Fact or Fiction for Cleveland Browns' Biggest Offseason Question Marks

There are assumptions made about every team in the NFL. But just because something is taken as conventional wisdom doesn't mean it's true. For the Cleveland Browns, there are certain perceptions that are taken as a given without examining whether something has changed to turn fact into fiction.

Here are five offseason concerns for the Browns and accompanying analysis to determine whether these issues are truly fact or fiction.

Fact: The Browns Offensive Line Really Is That Good

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

New Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown sung his offensive line's praises in May, when he spoke to the Browns' official website:

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I knew they were physically good, you see it on tape, but these guys are so smart. It's rare to get a group of five guys that can really see the field the way they do. I've said this all along, they were a big reason why I wanted to come here. After being with them now the last five or six weeks, had I known it was this good, I might not have even had to take a visit [before signing]. They're really sharp. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them.

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The line has taken a lot of flak since center Alex Mack went down with a broken leg last year, precipitating a near-collapse of the Browns' ability to run the ball. But the team's offensive line actually performed well in a pass-protection capacity, giving up only 31 sacks on the season and ranking 15th in pass-protecting from Football Outsiders.

Further, on an individual level, nearly all of Cleveland's offensive linemen had strong seasons in 2014. Left tackle Joe Thomas ranked third at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. Left guard (and rookie) Joel Bitonio ranked fifth and right guard John Greco ranked 11th. Mack ranked 10th, even though he missed nearly half the season.

While the replacement centers, Nick McDonald and Ryan Seymour struggled, it's not expected that the Browns will have to plumb their depth to replace Mack for a second year. And though right tackle Mitchell Schwartz ranked 33rd, he may be replaced by high-ceiling rookie Cameron Erving, who can also play guard and center, this year.

The Browns offensive line is in great shape and is better equipped to handle any injuries that could pop up. McCown, who was sacked 36 times in 11 games last year, will be far better protected than he was in Tampa Bay.

Fiction: There Will Be No QB Competition

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Browns head coach Mike Pettine has been explicitly clear that there will be no competition between Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel for the Browns' No. 1 quarterback job during OTAs and minicamp.

And last week, at minicamp, he reiterated that there will be no change to the quarterback depth chart between now and the start of training camp later in the summer, saying (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal), "I don't foresee, between now and [training camp], anything changing."

That was backed up by offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who added, "I don't see a change for right now going into training camp. I just don't. I think Josh is playing at a high level right now. I think Josh is doing the things we want him to do. There's a long time before we kick off against the Jets. There's four preseason games to play."

While it seems inevitable that McCown will be the Week 1 starter based on these comments, DeFilippo's noting that "there's a long time" between now and the team's season opener against the New York Jets is key. It serves as an opening for Manziel.

DeFilippo noted what happened last year when he was with the Oakland Raiders: 

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Last year [when I was the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders], I was at a place where we were sold on a starter [Matt Schaub], too, and then a rookie [Derek Carr] came in and outplayed him in the preseason. I think coach said today there were 86 days or something like that until we kick off against the Jets. So 86 days in the NFL world is an eternity.

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DeFilippo also added, per ESPN's Pat McManamon, that Manziel is showing improvement: "You see him reset his feet and getting back to second and third progressions, which is something I didn't see much of him last season or when he was in college."

Also, said DeFilippo, "[Manziel's] getting the play out with confidence. ... He's gone in there and he's been like a veteran spitting it out. We've had very, very few issues pre-snap with him in terms of delay of games, forgetting motions, not sending a shift we wanted, motion landmarks."

So while McCown has the No. 1 spot for now, Manziel could easily overtake him this summer. Competition between the two quarterbacks is not out of the question.

Fact: Cleveland's Run Defense Will Improve

David Richard/Associated Press

Last year, the Browns' run defense was the worst in the league, allowing an average of 141.6 rushing yards per game. It's been a longstanding problem in Cleveland, but the worst may be behind them. This season looks like one in which the team's run defense will improve significantly.

Part of the Browns' problem last year were injuries. A number of defensive linemen missed significant time, including Armonty Bryant and Phil Taylor, who suffered season-ending knee injuries in October and November, respectively. John Hughes missed 11 games. Billy Winn and Ahtyba Rubin both missed three games, and Desmond Bryant missed one.

Now, all of the injured players are back on the field and practicing (save Rubin, who moved on in free agency). In addition, the Browns made offseason moves to bolster the defensive line, signing free agent Randy Starks and drafting Danny Shelton in Round 1 and Xavier Cooper in Round 3.

Defensive line coach Anthony Weaver is far more confident in the Browns' ability to stop the run this year. He told Scout.com's Fred Greetham, "Stopping the run [is important to us]. We realize we're the first line of defense. We have the mentality to get better." He added, "It's a beautiful thing to keep guys fresh. We lost it last year when we were decimated by injuries [on defensive line.]"

Weaver said of Taylor, "He's a load. He makes plays. A guy that big that moves the way he does, he gets that 338-340 pounds moving."

He assessed Starks as well: "[He] has been awesome since he walked into the building. He has that veteran savvy. He works extremely hard. I'm so happy he's here." And of Shelton, he said, "[He] plays the game with the type of energy that you can't fake. ... He can help draw two (blockers). There are not a lot of guys that can do that."

With an added influx of youth and experience via free agency and the draft as well as several veterans coming back healthy, the Browns defensive line seems to be in a far better position to improve against the run this year.

Fiction: The Browns Lack Offensive Playmakers

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns' group of skill position players might seem thrown together, but that doesn't mean their offense will lack firepower this year. With receiver Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely and tight end Jordan Cameron leaving in free agency, the Browns seemed in dire straits in terms of their playmakers.

But this offseason, the Browns did a good job of bringing in veterans who can serve as essential members of the offense, including receivers Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline and tight end Rob Housler. They also drafted a receiver in Round 4, Vince Mayle, along with running back Duke Johnson in Round 3, who can both run the ball and catch it.

Further, the Browns have receivers Taylor Gabriel, Andrew Hawkins, Darius Jennings and Rodney Smith who will also be heavily involved in the team's passing game. Add in running backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, who combined for 12 rushing touchdowns last year, and the Browns are in good shape on offense.

This may not be a group that leads the league in yards or touchdowns this year, but there are enough talented players on the offensive side of the ball for the Browns to be productive both on the ground and in the air.

Fact: 2015 Is a Crucial Year for CB Justin Gilbert

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Cornerback Justin Gilbert would be the first to admit that his rookie year in Cleveland did not go as he had expected. The first-round pick, selected eighth overall, went from a promising potential starter to a backup beaten out by Buster Skrine for the outside cornerback job alongside Joe Haden.

Though he did see significant playing time in 2014, playing 373 snaps, he only served to spell Haden and Skrine—he was not the team's starting slot cornerback, with K'Waun Williams taking on that role. He also found himself suspended for Week 17 after being late to a team meeting. Gilbert told ESPN's Pat McManamon, "I think last year pretty much humbled me. A lot."

But a humble, focused Gilbert will have to work hard to increase his playing time this year. Haden's job is not in jeopardy, and it's assumed that free-agent signing Tramon Williams will start alongside him. K'Waun Williams, meanwhile, has been penciled in by McManamon as the starter in the slot, based on how well he played last year.

Gilbert also has other cornerbacks breathing down his neck—fellow second-year player Pierre Desir and seventh-round 2015 draft pick Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Desir has mainly been working with the second-team defense in OTAs and minicamp and Ekpre-Olomu may take an entire year to fully heal from his knee injury, but the Browns hold his talents in high regard.

With established veterans already in place and a number of young, promising cornerbacks also on the roster, Gilbert has to prove that he's worthy of playing time, not just this year but in the years to come.