I've been thinking about this for a while now. First off, I know I've been MIA from the Browns board for quite some time due to the fact it was starting to feel like one big epiphany mixed in with some rare non-browns fans sightings. That, and moving all my shit from Mass. to Conn. was a bitch. Anyways, with football season at the helms, it's pretty obvious the Browns won't be contending this year. So what's the plan to set ourselves up for a possible superbowl? What's everyone's 5 year plan? I'll post mine tomorrow when i'm not so tired.
Re: Browns 5 Year Plan I'm starting to like what we have building up here. Hardesty and Harrison's a pretty good combo at running back, Hillis and Davis provide potentially solid depth there with Vickers plowing the way. Quarterback's an interesting conundrum, with the big question being can Colt McCoy be the man? History of third round quarterbacks over the past ten years says no, but I say a big whopping maybe. In Holmgren I trust here. Wide receiver is a bit concerning, but only if the talent we have there in Massaquoi and Robiskie doesn't continue to develop. Offensive line is solid, and the key players (Mack and Thomas) are young. Defensive line needs work after this year, although it has the potential to...well...not suck. I love Rubin in the middle though. Linebackers, we need more top end talent to really run the scheme properly. I like Von Miller as a potential mid to late first rounder who can get after it from an OLB position. Secondary, depth concerns a bit, but Eric Wright and Joe Haden should be a pretty solid long term tandem there...if Wright ever learns to tackle. So here's the plan, continue to improve the roster bit by bit, don't fire the coach unless he's actually the problem, and continue looking for that long term quarterback answer.
This upcoming season: Year 1 - We only win 5 games - Delhomme plays decently while McCoy quietly develops - Cribbs is a beast once more - Harrison breaks out for 1000+ yards this year playing full time starter. Hardesty has a solid rookie campaign. Since we don't make the playoffs again, we get rid of Mangini for a legitimate (great) coach in Jon Gruden. Makes a lot of sense due to his kinship with Holmgren and the reports he wants in. No one can transform a D better than Gruden and we're slowly building that blue-collar D I grew up hoping the Browns would have. With Eric Wright and Haden we could POSSIBLY have a chance at getting two possible pro bowl CBs. We draft for skill this year and pick up AJ Green with the top 5 pick, and possibly Greg Jones (if we're lucky) at LB. We now have a future superstar WR with a LB with great instincts to add to a suspect WR core and an already-decent LB core. Our D continues to improve into that tough 'grinders' group while we get another piece on our offense. Year 2 -McCoy wins the starting spot over Delhomme, and in convincing fashion -Green wins offensive rookie of the year thats as far as i've thought ahead. FWIW, I believe that year 2 is the year we leap from a horrible team to a good team that has a shot at the playoffs.
