Monday, May 20, 2002

Restoring the glory

Cleveland should be playoff-bound but not Super Bowl-bound this season

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Well, I’m not going to appease you with my mid-May Super Bowl pick, because, quite frankly, I haven’t put a ton of thought into it. But I did want to address an interesting pick I’ve heard from more than one prognosticator.

Whispers have begun that maybe the Browns will be this year’s surprise Super Bowl team. I can understand the prediction, and it’s not too far-fetched. The Browns are close, yes, but I don’t think they are that close. The team’s first playoff appearance and possibly even first playoff win since its reintroduction into the league is a definite goal. But Super Bowl appearance? A lot will have to go just right for that to happen.

We’re talking about a Cleveland team that isn’t certain it will have a reliable running game in 2002. Sure, the Browns made improving the running game their top priority this offseason. And sure, the Browns picked RB William Green in the first round of the draft. But how do we know he won’t struggle in his first season? A whole lot of people thought Vikings RB Michael Bennett would excel and make the Minnesota faithful not miss Robert Smith. But he struggled in his rookie season.

There are other wild cards in the situation that would have to turn up just right for the Browns to get to the big game. They’ve made seemingly positive additions to their offensive line, bringing in Ryan Tucker and Barry Stokes via free agency. Those two players should start somewhere on the line, but keep in mind that Stokes was not a regular starter for the Packers last season. Ross Verba, Dave Wohlabaugh and Tré Johnson are still around and should provide stability around the new guys.

Another variable in the whole equation is the passing game. The Browns are full of youth and potential in the passing game, but no one knows what these guys are fully capable of because of the lack of a balanced offense the past few years. QB Tim Couch has been given every opportunity to shine, and he has done so at times in the past. But injuries and poor line play have hampered his development. Outside of WR Kevin Johnson, Couch has a young, somewhat untested group of wide receivers who must step up this year.

What we think we know is that the Browns’ defense will be a force to be reckoned with. This unit will carry the team quite far, as it did last year. It’s an up-and-coming unit that made some solid veteran additions this offseason. Adding DE Kenard Lang, S Robert Griffith and LB Earl Holmes should only make this group better. All three are good all-around defenders who should fit nicely in the Browns’ system.

But will the defense be as good as Baltimore’s was two seasons ago? In other words, if the offense doesn’t take a big leap forward, can the defense compensate for the offense’s woes? I think it will be good enough to get the Browns into the playoffs and possibly past the first round, but a Super Bowl trip for Cleveland seems a little premature at this point.

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