Browns Reality Check

Let me start by saying that I'm not a Derek Anderson fan. I think he's overrated and product of the system. I think Quinn has the potential to be great and was not given a fair shake last season. Because of that, management is content to head into the season with the incumbent quarterback. The old "don't change horses in the middle of the stream" approach.

However, while Anderson's numbers are abysmal in the second half of the season and 90 percent of his production came in four games, the Browns--AS A TEAM--still won 10 out of 16 games. How many games did the Steelers win? That's right... 10 games.

While the Browns improved themselves through free agency and the draft in their areas of weakness (defensive line and linebacker), the Steelers did not. While I do think that drafting Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed were terrific moves and those're guys who'll eventually be stars, the fact that the offensive line problem was NOT addressed does not bode well for the future of the Steelers. You guys will have a higher strength of schedule and the added pressure of playing the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, while we get the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

Go ahead and worry about your own team, Bud. We'll be just fine. I don't doubt it'll be a rough start to the season, and yeah, there's a chance that the Steelers will beat us AGAIN in Week Two, but we get the early BYE week to right the ship. If we have to change quarterbacks, the entire NFL is in trouble once Quinn takes the helm.

Browns win the Division with, at worst, a 9-7.

Steelers finish second with, at best, an 8-8.

Dallas , Pittsburgh, @Balt, @Cincinnati, Giants, @Wash, @Jax, Baltimore, Denver, @Buff, Houston, Indy, @Tenn, @Philly, Cincinnati, @Pitt

Please tell me where you see nine wins in that schedule. I see 6:

Wins:

@ Cin, Giants, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Cincinnati

Losses:

Dallas, Pittsburgh, @Baltimore, @Washington, @Jacksonville, @Buffalo, Indy, @Tenn, @Philly, @Pitt

Beachbum312,

I would agree with you that Anderson's ascension to NFL stardom was a bit of a "Mirage"... They only beat 1 team with a winning record in 07' (Seahawks)The Browns defense should be improved and they will score points.. But first they have to at least split with the Steelers. I don't think they will be able to de thrown the Steelers... I would rather see the Bengals or Browns win the division. I have absolutley ZERO idea of what to expect from the Bengals..Who knows how the media circus will play out and if it will be a distraction... They probably won't win the division but they probably will help decide who wins the division. If Steelers or Browns sweep the Bengals it will be big for them... They have Carson Palmer who should be able to keep the Bengals in almost every game with or with out OCHO...

Beachbum,

I think it is funny you think Baltimore is better than Cincy....

Our O-line is fine. We were 3rd in rushing last year? Big Ben had 32 TD's and only 11 ints. Alot of those sacks were on Ben and many were on third down when "throwing it away" is pointless. As long as Ben is in the league he will have higher than normal sack totals because he holds it. I can live with that because he often makes big plays when scrambling.

Your biggest weakness is CB and you didn't do sh*t to address that. You better hope you can outscore teams because you aren't going to stop them. You may think your FA signings are a big deal but many don't agree. Stallworth is the most overrated receiver in football. Rogers is out of shape and takes plays off. Now that he's got guaranteed money you can bet he ain't gonna bust his azz for anyone.

Like Anderson or not your season depends on him and it aint looking good bud! He stinks and will be benched by Week 8.

I'm glad you feel so good about Brady Quinn because alot of teams who really needed a QB passed on him in the draft last year. You may be right and he may be great but what if you're wrong? Ouch!

What's even more delusional is the Squeelers fans actually thinking their team has any chance of making the playoffs this year.

No OLine (which was already depleated, and was not addressed in the draft), and a MUCH depleted running game = a QB who can't scramble being asked to scramble since defenses are going to pin their ears back on them all season. You;'re going to have the highest paid QB on the bench in the league when he gets seriously hurt next year.

Pittsburgh has way too many problems right now you should be concerned about before you try to disect our schedule.

Believe me, You're going to be very disappointed with your team next year and it'll all start on the OLine. Here's a prediction for you... Pittsburgh will be in the Top 5 in Sacks Allowed next year.

beachbum let me start off by saying that i am not completely sold on Anderson either ,we got him cheap and that extension that he signed was basically a one year deal to my understanding ,so if he does falter and the odds are he just might ,we still have a no 1 pick waiting which will only make him better .our o-line is one of the very best in the league now and that helps any QB....you cant say that ...big butt Ben will take a beat down this season and wished that he kept his motorcycle .our defense will be improved enough to get the Browns the division title

dontnofootball i see you found your way to a real team board with real fans , the last post i saw out of you .you were talking about abandoning the bungle ship like a rat.and thinking about being a Colts fan ....HA HA

It's funny...before the 2007 season, I remember Steeler fans only giving the Browns 4-6 wins in 2007 - they ended up with 10.  I look forward to the Browns proving people wrong again in 2008.  Truth be told, I like people like you - the doubters, the cynics - I think the Browns need that more than they need the praise and the notoriety of being a contender.  10 wins in 2007 got them nothing - they need to play with a chip on their shoulders in 2008, not like they are entitled or destined for stardom. 

It's funny you think that you can't win without CBs...the Giants didn't exactly have a stellar defensive backfield last year!!  Not to mention, our offense is better than the Giants.  And, as for DA stalling down the stretch - no denying it, he didn't do well...but Jamal was an animal!!!  Almost 800 yards in the last 7 games last year - and this year hopefully we'll ride him, instead of DA, down the stretch. 

I see the Browns winning much more than 6 - they will split with Pittsburgh, sweep Baltimore, sweep Cincy, beat Houston, beat Denver, beat Buffalo, beat Tennessee, and beat Washington - and I think this might even be conservative......