4. Cleveland Browns
If there is any team in the AFC North that took a step backward during the off-season, it’s the Browns. The defense took a hit with the loss of their top-three linebackers, Jamir Miller, Earl Holmes, and Dwayne Rudd. Veteran Barry Gardner, who has never been spectacular, was brought in, but most of the linebacking duties will be filled by unproven youngsters. They also lost cornerback Corey Fuller.
The Browns have solid skill-position players on offense, but there are still questions surrounding quarterback which could haunt the team throughout the season. They were surprisingly explosive last season with Kelly Holcomb taking the snaps, and head coach Butch Davis has given the nod to Holcomb for now, but Couch will be waiting in the wings for his opportunnity.
Replacing six starters and settling on a starting quarterback could make for an unsettling season in Cleveland. I think they will finish somewhere between 6-10 and 8-8.
