Believeland | A Cleveland Browns Franchise

[Nash]

Believeland | A Cleveland Browns Franchise



Platform: PS3
Difficulty: Custom
Quarter Length: 15 min. w/ 20 sec. runoff
Draft Classes: Madden Generated
Rosters: Latest Update
Sliders: DB'S Stat Accurate Sliders

[Nash]

Season Preview



The Cleveland Browns may have canned Romeo Crennel after a disastrous season (well, more than just one), but they aren't opposed to hiring clones of former Browns and current Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The team went from Crennel, a former defensive coordinator, to former defensive coordinator and -- most recently -- deposed Jets head coach Eric Mangini.

Offense -- Mangini fell off the Belichick coaching tree, so it does make sense to expect some degree of flexibility in the offense. This team shouldn't be married to one style or another, as Belichick is known for coaching a style (and teaching said style) that demands adjustments to exploit different advantages against different opponents. With that in mind, it's kind of fitting that we still don't know for sure who will start under center for the Browns. There are arguments that work both ways. The Browns should be a hard-nosed team that likes to run the ball, and Brady Quinn fits that style more because he is more willing to take what the defense gives him. However, the Browns were 4-12 last year for a reason, and it may suit them better to have a quarterback with the arm to stretch a defense. That's more Derek Anderson's game. Either way, Mangini is keeping his decision to himself for now. Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison are back at running back, and Harrison's play last year should help net him a bigger role in the offense. Lewis just turned 30, so the Browns are better off the fresher they keep him. It's full of question marks at receiver. Who among Mike Furrey and company will step up? The Browns traded Kellen Winslow to Tampa, leaving them with fewer headaches and less talent at tight end. The offensive line has some pieces, thanks to star left tackle Joe Thomas and rookie center Alex Mack, but it is not a complete unit yet.

Defense -- Things should get better here. New coordinator Rob Ryan, formerly of the Raiders, should bring a more aggressive style than what Crennel seemed to prefer. That will help, as the 3-4 is not a defense best played passively. Nose tackle Shaun Rogers rightfully made the Pro Bowl last year, but he was almost alone as a bright spot. End Corey Williams cost the Browns a lot, as they gave up a high draft pick to get him from Green Bay and then gave him a huge contract. He looked out of place as an end, and one has to wonder how long he will hold on to a job if he doesn't improve. Former Jet Kenyon Coleman should start at the other end position. Two more former Jets, David Bowens and Eric Barton, will man linebacker positions, while Kamerion Wimbley is off an 11-sack season. The secondary, which lost Sean Jones to the Eagles in free agency, could be a mess, and it will be made worse if the aggressive Ryan can't find a way to generate pass rush.

Special Teams -- Kicker Phil Dawson hit 30 of 36 field goals last year while playing home games in Cleveland. Dave Zastudil averaged an incredible 45.5 yards per punt while playing home games in Cleveland. It looks like the kicking game is sound. Beyond that, Joshua Cribbs gives the Browns a big-play threat in the return game, plus he led the team in special-teams tackles last year. No issues here.

Coaching -- Mangini took the fall for a disastrous 1-4 finish by the Jets a year ago. Blame it on Brett Favre all you want, but Mangini is the guy who kept calling on Favre's number when things weren't going well. It seems he's doing the opposite this year, waiting as long as possible to pick a starting quarterback. Once he makes that choice, he'd be wise to show more flexibility if things go poorly. The Browns can ill afford to blindly support an ineffective quarterback when the backup had lasted so long in the team's quarterback competition. Mangini's pedigree may have gotten him this second chance, and it's reasonable to expect him to show improvement as a coach this time around.

[Nash]

YEARLY RECAPS
Season One: (11-5) | AFC North Champs

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DRAFT HISTORY

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AWARD WINNERS

Season One

MVP

Peyton Manning|Indianapolis Colts
368-586, 4,692 yds, 37 TDs, 15 INTs

Runners Up:
Tom Brady
Adrian Peterson
Michael Turner
Frank Gore


Offensive Player Of Year

Adrian Peterson|Minnesota Vikings
342 Att, 2,184 yds, 21 TDs

Runners Up:
Michael Turner
Frank Gore
Peyton Manning
Joseph Addai


Defensive Player Of Year

Shaun Rogers|Cleveland Browns
102 Tkls, 37 TFL, 25.0 Sacks, 5 FF

Runners Up:
Lamarr Woodley
Elvis Dumervil
Shawne Merriman
James Harrison


Offensive Rookie Of Year

Knowshon Moreno|Denver Broncos
249 Att, 1,424 Yds, 12 TDs

Runners Up:
LeSean McCoy
Mark Sanchez
Josh Freeman
Matthew Stafford


Defensive Player Of Year

Rey Maualuga|Cincinnati Bengals
110 Tkls, 13 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 2 Ints, 9 Defl, 4 FF, FR,

Runners Up:
Brad Jones
Aaron Curry
Brian Cushing
Clay Matthews


Coach of Year

Eric Mangini|Cleveland Browns
Record: (11-5)

Runners Up:
Andy Reid
Mike Smith
Mike Singletary
Rex Ryan

[Sharkweather]

Lets see who can have the quickest turnaround. Starting out with the two worst teams IMO.

[Nash]

Lets see who can have the quickest turnaround. Starting out with the two worst teams IMO.

lol iight... your simming your first season, right? I might too then

[Nash]

nevermind, I'm just gonna play this season out

[TheSanchize]

I'll follow..and i believe that I have the worst team..just saying

[Nash]

I'll follow..and i believe that I have the worst team..just saying

the raiders? :vogel:

They are always overrated in Madden. We all know Al Davis loves speed and speed kills in Madden

[TheSanchize]

Yeah, the team sucks though. No one can catch the f-ing ball..Heyward-Bey is the only decent receiver.

[Nash]

Yeah, the team sucks though. No one can catch the f-ing ball..Heyward-Bey is the only decent receiver.

true, I'm not saying they are good but they are alot better than the Browns

Still, both teams suck the big one

[Sharkweather]

Good luck in 2009. No Braylon

[Nash]

Good luck in 2009. No Braylon

but we have Cribbs :jizz:

[TheSanchize]

true, I'm not saying they are good but they are alot better than the Browns

Still, both teams suck the big one

Sooooo, true. At least you guys have Holmgren now..so Mangini is probably gone.