Cleveland Browns 2016 preview: Are they still the same old Browns?
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Coming off a 3-13 campaign in 2015, the Browns have brought in some different faces to try to right the ship in Cleveland. Hue Jackson has taken over head coaching duties from Mike Pettine. Robert Griffin III signed a two-year deal over the offseason, leaving the former Heisman winner as the presumptive starter heading into this season. While Griffin is looking for a second chance after his Redskins career flamed out, the Browns are looking to stop the seemingly never-ending revolving door of QBs in Cleveland. If he does indeed get the starting job, Griffin should have an intriguing crop of weapons to throw to — including the reinstated Josh Gordon, former college QB-turned-wideout Terrelle Pryor and rookie first-round draft pick Corey Coleman. On the defensive side of the ball, the team is going to be heavily reliant on young players to step up and make an impact with big plays every week. Good luck with that.
All eyes will be on RG3 as he looks to prove that he’s still got legs — literally and figuratively — as an NFL quarterback. A lot has been made about the Browns’ constant failures at the QB position, with 24 different guys taking snaps over the past 17 years. Does Griffin III have what it takes to stop the cycle?
The former Ohio State star failed to make it as a QB in the NFL, playing for five teams in five years. But now, Pryor is taking part in his first training camp as a receiver and he’s turning heads. The 27-year-old has incredible speed and could become a legitimate playmaker catching bombs from RG3 as a deep-ball specialist, especially if fellow receivers Gordon and Coleman can free him up some space down the field.
Last season Johnson put up a quietly impressive rookie year as a dual-threat back. Not only did he rush for 379 yards, but he also caught 61 passes out of the backfield, including two touchdowns. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on what kind of production he brings this year. FANTASY SPIN
If ever there were a poster child for the fantasy football X-factor, Josh Gordon has great odds to win the crown in a landslide. Although he’ll miss four games in September, remember when Gordon’s star shines brightest: garbage time.
Back in 2013, he and Jason Campbell torched soft secondary coverage in the third and fourth quarters week after week. He caught 24 passes for 498 yards and three touchdowns during a two-week stretch. After observing the Browns’ defense this preseason, those scenarios should be in healthy supply in 2016.
(All lines courtesy of Bovada.com, as of 8/31)
Season win total over/under: 4.5 (over -125, under -105)
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 100/1. Unless Robert Griffin III becomes the best QB in the league overnight, you'd have to be out of your mind to go anywhere near this one. Try again in a year ... or two ... or six.
One thing we wish we could bet on: "Analytics" getting the blame for Cleveland's failings. The Browns are trying something different by building a front office centered on the use of data — a nebulous approach that makes for an easy scapegoat. When things go wrong for the Browns this year, people will reflexively blame the way this team is approaching the future.
September 18, vs. Baltimore
The Browns’ first home game features them taking on a division rival and the franchise that once called Cleveland home. Last year's contest in Cleveland ended with the Ravens returning a blocked field goal for the winning touchdown as time expired, in the Monday Night Football spotlight.
October 9, vs. New England
The Browns get the Patriots at arguably the very worst time. After serving a four-game suspension, Tom Brady should make his season debut in Cleveland during Week 5.
November 10, at Baltimore
Cleveland’s lone national primetime game of the year comes in a Week 10 Thursday night matchup against those same Ravens. The Browns recorded one of their three wins last season in Baltimore.
We say: 1-15
WhatIfSports simulation says: 5-11
— Pete Blackburn, Andrew Lynch (betting), Ryan Fowler (fantasy)
