Cleveland Browns: 5 Ways the Browns Will Be Better in 2011

The Cleveland Browns had their ups and downs last season. There were some areas of the team that were strong, but many more areas that needed improvement. The Browns did their best to address those areas in the lockout-shortened offseason and in the 2011 Draft.

Here are five ways that the Browns will be better in 2011.

#5: The Quarterback Position

In 2010, the Browns went into training camp with veteran Jake Delhomme as the apparent starter, career back-up Seneca Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy as their three quarterbacks. Although the plan was for Delhomme and Wallace to handle the vast majority of snaps with Josh Cribbs taking the remainder in the wildcat package, McCoy eventually saw the field due to injuries.

Team President Mike Holmgren had his general manager, Tom Heckert, select McCoy in the third round after he had an extremely successful career at the University of Texas. Holmgren's plan for McCoy was to have him watch from the bench and learn from the veteran Jake Delhomme.

When a rash of high ankle sprains caused both Delhomme and Wallace to miss time, McCoy was thrust into the starter's role. He responded well and proved to the organization that he has what it takes to be the starting QB of the future.

McCoy kept showing his leadership during the lockout when he held four "Camp Colts" for Browns players. He developed a solid rapport with the team and earned their respect.

With that respect, a better supporting cast of players, and a full training camp spent implementing an offensive system that much better suits McCoy, the Browns will be much better this year at the quarterback position.

#4: Running the Ball

Running the ball was one of the few bright spots on the Browns last season. Bruising running back Peyton Hillis turned in a highlight reel full of spectacular runs and touchdowns. However, his bullish running style eventually caught up with him as the Browns had no reliable backup running back to turn to. They overworked Hillis and that caused his numbers to drop off in the second half of the season.

Things are different in training camp this year. The Browns brought in Brandon Jackson, who was Green Bay's starting tailback for a large portion of last season, and 2010 draft pick Montario Hardesty finally seems to be close to 100 percent healthy after an ACL tear during the 2010 preseason. Having those two guys backing him up should help Hillis avoid getting banged up and allow him to be a threat all season long.

With the addition of a solid backup in Jackson and the potential return of a talented college runner in Hardesty, Hillis should see a jump in production. The running game should once again be a strength on the Browns in 2011 and an improvement from 20th in the league in rushing yards is not out of the question.

#3: Protecting the Quarterback

The Browns injuries to and lack of production from the quarterback position can partly be blamed on poor protection by the offensive line. The injuries to both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace occurred on hits by defensive opponents that the offensive line let through. Colt McCoy was also sacked frequently once he became the starter.

Injuries to offensive line players is one reason that the pass protection was so bad on the Browns last season. Another reason was the fact that Pro-Bowler OT Joe Thomas had an off year. He was healthy all season, but just didn't play up to his usual ability.

Fast forward to training camp 2011 and all of the Brown's starters on the offensive line are healthy. If that health can continue throughout the entire season, then Cleveland has the chance to have one of the best lines in the NFL. OT Joe Thomas, G Eric Steinbach and C Alex Mack make up a very strong left side of the line. Add in a healthy Tony Pashos as the right offensive tackle and promising second year player Shawn Lauvao as the right guard, and you have the makings of an extremely offensive line.

The new West Coast offense being implemented by first year head coach Pat Shurmur will also help the offensive line protect the QB because of the quick throws that it calls for. In 2011, Colt McCoy should find himself on his back less and completing more passes instead.

#2: Stopping the Run

Last season, the Cleveland Browns ranked 27th in the NFL in opponent's rushing yards allowed. That stat must be improved for the Browns to be a better team in 2011.

The front office knows that and took action by drafting defensive tackle Phil Taylor in the first round of the 2011 draft. They also drafted DE Jabaal Sheard and resigning DE Jayme Mitchell. Run stopping stalwart Ahtyba Rubin is also returning. With Rubin and Taylor plugging up the middle, opposing running backs are going to have a tough time finding holes.

If they do manage to get past the defensive line, the Browns linebackers will be there to prevent the opposing runners from ripping off long runs to extend drives. The return of D'Qwell Jackson will go a long way towards the improved play of the linebackers. Jackson is a tackling machine and should prove invaluable in helping to stop the run should the opposing tailback get past the initial rush of the defensive line.

With the addition of so many talented players, the Browns should be leaps and bounds ahead of being ranked 27th in stopping the run in this coming season.

#1: Stopping the Pass

In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Browns upgraded their secondary by drafting CB Joe Haden in the first round and S T.J. Ward in the second round. Both ended up starting at some point in the season, and Ward led all rookies and all Browns in tackles with 123. Haden also led the team in interceptions with six. Having both of those two players returning and starting from game one will go a long way towards improving the Brown's ability to stop the pass.

In the offseason, the Browns also added S Usama Young who previously played for the New Orleans Saints and CB Dimitri Patterson who last played for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both of those players add a lot to Cleveland's secondary talent as Patterson had four interceptions and Young adds another presence next to Ward. The presence of veterans Sheldon Brown and Mike Adams will help to hold everything together on the field.

The Browns also have several promising players in camp who don't have much inexperience but have shown flashes or true playing ability. One of those players is CB Buster Skrine who was drafted out of Chattanooga in the sixth round of this past draft. Skrine (pronounced screen) has sub-4.3 40 yard dash speed and has been given the task of covering rookie WR Greg Little in training camp and has more than held his own despite his underwhelming size. Skrine's speed and ability to recover should a receiver get by him may get him into some games this season.

The Browns ranked a respectable 18th in the NFL in stopping the pass last season and should be even better in 2011.