The proverbial wheels fell off the Cleveland bus in 2004, as the Browns played some of the worst football they have since rejoining the NFL back in ’99. In fact, the 1-9 SU & 3-7 ATS finish to the season invoked memories of the expansion days as the team was outscored by an average of 11.8 PPG during that stretch and scored just 14 total points in a brutal three game stretch in December. The 6-10 ATS mark overall and the fact that they played as an underdog in 15 of 16 games, were clear signs that the franchise was headed in the wrong direction. Sure, the Browns were hurt by rookie TE Kellen Winslow’s season ending broken leg in week three, and by the season turning late game interception at Baltimore in week nine, but stronger teams would have survived. It was obvious by the late weeks that this team had quit and was in desperate need of a change.

Exit the Butch Davis regime, enter new Head Coach Romeo Crennel, the former defensive coordinator at New England, who obviously brings with him a lot of big game experience. He faces a complete rebuilding project here though, and with uncertainty up and down the roster, no one will confuse this group with a championship caliber squad. The problems again begin with Winslow, as his status for the entire 2005 season is up in the air after a spring motorcycle accident injured his knee. Making matters worse is that if he does end up playing, the job of getting him the ball falls to a battle between veteran QB Trent Dilfer and draftee Charlie Frye. On a good note, Cleveland was able to sign a pair of quality guards on offense as well as RB Reuben Droughns.

The overall massive player changeover won’t help Crennel’s case for building any early momentum. In fact, the defensive backfield, Cleveland’s strongest attribute last year, was hit particularly hard in the offseason. The offense simply isn’t going to be able to keep up if that area slips in 2005. The new staff has its hands full, but will eventually right the ship. It just won’t be in 2005. Look for this team to be one of the first picking in next spring’s college draft.

2005 Key Information

StatFox Power Rating: 13(29 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (12 toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 4-12)(ATS 6-10)

L3 years:(SU 18-31)(ATS 24-25)

Coach Romeo Crennel:1st Season

Trends by month

September

The winners of Cincinnati games are 11-0 ATS (9/11 & 12/11)

Browns 12-2 ATS away when total is Over 40 (9/18 & 9/25)

Cleveland 4-10 UNDER as more then 3-points dogs (9/25)

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October

Cleveland 7-3 vs. the spread in October

Browns 5-2 ATS at home L7 against NFC (10/9 & 10/23)

Baltimore 8-4 SU and 7-5 vs. Browns (10/16)

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November

Tennessee 3-0 ATS at Browns Stadium (11/6)

Cleveland is 1-7 ATS with revenge off non-division game (11/13)

Brownies 3-7-2 ATS at home in November (11/6 & 11/20)

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December

Home team 1-4 ATS vs. Jacksonville (12/4)

Cleveland is 3-10-2 ATS at home off non-division game (12/24)

Browns are 9-20 ATS at home when total is 35.5-38 (? 1/1)

Top Teaser Angle:

Cleveland 12-1 vs. 6 pt. teaser after scoring <14 points in consecutive games.

Top Money Line Angle:

Cleveland is 5-0 (+9.3 units) in road games vs. teams allowing 61% or worse pass comp.

Top Totals Angle:

Cleveland is 8-1 UNDER off road win

Pre-Season O/U wins:

UNDER 4.5 -125 @www.BetCris.com

Fantasy Player Must: Phil Dawson

Fantasy Player Bust: William Green