Cleveland Browns 2011 Preview: Rough Road Ahead, New Coaching Staff Confident

For the Cleveland Browns, there's good news—and there's good news. The good news is their AFC North division will play against the NFC West. The good news, again, is the NFC West is a project with experimenting quarterbacks, except for the St. Louis Rams.

Nevertheless, the Browns are more confident coming into this season compared to last due to a new, veteran coaching staff with a more prepared quarterback, based off preseason play.

The young Browns will need the experience of new head coach Pat Shurmur and former Chicago Bears head coach, now defensive coordinator, Dick Jauron, along with former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Ray Rhodes as a senior assistant to the defense, to help guide them.

Cleveland showed great resolve last season with an unexpected power running game led by running back Peyton Hillis, maturity with growth in quarterback Colt McCoy and an upcoming secondary unit, led by cornerback Joe Haden. The Browns will need the same output, but more because teams will take them seriously.

“We are as good as we want to be,” said Hillis, according to clevelandbrowns.com. “It just depends on how we execute on Sundays. If we come with the right mindset and that we practice really hard...I am really looking forward to see great things on Sunday.”

The Browns won't catch anyone off guard in 2011 because their opponents recognize their potential. The visitors that will venture to Cleveland Browns Stadium, where the Browns will be delighted to be gracious host, are the Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and the Seattle Seahawks. These teams will come out strong against the Browns, despite having some questions of their own.

Nevertheless, the Browns should hold serve well at home.

The Browns could have nightmarish road trips as they will face teams that normally perform well on their turf in the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.  

Clearly, after season-ending injuries, the return of running back Montario Hardesty (who will assist in run support) and linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (who will make the defensive line more effective), the Browns will be ready to take that extra step.

Cleveland should be strengthened after battling their divisional foes—backed by a proven coaching staff.