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Playoffs on thoughts of most pundits
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 07:30 p.m. EDT, Sep 06, 2008
What CBS television analysts had to say about the 2008 Browns.
BOOMER ESIASON: ''I think they're a playoff team, but they're not ready to overtake the Chargers or the Patriots or even the Colts, assuming that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady stay healthy. I don't necessarily know if they're as good as the Jets right now. But somebody's going to win that division. I would think they're the prohibitive favorite because of their offensive firepower and their newly restructured defensive line.
''Preseason doesn't matter, especially when Braylon Edwards isn't on the field. They've been an up-and-coming team the last couple years. The time is about right. Derek Anderson should be able to take it to the next level. He's got great weapons around him. Jamal Lewis is going to be Comeback Player of the Year. They are the class of what is probably going to be one of the weaker divisions in football [because] they cross over with the NFC East. They should, at minimum, be a 10-6 team. I think offensively, they'll be good enough.''
PHIL SIMMS: ''I'm definitely on the fence. I see what they've done and I know what they did last year. I've watched preseason games; I'm not going to draw any conclusions from that. The defense, I've got to see it in action or over a prolonged time that there can be a difference there. That difference will translate to the offensive side, too.''
WARREN SAPP: ''I tell people all the time in this league, 'When you've got it, they're expecting you.'
''The AFC's tough. Tough schedule. But [the Browns have] a core group of guys who are young and exuberant and can go, like Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis, Kellen Winslow. They don't fear anything. When you get into that situation, how do you calm yourself down and get on the task at hand? All the distractions, what they think about you, you've got to put that away. Winslow, your first Pro Bowl. OK, congratulations, son, we expected that. Let's play. Hand the ball off to Jamal and let him go.''
BILL COWHER: ''Their offense is going to be dynamic. The quarterback situation is very solid. If Braylon and Kellen can stay healthy, they're going to give them the weapons and they'll just pick up where they left off. The defense, the acquisitions in the front seven, is going to help them, particularly in the running game. The biggest question is the corner situation. I was surprised they let [Leigh] Bodden go. I thought he was a pretty good player.
''This is a team that finished the year strong, it's got high expectations coming in and I think they're all justified. The way it's probably going to unfold, they're going to be ahead in some games and they're going to have to hold up. Hopefully they can be patient in the secondary, play some Cover 2, let their rush get some push in the middle and try to make it a slow game for the opponents. It's a team that's got a lot of weapons. There's a lot of optimism — and there should be.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
What CBS television analysts had to say about the 2008 Browns.
BOOMER ESIASON: ''I think they're a playoff team, but they're not ready to overtake the Chargers or the Patriots or even the Colts, assuming that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady stay healthy. I don't necessarily know if they're as good as the Jets right now. But somebody's going to win that division. I would think they're the prohibitive favorite because of their offensive firepower and their newly restructured defensive line.
''Preseason doesn't matter, especially when Braylon Edwards isn't on the field. They've been an up-and-coming team the last couple years. The time is about right. Derek Anderson should be able to take it to the next level. He's got great weapons around him. Jamal Lewis is going to be Comeback Player of the Year. They are the class of what is probably going to be one of the weaker divisions in football [because] they cross over with the NFC East. They should, at minimum, be a 10-6 team. I think offensively, they'll be good enough.''
PHIL SIMMS: ''I'm definitely on the fence. I see what they've done and I know what they did last year. I've watched preseason games; I'm not going to draw any conclusions from that. The defense, I've got to see it in action or over a prolonged time that there can be a difference there. That difference will translate to the offensive side, too.''
WARREN SAPP: ''I tell people all the time in this league, 'When you've got it, they're expecting you.'
''The AFC's tough. Tough schedule. But [the Browns have] a core group of guys who are young and exuberant and can go, like Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis, Kellen Winslow. They don't fear anything. When you get into that situation, how do you calm yourself down and get on the task at hand? All the distractions, what they think about you, you've got to put that away. Winslow, your first Pro Bowl. OK, congratulations, son, we expected that. Let's play. Hand the ball off to Jamal and let him go.''
BILL COWHER: ''Their offense is going to be dynamic. The quarterback situation is very solid. If Braylon and Kellen can stay healthy, they're going to give them the weapons and they'll just pick up where they left off. The defense, the acquisitions in the front seven, is going to help them, particularly in the running game. The biggest question is the corner situation. I was surprised they let [Leigh] Bodden go. I thought he was a pretty good player.
''This is a team that finished the year strong, it's got high expectations coming in and I think they're all justified. The way it's probably going to unfold, they're going to be ahead in some games and they're going to have to hold up. Hopefully they can be patient in the secondary, play some Cover 2, let their rush get some push in the middle and try to make it a slow game for the opponents. It's a team that's got a lot of weapons. There's a lot of optimism — and there should be.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Comments
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Posted 11:12 AM, 09/07/2008
Browns will be 6-10 this year
Posted 07:58 PM, 09/07/2008
I'll tell ya what I'm saying. I'd rather schedule brain surgery than watch the Browns. You've got to be kidding. FatMan has no clue on how to coach.
Akron, , OH
Posted 07:03 AM, 09/08/2008
There at the next level now and need help! Weak knee Willy could coach this team! Record so far 0 and 5
