State of the Cleveland Browns: Heading into the Second Preseason Game

Apologies to all my fans—I just got back from a week's vacation, which is why I haven't written anything in a while.

Saturday night's game against the Detroit Lions marks the second of four preseason games for the Browns. It will also provide fans the second look at the Browns under the Mankok regime.

The first look at the new Browns provided some cringe-worthy moments. The starting defense looked like it couldn't stop a golf ball from rolling, much less the Green Bay Packers. On the offensive side of the ball, Derek Anderson threw into double-coverage for an interception, Braylon Edwards dropped an easy touchdown pass.

The only glimmers of hope were Brady Quinn and Joshua Cribbs, though neither of them could put any points at the board.

Pardon me for overstating the obvious, but wasn't that the Browns last year? I know it is only one preseason game, but what I see so far is same Browns, different coach.

What is even more disappointing is that there was very little impact from players that Eric Mangini brought in. David Veikune had a nice game with three tackles. Mike Furrey had a couple of nice catches in traffic. Other than that, there wasn't much to see.

It was also disappointing to see that Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaqoui only had one catch each. None of the former Jets made a very compelling case for keeping their jobs in Cleveland.

So what should the Browns look for heading into the second game? Let's start with the quarterbacks. Anderson's chances of winning the job have taken a severe hit. After being outperformed by Quinn in the Family Day scrimmage, he followed with two brutal drives against the Packers that didn't go anywhere but backward.

He threw only two passes: One was intercepted and the other almost was as well. The interception came about as a result of him throwing the ball to Joshua Cribbs, who was covered by two defenders (and fell down anyway).

Quinn, on the other hand, was very efficient moving the team down the field. He was 7-for-11 in his two drives. Though he didn't score, a holding penalty cost the team a field goal and Braylon Edwards cost Quinn a touchdown pass and an interception on consecutive plays. If not for that, Quinn's 7-for-11 is 8-for-10.

Sure, Quinn made a bad throw on the pick, but it doesn't occur if Edwards catches the ball on the previous play. Edwards didn't even make an effort to knock the ball down to avoid the interception. The difference between the two picks was one guy making a mental error and another guy making a physical error.

Any coach will tell you that he will deal with physical errors. That happens. However, there is no excuse for mental errors.

The other quarterback of note on the Browns was Brett Ratliff. He showed some positive signs and had a couple good throws. But overall he still looks pretty raw, borne out by his two interceptions.

Heading into the game against the Lions, Anderson has to not only show a much improved effort but he also has to hope that Quinn really falters. Ratliff needs to show the coaches that he is ready to be No. 2 on the depth chart, so either Anderson or Quinn can be traded at the end of camp.

Now let's look at the wide receivers and tight ends. Cribbs and Furrey were bright spots. Robert Royal also had a couple of grabs. Hopefully, these three can build on their performances. The Browns need to see a much improved effort from rookies Robiskie and Massaquoi.

Lance Leggett had been making a splash in practice but failed to make a catch in the game. That needs to change against Detroit.

Finally, Edwards needs to show that he can not only make great catches, but also not cost the team with poor drops. So far he hasn't been able to do so and, if that trend continues, the Browns may want to reopen the trading doors.

The running backs may have been the biggest disappointment. Mangini is committed to building a running game, but Cribbs was the leading rusher on a reverse.

Looking at this position, I think Lawrence Vickers and Charles Ali are solid at fullback. However, I really think they need more that Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison at tailback. Lewis is older and Harrison is all potential at this point. I really think adding another runner to the mix should be done before the season.

Chester Taylor would fit in nicely and would get a lot more carries than he does backing up Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. Lawrence Maroney could become the odd man out in New England, and he would make a nice addition.

Adding another runner should be looked into immediately, regardless of what happens  against Detroit.

The next area is the offensive line. Mangini really added a lot to improve this unit in the offseason, but they have not lived up to the hype. The biggest disappointment so far has been rookie center Alex Mack. It is still early, but this unit has to show considerable improvement against the Lions.

If they don't, it can and probably will be a long year for the Browns.

You're supposed to save the best for last, but I'll end with the defense. They were just horrible. They have no pass rush and no shut-down corner. They also need one of the linebackers to step up and be a leader.

Every defense needs a guy with a nose for the ball that the defense can build around. So far, none of the linebackers have proven their ability to be that guy. I know it is still early, but the defense is in trouble if they don't improve. Hopefully, we can see them step it up Saturday.

I also don't want to sound overly pessimistic after only one preseason game. However, I call it like I see it, and so far the new Browns look no different from the old Browns.