Last Updated on July 20, 2010 9:00 am by Anthony Rome
Browns Season Odds
After undergoing a major revamping this offseason, can the Cleveland Browns surprise the masses and make a run at the playoffs in 2010?
Former Packers and Seahawks’ head coach Mike Holmgren took over as the Browns’ President in December of last year. He immediately sprung into action this offseason, trading quarterback Brady Quinn and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, as well as dumping signal caller Derek Anderson.
Holmgren also signed quarterback Jake Delhomme to be the Browns’ new starter, as well as traded for Seneca Wallace to backup Delhomme. Holmgren’s other signings were tight end Benjamin Watson, linebacker Scott Fujita and receiver Bobby Engram.
Heading into the draft, the Browns needed to address the cornerback, quarterback, receiver, linebacker, safety and running back positions. So Holmgren selected Florida cornerback Joe Haden in the first, Oregon safety T.J. Ward in the second, Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty in the second, and quarterback Colt McCoy (who surprisingly fell to the No. 85 overall pick) in the third.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com currently list the Browns as 80/1 long shots to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 40/1 to win the AFC. They’re also +1200 on the moneyline to win the AFC North Division and have an over/under win total of 5.5 games this season.
While the Browns did a lot to upgrade their roster from last year and have a great football mind leading their front office in Holmgren, there’s still a ways to go before this team is competitive again. Holmgren certainly has them going in the right direction, but even he would likely be surprised if the Browns were competitive in 2010.
The key might be Delhomme. The team has a stable of running backs and a couple of upcoming receivers in Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, but Delhomme hasn’t played with confidence since the middle of the 2008 season. His skills are deteriorating and if he struggles, neither Wallace nor McCoy are likely to keep the Browns competitive for a long period of time.
While they certainly have good young talent on both sides of the ball, the Browns still need a lot of pieces before they can be associated with the word “playoff.”
2011 Super Bowl Odds: Cleveland Browns 80/1
Odds to Win AFC: Cleveland Browns 40/1
Odds to Win AFC North: Cleveland Browns +1200
2010 NFL Season Win Totals: Cleveland Browns O/U 5.5
Posted: 7/20/10 9:00AM ET