CLEVELAND BROWNS

2005 Record: 6-10
CJ'S Team Rank: 25

THE CHARLES JAY LINE
To win Super Bowl:100-1
To win AFC North: 10-1
Total Wins: Under 6.5 -110, Over 6.5 +100

The Browns were riddled with injuries last season, but the expected return to health of several players, along with the acquisition of key veterans, has this franchise looking at the AFC wild-card race as something that is very winnable.

Few would argue that Cleveland made an upgrade at the center position when perennial Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley came over from New Orleans to replace Jeff Faine (who himself went off to the Saints). Braylon Edwards, last year's first round pick, proved to be a reliable and potentially explosive target (16 yds. per catch) before going down with an injury. Joe Jurevicius (55 receptions in 2005) has been an important performer for three Super Bowl teams. Reuben Droughns gained 1232 yards from the running back position - the second straight 1000-yard season for him.

The development of two young players in particular is going to be critical for this team to have any hope of success. Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. broke a fibula, then tore an ACL, so he essentially was deprived of a rookie and sophomore season. But he should get a chance to contribute now as a regular part of the lineup. If he remains healthy, he'll be a big boon to quarterback Charlie Frye (59.8%, 1002 yards), who came in as a third-round draft pick last year and wound up starting five games. Frye needs to produce, because the Browns don't have much of a safety net; the unproven Ken Dorsey and erratic rookie Derek Anderson are the backups.

Defensively, the Browns, who ranked 30th in the league against the run and dead last in quarterback sacks, should be much improved. Grizzled vet Ted Washington is slated for the nose tackle position, and Willie McGinest came over from the Patriots to give head coach Romeo Crennel an experienced presence at linebacker to join rookies Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson. A better pass rush, which is expected, should ease the pressure on the secondary, which picked off just 15 opposition passes.

Frye is resourceful, and many considered him a third-round bargain when drafted. But he must mature quickly to give this club a real opportunity in a division which includes the Bengals, Ravens, and Super Bowl champion Steelers.