Cleveland Browns: Five Suggestions on How to Improve without Getting New Players

The Cleveland Browns head into the final five weeks of the season at 4-7, good for third place in the AFC North.  While the odds are very slim they make the playoffs, there is a good possibility they could end the season with a record of 7-9, two games better than last season's 5-11 finish.  That would be a major boon for this team, whose schedule was considered so brutal that most analysts projected them to win no more than 4 games, and one publication(The Sporting News to be exact) had them finishing 2-14. 

The road to seven wins will not be a walk in the park for the Browns, however.  This coming Sunday the Browns visit the Miami Dolphins, who at 6-5 are in the thick of the playoff race and will be looking to win its second consecutive conference game in as many weeks. 

Following their game against the Dolphins the Browns will travel to Buffalo, and then Cincinnati, to face the Bills and then the Bengals.  And while both of those teams have losing records, neither one should be considered pushovers. 

The Browns will finish the regular season by playing host to divisional rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh, both of whom will more than likely be looking to wrap up a playoff spot or playoff seeding by defeating rival Cleveland.

With the challenges the next five games bring, here are five suggestions on how the Browns could improve themselves without acquiring any new players:

Move Evan Moore from Tight End to Slot Receiver

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 03: Tight end Evan Moore #89 of the Cleveland Browns catches a touchdown pass in front of safety Chris Crocker #42 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/

There is no doubt that the backup to Ben Watson has the skills to be a solid wide receiver, as evidenced by the fact that Moore is third on the team in receiving yards (322) and first in yards per catch (20.1).

Moving Moore into the slot position would create matchup problems that could potentially drive opposing defensive coordinators nuts.  Moore has the speed to blow by linebackers but is also big enough that putting a cornerback or safety on him won't be sufficient, either.

And, as if Browns' coaches needed further convincing, all they need to do is look at the game tape versus the Jets.  It was Moore's leaping grab over a defending Darelle Revis(one of the league's top corners, by the way), that set up the Browns' game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Bring in Lawrence Vickers on Obvious Passing Downs

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 14: Lawrence Vickers #47 of the Cleveland Browns gestures to the crowd after gaining a first down at Cleveland Browns Stadium October 14, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

While Peyton Hillis has shown he can do many things on offense (including passing the ball, where he is 1-for-2 for 10 yards) well, pass protection isn't one of them.  And while standing on the sidelines may not be the best way to get better at it, maybe Lawrence Vickers can show him how its done.

Vickers has done an outstanding job paving the way for Hillis on designed runs.  If he can protect Jake Delhomme's(or Colt McCoy, if he is starting) blindside as well as he leads on running downs, then it might just give Cleveland the extra second or two to complete the downfield throw necessary to keep opposing defenses honest against the run.

Play Ahtyba Rubin and Shaun Rogers Together in a 4-3 Scheme Occasionally

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Ahtyba Rubin #71 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Browns defeated the Chiefs 41-34. (Photo by Jami

The emergence of Ahtyba Rubin at the noseguard position has been a pleasant surprise for not only Browns' fans, but also Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Mangini and Ryan have been working diligently the entire season trying to figure out the best rotation for both Rubin and the Browns other nosetackle, Shaun Rogers.  But with the talent that each brings, why not put them on the field at the same time for a few plays each game?

The feeling here is that on certain passing downs, with both Rogers and Rubin occupying two blockers apiece on the interior of the line, it would free up ends Kenyon Coleman and David Bowens to work one-on-one against either a tight end or safety, thus increasing the odds they could get to the quarterback.  Working from a 4-3 base would also allow coach Ryan to substitute an extra corner or safety to help on the back end as well.

Line Up Joe Haden as a Punt Retuner

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

This one might create the most controversy, if only because having Haden return punts and start at cornerback might wear him out.

However, with Josh Cribbs being still hampered with a foot injury, and the Browns waiving recently signed Clifton Smith due to fumble issues, the Browns are getting a little thin at the position.  Ray Ventrone just isn't the answer.

Joe Haden is second on the team in return yardage (96) and has a interception return for 62 yards as well.  The Browns should could consider using him on punt returns, and every once in a while, sub the newly acquired Eric King for Haden at the corner position(in order to keep Haden fresh).  The Browns might not know what they're getting out of King, but hey, he can't do any worse than Eric Wright did at the beginning of the season.

Get the Other Browns Running Backs More Involved

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to teammate Mike Bell #22 during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty I

Peyton Hillis has done an outstanding job as the Browns featured running back.

The Browns, on the other hand, have not done a very good job of spelling Hillis with either Mike Bell or Thomas Clayton.

Part of the problem might be Bell or Clayton themselves. 

It should be noted, however, that last season Mike Bell had 654 yards rushing on just 172 attempts with the New Orleans Saints, for a 3.8 yards per carry average that was double what it has been this season.

So it may also be that the designed running plays for Clayton or Bell just aren't working either.  Hillis has had his best success running behind Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach.  The photo above shows Bell running behind right guard Floyd Womack.  Might be time to have the backups run more behind the power side of the line as well.