2009 Cleveland Browns Season Preview

Following June minicamps and a month of training camp practices and exhibition games, the NFL season is officially here.

The Cleveland Browns and head coach Eric Mangini will take the field next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings on the lakefront to find out how far they have come in the past three months.

The overly-scrutinized quarterback battle appears to be over, but Mangini has yet to name a starter. All indications point to Brady Quinn, as he threw the lone touchdown pass between him and Derek Anderson and limited his mistakes in preseason.

I will predict the Browns’ 2009 win-loss record along with statistics for the anticipated starting offense. My surprise players and disappointments will follow.

Week 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings: Loss—Adrian Peterson will prove to be too much for the Browns’ defense to handle. Brett Favre also throws a touchdown pass.

Week 2 at Denver Broncos: Win—The Denver Broncos are a mess at quarterback, and have a defense that looks to be in worse shape than the Browns’ unit. It is also yet to be seen how star wide receiver Brandon Marshall will respond to the team’s suspension.

Week 3 at Baltimore Ravens: Loss—The Ravens' defense and quarterback Joe Flacco look ready to threaten the Steelers for AFC North supremacy and conference bragging rights. Give home field advantage to Baltimore.

Week 4 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Win—Quarterback Carson Palmer is already having injury problems, and first round pick Andre Smith could be out until November. Brady Quinn will find Braylon Edwards for multiple touchdowns in this contest.

Week 5 at Buffalo Bills: Win—The Browns have had Buffalo’s number the past couple years, but they have been close games. This one will be another nail-biter, especially with Terrell Owens on the opposite side, but the Browns' defense under Rob Ryan will begin to show flashes of big play ability.

Week 6 at Pittsburgh Steelers: Loss—The defending Super Bowl Champions against a team that is under its fourth head coach in 11 years. No explanation needed.

Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers: Loss—Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is an up-and-coming player in this league and will prove it on this afternoon. Wide receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver could both have 100-yard games.

Week 8 at Chicago Bears: Win—This game is a toss-up, but the Browns will steal one in Chi-town. The Bears are a bit overhyped with the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler, and this game will prove it. Rookie running back James Davis begins his supplanting of Jamal Lewis as the starter.

Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens: Win—The Browns had last year’s home game in the bag against this squad, squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Mangini and Ryan will make sure that doesn’t happen this time around.

Week 11: at Detroit Lions: Win—Shaun Rogers and Kamerion Wimbley will confuse rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford all afternoon. Braylon Edwards will put on a show for his hometown fans with a two-touchdown, 100-yard performance.

Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals: Loss—For some reason, the Browns have trouble sweeping the season series against their intrastate rival.

Week 13 vs. San Diego Chargers: Loss—The Chargers are among the AFC’s elite and will blow the Browns out in this game. Quarterback Philip Rivers is one of the most underrated players at his position.

Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Loss—This game will be slightly more competitive than the first contest between these two rivals; however, the losing streak will continue.

Week 15 at Kansas City Chiefs: Win—The Chiefs’ front office will regret giving quarterback Matt Cassel a lucrative contract. James Davis rushes for over 100 yards and two scores.

Week 16 vs. Oakland Raiders: Win—The Raiders will be preparing for another top-five draft pick and have to start looking at another quarterback. JaMarcus Russell’s time is running out in Oakland.

Week 17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Win—The snow and sleet will make David Garrard and the Jaguars wish they were back in the sunshine state.

Overall prediction: At first, I had the Browns at 7-9, but I believe with an improved coaching staff and a smart, accurate quarterback in Quinn, the Browns will win some games they would have lost last year and show major improvement on defense.

9-7, third in AFC North.

Predicted Statistics:

QB—Brady Quinn: 3,150 yards 18 TD, 9 INT

RB—Jamal Lewis: 750 yards rushing, 4 TD; James Davis: 450 yards rushing, 5 TD; Jerome Harrison: 320 yards rushing, 2 TD

WR—Braylon Edwards: 75 receptions, 1,100 yards, 8 TD; Josh Cribbs: 58 receptions, 610 yards, 3 TD; Mike Furrey: 55 receptions, 575 yards, 4 TD; Mohamed Massaquoi: 25 receptions, 355 yards, 2 TD

TE—Robert Royal: 35 receptions, 300 yards, TD; Martin Rucker: 20 receptions, 420 yards, TD

Surprise Players: Mohamed Massaquoi, Kaluka Maiava, Martin Rucker

—Massaquoi has performed well in preseason and has earned a chance to see a lot of action early. Don’t be surprised if he’s starting sometime down the road this season.

—Maiava showed some toughness and big-hit ability in preseason and will be involved in the linebacker rotation in November.

—Rucker didn’t get a lot of opportunities in preseason, but will be used as the primary receiving target at tight end. He’s not Kellen Winslow, but his pass-catching abilities will be welcomed.

Disappointments: Jamal Lewis, Brian Robiskie, Abram Elam

—After this season, Lewis will never have a starting position again. The end is near.

—Robiskie fell behind in training camp and it’s too little too late with Edwards, Furrey, Cribbs and Massaquoi all ahead of him.

—Elam will prove to be average at best, and the Browns will be keeping a close eye on USC star Taylor Mays in the 2010 draft.