I won’t be sticking my neck out predicting the Browns’ 2015 fate with any specificity. Given the outsize randomizing impact of injuries, it’s a fool’s errand anyway. But one thing I expect is that they will be tough to throw on. Why? Their four starters in the secondary are all Pro Bowlers The defensive scheme […]
I’m now in my third year of obsessively updating a Browns roster spreadsheet, usually faster than the team itself. Here are a few stray tidbits from the off-season flux. — The overall headcount is about right for this time of year: 70 players signed or tendered. They have ten draft picks, leaving plenty of room to […]
Four days from now, the new league year begins, and that means players with expired contracts are free agents. Amid the off-season tumult of 2014, the Browns — for a variety of reasons — failed to secure the services of some key contributors heading into their contract year. So now we have a lengthy list […]
At this point, it’s really anyone’s guess who will line up behind center when the Browns’ 2015 season opens seven months from now. Will free-agent-to-be Brian Hoyer be re-signed? Will Johnny Manziel elevate his game? Surely the Browns will sign, trade for and/or draft at least one and probably two other QBs. But that speculation […]
It’s about now that the Browns’ decision-makers should be done evaluating the 2014 season and roster. They know their own strengths and liabilities. It’s now a matter of strategy. Which of their own dozen-plus potential free agents should they try to re-sign? Who are their top targets around the league when free agency kicks off […]
Here’s a quick overview of the three Browns positional groups that need the most attention this offseason. Quarterback — Cleveland’s braintrust isn’t foolish enough to rely on Johnny Manziel as the answer for 2015. He’ll probably get one more fair shot to show up or to show off and ship out. Meanwhile it’s hard to […]
The new Browns have become known for their rapid turnover at quarterback, 20 different starters since 1999. That’s a lot, of course, but it is contextualized and partly explained by this equally astounding figure: over the same time frame, Cleveland has started 39 different men at the two offensive guard positions. (Try this quiz to […]
Nice to see the Browns’ offensive line getting some attention for the team’s better-than-expected ability to rush the ball, protect the passer, and — above all — score points. All hail Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco, and Mitchell Schwartz. From yesterday’s Associated Press feature: “Just stand near them and listen to them […]
The Browns have been wretched the last 15 years, but for most of that time, their special teams were wonderful. That’s thin gruel, sure, but subsistence nonetheless. Under coordinators Jerry Rosburg (2001-06) and Brad Seely (2009-10) especially, the Browns had consistently excellent results with kicking, returns and coverage. Key to that success was stability with […]
This MMQB piece is the best description I’ve seen about what schemes and methods the new coaching staff is bringing to the 2014 Browns. In a nutshell: Coach Pettine on Manziel: “He has a tendency to keep both teams in the game.” Based on confusing quarterbacks’ pre-snap reads, the “shape-shifting” defense features players rotating jobs within […]
Browns Plainly gives you the most comprehensive, no-nonsense coverage of the Cleveland Browns, from all the best sources on the web. All in one place. Dave Algase, author of Brown for the Count, provides expert analysis and is a lifelong fan of the team. Dave's unique perspective of the team will provide insights you won't find anywhere else.
