Cleveland Browns in 2010: 5 New Players to Watch

The 2010 NFL season begins for the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. They face Tampa with more than a handful of new players on the team.  This is not  unexpected for a team that went 5-11, fired the general manager and brought in football guru Mike Holmgren as its next team president.  Holmgren made a splash during his first off season. He added to the team not only via the draft but through trades and free agency.  Here are the five key additions to the Browns roster.

1. Jake Delhomme, the New Field General

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DETROIT - AUGUST 28: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the start of the preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on August 28, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The former Carolina Panthers quarterback is coming off his worst season as a pro. In 2009 he threw 18 interceptions and completed only eight touchdown passes before spending the latter part of the season sidelined with injury. 

A change of scenery may lead to a rejuvenation of sorts for the quarterback who once led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance.

Popular opinion is that Delhomme's career is on a downward spiral. And that players' careers also often die in Cleveland. 

I believe that the circumstances in Cleveland may be just right for Delhomme who could be the Comeback Player of the Year in Cleveland. 

Unlike last season's quarterback debacle, it appears that coaching and management is firmly behind Delhomme as the starter. If the preseason is any indication, Delhomme has reaffirmed that decision. 

Delhomme's continued success in the regular season will be key to the Browns push out of the AFC North cellar.

2. Joe Haden

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BEREA, OH - AUGUST 04: Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns runs to a drill during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 4, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Browns No. 1 draft pick and seventh overall pick of the 2010 draft, Joe Haden, comes to Cleveland with big expectations. 

Haden emerged from Florida as one of the top corners in the country. The thinking, however, was that he was too slow to play corner and would eventually be moved to safety.

After a strong showing in the preseason, Haden is now competing for playing time with veteran Eric Wright.  At worst he should see playing time at corner back during the Browns' nickel formations.  

Is so, Haden will bolster the depth of what was one of the weakest units on the Cleveland squad in 2009.

3. Ben Watson

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CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Benjamin Watson #82 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown in front of Craig Dahl #43 of the St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Ben Watson comes to the Browns via free agency.  The former New England Patriots tight end was among the league leaders in yards per catch for tight ends. 

But Watson never really had a chance to shine in a New England offense that featured elite receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker. 

The Browns hope that Watson will be a nice safety valve for Jake Delhomme. 

Watson's speed and size make him difficult to cover. His athleticism (shown above as he makes a one-handed touchdown catch in the preseason vs. St. Louis) should make him a fan favorite in Cleveland. 

Watson has an upside similar to former Brown Kellen Winslow Jr. with none of the off-field baggage.

4. Sheldon Brown

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BEREA, OH - AUGUST 04: Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns smiles during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 4, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Browns made a trade with the Eagles for Sheldon Brown. They hope they added a shutdown corner to a glaring weakness on their defense. 

The Browns had reason to be concerned. Their pass defense ranked among the last in the league in 2009. 

Brown will be starting opposite Eric Wright. Much of Cleveland's improvement on defense will be judged on how well Brown performs.

5. Seneca Wallace

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Seneca Wallace #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before the preseason game against the Chicago Bears on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bears 13-10. (Photo by Justin K. A

Holmgren picked up Wallace,  the backup quarterback in Seattle, for a couple of reasons. First, Holmgren has a good knowledge of Wallace's abilities, having coached him for several seasons in Seattle.  He knew Wallace was familiar with the West Coast Offense he instilled in Cleveland. If anything should happen to Jake Delhomme, Wallace would be ready to take over the offense. There is also the added threat of Wallace's mobility. The possibility of the new wildcat formation, renamed the 'cyclone' featuring both Seneca and Josh Cribbs, adds a dimension that could give opposing defensive coordinators headaches all season.  It will be interesting to see how often the Browns line up in this 'cyclone' formation, given that they did not even try it in the preseason. 

We might see Seneca in for a whole series or more in any given game. Similar to what the Eagles did last year with Michael Vick, given that he has a 60% career completion percentage in Seattle.  How well the Browns utilize their backup might determine how far they go. Kind of ironic for a city whose fans think the most popular guy in town is the one holding the clipboard.