Browns offseason report: Can Robert Griffin III, Hue Jackson change fortunes – USA TODAY
An offseason again has brought a major overhaul to the Cleveland Browns.
Gone are quarterback Johnny Manziel, coach Mike Pettine, center Alex Mack and defensive back Donte Whitner, among others.
The Browns head into the 2016 season with a new head coach in Hue Jackson, two new quarterbacks, new men in charge of the front office and a nearly unrecognizable roster.
But be careful how you brand this season, Jackson says.
“I know you guys keep saying ‘rebuilding,’ but you know I won’t call it that because I really don’t believe in that,” Jackson said at the conclusion of the NFL draft.
In Cleveland, every spring brings optimism. But will any sort of real improvement come this fall?
The answer will lie with Jackson’s ability to fix a team that was 30th in scoring in 2015, a process that starts with finding a quarterback. Veteran Josh McCown, who started in eight games but struggled with injuries and concussions in 2015, is back, but the two guys grabbing headlines are 2012 Washington Redskins first-round pick Robert Griffin III, who signed as a free agent in March, and rookie Cody Kessler, who was a surprise third-round pick out of Southern California.
Jackson, who had a one-year stint as Oakland Raiders head coach in 2011, was hired in part because of his history of working with quarterbacks, especially after he had success with Andy Dalton on the Cincinnati Bengals over the last several years.
While there might be outside skepticism that Griffin, Kessler or McCown can turn the Browns around, Jackson is asking the Cleveland fan base to trust him.
“When I look at quarterbacks, I’ve had a history with bringing guys along,” Jackson says. “I think over my history the guys who can complete the ball and throw the ball straight with accuracy and make great decisions that are intelligent that know how to lead football teams, they’ve been successful. I’ve been very good at watching those things happen.”
But quarterback isn’t the only position in flux. The Browns drafted four wide receivers and a tight end this year — though four of those five were drafted in the fourth round or later — as part of a plan to upgrade an area that was among the team’s weakest.
And the defense is undergoing major changes as well. The team will start two new safeties after Whitner was released and free safety Tashaun Gipson left in free agency, while leading tackler Karlos Dansby was also cut.
But aside from those major roster changes, the Browns are looking for stability and calm after years of turmoil, both on the field and off, with recent failures of players such as Manziel and still-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon.
Paul DePodesta, the new chief strategy officer who has a background in analytics for baseball front offices, says the organization is focused on finding the right type of people and not just the right players.
“There is not a silver bullet. There is not a test that tells you exactly what (a player) is going to be like. But what we have to do is spend as much time as we can with him,” DePodesta says.
Quarterback
Manziel might be gone, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be drama at the position. The Browns are hoping it’s only football-related intrigue in 2016, as RG3 tries to resurrect his career, Kessler fights to prove Jackson right for drafting him so early and McCown provides the steady veteran presence he always does. But will any of them be able to win?
Running back
The Browns drafted 14 players, but no running backs, which team brass said was a sign of confidence in the incumbents, especially Isaiah Crowell and 2015 third-rounder Duke Johnson. They combined to rush for 1,085 yards last season, but Cleveland will need to be more productive in running the ball in the red zone after recording five rushing touchdowns last season.
Wide receiver
It’s hard to imagine all four of the receivers the Browns drafted making the roster, but give the new brain trust credit for addressing a major need. First-round pick Corey Coleman will be an immediate deep threat and could be the No. 1 target the team has lacked since Gordon started his lengthy suspension. (He sat out last season after testing positive for alcohol, which was his third violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.) Back is slot man Andrew Hawkins, who should be a good mentor to a very young group. “I think you can never have too much talent or competition at that position, because I think it helps improve your quarterback position,” Jackson said.
Tight end
With 79 catches for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns, Gary Barnidge was the team’s most productive player in the passing game last season. It was certainly a breakout year for Barnidge, who became a fantasy football favorite. Given the importance of the tight end in Jackson’s offense, Barnidge could be on track for a big 2016 as well.
Offensive line
At least perennial all-pro left tackle Joe Thomas is back, right Browns fans? But the line will look quite different in 2016, after Mack, the longtime center, and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz left in free agency. Mack’s departure thrusts 2015 first-round pick Cameron Erving into the starting lineup and gives him a chance to shake the bust label some tried to give him last year. Another potential standout is third-year left guard Joel Bitonio.
Defensive line
The Browns sure could use a big second year out of nose tackle Danny Shelton, one of the team’s 2015 first-round picks. Cleveland finished 30th against the run but also needs pass rush help after recording just 29 sacks. Names to watch to see if the Browns can improve up front include Shelton and rookie end Emmanuel Ogbah, a second-round pick who should make an immediate push for playing time.
Linebacker
Gone is leading tackler Dansby, leaving a big void to be filled by inside linebackers Demario Davis, a former New York Jet, and returning Browns Tank Carder and Christian Kirksey. This is also a huge year for outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, a 2013 first-round pick who has yet to live up to his draft status.
Secondary
Among the significant questions facing this group is when star cornerback Joe Haden will be back. He missed part of last year because of a concussion and had ankle surgery in March. Though he’s hoping to be back for the season opener, Haden is expected to miss most, if not all, of training camp. He is crucial to the defense’s success, especially as the Browns break in two new starting safeties, Rahim Moore and Ibraheim Campbell.
Special teams
The biggest special-teams question Cleveland faces is who will replace departed Travis Benjamin as the returner. Cornerback Justin Gilbert, a 2014 first-round pick, should be in the mix to handle kickoff returns, while receiver Taylor Gabriel could wind up as the punt returner.
Coaching
None of the franchise’s previous four head coaches lasted more than two seasons. Will Jackson have more time to turn the Browns around? He hired a veteran staff, including longtime NFL defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who led the Browns to a top-10 defensive ranking in 2013, and former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who will serve as Jackson’s associate head coach.
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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones
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