NFL Predictions 2009: No team in the league had a busier or more tumultuous off-season than the Cleveland Browns. The franchise changed coaches, saw a receiver convicted of second degree manslaughter, was sued by a former player, and had as much roster turnover as any team in the NFL. Not surprisingly, not much is expected of the Browns this season; however, they are currently being favored to finish with over 6.5 wins in SBGglobal.com's Cleveland Browns NFL Predictions 2009.
The first thing the Browns did this off-season was fire Head Coach Romeo Crenell. Crenell had one winning season for the team, a 10-6 finish in 2007. He never had more than six wins in any other year and the team never reached the post-season under his watch. They finished 4-12 last year and went 1-5 against AFC North opposition.
The second thing the franchise did was hire former Jets coach Eric Mangini. The Bill Belichick disciple amassed a 23-25 record in three seasons with the Jets, and he took the team to the playoffs in 2006 after finishing second in the AFC East with a 10-6 record.
Mangini has two starting caliber quarterbacks on his roster in Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in 2007 after throwing for 3787 yards and 29 touchdowns, but he was miserable last year in 13 starts, tossing a total of 1615 yards while throwing just nine touchdowns to eight interceptions. Quinn took over for Anderson in week 10 and produced a 66.6 passer rating in three starts. He was sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a broken finger in week 12 against the Texans.
Mangini has stated the two players will be in an open competition for the starting role once training camp gets underway.
The Browns offense, regardless of who starts at quarterback, would be hard pressed to equal last year's incompetence. After producing 25 points and 315 yards per game in 2007, Cleveland fell to 14.5 points and 249 yards per outing last season. The team has a number of new faces to help turn things around, including tight end Robert Royal, who will take over for Kellen Winslow (traded to Tampa Bay), as well as receivers David Patten and Mike Furrey.
The Browns defense was not much better than their offensive cohorts. Granted they suffered from the offense's inability to stay on the field, but that was not the only reason they gave up 356.5 yards per game. Opponents gashed the besieged unit for an average of 151.9 yards per game on the ground and they went up top on the secondary for 204.6 per contest.
Cleveland saw seven defenders leave the fold, including Willie McGinest and Andra Davis, but they welcomed cornerbacks Corey Ivy and Hank Poteat, linebackers Eric Barton and Bo Ruud, defensive tackle C.J. Mosley, and defensive ends Kenyon Coleman and David Bowens.
The Browns open up their 2009 football season with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings. They then hit the road in weeks two and three to face Denver and Baltimore before returning home in week four to square off against the Bengals.
SBGglobal.com Cleveland Browns NFL Predictions 2009 – Super Bowl Odds 2010:
Cleveland Browns Season Win Total:
Over 6.5 (-120)
Under 6.5 (-110)
Cleveland Browns Odds to Win AFC North Division:
+1375
Cleveland Browns Odds to Win 2010 AFC Championship:
+2800
Cleveland Browns Super Bowl Odds 2010:
+5000
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