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Preseason Lowdown : Cleveland Browns

What’s the story?

What is the story with the Browns? On one hand, things look bleak. Their owner could be facing federal charges and they’re starting over (again) with a new head coach (again). But on the other hand, the Browns have a real opportunity to excel this season. It might not seem like it at first glance, being in the same division as the reigning Super Bowl champions, legendary Steelers, and popular pick Bengals, but all of those teams have exposed Achilles’ heels. This could be the Browns time to shine – and they just might have the talent to do so.

Leader and commander:

First-year head coach (with the team and the position) Rob Chudzinksi, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.

New kid on the block:

The new moves around Browns headquarters are probably bigger than the moves on the playing field. They brought in an all-star lineup on coaches – Norv Turner on offense, Ray Horton on defense – and also hired Mike Lombardi, who had been with the team way back when the franchise was moved to Baltimore, to be the GM.

Last year was…

…second verse, same as the first. The 5-11 season was the Browns fifth consecutive with 5 wins or less. And not to pour salt in the wound, but it extends further than that. They’ve only had one winning season (above .500) in the past decade.

Survey says:

The Browns schedule isn’t doing them any favors – in the first month along they face the Dolphins, Ravens, Vikings, and Bengals. They are currently ranked 28th, but don’t count the Browns out just yet. It seems like some well-deserved optimism is brewing.

Preseason Lowdown : Cincinnati Bengals

What’s the story?

Take heart, Bengals fans; your time has come. Over the past few years the Bengals have consistently increased their talent level and are now considered to have one of the best rosters in football. However, having good players is one thing. Having a team that wins is another. This could be the year that the Bengals make the leap from great talent to great team.

Leader and commander:

Marvin Lewis, who is actually the 2nd-longest tenured coach in the NFL right now at 10 years with the team.

New kid on the block:

Offensively, picking up Tyler Eifert in the draft should do well to solidify the team at tight end. Defensively, the Bengals picked up former Steelers defensive star James Harrison. It’s probably safe to assume that if Harrison played angry as a Steeler, he’ll play a heck of a lot angrier after getting booted by Pittsburgh and picked up by division-rival Bengals.

Last year was…

…disappointing. For the second year in a row, the Bengals met the Texans in the first round of the playoffs. And for the second year in a row, they got shellacked.

Survey says:

When talent transforms into team, the Bengals will be a force to be reckoned with. That could happen this year, and one would hope it would translate into a long awaited playoff win. Until then, they’ll still be sitting pretty in the upper middle of the pack at number 9 in the preseason power rankings.

Preseason Lowdown : Baltimore Ravens

What’s the story?

The Ravens are the reigning Super Bowl champs, but the team that takes the field on September 5th will barely resemble the team that hoisted the Lombardi trophy last February. If there was a name you recognized on the Ravens roster, chances are he’s no longer there anymore, save for quarterback Joe Flacco, who earned a whole lot of cash money on his new contract. Repeating as Super Bowl champs is a tall order for any team – the Patriots were the last to do it, and that was a decade ago – but it might be even more of a challenge for the newly reshuffled Ravens.

Leader and commander:

John Harbaugh (or the Harbaugh brother who is not likely to be seen doing this).

New kid on the block:

Um, all of them?

Last year was…

…the best a year can be: Super Bowl Champions.

Survey says:

A repeat performance will likely be an uphill climb. On top of losing a whole lot of talent from their roster, Joe Flacco just signed a mega contract, and that can occasionally cause quarterbacks to freak out and try to prove their worth on the field (often unsuccessfully). No reason to sound the alarms yet, but be on the lookout for a season that looks a little different from the last one (even though the last one was unexpected, too).

Preseason Lowdown : New England Patriots

What’s the story?

If you don’t know the story, you might not live in this country. And if 9 months ago someone had told you that Tim Tebow would join the Patriots and that wouldn’t be the story, you might have asked them what they were smoking. It’s been an uncharacteristically tumultuous offseason for the Pats.

Leader and commander:

The Hoodie. Always and forever.

New kid on the block:

It’s more about who’s not on the block for the Patriots. Namely, their top 5 receivers: Wes Welker (Denver), Danny Woodhead (Chargers), Brandon Lloyd (released), Rob Gronkowski (injured), and Aaron Hernandez (prison). However, if anyone is going to throw a deep ball to and will a receiver into existence out of thin air, it’s Tom Brady. Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, Pats fans. 12 has your back.

Last year was…

…something new and different for the Patriots: their first AFC Championship loss at home. The Ravens, who won that game, went on to win the Super Bowl.

Survey says:

Even sans-receivers, the Patriots will still win the division. They are just that good, that well-coached. Which is why despite everything stacked against them, they’re still ranked 6th in the preseason power rankings. That’s what you get when you have The Hoodie on your side.

Preseason Lowdown : Miami Dolphins

What’s the story?

Miami put the pedal to the medal this offseason, picking up quite a few big name free agents. It’s kind of like they went on one of those extreme makeover shows (and have the new logo to prove it).

Leader and commander:

Second-year head coach and former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

New kid on the block:

The biggest one is probably former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, who garnered a surprising amount of attention (and cash money) as a free agent this offseason.

Last year was…

…good enough for second in the division at 7-9, but far enough away from first (the Patriots, 12-4) that it didn’t really matter. (And while we’re talking about last year, let’s pause and remember this moment, just for fun.)

Survey says:

The Dolphins are ranked 18th in this year’s preseason polls, due largely to the introduction of a bevy of new talent. And if there were a year for the ‘phins to finally pull ahead of the Pats, you’d think it’d be this year, with the two teams having decidedly opposite offseasons. However, if anything is true of the AFC East, it’s likely this: never underestimate the Hoodie.

Preseason Lowdown : Buffalo Bills

What’s the story?

I was at Bills camp last Friday. And while selling “4-Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances!” posters from the 90’s doesn’t necessarily imply swagger…the Bills just might get their groove on this year. (Try not to remember that I said that last year, too.) It helps that their division is in shambles (receiver-less Patriots, rebuilding Dolphins, and…the Jets) but it also helps that there is sincere enthusiasm surrounding the team this year due in large part to new faces and a new approach.

Leader and commander:

The main new face with the new approach? Rookie NFL head coach Doug Marrone, previously of Syracuse University. I have yet to talk to anyone who doesn’t love this hire. Coach Marrone seems confident and deeply invested in his team – so much so that he’s been the one snapping the ball to his quarterbacks at training camp.

New kid on the block:

Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel, taken as the first quarterback in this year’s NFL draft, looks like he might beat out veteran Kevin Kolb (who is also new to Buffalo – he was in Arizona last season and Philadelphia the season before that). I can personally attest to the fact that he is not unlike Goliath in size and stature.

Last year was…

…typical for the Bills: a 6-10 season with early glimmers of promise that fizzled fast.

Survey says…

…this year might not be much different. According to the preseason power rankings, the Bills are hanging out near the bottom of the pack with only two other teams to serve as a buffer from true rock bottom. But even though 30th sounds bleak, keep in mind that this could be the start of good things in Buffalo regardless of this year’s record.