Like every year, Touchdown Actu offers you its traditional pre-season files. You can find them all by clicking on this link.
After almost two decades of waiting, the Cleveland Browns tasted the playoffs last season. Despite an ultra-competitive division, the Browns have racked up 11 wins and even have the luxury of securing a playoff victory over rival Steelers.
If they have failed to defeat the ogre Kansas City, the Browns may be more than happy with the past season and can look to the future with hope, which has rarely been the case in this century. However, the hardest part remains to be done, since we will have to confirm, which is always the most difficult in the NFL.
Last season: 11 wins – 5 losses – loss in a divisional game to the Kansas City Chiefs
Offseason movements
Quick passage to the attack to start, where the key word is stability. All the incumbents are back, and the reinforcements come almost entirely from the draft. Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz brings depth to the squad, as does tackle James Hudson. The offensive weapon Demetric Felton is also an interesting reinforcement, he who can bring an unpredictable side to the attack.
It is in defense that the changes are major. At the starting level on the defensive line, only Myles Garrett is back. The franchise has decided to clean up by bringing in two prestigious names: Malik Jackson and Jadeveon Clowney. The choice is not without risk, the former struggling to regain his Jacksonville level and the latter never met the expectations of a first draft pick. The depth at the post is interesting, with Andrew Billings and Takkarist McKinley also arriving as reinforcements.
The other lines of defense have also seen significant recruitment. The departure of BJ Goodson among the linebackers is offset by the arrival of Anthony Walker and the draft of the versatile Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, while the back line is not left out. The safeties duo Karl Joseph – Andrew Sendejo are gone, but the recruiting of John Johnson and the return of Ronnie Harrison Jr make up for that lack. The cornerback position is also coming out of this offseason, with notably the first round of draft Greg Newsome II and free agent Troy Hill.
Notable arrivals: John Johnson (S), Takkarist McKinley (DE), Anthony Walker (LB), Troy Hill (CB), Malik Jackson (DT), Jadeveon Clowney (DL)
Re-Signatures : Malcolm Smith (LB), Brian Allen (CB), Sheldon Day (DT), Stephen Carlson (TE)
Draft : Greg Newsome II (CB), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB), Anthony Schwartz (WR), James Hudson (OT), Tommy Togiai (DT), Tony Fields II (LB), Richard LeCounte III (S), Demetric Felton (RB/WR).
Notable losses: Adrian Clayborn (DE), Sheldon Richardson (DT), Larry Ogunjobi (DT), Olivier Vernon (DE), B.J. Goodson (LB), Karl Joseph (S), Andrew Sendejo (S)
Le(s) point(s) fort(s)
If the Browns offense performed so well in 2020, it owes much to his incredible offensive line. Under the leadership of leaders Joel Bitonio and JC Tretter, the leaders multiplied the winning bets. The recruiting of Jack Conklin on the right was an immediate success, as the draft of Jedrick Wills Jr. Cherry on the cake, the former 5th round draft of the Bills Wyatt Teller had the season of his life, becoming one of the best league guards. If this line manages to maintain this level of performance, it will again be the engine of this team.
The other great strength of this attack is its running duo: Nick Chubb – Kareem Hunt. The former is one of the best in the league at his post, a player whose vision and physical stamina make him poison for every defense. The second seems back on the right track, and its versatility makes it a perfect complement to Chubb. Such a committee of runners makes it possible to maximize the work of the line, it is a win-win combo.
The last strong point is a projection more than a certainty, but the recruitments on the back line of the defense make this group an exceptional potential force. John Johnson is one of the league’s most underrated safeties, as impeccable on cover as he is against the run. His duet with Ronnie Harrison is exciting. Same observation at the cornerback post, where Troy Hill comes to support Denzel Ward, to offer more consistency on the post. In 12 months, this group can be seen as the best in the league.
The weak spots)
There are more question marks in this team than real weak points. The linebackers seem to be much weaker than the rest of the squad, especially after Jacob Phillips was injured for the season. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is an interesting profile, but it’s often difficult for a hybrid player to find his place in the NFL, as Isaiah Simmons’ rookie season has shown. Without an immediate supply of “JOK”, linebackers risk being severely attacked on the ground and in the air.
There is not a single player who can boast of being an indisputable holder, and the likely holder Anthony Walker is far from reassuring after a catastrophic 2020 season. He was injured early in the camp, which is not a good sign. The Browns will have to count on the possible outbreak of one or two players, and adapt the systems to have as few linebackers as possible on the field.
X factor (s): the defensive line and Baker Mayfield
The defensive line has therefore been very deeply upset during this offseason. But is it really an improvement? Malik Jackson is 31, and Jadeveon Clowney has shown very limited pass rush input in recent seasons. The duo Sheldon Richardson – Larry Ogunjobi did a great job, and making them forget will not be easy. Coaches will need to find the right recipe, and that starts with knowing where to use Clowney, indoors or out. This will depend on the overall organization.
The other X factor is the inherently most important player on a team: quarterback Baker Mayfield. Author of a fantastic rookie season, he took a sophomore wall. But 2020 has proven that it was an accident, and that he has the potential of an elite quarterback. However, it is not yet. Like a Ben Roethlisberger at the start of his career, he is a luxury game manager, but still has to take a step forward to make a difference on a regular basis. This mainly involves reducing the number of interceptions, 43 in 46 matches! If he erases his mistakes, Mayfield can take his team to another dimension.
Player to watch: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
Difficult to assess what “OBJ” will be in 2021. After starting his stratospheric career, he got lost, between behavioral problems and physical glitches. Announced on the departure at the start of the offseason, the receiver dispelled the doubts and confirmed that he would be 100% for the Browns.
If he regains his level, the Browns have at their disposal one of the best receivers in the league. The receiving group led by Jarvis Landry has proven that he can play at a high level, but with Beckham at the top, the group will be much more dangerous.
Calendar
@Chiefs, Houston, Chicago, @Vikings, @Chargers, Cardinals, Broncos, Steelers, @Bengals, @Patriots, Lions, @Ravens, BYE, Ravens, Raiders, @Packers, @Steelers, Bengals
The audio preview of the Podcast
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In summary
The NFL isn’t an exact science, and keeping the same squad doesn’t guarantee the same level of success. Cleveland has the weapons to compete with the best and will be Super Bowl contenders. From the first week, the Browns face the Chiefs, a golden opportunity for Cleveland to test themselves, and to prove that they have the level.
The AFC North division is not a gift, with the Ravens and the Steelers, but the passage to 7 teams in the playoffs makes more and more likely the passage of 3 teams from a division in the final stages. But inevitably, winning the division would be a strong symbol for a team that lives in the shadow of its neighbors.
