Written by TCF Staff

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It’s a time-honored tradition here at TCF (when we have the time and feel like continuing the tradition) to gather our esteemed writers and ask them for their thoughts on the Browns as another season kicks off. With the 2012 season right there on the doorstep it’s time to share their responses in what might be a pivotal year in the history of the franchise

Jesse Lamovsky

The Browns- Glass Half Full

Trent Richardson immediately lives up to his draft status, stays healthy and piles up 1,500 total yards with 10 touchdowns… behind an improved offensive line Brandon Weeden starts all sixteen games and comes through with an Andy Dalton-like performance, finally stopping the Cleveland quarterback carousel… an injection of speed and athleticism leads to some big plays by the young defense… with actual football players to carry out his schemes Pat Shurmur suddenly starts to resemble a competent head coach… some late-round rookies- Travis Benjamin, James-Michael Johnson-look like ballers right out of the gate… Cleveland splits its division schedule and beats all three North opponents in the same year for the first time ever… a weak AFC allows the Browns to steal the final playoff spot with a 9-7 record… Cleveland gets revenge for 2002 with a first-round victory in Pittsburgh before losing at New England in the second round.

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

Richardson is banged-up and ineffective all year while inheriting the drop problems that have plagued Cleveland receivers since ‘99… Ineffectiveness/injuries to Weeden force the Browns to turn back to Colt McCoy, grinding the offense to a halt even as his fan club rejoices… the young defense shows its inexperience while maintaining the now-traditional inability to either stop the run or get to the quarterback… Joe Haden never gets untracked and starts to look dangerously like a guy who will never get the “future” out of his “future All-Pro” tag… the rest of the AFC North is as tough as ever and continues to beat a tattoo on the Browns… Cleveland gets off to a disastrous start as the clock begins to tick in earnest on the present regime… a 3-13 nightmare wraps up with that old staple: the end-of-season, mail-it-in thrashing at the hands of the Steelers.

The Browns- Reality of 2012

Unfortunately in this case, reality is not somewhere in the middle. There are fifteen rookies on the roster and a rookie at quarterback. You tell me how that translates to immediate success. Not only are the Browns young, they’re young in all the wrong places as far as this season is concerned. The kids on the roster might show promise, they might not; either way I just don’t see how the Browns are going to win a lot of football games in the here and now. My prediction: 4-12 or 5-11, take your pick. And I’ll leave the “progress without victories” stuff for others, because I really don’t have the stomach for it. 

Super Bowl Matchup & Winner-

I was going to think of something more creative- say, Atlanta and Houston- but I’ll just go with Green Bay and New England, with the Patriots taking down the Lombardi for the first time since 2004.

 

Brian McPeek

The Browns- Glass Half Full

The team is younger and faster, has a QB who's older, more mature and has a stronger arm than the QB last year and there's a RB in town who might one day be among the league's elite. This team won't be the very worst team in the league and fans should see some improvement and hope for the future as the season progresses. Don't measure it game by game. Look at the team Sunday during game 1, then again after Game 8 and finally once more at the end of the season.

You're going to see some new blood make some noise and open some eyes this season. Guys like Jordan Cameron and Eric Hagg, Billy Winn and Trent Richardson.  It'll be the first time in at least five years that Browns fans can look at next year without fear...

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

...unless Weeden, a pocket passer with limited mobility, plays all season behind a line that can't form or keep a pocket, unless Richardson was and is damaged goods and unless Pat Shurmur failed to make a down payment on a clue over the offseason and still handles game management like it was a flaming bowl of diptheria and unless new owner Jimmy Haslam says, "Eff You" to the entire front office and starts all over again.

If that's the case then the Browns will likely have another top five draft pick, Weeden will have lost the safety net of having the guy who stuck his neck out to draft him anywhere near the city (not to mention having nightmares about being buried alive under oncoming rushers) and we're right back to square one as a franchise that's become a joke in the National Football League.

You know the Steelers are now into their fifth consecutive decade without firing a Head Coach? The Browns haven't fired one in almost games. 

The Browns- The Reality of 2012

I'm not a glass half full guy when it comes to Weeden, Richardson's knee and Pat Shurmur. This is a 3-5 win team and four wins seems reasonable. Then it gets nuked in January and we start the merry-go-round all over again in 2013.

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

It's the last dance for Tom Brady and the Patriots. They'll get to the title game and watch Green Bay play just a bot more defense than New England does as the Packers bring the Lombardi Trophy back to TitleTown.

 

Thomas Moore

The Browns- Glass Half Full

Brandon Weeden at quarterback and Trent Richardson at running back turn out to be the real deal, giving the Browns an actual NFL-caliber duo at those positions for the first time since the late 1980s. The defense holds up, even if they lost linebacker Scott Fujita and corner back Joe Haden to suspensions, and actually becomes competent at stopping the run (not good, just competent). The Browns win multiple division games (that means two) for the first time since 2007 and improve during the season to the point that they are highly competitive over the last eight games, giving everyone hope for a better tomorrow in 2013.

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

Brandon Weeden is more Mike Phipps than Bernie Kosar; Trent Richardson’s knee is actually worse than everyone feared; the defense can’t stop anyone, on the ground or in the air; Jabaal Sheard turns into KameronWimbley; the offensive line is so bad that Weeden winds up beaten and broken by November, leading to the return of Colt McCoy and his three-yard passes on third-and-seven over the final weeks of the season; the schedule, which features six games within the hardest division in football and four games against the NFC East, breaks the Browns. New owner James Haslam cleans house and the Browns start on yet another rebuilding plan. In other words, a season like just about every other season since 1999.

The Browns- The Reality of 2012

The team struggles early as all the rookies work to get up to an NFL-level of performance. Things settle down in the second half of the season, as Weeden and Richardson show off their first-round talent. The defense is good enough to keep the team in most games and Weeden pulls off a few fourth-quarter wins. If you can’t be optimistic before the first game of the season, then when can you be? The Browns finish at 7-9 and new owner James Haslam hands out contract extensions to everyone in Berea.

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

In 10 of the last 11 years, the AFC has been represented in the Super Bowl by New England, Pittsburgh or Indianapolis.

There is no way the Colts are making the Super Bowl this year, even with Andrew Luck. The Steelers are getting older and, after losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last year to Tim Tebow of all people, the Steelers won’t make it back either.

That leaves the Patriots as the representative from the AFC.

On the NFC side, Green Bay will be looking to make up for last year’s playoff fail; plus the Giants are not repeating their improbable playoff run from last year.

That means the Packers will face the Patriots, with Green Bay winning its 14th league championship and handing Bill Belichick his third consecutive Super Bowl loss.

Jason Askew 

The Browns- Glass Half Full

Taking the glass half full approach, my thoughts about the QB position echo last year’s. It would be nice to see Brandon Weeden look the part of a NFL QB and by the end of the season he should have at least one game that sums up why the organization thought he was worthy of a first round pick. 

I also think it would be nice to walk away thanking god Trent Richardson exists. Even if the QB doesn’t prove to be special, having a dynamic player that truly strikes fear in a defensive coordinator’s heart hasn’t been around this town in years and if Richardson is that player Cleveland can begin to compete on a regular basis. 

For the defense I am looking to see growth in the young defensive lineman, a healthy return of Phil Taylor, and the eventual replacement of the aging Sheldon Brown. If the defense can turn the corner and morph into a difference making defense instead of just stout one and they can combine that with some explosive plays from young dynamic offensive plays this team could be on the fast track for a .500 season and respect within the division.

 The Browns- Glass Half Empty 

The glass half empty approach is simple in my eyes; if we get more of the same horrible offense and lack of points this season will be useless in the long term growth of this team. 

If you combine that scenario with new ownership once again making front office changes those changes will ultimately lead to a change in head coach and starting from scratch once again in terms of players learning a system.

This scenario sounds much like the cup being bone dry instead of half full but it really wouldn’t be dry in my mind because if the offense isn’t way better and the QB play hasn’t improved the Browns will only win a few games and they will once again be picking high enough to find the real answer at the position. A great QB can quickly change the path and energy of a team so if Cleveland is still bad they will only be one pick away from better things on the horizon. 

The Browns- The Reality of 2012 

I think the reality of the Browns 2012 season will be much more positive than negative in terms of hope. I believe any team can compete with a good running game and a solid defense and that is what I think they have.

The term ‘compete’ is a tricky word in football but for me it means that they will be in almost every game because they will get stops and in turn be able to run the ball and eat up clock. 

I am not going to cop out and say the record doesn’t count, and only the way they play does, but I will say that the division we play in, and the fact that we play the NFC East, won’t make the end of the season record look good. 

When the dust settles the Browns will have won my respect with the type of play and caliber of young players on the team but I think the end result will be a record similar to last year……so a 5-12 season is what my crystal ball is showing me. 

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

Even though somebody told me that ESPN picked these same teams I am staying with the same picks I have said for the last 4 months whenever somebody asks me. 

The Chicago Bears may not win their division, but I believe in Matt Forte and their running game, and all Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall have done to the league when on the same team is own it so they are my pick in the NFC. 

My AFC choice will be Tom Brady because he is the best QB in the conference and that young defense looks fast and motivated. Until Peyton Manning shows me he is all the way back in business I will pick a motivated Tom Brady to not only win the conference but to get another ring to add to his collection.

Lars Hancock

The Browns- Glass Half Full 

Beer. Need a half a glass of beer on hand at all times to stomach the little surprises this team certainly has in store for us. 

The Browns- Glass Half Empty 

Also beer. Where did the other half go? My belly. Ah, things are already looking up.

The Browns- The Reality of 2012 

The reality of the Browns season is they aren't going to stop many teams. The linebacking corps is a mess, with 66% of them never having played an NFL snap, ever. The corners and safeties are a mess, with only the soon to be suspended Haden resembling anything of quality outside of the oft-injured Ward. D line may be okay, but without depth, they'll wear down. Preseason injuries and suspensions have hurt the D tremendously. So we will need to outscore opponents, and we will have to do that by controlling the ball on the ground with Richardson, and hope Weeden can game manage enough to keep us competitive. The offense is built around ground and pound, and should have some success doing it - I wouldn't be shocked to see a major leap forward in overall offensive efficiency, time of possession, and most importantly points. The whole season will be about us outscoring opponents, especially in the early part of the season, to overcome defensive deficiencies. IF Weeden is the man, and that is a huge if, 11-5 is still not inconceivable. But considering the hits our defense has taken, 7-9 is what is in store for us, But an optimistic 7-9!

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner 

Browns vs. Panthers. Stupid, right? Stupid like a fox...

 

Dan Wismar

The Browns- Glass Half Full

Influx of talent at skill positions on offense makes up for the inexperience, and the team is able to score more than in recent seasons. A good offensive line gels better as the season progresses and Richardson turns out to be worthy of the 3rd pick. Gordon, Little and Benjamin give the team a legitimate downfield receiving threat, while Weeden stays in one piece for 16 games, and grows into the job of NFL quarterback. Defense somehow finds enough bodies to play linebacker, and a competent safety emerges from somewhere. Wade and Skrine become solid young corners and two young defensive tackles Winn and Hughes become serviceable. Division rivals are aging and/or flawed. Management team and coaching staff elevate their performance to impress new owner. 

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

Five rookies starting on offense is not a recipe for success...this year. Four starters, including two recent 1st rounders, missing on defense for the start of the season dooms any chance of a fast start. Personnel at linebacker and safety is not good enough to compete week in-week out. The pass rush is not any better since the team understandably concentrated on upgrading offense this offseason. Shortage of defensive playmakers will allow for a good night’s sleep for opposing offensive coordinators the night before they meet the Browns. Lacking the excuse of a new system and no mini-camps, Shurmer is revealed to be truly in over his head. 

The Browns- Reality of 2012

Youth on offense and deficit of playmakers on defense will be the story of this year’s team. If special teams (not counting Phil Dawson) are no better than they have looked in preseason and in 2011 it could be disastrous. Team is improved, but schedule is tougher than 2011. I see five, maybe six victories, with some late season optimism still managing to shine through. Haslam then cleans house.

Super Bowl Matchup

49ers beat Texans in NFC title game....Pats edge Ravens in AFC....49ers over Pats in the Super Bowl.

Jonathan Knight

The Browns- Glass Half Full 

As far as I can tell, there are three things to get excited about for the Browns in 2012:

1. Phil Dawson being Phil Dawson.

2. The odds are fairly good that the earth beneath Cleveland Browns Stadium will not open up as a result of a series of massive explosions as it did at Heinz Field in The Dark Knight Rises. 

3. If the world does indeed come to an end Dec. 21, it will prevent the Browns from making trips to Denver and Pittsburgh - which, generally, are the same thing as the end of the world.

The Browns- Glass Half Empty 

Oh my stars - where to begin. Many say the Browns have entered this season taking a handful of chances, and I wholeheartedly agree:

- This defense has a chance to be the worst in team history.

- The gooey parts of this offensive line have a chance to get somebody killed.

- Brandon Weeden has a chance to be worse than 1999 Tim Couch. 

- Trent Richardson has a chance to be the Browns' version of Ki-Jana Carter. 

The Browns- The Reality of 2012 

The only remarkable thing about this year's team is that it will make the Indians look like a playoff team. Our sole method of entertainment is setting timetables for the inevitable:

- The over/under on games Brandon Weeden will start is eight. (Bonus point if you name his season-ending injury before it happens.)

- The over/under on games in which Trent Richardson will rush for more than 40 yards is 10. 

- The over/under on Mike Holmgren's resignation date is Oct. 15. 

Put it all together, and for the third time in five years, the Browns will spend the playoffs interviewing head coaching candidates. But maybe, just maybe, this time - with Jimmy Haslam's naive eagerness and Pittsburgh connections - they can finally land Bill Cowher and get a grown-up at the kids' table.  

And therein lies the only truly intriguing storyline of the Browns' no-more-than-three-win 2012 season.  

Sorry everybody, but for God's sake, buckle up while you can. 

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

Patriots over 49ers

Gary Benz

Glass Half Full:  You always have to be careful not to sound like a lunatic when trying to find the positives about the Browns.  People have been locked up for far lesser sins.  In any case, there are some positives on this team.  Let's start with new ownership.  Jimmy Haslam III, by showing up at preseason games, by default became the team's most engaged owner in the Browns 2.0 era.  I think that's a huge positive, even if it comes with another reboot.  I think Trent Richardson is a real talent and will give the Browns their first legitimate chance to establish a running game that other teams will have to defend.  That can't help but open up the passing game which means that the Browns have a decent chance of averaging more than 13 points per game.  And Joe Thomas.  He's always a positive.

Glass Half Empty:  Without announcing it, the Browns have essentially rebuilt again given that fully half of its roster has 1 year or less of experience.  That's the definition of a rebuild, by the way.  That can only mean still another year of double digit losses.  As with every other rebuilding job this franchise has undertaken, there has to be some faith that the people in charge will get it right.  There were times, for example, where we thought that Butch Davis was on the right track.  We also thought the same thing about Phil Savage.  We never thought that about Dwight Clark, but that's a different story for a different day.  The point is though that the fans' faith has not been rewarded and until some of Tom Heckert's draft picks turn potential in production there's no reason to blindly assume that he'll get it right either.  I can't say that this team is headed in the right direction because I don't know what direction it's headed in.  Apparently either does Mike Holmgren.

The Reality:  Didn't I just write the reality in the "half empty" phase?  Let me continue.  The promised jump to significant improvement from a year ago will not come to pass, at least this season.  It's another double digit loss season where fans are left wondering why they lobbied so hard to get the team back in the first place.  Holmgren holds a press conference in late September and out of frustration at the pointed nature of the questions again threatens not to take the calls from beat reporters looking for extra playoff tickets for their friends.  By late October, Haslam, fully approved as owner, puts in his own management structure ("Mike, the owner wants to see you and he said to bring your playbook") and the team starts over once again.  Pat Shurmur is left dangling, takes on an Eric Mangini-like bunker mentality and privately seethes that he bought when he should have rented.  On the plus side, I think one of the Browns' few victories will come against the Steelers, don't ask me why.

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner:  Green Bay meets Kansas City.  Romeo Crennel gets coach of the year and spends the run up to the Super Bowl merely shaking his head every time he gets asked a question about what went wrong in Cleveland.  The Packers pummel the Chiefs and any advertiser who bought commercial time in the fourth quarter demands a refund as television sets worldwide are by then tuned into a master stroke of counter programming on the Bravo Network:  The Real Housewives of Shawn Kemp.

Greg Popelka

The Browns- Glass Half Full

For a Browns team that seems to have more talent on the roster this season, they sure have looked horrible at times during the exhibition season. Even position groups that should be solid have struggled, like the offensive line. The roster is loaded with youngsters who were telling potty jokes around the last time the Browns were good. Well, besides Brandon Weeden, a current rookie who was driving and shaving. Actually, I think he’s been doing that since his days of borrowing his dad’s new Packard convertible. Taking girls in poodle skirts to the malt shop after the sock hop. Hey, who knows- maybe he was still telling potty jokes then, too.  I know, where is the half-full part, right? Here it is: the Browns will move the football at times, and will score some points. Also, they will win a game or two against a division opponent.And when the season is over, it will seem apparent that they will improve some more in 2013.  And to borrow from Paul Brown, the future of the Colt controversy will be in the past. (To be clear: it won’t be a result of him winning the starting job.) Also, we do begin to see some cracks in the foundation in Pittsburgh, as their offensive line allows their sexual predator to get pounded. 

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

Jimmy Haslem decides to clean house after the season. I know he seems somewhat connected in the league, and might have some quality front office types waiting in the wings.But a change in direction doesn’t make sense to me right now, at least with player acquisition (Heckert) and offensive and defensive schemes. The roster is very young, and seems to have been upgraded in team speed and with the QB’s arm. They actually have a quarterback with the arm to throw the ball out of bounds from the pocket.  I really hope the team is allowed to develop with the least amount of turnover. …OK, you can fire the special teams coach. That’s it. …If the offensive line looks like it has during the exhibition season, you can fire him, too. OK, so the special teams coach, and the offensive line coach. …And the head coach. If there continues to be a cloud of general cluelessness surrounding the team this season, you can let him go. Pat Shurmur seems unlikely to end up making a hall-of-fame run with another team, a la Bill Belichick. OK, so the special teams coach, the offensive line coach, and the head coach, but that’s it. …And - By the way, as I have wondered before: some Browns fans are really pleased that Haslem is taking over. They seem to think he’s planning to make some changes. Exactly what are these fans expecting from him? Are they all on the same page with what they think he’ll do? I fear their wish lists for the team may not match each others’, and when he doesn’t take the steps they think he will, the honeymoon’s ending could be epic. I hope he knows that while there is a lot of passion here, the fuse is prit-ty short these days.

The Browns- The Reality of 2012

First off, I want to emphasize what should be obvious. The national media are wrong every year when they make their preseason picks.And, if you are a fellow Browns fan, you know more about the team than they do. I really wish for my fellow fans that they don’t fret overthrowaway comments from commentators. Their formula is predictable:  1) assume pretty much every team will be the same as their reputation, and2) only pay attention to quarterbacks and first round draft picks.  So the Cleveland Browns won’t be the worst team in the league. That’s just stupid. But they may look like it at times. Colt backers: be careful what you wish for. History tells us that our starting quarterback won’t play the entire season without getting knocked out of a few games.So when Colt is prematurely bailing out of his pocket? Because the D has crowded the line due to his sub-par arm? And he’s sprinting toward Shurmur every other play, narrowing his optionsto within 20 yards from the sideline? And he’s constantly checking down to the next punt? Please don’t let it surprise you if a groundswell of support rises up for the next guy. Couch-jersey-wearers: get your Sharpie ready. It’s spelled L-E-W-I-S. 

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

I heard Bill Polian picked the Ravens and the Falcons. I am not saying I am smarter than Bill Polian, of course, but I am taking New England and Green Bay. It would be harder to explain why other teams would make it instead of them. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Nuff said. Although I’d be fascinated if Rodgers went down and the hopes and dreams of the state of Wisconsin were tied to the fortunes of Graham Harrell. The McCoy-to-Green Bay thing really should have happened. The Packers not pulling the trigger was high risk, high rew- uh, it was high risk. I know, the Colts (of Bill Polian) got away with it for years. But sorry, Mr. Polian- I like you, and I could get used to you pulling strings in Cleveland. But Baltimore isn’t getting past New England. And Atlanta will be fun to watch, but it’s going to be the Green Bay Packers winning it all.

 

Chris Hutchison

The Browns- Glass Half Full

 They're theoretically better in several key areas offensively (QB, RB, RT, WR).  There will be growing pains and there will be mistakes, but if these young 'uns can stay healthy, they might - just might - grow into an almost decent squad.  And on Defense, even though they've been hit hard by injuries already, they are as fast as they are inexperienced and should be able to provide some playmaking ability between blown coverages/assignments.  In other words, they should be interesting to watch and should provide some hope for the future.

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

But there is not much hope for the now.  I don't care how old you are, rookie QB's have a learning curve and need to be protected by a strong Running Game and Defense, and even though Trent Richardson SHOULD be able to help out with one of those two precepts, it's still to be proven that the Offensive Line can do its job well enough to ensure it.  And those Defensive injuries/suspensions that will give all those interesting young 'uns a lot of playing time?  Yeah, they also depleted the depth and overall quality of the unit.  So a team that was horrible against the run last year will still probably be horrible against the run.  It's hard to see this mix of youth and inexperience winning a lot of games, at least not this year.

The Browns- The Reality of 2012

Pick a set of players that you're interested in and watch them for individual growth.  Brandon Weeden, for instance.  Very important that he improves as the season goes on.  Mitch Schwartz.  Josh Gordon.  James-Michael Johnson.  Jordan Cameron.  Jason Pinkston.  Oh, and throw in Pat Shurmur.  The list is long and scary, but developing these guys for some kind of mythical (like a pink unicorn) future run is what this season is all about.  Winning would be nice, sure, but the odds are really against it, so settle for "watchable" and "intriguing" and start scouting all the ace pass rushers from the college ranks.

Playoffs:

Super Bowl:  Texans vs. Packers

SB Winner: Texans

  

Jeff Rich

The Browns - Glass Half Full

In a perfect world, the 2012 Cleveland Browns avoid the injury bug, begin to build on a structure that most of us don't know anything about, and somehow figure out how to defeat their AFC North Division rivals, all three of them.  When outsiders chew out anyone optimistic about the Browns prospects, without fail, the wording will entail "lack of talent", which I don't see being a complete absence of talent, as much as it is an obviously shallow depth chart. Getting something out of those six games with Cincinnati, Baltimore, and the other team; that falls on the shoulders of Pat Shurmur, who must show promise in what basically amounts to a "put up or shut up" season with the power shift that's taking place in the owner's box.  Even if it does not translate to wins, you know Mr. Haslam needs to be convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the brain-trust is taking this thing in the right direction, or a reboot is inevitable and unavoidable.

 The Browns - Glass Half Empty

In the words of Robert Loggia's immortal Coach Wally Riggendorf from Necessary Roughness, "Now, let's analyze what's been working for us." After a long pause, Coach Rig goes on a tirade about anything and everything, but in the end, the answer is nothing.  That's been the Browns since their 1999 reincarnation, and every few years a new philosophy is put in place, then they go through the motions, cash paychecks, and eventually accept a deal to go away.  We, the fans, appear to be witnessing another trip down that road, and as frustrating as that is, I'm not sure it's the worst thing in the world.  My worst case scenario isn't failure or complete ineptitude, but Fool's Gold, a 2012 season that constantly feels to be good to be true.  To give you an idea of what I mean, let's hypothetically say that Colt McCoy gets on the field for whatever reason, and plays out of his head Buffalo, the Bengals, the Colts, and San Diego.  If the Browns put all of our eggs in that (theoretical) 4-2 basket, then they end up with the post-2007 Derek Anderson, they end up farther behind the curve than they were before the draft last April.  I can accept terrible if it means improvement, and I can accept success if it's actually genuine, but I fear the organizational stand-still and the ensuing Lame Duck 2013 season that would follow any 2012 accomplishment that does not pass the eyeball test.

The Browns - The Reality of 2012

The reality of 2012 is that Randy Lerner did the Browns and their fans a giant favor by selling to Mr. Haslam, thus making this a "(go) or get off the pot" type of season.  Excuses, like the Lockout or rookie coaching mistakes, are in short supply these days.  The team is still young and obviously still deficient in more areas than it's strong, but none of that matters.  For the guy who signs the checks, mitigating evidence will not be admissible for those whose performances return a verdict of "unacceptable"; they will are all replaceable.  There may be a certain fire in this team, and Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, or Trevin Wade may provide a spark, but it just isn't enough to overcome what they're up against right now.  The truth about this team won't necessarily reflect it's Win-Loss record, I can assure you that it's tough sledding ahead, but don't put it past this team, and these coaches, to win a game or two that they have no business winning.  When it comes to brass tacks, I'm thinking two wins, and I have no idea where they come from, but I really don't think 0-16 is out of the question...not at all.

Super Bowl Matchup and Winner

Now, defense wins championships, and it saddens me to say that we live in an era where the best defense is a quarterback that keeps his defense on the sideline, so it comes down to quarterback play.  It may not be what gets you close to the finish line, especially in the case of San Francisco or Baltimore a year ago, but history shows us that's what wins the race.  Since 1999, only Tampa Bay and Baltimore have won Super Bowls without an elite signal caller, but Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer were fortunate enough not to face any counterpart better than Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins.  I dismiss the 2012 Giants because it's just so damn difficult to repeat, even with a quarterback capable of getting it done, but I'm counting out the 49ers, Eagles, and Bears because I don't think Alex Smith, Mike Vick, and Jay Cutler have the pedigree to join that class of champions.  In the AFC, I don't think the best quarterbacks necessarily play for the best teams, and vice versa, so it comes down to chosing Tom Brady over the Steelers, Chargers, and Broncos, or the Patriots over the Texans and Ravens.

The Lombardi Trophy, once again, goes to the Green Bay Packers.  I'm picking the Packers to best the Patriots here, but only after strongly weighing all other options, especially my first instinct to give the Patriots the nod over the Giants in our first Super Bowl rematch since Super Bowl XVIII. It's a simple matter of a requisite hunger trumping a requisite level of complacency that comes with being the defending Champions.

 

Adam Burke

The Browns- Glass Half Full

The Browns have to necessary talent to at least go 8-8. The offensive line can gel together and be able to help Trent Richardson and Company get over four yards per carry and give Brandon Weeden some manageable third-and-short situations. The fewer third-and-six or more situations that the Browns are in, the better off they'll be. The defensive line made some great strides last year and should be deep enough to withstand the loss of Phil Taylor for at least the first half of the season. Joe Haden should come back motivated from his suspension and become even more of a leader on defense. The special teams is in good hands with Reggie Hodges and Phil Dawson. The Browns will likely start to transition Josh Cribbs out of the punt return role and an explosive player like Josh Gordon should help with the field position battle.

The team and fan base will be energized by hands-on owner Jimmy Haslem. It'll make for a very fun year down on the Lakefront. Even if the record isn't great, it won't be painful to watch the orange & brown on Sundays.

The Browns- Glass Half Empty

This is a very inexperienced Browns team that will make a lot of mistakes. The early season injury to Trent Richardson cost him valuable time with Brandon Weeden and the offensive line. That's a lot for a rookie back to overcome. The wide receivers are still unable to create separation and Weeden has already shown a tendency for making some bad decisions with the football. The defense is decimated with injuries and suspensions. They could very easily start 0-3 without Fujita and then continue to struggle through Game 4 with the Joe Haden suspension. Injuries to Phil Taylor, James-Michael Johnson, and Chris Gocong have really crushed the depth of this team. Plus, Pat Shurmur is still at the helm and he's auditioning for the role of Alicia Silverstone in the next Clueless movie. Brad Childress and Shurmur are sure to bump heads, much to the detriment of the offense.

The Browns- The Reality of 2012

This is a team that lacks depth, experience, and skill players. They have talent, but it's very rough around the edges. It's hard to see anything above 5-11, and that may even be the best case scenario. The pass defense is going to be brutal without fast linebackers and a piece of toast opposite Joe Haden at CB. In a quarterback-driven league like the NFL, struggling against the pass is a kiss of death.

Super Bowl Match Up and Winner

Initially, I had something written in here about the Ravens making the Super Bowl to win one more for Old Fart Art, but he died the day before this article was scheduled to run. Not sure if that means I have some sort of prognostication ability or it was merely a coincidence. Anyway, the Ravens are still going to make the Super Bowl because they're a very talented team that just keeps reloading on the defensive side of the ball. The Packers will be the NFC Champs. I'll take the Ravens to win the Super Bowl and Flacco to answer all of those questions that people have about him.