Cleveland Browns Report Card

The Browns are four games into the season now and that means this team is a quarter of the way done with their season. Unless they make the playoffs, which at this point looks rather unlikely. And with the Browns entering their bye week, it's time for them to evaluate where they are at right now. And I'm here to help them evaluate where they are at and what they need to do so when they come off their bye week they have a decent shot at winning this upcoming Monday Night Game against the Giants.

Offense: D+

Let's be honest, this has never been the best offensive unit on the field. In fact, I refuse to even call Derek Anderson a Pro Bowl quarterback. He only made the Pro Bowl because Tom Brady didn't feel like it. And most of Derek Anderson's touchdowns last year came against the Bengals last year. Yes, touchdowns are touchdowns, but still. Let's not get crazy and consider him a Pro Bowler. He has a rating of 49.9 going into the bye week and has 3 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. If Derek doesn't start having a better season, he'll soon be on the bench. There is another capable quarterback on the roster, and Romeo isn't afraid to use him. And if Romeo doesn't use Brady Quinn soon, he might get the ax.

The blame can't solely be on Derek though. Braylon is dropping passes left and right, Donte Stallworth is out, and the offensive line is suffering through injuries. It's obvious defenses are going to have their hands tied up with Braylon and Kellen Winslow, so why not use the situation to your advantage? Kellen Winslow is a playmaker and is arguably one of the five top tight ends in the league, if not top three. If defenses are doubling him, throw a ball his way. Defenses are afraid of Edwards, so they'll put their best man on him. And why not? Edwards is capable of making a fantastic play any time. He reminds me of Plaxico Burress though with the way he's been playing lately. So what do I think we need to do? Move Kellen Winslow to WR and start Steve Heiden at TE. Heiden is under rated and I think this is the best move for Cleveland to make.  Jamal Lewis is doing his best, but again, the line is hurting.  As is Jamal, as he isn't exactly a young bruising back. 

Another change up Cleveland should consider? Try putting Joshua Cribbs at quarterback. He was a record breaking quarterback during his tenure at Kent State.  And while that's not exactly a marquee school, he still has that mentality.  Maybe use a play where Derek/Brady/Ken throw a screen to Cribbs who throws a bomb to Braylon/Winslow.  Why not? At this point, what does Cleveland have to lose. They're 1-3 and they're going up the New York football Giants after they're bye week.

Defense:  C

Ironically, Cleveland isn't doing so bad in this part of their game.  Their ranked 10th in total yards allowed and 9th in points.  Even crazier is that they're also 10th in pass yards allowed, especially with the secondary they have.  Granted, the only good team they've faced so far (offensively speaking) was the Cowboys who are 2nd in the league for total offense.  Cincinnati, Baltimore and Pittsburgh all rank 25th or lower in that same category (Baltimore 25th, Pittsburgh 29th, Cincinnati 31st ). This defensive unit isn't really all that great, I'd say that right now they are just benefiting from playing weak teams.

They only have six sacks on the year too. That's a stat that needs drastic improvement.  For a team that's spent so much on it's defensive linemen during the offseason, that number should be unacceptable.  What is acceptable is having six interceptions.  They are tied for fourth in the league with that number and it might be the only thing that Cleveland has going for it. Again though, Cleveland hasn't faced strong teams.  Carson Palmer didn't even play, Big Ben has been hurting all season, and Joe Flacco is still a rookie.  Romo has been the only marquee quarterback to have seen the Cleveland defense.  And what happened? Cleveland, for lack of a better term, got wrecked.

Overall:  C-

Cleveland has the potential, the coaching staff just has to utilize and become craftier with it's players.  The defensive unit has yet to be tested, but it soon will be and it's padded stats will probably fall soon.  Also, the offensive unit needs to find it's rhythm. And quick, or Cleveland is in trouble. Granted Cleveland has some pretty good draft days, but that's not going to save this franchise. They need to have a good regular season.  And it better be this season, or heads in the office are going to roll.

That being said, until the Browns get their act together, I'm going to be put my Browns Elf t-shirt in the closet for another day and whip out my Cleveland Gladiators shirt.  Cleveland is a football city and if the fans can't enjoy their NFL team, they'll sure as hell go to the AFL team.