What Can Brown Do for You? Not Much in 2009

In the ever-evolving NFL, last year is a distant memory.

Just ask the Miami Dolphins. Or the Atlanta Falcons. Or the Baltimore Ravens.

All three teams turned 2007 last-place finishes into 2008 playoff berths.

But don't expect a similar resurgence from the 2009 Cleveland Browns. The team, which finished 4-12 last season, has more question marks than a "Jeopardy!" transcript.

"Too many holes, too tough a division," wrote Peter King of SI.com. In his preseason power rankings last week, King named the Browns the worst team in the NFL.

"Write them down for 0-4 against the Steelers and Ravens," he added.

Heading into voluntary minicamps, the Browns have almost as many problems as players.

On offense, their quarterback position has yet to be solidified. Their starting running back, Jamal Lewis, appears to be rapidly declining. Their No. 1 receiver, Braylon Edwards, dropped more passes in 2008 than any receiver in the NFL.

And their No. 2 receiver, Donté Stallworth, is likely facing jail time after killing a pedestrian in March while drunk driving.

Their defense, which finished 31st in sacks last year and 28th against the run, added former New York Jets linebacker Eric Baryon to the mix, but they still have a suspect defensive line and secondary.

For his part, new head coach Eric Mangini remains optimistic.

"The one thing that I really believe in is that every year is its own year," said Browns new head coach Eric Mangini last month. "Teams that historically haven't won win, and teams that were up were down because it's what that group of guys did that season to dictate what the results were, not what happened in the past.

"You don't start at 4-12, you don't start at 5-11. Everybody starts at the same level."

Starting with the same record as other teams is one thing.

Starting with the same level of talent, stability, chemistry and experience that translates into winning football is an entirely different matter.

Mark Schlereth, a NFL analyst for ESPN, said the Browns just don't have enough positives yet.

"It's a rebuilding process," he said. "It's going to take them at least two or three years to get back on track. They have a lot of needs to address. It's as simple as that."