2008 Cleveland Browns Season Preview

2008 Cleveland Browns preview from MadduxSports.com. With the football season around the corner grab the internets best football picks handicapper Maddux Sports and turn a profit while betting against the nfl point spread each and every week.

2008 Cleveland Browns Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
Last year the Browns came out of nowhere and surprised just about everyone, winning 10 games. Division rival Pittsburgh destroyed them in game one 34-7, but after Derek Anderson took over for starting quarterback Charlie Frye things started to click. Anderson played in all 16 games and averaged 236.7 yards with 29 scores and an 82.5 rating.

Cleveland finished the season ranked eighth in both yards and points. Improving their 30th ranked defense will be a key after narrowly missing the playoffs. Expecting a repeat of last season might be a lot, as this year’s schedule is considerably more difficult.

Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, one of the league’s best, was acquired in a trade with Detroit in the off season. Rogers is 29 years old and recorded 39 tackles and seven sacks in 2007. Defensive end Corey Williams and wide receiver Donte Stallworth were the Browns’ other major additions. Stallworth was a key cog in New England’s potent passing attack a season ago and should fit right into the Browns’ system.

Veteran departures include cornerbacks Leigh Bodden, and Ricardo Colclough, defensive end Orpheus Roye, and linebacker Chaun Thompson.

Running back Jamal Lewis turns 29 in August, so he’s not over the hill just yet. He ran for over 1300 yards last season, though some seem to think he’s an injury concern. Since 2002 he’s missed a total of six games, and his lowest rushing yardage output was 906. There’s not much depth behind him, so he needs to stay healthy to keep pressure off of Derek Anderson.

Draft Analysis
The defensive line was a major concern after last season. The Browns finished tied for 26th with just 28 sacks and 25th against the pass, allowing 230.1 yards per game. They couldn’t stop the run either, allowing 129.5 yards per game, good for 27th.

Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers should go a long way toward solving both problems, but Cleveland had to give up its second and third round picks for them respectively. Williams, a pass-rushing tackle in Green Bay’s 4-3 scheme, should fit nicely as a rush end in Cleveland’s 3-4.

The Browns’ first pick wasn’t until the fourth round, when they selected UNLV linebacker James Bell. Bell is a big hitter who will add depth to the linebacker rotation.

Two of Cleveland’s five picks were used to add depth to the receiving group, which was sorely in need. Missouri tight end Martin Rucker will draw attention from starter Kellen Winslow, and Wisconsin’s Paul Hubbard will act as a security blanket for aging Joe Jurevicius. The other three picks, including Bell, were used on the defensive front seven.

Now that you read the Cleveland Browns preview check out the rest of the AFC North teams including the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers.

Related Pages:
Browns Official Site
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