What to Expect from the Cleveland Browns to Open the 2014 Season

The Cleveland Browns enter the 2014 campaign after a turbulent offseason. Josh Gordon's suspension, the Brian Hoyer-Johnny Manziel quarterback battle, and another round of coaching and front office changes provided an endless stream of drama. But if the Browns can overcome those distractions, the franchise is poised to break out of its 15-year rut.

Yes, there are glimmers of hope for the Factory of Sadness.

After a 4-12 season in 2013 (the team's sixth straight season with fewer than six wins), the Browns fired first-year head coach Rob Chudzinski, who had been hand-picked by CEO Joe Banner and general manager Michael Lombardi. Chudzinski was let go hours after a season-ending loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 29.

Banner and Lombardi's search for Chudzinski's replacement turned into a seemingly never-ending journey.

They first talked to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who had been fired as the Denver Bronco's head coach during the 2010 season. They interviewed up-and-coming assistants, including Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, and recently fired coaches Mike Munchak and Greg Schiano.

Cleveland even gauged interest in college coaches, including Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Auburn's Gus Malzahn.

As the process dragged on, the Browns earned national ridicule.

"

Hilarious: New Cleveland Browns Coaching Search Shirt pic.twitter.com/KBDpuVhRHg (H/T @turkdup)

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) January 23, 2014"

Chudzinski's dismissal after only one year reeked of a franchise in disarray, and candidates likely approached the job with apprehension. The more people the Browns interviewed, the more desperate they looked. The circus reached a climax after a meeting with the much-maligned Schiano.

On Jan. 23, they finally hired a coach: Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. The decision came without much fanfare, but Cleveland may have found a diamond in the rough.

"

Chatted with 2 ppl who were on teams/staffs with Mike Pettine. Both raved about how smart he is. Maybe the #Browns lucked into a good hire.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 24, 2014"

Before arriving in Buffalo, Pettine was the New York Jets' defensive coordinator for four seasons under head coach Rex Ryan. New York fielded one of the best defenses in the league during that time. After the 2012 season, Pettine left for Buffalo. Under his watch, the Bills defense finished second in the league with 57 sacks in 2013 and 10th in total defense. 

Pettine, the son of a Pennsylvania high school football coach, brings a blue-collar attitude and an earnestness that blends well with a Rust Belt city like Cleveland. His style of defense leans heavily on blitzes and exotic formations, and aggression on that side of the ball should become a team calling card.

But the process divided the Cleveland front office. Banner, Lombardi and owner Jimmy Haslam were reportedly at odds during the search according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. On Feb. 11—less than three weeks after Pettine's hire—the Browns announced Banner and Lombardi would be leaving the organization.

The announcement sent shock waves around the league. 

"

Just saw @profootballtalk that CEO joe banner and GM Mike lombardi resigned from #browns. What the heck is going on in Cleveland.

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) February 11, 2014"

How could the Browns so suddenly force out the men Pettine thought he was going to work with when he took the job? Heads shook and eyes rolled. Haslam had a plan, though, and he promoted Ray Farmer to general manager.

"

#Browns almost hired Ray Farmer as GM last year. Promoted Lombardi so they could hire Farmer as asst. GM. If I'm a CLE fan, I'm excited

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 11, 2014"

Farmer, a former linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in the '90s, served as director of pro personnel in Kansas City from 2006-12. He is regarded around the league as a bright football mind, and he has the acumen to help Cleveland turn things around.

His first move was to hire veteran executive Bill Kuharich to his staff. Another respected football mind, Morocco Brown, was hired from Washington to serve as director of pro personnel. 

Farmer and his new staff quickly began to remake the roster. They cut receivers Greg Little and Davone Bess, both of whom had struggled with drops and off-field issues, and they pulled the plug on the failed Brandon Weeden experiment. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward were also not brought back.

In free agency, Farmer signed tough-minded veterans such as San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby. Both players come from winning teams and will provide wisdom and leadership as the Browns look to change their culture.

Another key move was retaining Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars tried to poach with a hefty offer sheet. Mack is regarded as one of the top centers in the league, and he'll play a crucial part in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system.

When the free-agency dust settled, the Browns turned their focus back to the draft. And that turned out to be an even wilder ride.

As draft night approached, what the Browns would do at quarterback was a hot topic. Mock drafts had Cleveland taking everyone from Blake Bortles to Johnny Manziel to Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr. The fans clamored for Manziel, but no one was quite sure what the Browns would do.

Farmer made a bevy of trades on his first draft night as an NFL general manager. After passing on receivers Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans with the fourth overall pick, the Browns traded back with Buffalo to the ninth spot, adding a 2015 first-rounder in the process. Then, they traded back up with Minnesota for the eighth pick and selected Oklahoma State corner Justin Gilbert.

No Manziel. Not yet, anyway. But the Browns still had the 26th overall pick. When Dallas passed on Manziel, Farmer came to the rescue and traded up four spots to pick Johnny Football. Radio City Music Hall and sports bars all over Cleveland erupted with joy.

Manziel's selection injected intrigue into the Browns. The franchise that had become a punchline was now the talk of the league.

"

Browns say they sold 1,500 new season tickets within 12 hours of Manziel selection

— trey wingo (@wingoz) May 9, 2014"

As the Browns prepared for the second day of the draft, an ESPN.com report surfaced that claimed Josh Gordon had failed another drug test and faced a year-long suspension. The news was deflating for a team and fanbase that, just one night earlier, had started dreaming about Manziel-to-Gordon touchdowns. 

But surprisingly, Farmer chose not to draft a receiver. Instead, he took Nevada tackle/guard Joel Bitonio with the second-round pick and spent third-rounders on Iowa linebacker Chris Kirksey and Towson running back Terrance West. His final selection was Lindenwood corner Pierre Desir.

The rookies arrived in Cleveland and went through weeks of minicamp. After those sessions ended in June, Manziel continued to make headlines throughout summer for trips to Vegas and partying.

"

Let's promise to never forget Johnny Manziel riding an inflatable swan with champagne: http://t.co/UrqoCbDsb4 pic.twitter.com/7leMzrPt9X

— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 8, 2014"

Then, the real quarterback drama began.

Manziel and Brian Hoyer battled all training camp for the starting job. Hoyer, entering his sixth NFL season, sparked the Browns last year and won all three games he started before an ACL tear ended his run. Hoyer initially took all the first-team reps, but Manziel also took snaps with the starters. Neither did enough to stake a firm claim on the job.

During preseason, the Browns offense looked listless. Hoyer struggled to move the ball, and Manziel looked erratic. Manziel's inconsistency led the Browns to name Hoyer the starter. 

Hoyer's experience should help the Browns as they navigate a tough three-game start to the season against Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Baltimore. Manziel can sit and learn. Should Hoyer struggle, the Browns can turn to Manziel after their bye week or later in the season. 

The roster behind those quarterbacks is ripe with talent.

The offensive line looks to be a strong unit. Left tackle Joe Thomas enters his eighth season in the NFL, and the seven-time Pro Bowler has yet to miss a snap in his career. He's Cleveland's Mr. Reliable.

Next to him, Bitonio has already locked up the left guard spot, and he brings a balance of athleticism and physicality that fits perfectly in the Browns' new zone-blocking scheme.

With the steady Mack at center and a solid right guard in John Greco, the interior of the Cleveland line is set. The only question mark up front is right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who has been uneven during his first two seasons.

That line is responsible for opening lanes for the running backs, a much-improved group from last year, when the Browns ranked 27th in rushing offense. Cleveland signed Ben Tate from the Houston Texans, and his one-cut, downhill style is perfect for Shanahan's offense.

The burly West rolls over defenders like they're bowling pins and will challenge for playing time. A wild card could be undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell, who notched 102 yards rushing in the preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.

At receiver, the Browns face their biggest question mark: Who will replace Gordon's production? Last year, Gordon knifed through defenses on his way to 87 catches, 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. He was the electrifying playmaker the franchise had lacked for so long. With the league upholding his one-year ban, the Browns will have to make do with a patchwork crew.

Farmer signed former Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin after the draft to give the group an experienced target. Austin starred in Dallas from 2009-10, but injuries hampered him the last three seasons, and he was cut during this past offseason.

The Browns hope he can stay healthy and return to form, but at the very least, he'll serve as a mentor to younger receivers on the team, such as Andrew Hawkins, Travis Benjamin and Taylor Gabriel. Hawkins was signed away from the Cincinnati Bengals, and the diminutive 5'7" receiver possesses breathtaking quickness. Gabriel, an undrafted rookie from Abilene Christian, earned a roster spot after a solid preseason.

"

Pettine on WR Taylor Gabriel: "The bright lights of the NFL didn't phase him."

— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) August 31, 2014"

The Browns passing attack does have an ace in the hole: tight end Jordan Cameron. The 6'5" target took a quantum leap forward in his third NFL season and finished 2013 with 80 catches, 917 yards and seven touchdowns. Cameron's best games last season came with Hoyer under center, so the two already have chemistry.

In Houston and Washington, Shanahan's offenses heavily utilized tight ends like Owen Daniels and Jordan Reed, so expect Cameron to have another big year.

Though the offense may lack impact receivers, the Browns defense has the talent to be one of the best in the league.

The defensive line features a deep rotation of talented players. Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin, Desmond Bryant, Billy Winn, John Hughes and Armonty Bryant form a stout group that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Pettine will mix and match fronts, and each player will see plenty of snaps.

Armonty Bryant, in particular, has shined this preseason and could challenge for a starting spot. 

Behind them, the Browns should boast an improved linebacking corps.

Dansby will provide toughness and veteran leadership at inside linebacker. Next to him, the Browns plan to rotate third-year player Craig Robertson and rookie Kirksey, who turned heads in the preseason.

On the outside, the Browns are set with Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard. Mingo earned praise from the coaches in camp and looks ready to make a huge leap in his second year. Sheard might be the most underrated player on the defense. He's switched from end to linebacker in his young career, but no matter where he plays, he finds a way to make plays. 

The secondary will be the key unit in Pettine's defense. Pro Bowler Joe Haden has emerged as a shutdown corner and the bedrock of the defense.

Opposite him, the Browns will let feisty 5'9" Buster Skrine and Gilbert fight for snaps. Gilbert looked raw during preseason, but he's overflowing with athleticism and should emerge as a quality starter in due time. Pettine likes his corners to play a lot of press-man coverage, and Haden, Skrine and Gilbert all have enough physicality to do so.

At strong safety, Whitner is a punishing hitter and will set the tone for the defense. Tashaun Gipson, who recorded five interceptions in 2013, will start at free safety, but Pettine will also use Jordan Poyer and Jim Leonhard in sub-packages.

From top to bottom, Farmer has stocked the Browns roster with more talent and depth than it's had in recent years. But that improvement will be in vain without solid play from Hoyer or Manziel. If either steps up and takes hold of the position, the Browns can win games in the AFC North.

The division is wide-open.

Cincinnati may have the most talented roster, but questions still remain about Andy Dalton. The Bengals are also replacing offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who left to coach the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings, respectively.

While the Bengals adjust to those changes, the Ravens and the Steelers also face uncertain roads. Pittsburgh and Baltimore both limped to 8-8 finishes last year, and neither team looks to be a juggernaut. Baltimore must deal with Ray Rice's suspension and adjust to new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. After two straight .500 seasons, the Steelers simply aren't as intimidating a threat.

The Browns also play seven teams (Titans, Jaguars, Raiders, Buccaneers, Texans, Falcons and Bills) that finished with sub-.500 records last season. Their schedule isn't daunting, so there are opportunities to win games and build momentum. Playoff contention still seems like a long shot, but the Browns have a great chance to clear the six-win hurdle that's stumped them for so long.

As an added bonus, the Browns pledged $120 million in renovations to FirstEnergy Stadium. They added huge video boards above each end zone this offseason, and more cosmetic changes are planned for next year. For a building that lacked personality and pomp, the Browns now have a home that should energize the team and its fans. 

Change and drama are nothing new to the Browns, but with a renewed organizational focus and an improving roster, Cleveland is ready to take steps forward in 2014.

Follow @JoeKennard