2009 Recap: Cleveland Browns

In Romeo Crennel’s final season in 2008, the Browns finished with a terrible 4-12 record and he was subsequently fired along with general manager Phil Savage. Eric Mangini, the former Jets coach, was hired to turn over the roster and lead the team to only its third winning season since 1999.

As the free agency period began, Mangini set out to bring in former Jets players including linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens, defensive end C.J. Mosley, and cornerback Hank Poteat.

Despite having limited playmakers on offense, Mangini shipped out oft-injured tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a second round pick in the 2009 draft and fifth round pick in the 2010 draft.

Armed with the fifth overall pick and with prominent prospects such as wide receiver Michael Crabtree, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, and quarterback Mark Sanchez on the board, the Browns surprisingly traded the pick to none other than the New York Jets who selected Sanchez as their franchise quarterback. After trading down multiple times in the first round, the team finally made its first selection by taking center Alex Mack with the 21st pick. In the second round, they picked up two receivers in Brian Robiskie of Ohio State and Mohamed Massaquoi of Georgia. Receiver was a big need especially after starter Donte Stallworth was suspended and also jailed after killing a pedestrian in a car accident.

Once again quarterback was a major issue for the Browns. Neither 2007 first round pick Brady Quinn nor 2007 Pro Bowler Derek Anderson could string together any semblance of consistent performances.

Besides their quarterback fiasco, an aging Jamal Lewis was the only experienced running back, wide receiver Braylon Edwards continued to disappoint, and both rookie receivers failed to live up to their draft expectations.

In their first four games, all losses, the team averaged a miserable 12.25 points. Even in their first win against the Bills in week five, they won by a paltry score of 6-3.

After the losing streak, Edwards was shipped off to the Jets for several players and two draft picks.

Once again the offense struggled and the team went on a seven game losing streak which featured back to back blowouts against the Packers, Bears, and Ravens by a combined score of 77-9.

Surprisingly, things turned around at the end of the season as the Browns reeled off four consecutive wins against the Steelers, Chiefs, Raiders, and Jaguars to finish the year at 5-11.

It doesn’t say much when your best quarterback has a rating of 67.2 Quinn threw for a paltry 1,339 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in ten games.
Anderson continued to regress from his remarkable 2007 season, throwing for a mere 888 yards and a pitiful three touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Lewis, who ran for at least 1,000 yards in seven of his eight NFL seasons, lasted only nine games in 2009, rushing for 500 yards and only 3.5 yards per carry and no touchdowns. However, the biggest surprise of the season came in the form of fourth year back Jerome Harrison. Although he came into the league in 2006, Harrison had only 77 carries in three seasons before busting out for 862 yards in only seven starts including a Browns’ record 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs. He followed that performance up with 148 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders and 127 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Special teams demon Josh Cribbs also gained 381 yards on the ground for a 6.9 yards per carry average.

Massaquoi led the team with only 34 receptions for 624 yards and three touchdowns. Robiskie was a huge disappointment despite being billed as the most polished receiver in the 2009 draft. He only caught seven passes for 106 yards.

Cribbs was the team’s best player although most of his damage was done in the kick return game. He averaged 27.5 yards per return while scoring three touchdowns. On punt returns, he was equally as dangerous, averaging 11.9 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, the offense ranked 29th in scoring at 15.3 points per game. They had the worst passing attack but did rank eighth in rushing.

Known for his defensive mind, Mangini’s unit was not impressive. The defense really missed middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson who missed the last 10 games due to a shoulder injury. Without Jackson, the defense finished the year ranked 28th in rush defense.

Nose tackle Shaun Rogers still played well when healthy, but he suffered through a nagging ankle injury, finishing with 36 tackles and two sacks. Corey Williams, who was acquired for a second round pick before the 2008 season, continued to underwhelm.

Former first round pick Kamerion Wimbley posted 6.5 sacks from his outside linebacker position, however, he has never put up the numbers he did in his rookie season when he recorded 11 sacks. Bowens added 5.5 sacks for a unit that surprisingly ranked eighth in the category.

In the secondary, third year pro Eric Wright tied for the team with four interceptions with safety Brodney Pool. The defense recorded only 10 interceptions which ranked 29th.

Mangini was able to save his job as Mike Holmgren took over in a Bill Parcells type role, however, the team’s roster is truly devoid of playmaking talent. The team is attempting to sign Cribbs to a new deal while they still don’t know if they have a starting quarterback on their roster. Besides Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas and perhaps Harrison and Massaquoi, there isn’t much hope for the offense as it stands now. The Browns will need to make the most of their draft picks in 2010 to infuse this roster with some exciting talent.

Off-Season Issues to Address:

1. Quarterback: Quinn and Anderson have failed to make an impression on anyone. Holmgren has had the privilege of working with big time quarterbacks including Joe Montana, Steve Young, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselback so he certainly has the knowledge and experience in training future stars. The team will have to determine whether either Quinn or Anderson can lead this team in 2010.

2. Cornerback: Wright is a solid number two at best, but besides him, the Browns have next to nothing at the position. Many mock drafts and football experts have the Browns taking Florida cornerback Joe Haden with their first round pick. Haden is an extremely skilled, shutdown corner who is far and away the best in this class. He would be a great fit for the defense and should immediately start.

3. Receiver: Linebacker could have been here but the team does have some depth at that position. However, after trading Edwards, the team has a big void at the receiver position. Chansi Stuckey is a number three receiver and Massaquoi and Robiskie may never end up being anything better than second or third receivers. Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant is the top receiver available who could easily go in the top 10 if he tests and interviews well at the combine. Atop the second round, the team could look at Notre Dame’s Golden Tate, Illinois’ Arrelious Benn and LSU’s Brandon LaFell.