No town experienced a blow as bad as Cleveland did when Art Modell took the Browns out from under their feet over 10 years ago.  Since then, it really hasn’t been the same in the city of orange and brown, as this team has seen coaches and their staffs come and go like they were hired from a temp agency. 

Now, this team has a second-year head coach in Romeo Crennel, as well as a proven general manager in Phil Savage.  While it seems as if not much has changed in Cleveland, on the outside, this may be correct.  But on the inside, I think that it may be a little different.

While the Browns did lose free-agent center LeCharles Bentley (among other centers that aren’t even worth mentioning), the offense will be sparked by the return of third-year tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr., as well as second-year wide receiver Braylon Edwards.  The quarterback situation is definitely thin, as there is little beyond Charlie Frye.  However, Cleveland didn’t use a third round pick on the kid out of Akron, Ohio if they didn’t think he had the tools to win.

The tandem of Reuben Droughns and surprising rookie Jerome Harrison should be enough of a one-two punch out of the backfield to keep opposing defenses on their toes, especially with the ever-productive fullback Terrelle Smith leading the way.

While the defense couldn’t stop the run last year, the first two draft picks of linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson have shown a ton of potential this off-season.  Add in the veteran leadership of Ted Washington and Willie McGinest (free agency) to an already solid middle linebacker in Andra Davis, and the Browns now have a solid front seven. 

The secondary of Gary Baxter, Leigh Bodden, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool (with veteran FS Brian Russell) may be one of the more underrated in the league.  Last season, this team only gave up 179 passing yards a game.  With the new beef up front, it can only get better from here.

The schedule isn’t very friendly to the Cleveland Browns this year, making a .500 season a success.  However, I do not feel that this team will be one that will be pushed over this season, and may surprise a lot of teams that underestimate their potential.