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I guess you don’t need a calendar to know which month it is. Several prominent sports magazines (they still make those?) have released their NFL predictions for 2009. And not surprisingly, there is not a lot of love to be had for our beloved Browns.

Sports Illustrated’s venerable fanboy Peter King perhaps offers the most cruelty.

Peter King’s 2009 NFL Predictions

Really, Peter? 2-14? Did Brady Quinn flinch during King’s unusually awkward training camp embrace? Or, perhaps King is not enamored with the Golden Domer’s current hairstyle? What if Brady sent King the following tweet:

Brady
Just finished practice. Hate Mangini. Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Tom Brady. Double Skim Latte. No shirt on.

That could be enough for at least another 3-4 wins, making the Browns a more respectable 6-10…and most likely exploding King’s size 42 pants.

But then again, this is Peter King we’re talking about. It’s doubtful that King has truly studied the Browns this preseason beyond checking for headlines regarding the quarterback controversy. So, how about the opinions of a more reputable source?

2009 NFL Preview: AFC Predictions

Cleveland Browns: 3-13
OT JOE THOMAS says circle this date: Sunday, October 25
“I don’t follow them so much anymore, but all my friends and relatives back home could tell you every Packers stat. When I go home for a week or two in the offseason, I hear about the Packers constantly. I don’t know if any of my friends or relatives will tell me they’re rooting for the Packers, but I’m sure there will be a lot of them who are.”

SN’s bottom line: The Browns have a lot of uncertainty on offense — beginning with who the starting quarterback will be — and the team has a lack of identity overall. No matter how tough he is, it will be a rough first year in Cleveland for Eric Mangini.

Well, that’s a little better. Right?

Certainly, the Browns will struggle offensively, regardless of who starts at quarterback. While the team does boast some promising young talent in the likes of James Davis, Alex Mack, Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, the limits of 2009 rest in the weary legs of Jamal Lewis and inconsistent hands of Braylon Edwards and Josh Cribbs. And also, the surprising offensive line depth of a few months ago is rapidily disappearing.

And despite Eric Mangini’s pedigree, the defense still revolves around the delicate legs of Shaun Rogers. Without Rogers, every hole in the team’s defense will be badly exposed, and even with him, this unit could struggle to keep the team in games. Unless the likes of Brandon McDonald, Eric Wright, Kamerion Wimbley and Abe Elam elevate their games in 2009, this could be another long year for the Browns.

But, 3-13?

Let’s go the scorecard for a closer look.

1 – Sun, Sep 13 Minnesota – 1:00 PM
2 – Sun, Sep 20 at Denver – 4:15 PM
3 – Sun, Sep 27 at Baltimore – 1:00 PM
4 – Sun, Oct 4 Cincinnati – 1:00 PM
5 – Sun, Oct 11 at Buffalo – 1:00 PM
6 – Sun, Oct 18 at Pittsburgh – 1:00 PM
7 – Sun, Oct 25 Green Bay – 1:00 PM
8 – Sun, Nov 1 at Chicago – 1:00 PM
9 – BYE
10 – Mon, Nov 16 Baltimore – 8:30 PM
11 – Sun, Nov 22 at Detroit – 1:00 PM
12 – Sun, Nov 29 at Cincinnati – 1:00 PM
13 – Sun, Dec 6 San Diego – 4:05 PM
14 – Thu, Dec 10 Pittsburgh – 8:20 PM
15 – Sun, Dec 20 at Kansas City – 1:00 PM
16 – Sun, Dec 27 Oakland – 1:00 PM
17 – Sun, Jan 3 Jacksonville – 1:00 PM

WINNABLE GAMES
The Browns could collect 6-7 wins just against the following opponents:

Denver
Cincinnati (at home, of course)
Detroit
Kansas City
Oakland
Jacksonville

The Denver, Detroit and Kansas City games are of particular interest, as all three teams could be considered among the league’s biggest rebuilding projects. Of course, Cincinnati is Cincinnati and depending on the right day, Oakland and Jacksonsville could be easily had.

Looking at the schedule in the September mist of optimism, it is very possible that the Browns can build some solid momentum heading into 2010 by winning their last three games or even five out of their last seven…which will destroy their hopes of landing a top draft pick…but then again, things could be worse. Bruce Gradkowski could be starting in December.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK
Minnesota
Baltimore (once)
Buffalo
Chicago
San Diego

The Minnesota game should be very interesting. As Mangini continues to guard his QB starter like a resident of Eastern Kentucky hoards his bug spray (if you’ve ever been down here, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about), you have to wonder if the Vikings brass already knows who they will be facing in a week and a half. And more importantly, does it even matter?

As for the rest of the games, while Baltimore is still very good, every few years or so the Browns play them tough, while Buffalo and San Diego could easily collapse in the coming year. As for Chicago, the only thing the Jay Cutler trade guaranteed them is yet another 8-8 year. Good luck with that.

NOT A CHANCE
Pittsburgh (twice)
Green Bay

Call it the Jim Tressel Theorum, but until Mangini’s Browns are able to beat Pittsburgh, then he will not be embraced by diehard fans. However, considering that the Steelers have physically regressed for the past couple years (despite winning a Super Bowl), and the Browns suddenly have seemingly committed to becoming a more aggressive team, it is very possible that the Mangini era will feature teams that match up well with our most hated rivals.

As for Green Bay, look for a repeat of the preseason opener, as the Packers look to be one of the strongest teams in the league. Green Bay has one of the best balanced offensive attacks in the league, led by a talented, determined quarterback and could feature a new attacking style of defense – one that has not been seen in the NFC for a while.

So, while I will be focusing on the upcoming season more in the coming days, I leave you with a somewhat reactionary, but fairly realistic prediction:

6-10.

No, wait. 7-9.

Maybe even 5-11.

Anyway, it’s better than 2-14 and being accosted by a creepy old guy with coffee stained teeth.

More…

By Cleveland Reboot
Blogger/SJ Contributing Author