Cleveland Browns Offseason - Part I

The Cleveland Browns recently hired Rob Chudzinski, a tight ends coach from San Diego, as their offensive coordinator. If the name sounds familiar, he was the tight end’s coach for the Browns in 2004, which means absolutely nothing but more importantly Chudzinski is from “The U” and coached Kellen Winslow and Jeremy Shockey in college. Working with former Chargers offensive coordinator and currently Miami Dolphins head man, Cam Cameron, Chudzinski helped develop one of the top offenses in the NFL that featured an All-Pro Tight End in Antonio Gates, who was under his personal tutelage. "Chud" will have his hands full, as the Browns are lacking in just about every position; the team has a pair of mediocre-to-bad quarterbacks, the line is both not very good and getting older, and the running back isn’t as good after signing that new contract. The defense also has much room for improvement. Chudzinski’s signing is a good cause to evaluate the current Browns players that will be instrumental in turning this team around.

Well, let’s take a look at some of the legitimately key players coming back (Warning, this list will be short due to the ineptness of members at the top of the organization, underachieving of our top draft picks, poor decision-making and overall lack of control from our coaches, plus the cold weather and negative portrayal of Cleveland – a rather lovely city, contrary to belief – which turns away top free agents…..or it could be as owner Randy Lerner stipulates, the fact that the Browns are still trying to overcome problems which arose from being an expansion team…in 1999, the year of the Rabbit):

Kellen Winslow Jr./II – Leading tight ends in receiving on one bum knee is no easy task. Winslow Jr./II finally proved his worth, considering the fact that if he’d underperformed/not performed this season, fans would’ve called for his head (at least those who hadn’t already called for his head after the motorbike ordeal. There is no expression called “popping an endo”). While his numbers were impressive, and had he caught a few more TD’s his Pro Bowl argument would have been just, Mr. Winslow will need to Step Up his game a little more next year and Stomp the Yard at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Remember, Antonio Gates is an All-Pro and he didn’t even play foosball in college. But Winslow’s all about this U! A 90-reception, 1,000 yard season is not out of the question, but even more importantly, his gaudy numbers will be a cause for at least one media blowup/fight with Joey Porter, and it will be justified. Joey Porter must think so, but hey, K2 is Not Gay, he is heterosexual.

Sean Jones – This past season, Jones was statistically one of the best safeties in the NFL (111 total tackles, 5 INT’s, 11 passes defensed, even half a sack) and by far the most improved player on this team. He’s from Atlanta, Georgia, a city that Wikipedia says is “considered a poster child for cities worldwide experiencing rapid urban sprawl, economic development, and growth,” such to say that Jones’ growth was predictable. Phil Savage must be a genius for discovering this. Atlanta is also the land of peaches and a place where some people say they’ll have a “coke” instead of a “pop” at a restaurant (“soda” is not an option for me, Clevelanders stand up!). Sean Jones will be a Pro Bowler next year if he keeps his own personal rapid urban sprawl going, and if the Browns win a few more games.

Kamerion Wimbley – The MVP of the Browns this year, with 62 tackles, 11 sacks and 1 Fumble Forced, this pass rushing specialist actually fit the need of the Browns not-so-vaunted 3-4 Defense. Let’s just hope that considering his age, he will keep progressing and refining his skills, and not suffer the Jamir Miller syndrome of having one monster year playing outside linebacker, wearing number 95, and fizzling out into the dreary Cleveland morning mist (don’t get me wrong, the city still is lovely…and as we speak I’m knocking on wood). Now all the team needs is a nose tackle, a pair of defensive ends, an outside linebacker, and a corner.

Joe Jurevicius – A silent team leader works best when he is playing alongside a bunch of good character guys (See: Marvin Harrison on Colts) or young players willing to follow. Being a silent team leader does not work when playing alongside stubborn, selfish players of…lesser character (see below). Once the pride of the Lake Catholic Cougars becomes a vocal locker room leader, he might elevate the game of his partners in crime.

Leigh Bodden – I have nothing. And he’s our #1 corner!

Since the well’s already dry, Braylon Edwards, LeCharles Bentley, Gary Baxter, and Joe Andruzzi get their own mention for all name, no production. Bentley wouldn’t be on this list had it not been for him being too greedy and going for the “00”. If Mr. "I just got Jacked Up by a Cornerback" (Reggie Bush, meet Sheldon Brown) can’t make his number less than 20, then you know you can’t, big boy. And Edwards, a man with the aforementioned lesser character, will get his chance to prove himself next year if he isn’t traded away first.

Here would be my first piece of advice for the Brownies to make some progress over the offseason: Do some research on these guys you’re drafting/bringing in thru free agency (Good character + Talent = Super Bowl). It’s your job! You get paid to do this!

And finally, You Just Got Served.