Wed Jan 2 19:00:15 2008

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Glass slipper breaks, ends Browns' Cinderella Season

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(Sports Network) - Raise your hand if you thought the Cleveland Browns would go 10-6 in 2007 yet end the season feeling disappointed? Yeah, I didn't think so.

The long-dormant Browns were one of the surprise stories of the 2007 season, featuring a young, explosive offense led by an unlikely source.

Quarterback Derek Anderson was largely forgotten about prior to the start of the season. A sixth-round draft pick by Baltimore in the 2005 draft, the Oregon State product never played for the Ravens and made three starts for Cleveland in 2006, but was not initially considered to be in the mix for the Browns in 2007. Cleveland acquired a second first-round pick in the 2007 draft to select Ohio-born signal-caller Brady Quinn. On top of that, Charlie Frye won a preseason battle with Anderson and was named the starter. But what a difference a single week can make.

First, Anderson replaced an ineffective Frye during a Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh. Then, just a few days later, Cleveland shipped Frye to Seattle and named Anderson the starter. The thought at the time was that Anderson would hold down the fort as the Browns eased Quinn into the starting lineup. However, someone forget to tell Anderson about this.

Backed by talented youngsters Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, and off- season acquisition Jamal Lewis, Anderson blossomed in Cleveland's offense, throwing for 3,787 yards with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. For his efforts, Anderson was named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl - an impressive effort considering the presence of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the AFC roster.

Edwards was one of the main reasons for Anderson's success, setting franchise records while moving into the upper echelon of NFL wideouts. The third-year pro out of Michigan easily had the best season of his young career with 80 catches for 1,289 yards (franchise record) and 16 touchdown catches (franchise record). Edwards was named to his first Pro Bowl, providing weekly highlight reel catches in the process.

Winslow, like Anderson, was another Browns player who probably should have made the Pro Bowl. The Miami-Florida product, who battled through injuries and controversies early in his career, improved on a solid 2006 campaign with a team-high 82 catches for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns in 2007.

Lewis signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the off-season after the team which he spent the first seven years of his career with - division-rival Baltimore - decided not to give him a new contract. After blowing up for 216 yards in a Week 2 win over Cincinnati, Lewis appeared to hit an early-season rut. The former NFL rushing champion failed to reach 100 yards in seven straight games as Cleveland relied on the arm of Anderson. However, as the weather turned sour, the bruising back hit his stride. Lewis reached the 100- yard mark in four of the final six games of the season to give the Browns a balanced offense. For the season, Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns and averaged 4.4 yards per carry. Re-signing the former University of Tennessee star should be a top priority for Cleveland this off-season.

THE TURNING POINT

Following a Week 15 win over the Bills, Cleveland was in prime position to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2002 season, needing wins over two teams that struggled in 2006 (Cincinnati and San Francisco). However, the Browns came up short against the Bengals, and watched as their playoff destiny fell out of their control.

Needing a Tennessee loss against Indianapolis in the final week of the season to reach the playoffs, the Browns were left to be cheerleaders after their season-ending 20-7 win over the 49ers. However, the defending champion Colts rested Peyton Manning and Co., and the Titans escaped Indianapolis with a 16-10 victory and the sixth and final spot in the AFC playoffs.

"We had a couple Pro Bowl players for the first time in five years. I think there is a lot of excitement (in 2008) for the Browns and the Browns fans," said Browns head coach Romeo Crennel at his final press conference on Monday. "We enjoyed every minute (of this season), for the most part."

The Browns now face an interesting conundrum at the quarterback position this offseason: Do they remember Anderson's rise as a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, or his dismal performance in a must-win game for Cleveland against the Bengals (four interceptions)? Anderson, who is a restricted free-agent, was hurt briefly against San Francisco, and Quinn made his highly anticipated debut to a rousing ovation from the home crowd.

Do the Browns trade Anderson? Quinn? Not so fast.

Although Crennel hinted that the Browns would listen to offers for Anderson, Cleveland will most likely start next season with Anderson under center in the hopes that he can improve on his impressive 2007 season. If Anderson struggles out of the gate, then it wouldn't be surprising to see the Quinn era officially begin in Cleveland.

DEFENSIVE DEFICIENCIES

If the Browns hope to reach the playoffs in 2008, Cleveland must improve on a defense that ranked near the bottom of almost every NFL statistical category.

The Browns' D finished the season ranked 30th in yards per game and 21st in points. A major upgrade is in order for a front seven that routinely gave up a 100-yard rusher. In the secondary, Cleveland will look to continue to build around defensive backs Leigh Bodden (six INTS) and Sean Jones (five INTS).

SPECIAL PLAYERS

The Browns got major contributions from their special teams this season, specifically return man Joshua Cribbs, who proved to the league that there are other electrifying returners outside of Chicago's Devin Hester.

Cribbs averaged a league-high 30.7 yards per kick return and 13.5 yards per punt return, while returning two kickoffs for touchdowns and one punt for a score. Cribbs, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005, was named to his first Pro Bowl.

Kicker Phil Dawson also had a solid season for Cleveland, making 26-of-30 field goals and setting a franchise record for points by a kicker with 120.