Cleveland Browns Information
The football fans of Cleveland, affectionately nicknamed the “Dawg Pound”, bleed the color brown, due to their undying love for their football team. When the team packed up and headed for Baltimore, the city was left with nothing, but they worked hard to earn another franchise in the city, and they might even care more about this team than the last. The fans have been with the present group of Browns through the ups and the downs and they’re convinced that if they just cheer a little bit harder or a little bit louder, they can will their team on to victory.
Butch Davis left the prestige program of the University of Miami because he was convinced he could take this team in Cleveland and make them winners. Davis is 21-27 through his first three seasons, including a postseason appearance in the 2002 season, but his name has repeatedly been tossed around whenever another big name college has a coaching vacancy. This past winter, Butch Davis’ name came up as a head coaching possibility at the University of Nebraska, one of the most prestigious and heralded programs in the nation. The expectations are very high in Cleveland, even if they’re possibly a little unrealistic for a franchise so young, but the people expect nothing but the best from their football club. Davis is signed through the 2005 season, and management would like to lock him up to a contract extension.
Last year, a quarterback controversy developed between Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb. Couch was selected early in the 1999 draft in hopes of becoming the face of the franchise and the quarterback that would lead the team in its early years. Couch never quite panned out, but because of his contract, he was tough to get rid of. When Couch got hurt in the 2003 season, Holcomb stepped in and played very well, proving that he could lead a first team NFL squad when given the chance. Couch eventually got the job back when Holcomb suffered a broken leg, but the fans had made their mind, even going so far as to boo Couch when he played poorly. In an effort to settle the controversy once and for all, the Browns signed free-agent QB Jeff Garcia from San Francisco. Garcia was waived in a salary cap move and has been a pro bowler in the past. Holcomb will continue as the back-up while Couch has signed with Green Bay to be the back up to future hall-of-fame QB Brett Favre.
The Browns lost RB Jamel White to free agency, but they’re left with William Green, Lee Suggs, and James Jackson, all capable backs that could post a 1,200-yard season if given the chance to be a feature back. Dennis Northcutt, Andre’ Davis, and Quincy Morgan will lead the receiving group. Andra Davis recorded 136 tackles last season to lead the team while Kenard Lang led the unit with eight sacks. Earl Little ranked among the league leaders with six interceptions.
The team had six picks in the 2004 draft, and they made no secret about the player they wanted. Originally slated to draft seventh, they were worried Detroit would take their player with the sixth pick, so they switched with Detroit (throwing in a second round pick) to make sure they could get their hands on Kellen Winslow II, the tight end out of the University of Miami. Winslow II, the son of Kellen Winslow who was a tight end for years with the San Diego Chargers, won numerous awards this season as the best tight end in college, and is the impact player the Browns can seemingly work their offense around. Winslow II will demand attention in the middle of the field and the goal line, and that should create gaps for the other speedy receivers to race into. With their other first round draft pick, the Browns selected Sean Jones, a safety out of the University of Georgia. Jones will likely earn a starting spot in the secondary at a point in the season.