5 Keys to The Browns Improving This Year

The Cleveland Browns season begins today. As Browns fans eagerly await today's game against the Miami Dolphins at the newly named FirstEnergy Stadium, I've compiled my five keys to the Browns improving this year (also known as the five ways to keep Browns fans sane this year). 

1. Brandon Weeden must becoming the starting quarterback.

Though the organization gave Weeden the thumbs up that he is the starter for Week 1, he is still on a short leash. He likely has the first four weeks of the season to prove himself. In this four weeks, he must show three important traits: leadership, a positive TD-INT ratio, and wins. All three of these traits don't have to be accomplished, but if after four weeks, Weeden has shown poise, has 9 TD, 4 INT, and the Browns are 2-2, we will have no problem anointing Weeden as the starter for the rest of the season and the “future of the Browns” (at least, the relative future as Weeden is about to turn 30). If Weeden shows any consistent signs of the type of play fans saw from him last season or during the preseason game against the Colts, the Browns have immediately taken a step back. Weeden is now a wasted first-round pick and the Browns are back to the drawing board in trying to find a long-term, consistent solution at the quarterback position. Weeden must show that he is a formidable starter in the NFL otherwise the Browns will continue to be haunted by another quarterback change.

2. Trent Richardson must have a 1,000 yard rushing season.

Richardson rushed for 950 yards last season even while having a broken rib injury. With a much better offensive system in place, Richardson seems poised to get a 1,000 yard rushing season. But, this is still the Cleveland Browns, and Richardson is certainly susceptible to injury with his aggressive running style and willingness to grind for extra yardage. Richardson also must thrive in receiving yards, which should be accomplished in Norv Turner's offensive system.

      3.  The Browns need to be a top 15 defense.

The Browns defenses have consistently been terrible since their return in 1999. It didn't matter who the personnel or the coordinator was, there never has been a season where the defense was considered threatening to opponents in the league, which is sad considering the history of intimidating defenses that Cleveland once had. With Ray Horton aboard as the coordinator, players are excited at the packages and blitzes being mixed in. However, with real questions in the secondary, there may be some growing pains for this defense regardless. Or, we may be in store for another year of a defense ranked in the 20s in the league.

4. No dumb coaching mistakes.

The Pat Shurmur coaching era in Cleveland was marked by numerous dumb coaching errors. Since the Browns usually lost, Shurmur was second-guessed on many of his decisions. However, in some cases, there were a lot of dumb mistakes leading to unnecessary timeouts being used and poor play calling (remember, we did a running play to tight end Alex Smith). In his first year, Rob Chudzinski needs to avoid these situations at all costs otherwise he will begin to hear it from Cleveland fans and media. With balanced coordinators like Turner and Horton calling plays on both sides of the ball, it gives far more hope that such mistakes won't happen.

     5.  Don't be the Cleveland Browns.

You know what I mean. The Browns find amazing ways to lose and look illogical in the process. The Browns have had only one opening-day win since they returned to the league in 1999. A victory in a winnable game against the Miami Dolphins will put this new organization and coaching staff in the right direction with fans. Please, no more moments like this one.