Cleveland Browns: 4 Positions That Need to Be Addressed Before Sept. 1

After the offseason roster makeover orchestrated by general manager Tom Heckert, the Cleveland Browns still find themselves a couple of players short of a consistently competitive team.

This is mainly due to that fact that so far the Browns have struggled to keep their starters on the practice field. Coupled with the lack of depth on the Browns' roster, it may prove disastrous unless the Browns find a few free agents.

Injuries to starting guard Eric Steinbach (out for season), free safety Usama Young (hamstring), running back Brandon Jackson (turf toe), and linebacker Chris Gocong (neck stinger) have put the Browns in an eerie situation.

Do they go ahead and play the younger players, even if they are undrafted rookies or late-round picks? Or do they make the decision to sign proven veterans who may be on the downside of their careers?

You can make solid arguments for either one.

However, I believe that the Browns need to address some of their current needs through the free-agent market. I understand the organization wants to get younger and signing old veterans contradicts that. However, the Browns could become the laughing stock of the NFL if they are starting multiple inexperienced players at vital positions.

So, if a higher overall team-age is the price the Browns would have to pay for a few more wins, then I am all for it.

Offensive Line

Going into the season this offensive line unit was considered to be one of the tops in the NFL. However, due to injuries (Steinbach) and inconsistent play (Tony Pashos) the Browns need to scour over the list of available free agents and the waiver-wire. 

The Browns current starting line is actually pretty good. Joe Thomas is of course an All-Pro left tackle. Alex Mack is quickly on his way to becoming a perennial Pro Bowler. Right guard Shawn Lauvao has shown a nasty streak so far during the preseason that has fans excited. Pashos has done a decent job, but his strength is in the running game which has not been featured so far during the preseason. Finally, rookie Jason Pinkston has surprised many and stepped into the starting role due to Steinbach's untimely injury.

But if any one of those five players were to go down with a major injury, it could become a painful season for Colt McCoy. 

That is the reason the Browns need to sign a player like Nick Kaczur or Max Starks to backup Thomas and Pashos if god-forbid something were to happen. Also, an addition of a Nick Cole or Mark Setterstrom could prove useful for depth purposes. 

Backup Running Back

It's good to finally see Montario Hardesty on the field and most importantly it great to see that he walked off the field injury-free. But, behind Hardesty and Peyton Hillis the Browns lack the depth needed for a full 16-game schedule. 

Hillis is an absolute beast and has proved injuries won't keep him off the field. Too bad he also proved injuries really hamper his ability to initiate contact with opposing players.

I really like Hardesty, and believe that he's going to play a valuable role in the Browns offense this season, but neither Hillis or Hardesty is the third-down scat back usually needed on a team's roster.

During the offseason the signing of Brandon Jackson was suppose to shore up that position. However, a recent turf toe injury could possibly cost him the season. The other backups, Quinn Porter and Armond Smith, have not shown that they can be capable NFL running backs.

So, it is imperative that the Browns sign a free-agent running back, whether it's a young player being cut because of crowded backfield or an older veteran who may be on his last legs. The Browns need to acquire someone such as Kevin Smith, Kenneth Darby or Brian Westbrook. 

Linebacker

In terms of depth, the linebacker position is probably the weakest unit of this team. Gocong has barely even seen the practice field yet because of nagging neck stinger that seems to be giving him more problems than originally thought.

Despite the Gocong injury, D'Qwell Jackson and Scott Fujita have demonstrated a chemistry that may have opposing teams game-planning around them. Now, the only thing those two need to do is stay healthy for a full season.

But behind Jackson, Fujita and Gocong I can really only name one player who deserves a roster spot: Kaluka Maiava.

Don't get me wrong, I really like what Titus Browns has done and undrafted rookie Brian Smith has been impressive as well, but I believe those guys to be bubble players or even possibly practice squad players. They are certainly not players worthy of stepping into a starting role on an NFL team.

It's apparent while watching the game that besides Jackson and Fujita there are no other linebackers who bring the needed experience matched with athleticism. I think bringing in a player like Kawika Mitchell, Thomas Davis or even a Lofa Tatupu could greatly improve the linebacker unit. The only problem with most of the free-agent linebackers such as these guys is that they're injury prone, something the Browns may want to shy away from.

Safety

Many experts thought that former Bills safety Donte Whitner was most likely going to sign a contract with the Browns. Not surprisingly, the front office did something many people did not forecast. It signed free safety Usama Young (Saints) and called for an open competition between him and Mike Adams.

To say that Young's hamstring injury has been a disappointment would be an understatement. This was the first week he was back on the practice field since the start of training camp, although he wasn't partaking in any team drills.

Personally, I have never been impressed with Adams at the safety position. I think he's a great backup at the safety position but his value comes as a player who can player almost anywhere within the defensive backfield.

It was a shame that seventh-round pick Eric Hagg went down with an injury because Young's hamstring problem could have catapulted Hagg into the starting role I thought he would eventually end up at. 

The problem with solving the depth issues at safety in the free-agent market is age. Many of the players that could make an immediate impact have definitely seen their better days. The list includes such names as Darren Sharper, Ken Hamlin and Antoine Harris.

I think it would be best if the Browns searched the waiver-wire and acquire a player with a not-so-friendly contract. It may mean less cap-space, but the Browns have enough even after signing Joe Thomas to a $80 million deal.