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Browns: New regime eyes improvementWith a new coach (Eric Mangini) at the helm and a healthy quarterback (Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn) under center, can Cleveland improve on its four-win total from last season? The Browns have a good shot with the eighth-softest schedule in 2009. |
Rough Stretch
Before their bye in Week 9, the Browns will travel to Buffalo, Chicago and Pittsburgh, where they haven't won since 2003, and then host the Green Bay Packers.
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3 Key Moments
Let the Eric Mangini era begin. The Browns will open their season at Cleveland Browns Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings, a team they haven't defeated in 20 years. The Browns hope that on opening weekend the media will be talking about the other team's quarterback situation, and not their own.
When the Browns travel to the Mile High City in Week 2, the game will pit new coaches against each other who used to be coordinators (Josh McDaniels, OC; Mangini, DC) under Bill Belichick in New England. The Browns were also mentioned in the offseason Jay Cutler trade rumors, so the Browns' chosen QB, whoever he may be, may want to prove that the front office made the right move in keeping him in a Browns uniform.
The Browns played in five primetime games last season and then finished a disappointing 4-12. Cleveland will step into the limelight just twice in '09, taking on familiar division foes Baltimore in Week 10 on Monday Night Football and Pittsburgh on Thursday night in Week 14.
Caught a Break
After an early bye week last season, the Browns have their break at the midpoint this year, in Week 9. They even have an extra day to prepare for their Week 10 matchup with division rival Baltimore on Monday Night Football.
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