[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever]
Much more complete team, in my opinion. I’m not enamored by Ben Roethlisbergergergergerger, but I’d take him before Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, or some genetic pairing of the two. The Steelers have better defense and a better offense as far as I’m concerned.
I don’t see a repeat of 9-7 for the Browns. It’ll be a lot closer to 7-9 and I think it’ll be due to injuries. I’ve got nothing to base that on, just a feeling.
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The Browns finished 10-6, not 9-7. Same record as the Steelers. And since the Steelers beat them twice, that means they did significantly better against the rest of the NFL. The first time the Steelers beat the Browns was a Charlie Frye induced slaughter, and the second time was bullshit - Ben had several scrambles on which there was blatant holding that allowed the play to happen, and then on the last return of the game, there was totally phantom holding called on the Browns. They should’ve started IIRC around the Pit 35 or so, but instead started around their own 30 with about a minute left and no timeouts. Considering the game came down to a 52 yard field goal anyway, that penalty was the game, and it was complete BS.
The biggest weakness on the Browns was the LDE position - due to injuries and ineffectiveness of the backups, a would-be starting NT had to play out of position there, degrading both positions. The LDE spot is going to be filled by Corey Williams who I’m high on, and Shaun Rogers, who I’m not so high on but has potential, will start at NT - a massive revamping of the D-line with young talent. The back 7 are young but gaining experience, and the hopefully dramatic improvement to the D-line will take the unit from pretty bad to decent.
The Browns were pretty close to 11+ wins too with a horrible defense. If they can just improve to mediocre, the team can go somewhere. They lost to the raiders (sad, I know) after a game-winning field goal was negated by a last second timeout (the retry was blocked), despite performing horribly early they were in the second Cinci game until the final drive until they received a 50 yard offensive pass interference penality that was pretty much bullshit, the Arizona game came out to an arguable forceout (which, as discussed on other threads, I think the result of the game was legitimate, but it highlights that the game came down to about 1 or 2 feet), and I already covered the second Pittsburgh game.
The Cleveland offense didn’t lose anyone, and gained Stallworth (who isn’t great, but JJ isn’t an ideal #2, but is a nice #3, plus Stallworth and Winslow drawing coverage from each other will be synergistic). The Steelers offense lost one of their best players in Faneca. The Browns defense had both its biggest weakness addressed (LDE) and the most important position on the field addressed (NT).
So, this year they already had an equal record to the Steelers, could’ve easily won the North if a few calls went the other way, and have already improved their weaknesses in the offseason. Whereas the Steelers clearly trailed off towards the end of the year. The Steelers also have to contend with a schedule that includes the Pats and Chargers where the Browns play Buffalo and Denver. This could easily go 0-2 vs 2-0.
The Browns may finish 10-6 again, which would be pretty good against a tough schedule. That’s probably going to be the winning record in the AFC North.
