Bring on Tampa Bay!!

Why, you ask, is the Brown Log optimistic about the 2010 season? While we don't see the Browns getting into the playoffs this year, a team that competes every Sunday, and 7 or 8 wins are well within reach. Such a major step forward would be great compared to the humiliation we had to endure last year.

It is true that Coach Mangini is still learning and hopefully growing as a head coach, but the jury is still out as to whether or not Mangini can lead a team to a Super Bowl win, so, why all the optimism?? There is one major reason, Mike Holmgren. In contrast to last year, what our Browns do have now is steady leadership at the top. Holmgren's first major move was the signing of Jake Delhomme, and this move should be the key to our turnaround. The quarterback is the key to a team's offensive success in the NFL. A successful QB understands what the opponent's defense is trying to do, and is able to make the right decisions, play after play. By moving the ball, avoiding turnovers, grinding down the clock and scoring some points, the QB controls the pace and outcome. It was clear all preseason long that the Browns are in good hands with Jake Delhomme and that should make a huge difference this year, especially if "Coach" can stay out of the way.

"My own belief is this team needs an aging veteran," Mike Holmgren told reporters earlier this year with reference to Delhomme. "They need a guy who's going to grab everybody by the throat and say, 'Follow me through that door.' That's what we need."

BL Predicts: Week One vs Tampa Bay

Playing on the road in the NFL is NEVER easy, I don't care who you line up against. That stated, this Sunday's opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be struggling with inexperience and lack of depth.

The Browns defense must pressure young Tampa QB Josh Freeman, something they've struggled with all pre-season. My guess is we will see the Browns aggresively blitzing in the right moments and Tampa will be hard pressed to protect Freeman.

The Browns should be able to execute against Tampa's D which will likely pay less attention to the Browns inexperienced and unproven wideouts, loading the middle of the field to stop the run and short passing game of Delhomme. Our bet is Delhomme will be able to find spots in the short passing game and move the ball.

An early key to get an idea of how Tampa will fare can be had by keeping a close eye on Buccaneers new defensive linemen, first round pick Gerard McCoy and second round pick Brian Price (both are pictured below). If McCoy and Price are disruptive the Browns will have trouble running and passing upfield and that would spell big trouble and a long day for the Browns.

Game keys
- Pressuring the QB: Slight edge to Tampa Bay
- QB decision making: Strong edge to the Browns


BL Predicts: Browns 23 Tampa Bay 17

One more pre-season game and then its primetime

with one game to go in the preseason, it's clear that there is much to be pleased about with our Browns. Fundamentally, our first team offense has had no trouble all pre-season moving the ball. That is a strong contrast to last year's regular season in which the Browns offense was non-existent. Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are a major upgrade over Quinn and Anderson. So scoring doesn't look to be an issue.

Where we do have a major problem, as this article from the Lorain Journal aptly points out, is on the defensive line. A couple of stats that will scare anyone. So far this pre-season there have been 96 passes thrown against the Browns and we've managed to sack the QB one time. Worse, the starting QBs of Green Bay, St Louis and Detroit completed a whopping 83% of their passes thrown.

Houston we have a problem.

If Shaun Rogers ever returns that will help but for the moment, nobody has a clue as to when that will be. On the plus side on D, our defensive backs have been great. Ward and Haden are a major talent upgrade and will contribute this year in a big way.

Other observations from the Lions game. Colt McCoy certainly firmed up his status as the number 3 QB with a decent showing, though he still struggled to move the team when a score was needed and the pressure was on. In any case, he also showed some flashes of his potential. He made the team Saturday and like most young QB's he simply needs time to develop.

Browns vs Cardinals

Even though the Browns lost to the Cardinals 19-17, the second exhibition game of the season brought more good news than bad.

On the positive side, Jake Delhomme continued to show he can lead the Browns offense and that is of major import to the success of this years team. On offense, the only negatives were rookies. Carlton Mitchell once again struggled. Against Green Bay he couldn't get open and against the Rams he dropped the two passes thrown his way. Wide receiver is probably too critical a position to invest in Mitchell while he learns on the job, I'm afraid he is headed towards the waiver wire even if I still believe his upside will eventually result in a permanent NFL job. Colt also looked bad, though it's clear the Browns will give him the time he needs to help him adjust to the speed at which the NFL game is played. For now Colt is clearly out of his league.

On D, the line must improve. Right now our defense is weak and it is the defensive line play that is the source of the problem. Shaun Rogers return will help but not enough.

game 2 preseason: Browns vs Rams

The Browns face off against the Rams tonight in their second exhibition game.It will be interesting to see if they can build on the Green Bay game. Everyone realizes that this is the exhibition season but the Green Bay game in any case gave some very good reasons for all Browns fans to breath a sigh of relief. It can only be seen as positive that the Browns were well organized and ready to play against Green Bay. Against St Louis what we should look for is progress. Can the Browns defense put pressure on Sam Bradford. Will Jake Delhomme look good playing a few more series. Can the Browns passing attack stretch the field a bit more.

All important questions, let's see how it goes.

Why Delhomme tanked last year

here is an article with some interesting insights into why Jake Delhomme had such a bad year last year. As we get to the bottom of the story it really does become apparent how difficult it is to be a successful QB in the NFL and it also gives real hope that Delhomme can benefit from the experience and have a decent year with the Browns.

Delhomme's success is very important not only because we want to win now, but also because the ideal scenario for the Browns is to let young Colt McCoy stay on the bench his first year or two and absorb the complexities of the game without any pressure to perform. It's not often mentioned, but Brian Sipe actually was on the taxi squad his first two years with the Browns, and even Sipe himself states that this was a blessing.

Who is the Brown's QB??

Why is it that Eric Mangini loves to have QB controversies???

And let the hyperbole begin!

Coach Mangini says in USA Today that Jake Delhomme reminds him of Brett Favre.... Yes indeed Coach Eric, let the hyperbole fly!

It's a bit difficult to agree with Eric Mangini that Jake Delhomme is on par with one of the greatest QBs in the history of the entire NFL. But that stated, the Brown Log does not count themselves among the Delhomme sceptics. Delhomme is a proven QB, with Super Bowl experience, coming off of one tough year. I think the odds are very good that Delhomme will be successful. Cleveland is a working man's town where people don't expect a pat on the back for a hard day's work. In that sense, the unassuming Delhomme fits right in and more importantly, he's also a pretty damn good QB.

The signing spree continues

The Browns continued their March signing spree by picking up veteran QB Jake Delhomme. Interesting to note that 3 of the 4 free agent players the Browns have signed this month have Super Bowl experience. Could it be that Randy Lerner has decided that the non salary cap year of 2010, pending the 2011 work stoppage, might be his best chance to win a Super Bowl for Cleveland? Consider that most NFL teams right now are sitting tight and not spending, while Mike Holmgren has been extraordinarily active. It's a very good sign.

It's probably a bit early but I'm starting to get excited about 2010. The signings made to date at a minimum are going to make the Browns very competitive in 2010, furthermore they will free Holmgren to draft players in the upcoming draft, who can contribute immediately. We all know that a QB drafted in round 1 almost always needs a year or two to develop but a linebacker, DB, WR or RB can almost always hit the ground running from day one.