The Browns were last - 32nd out of 32 NFL teams - in total offense last season, and scored more points than just three teams.
Brian Robiskie (80) is part of a Browns' receiving unit that has impressed new quarterback Jake Delhomme.The Cleveland Browns' offensive players are eager to put the 2009 season behind them.
You can't blame them. The Browns ranked last - 32nd among the 32 NFL teams - in total offense, netting just 260.2 yards per game. They were 29th in scoring, averaging 15.3 points a game.
The Browns say they expect to move the football better next season. They'd better, if they hope to improve on a 5-11 record last season.
Matt Florjancic writes for ClevelandBrowns.com that newly acquired veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme is optimistic about the players who will surround him, including the guys who will catch his passes.
Delhomme’s teammates, particularly the wide receivers, have impressed the 12-year NFL veteran.
“They’re very smart, they know what they’re doing and they work hard,” Delhomme said. “You know it’s still very early, I don’t know any other way to put it. I’m a lot more worried about what I’m doing out there than what they’re doing right now.
“You’re getting your feet wet, but if you tell them to run through that wall, they will do it,” he added. “They do things the right way, they’re coached the right way, and it’s so far so good, very impressive.”
Keep track of the Browns in The Plain Dealer, featuring beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot, and on cleveland.com/browns. Also, Tony Grossi talks about the Meadowlands getting the 2014 Super Bowl and the NFL's new overtime rules on today's edition of Starting Blocks TV.
Block 'em
In late May, fans who are realists understand that rebuilding teams won't go 16-0. Most observers believe a team can manage at least an 8-8 record, though. Aaron Ziraks of the blog NoLogoNeeded.com lists five key reasons he believes the Browns will play at least .500 football in 2010, including:
2. Offensive Line - We all saw late last season what happens when the Browns line is clicking on all cylinders and the running backs are hitting the holes hard. Thomas, Steinbach, Mack and Womack should be able to open holes all year long for Harrison, Hardesty and Hillis. The addition of Pashos will be an upgrade from last year, because an orange construction barrel would be an upgrade over St. Clair. The Browns averaged 243 yards rushing over the final three games of 2009, all three of which were wins. This was even more impressive due to the fact the Browns were not even attempting to pass. This is a testimate to the offensive line being able to handle a stacked box and still shine.
Ninety-nine
Scott Fujita started at linebacker for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints last season, and now he's with the Browns, signed by them as a free agent. (See Mary Kay Cabot's feature on Fujita that appeared Monday on cleveland.com.) Matt Florjancic writes for ClevelandBrowns.com not just about that adjustment for Fujita, but others, too, such as:
Fujita left behind friends and former teammates with whom he shared the football field with for four years. He also left behind something that is held most dear by many athletes, his jersey number.
Instead of wearing the familiar 55 he had during his time in New Orleans or 51 at his first NFL stop in Kansas City, Fujita will don No. 99 in the orange and brown.
“I’m having trouble taking myself seriously at this point,” Fujita joked. “There were no ‘50’ numbers available when I got here and I didn’t want to try and punk some younger guy for a number. I called my family, put it to a vote with my friends and family and kids, and they all chose 99. I’ve got twin girls, twin numbers.”
Making the cut
There are still 109 days to go before the Browns open the regular season on Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers (Browns schedule is here).
It's not too early, though, for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com, to project the Browns' 53-man roster going into that game.
At tight end, predicts OBR:
Ben Watson
Robert Royal
Evan Moore
COMMENT: Alex Smith is a bit of an underachiever and doesn't seem the Mangini type. Royal will have to fight for a roster spot. Moore can be split out wide at times and makes the roster due to his verstatility.
Here and there
CBSSports.com tracks each team's remaining free agents, re-signed free agents, and players acquired and departed.