Don Pierson

The optimism surrounding the Browns’ future is tempered by the reality of the present. Melding draft choices like quarterback Brady Quinn and tackle Joe Thomas with young veterans like Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards can't happen soon enough for coach Romeo Crennel — or there will be no later for him.

The problem is the Browns are considerably behind the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers in the tough AFC North. To close a nine-game gap on the Ravens in one year is asking more than even the most hopeful fans can expect.

But training camp is a time for hope and the first good sign is the intention of injured center LeCharles Bentley to be available. One of the Browns' big offseason acquisitions a year ago, Bentley had the bad fortune of wrecking a knee in training camp's opening moments. Surgery and complications have threatened his career, but he has expressed to Crennel that he's ready.

With top pick Thomas and this season's additions Eric Steinbach and Seth McKinney set to join the offensive line, Bentley's return would be a bonus for a team not used to such things. Whether he's ready, the building of the offensive line will be a major focus because Crennel's 31st-ranked offense was worse than his 27th-ranked defense last year.

Until that line establishes itself as a durable and reliable unit, it won't matter whether quarterback Charlie Frye holds off Quinn or whether Jamal Lewis can rejuvenate his career. Lewis signed a one-year free agent contract in hopes of proving he still has something left at the tender age of 28 and coming off ankle surgery to remove bone spurs. When he was a 2,000-yard rusher in 2003, he did a lot of damage against the Browns, so Cleveland holds a special place for him.

How fast new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski assimilates is a key. Crennel fired Maurice Carthon last season and replacement Jeff Davidson left to join the Carolina Panthers. Chudzinski was the Chargers' tight ends coach, so Winslow should be happy to see him provided Winslow is ready after microfracture knee surgery.

Chudzinski comes from an offense that averaged 30 points a game to an offense than averaged only 15. His new playbook had players spinning at first, so the Browns need training camp to iron out kinks. Running and stopping the run are the twin necessities of good football and the Browns do neither well. Crennel has relied on nose tackle Ted Washington, now 39 years old and no longer a guarantee of forcing third down and long situations. The Browns added journeymen linemen Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith in hopes of pushing Washington. They also hope for the rapid development of undersized late draft choices Melila Purcell and Chase Pittman.

Based on mini-camps, second-round draft choice Eric Wright might contribute more quickly to the defense than either Thomas or Quinn will to the offense. He is likely to start at cornerback opposite Leigh Bodden from day one. If he can produce as quickly as last year's trio of rookie linebackers, Kamerion Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson and Leon Williams, the Browns will be pleased.

Special teams are a rare team strength for the Browns, but replacing punt return man Dennis Northcutt is a priority after Northcutt went to Jacksonville. If Josh Cribbs can handle kickoff and punt return duties, it will be a plus because Cribbs also led the team in special teams tackles.

Hotseat
Winslow and Edwards are two highly-talented, highly-paid, highly talkative superstars in waiting who must become mature team leaders. Between them, they caught 150 passes last year and dropped a few others, but only nine went for touchdowns and the team won only four games. As frustrating as the lack of results can become, and as selfish as receivers can often sound, these two young veterans need to learn patience with a new coordinator and young quarterbacks. If they start complaining and pointing fingers when this team encounters inevitable bumps, it will be counterproductive for everybody and probably mark the end of the Crennel experiment. They also need to stay healthy.

Overheard
Like Bentley, injured cornerback Gary Baxter also hopes for a comeback, although he is not so bold as to think he can be ready by camp. After suffering two torn patellar tendons in his knees in October, Baxter would make history if he came back at all. The only former player known to suffer similar injuries was Bears' receiver Wendell Davis, whose career fizzled after several comeback attempts.

Outlook
In the first four weeks of the season, the Browns have home games against all three AFC North rivals, so they have an excellent opportunity to make a September statement. But what if they lose all three against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore? It could destroy the confidence of a young team before it even gets started.

Prediction
Fourth.

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