Browns 2015 Offseason Thread

[Randolphkeys]

I would be high on them, too, if they had a fucking QB. That's really the issue here, folks.

I think this team will struggle to get out of the bottom 5 of the league this year.

My optimistic side says: Strong offensive line, strong pass rush and pass defense, running back depth. I saw the Redskins and Ravens win two Super Bowls each with bottom half of the league starting QBs and that combination. The question for me is if the passing game can at least keep the opponent honest. The other question is if Danny Shelton (the right pick in my eyes) is enough to fix that run defense. If they can, the Browns might not embarrass themselves.

 

[Mr. Orange]

I think this team will struggle to get out of the bottom 5 of the league this year.

My optimistic side says: Strong offensive line, strong pass rush and pass defense, running back depth. I saw the Redskins and Ravens win two Super Bowls each with bottom half of the league starting QBs and that combination. The question for me is if the passing game can at least keep the opponent honest. The other question is if Danny Shelton (the right pick in my eyes) is enough to fix that run defense. If they can, the Browns might not embarrass themselves.

The schedule is just so so tough this year. It's entirely possible that we don't win a game after week 3.

 

[MoFlo]

The schedule is just so so tough this year. It's entirely possible that we don't win a game after week 3.

Didn't everyone think this going into last season too, because we were set to play the "dominant" NFC South?

Not saying it'll be the same this season, but just goes to show that strength of schedule can change pretty quickly and rather dramatically.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Didn't everyone think this going into last season too, because we were set to play the "dominant" NFC South?

Not saying it'll be the same this season, but just goes to show that strength of schedule can change pretty quickly and rather dramatically.

Fair point. I really hope the D can keep us in some games. I imagine we will see another "between the 20s" offense and not score many points.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Didn't everyone think this going into last season too, because we were set to play the "dominant" NFC South?

Not saying it'll be the same this season, but just goes to show that strength of schedule can change pretty quickly and rather dramatically.

...and with that early spark, finished 7th to last.

 

[Otsego Mar]

I think this team will struggle to get out of the bottom 5 of the league this year.

My optimistic side says: Strong offensive line, strong pass rush and pass defense, running back depth. I saw the Redskins and Ravens win two Super Bowls each with bottom half of the league starting QBs and that combination. The question for me is if the passing game can at least keep the opponent honest. The other question is if Danny Shelton (the right pick in my eyes) is enough to fix that run defense. If they can, the Browns might not embarrass themselves.

With or without McCown starting?

Is there really any reason to start McCown?

 

[Ohio]

Fair point. I really hope the D can keep us in some games. I imagine we will see another "between the 20s" offense and not score many points.

You can count on it.

Is there really any reason to start McCown?

No.

 

[Ohio]

I think this team will struggle to get out of the bottom 5 of the league this year.

It's entirely possible that we don't win a game after week 3.

Spoiler

 

[CBBI]

If McCown can avoid being extremely turnover prone and the team gets a string of good fortune with injuries for once, they will have another competitive season. I don't like to predict records, but anywhere from 5-9 wins is possible.

If McCown is really bad or they have to go to Manziel and he's really bad, they're looking at 1-4 wins.

 

[Huber.]

If McCown can avoid being extremely turnover prone and the team gets a string of good fortune with injuries for once, they will have another competitive season. I don't like to predict records, but anywhere from 5-9 wins is possible.

If McCown is really bad or they have to go to Manziel and he's really bad, they're looking at 1-4 wins.

So, what you're saying is if we don't have bad QB play, we won't be a bad team?

 

[ajz20]

I think calling the Browns a dog shit team is significantly too far overboard.

They are a decent team, a good team with no QB. They'll win their share of games, but they have a limited ceiling.

Spot on . There are some real building blocks and if the QB situation is addressed in April, we could be looking at a nice window starting in 2016.

 

[CBBI]

So, what you're saying is if we don't have bad QB play, we won't be a bad team?

Pretty obvious, eh?

The rest of the team outside of QB I'd consider very good/good/good enough to win right now, including coaching. There aren't any glaring weaknesses from what I can see, outside of QB.

 

[Phills14]

Didn't everyone think this going into last season too, because we were set to play the "dominant" NFC South?

Not saying it'll be the same this season, but just goes to show that strength of schedule can change pretty quickly and rather dramatically.

Bingo- The NFC South was supposed to be super tough last year and everyone said we were going to lose all 4 games. Well no one in the division finished over .500 and the Browns took 3 of the 4 games.

Injuries happen. Bad coaching happens. Disgruntled players happen. It's hard to predict before the season starts who are the real contenders and who aren't.

 

[Huber.]

Pretty obvious, eh?

The rest of the team outside of QB I'd consider very good/good/good enough to win right now, including coaching. There aren't any glaring weaknesses from what I can see, outside of QB.

It seems like we say that before every season and by the end of the season we come up with a laundry list of needs.

 

[Spectre]

I just can’t get excited about this team. I know I’m beating a dead horse, but I really don’t believe we can have high expectations with the starting QB we have on the roster.

McCown has been with 9 different NFL teams and was out of the league at one point. He’s started over 10 games twice in his 12-year career and has never finished a season. He’s thrown for more TDs than INTs in 2 of the 8 seasons he took a snap. His 2013 total of 13 TDs was a career high. He was benched and cut by the worst team in football last year.
Our defense is great. Our offensive line is stellar. Our running back depth is fantastic. None of that covers for the fact that we’re starting an NFL journeyman at QB and having him throw to mediocre weapons.

Great defense and terrible QB play is a recipe for mediocrity at best and if we get off to a slow start, look out below.