The Cleveland Browns finally decided to give 27-year old Jerome Harrison his shot as a featured back the last three weeks of the 2009 season and he produced eye popping stats.  Harrison carried the ball 106 times for 561 yards (5.3 ypc) with 5 TD runs and he also caught 4 passes for 32 yards (8.0 avg) in those three starts.  Harrison played in 14 games (7 starts) overall last season in which he carried the ball 194 times for 862 yards (4.4 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  He also caught 34 passes for 220 yards (6.5 avg) with 2 TD grabs last year.  Harrison has not been heavily used in his first four years in the NFL so he has a lot of tread left on the tires.  Harrison has now played in 47 games (8 starts) in his four years with the Browns and he has carried the ball 271 times for 1,310 yards (4.8 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  Harrison has also caught 57 passes for 402 yards (7.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  I believe that Harrison can be a featured RB for the Browns but they must think a little different as they traded up for Montario Hardesty in the second round.  Harrison and Hardesty will likely share carries in 2010 as Hardesty is the better power runner while Harrison can break the long ones.

2nd year RBs Chris Jennings and James Davis will battle it out for the #3 RB on the Browns in 2010.  Jennings would appear to have the edge based on his play last season.  Jennings played in 9 games (1 start) for the Browns last season in which he carried the ball 63 times for 220 yards (3.5 ypc) with 1 TD grab.  He also caught 9 passes for 56 yards (6.2 avg) last season.  He has pretty good speed but he lacks the power to run much between the tackles.  James Davis had his rookie year cut short due to a shoulder injury.  He played in 2 games for the Browns as a rookie last season in which he carried the ball 9 times for 15 yards (1.7 ypc).  Davis also caught 4 passes for 5 yards (1.3 avg) last season.  But Davis was really impressive last pre-season and that will likely not be forgotten heading into training camp.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BROWNS RBs in 2010:  B

The Cleveland Browns blew up the QB position in the off-season keeping only 24 year old Brett Ratliff (a Eric Mangini favorite).  It won’t be as painful to watch the Browns knowing that Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson won’t be taking any snaps EVER again for the Browns.  35-year old Jake Delhomme was signed to come in and start for the Browns at QB in 2010.  He had his worst year in the NFL last season for the Panthers who let him go.  Delhomme played in 11 games for the Panthers last season and he completed 178 of 321 passes (55.5%) for 2,015 yards with 8 TD passes and 18 INTs (59.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 17 times for 60 yards (3.5 ypc) last year.  Delhomme has now played in 97 games in his NFL career and he has completed 1,630 of 2,755 passes (59.2%) for 19,892 yards with 123 TD passes and 94 INTs (82.1 QB Rating).  Delhomme has also carried the ball 167 times for 330 yards (2.0 ypc) with 7 TD carries.  Delhomme has a career record as a starting QB of 54-38 (58.7%) during the regular season and he has led his team to the Super Bowl once almost beating the Patriots in a epic game.  The Browns hope that Delhomme has something left in the gas tank because he is the kind of leader that they have been looking for to run the offense.

29-year old Seneca Wallace was acquired by the Browns for a 7th round pick so they didn’t give up much to bring in a Mike Holmgren favorite.  Wallace played in 13 games for the Seahawks last season and he completed 78 of 120 passes (65%) for 700 yards with 3 TD passes and 2 INTs (81.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 16 times for 2 yards (0.1 ypc) with 1 TD run last year.  I think that the Browns are going to get Wallace on the field a lot even if he’s not the starting QB as he can really be a weapon in the Wildcat because he is a good runner.  Wallace has now played in 48 games in his NFL career and he has completed 333 of 556 passes (59.9%) for 3,547 yards with 25 TD passes and 14 INTs (83.1 QB Rating).  Wallace has also carried the ball 54 times for 214 yards (4.0 ypc) with 1 TD carry in his career.  Wallace has a career record of 5-9 (35.7%) as a starting QB in the NFL.

The Browns will likely carry 4 QBs on the roster this season.  24-year old Brett Ratliff was part of the Browns’ haul for Mark Sanchez last season.  But the scary thing is that the Browns didn’t give Ratliff a chance last season despite having nothing to lose by doing so.  Colt McCoy was a 3rd round pick out of Texas this April in the NFL Draft.  He could very well be the Browns’ QB of the future.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BROWNS QBs in 2010:  C

The Cleveland Browns will let Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson battle it out for the starting job during this season’s training camp and preseason.  Quinn probably has the edge as he’s the Golden Boy of the future for the Browns.  Quinn doesn’t have near the arm strength of Anderson but he does seem to be way smarter as far as decision making goes.  The offense played pretty well last season in Quinn’s first two starts last season.  Derek Anderson had a rough year in 2008.  He definately looks the part as he is a big guy who can really rifle the football.  But too often it seems that Anderson tries to fit the ball into too many tight spots often resulting in turnovers.  Anderson was a Pro-Bowler in 2007 so the potential is there for a rebound.  Both Anderson and Quinn suffered from an overall poor performance out of the receiving corps which has undergone a lot of changes…..most for the better heading into the 2009 season.  Brett Ratliff will be the #3 guy for the Browns after coming over from the Jets in the Mark Sanchez trade on draft day.  Ratliff is a Eric Mangini favorite based on how well he played last season.  He could move up to the #2 spot if the Browns either trade Quinn or Anderson or if one of them get hurt.  Richard Bartel is the #4 QB for the Browns who will likely try to hide him on the practice squad in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  C+

33-year old Phil Dawson had his most impressive season in the NFL last year and the Browns hope he has some more kicks left in his right leg.  Dawson played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he converted 26 of 30 (86.7%) field goals.  He also made 42 of 43 extra points last year for the Browns.  Look for Dawson to do a good job for the Browns in 2008.  Dawson has now played in 140 games for the Browns and he has made 182 of 220 field goal attempts (82.7%) in his NFL career.  Dawson has also made 237 of 244 extra points in his career (97.1%).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B-

The Browns have impressive depth at TE seemingly hedging there bets against Kellen Winslow’s health.  Winslow had a true breakout season last year for the Browns.  He has too much speed for linebackers to cover and he’s too big for safeties to deal with almost always giving the Browns the advantage when throwing him the football.  Winslow played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards (13.5 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Look for Winslow to at least put up similar numbers in 2008 as long as he can stay healthy.  Winslow has now played in 34 games in his NFL career and he has caught 176 passes for 2,031 yards (11.5 avg) with 8 TD grabs.

31-year old Steve Heiden is a solid blocker and he’s usually really effective in catching the ball by the goal line.  He has great hands but little speed to do much after the catch.  Heiden played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 12 passes for 104 yards (8.7 avg) without a TD grab.  Look for Heiden’s numbers to stay about the same this season as the Browns have a lot of options in the passing game better than Heiden.  Heiden has now played in 116 games in his NFL career and he has caught 168 passes for 1,367 yards (8.1 avg) with 13 TD grabs.

31-year old Darnell Dinkins is a very effective special teams player and that’s where he will likely have to make the team.  Dinkins played in 15 games last season for the Browns and he only caught 1 pass for 15 yards.  Expect Dinkins to get some playing time possibly on running downs as he is a decent blocker.  Dinkins has now played in 62 games in his NFL career and he has caught 20 passes for 187 yards (9.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.

The Browns drafted TE Martin Rucker of Missouri because he’s a very effective receiver.  Rucker played in 14 games (all starts) for Missouri last season and he caught 84 passes for 834 yards (9.9 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Look for Rucker to work his way up the depth chart this season until he’s the primary backup to Winslow at least on passing downs.  Rucker finished up playing in 50 games (all starts) for Missouri in which he caught 203 passes for 2,175 yards (10.7 avg) with 18 TD grabs.

26-year old Brad Cieslak is a long shot to make the Browns.  He’s a big guy at 6’3″, 262 pounds but he didn’t play last season.  Cieslak has now played in 7 games in his NFL career and he has caught 6 passes for 46 yards (7.7 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A

The Browns have gotten bad news about Joe Jurevicius’ knee but they still appear very solid at WR for the 2008 season.  Former first round pick Braylon Edwards had the huge breakthrough season that most experts thought he would have.  The 6’3″, 212 pound Edwards has the speed to get deep and the power to go over the middle.  He also wins most jump balls because of his size.  Edwards played in 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards (16.1 avg) with 16 TD grabs.  Look for Edwards to have another huge season for the Browns in 2008 complete with a return trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  Edwards has now played in 42 games in his NFL career and he has caught 173 passes for 2,685 yards (15.5 avg) with 25 TD grabs.

27-year old Donte’ Stallworth was brought in to start opposite Edwards and he adds big time speed to the Browns’ offense.  Stallworth played in 16 games with the Patriots last season and he caught 46 passes for 697 yards (15.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 12 yards last year.  Look for Stallworth to catch a lot more passes for the Browns than he did last season for the Patriots as long as he can stay healthy.  Stallworth has now played in 84 games in his NFL career and he has caught 279 passes for 4,213 yards (15.1 avg) with 31 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards (4.7 ypc) in his career.

33-year old Joe Jurevicius has had some surgery on his knees which could cause him to miss some of the 2008 season and possibly all of it.  He played in 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 50 passes for 614 yards (12.3 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  The Browns were depending on Jurevicius to be the #3 receiver on the team but they will now likely look to others to step up.  Jurevicius has now played in 133 games in his NFL career and he has caught 323 passes for 4,119 yards (12.8 avg) with 29 TD grabs in his career.

25-year old Joshua Cribbs appears to be the leader in the competition to replace Jurevicius for the #3 WR slot on the Browns to start the season.  The Browns will have to be careful with using Cribbs too much on offense because of his jobs as punt returner and kickoff returner which earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl last season.  Cribbs played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 3 passes for 37 yards (12.3 avg).  He also carried the ball 9 times for 61 yards (6.8 ypc) last season.  Cribbs has the size at 6’1″, 215 pounds and the toughness to handle the #3 job for the Browns this season.  Cribbs has now played in 46 games in his NFL career and he has caught 14 passes for 135 yards (9.6 avg).  He has also carried the ball 11 times for 72 yards (6.5 avg) in his career.

This might be the last chance for 6’1″, 213 pound Travis Wilson to establish himself in the NFL with the Browns.  He was in the dog house last season and did not play in a single game despite being healthy.  Wilson has now played in only 4 games in his NFL career and he has caught 2 passes for 32 yards (16.0 avg).  Don’t expect much out of him in 2008.

6’2″, 214 pound rookie Paul Hubbard could make a move up the depth chart if he’s effective in training camp and the pre-season.  Hubbard played in 8 games (all starts) last season for Wisconsin and he caught 14 passes for 305 yards (21.8 avg).  Hubbard played in 35 games (21 starts) in his career at Wisconsin and he caught 53 passes for 936 yards (17.7 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Hubbard could work his way up the depth chart or down it based on performance.

2nd year man Syndric Steptoe was brought in to compete for the punt return job with Joshua Cribbs but he lost out.  If he wants to stay in the NFL he will have to do it at receiver.  He is only 5’9″, 170 pounds so it’s doubtful that his body will withstand the punishment in the NFL.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

Lawrence Vickers is a emerging fullback who really helped the Browns’ running game with his blocking.  He will be the starting fullback again for the Browns this season and they might throw him a bone once in a while and let him get his hands on the ball more often than last year.  Vickers is 6’0″, 252 pounds and he’s a solid blocker in the running game and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield.  Vickers played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Browns last season and he carried the ball 15 times for 43 yards (2.9 ypc).  He also caught 13 passes for 91 yards (7.0 avg) with 2 TD grabs last season.  Vickers best football is going to come soon for the Browns as he’s been learning all of the tricks his first two seasons in the NFL.  Vickers has now played in 30 games (15 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 18 times for 45 yards (2.5 ypc).  He has also caught 19 passes for 151 yards (7.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs in his NFL career.

Charles Ali is a bigger back than Vickers at 6’2″, 265 pounds but he’s not as talented.  He played in 13 games (0 starts) for the Browns last season and he never touched the football.  Ali did help the Browns out on special teams however.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

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 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