In hindsight the Browns probably should have brought another back into camp either through the draft or free agency as Jamal Lewis the the only running back on the roster that can carry a heavy workload.  The Browns raised some eyebrows when they signed Lewis last off season but GM Phil Savage looked like a genius during the season.  Lewis is a perfect fit for the Browns as he is the definition of a power back.  He is a beast between the tackles and he can still turn on the jets if he can get to the second level of the defense.  Lewis played in 15 games (all starts) for the Browns last season and he carried the ball 298 times for 1,304 yards (4.4 ypc) with 9 TD runs.  He also caught 30 passes for 248 yards (8.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Lewis proved that he had a lot left in the tank last season so he should pad his career stats as long as he stays healthy.  Lewis has now played in 106 games (102 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 2,120 times for 9,105 yards (4.3 ypc) with 54 TD runs.  He also has caught 190 passes for 1,613 yards (8.5 avg) with 4 TD grabs.

Jason Wright had his best season in the NFL as he gave Lewis frequent breathers during games but he is not the type of back that can carry the load if something happened to Lewis.  Wright does have good hands but he’s not the fastest running back around.  Wright played in 16 games (1 start) for the Browns last season and he carried the ball 60 times for 277 yards (4.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 24 passes for 233 yards (9.7 avg).  Look for Wright to get the ball a little bit more than he did last season as the Browns try to save Lewis’ legs a little bit more in 2008.  Wright has now played in 34 games (4 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 136 times for 503 yards (3.7 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He has also caught 33 passes for 330 yards (10.0 avg).

Jerome Harrison is the #3 RB on the Browns and he gives the team a shot in the arm when he comes onto the field because of his all out effort.  Despite being only 5′9″, Harrison is more than willing to throw his 210 pound body around.  He played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Browns last season and he carried the ball 23 times for 142 yards (6.2 ypc).  He also caught 2 passes for 19 yards (9.5 avg).  Look for Harrison to get a little bit more playing time this season.  He has now played in 18 games (1 start) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 43 times for 202 yards (4.7 ypc).  He also has caught 11 passes for 66 yards (6.0 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The Browns have decided to cut loose center LeCharles Bentley.  This is a shame because Bentley came to the Browns as a home town fan that played his college ball at Ohio State.  He was going to help the Browns in the rebuilding of the offensive line but he never got the chance due to a major injury in his first practice with the team.  Reuben Droughns ran into the back of his leg and tore his ACL very severely and he never made it back to the field for the Browns.  He finally passed a physical so that the Browns could cut him loose.  It will be interesting to see if someone gives him a chance to revive his career.

The Cleveland Browns found out a lot about Derek Anderson last season.  He has a howitzer attached to his right shoulder as he can throw the ball deep and he really throws bullets in the short passing game.  He could use some work on his touch but that should come with experience.  He also needs to throw the ball away more often instead of trying to fit the ball into tight spots resulting in interceptions sometimes.  But, Anderson is the undisputed starter coming into the 2008 and that’s based on his great play of last year.  Be happy about that Browns’ fans as Charlie Frye is a distant memory.  Anderson played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Browns last season and he completed 298 of 527 passes (56.5%) for 3,787 yards with 29 TD passes and 19 interceptions (82.5 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 32 times for 70 yards (2.2 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  The Browns are pretty sure that Anderson is the real deal and that’s why they gave him a new three year deal in the off season.  Anderson has now played in 21 games (18 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 364 of 644 passes (56.5%) for 4,580 yards with 34 TD passes and 27 interceptions (78.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 36 times for 117 yards (3.2 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his career to date.  Anderson also played well at the end of games bringing the Browns back often when it appeared that they were in deep trouble.  Look for Anderson to have another solid season for the Browns in 2008.

2nd year man Brady Quinn is the backup but he definately has the talent to start in the NFL.  But, if Derek Anderson plays well again in 2008, Quinn’s future could be elsewhere.  Quinn only played in 1 game for the Browns last season and he completed 3 of 8 passes (37.5%) for 45 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 interceptions (56.8 QB Rating).  In fairness to him, Quinn drove the Browns right down the field in his first NFL drive which resulted in a field goal.  He hit two players (Winslow, Edwards) right in the hands in the end zone but they both dropped the pass.  Quinn has great touch on the football and he is a leader on the field.  The Browns are in good shape at QB with Quinn even if something happens to Anderson.

Ken Dorsey holds the clipboard on Sundays and he is always around Brady Quinn helping him learn on the sideline.  Dorsey doesn’t have much of an arm and the Browns would have to take some plays out of the playbook if he were forced into action.  But, he does have experience which is more than most #3 QBs can say.  Dorsey didn’t get to play in a game last season for the Browns.  He has now played in 12 games (10 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 171 of 317 passes (53.9%) for 1,712 yards with 8 TD passes and 11 interceptions (63.5 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 9 times for 18 yards (2.0 ypc) in his career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

Alex Hall has a big upside if he can handle the jump in competition from St. Augustine.  He stands at 6′5″, 238 pounds and he knows how to get to the QB.  In his last three seasons at St. Augustine, Hall had 50 tackles for a loss and sacked the opposing QB 25 times.  He will likely have to make the team as a special teamer or he could wind up on the practice squad.

The Browns figured that they wanted to inject some young blood into the receiving corps for the future so they took a chance in selecting Paul Hubbard of Wisconsin.  Hubbard is a big target at 6′2″, 214 pounds but he’s not a blazer running a 4.54 40.  He played in 35 games (21 starts) at Wisconsin and he finished with 53 catches for 936 yards (17.7 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Hubbard will have to come ready to play in training camp and the pre season if he wants to make the Browns’ opening roster in 2007.