What a difference a week makes!

Last week at this time, I didn't want to talk about, write about, or even think about the Browns after their horrible performance against the Steelers. I was shocked at how badly the team and especially Charlie Frye looked. It seemed that it would be another long miserable year, and it still might.

After making the unprecedented trade that sent Frye to Seattle just days later, the Browns named Derek Anderson their starter, Brady Quinn the backup, and re-signed Ken Dorsey to hold the clipboard. Honestly, I think that this is the QB lineup that the Browns wanted all along, but Anderson's poor performance in the preseason didn't give them justification to trade Frye. Plus, there were differences of opinion within the organization, as Romeo Crennel preferred Frye's experience, while offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski preferred Anderson and his strong arm. After Frye's performance against Pittsburgh, in which he looked tentative and confused, the Browns had the justification they needed to trade him, without a huge backlash from the fans. Still, its unbelievable that a guy could win a QB competition, start week 1, and get benched and traded before week 2.

In steps Derek Anderson as the #1 QB on the depth chart for the first time in his career, and what an entrance he made. He threw for 5 TD passes, over 300 yards, and was named AFC offensive player of the week. Actually the entire team looked great--Jamal Lewis ran for 200+ yards, the offensive line opened big holes and didn't surrender a sack, and Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow had career days and finally lived up to their first round draft status.

I live in Cincinnati, and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed going into the office this much on a Monday morning. Those Bungles fans that were so cocky last week have been very humble this week. The talk radio in Cincy has been hilarious as well, as it seems the entire city is hopping off the band wagon and calling for Marvin Lewis to be fired. All in all a great week to be a Browns fan.

If the offense can play half that good the rest of year, and the defense can get a little bit better, this will be a very enjoyable season.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

It's great to have football back again! What a long off-season. On a couple of occassions I have found myself watching the 2nd half of preseason games of teams I have absolutely no interest in, just to get a football fix.

I've been away for awhile, but here's my take on the first few weeks of training camp:

The good:

• Getting Joe Thomas and Eric Wright into training camp on time. This is huge. Both have looked good, and will likely start week 1
• Getting healthy--Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow have practiced and so far have suffered no setbacks.
• The LBs--Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Antwan Peek, and Chaun Thompson are quietly having a nice camp.

The bad:

• Injuries--as always, the Browns have been bit by the injury bug already. Nothing season ending, but of note: Eric Steinbach, Orpheus Roye, Willie McGinest, and Leigh Bodden have all been slowed. Bodden worries me the most since it seems to suggest that his ankles have not heeled and may plague him all season.
• Brady Quinn's holdout--its never good for a 1st rounder to holdout, especially when its a QB.
• The WRs--Josh Cribbs is the #3 receiver not because he has been that good, but because the guys supposed to challenge for the spot (Travis Wilson & Tim Carter) have either been hurt or can't hold onto the ball.

The ugly:

• The QB competition--I had hoped that the starter could be named following the 2nd preseason game, but so far that's not the case--and its not because they are both playing so well. Neither Charlie Frye nor Derek Anderson look worthy of starting.
• LeCharles Bentley--I love that he is trying to come back and is progressing so well, but the Browns have not exactly been welcoming him back with open arms--their response has been odd. Seems like something fishy is going on behind the scenes here. I hope I'm wrong.

The case against drafting a QB

As I've said before, I hope that the Browns don't draft a quarterback in the first round, for a couple of reasons.

First, taking a QB is risky, as they tend to have a high probability of being a bust regardless of their college resume. Taking one early in the first round only means that a team must spend millions in guaranteed money before they know if they have a bust. An analysis on ESPN.com's Page 2 shows that since 1989, QBs drafted in the first round have been busts 53% of the time. I don't like those odds, and the Browns have been anything but lucky lately. This team cannot take the risk of wasting millions of dollars and several more years of mediocrity with so many other glaring needs.

Second, Charlie Frye (or possibly Derek Anderson) has not been given time to establish himself. The team committed to Frye as their QB of the future just 2 years ago, and it is too early to give up on that. True, he has won only 5 of his 18 starts, but Peyton Manning only won 4 of his first 18. In order for a young QB to be successful he needs time, a healthy, semi-talented offensive line, and a stable offensive system in place. Frye hasn't had any of these. I don't love Frye, but he's not the worst QB I've seen either.

Draft needs

Looking at the team following the recent free-agent acquisitions, I think the biggest team needs, in order are:

1. Offensive line--free agency made it better, but still no stars.
2. Defensive line--same story. Could use a young end and dominate nose tackle.
3. Cornerback--what seemed to be the strongest spot a year ago has been devastated by injury.
4. Running back--Jamal Lewis is a big question mark and is only signed for 1 season.
5. Quarterback--Neither Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson looked like the answer last season, but between the awful line and change in offensive coordinator even Peyton Manning would have looked bad.
6. Wide receiver--Braylon Edwards is talented, but a distraction last year. Joe Jurevicius is solid but probably only has a few years left. Travis Wilson barely saw the field last year and Tim Carter has yet to live up to his billing.

At CB & DL there are no players worthy of being drafted #3, so unless the Browns trade down, its likely they will take one of the "fab five": QB JaMarcus Russell, QB Brady Quinn, RB Adrian Peterson, OT Joe Thomas, and WR Calvin Johnson.