One more time

For their stellar performances in the 51-45 win over the Bengals last week, Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis were named the FedEx Air & Ground players of the week. Anderson was also named AFC player of the week.


Don't look now, but the Browns offense is ranked 6th in the NFL in scoring, 7th in total yards, 8th in passing yards, and 9th in rushing yards and 5th in kick return average. Unfortunately, the defense is the exact opposite: 31st in points allowed, 32nd for total yards allowed, 30th for passing yards allowed, and 29th for rushing yards allowed. Of course the offensive explosion by both teams last week definitely skewed the numbers.


If you want to relive the game one more time, check out these great highlights from NFL.com.

The Browns are at the Raiders on Sunday, one of the few teams in the league that have been as bad as the Browns the last couple of seasons. Cleveland looks for back-to-back wins in the same season for the first time since 2003 when, coincidentally, they beat Oakland. The Raiders meanwhile have lost 11 in a row. I haven't seen them play this season, but know that Lamont Jordan is running the ball well and has had good games against Cleveland in the past. Oakland had the number 3 defense last year and has a lot of speed, as well as a few pro bowl players on the roster. Oh, and Gerard Warren too. "Big Money" was acquired in a trade with Denver near the end of the preseason, and will likely start this Sunday.

Browns roster ramblings and some predictions

Looking over the final roster, here are some random thoughts:

Best units:
1. Linebackers--Their youth could hurt at first, but they are fast with huge potential. Could develop into the one of the best LB corps in the league down the road.
2. Tight ends--KWII appears healthy, Heiden is always dependable, Dinkins provides depth.

Shakiest units:
1. Defensive line--The starting nose tackle is a year older and the guy being groomed as his replacement is unproven and starting at left end due to injury. Free agency and the draft changed a lot of faces, but can any of them play? Run defense has to be a huge concern.
2. Defensive backs--The talent is there if it is healthy, but that has been a big "if" the past two seasons. The Browns kept 10 DBs, 7 of them CBs for just this reason.
3. Running backs--Jamal Lewis has looked good, but can he carry the load all season, and if he gets hurt, can either of the remaining guys be a starter week in and week out?
4. Wide receivers--Braylon Edwards is talented, but inconsistent. Joe Jurecvicious is dependable, but not a star. Beyond those two, no one has stepped up. Someone needs to.

Most improved unit:
1. Offensive line--A couple years ago the Browns restocked the line with a bunch of past-their prime free agents. This season they rebuilt it with young free agents and draft choices. Steinbach, Thomas, and McKinney are a huge boost, and if Bentley comes back this line could be great.

Players that worry me the most:
1. Ted Washington--he struggled at times last season, with one front office exec saying "He's already retired, he just doesn't know it." His experience and tremendous size earn him the starting spot, but the skills just aren't there any more.
2. Phil Dawson--he struggled the last half of last season, missing 5 of his last 9, and also missed a couple of field goals during the preseason.

The next Browns Pro Bowlers: Kamerion Wimbley and Kellen Winslow

Browns Potential Pro Bowlers over the next few years: Sean Jones, Eric Steinbach, Joe Thomas, Leigh Bodden, Eric Wright, Leon Williams, Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn

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.

Browns FA Grades, Part 2--New Arrivals

• Eric Steinbach--G--One of the best lineman available in this free agency and the Browns biggest area of need. Not a superstar, but solid and young. Grade: A.
• Antwan Peek--LB--Quiet career so far. Just starting to blossom in Texans 3-4 when they switched to 4-3. Great upside. Grade: B+.
• Robaire Smith--DT/DE--Another casualty of the Texans switch to a 4-3. Should provide an upgrade over Alvin McKinley on the line. Grade: B+.
• Seth McKinney--C/G--After missing a year due to injury, not sure what level he be playing at, but may challenge for a starting spot, or at the least will serve as a versatile backup capable of playing any of the interior line positions. Grade: B.
• Shaun Smith--DT/NT--A career backup for the Bengals, Smith has good size & youth. Browns hoping that after a year learning from Ted Washington, he will be ready to start. Browns taking a gamble, but there is good upside and very little risk. Grade: B.
• Jamal Lewis--RB--I've had a hard time with this one. I've disliked Lewis for so long, its hard for me to now cheer for him. I think this is another gamble for the Browns, but with limited upside & more risk. The Browns already had a serviceable back in Reuben Droughns. Yes, he struggled last year, but the line was terrible and he was injured. Lewis has also seen his yards per carry decline each of the last 3 years. At best, Lewis will regain his old form, but it will still be behind a work-in-progress line. I just don't see him performing that much better than Droughns. Grade: C. I'm not grading this signing lower only because of he's younger than Droughns and was an elite RB in the past.
• Kenny Wright--CB--He was signed to bolster a position that has gone from one of the best to one of the shakiest on the team due to career-threatening injuries. He's not a superstar, but is almost certainly better than Ralph Brown. Grade: B-.
• Ryan Krause--TE--Signed from San Diego, Krause has only caught 5 passes in 3 years. Still, he is likely here due to his association with new O-coordinator Rob Chudzinski. With the re-signed of Steve Heiden, I don't see Krause contributing much this year. Grade: C.
• Mike Adams--S--Brought in to add depth at safety due to the departure of Brian Russell. Started 8 games for the 49ers last year. Could challenge for a starting spot. Grade: B-.
• Alan Ricard--FB--The lead blocker for Jamal Lewis during his glory years, but was out of football last year due to injuries. Could challenge for a starting spot. I'd prefer to have Terrelle Smith. Grade: B-.

OVERALL GRADE: B. The Browns didn't add many stars via free agency, but overall a solid group that addresses several needs and adds some depth. Past free agent classes have had bigger names, but mostly these were guys in the twilight of their career (Andruzzi, Coleman, Washington, McGinnest), who may have contributed leadership and wisdom, but not much on the field. This years group is younger, with more upside.

Top 10 Free agent moves

This article which appeared in the Detroit Free Press last week lists their opinion of the top 10 free agent moves so far.

They list the signing on Jamal Lewis as #6 and the signing of Eric Steinbach as #8. Personally I would have listed those the other way around. Among trades, they rank the Droughns-Carter trade at #4.