This article is part of our Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
Like any team without a true franchise quarterback, the 2014 Browns were a model of inconsistency. Brian Hoyer beat out splashy first-round draft pick Johnny Manziel for the starting quarterback job, and despite some uneven play out of the gate, he helped engineer the team's 6-3 start. That came to a grinding halt, however, as the Browns managed just one win for the remainder of the campaign. In an effort to stabilize the position this past offseason, Josh McCown was brought in for a short-term fix.Following his respectable start in 2014, Hoyer eventually started to skid, and went through a rough three-game stretch where he threw seven interceptions and zero touchdowns. With the team looking for a spark, coach Mike Pettine turned to Manziel in Week 15, but the rookie failed to convert his athleticism into wins, while producing a dismal 42.0 passer rating, en route to completing just 51.4 percent of his throws in five appearances. Moreover, the Texas A&M product ended up making more notable headlines off the field than he did with his play in 2014. Afterward, the signal-caller elected to enter a treatment facility in late-January. He was released from the facility in time for the start of the Browns' offseason workouts. Early indications from the team suggest a renewed dedication to preparation on the part of Manziel, though he seems destined to open the season in a backup capacity despite the marked personal improvements.
Manziel didn't provide the only negative
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
Like any team without a true franchise quarterback, the 2014 Browns were a model of inconsistency. Brian Hoyer beat out splashy first-round draft pick Johnny Manziel for the starting quarterback job, and despite some uneven play out of the gate, he helped engineer the team's 6-3 start. That came to a grinding halt, however, as the Browns managed just one win for the remainder of the campaign. In an effort to stabilize the position this past offseason, Josh McCown was brought in for a short-term fix.Following his respectable start in 2014, Hoyer eventually started to skid, and went through a rough three-game stretch where he threw seven interceptions and zero touchdowns. With the team looking for a spark, coach Mike Pettine turned to Manziel in Week 15, but the rookie failed to convert his athleticism into wins, while producing a dismal 42.0 passer rating, en route to completing just 51.4 percent of his throws in five appearances. Moreover, the Texas A&M product ended up making more notable headlines off the field than he did with his play in 2014. Afterward, the signal-caller elected to enter a treatment facility in late-January. He was released from the facility in time for the start of the Browns' offseason workouts. Early indications from the team suggest a renewed dedication to preparation on the part of Manziel, though he seems destined to open the season in a backup capacity despite the marked personal improvements.
Manziel didn't provide the only negative Browns' story lines of the 2014 season. GM Ray Farmer was implicated in a "textgate" scandal, resulting in four-game suspension and $250,000 fine. Then, the league dropped the hammer on talented wideout Josh Gordon, handing him a season-long suspension for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
To help offset the loss of their most talented receiver, the Browns signed free agents Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, but the team's pass-catching corps, which will also be operating without tight end Jordan Cameron, remains a work in progress.
The Browns boast one of the top run-blocking offensive lines in the league and have three skilled backs in Isaiah Crowell, Terrence West and rookie Duke Johnson. Behind that type of line, each back has the potential to break off a 100-yard game on any given week. Cleveland has also demonstrated the ability to create takeaways on defense and will bring back the majority of the team's defensive core. Still, the difference between a disappointing 2015 season and a playoff run likely rests on achieving QB stability, bolstered by a credible pass-catching corps.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Key Acquisitions
Dwayne Bowe – WR, ChiefsWill look to bounce back in his role as the Browns' No. 1 wideout after failing to catch a TD pass for Kansas City last season.
Josh McCown – QB, Buccaneers
Lasted just one season with the Bucs but opens as the favorite to take over as the team's starting quarterback.
Brian Hartline – WR, Dolphins
Adds a veteran presence to a receiving corps in need of reliable weapons.
Rob Housler – TE, Cardinals
Will be looked upon to help fill the void created by the loss of former Pro-Bowler Jordan Cameron.
Danny Shelton – DT, Washington (ROUND 1, 12th overall)
Provides a much-needed boost to the team's run defense.
Duke Johnson – RB, Miami (ROUND 3, 77th overall)
Draws Giovani Bernard comparisons, thus bringing a pass-catching dynamic to the Browns' backfield.
Key Losses
Jordan Cameron – TE, DolphinsConcussions were an issue, though when healthy, the athletic tight end commanded defensive attention.
Brian Hoyer – QB, Texans
Started 13 games in 2014 but was cycled out in favor of McCown.
TEAM NOTES
A FLURRY OF MOVES ATTEMPTS TO REVITALIZE THE PASSING ATTACKThe rotating carousel of pass-catching options in Cleveland is set to keep spinning heading into 2015. With Josh Gordon (suspension) out for the year and tight end Jordan Cameron lost via free agency, the group has undergone yet another makeover. Wideouts Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, along with TE Rob Housler, were brought in to provide projected starting quarterback Josh McCown with added options to supplement returnees Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel. None of the newcomers, however, come close to replacing the level of raw talent possessed by the aforementioned personnel losses. The team added further depth by drafting wideout Vince Mayle, as well as tight end Randall Telfer and TE/FB Malcolm Johnson, but without a true playmaker in the Cleveland aerial attack, the league's No. 20-ranked passing offense from 2014 (216.6 yards/game) could struggle once again.
RIDING THE GROUND GAME TO PAYDIRT
Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West represented a respectable one-two punch in the backfield a season ago (following the release of Ben Tate), and that combination will once again head the Cleveland running game. Add rookie Duke Johnson to the mix, and the Browns will have plenty of options to keep their backfield fresh this season. That dynamic, however, may not be an ideal scenario for fantasy owners. The duo of Crowell and West managed just one 100-yard rushing game over the entire season (West in Week 1), as a time-share was in play most weeks. The starting assignment frequently varied, as coach Mike Pettine tended to go with whichever back turned in the best week of practice. On the bright side, Cleveland will get center Alex Mack back on the offensive line, as his season-ending leg injury had a detrimental effect on the ground game last year. His return will bolster one of the top run-blocking offensive lines in the league, anchored by Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.
WHAT CAN THE BROWNS' D DO FOR YOU?
Turnovers and timely stops kept the Browns in games last year, and the defensive-oriented Mike Pettine will once again look to use the unit to factor into victories this coming season. Cleveland finished tied for fourth in the league with 29 takeaways in 2014, and with most of the team's key playmakers (Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner) in the secondary returning, a similar output on that front is possible. Meanwhile, to address the team's obvious shortcomings stopping the run, the team drafted nose tackle Danny Shelton and end/tackle Xavier Cooper, while signing defensive tackle Randy Starks.
VALUE METER
Rising: A relative unknown heading into 2014 fantasy drafts as an UDFA, Isaiah Crowell is a name worth knowing after he scored eight touchdowns as a rookie.Declining: Slot man Andrew Hawkins benefited from a shallow receiving corps in 2014 but has more competition this season.
Sleeper:Rob Housler moves from a block-first, catch-second offense to a team looking to identify a viable pass-catching threat at tight end.
Supersleeper: It's anyone's game in a crowded backfield, but Duke Johnson's all-round ability will be an asset to the team's offense.
IDP WATCH
Karlos Dansby – LBHe's ready to bounce back after injuries cost him four games in 2014.
Tashaun Gipson – S
Looking to build off a career-high six interceptions in 2014.
Donte Whitner – S
Led the team with 106 tackles last season.
