2013 NFL Preview: Cleveland Browns

Added on Aug 02, 2013 by Scott in

NFL

The Cleveland Browns have made the playoffs exactly once since their “return” to the NFL in 1999. During that span, the team has lost at least ten games in a season 11 times and employed seven head coaches. Needless to say, this current stretch is the most disappointing in the franchise’s long and storied history. Are their fortunes about to change for the better as many pundits are predicting, or will it be more of the same in 2013?

Cleveland Browns – Rob Chudzinski is the latest coach tasked to pump life into a lifeless organization. In Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordan and Jordan Cameron, he has some talented pieces in which to maneuver. However, none of the quartet is a sure thing, what with Richardson’s health issues and Gordon’s impending two-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. They also added a glut of defensive help via free agency and the draft.

Player in the spotlight: Brandon Weeden – Chudzinski likely won’t give Weeden a lot of games to show he’s the unquestioned starter under center. Justified or not, expectations in Cleveland are high this season and all eyes will be on a quarterback drafted by the previous regime. Backup Jason Campbell might hear his number called if Weeden struggles early. Weeden has a big arm, but he must get the ball out sooner and sharpen his accuracy on downfield throws.

Trouble spot: Linebacker – The unit will feature three new full-time starters in ex-Raven Paul Kruger, rookie Barkevious Mingo, and second-year player Craig Robertson, who made three starts in 2012. The position could end up being a strength by season’s end, but right now it remains an unknown. Many experts believe Kruger is overpaid and Mingo is overrated. If the experts are proven wrong, the defense will be one of the league’s most improved.

Fearless forecast – Cleveland will face Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, A.J. Green, C.J. Spiller, Calvin Johnson and Aaron Rodgers in the first half of the season. That’s one helluva fantasy roster, so the defense needs to come together fast, and the offense must limit turnovers. Reaching seven wins won’t be easy, but it’s very doable if everything breaks right.