2010 Cleveland Browns Season Preview

The Cleveland Browns will try and begin their 2010 NFL season the way that they ended the 2009 season, winning the last four games after tabbing just one win in the first 12. The Browns teams that concluded 2009 performed well on both sides of the ball, as opposed to the team that was on the field in the first 12 games of the year. That team was inept on offense, and had difficulty stopping opposing teams on defense. Still, the team managed to scrape together a successful final quarter of the year, to give fans and the organization alike a reason to be hopeful looking head at the 2010 Cleveland Browns Team Preview.

Despite the fact of the solid finish last year, the Browns still finished with the worst offense in the NFL statistically, ranking 32nd, averaging just 260 yards per game. It was not the run game that was the area of concern, as the Browns ranked eighth in the NFL in that department. Through the air is where Cleveland struggled mightily, tabbing just 129 yards per contest. The Browns averaged 15.2 points per game, which ranked 29th in the NFL and 15th in the AFC.

On the defensive side of the equation, the Browns ranked 31st in the league and were incapable of stopping teams at times. Cleveland surrendered 389.3 yards per game. The Browns ranked 28th against the run and 29th against the pass. They were slightly better in points allowed, giving up just over 23 per contest, ranking 21st in the NFL. The turnover margin hindered the Browns all year long, as the team finished -12 in that department, which is a critical area that warrants immediate improvement if the 2010 Cleveland Browns intend to compete for the AFC North crown. 2010 Cleveland Browns Coaching Staff & ChangesEric Mangini's seaon and future looked quite bleak through 12 games of the 2009 NFL season an ha the trend continue, he may not have retained his position with the team. However, after reeling off four-straight victories to end the year, Mangini was given a stay of execution looking ahead to 2010. Mangini will not have as big of a role this season, as the Browns brought in Mike Holmgren the General Manager in charge of all personnel decisions, which was Mangini's task last season. The entire coaching staff of was retained, as most coaches enter into their second season with the Cleveland organization in spit of the 32nd and 31st rankings in total offense and defense respectively.2010 Cleveland Browns Key Free Agency Acquisitions & LossesAcquistions
CB - Sheldon Brown traded from Philadelphia Eagles
QB - Jake Delhomme from Carolina Panthers
LB - Scott Fujita from New Orleans Saints
QB - Seneca Wallace traded from Seattle Seahawks
TE - Benjamin Watson from New England Patriots
RB - Peyton Hillis traded from Denver Broncos
OT - Tony Pashos from San Francisco 49ers

Losses
QB - Derek Anderson to Arizona Cardinals
QB - Brady Quinn traded to Denver Broncos
WR - Donte Stallworth to Baltimore Ravens
RB - Jamal Lewis to Free Agency
DT - Corey Williams traded to Detroit Lions
LB - Kamerion Wimbley traded to Oakland Raiders
LB - Alex Hall traded to Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Cleveland Browns NFL DraftRound 1: Pick 7 - CB, Joe Haden (Florida)
Round 2: Pick 38 - FS, T.J Ward (Oregon)
Round 2: Pick 59 - RB, Montario Hardesty (Tennessee)
Round 3: Pick 85 - QB, Colt McCoy (Texas)
Round 3: Pick 92 - OT, Shawn Luavao (Arizona State)
Round 5: Pick 160 - SS, Larry Asante (Nebraska)
Round 6: Pick 177 - WR, Carlton Mitchell (South Florida)
Round 6: Pick 186 - DE, Clifton Geathers (South Carolina)
2010 Cleveland Browns QuarterbacksThe Browns parted ways with both of their top-two quarterbacks in Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, but bring on veteran Jake Delhomme from Carolina. Mangini was not comfortable with either Anderson or Quinn leading the offense, and Holmgren decided to bring in a piece of the puzzle in Delhomme that he believes will be a winning piece. Delhomme is 35 years old however, but looks to salvage the later portion of his career after leading Carolina to a NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance earlier in his career. In addition to Delhomme, the Browns also bring in Seneca Wallace from Seattle, who has never been the full-time starter for a team, but presents mobility and a strong arm. The Browns also selected Colt McCoy out of Texas to come in and compete.

2010 Cleveland Browns Quarterback Depth Chart
QB - Jake Delhomme
QB - Seneca Wallace
QB - Colt McCoy 2010 Cleveland Browns Running BacksThe lone bright spot for the Cleveland offense came in the rushing department, spearheaded by Jerome Harrison, who rushed for 862 yards and five touchdowns. Jamal Lewis is gone. Lawrence Vickers is one of the top full backs in the league and things look pretty good with in the run game. Harrison got the attention of the league when he rushed for 286 yards in a game against Kansas City.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Running Back Depth Chart
RB - Jerome Harrison
RB - Chris Jennings
RB - Montario Hardesty 2010 Cleveland Browns Wide ReceiversThe 2010 Cleveland Browns receiver corps lacks big names outside of Josh Cribbs, and will need another player to step up into that number 2 slot. Last season Mohamed Massaquoi led the unit in receiving, with 34 receptions for 624 yards an three touchdowns. He is capable of stretching the field, averaging 18.3 yards per reception. Brian Robiskie is on the opposite side to Massaquoi. In addition to those two, Chansi Stuckey an Mike Furrey are also in the unit. There are many question marks relating to the receiving corps an the passing game heading into 2010.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver Depth Chart
WR - Josh Cribbs
WR - Mohamed Massaquoi
WR - Brian Robiskie
WR - Chansi Stuckey

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Tight End Depth Chart
TE - Ben Watson
TE - Robert Royal2010 Cleveland Browns Offensive LineThe left side of the Cleveland offensive line, with Joe Thomas an Eric Steinbach are arguably the best tackle/guard tandem in the NFL. Thomas was a highly touted first-round raft pick a couple of years ago an has performed very well for the team. At center is Alex Mack who looks to continue his development and should continue to do so in 2010. On the right side of the line however, there are some concerns in Floyd Womack and Tony Pashos. The offensive line will look nearly identical in 2010 as it did a year ago, with Mangini needing to figure out how to protect the right side.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Starting Offensive Line
LT - Joe Thomas
LG - Eric Steinbach
C - Alex Mack
RG - Floyd Womack
RT - Tony Pashos2010 Cleveland Browns Defensive LineThe 2010 Cleveland Browns will likely run a 3-4 base defense as it was somewhat productive last year. Shaun Rogers returns to lead the unit, and things are looking much better for the big nose tackle after gun charges from an incident earlier in the offseason were dropped. The 2010 Cleveland Browns defense really needs to improve as a whole this season, after ranking 31st in the NFL a year ago. If that is to come to fruition, it is going to have to start in the trenches and by pushing guys on the opposing offensive line around.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Starting Defensive Line
DE - Robaire Smith
NT - Shaun Rogers
DE - Kenyon Coleman2010 Cleveland Browns LinebackersThe linebacker corps lost Kamerion Wimbley after the team decided to trade him to Oakland. This came as a surprise to many, as Wimbley was a bright spot on the defense. Instead, the Browns will rely on Matt Roth, David Bowens, Marcus Benard and Jason Trusnik in addition to free agent acquisition Scott Fujita.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Starting Linebackers
OLB - Matt Roth
ILB - D'Qwell Jackson
ILB - Scott Fujita
OLB - David Bowens
2010 Cleveland Browns SecondaryThe Browns secondary was less than lackluster last season and have made strides to increase the production by adding corner back Sheldon Brown from Philadelphia. The Browns also drafted Joe Haden out of Florida in the first round of the draft this season to help out Mike Adams and Eric Wright. Additionally, the Browns selected T.J Ward in the second round. The secondary on paper looks to be quite improved, which could really pay dividends according to most 2010 Cleveland Browns Season Preview.

Projected 2010 Cleveland Browns Starting Seconday
CB - Sheldon Brown
CB - Eric Wright
SS - Abram Elam
FS - Mike Adams

2010 Cleveland Browns Preview