2011 Cleveland Browns NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Cleveland Browns NFL Football Season Preview: The Cleveland Browns struggled to a 5-11 record last season, but the low win total masked some serious strides made by the young team. Running back Peyton Hillis emerged from out of nowhere to become an offensive force, and quarterback Colt McCoy showed enough to convince the Cleveland front office that he can be the next franchise QB for the Browns. Granted, the team still has an uphill battle in order to become factor in the AFC North, but with first-year coach Pat Shurmur bringing a West Coast offense philosophy into the mix, the young Browns could make some major strides in 2011-12.
The development of McCoy will go a long way to determining how fast the Browns progress as a team. He doesn’t have the biggest arm in the NFL, but he was accurate and adept at spreading the ball in his time at Texas. The West Coast system that Shurmur brings should play to McCoy’s best attributes, putting him in situation where he can succeed. After ranking 29th in the NFL in passing and 31st in scoring, McCoy and company should improve substantially this year in large part because of Shurmur’s pass-first philosophy.
That being said, Hillis will still be the workhorse back. He caught 61 passes last season, and he should have a similar total this year with the West Coast system relying heavily on the short passing game. Hillis should carve out a role similar to that of Frank Gore in San Francisco, doing plenty of damage on the ground and through the air. An underrated offensive line and improved play from McCoy should help prevent the fatigue that set in for Hillis at the end of last season when he was forced to be the sole option on offense for the Browns.
While Hillis can be counted on, finding some other reliable receivers remains a work in progress. Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie have both shown flashes, and Josh Cribbs is slowly but surely learning the position after spending a majority of his career as an explosive kick returner. The X-factor could be rookie Greg Little. He has shown immediate chemistry with McCoy during the preseason, and he has enough athleticism and physical tools to be drafted in the second round despite missing his final collegiate season while serving a suspension. If he can break some big plays, Cleveland’s offense could reach a different level.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns will be breaking in several young players as well. Cleveland spent first and second-round picks on defensive linemen in an attempt to improve unit that ranked 27th against the rush last season. Defensive tackle Phil Taylor is expected to make an immediate impact in the middle of the defense, while defensive end Jabaal Sheard has been praised for his relentless motor. Adding two young, hungry players should be an immediate upgrade over the disinterested Shaun Rogers.
Cleveland is certainly heading in the right direction, but two things are still working against the Browns. They are still a young team, and they play in a division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. In the end, McCoy and company have too much inexperience to take on proven title contenders like the Ravens and Steelers. Cleveland is amassing some talent of its own, but a 7-9 season is still the ceiling at this point.
Preseason 2011 Cleveland Browns NFL Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 Super Bowl: +11000
Odds to Win 2011 AFC Championship: +75250
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2011 Cleveland Browns NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 1:00 PM Bengals – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 1:00 PM at Colts – – Tickets
3 Sunday Sep. 25 1:00 PM Dolphins – – –
4 Sunday Oct. 2 1:00 PM Titans – – –
5 Bye Week
6 Sunday Oct. 16 4:05 PM at Raiders – – Tickets
7 Sunday Oct. 23 1:00 PM Seahawks – – –
8 Sunday Oct. 30 4:15 PM at 49ers – – Tickets
9 Sunday Nov. 6 1:00 PM at Texans – – Tickets
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM Rams – – –
11 Sunday Nov. 20 1:00 PM Jaguars – – –
12 Sunday Nov. 27 1:00 PM at Bengals – – Tickets
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM Ravens – – –
14 Thursday Dec. 8 8:20 PM at Steelers – – Tickets
15 Sunday Dec. 18 4:15 PM at Cardinals – – Tickets
16 Saturday Dec. 24 1:00 PM at Ravens – – Tickets
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM Steelers – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 AFC North Odds and Predictions articles.
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