Training Camp and Exhibition Season
CLEVELAND, O.H. - It is the time of year that evokes anticipation and trepidation in fans and players alike. Fans wonder whether this is the year that their team makes a run at the playoffs or whether they will have to suffer another year dwelling in the division basement. Aging veterans and undrafted rookies report to training camp wondering whether they will even be on the roster, let alone play, once the regular season begins. Grizzled pros and rookie prospects audition for placement on the depth charts and to avoid becoming a permanent resident on the inactive list. Regardless of age or experience, this is a time of high hopes and great anxiety for anyone associated with the vNFL.
It was no different for the Cleveland Browns. The annual game of musical chairs resulted in a few surprises this year. The Browns parted ways with a handful of familiar faces, notably 14-year veteran Bobby Engram (WR), who joined the team in 2007 as a free agent; 11-year veteran Daylon McCutcheon (CB), who was the Browns' 3rd round pick in 1999; and 11-year veteran Steve Heiden (TE), who joined the team in 2002.
Heiden's inability to inspire the troops may have cost him his job
Heiden's release came as a shock to many. Along with LeCharles Bentley (C) and Terrelle Smith (FB), Heiden had served as an offensive team captain since the inception of the vNFL in 2006.
Some in the Browns receiving corps, however, claim they saw this coming. Speaking off the record, one receiver said, "You could say there were some clashes of personality. Most of us didn't have a problem with him, but we weren't exactly laying it on the line for him either." Did you guys dislike him? "No, it's not that we didn't like him. It was just a lukewarm feeling, you know?" That lukewarm attitude probably convinced the Browns front office that they could do without Heiden's leadership.
Fan favorite Kellen Winslow, Jr. (TE) was elected as team captain to replace Heiden. Winslow's popularity extends into the locker room, and his vocal style of leadership may give the under-performing receiving corps a much needed boost.
A few fresh faces will be making their debut with the Browns on opening day of the 2009 season to replace the familiar ones. For all the hard-core Browns fans out there, our resident vNFL analysts provide below a position-by-position review of the Browns lineup for the 2009 season.
Quarterbacks: Can Garcia Lift Quinn's Game?
Brady Quinn - Franchise QB or dud?
1. #10 Brady Quinn (6'4", 230 lbs, 3 yrs)
2. #11 Patrick Ramsey (6'2", 225 lbs, 8 yrs)
3. #5 Jeff Garcia (6'1", 195 lbs, 11 yrs)
Fans in the Forest City have had a love-hate relationship with Quinn, the no. 1 overall draft pick in 2007. So far, he has not lived up to the hype. Is this the year he finally takes a place among the elite quarterbacks in the vNFL, or will he always be remembered as a broken promise?
Cleveland sent this year's 7th round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Garcia to help develop the young quarterback. Early reports suggest that Quinn and Garcia have already hit it off, with Garcia taking a liking to the younger quarterback's enthusiasm and Quinn calling the older quarterback "Garciasaur" as a playful take on his age.
Running Backs: Fox Stays In Cleveland
Devin Fox - Can he avoid the sophomore slump?
1. #24 Devin Fox (5'10", 207 lbs, 2 yrs)
2. #30 Kenneth Darby (5'11", 205 lbs, 3 yrs)
Last year, Fox delivered a knockout rookie performance, rushing for 1,373 yards (5.12 ypc) and 16 TDs. During the off-season, the rumor mill was spinning with talk that Fox could be traded, possibly for as many as three 1st round picks. Either those rumors turned out to be false, or the Browns front office thought better of it. Cleveland fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Fox reported to training camp in a Browns uniform.
Wide Receivers: Veterans Join Edwards On Receiving Corps
Braylon Edwards - Edwards gets some helping hands
1. #17 Braylon Edwards (6'3", 212 lbs, 5 yrs)
2. #88 Eric Parker (6'0", 183 lbs, 8 yrs)
3. #83 Arnaz Battle (6'1", 199 lbs, 7 yrs)
Edwards missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but he rejoins the starting lineup healthy and ready to go. Fans hope that he can return to his sophomore peak in 2006, when he put up 1,258 receiving yards (12.97 ypc) and 10 TDs.
Cleveland sent Kirk Chambers (T) to San Diego in exchange for Parker, who won the no. 2 job from Engram. The hope is that Parker will make opposing secondaries pay for double covering Edwards.
Tight Ends: Nied Adds Versatility To Offense
Kellen Winslow Jr. - New offensive team captain
1. #80 Kellen Winslow Jr. (6'4", 248 lbs, 6 yrs)
2. #86 Daryl Nied (6'3", 244 lbs, rookie)
Christmas came early for offensive coordinator Jack Forbes. Nied was not on the shopping list for the Browns in the vNFL draft, but director of player personnel Craig decided to use Cleveland's third and final 1st round pick on the best player available. Nied's versatility as a blocker and a receiver adds another dimension to the Browns offense, and the Browns reportedly added a number of two TE plays to the play book during training camp.
Offensive Line: Chester And Hitchcock Plug Holes In O-Line
LeCharles Bentley - Finally, some guards!
LT. #77 Kevin Shaffer (6'5", 290 lbs, 8 yrs)
LG. #65 Chris Chester (6'3", 302 lbs, 4 yrs)
C. #57 LeCharles Bentley (6'1", 290 lbs, 8 yrs)
RG. #70 Oscar Hitchcock (6'6", 347 lbs, rookie)
RT. #60 Jumbo Dodrill (6'4", 313 lbs, 2 yrs)
Last year, guard was perhaps the biggest issue for the Browns offensive line. This year, the position shows the most promise with Chester, traded from the 49ers, and Hitchcock, drafted in the 1st round, flanking veteran center Bentley. Dodrill, drafted in the 3rd round last year, will replace Chambers, who was traded to San Diego, at right tackle.
Defensive Line: Warren And Smith Anchor D-Line
Ty Warren - Big man with a big job, stop the run
LDE. #93 Luis Castillo (6'3", 290 lbs, 5 yrs) / #92 Eric Moore (6'4", 268 lbs, 5 yrs)
NT. #94 Ty Warren (6'5", 300 lbs, 7 yrs) / #72 Al Smith (6'6", 319 lbs, rookie)
RDE. #99 Ricardo Walker (6'4", 274 lbs, 4 yrs)
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is much improved from the previous year. The addition of Warren anchors the line with a big run stopper, and Moore and Smith will put pressure on the pocket in passing situations. During training camp, Walker won the starting job from Jarvis Green (DE), who will continue to mentor the younger defensive ends on the practice field and from the sidelines.
Linebackers: The Apple Of Our Eye
Chaun Thompson - 2008 All-Pro First Team
Sam. #95 Kamerion Wimbley (6'3", 245 lbs, 4 yrs)
Mike. #51 Chaun Thompson (6'2", 249 lbs, 7 yrs)
Will. #58 D'Qwell Jackson (6'0", 229 lbs, 4 yrs)
Jack. #50 Vinny Circiu (5'11", 240 lbs, 7 yrs)
The linebacking corps, led by All-Pro Thompson, has always been the heart of Cleveland's defense. This year looks to be the same. Circiu, who formerly played middle linebacker for Carolina, moves to the outside for Cleveland as a pass rusher.
Secondary: Can This Sieve Hold Water?
George Halkin - The future of Cleveland's secondary?
Top CB. #28 Leigh Bodden (6'0", 192 lbs, 7 yrs)
2nd CB. #33 Jereme Perry (6'0", 192 lbs, 4 yrs)
Nickel. #36 Derrick Johnson (5'10", 188 lbs, 5 yrs)
SS. #27 George Halkin (6'0", 203 lbs, rookie)
FS. #26 Sean Jones (6'1", 215 lbs, 6 yrs)
Dime. #23 Gary Baxter (6'2", 210 lbs, 9 yrs)
The secondary has long been the most porous part of Cleveland's defense, and nothing has changed this year to disabuse anyone of that notion. Veterans Bodden and Jones return as leaders of a unit very much in need of an overhaul. The most promising addition to the lineup is rookie Halkin, who replaces Brodney Pool at strong safety. During training camp and the exhibition season, Halkin delivered on his potential as a run stopper and zone defender. The Forest City will be watching this young player's career with great interest. He may be a harbinger of what the front office plans to do with this unit in years to come.
