By Billy Rich
2013 Cleveland Browns
2012 Record: 5-11 (last in AFC North)
Head Coach: Rob Chudzinski (1st Year)
A perennial loser, the Cleveland Browns enter the 2013 season hoping for richer rewards. The Browns have not been relevant since Bernie Kosar stood behind center and even then, although threatening at times, they could never get it done. That team moved to Baltimore in 1996 and the current Browns team took its place in 1999 and has had only two winning seasons since that time. Wow.
First year head coach, Rob Chudzinski, has his work cut out for him. He brings some solid coaching experience to the top job in Cleveland, but will it be enough? Looking back at the Browns of old may not be the answer; looking forward must be.
While current starting QB Brandon Weeden has not looked impressive in the first few preseason games it may not be all on his shoulders, or his arm for that matter. It will be hard to say that the offensive line will allow 36 sacks in 2013 as they did in 2012, however that kind of pressure must be alleviated for the Weeden to succeed. At running back, Trent Richardson should have another decent year as he was just 50 yards shy of 1000 yards in 2012. Wide receivers Josh Gordon and Greg Little combined for a large portion of the Browns’ yards in the air, but the 16 total TDs for the entire receiving core must be improved upon for the Browns to make any run for third place. I am not convinced the combination of QA, RB, WR, OL plus TE Jordan Cameron – who has played well in preseason– will be enough to improve the 24th ranked offense from 2012.
On defense, the solidly mediocre 19th ranked 2012 squad needs to improve as well. Linebacker Paul Kruger (“Kruger Huh!”) should be a leading tackler for the Browns and has the potential to get a few sacks from the LB position this year. Look for safety Tashaun Gipson to step up his leadership on a defense that will struggle to find itself. Safety T.J. Ward also needs to step up his game, as he comes into the final year of his rookie contract. You have to love it when a player is playing for the really big pay day, even if as it is only a top safety’s salary which rarely command marquee money. That won’t stop Ward from stepping it up
Biggest upside for the Browns in 2013: With a young, hungry new head coach, the Browns just can’t stay terrible forever.
Bill’s Biggest questions for the Browns in 2013: With first year head coach Rob Chudzinski, their 9th since returning to the league in 1999, comes many natural questions about his ability to put this team on a winning trajectory. Playing in a tough AFC North in another rebuilding year is no postion any team wants to be in. But here they are. Again.
Bill’s Final Browns Thoughts and Predictions:
Bill’s 2013 Browns Prediction: 5-11 (Last Place in AFC North). The Browns will be in the basement of their division for another year. Sorry, Mr. Brown fan, I don’t believe Cleveland is a “mistake by the lake”, however, I also don’t believe in the Browns.
Edited by: Todd LaPlante