| Rookie running back Trent Richardson hasn't gotten much help from his offensive line, but he is still proving to be the best Browns back in over a decade -- and maybe the best since the Jim Brown era. (US Presswire) |
The Browns are 0-4, so there wouldn't seem to be much reason for fans to be optimistic about the near future. But along with the many concerns, there are a few reasons to believe that things will get better. And it doesn't take a football genius to realize that they can't get much worse.
Three concerns
1. The secondary: The early odds on what position the Browns will overhaul in the draft is cornerback, but free safety is not far behind. The loss of cornerback Joe Haden (suspension) has magnified the need for another top cornerback and highlighted the weakness of the entire secondary. Aging Sheldon Brown simply can't go solo against speed receivers. Dimitri Patterson is more of a nickel back. He was torched for nine catches for 131 yards by Ravens wideout Anquan Boldin last Thursday. Other defensive backs playing significant time are young, unproven, low-round picks whose ultimate contributions remain unknown.
2. Guards Pinkston and Lauvao: The offensive line is supposed to be the strength of the Browns, but it has been inconsistent both run blocking and in pass protection. Young guards Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao haven't generated a push to give featured back Trent Richardson running lanes, and they also haven't shown the mobility to pull, which would allow Richardson to use his speed and power wide. Much of the pressure on quarterback Brandon Weeden has come up the middle, though tackles Joe Thomas and rookie Mitchell Schwartz must shoulder some of the blame. The Browns hope a line that has been pieced together will remain in place and grow for years to come. Early indications are that it still requires some tinkering.
3. Punter Reggie Hodges: Before tearing his Achilles tendon and losing the 2011 season, Hodges was dependable. He consistently placed boots inside the 20 with good hang time and rarely shanked punts. His return has been rocky. He ranks 29th among NFL punters with a 43.1 average, and his low trajectories have contributed to an average return of 21.3 yards, which ranks 30th. He performed a bit better last week in Baltimore, but if there is no significant improvement, the Browns might need to look elsewhere.
Three reasons for optimism
1. Brandon Weeden: The importance of the quarterback position places Weeden atop this list. Team president Mike Holmgren has stated that the team can't move forward until it establishes a franchise quarterback, and Weeden has certainly displayed the skills to be that guy. He has shown to be a quick learner, which indicates that his early inconsistency will only be temporary. The continued lack of depth and talent at wide receiver prevents Weeden from making the most out of his talent, but he has thrown for 300-plus yards in two of four games. His strong arm allows him to stretch the field and give receivers an opportunity to gain yards after the catch on slants and dumps in the west coast offense.
2. Trent Richardson: Give this guy a crease and he'll maximize yardage. His combination of speed and power and nose for the end zone has been apparent from the start. The Browns scored four touchdowns on the ground all of last year, and Richardson already has three. He generally gets the best out of collisions with linebackers, which results in two or three extra yards on carries. Richardson would be among the league leaders in rushing behind a better blocking line, but he is certainly far more impressive than any running back that has worn a Browns uniform since the team returned to Cleveland in 1999. He has the potential to be the best since Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly graced the field in the 1960s.
3. Promising front seven: The Browns have succeeded in infusing the defense with youth, speed and athleticism. Whether that translates into production can only be speculated, but early reports about the front seven are encouraging. Undrafted free agent linebacker Craig Robertson has been the surprise of the early season. He's tied for the team lead with 27 tackles and two interceptions. His ability to make tackles in the open field has been pronounced. Rookie defensive tackles Billy Winn and John Hughes have also been impressive. The Browns are getting a push inside. The result is 13 sacks, which ranks fifth in the NFL. The Browns are third in the league with three interceptions, which is a reflection of the improved speed on that side of the ball.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter at @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.