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Cleveland Browns Statistics from NFL.com
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NFL AFC North 2005 Cleveland Browns
Published: 2005-09-10
2004 record: 4-12
Offense:
The Browns offense ranked 28th in total yards (280.1) and 27th in points (17.3). The offense also had 40 giveaways (2nd most in AFC). Head coach Romeo Crennel (DC New England Patriots) takes over and the house-cleaning starts at quarterback with Trent Dilfer (Seattle Seahawks) starting for departed Jeff Garcia (Detroit Lions). Kelly Holcomb and Luke McCown are also gone. The Browns picked up 3rd round quarterback Charlie Frye (Akron) to backup Dilfer this year. For the second straight year, the Browns will be without “the road warrior”, tight end Kellen Winslow, who tore an acl, falling off his motorcycle, doing endos during training camp. Tight end Steve Heiden (led the Browns with 5 TDs) returns along with recently signed tight end Billy Miller (Houston Texans). The 3rd pick, rookie wide receiver Braylon Edwards (Michigan) will begin the season at the # 3 wideout, but Edwards gives the Browns a legitimate playmaker. Wide receiver Antonio Bryant will start along with Dennis Northcutt, who led the
Browns receivers with 55 receptions and 806 yards. Andre Davis (New England Patriots) was traded for a future pick. New additions to help improve the offensive line include left guard Joe Andruzzi (New England Patriots), left tackle L.J. Shelton (Arizona Cardinals), and right guard Cosey Coleman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Center Jeff Faine and right tackle Ryan Tucker return. Tucker missed 9 games last season to injury (knee). The overhaul on the line should help the run game and a pass protection that gave up 41 sacks last season. The addition of running back Reuben Droughns (Denver Broncos) will lead the 3 headed monster along with Lee Suggs and William Green. Suggs and Green combined for over 1,300 rushing yards and 4 TDs. The line improves, the running backs gain depth, and there’s a receiver on the horizon. At least things can’t get much worse.
Defense:
The Browns defense ranked last against the run (144.6), 5th against the pass (181.3), and 24th in points allowed (24.4). Crennel will implement a 3-4 base defense, like that in New England. The house-cleaning continues with the departure of 4 defensive lineman, defensive tackles Gerard Warren and Michael Myers, and defensive ends Courtney Brown and Ebenezer Ekuban (led Browns with 8 sacks), all of whom ended up with the Denver Broncos in the Droughns trade and free agency. Defensive tackle Jason Fisk (San Diego Chargers) will start in the middle with ends Orpheus Roye and Alvin McKinley. Kenard Lang will move to outside linebacker with Chaun Thompson. Andra Davis and Ben Taylor will start inside. Linebackers Warrick Holdman (Washington Redskins) and Kevin Bentley (Seattle Seahawks) are gone. Cornerback Gary Baxter (Baltimore Ravens), who signed a six-year contract in the offseason, will replace Anthony Henry (Dallas Cowboys). Free agent veteran cornerback Ray Mickens (New York Jets) signed a one-year
contract, and will back up Daylon McCutcheon. Strong safety Sean Jones returns from a torn ACL to backup Cris Crocker. free agent safety Brian Russell (Minnesota Vikings) will replace departed Roberth Griffith (Arizona Cardinals). 2nd round pick safety Brodney Pool (Oklahoma) will backup Russell. An overhaul with a new scheme and a new coach. This could be interesting.
Overall:
The Browns should improve by at least a game, but not much more in a tough division. Prediction: 4th in AFC North.
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Betting Odds
| Odds to Win: | |
Open | |
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Bet365 | |
VipSports | |
BetCris | |
Bodog | |
| Super Bowl XL | |
80/1 | |
125/1 | |
201/1 | |
200/1 | |
200/1 | |
150/1 | |
| AFC Conference | |
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| AFC North | |
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(as of 9/10/05)
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2005 Cleveland Browns Schedule
WK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 11 Cincinnati 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 18 at Green Bay 1:00 PM
3 Sun, Sep 25 at Indianapolis 1:00 PM
4 BYE WEEK
5 Sun, Oct 9 Chicago 1:00 PM
6 Sun, Oct 16 at Baltimore 1:00 PM
7 Sun, Oct 23 Detroit 1:00 PM
8 Sun, Oct 30 at Houston 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 6 Tennessee 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 13 at Pittsburgh 8:30 PM
11 Sun, Nov 20 Miami 1:00 PM
12 Sun, Nov 27 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
13 Sun, Dec 4 Jacksonville 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 11 at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
15 Sun, Dec 18 at Oakland 4:05 PM
16 Sat, Dec 24 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 1 Baltimore 1:00 PM
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