Phil Savage is serious about positioning his football team to contend for the AFC title sooner than later.
The Browns suddenly have a solid rotation along the defensive line with the additions of Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. I’ve always liked Williams. He’s not the quickest nor strongest lineman, but he plays hard and displays intensity on the field. His effort will bring energy upfront. Rogers needed a change of scenery from Detroit. When Rogers plays hard and he’s in shape – he can as dominate as any defender in the league. He can collapse the pocket and disrupt opponents in the backfield. The Browns need Rogers to become energized in Cleveland.
Holdovers Shaun Smith and Robarie Smith round out the rotation. Shaun Smith displayed a good effort on the field at nose tackle and end during his first season with the Browns. He should be effective at the point of attack.
I like the addition of Donte’ Stallworth on the other side of the ball. Stallworth stayed healthy last season, but has a track record of hamstring problems. At his best, he provides an excellent complement to Braylon Edwards in the passing game. This move allows Joe Jurevicius to escape some wear and tear and remain a clutch performer on third down.
Moving forward, the Browns still must upgrade their pass rush behind Kamerion Winbley and add a veteran cover corner to solidify the secondary.
Bills: The Bills have been quite active in addressing their problems against the run. Opponents have capitalized on Buffalo’s lack of size upfront the past couple seasons. Marcus Stroud provides the size and ability the clog gaps in the trenches against the run. But the Bills must hope Stroud can overcome severe ankle problems that have slowed him down the past two seasons. If Stroud bounces back and John McCargo emerges as a playmaker inside, the Bills should have a solid rotation including a few capable backups. Kawika Mitchell adds much needed size to a smallish linebacker corps. Mitchell isn’t a playmaker, but possesses good size and toughness against the run. He made a lot of key stops down the stretch for the Giants last season and takes a good approach to the game.
Saints: Have the Saints finally found some answers at linebacker? On paper, I would say yes. Jonathan Vilma is a very active and instinctive guy who plays hard and has a nose for the ball. Morgan is a solid run defender who can solidify the middle. He brings a blue-collar approach to the field. The question is whether they can stay healthy. Vilma has a history of knee problems, which finally sidelined him for a significant stretch last season. Morgan has the history of concussions and various other injury problems because he plays so hard. He can bring some attitude if he can stay on the field.
Buccaneers: Antonio Bryant attempting a comeback after off-field issues kept him off the field last season. If Bryant has turned the corner and matured, he could become a difference-maker to complement Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard for Tampa Bay next season. Bryant lacks ideal speed and has lapses in concentration on the field, but has good size and isn’t afraid to go over the middle of the field. A consistent Bryant would add balance within Jon Gruden’s passing game.
The defensive front you've described for the Browns just doesn't strike me as a group that will be getting into the offensive backfield (other than maybe Rogers). It's a defensive line that is respectable, but not outstanding. The Browns defense still needs plenty of tweaking.
I like the Cleveland offense. I agree that Stallworth is a good addition and the receiving corps is very capable. It's still too early to say the Browns will be battling for the AFC North title (let alone the AFC championship). Let's wait and see what happens in the draft.
The defensive line isn't designed to get penetration although Rogers certainly has that ability. Corey Williams is also a guy who can penetrate too. So I expect Mel Tucker and Romeo Crennel to expand some assignments across the defensive line. They do need to find another linebacker who can get upfield and pressure the quarterback.
I don't think the plan is necessarily to get the d-line into the offensive backfield. I think it's more along the lines of 1) improving the run defense and 2) freeing up Kamerion Wimbley and whomever else they pick up to get into the backfield.
As for it being too early to say the Browns will be battling for the AFC North, let's remember that they tied with Pittsburgh for best record in the division. If they had beaten the Steelers once, the division would be theirs (or if they beat the Bengals the second time around). The moves Savage and Co. have made ensure that the Browns will be battling for the division. The AFC Championship? Who knows? The Giants won it all....
When exactly is the last time the Browns won a game against Pittsburgh? One that meant anything for that matter? AFC elite huh? In the words of Dennis Green "if you want to crown their arsses, then crown em!". Until they can beat the Steelers and make the playoffs, it's another article of "what if?" and potential. Ask the Bengals where potential gets you. Who dey?
This is clearly a "Rest and build for next year" in Pittsburgh. It showed at the end of the '07 season. The Brownies have a legitimate shot for AFC North. But what kind of rookie starters will Cleveland be expecting from the draft at 56 and 87 if they manage to keep those picks?
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Steelerman1974. Your comment is crazy. It has been a while since the Browns beat the Steelers. But come on. If the Browns had even a decent line they would have destroyed the Steelers the second game last season. Rothleswhatever was able to make runs up the middle almost the whole second half. Steelers O-line is bad and now losing Faneca will be suspect at best. If Ben takes another season getting sacked on average every 8 pass attempts he will be hurt. No QB can take a pounding like that year after year. Better hope the running game is working to keep Ben from having to throw. Better hope Tomlin can start adjusting his gameplan midstream to win more games. Better hope the polomalu (typo?) does not get is 100th concussion and miss any serious time.
I personally like the additions the brownies have made. I look for them to take a step backwards like the bungles did last year. The Steelers draft well and the fact that they have players in their system for more than one year before storming the field ensures the Steelers will be the team to beat in the AFC North.
Wow. The Browns are already an 'Elite' team? And yet they haven't done a dam thing? They do have a good offense but we'll see just how things play out.
CardiacKid- you make some very valid points. But most of your comments include the words "if" and "hope". I'm not saying the Browns stink by any means. They are making some good moves toward getting where they want to be. The only thing I'm saying is games are won on the field, not on paper. Seeing your name it looks like we are loyal fans from way back. I love the way you all hate on Rothliswhatever. It's ok to hate, as long as you respect the guy. My uncle is a Browns fan and we have a very respectful rivalry with our two teams. I actually was pulling for his Browns in 86 and 87. By the way. Kudos to spelling Polomalu right!
Last edited by steelerman1974 on March 13th at 4:28 PM.
I like the moves the Browns made in the offseason. It makes the Browns a credible threat to win the division in the AFC North. However, they have a consistent record in the of losing to the Steelers over the past 36 years that only Bernie Kosar seemed to be immune to.
In the typical Browns-fan tradition, one winning season against mediocre leads to Super Bowl reservations before July.
This year they have a winning team's schedule against the two strongest divisions in the AFC and NFC, to go along with their usual intra-division nemeses. In addition, the league has 16 games of game tape on Derek Anderson and his offensive teammates.
The message to Browns fans is this: enjoy Lebron and the Indians this year and don't jump off the Terminal Tower when the Steelers win the AFC North again this year.
The only way to build an ELITE team is through the draft. Claiming players off of free agency waivers and buying players late in their careers ALMOST never pays off big. Therte are exceptions, but as a general rule free agents rarely perform as well with their new teams. Look for their quarterback to DIGRESS this year, He is a 1 year wonder. Mark my words, they can buy all the talent they wnat...... They're still the same old Browns. If they finish 2 games over .500 they'll be lucky.
Reckhart,
I hate to tell you this, but 9-7 just might win the AFC North this year. The schedule is just that tough. The Browns have done nothing but improve their roster. We needed upgrades on the d-line, and that's what we got. Oh, and another playmaker in Stallworth. How have the Steelers improved? By losing Faneca? We'll see.....
It's not a 4-3 alignment - so, the defensive rotation is about playing 2 gaps, and freeing up LBs to get to the QB...so as long as one of the 3 lineman can penetrate; lookout for KAMERION WIMBLEY, and D-Qwell JACKSON this year for your pass rush...also Antwan Peek if healthy and Leon Williams can be factors as well...but I'll admit the Browns do need a pass rush specialist to come in on pass situations...maybe there's a gem in rd. 4 or a guy FA still out there
Bgeorge30, I'm not sure where you are getting your data about the Browns consistently being beaten over the last 36 years. The last time I looked, the series record was 57-55 in favor of the Squeelers, hardly seems to me like that is a consistent record of losing. It will be fun to watch Roethlisberger run for his life since they let Faneca go.
brownsfan1975 - the 36 years refers to the fact that the Steelers have won 48 of the last 72 vs. the Browns. That is exactly the last 35 regular seasons' meetings plus two Steelers playoff wins vs. Cleveland. That is skewed somewhat by the fact that the Steeler are 15-1 vs. the Browns in the last 16 games.
The only reasons Williams was decent when he played was because he wasnt an every down player in GB. He was shuffled in and out. He had fresh legs the whole game. Clevland and their fans will soon find this out. So get off the "He's so great kick".
And dont EVEN come on here and say any different because most Browns fans didnt even know who he was until being traded to them....NOW HE'S AWESOME!
islanddawg writes: "If the Browns can end the Modell curse then this could finally be THE year. But as long as he lives I'll have my doubts."
Yeah, I'd like to see that S.0.B.'s head stuffed and mounted in Canton. NOT!
So much talk about how great an owner he was because he helped to negotiate killer t.v. contracts for the NFL and line his own pockets. In reality the guy was responsible for shortening Jim Brown's career, the creation of the Bungles when he gave Paul Brown the heave-h0, a greedy move from the NFL to the AFL for the Browns, selling Paul Warfield the Dolphins and then bringing him back when he was washed up, the gutless move of the Browns...etc.
Last edited by Brownsfan1957 on March 15th at 5:17 AM.
The Browns buy adding Williams and Rogers they have up graded their defensive line but they up graded with players that have some problems and will those problems go away when the season starts.
Williams is a good player but can he handle the O-Lines in the AFC North besides the Steelers also you need quickness and strength to stop the run which Williams does not have. Rogers as they all say when he plays hard he can dominate but he stoped playing that way long time ago.
It is still going to be a long season for the Browns on defense unless the O scores a lot of points
The Browns , and the city of Cleveleand stink???
The Browns will sweep the steelers this year and for years to come. The Browns biggest problem last year was stopping the run and they signed 2 good defensive linemen to remedy that. The offense, as good as it was last year will be even better this year with another top notch receiver added. With the four very good receivers they have and the really good offensive line,,there is always going to be an open receiver on the field to throw to.
Pittsburg just got knocked down to second fiddle in the AFC north.
I really don't hate Cleveland and am glad the rivalry is back.
Sportypages, When Cleveland beats Pittsburgh ONE time then you will be allowed to make your claim. No trash talking after losing 15 out of the last 16, okay? People like Sixfigurefan, Fuzzboss and myself heard all this noise (from some very loud folks)last year about how the Browns were going to dominate the Steelers - and it didn't happen. Then the excuses flowed from Cleveland fans. Your team played well last year, but not well enough. Look forward to seeing the 2008 version of the AFC North.
I think it's funny that so many Steelers fans are dropping comments on a Cleveland Browns article. I am with you guys though, although it seems the Browns have made some improvements we will have to wait and see. I think that one of the more encouraging things for Browns fans is not the players that they have added, but the fact that they appear to have a GM who is making decent moves.
Well, being in Baltimore and having a sibling in Cleveland has made for some interesting jabbing throughout the years. Especially with my Ravens dominating the Browns until late. Yet, after my birds went 0-2 to Cleve, I yearn for the days when I'd tell my brother that flushing after a #### is... "taking the Browns to the Super Bowl!" Our marginal victory came with keeping Jamal under 100 yds - twice! Prediction: Browns will again get flushed in the AFC North.
PMAN#1 I think they can handle a line that gave up a sack per every 8 pass attempts. Williams and Rogers will not have to face the Browns O-line. Only the Steelers, Benglas, and Ravens. The same Steelers line that gave up 47 sacks. Second most in the league. I am sure that is enough to make Williams and Rogers drool lol. Rogers admited that many players on the lions team gave up when the lions couldnt win a game. First half of the season he played very well. I am sure he will do great for the Browns and make ol Big Ben eat some of that terrible turf. That big contract he signed is a God send for Browns fans. That contract really hurts the Steelers ability to sign other players down the road.
How does Ben's contract hurt the Steeler's ability to sign other players down the road? First of all, Pittsburgh has never been an active player in the free agent market. Their biggest signing was James Farrior. Second, It does not prevent them from signing draft choices this year or any other year to structured deals. Last, don't know if you understand the contract terms, but only $33m is guaranteed money. $25m upfront that is spread over the 8 year life for cap purposes ($3.3m per year) plus $4m roster bonuses for 2009 and 2010. Individual annual salary is loaded toward the back-end of the deal. So he will cost Pittsburgh less this year, 2009 & 2010 than what NE and Indy pay for Brady and Manning. It's a fair franchise QB contract.
Say all you want about the two new D-lineman that the Browns have and about the sacks that the Steelers O-line gives up - they still have to go play the game. That "great" Cleveland Brown offense got a grand total of 385 yards in two games vs. the Steelers defense in 2007. 35 points, of which, basically 14 points was scored by Josh Cribbs on Kick-off returns and another TD on a short-field turnover. When Cleveland ACTUALLY BEATS the Steelers, then their fans should talk smack, right now their words are meaningless.
Moseby, I have to agree with what you said, to a point. The browns didn't do that well against the steelers offensivly last season. Sure Cribbs made some HUGE plays in the second game. And that's part of football, special teams. And the steelers special teams have been aweful the past few years. (outside of their kicker). Do I think the browns will be competative this season, heck yeah. But as a browns fan, I know the steelers are the team to beat. They are the defending AFC North champs and we haven't beat you guys since October 2003. Could we win the division without beating you, sure that would be possible, but unlikely. If you want to doubt the browns and consider them a one year wonder, then fine. They will contend for the AFC North this season, and I hope, at least split with the steelers.
I am very excited for the 2008 season but as browns fans we still have to keep our mouths shut. The steelers, as much as it pains me to say, are still the team to beat in the AFC North. Until we beat them it would be best to stop with the trash talk.
GO BROWNS!!
As much as these two cities supposedly hate each other, I have seen a growing mutual respect between the two fan bases. Sure you still have an occasional hit and run "your team stinks" blogger however I see that less frequently than before.
I have stated before, being a huge fan of the NFL I'm for whatever makes the league better period. The Steelers/Browns rivalry is great for football and it's good to see it back.
Up until a few days ago I was really worried about the Steeler O line and then they signed center Justin Hartwig. That and the healthy return of Marvel Smith will be huge.I believe Mahan who played center will return to his natural position which is at guard.All this plus the draft gives the Steelers an improved O line.
I believe(Although I hope I'm wrong) that the Steelers and the Browns will split their games this season and once again have the division winner be determined in the final week of the regular season.
bc525, good analysis. It does improve us but anything would be an imrpovement from a 30th ranked defense.
Here in NE Ohio we are just glad to have a team we can get excited about.
islanddawg, you are soooo correct. The Modell curse must be broken. Thankfully we have a much better ownership situation now and Art is not missed by anyone.
I don't doubt that the Browns can be a very good team at all. They have the talent. My point is about a number of their fans (not all or even most) that were talking trash about the Steelers and their fans since before last season started. Well it didn't pan out. And in this off-season it has continued, which is why I made the point that until the Browns beat the Steelers, fan trash talk is meaningless. I am very pleased that the rivalry is back.
Yo genius! The schedule goes mostly by divisions... not your record. Although I mostly agree with the earlier post... there is a much higher level of respect between the fans. That being said... I constantly get ignorant comments from Steelers fans if they see me representing my Browns. More than usual... I'm hoping it's because of sleepless nights thinking about us whooping them!
Brian DeLucia has been a widely respected NFL Analyst for several years including six-years on FOXSports.com
Brian analyzes players, coaches, and personnel guys from a unique front office perspective. You can email Brian DeLucia at bjd@enter.net
The Browns suddenly have a solid rotation along the defensive line with the additions of Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. I’ve always liked Williams. He’s not the quickest nor strongest lineman, but he plays hard and displays intensity on the field. His effort will bring energy upfront. Rogers needed a change of scenery from Detroit. When Rogers plays hard and he’s in shape – he can as dominate as any defender in the league. He can collapse the pocket and disrupt opponents in the backfield. The Browns need Rogers to become energized in Cleveland. 
