2006 Cleveland Browns Predictions

Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage went out and attacked the free-agent market early and aggressively in order to address the team's primary holes -- offensive line, run stopper up the middle, veteran pass rusher and No. 2 wide receiver. He added to the free-agent moves with a solid draft, and the Browns look to have their best team since they rejoined the NFL in 1999.

Injuries will be a huge key for the Browns like with most teams. Cleveland is hoping its two first-round picks from 2004 and 2005, TE Kellen Winslow Jr. and WR Braylon Edwards, respectively, will be healthy and develop into consistent threats for second-year QB Charlie Frye. The Browns have already suffered a devastating blow to their offensive line as one of their key offseason acquisitions, C LeCharles Bentley, went down with a season-ending injury on the first 11-on-11 play of training camp.

Compounding the problems on the offensive line, which is also missing right tackle Ryan Tucker, who recently underwent knee surgery, Bentley's replacement, veteran Bob Hallen abruptly retired. "We're disappointed that Bob Hallen made this decision," Savage said. "But what is more disappointing is that he waited until two days before the first (exhibition) game, especially after LeCharles Bentley's injury."

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Key Additions: LBs Willie McGinest and D'Qwell Jackson (rookie), WRs Joe Jurevicius and Travis Wilson (rookie), LT Kevin Shaffer, TE Darnell Dinkins, DT Ted Washington, DT/LB Kamerion Wimbley (rookie).

Key Subtractions: OT L.J. Shelton, WR Antonio Bryant, DE Kenard Lang, DBs Chris Crocker and Ray Mickens, TE Keith Heinrich.

Sportsbook Odds: The Browns made strides towards respectability last season and their upward trend looks to continue. While they're still one more strong offseason from being legitimate playoff contenders, an 8-8 season is a possibility. WagerWeb.com has Cleveland as +1300 to win the AFC North, +3000 to win the AFC championship and +7000 to win Super Bowl XLI.

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Player To Watch: If Winslow can fulfill the huge potential he had coming out of the University of Miami, it will make things much easier for Frye and the rest of the offense. Winslow took a big step by suiting up and catching two balls in the team's preseason opener Friday night. Winslow, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2004 draft, hadn't played since he broke his right fibula at Dallas on Sept. 19, 2004. He sat out all of last year after a motorcycle accident on May 1, 2005 injured his knee so badly that it required several surgeries and was complicated by a staph infection. The Browns were just happy to see him on the field again. "He made some plays and looked good making them," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "He looked like a pretty decent guy running around out there, and that was encouraging to see."

Outlook: Cleveland will continue to progress under Crennel, whose coaching style is a lot like his mentor, Bill Belichick. The defense, which was decent last year, should be even better with the additions of veterans McGinest and Washington and some promising rookies. The offense will be the big question mark, especially the unproven Frye at quarterback. If the offensive line can give him some protection and open up holes for 1,200-yard rusher Reuben Droughns, the Browns may surprise a few teams this season.

By Mike Brody of WagerWeb