Cleveland Browns Team Report by Chris Smith
| Cle Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
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#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
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Quarterbacks Starter - Tim Couch Backups - Kelly Holcomb, Josh Booty Starting Quarterback: For the first time in his brief career, Tim Couch has everything around him the same for two straight seasons. Every year, Couch has had to deal with changes such as new coaching and new offensive philosophy. It is hard enough to be an NFL quarterback without trying to deal with that. Couch is ready to lead the Browns into the playoffs. He is a talented player who should break out with his best season as a professional quarterback. His receivers are no longer green and untested and there is at least a promise of a better running attack than what he has suffered through so far. Even a decent running game will help to take pressure off of his shoulders. Footballguys has him with over 3200 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. Backup Quarterback(s): Couch better stay healthy because the backup situation in Cleveland is scary. Neither Kelly Holcomb nor Josh Booty is going to make opposing defenses quake with fear and the team would suffer greatly if they are forced to play either player. Holcomb is capable of holding the fort for a quarter or even a game but there is no way he can keep the team afloat over a long period. Running Backs Starter - ? In contention - William Green, Jamel White, James Jackson Backups- J.J. Johnson Running Backs: Everybody thought William Green was a guaranteed starter for the Browns. However he signed late, is dinged up and is facing stiff competition from Jamel White. Green is a big, strong back who should eventually emerge as the starting running back but he needs to get a little tougher and stop letting nagging injuries affect his game at the professional level. Green has a profusion of talent and he is the only running back the team has that can make a noticeable different when it comes to the Browns ability to run the ball. Jamel White is a nice change of pace runner with awesome quickness. However he appears to be another back such as Kevin Faulk of the Patriots. He is not really suited to be an every down player. James Jackson is also a possibility but he will have to pull off the training camp of his life to make the leap to the top of the charts. It seems that Jackson has more confidence than ability and he will likely to a backup to both White and Green. Both backs are supposedly neck and neck for the running back job. However it is more than likely a ploy to give Green a much needed kick in the pants. The team knows that they need William Green in the lineup if they are to reach the next level as a team. Footballguys believes that Green will ultimately be the starter and will run for over 1000 yards. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters- Kevin Johnson, Quincy Morgan Backups - Dennis Northcutt, Andre Davis, JaJuan Dawson Starting Receiver(s): Kevin Johnson has terrific chemistry with Browns quarterback Tim Couch. The only time Johnson has struggled as a pro receiver is when Couch went down with injury two seasons ago. Johnson is consistent with good hands and great route running. He will remain the top receiving option for the team. Quincy Morgan is the biggest receiver on the Browns and is ready to make a serious contribution to the team. He has improved all aspects of his game during the past off-season and was very highly regarded coming out of Kansas State. He will become a dependable target for the team in 2002 and could be a valuable fantasy backup for owners this year. Backup Receiver(s): There is a nice battle shaping up in Cleveland for the third and fourth receiver positions. It was thought that Northcutt would likely be cut from the team this year but he has turned around his game and is becoming the player the Browns thought he could be. However he is in a battle with draft pick Andre Davis and veteran JaJuan Dawson for the right to be the third receiver in the offense. As of right now, Footballguys have rookie Davis in the lead to get the most work from this trio but keep a close eye on this training camp battle because any of the three could emerge from the pack. Tight End(s): Ricky Dudley, Aaron Shea, Mark Campbell - Most people have forgotten that Ricky Dudley is even in the league still. However Dudley does bring talent and athletic ability to the field when he is motivated and healthy. He can get open on the field and runs solid routes. His problem has always been focus and concentration when it comes to hauling in the pass. He is a serviceable fantasy backup in fantasy football. Aaron Shea and Mark Campbell are the backups. Shea in particular will see some action but his fantasy value is not very high. Don't consider drafting him. Place Kicker Phil Dawson: Dawson is a good kicker who could end up a fantasy surprise this year. He only missed three field goals a year ago including just one in his final twenty attempts. He is consistent and will score points if the opportunity presents itself. Defense Defense: The Browns defense has the talent to become the top unit in the NFL this year. The defensive line is reminiscent of the dominant units of yesteryear such as the Fearsome Foursome and the Purple People Eaters. The units consists of Kenard Lang, Courtney Brown, Gerald Warren and Mark Smith and teams will find it difficult if not impossible to run on this group. The linebackers and defensive backs are also strong and this unit will carry the team into the playoffs. The Browns should easily end up in the top five fantasy defenses this season. Coaching Butch Davis is a fantastic coach at any level. He did a great job in rebuilding in Miami University and last year turned around the fortunes of a poor Browns franchise and made them competitive. This season he will reach the next level and get the Browns into the playoffs for the first time (as a new franchise). Intangibles Tim Couch finally has continuity on the offensive side of the ball and that will help his development a great deal. The Browns, their fans and their owner are all passionate about football and everyone is focused on bringing about the Browns first winning season since their reentry into the league. |