Youthful Browns offense expected to grow up

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, September 07, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Cleveland Browns
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RealFootball365.com is counting down to the 2006 NFL regular season by bringing you comprehensive offensive and defensive previews of all 32 teams. This is the last in a two-part series previewing this year's Cleveland Browns .

Part one focused on the Browns' defense. If you wish to view it, click here.

Additions: WR Joe Jurevicius (free agency); C LeCharles Bentley (free agency; out for the season with knee injury); C Lennie Friedman (trade with Bears); C Hank Fraley (trade with Eagles); LT Kevin Shaffer (free agency); RT Kelly Butler (free agency); QB Ken Dorsey (trade with 49ers); WR Travis Wilson (third-round pick); RB Jerome Harrison (fifth-round pick).

Subtractions: WR Antonio Bryant (signed with 49ers); C Jeff Faine (traded to Saints); QB Trent Dilfer (traded to 49ers); Lee Suggs (released).

Biggest strength: Left side of the offensive line. If 100 football fans were asked to name the left side of the Browns' o-line, 90 of them probably wouldn't have a clue. Despite that, LT Kevin Shaffer and LG Joe Andruzzi have a chance to make up one of the game's top line tandems this year.

Combined, the duo weighs in at 635 pounds and imposes that size on opposing defenders.

The 31-year-old Andruzzi, a former New England Patriot, has started in 85 games over the last seven seasons, while Shaffer became one of the best tackles in football with the Atlanta Falcons, which is why the Browns gave the 26-year-old a six-year, $36 million deal in the offseason to come in and anchor the line.

The unit's best player: Reuben Droughns. Last season, the 220-pound running back became the first 1,000-yard rusher in Cleveland since 1985, as he accumulated 1,232 on the campaign. Though the 28-year-old isn't exactly a touchdown machine, his ability to chew up yards and keep opposing defenses on the field is a major plus for the Browns' offense. The ex-Denver Bronco enters the upcoming season as the starter behind an improved Cleveland o-line. Look for him to jam his way through the line's abovementioned left side throughout the year.

Where the main concern lies: Quarterback. Charlie Frye is in his first full season as the Browns' starter under center, and you better believe he'll face plenty of bumps in the road. The second-year man out of Akron was impressive late last year, but he still has a long way to go. During the preseason Frye's accuracy was impressive, so was his decision making. The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder has the keys to Cleveland's offense in his hands; can he deliver?

Breakout player: Kellen Winslow, Jr. Since being drafted sixth overall by the Browns in the 2004 draft, the big-named tight end has played in just two games, thanks to a knee injury as a rookie and a freak motorcycle accident thereafter. Still only 23 years old, Winslow is basically a first-year player this season, for all intents and purposes. When Frye's under pressure from opposing defenses, he'll undoubtedly look to the 6-4, 248-pound Winslow often as a safety valve. The onus is on the former Miami star to become the big-time TE he was originally projected as.

Final outlook: The 2006 season will be one of growth for the young Cleveland Browns' offense. Frye will need to establish rapports with his top two targets in the passing game, Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards, while Droughns must pound defenses to keep the Browns in games week-to-week. Overall, expect the group to start slow and come on toward the end of the year.

--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' comments and questions each day: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Get more Cleveland Browns coverage at RealFootball365.com.
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