players and cutting aging free agents, where is the reason for a downturn? Your crap assessment is what leads brown's fans to over optimistic hopes and dreams. The browns organization would be better represented to imitate the steelers and ravens management and organizational plans. The steelers may not be able to keep all of their free agents, but judging by free agents they have let go in the past what leads you to believe they won't adapt with new players? Give me a break on their free agent list for 2009. Three lineman on an average o-line and a back up q-back. They have a better back up q-back returnung from injury. I hope no brown's fans were stupid enough to believe your dribble.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hey, is there a section just for latest news
January 6th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Thanks for the great post. I really love this tv seasons. Can't wait for the next season ! Keep up the awesome work with that