2006 Cleveland Browns Preview

2006 preview of the Cleveland Browns football team from Maddux Sports. Don't forget Maddux's expert advice once the NFL Season rolls around for Winning NFL Picks and be sure to bookmark the free NFL spreads feed covering 16 quality sportsbooks up to the minute odds for your convenience.

Head coach Romeo Crennel is back for his second season. He and his young staff did well in their initial year, winning six games. This year, with some experience, expect them to do even better.

Last season, rookie QB Charlie Frye (165 ATT, 98 COMP, 1,002 YDS, 4 TDs, 6 INT) saw limited but substantial action, starting the final five games. This year, Frye takes over as number one signal caller. However intended backup, veteran Trent Dilfer, ended up on the west coast and leaving the Browns to add the inexperienced Ken Dorsey as backup. Frye better be good.

Frye will be handing off to RB Reuben Droughns (309 ATT, 1.232 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 2 TDs) a lot. Droughns is a tough grinder who will be spelled on third downs by rookie Jerome Harrison. The receivers are a whole new group, with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, Jr., both top draft picks in 2005 and 2004 respectively, rehabbed and ready to go. Solid vet Joe Jurevicius brings playmaking ability and leadership to the group.

Center LeCharles Bentley and left tackle Kevin Shaffer are new to the offensive line, which includes three veterans—Joe Andruzzi, Cosey Coleman and Ryan Tucker. This line looks improved, which is important since they gave up 46 sacks last season.

The defense, which features a strong secondary, may now also reveal some sack potential. The Browns were last in sacks in 2005 (23), but former Patriot LB Willie McGinest (6 sacks in 2005) may help change that. On the frontline Cleveland added towering nose tackle Ted Washington; he joins LE Orpheus Roye, a quality veteran.

Corner Leigh Bodden, who stepped in last season for 11 games, may have earned a starting job. Gary Baxter is back and will definitely be at his old corner position. At strong safety, one-year man Brodney Pool, and at free safety, two-year man Sean Jones, are both primed to go.

2006 Cleveland Browns Predictions

If Crennel and company manage a winning record, they will do so by playing a tough schedule that includes Denver, San Diego and Atlanta as well as divisional opponents Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

Cleveland will be better than last year record wise and talent wise, but the Browns are still a year away from having a shot at winning the AFC North.

For more info on the Browns AFC North division rivals check out the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens team previews from the MadduxSports.com experts.

For more info and news on the 2006 Cleveland pro football team visit the Browns team page at NFL.com.