2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Cleveland Browns

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Cleveland Browns

Schedule | Roster

(Editors' note: The following preview was published prior to Josh Gordon's year-long suspension behing upheld on August 27.)

An offseason that began with plenty of uncertainty continues to lack answers as the Browns' regular season opener rapidly approaches. 

There's a new general manager in charge, along with a new coaching staff. Josh Gordon, the NFL's top wide receiver a season ago faces an uncertain future. Oh, and the team drafted some guy nicknamed "Johnny Football," of whom you may have heard. Never a dull day for the Browns.

Owner Jimmy Haslam worked hard to reshape this team in the offseason, cutting the cord on head coach Rob Chudzinksi after just one season. He didn't stop there, though. Haslam then shook up the entire front office and let his two top executives go. 

The Browns then attacked the draft, moving up to land their man: former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. The early returns suggest Manziel isn't ready for prime time, but that isn't a big surprise. His love for the nightlife (and criticism that he doesn't take his career seriously enough) shouldn't surprise anyone, either.

The ongoing questions about Gordon, who is still waiting to learn his fate about a possible suspension for a failed drug test, are surprising. As each day passes with no decision, it becomes less clear whether Gordon will play in 2014. What we know is that he's facing a year-long ban given his history of drug violations. Whatever the league decides, there is a strong possibility the Browns will be without their most important player for a large chunk of 2014. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #31

It would make for a good story if Manziel wrestled the starting quarterback job away from Brian Hoyer and led the Browns to the playoffs, but it's not going to happen. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: LB Karlos Dansby, S Donte Whitner, RB Ben Tate, WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Miles Austin

Key Departures: S T.J. Ward, LB D’Qwell Jackson, QB Jason Campbell, QB Brandon Weeden, OG Shawn Lauvao, RB Chris Ogbonnaya, CB Leon McFadden

When you go 4-12 and clean house in your front office and coaching staff, it naturally follows that there will be significant turnover in player personnel.

The Browns cut ties with 2012 first-round bust Brandon Weeden, prompting celebration among the fan base. More significant than Weeden's departure are those of key defenders T.J. Ward and D'Qwell Jackson. The latter, in particular, served as leader of that unit for years. 

Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby will replace Ward and Jackson, respectively. They are solid players, no doubt, but the Browns were criticized for not making more of an effort to get younger. Dansby will turn 33 in November and Whitner turned 29 in July.

Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin could both step into significant roles on offense if Gordon, as expected, misses substantial time. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Hawkins is particularly intriguing; he has tremendous explosion and separation abilities, but probably not enough size to play anywhere other than the slot.

2014 Draft Class 

The story here is the selection of former college football superstar Johnny Manziel, the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy, with the 22nd pick of the draft.

To say that early returns on the Manziel pick are mixed is to tell only a tiny fraction of the whole story. Manziel spent much of the spring and early summer jetting around the nation, and he was photographed in various stages of intoxication at various clubs. One particularly worrisome photo appeared to depict Manziel rolling up a dollar bill in a bar bathroom. 

Browns brass spoke publicly about their desire for Manziel to show more maturity, but he says he won't stop being who he is.

On the practice field, Manziel hasn't necessarily been a quick study. That's not surprising, however, as he's never been a great practice player and is instead at his best when the bright lights are on. That will have to wait, though, as Brian Hoyer will be behind center in Week 1.

With so many headlines focused on Manziel, it's easy to forget that he wasn't the Browns' first pick in the draft. The team snagged highly athletic cornerback Justin Gilbert at No. 8 overall. Gilbert should eventually start opposite Joe Haden and could give the Browns the best pair of corners in the league. 

Additionally, second-round pick Joel Bitonio is expected to start at left guard, third-round pick Christian Kirksey could start at one of the team's inside linebacker spots, and fourth-rounder Terrance West will push for carries in the backfield in what could be the NFL's most productive rookie class.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike Pettine
Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Shanahan
Defensive Coordinator: Jim O'Neil

In a somewhat bizarre sequence of events, first-year Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski was fired by the team following the conclusion of the 2013 season. Though there initially seemed like a chance coordinators Norv Turner and Ray Horton would be retained, they were later fired, too.

Then, weeks later, both CEO Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi had their employment terminated. Eventually, details of infighting emerged, including the shocking revelation that Lombardi tried to negotiate a backdoor deal for San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. The whole thing fell apart and Browns owner Haslam had no choice but to clean house. 

An entirely new front office staff was assembled, headed by new GM Ray Farmer (who served under Lombardi in 2013), despite the fact that Farmer wasn't at the interviews for potential coaching candidates (those hires were made under Banner and Lombardi's watch). 

Mike Pettine is the new head coach. He comes to the Browns from the Buffalo Bills, where he served as defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he spent four seasons on Rex Ryan's staff in New York. Pettine will run the Browns' defense.

Kyle Shanahan will run the offense. He comes to the Browns from the Washington Redskins, where he spent two years working under his father and coaching up Robert Griffin III.

2014 Schedule

The Browns open the season with three consecutive difficult matchups (on paper, at least) before a rare Week 4 bye. If things aren't working, we could see a starting quarterback change in Week 5.

The Browns will play just one game under prime time lights - a Week 10 clash with in-state rivals the Cincinnati Bengals on NFL Network. 

Bold Predictions

The Browns will earn a Wild Card spot. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Browns following the offseason additions of Mike Pettine and Johnny Manziel. Excitement doesn’t necessarily equal success, but considering the talent Cleveland has on either side of the ball, a 10-win season is entirely plausible. Even without star receiver Josh Gordon. - Caitlyn Holroyd

The Browns will have a top-five defense. Mike Pettine is one of the league’s premier defensive coaches and he’ll get the most of the the Browns’ underrated talent on defense. Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert will form one of the league’s premier cornerback pairs, Karlos Dansby will provide stability in the middle, and Barkevious Mingo and Jabaal Sheard will swarm opposing quarterbacks. - David Woods