2009 Cleveland Browns Preview

The 2009 Cleveland Browns will take the field with a much different attitude than the 2008 team.  The days of club Crennel are over as the Browns were pushed to the limit during training camp under the non nonsense approach of new head coach Eric Mangini.  Mangini immediately set the tone as traded malcontent Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the draft.  There were rumors he was going to do the same with boisterous Braylon Edwards.  Edwards remains with the team but Mangini drafted two touted receivers in the draft, Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi.  In addition, the Browns signed two crafty veterans in Mike Furrey and David Patten.  Win or lose, the Browns will play smart and hard under Man-Genius.

Quarterback: Heading into the season the QB battle continues between former All-Pro Derek Anderson and Ohio native and beloved son Brady Quinn.  Anderson had a very good 2007 but was victim to questionable decisions and proved to be shaky when under pressure at the end of the 07 season.  Although he led the Browns to a 10-6 record, he fell apart in a must win against lowly Cincinnati in a game that would have propelled the team into the playoffs.  In 2008, things only got worse.  Anderson was shaky and his biggest weakness was on display as he only completed 50.2% of his passes.  Brady Quinn’s performance in the 3^rd preseason game should be enough to win the job.  In 2008, Quinn played well in a tough loss to Denver and was effective against Buffalo until breaking a finger.  Quinn has leadership qualities and control of the huddle that Anderson lacks.  Anderson can throw the ball a mile but does not have the touch or ability to read a defense that Quinn has.  In the end Quinn will win the position and get a chance to bring excitement to his beloved fans.  The story reads of the Bernie Kosar era, Browns’ fans hope so. Rating: B

Running Back: The Browns still have 1,000 yard rusher Jamal Lewis.  However, Lewis just turned 30 and seems to tap dance in the hole and lacks the quickness and explosion of his younger days.  Lewis is still an effective goal line runner and will always run hard.  Jerome Harrison was very effective but inexplicably didn’t receive the amount of carries he deserved.  Harrison gained 246 yards on only 34 carries for a 7.2 average.  The Browns drafted James Davis out of Clemson to help ease the load on Lewis.  Davis played high school ball at the same school as Lewis.  Lewis has taken the rookie under his wing stating Davis is very receptive to coaching and could be an effective runner in time. Fullback Lawrence Vicker is an effective blocker, short yardage runner and intermediate pass catcher. Rating: C+

Wide Receivers: Braylon Edwards had a tremendous 2007 catching 16 TD’s.  In 2008, like most of the team, Edwards was full of himself and lacked focus.  Edwards has the talent to be a top tier receiver and can dramatically affect the opposing defense’s coverage.  Edwards was rumored to be traded but Mangini decided to hold on to the ultra talented receiver.  Edwards is in a contract year so look for the 2007 Edwards to resurface.  Mr. everything Josh Cribbs will compete for the 2^nd receiver slot.  Cribbs is one of the most versatile players in the league and will no doubt be effective as Edwards’ side kick.  The Browns brought in Mike Furrey via free agency.  In the preseason Furrey reminded Browns’ fans of another #88, Brian Brennan.  Furrey, like Brennan, is a very good possession receiver and will be a valuable safety valve for Quinn.  The Browns drafted polished route runner Brian Robiske and slick Mohamed Massaquoi.  Each get significant time.  Prior to the draft the Browns signed cagey veteran David Patten who will now struggle to make the team.  After the shocking news that starter Donte Stallworth was involved in a drunk driving fatality, the receiver position looked like a weakness.  Despite Stallworth being suspended, the receiver position is now one of the strengths of the team. Rating: B+

Tight End: Mangini quickly parted ways with former All-Pro Kellen Winslow trading him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Winslow’s receiving abilities will sorely be missed but his lack of blocking and occasional blow ups may equate to addition by subtraction.  The Browns added former Bill tight end Robert Royal.  Royal is an effective blocker who will not make many catches.  Steve Heiden is as tough as they come.  He is already playing despite a torn ACL late in the season.  Heiden will be a nice target for Quinn. Rating: B-

Offensive Line: The heart and soul of the line is All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas.  Critics didn’t feel Thomas was as effective as his rookie 2007 season.  However, Thomas played very well despite the lack of stability on the rest of the line.  Left guard Eric Steinbach is a very effective starter.  He lacks the size that Mangini would like but uses his athleticism and technique to control his opponent.  The center position is up for grabs as incumbent Hank Fraley battles rookie 1^st round pick Alex Mack.  Mack is the future of the team and will likely be the starter sooner than later.  The right guard will be filled by Pork Chop Womack and the right tackle by John St. Clair.  The team has depth on the offensive line with Rex Hadnot and Ryan Tucker. Rating: B+

Defensive Line: The defensive line is anchored by All-Pro behemoth Shaun Rodgers.  The 350+lb Rogers crashes the pocket and is very good against the run.  Robaire Smith returns from an injury and should compete for reps.  Corey Williams returns after an injury marred 2008.  The team added former Jets Kenyon Coleman and C.J. Mosely both of which are good against the run.  As with the offensive line, this unit should be much improved and now has depth. Rating: B

Linebackers: The linebacker corp has been highly scrutinized throughout the Crennel era.  They have not been effective in any capacity as they couldn’t generate a pass rush nor could tackle a running back in a phone booth.  The only bright spot has been D’Qwell Jackson.  Jackson led the league in tackles and gets better every season.  The team finally parted ways with Andra Davis replacing him with solid veteran and former Jet Eric Barton.  They also added former Jet David Bowens who should help against the run.  The Browns drafted athletic linebackers David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava in the draft.  Maiava is expected to be a terror on special teams while Veikune is getting snaps as a starter in the preseason.  Kamerion Wimbley continues to look like Tarzan and play like Jane.  Wimbley has all the physical tools but has lacked the aggression and passion to live up to his ability. Rating: B-

Secondary: Young starters Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald were the source of much criticism in the middle of 08 but they bounced back nicely with a solid season.  Considering the Browns had little or no pass rush, the secondary’s performance was not bad against the pass.  Wright and McDonald will not confuse anyone with Minnifield and Dixon but they are both quality starters.  The team added depth by adding Corey Ivy and Hank Poteat.  The safety positions will be manned by returning starter Brodney Pool and addition Abram Elam.  Pool plays very hard and is willing to stick his head in on any play.  His aggression has led to several concussions but he continues to play with the same fervor.  The addition of Abram Elam should help against both the run and pass.  Elam is a big hitter and loves to play near the line of scrimmage.  Rating: B

Special Teams: The best unit on the team is led by veteran kicker Phil Dawson, punter Dave Zastudil and All-Pro return man Josh Cribbs.  This unit is one of the best in the league.  Dawson is a clutch kicker and serviceable in the kickoff game.  Zastudil is a very good punter who can kick in the bad weather in Cleveland.  Josh Cribbs is one of the best all around players in the league.  He is equally good on kickoff and punt returns.  Not only is Cribbs a fantastic return man, he is also a great tackler on special teams.  Few if any in modern football have accomplished the feats of Cribbs. Rating: A

Coaching: Eric Mangini had winning seasons in two of his three years with the Jets.  Had it not been for the injury to Brett Favre’s arm he would likely still be in New York.  Mangini brings attention to detail, aggression and a my way or the highway approach to a team that has lacked discipline for several years.  Mangini has ties to Cleveland as he was a former ball boy for the team.  He understands the passion and love for Browns football which should serve him well.  Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will have the task of improving an offense that didn’t score a touchdown over the final six games.  Improving that should be easy.  Daboll will run an offense that is careful and mistake free yet will not be afraid to line up four wide.  The defense will be led by Rob Ryan.  Ryan is known for his aggression like that of his father Buddy and his twin brother Rob. 

Predicted Record: 10-6

Scott Dryden, Senior Staff Writer

2009 Ohio State Buckeyes Preview

“We don’t rebuild, we reload”

The 2009 installment of the Buckeyes will be missing some familiar faces.  Can Coach Tressel replace the likes of Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurinaitis, Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline and leading rusher Chris Wells?  Can the mantra of reloading not rebuilding apply to a team that lost its leadership?  The Buckeyes will have a lot to prove in 2009 after being embarrassed by the USC Trojans last year in the coliseum and a tough bowl loss to the Longhorns of Texas.

Quarterback:  The 2008 season was filled with controversy as the Buckeyes started with senior Todd Boeckman then went to much ballyhooed freshmen Terrelle Pryor.  Although Pryor received much criticism, the fact is he was one of the top rater passers in the Big Ten.  Known as a running quarterback, Pryor worked hard in the off season to escape that moniker.   Pryor will be the heart and soul of a team that lost its leading rusher and two top receivers.  In addition, the Buckeyes have a young and much maligned offensive line.  Can Pryor, as a sophomore, lead the team?  The fact is Pryor is a rare and special player.  Reports abound that Pryor ran a 4.3 40 yard dash in Columbus which was the fastest on the team.  The comparisons to Vince Young are inevitable and legitimate.  Look for Pryor to carry the team as did Young in his days in Austin.  Rating: A-

Running Back: Although Chris “Beanie” Wells suffered many injuries during his three year career, he was one of the most productive running backs in the history of Ohio State.  His rare blend of speed and power will be sorely missed.  However, the cupboard is not bare.  Daniel “Boom” Herron will likely get the bulk of the carries.  Although not big in stature, Boom runs hard and does not tire as the game lingers into the 4^th quarter.  Herron rushed for 439 and six touchdowns in 2008 boasting an impressive 4.9 yards per carry.  The man of mystery is junior tailback Brandon Saine.  Saine, a former high school player of the year and track champion in the state of Ohio, has yet to put it all together.  Saine possesses rare speed and weighs in at 217 lbs.  Saine should be a special player but has yet to put it all together.  Freshmen speedster Jaamal Berry will contribute as at least a 3^rd down back.  Rating: B

Wide Receiver: Losing Brian Robiske and Brian Hartline to the NFL will be near impossible to replace.  Junior Dane Sanzenbacher and Sophomore DeVier Posey will likely get the starting nods.  Sanzenbacher worked underneath coverage effectively in 2008.  Can he get open without Robiske and Hartline drawing coverage?  Posey has all the natural gifts coaches look for in a receiver.  He has incredible speed and good size at 6’3” and 205lbs.  Posey will have high expectations surrounding him.  Anomaly Ray Small will also get some time.  Coaches and fans alike have been waiting for Small to live up to his immense talent and hype.  Small was compared to Ted Ginn Jr. when he came to Columbus but thus far has only showed flashes and has been in Tressel’s doghouse with off the field issues including not meeting academic requirements.  Taurian Washington, a 6’2” junior, may also see some time.  Freshmen Duron Carter, son of OSU legend Cris Carter, may also get some time.  Rating: B-

Tight End: The tight end position hasn’t been a focal point for the Buckeyes. The position has been used more of a blocking position than a key component of the passing game.  Jake Ballard has been a solid blocker and pass catcher in his time in Columbus.  Redshirt  freshmen Jake Stoneburner will see some time and was an excellent pass catcher in high school.  Rating: B-

Offensive Line: While many will point to Terrelle Pryor as the key to success for the 09 season, the fact is the annihilation in embarrassing championship game losses and the poor performance in Los Angeles in 2008 were all centered around  pathetic display by the offensive line.  The Buckeyes have landed several big recruits at the position but the line has not gelled.  In 2008, OSU landed 3 major recruits, Michael Brewster, Mike Adams and JB Shugarts.  Each came with high praise but only one is expected to gain a starting position.  Left tackle will be manned by Andrew Miller, left guard by Justin Boren, center by Michael Brewster, right guard by Bryant Browning and right tackle by Jim Cordle.  Miller is a surprise at left tackle winning the battle against Mike Adams and JB Shugarts.  Boren is a very nice addition doing the unthinkable transferring from Michigan to Columbus.  Boren was an All Big Ten performer in 2007.  Brewster was very effective as a freshmen and looks to further improve in 2009.  Bryant Browning moves from right tackle to right guard.  In 2008, Browning was consistently abused as speedsters left him the dust at right tackle.  The right guard position should be a much better fit.  Jim Cordle, the consummate worker, will be a good fit at right tackle.  Rating: B-

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Defensive Line: The strongest position on the team is very talented and deep.  In the end position the speedy Thaddeus Gibson will cause havoc on opposing quarterbacks.  Gibson came on strong in 2008 using his speed and athleticism to unsettle both running backs and quarterbacks.  On the other side, junior Cameron Heyward will continue to be the best player on the Buckeye’s defensive line.  Heyward is tremendous against the run and very effective at pushing the pocket.  Backups Nathan Williams and Lawrence Wilson, who is coming back from an injury, provide excellent depth and speed at the position.  The defensive tackles will be led by Doug Worthington and Dexter Larrimore.  Each provides size and strength in the middle of the line.  Garrett Goebel and Todd Denlinger provide depth and skill.  Rob Rose is a tremendous talent but is facing possible suspension due to academic issues.  Rating: A

Linebackers:  The unit will sadly miss All-American James Laurinaitis.  Laurinaitis brought toughness, speed and a ferocious passion to the position.  His partner in crime, Marcus Freeman also graduated.  Freeman was a consummate teammate and skilled player.  The Buckeyes are known for exceptional linebackers and their lineage speaks to that.  Now, Austin Spitler and Brian Rolle will attempt to fill the large shoes left behind.  Spitler has cut his teeth on special teams.  He will bring the same intensity to the linebacker position.  Brian Rolle, also a special teams mercenary, will bring his teeth rattling tackling to the middle linebacker position.  They will be joined by returning starter Ross Homan.  Homan is a very skilled player and proved very effective in 2008.  Etienne Sabino, Storm Klein and Andrew Sweat will provide solid depth to the position.  Rating: B

Secondary: Andre Amos will have the unenviable task of replacing one of the best defensive backs in the history of the school, Malcolm Jenkins.  Jenkins was a tremendous cover corner with great size and was a tremendous tackler.  Amos will not be as good as Jenkins but should be a solid corner.  Chimdi Chekwa will be retain his starting CB position.  Chekwas experienced ups and downs in 2008.  At times, he played like an All Big Ten performer and other times he seemed lost and was ineffective.  The play of the defensive line should help both corners hold up.  The safety position has experience and talent as 2008 starters Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell return.  Coleman, although somewhat undersized, has tremendous speed and is not afraid to bring the lumber.  Russell seems to always been in the right place at the right time.  He is an exceptional performer despite the dropped interception in the bowl game against Texas.  The third cog is dynamo Jermale Hines.  The junior “safety” lines up everywhere and causes havoc.  One of the most versatile players on the field, Hines is a budding superstar.  He has drawn lofty comparisons to OSU legend Jack Tatum.  Rating: A

Special Teams: Always a critical part of coach Jim Tressel’s philosophy, the special teams unit should be very good in terms of the return game.  Lamaar Thomas and Ray Small should handle the return duties and be very effective.  DeVier Posey will receive spot duty in the return game as well.  Aaron Pettrey will retain his kicking duties.  The punter will most likely be senior Jon Thoma.  Rating: B

Coaching: Although Jim Tressel has received criticism over the years as being too conservative, the fact is the vast majority of schools are envious of OSU’s success.  Tressel consistently has a top ten recruiting class, owns a 7-1 record against arch rival Michigan and holds a least a tie in the last four Big Ten titles.  Jim Bollman will remain in his role as the offensive coordinator.  Much of Tressel’s criticism has surrounded Bollman and the offensive philosophy.  On the defensive side of the ball, Jim Heacock will again be the coordinator.  Outside of difficulties against a spread offenses, Heacock continues to field a top defensive unit year in and year out.  The 2009 installment should be no different.  Rating: A

2009 Schedule and Predictions:

Date                                                 Opponent                              Prediction

Sept 5^th                                            Navy                                       W 42-14

Sept. 12^th                                         USC                                        W 31-21

Sept. 19^th                                         Toledo(in Cleveland)          W 45-17

Sept. 26^th                                         Illinois                                    W 30-20

Oct. 3^rd                                            @Indiana                               W 44-13

Oct. 10^th                                           Wisconsin                            W 27-17

Oct. 17^th                                           @Purdue                              W 34-20

Oct. 24^th                                           Minnesota                            W 41-17

Oct. 31^st                                           New Mexico St.                    W 44-14

Nov. 7^th                                            @Penn St.                             L 24-17

Nov. 14^th                                          Iowa                                       W 31-21

Nov. 21^st                                          @Michigan                            W 27-17

Final Record:  11-1 Overall 7-1

Scott Dryden, Senior Staff Writer