Off the Radar: Cleveland Browns' Cast of Unknowns Could Surprise NFL

It happened back in 2007, and there is no reason for it to not happen again.

The Cleveland Browns could be ready to shock NFL nation in 2010, playing with a bunch of unknowns and young talent.

Back in 2007, there were a couple of known names like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr., but outside of them there wasn't much.

As the Browns participate in OTAs this week of May 16, the Browns once again have a bunch of unknowns on the roster and a lot of potential talent.

One of the reasons the Browns always seem to have a never-ending wave of young, unknown talent is due to the instability in the front office, as one regime replaces the next and in turn replaces the last regime's talent with their own.

This has happened more times than fingers on one hand.

Once again, the Browns changed their front office by adding president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert, but this time it looks like these guys could actually be in their respective offices for longer than three years.

There is hope in that thought alone.

Now that the front office seems set, Holmgren and Heckert have addressed the roster via trades, free agency, and the draft to match their liking.

with the addition of another rookie class, the Browns still have holes on their roster, but you cannot fill every need in just one draft—unless you are Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks of this past draft.

Getting back to the point, a 2009 Browns team that was devoid of big-time talent still does not have any big-time talent after swapping out most of the roster for the new and current one.

Players like receivers Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, and Carlton Mitchell could all become very strong contenders to be playmakers.

Also, players like defenders Chris Gocong, Abe Elam, and Joe Haden could all become impact player as well on the other side of the ball.

The point is the Browns have a bunch of unknown players who all have high potential, but no one knows what will happen until the first game of the season rolls in.

With all these unknowns, there will be players who rise to the occasion and become the stars of the team to go along with Josh Cribbs. The opposing team may not know what to make of the Browns' young talent at first.

That can put the Browns at an advantage since they can just play to the talent of the young guys, whom the defenders may not be familiar with.

Over on CBS Sports, Clark Judge completely supports the theory that the Browns could have some unknown breakout players, citing that he does not know who the stars are at this moment.

"Now look around at the offensive huddle, and tell me where you find playmakers," wrote Judge. "Jerome Harrison? OK. Then what? James Davis? Montario Hardesty? Peyton Hillis? Please."

Only when the regular season rolls in, then we will be able to tell who will break out and become Delhomme's go-to guy or who will carry the ball 20-plus times per game.

It's all a mystery right now and the more negativity the Browns get from sports sources, the better for the team since they can use that as motivation to actually surprise the NFL as they once did three long years ago.