2007 Previews: Cleveland Browns

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 4-12 (fourth in AFC North)

Best addition: Jamal Lewis (RB, Ravens)

Key personnel loss: LeCharles Bentley (C, complications from last year's knee injury)

2007 outlook: If there is one thing Romeo Crennel knows, it's defense. Too bad it's the offense that is still undergoing some major renovation and will most likely lead to his downfall. While no one can fault the Browns for what is happening with Bentley, the offense has a lot of new pieces including OT Joe Thomas and QB Brady Quinn which can't be counted on to produce right away, which mean Crennel will be looking for a new job come January.

The addition of Lewis and G Eric Steinbach should take pressure off the passing game but it won't be enough. And while the defense has some promising pieces, it will be in too many high pressure situations to keep the team in most games. This promises to be another long season for the Dawg Pound.

Key to success: If the Browns want to even think about the playoffs, the young players they have will have to mature extremely quickly. The problem is that the only way to mature players faster is to get them experience, which means this season is probably shot if Cleveland has to rely on Quinn early on. The defense may be adequate, but the entire season hinges on how quickly the offense learns how to play together.

Against Washington: The Browns will not face the Skins this season and the last time the two teams met was in 2004, a 17-13 win for the Browns in Cleveland. Of course Jeff Garcia and Lee Suggs were key components of the offense back then so who knows what will happen when these two teams finally face off again.

Fantasy sleeper: Braylon Edwards. On a team full of offensive disasters as far as Fantasy Football is concerned, the only decent pick from Cleveland may be Edwards. However, buyer beware when selecting Edwards, who has been bothered by injuries and QB's like Charlie Frye. Edwards is definitely worth considering thie year, especially if you fail to grab a top WR earlier in your draft.