Later Cardinals, Lions and Raiders. It's Been Real
Monday, March 3, 2008
How often can you find a 27 year old in his prime in Round 2 of the draft?Watching a team year after year that could exceed expectations by going .500 is no fun. One of the only comforting things when you're stuck in this sports fan's hell (this could probably be Chapter 8 in Dante's Inferno), is knowing that there are other teams out there as helpless, hopeless, and lost as your own. In my formative years Bernie was taking the Browns AFC championship game, and you could always count on the Falcons, both Bay teams, and the Saints to fill the role of laughable losers. The Bungles had one of the most prolific runs in the toilet bowl before drafting Mr. Palmer to slightly steady the ship (which at this point looks like it could end up right back in Davey Jone's locker).
Now that the Browns have opened free agency with big trades and signings and re-signings, I think we can officially turn the page from perennial laughing stock losers to perennial playoff contenders. It feels good. The Brownies went 10-6 last year despite a Swiss cheese run defense. In order to maintain their offensive juggernaut, they resigned pro-bowl QB Derek Anderson to deal that still leaves the door open for Brady Quinn if DA proves to be a one hit wonder. They resigned Jamal Lewis, the big back that you need in December in the AFC North. Then they went out and signed Donte' Stallworth to fill the number 2 receiver spot which was a bigger need than many realize since sure handed Joe Jurevicius has indicated he might only have one more season left in him. For those keeping score at home, that's an offense two deep at QB surrounded by weapons Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, Stallworth, Lewis, Jurevicius and Josh Cribbs. The offensive line has gone from crap on a stick to pretty damn good since Joe Thomas and Erie Steinbach came on board. And it's all run by young mastermind offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a.k.a. "Chud." I like Chud's nickname almost as much as I like his offense.
Offense, however, is the least of the Browns worries. That bend and break defense is the concern. Here's a summary of the Brown's D for the past 6 years. Couldn't stop the run, no pass rush, and they loved giving up huge plays. Somehow, this lackluster unit caught wily Browns' GM Phil Savage's eye as an area to improve this offseason. He traded a second round pick for 27 year old, 6'-4," 320 lb. Corey Williams from the Packers. Williams will start immediately at D-end, and come inside in 4-3 situations. Not satisfied, Savage traded the Browns 3rd round pick and CB Leigh Bodden (who wanted a huge contract even though his play has been on a steady decline from the days when he shut down Chad Johnson consistently), for mammoth D-tackle Shaun Rogers from the Lions. Rogers brings some baggage (weight and motivation concerns) along with his 2 pro-bowl selections, but he is better than anything the Brownies were throwing out there last year, and is still just 28.
I'm in the camp that says that you can't build an offense until you have a good line, and you can't build a defense without a good defensive line (even in the 3-4). I am excited. Did Savage trade away most of the Browns draft? Sure, but he looks at the 2008 Browns draft like this: 1st round, Brady Quinn, possible QB of future. 2nd round, Corey Williams, hard working defensive lineman in his prime. 3rd round, Shaun Rogers, starting nose tackle and former pro-bowler and still only 28 years old. I'll take it.
Instead of articles about the coach, GM, Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator being on the hot seat this offseason, the Browns now get articles like this from Peter King and this from Pro-Football Weekly. What's that Chris Mortensen? Did you say Super Bowl run? Life is good, and I thank you Raiders, Cardnials and Lions fans, for making our stay in the NFL cellar more bearable. Our exit leaves an opening in the world of bottom feeders, and I see the Jets (although Cecilio's Scribe seems excited about the Jets offseason to date), 49ers, Falcons and Chiefs as the most likely to crawl right in there. Play nice with your new friends everybody.
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