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The 2008 Cleveland Browns were a complete disaster finishing 4-12 and bringing up the rear in the AFC North. The teams meltdown cost Head Coach Romeo Crennell his job and he was subsequently replaced by one half of the Belichick deciphels that NFL Network's Jamie Dukes so eloquently refers to as "Mickey and Mouse" Eric "The Mangenious" Mangini. Mangini looks to take a team that seemed on the verge of playoff contention a couple of years ago to that very level. Let's examine the Browns fantasy potential heading into 2009.
The first thing the Browns must decide is who their starting QB is going to be and at press time this has not been decided. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are in an open competition although Quinn is said to be in the lead. Quite frankly, I don't understand why the Browns won't give Quinn a chance. This will be his 3rd year and he has hardly played at all. Why spend a first round pick on him if you don't intend to play him?? Quinn is obviously smart and while not having the arm strength of Anderson I believe is the better overall QB. I wanted the Raiders to draft him a few years ago ahead of JaMarcus Russell and you are seeing why as Russell's play has been less than inspiring. I am assuming whether it is Quinn or Anderson starting for the Browns this year both should be available on the waiver wire after your draft. Don't spend a pick on either but monitor the situation early on.
It appears that RB Jamal Lewis is on the downside of his career. Lewis had a nice first year with the Browns in 2007 but regressed in '08 rushing for 1002 yards and only 4 TD's while averaging a paltry 3.6 ypc. Lewis will be 30 when the season starts and I wouldn't count on him as anything more than a number 4 back. For example, if you are faced with making a decision between Lewis and Cincinnati's Cedric Benson I would go Benson all the way. He is younger, has more to prove, and will see the majority of carries. Lewis on the other hand is done and with the exception of possibly taking a flier on Joshua Cribbs very late no other Browns RB is worthy of a draft selection come August.
Although a multitude of rumors had WR Braylon Edwards out of Cleveland it appears that the former Michigan product will be back with the Browns this year. Edwards was the worst possible nightmare for fantasy owners last year after his breakout 2007 campaign where he caught 80 passes for 1289 yards and 16 TD's. Edwards was one of the worst busts of last year posting only 873 yards and 3 TD's with countless dropped passes. In my estimation Edwards is too good to have that happen again and I believe that he is one of if not the best value picks of 2009. Edwards is going ridiculously late in the mock drafts that I have been doing sometimes in the 7th-8th round range. Trust me he will rebound this year and if Quinn is the QB I believe he could revert to his former Pro Bowl days. The bottom line is while I don't believe that he will go for 16 TD's this year I look for Edwards to find the end zone at least 10 times and to post about 1100-1200 yards with many fewer drops. I wouldn't count on much from any of the other Browns receivers at this time. Dante Stallworth has massive legal issues in Florida after killing a man driving drunk in Miami a few months ago. The fact that team drafted Brian Robiskie out of Ohio State and Mohamed Massaquoi from Georgia signifies the team's admission of the need for help at the position. Obviously, neither are worth drafting but keep an eye on how they start off as both will see playing time early and often. As the year progresses one or both may be worth adding off of the waiver wire. The Browns traded headache TE Kellen Winslow to the Bucs leaving the team with Steve Heiden and Robert Royal for 2009. Heiden may have some sleeper potential in 2009 especially if Quinn is the QB while Royal at times was a nice Red Zone target at times in Buffalo. That being said Royal is not worth drafting and Heiden is nothing more than a bye week replacement at best presently.
In terms of the Browns DST Cribbs gives the unit some appeal with his return ability but the defence as a whole has far too many holes to consider is a number one DST option. Much in the way Cincinatti's Shayne Graham is Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson is serviceable but beware that he will be kicking in brutal conditions once fantasy crunch time comes rolling around.
In summary, I love Edwards to rebound this year but other than that look at other teams rather than the Browns when looking for players to fill out your 2009 fantasy roster. Next up: The Baltimore Ravens.
Chris Limburg is the fantatical purveyor of OaklandRaidersCentral.com: A Oakland Raiders/Fantasy Football blog that provides commentary on everything that is the NFL. Sign up for my free newsletter at http://www.oaklandraiderscentral.com and receive my fantasy football e-course that will prepare you for your draft and enable you to dominate your league in 2009.
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