Three questions for the AFC North. Part #2 the Cleveland Browns.

Here at the AFC North Report we listen to you the readers. We look at all the questions and comments you post and combine it with stats, data, Wigi boards, tarot cards, and chicken entrails in an effort to determine what will happen in the coming season. With a crystal ball at our side and yes that wonderful hat that Merlin wore we seek answers, but to have answers one must have questions. So in part two of this four part series here are three questions that must be asked in regards to the Cleveland Browns upcoming 2012 season.

Question #1: Is Brandon Weeden the Cleveland Browns franchise QB? We have asked this question 16 times since coming back into the NFL in 1999. Brandon Weeden will be the 17th. And Just in case you forgot (Yeah right!),  here is a list of QB’s under center for Cleveland in the past13 seasons.

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1.      Tim Couch

2.      Ty Detmer

3.      Kelly Holcomb

4.      Spergon Wynn

5.      Doug Pederson

6.      Luke McCown

7.      Jeff Garcia

8.      Trent Dilfer

9.      Charlie Frye

10.  Ken Dorsey

11.  Bruce Gradkowski

12.  Derek Anderson

13.  Brady Quinn

14.  Jake Delhomme

15.  Seneca Wallace

16.  Colt McCoy

So now we are giving the 28-year-old rookie out of Oklahoma State take his shot. And can he truly be the one to turn this franchise around? Only time will tell but  having Trent Richardson in the backfield certainly can’t hurt. Is he going to be Tom Brady or Aaron Rogers right out of the gate? Of course he won’t be. But he could develop into that type of QB. All Weeden needs to do this season is manage the game and take care of the ball. Anything beyond that to me is a bonus..

Question #2: Can Josh Gordon be a #1 receiver? Looking up and down the depth chart of wide receivers currently in camp (due to a comment made to me by Keith B. McGlothin of Cleveland.com), I did not see a true number one receiver on the roster. Gordon has the size, it is said he is quicker than is 4.52 40 time indicates (according to my sources), and two NFL executives have described him as “A bigger Brandon Marshall”, and “Possesses Randy Moss like ability”. The Browns brass is very high on the young wide out, and they feel that he can start right away. But I think they envision him as the receiver opposite of Greg Little. Now whether that is as the #1 or #2 I’m not sure but unless Greg Little explodes in camp I think Gordon may start the year at that position (provided he can catch on to the system) .

And I know he has some “character” issues that caused him to be suspended for a season at Baylor due to Marijuana use, but come on, who of us has not explored in one form or another in college? Granted it’s not smart to smoke the dope when you know you’re going to be tested but everyone deserves at least one chance to redeem themselves.

Question #3: Can the Browns defense perform the same, if not better in 2012. Last season the Cleveland browns defense was a true bright spot in a dismal season. The passing defense was ranked 2nd in the league and as a whole the team finished in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense. But once again the team’s running defense was suspect at best. They finished at the bottom of the league surrendering over 100+ yards per game.

It appears that in free agency and the draft the team addressed which they believed were the issues that were ailing the Browns defense. The signing of Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker along with drafting of Billy Winn and John Hughes may solve their issues opposite of rookie standout Jabaal Sheard. This also helps give rotation support to a line which was thin last season. Granted Phil Taylor will be out at least for a good part of the season but I believe that these moves (although not sexy) will help keep the opposition running game under control in 2012.

When it’s all said and done there have been NFL analyst’s saying the Browns will be lucky to win one game. Another practically guaranteed that the Browns will be the third worst team in 2012. I disagree. I’m not crazy (at least according to my release papers), and I’m not expecting a Super Bowl. But I honestly feel this team can win as many as nine games this year. If things break the right way they could even be better. At worst they go 7-9. Look at the 2011 stats. If the Browns score one more touchdown per game then they are 10-6, not 4-12. But don’t believe me? Look it up.

What do you think.
**Part #1 of the Series: Three questions for the AFC North. Part #1 the Cincinnati Bengals.

Michael W. Youngman--Lead Analyst AFC North
Michael is the Lead Analyst for the AFC North Report and the Cleveland Browns Report. He has written many articles that have been featured by playerpress.com, cantonrep.com, FoxSports.com, and of course this site. Michael has also written a book titled “The Dayton Project” published in 2008 by PublishAmerica. He makes his home in the Hall of Fame City of Canton Ohio with his wife Lisa and his two children Joseph and Jennifer. To learn more, visit his Website