Coming into the 2007 NFL season there is no Cleveland fan that could have predicted that the Browns would have a ten-win season and yet still finish the season disappointed. Yet, that is exactly what took place as the Browns failed to make the playoffs despite an impressive record. The 2007 Cleveland Browns were without question the most surprising story in the NFL this regular season, surpassing any and all expectations. Still, there is little question that the Browns could have and, in all reality, should have gone even further this year.
Week one of the 2007 NFL regular season must feel like years ago for Browns fans. The Browns were trounced by the hated Steelers and appeared to be well on their way to yet another pathetic. Then, the team traded (gave) Charlie Frye away to Seattle and named Derek Anderson the starter, much to the chagrin to many a Cleveland fan who wanted to see first-round draft pick Brady Quinn start.
Anderson, however, was better than anybody could have imagined. Granted, his 29 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and 82.5 rating aren’t earth-shattering. Anderson, however, was the quarterback and more importantly the leader that the Browns have been searching for since the franchise’s return to the NFL. Perhaps even more important for the Browns, Anderson’s play in 2007 kept Quinn on the bench all season long, giving him the opportunity to learn the game in the same manner as Carson Palmer.
Anderson wasn’t the only reason for the Cleveland offense having life in 2007. The signing of free agent running back Jamal Lewis was instrumental to the success of the Cleveland offense. Lewis proved that he wasn’t nearly washed up, finishing the regular season with 1,304 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards showed that he was indeed the talent that everybody believed him to be, breaking the single-season team record for touchdown receptions with 16. Tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. had another outstanding year, leading the team in receptions with 82 and adding five touchdown catches to his stats. Add in Josh Cribbs, arguably the best return man in the NFL, and the Browns proved without a shadow of a doubt in 2007 that they can put points on the board.
A lot of the success on offense can be attributed to the offensive line, something that has been a huge weakness for the Browns since 1999. The Browns solidified their offensive lines with two key acquisitions in the spring of 2007. They signed free agent guard Eric Steinbach, taking him away from division foe Cincinnati, and then drafted future perennial Pro-Bowler Joe Thomas.
It was the Cleveland offense that propelled the team to a ten-win season in 2007. The unit showed just how explosive it could be in week two of the season, putting up 51 points against Cincinnati. That would be just the beginning of a roller coaster ride for the Browns, as the team would trade wins and losses on their way to a 3-3 record.
The Browns then won four out of their next five contests, including two emotional overtime victories against Seattle and division rival Baltimore. However, it was the week ten loss against the Steelers that would remain in the minds of fans and players alike come January of 2008. The Browns took a 21-9 lead into halftime in Pittsburgh but allowed the Steelers to score 22 points in the second half. Pittsburgh went on to win the game 31-28, a game that would have given the Browns a division title had they won.
Cleveland finished the season winning three out of their final four contests, but once again it was a loss against a division rival on the road that would prove costly for the Browns. The Browns went into week 16 needing only a win against a below-average Cincinnati team in order to make the playoffs. Instead, Cleveland came out flat, Derek Anderson threw four interceptions and the Browns were defeated 19-14. Even a week 17 victory at home against San Francisco couldn’t save the Browns and their playoff hopes, as Tennessee took the final AFC Wild Card spot by defeating the Colts in the final game of the 2007 NFL regular season.
Heading into 2008, the Browns must strengthen one of the worst defenses in the NFL. During the 2007 regular season, the Browns were near the bottom of the NFL in almost every defensive category. The defensive line and secondary of the Browns must be improved in 2008 in order for this team to improve.
Nevertheless, things are undoubtedly looking up for the Browns. This is a team that has Pro Bowl talent at practically every offensive position and the beginning of a strong defensive unit with players such as D’Qwell Jackson, Kamerion Wimbley, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald. The Browns have some issues that need to be addressed even before the 2008 NFL Draft. Be on the lookout, as I will discuss these issues in an upcoming piece.
