Browns: 2015 Preseason Review Part 2: WRs, TEs, OL

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Dec 8, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; A Cleveland Browns helmet sits on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of New England

Summary And What’s Next?

So what have we learned? How has the preseason shaped up for the wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive line halfway through? I think the best way to summarize it is solid with chances of great potential.

The wide receiver group is deep with talent in guys like Gabriel, Pryor, and Jennings. They will learn from solid veterans like Bowe, Hartline, and Hawkins.

The tight ends are a solid group with veterans Barnidge and Dray, but backed up by raw potential and talent in Housler and Bibbs.

The offensive line is the strongest group of talent the Browns, but even they have the potential to grow and get stronger as the year goes on.

Is the offense going to be good in 2015?

If the Cleveland Browns offense is going to succeed in 2015, it’s going to be a combination of a lot of things going right. At the beginning of my preseason review I wondered if the Browns 2015 offense has the potential to be better than the 2014 version or even one of the best yet. My answer? The 2015 Cleveland Browns offense stands to be a better offense than we have seen in years past. Why you ask? Well, in analyzing the team, I was able to find the results I was looking for.

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McCown is the starting quarterback this season. There’s no controversy, there’s no doubts. Manziel’s gotten his life in order and he’s improved on the field, but he’s not ready to take the reigns of the team yet. Lewis will start the season as the third string QB due to Shaw’s injury, but isn’t a threat to McCown either. So barring any kind of season ending injury to McCown or complete meltdown, look for Pettine and DeFilippo to give control of the team to McCown and his veteran leadership.

The running back situation is murky, but the group consisting of Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, and Johnson gives the Browns a running back trio like nothing they’ve had in recent past. Crowell and West are pound the ball runners with the potential to hit the big play. Johnson has to prove himself in actual preseason game action, but by all accounts he might be the biggest weapon the Browns have had in a long time.

Bowe and Hartline provide the Browns with solid leadership and potential play-makers at wide receiver. Hopefully Bowe can return to his 2010 Pro Bowl form, while Hartline, Hawkins, Gabriel, and maybe even Pryor look to expand the options McCown has at his disposal.

Then finally, the offensive line should be the best it’s been since the Browns returned in 1999. Thomas, Mack, and Bitonio are as solid a core of Pro Bowl level talent not many teams in the NFL can boast. The only thing they need to do is continue to gel, grow as a unit, and stay healthy. If that all aligns, look for the line to help provide the offense with all the opportunities they need to be successful in 2015.

Yes, all of this was determined through two preseason games. We still have two more to go. Let’s see how it all unfolds for the offense tonight against Tampa Bay.

Coming soon in Part 3 of my Cleveland Browns 2015 Preseason Review is a look at the defense and special teams. Sure it may be after the third preseason game, but let’s be honest, Joe Haden hasn’t played yet, and who could judge our defense without him?

Next: Cleveland Browns: 2015 Mid-Preseason Review Part 1 QB's and RB's

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