Cleveland Browns: Can They Prove the Naysayers Wrong in 2010?

The Cleveland Browns have been one of the most disrespected teams in the NFL during this 2010 NFL offseason.

I believe the reason for this is mainly the media's negative views toward head coach Eric Mangini and the addition of turnover-prone starting quarterback Jake Delhomme .

Both Mangini and Delhomme have chances in 2010 to turn around all the negativity the media consistently throws at the Browns and make all the naysayers look really stupid.

Whether it is ranking the Browns' running backs dead last in the league, as Yahoo! Sports has done, or ranking the team in the 30s for overall team rankings, or even predicting a worse team record in 2010 than the Browns had in 2009—all these so-called NFL news sources are looking over some very important facts going into the 2010 season.

First, the Browns have a roster that is much better than it was at this time one year ago, and if last year's team could finish at 5-11, with a four-game winning streak to end the season, then the 2010 version can only improve on that record.

Delhomme is the kind of veteran presence the Browns' offense has not seen for years, and new linebacker Scott Fujita is fresh off of a Super Bowl victory with the New Orleans Saints and is the new defensive leader who knows first-hand how to win.

Second, the entire coaching staff is intact from from one year ago. Mangini has his staff, and that means continuity in game-planning and preparation to see if this team can continue playing as the same team that did indeed win four in a row. (Plus, the roster is better, so in theory the team should start off 2010 playing as one cohesive unit.)

Do not forget the addition of Mike Holmgren's former offensive coordinator from the Seattle Seahawks , Gil Haskell, who was brought on as an advisor to help Browns' offensive coordinator Brian Daboll improve his offensive playbook, playcalling, and game-planning.

Next, the Browns brought on new team President Holmgren, which has not only given the city of Cleveland hope for their beloved Browns, but Holmgren's presence has also given the franchise a confidence that has not been seen since back in the days of Bernie Kosar.

Then, you cannot forget that the Browns have Pro Bowler, NFL-record holder, and new "King of Cleveland" Josh Cribbs. Cribbs is the main weapon in the Browns' offense, and when he lined up in the Flash package during the 2009 season, opposing defenses knew that he would get the ball and that they had to stop him, but no defense could do so. This shows that Cribbs is one of the most dangerous players in the NFL and cannot be stopped, even when the play is obvious.

Finally, the Browns have an opportunity, by winning some games in 2010, to help the city forget about a certain home-grown sports icon who just left town.

Even though there are many questions surrounding positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and the defensive backfield, the Browns have a chance to feed off of the city's need for hope in the sports world.

Crazier things have happened in the NFL in the past, but one thing is for sure: When a town is down in the dumps, a football team can grab the city's attention and feed off it it on the way to becoming a Cinderella Story.

Can the Browns make the playoffs in 2010?

Anything is possible, but at the very least the Browns in 2010 need to put a product on the field that is engaging, competitive, fun, and entertaining for the sports fans of Cleveland, OH.

(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)