If the Browns don't win enough games, a discussion of Baker Mayfield's future will take place. (cbssports.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
What kind of year will the Browns have?
Take this quiz to establish your expectations.
Following are three statements for 10 position groups, including coaching. Choose the ONE statement you think has the most chance of happening. Each statement has a corresponding point total. At the end of the quiz, your total points will determine the Browns’ record.
Offensive line
1.The line will take well to Bill Callahan’s demanding physical style and will have a command of Kevin Stefanski’s wide zone blocking scheme within the first month of the season. (Three points.)
2.Nobody seizes the right guard spot. Three different players make starts at the position. (Two points.)
3.Jedrick Wills’ transition to left tackle takes much longer than anticipated. He starts every game, but his first eight are a struggling experience marked by false starts, holding penalties and inordinate pressure allowed. (One point.)
Defensive line
1.Olivier Vernon’s injury problems continue. He appears in fewer than eight games. Adrian Clayborn and Chad Thomas combine for 10 starts at left end. (One point.)
2.Backup tackles Andrew Billings and Jordan Elliott log more snaps than Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. (Two points.)
3.Myles Garrett responds to his controversy-marred 2019 season with 18 sacks and five forced fumbles, and is in the discussion for defensive player of the year. (Three points.)
Wide receiver
1.Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. are healthy from Game 1 and proceed to motivate each other to 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns combined. (Three points.)
2.Donovan Peoples-Jones is the best rookie in training camp and beats out Rashard Higgins for the No. 3 receiver role. (Two points.)
3.For the second year in a row, Beckham and Baker Mayfield fail to form a productive chemistry and have frequent misconnections resulting in incompletions and interceptions. (One point.)
Linebacker
1.Other than Mack Wilson, nobody grades out well and the decades-long problem of stopping the run continues. (One point.)
2.Sione Takitaki harnesses all that energy, stops over-running every play and learns to play with discipline. (Two points.)
3.Jacob Phillips is fast enough and good enough as a rookie to convince coordinator Joe Woods to stay with a conventional 4-3 base defense. (Three points.)
Quarterback
1.Baker Mayfield revels in Stefanski’s play-action passing game, averages fewer than 30 pass attempts a game, and has a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. (Three points).
2.Mayfield’s good luck with injuries runs out and Case Keenum is called on to start four games. (Two points.)
3.Garrett Gilbert starts one game. (One point.)
Defensive secondary
1.Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Kevin Johnson and Terrance Mitchell miss a combined 10 games because of injuries. (One point.)
2.The light goes on for Williams and he leads the team with six interceptions. (Two points.)
3.Grant Delpit becomes Joe Woods’ master chess piece and makes plays all over the field. (Three points.)
Running back
1.Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combine for 2,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. (Three points.)
2.Andy Janovich catches a touchdown pass. (Two points.)
3.Dontrell Hilliard or D’Ernest Johnson start one game. (One point.)
Special teams
1.Austin Seibert misses more extra points than field goals. (One point.)
2.Jamie Gillan executes two fake punts for first downs. (Two points.)
3.Peoples-Jones averages 30 yards on kickoff returns, 12 on punt returns, and takes one to the house. (Three points.)
Tight end
1.David Njoku plays 16 games and has 900 yards receiving. (Three points.)
2.Austin Hooper leads the team with nine receiving touchdowns. (Two points.)
3.Stephen Carlson beats out Harrison Bryant as the No. 3 tight end. (One point.)
Coaching
1.Stefanski gives Alex Van Pelt play-calling duties in Game 1, and then changes his mind at bye week. (One point.)
2.Woods settles on a 4-2-5 base defense in the second month with Delpit playing the key role. (Two points.)
3.Confident with Van Pelt as play-caller, Stefanski manages the game as a CEO coach. (Three points.)
Scorecard
25 to 30 points: Browns win 9 or 10 games and make the playoffs as the seventh seed.
21 to 24 points: Browns win eight games for first time in 13 years.
15 to 20 points: Browns lock down third place again in AFC North.
14 points or fewer: Browns decline Mayfield’s fifth-year option and ponder their next quarterback search.