Wins and losses will determine success in Cleveland in 2010. At least that will be the criteria the media and fans base their evaluation of the Browns over the course of the coming season.

While that seems fair, especially in sports, if we look a little closer, there might be better ways to gauge the team’s success. Ways that prove to be much more reliable indicators of just how far the Browns have come since 2009.

1) The Complexity of the Defense: Year Two in any defense, regardless of added personnel, should provide a great measure of how far the players have come and how good the coaching staff on this side of the ball is. The complexity of schemes, the coverage’s and the overall understanding of responsibilities of each player in the system should be visible to the most fair weather of fans.

Sacks and opportunities for interceptions should be up; yardage from scrimmage should be down. Most importantly, the players should look fluid and in control. Confusion should not exist and there should be a high level of trust between the staff and players. Two players to keep our eyes on here are Eric Wright and Abe Elam. Their play can tell us a lot about just how far this defense has come.

2) Ball Movement on Offense: Scoring is the goal. But, sustaining drives and execution of plays within the offense are key indicators of the growth of the team. However, what I am talking about here is much different from the Romeo Crennel era where field goals were the norm. No.

What I am talking about is the ability to eat up the clock, run the ball and keep the chains moving at times when it might seem impossible. Evidence will be found on the fourth, fifth and sixth drives. It will be seen when the other team’s defense think they have us against the wall and we still run off ten minutes from the clock and fifty plus yards, putting pressure on the their defense and giving our defense a rest.

Daboll’s offense will have come a long way when this is a consistent part of the Browns identity and would show us a great deal of the maturation of this program. Our ability to block and open holes will be a key indicator here.

3) Final Drive on Offense or Defense: Here is the kicker. When the game clock is winding down; when our guys are either driving on offense or making a last stand on defense, what do those final possessions mean? Are we on offense driving down for the win? Are we on defense holding on to a victory?

These moments will say a lot more about our team in 2010 than the actual final score. It will let us know if we are competing. It’s been too long since we have. As fans we all want to see the Browns beat the Cowboys or Ravens, but win or lose, are we competing against them?

Are these the kind of games that we can feel justified owning a ticket for? If we can answer yes, that we fought hard, that we pulled it out or maybe came up just a bit short, in 2010 we should be able to live with that. When that is the case, week in and week out, we’ll know the decisions being made by the organization are correct. The ship has been righted. Our time and theirs has been spent positively.

Fortunately, this will be easy to know, as the spin doctors in the media and blogosphere will let us know how far we’ve come in this area. Their slant on the news will go a long way towards defining how this team is perceived.

Wins and losses are great. We all want the Cleveland Browns to hold up that Super Bowl trophy in victory. But this year, 2010, if we can play a style of defense that stifles our opponent with its complexity, move the ball on offense after the other team has figured us out and arrive at the end of each game with our destiny in our hands, than we have taken the next step towards becoming a relevant franchise.

The Browns organization has fought for that, and the fans deserve it. So, when the coming year is all over, I hope we don’t judge our team by wins and losses but by things that with time mean so much more.

Kevin Cowherd from the Baltimore Sun wrote…

Sometimes, you forget what a giant Modell was in the league’s early years.

Look at all he did. He headed the owners’ labor committee that negotiated the league’s first collective bargaining agreement with the players.

He played an instrumental role in the merger of the NFL and AFL by agreeing to move the Browns to the AFC. He helped broker the contract for ABC’s “Monday Night Football.” And he spearheaded the first TV deals between the league and the networks that made the NFL’s popularity skyrocket.

“There wasn’t anything innovative or new to the game that he wasn’t a part of,” said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager and executive vice president.

Said Modell: “Television was my game. And that was the game that made the league famous. … One thing ‘Monday Night Football’ did: More women were attracted to the game. I’m very proud of that.”

Please die ART  already and burn in hell next to Judas, that is where you belong burning in hell next to Judas.

I’ll never be able to erase the anger in Cleveland,” he said quietly. “And I owe that to the ? politicians who betrayed me.”

“So even though he was a league leader, with  his Browns winning  the NFL championship in 1964, even though his Ratbirds won the Super Bowl in 2000, even though he hired Newsome to be the first African-American general manager in the NFL, Modell is still being penalized by a few Hall of Fame voters for relocating the Browns to Baltimore.” Cowerd wrote

“It doesn’t seem fair, even though Modell remain above the fray,” Cowerd said.

It doesn’t seem fair? Cowerd come on the Browns are Cleveland and this man stole this from our city. Thank you Tony Grossi for not voting Modell into the Hall of Fame year after year.

Here are the facts, not the  lies that Modell is spewing.

He leased Cleveland Municipal Stadium to the city for one dollar per year and took on all  the expenses for all distribution and vending to free up tax dollars he took as income, all while not sharing these profits with the Indians, screwing  them for years.

He was the one who  turned down an invitation to join the Gateway project and get a city funded stadium, and then complained when his revenue took a hit.

Modell then wanted $175 million in additional  tax funds to update a rotting corpse of a stadium that was rotting because instead of renovations, he invested his crooked income in stupid things like luxury boxes and a huge scoreboard.

When the city decided to talk about  giving him this money, he issued a gag order on all topics relating to it while going behind closed doors with Baltimore officials.

The day after a sin tax was passed by a huge  margin to fund these renovations, Modell announces he’s moving the team to Baltimore.

I was recently at a Browns Backers event and was talking to some Browns fans who happen to be friends of mine, tbey are the older generation of Browns fans. When we were talking about the Dawg Pound they all where in agreement that it isn’t the same since Modell robbed us of our team. One of them even cried when it was brought up how it isn’t the same anymore. This is more then a football team to city this is a way of life. I will never forgive you Modell and can’t wait for the day you die and rot in hell. Go Browns!!!

Remember a few years back the Browns offensive line didn’t win to many battles in the trenches? We have seen what a bad offensive lines can do to Quarterbacks and it’s not a pretty sight. Those days are behind us and the key to a winning team is their offensive line and we got a pretty good group here in Cleveland.

Alex Mack

The Browns traded back a few times in the 2009 draft to finally select Alex Mack. Mack started all 16 games for the Browns last season. He did make a few rookie mistakes this past season but seemed to work them out over the course his first year. He is entering into his second season and should be a rock on this line for this year and years to come.

Eric Steinbach

The Guard from Iowa is entering his fourth year as a Brown. He started all but two games since he joined the team in 2007. Steinbach struggled a little bit last season but overall had another good year for the team and should continue his success in 2010.

John St. Clair

St. Clair is entering his 12thyear in the league and second here in Cleveland. St. Clair seemed to struggle last season with the Browns. Hopefully the veteren Tackle can rebound from last years struggles and compete this year for a starting position. John would start on many offensive lines in the league and at least adds depth to the position for the Browns.

Tony Pashos

Pashos is playing for his fourthteam in seven years after being drafted by  the Ravens in 2003. Tony has had a problem with injuries in the past but (I know it is a huge but) if he can stay healthy should could be a Starter on the Line. He is an aggressive and talented lineman that can help this football team this season.

Joe Thomas

The name says it all. If not the best Tackle in the NFL no question top 5 best offensive linemen in the league. Joe only gave up one sack last season and has anchored the Browns offensive line since the team drafted him. The kid from Wisconsin has been the Browns best draft pick since the team has returned in 99.

Floyd Womack

“Pork Chop” started nine games for the team in 2009. He adds depth to the position and is an experienced player who can still play the game at a pretty high level. Womack like St. Clair would start for a lot of offensive lines across the league.

Eric Ghiaciuc

Ghiaciuc was drafted by the Bengals in 2005 and started all 16 games for the team in 2008. Ghiaciuc was signed by the Browns to add depth to the O-line and back up Alex Mack. Eric can also play guard and should contribute in 2010.

Shawn Lauvao

Lauvao drafted in the second round from Arizona State could compete for a starting job with the team at some point this season. Lauvao is 6?2 315 Ilbs and is a football player that can play his position. The team has veterans that should show the Shawn the ropes of being an NFL lineman. I expect Lauvao to start for this football team next to Alex Mack.

The Browns have  couple undrafted guys trying to make the team this season. A couple names to remember are Billy Yates and Joel Reindeers. Reindeers is 6-7 320 Ilbs and looks like a football player.

The team has sent written notification to the players who haven’t signed their offers yet. As of June 15 the offers will be reduced and then it becomes really interesting to see what happens.

Fullback Lawrence Vickers would get about $589,000 instead of the $1.759 million tender. Running back Jerome Harrison would get $593,000. D’Qwell Jackson would get $704,000. And linebacker Matt Roth would get $770,000 instead of the $1.809 million tender for a five-year player.

Safety Abram Elam, who was also a restricted free agent last year, would get $1.65 million instead of $1.759 million.

Jerome and Lawrence have been practicing with team since last week. I would be surprised if these guys didn’t sign the tender before June 15. The other three guys who knows what is going to happen by June 15.

From Profootballtalk.com

There are now two high-profile receivers who play for Ohio teams who want Terrell Owens to join the roster.

Earlier this year, Chad Ochocinco of the Bengals made a big push to get T.O. to Cincinnati.  Now, Josh Cribbs of the Browns is lobbying for the veteran free agent.

Asked where he thinks Owens will be during a live chat on NFL.com, Cribbs said, “Hopefully in Cleveland.  I think he got a little bit left in the tank.   He’ll eventually be with a team in training camp.  T.O. is going to go to a team once they figure out what these rookies are made of.”

So there you have it.  Cribbs wants to bring T.O. to the Dawg Pound.

First Round 7th Pick

Joe Haden         A-

Browns needed help in the secondary and Haden can step in next season and make a difference. Haden didn’t give up a Touchdown in college and can be that shutdown corner back the Browns have lacked for many years. If the Browns would of landed Eric Berry I would of gave them an A+, but with him off the board they did the next best thing and drafted Haden.

2nd Round 38th Pick

T.J Ward  C+

The Browns decided to fill a need at safety instead of drafting best available, which I can’t  argue with, but with Sergio Kindle on the board and landing in our division it makes me wonder. T.J. Ward is a hitter and hopefully will  make opponents fear going over the middle. There is no question about Wards’ hitting ability, but is he going to be able to cover when needed? Wards, injury history  is a question mark with drafting him so high.  After all that, I do like the pick and think Ward could be mainstay in the Browns secondary for years to come.

2nd Round 59th pick

Montario Hardesty  C+

The Browns gave up two fifth round picks for this player because of the thinking that Hardesty wouldn’t be available in the third round. Hardesty, a hard nosed runner out of Tennessee was a major role in the Volunteer offense last season. Hardesty also with injury problems was drafted to make an impact next season for the Browns. Hardesty is going to be the hard nosed running back we have been lacking for many years.

3rd Round 85th pick

Colt McCoy A+

The Texas Quarterback was believed to be drafted in the second round. The Browns had three chances to take McCoy and finally took him in the third round. McCoy is a born leader and I really believe is going to be a great Quarterback for our Cleveland Browns. McCoy can play the position the right way and be a leader on and off the field.

3rd Round 92nd pick

Shawn Lauvao B+

Lauvao adds instant depth to the Browns offensive line. Everyone is raving how smart Lauvao is and what a high character person he is. Lauvao is a great addition to the Cleveland Browns family.

5th Round 160th pick

Larry Asante B+

The Browns selected another safety in the 5th round from Nebraska. Asante started 36 of 39 games for the Corn huskers. Asante adds depth to the secondary and should help the Cleveland Browns defense.

6th Round 177th pick

Carlton Mitchell A

Carlton Mitchell has tons of raw talent and size. Mitchell was projected to go higher in the draft but slipped into the six round for the Browns to grab him. I like Mitchell and am interested in seeing how he fits in next season. Mitchell can help the receivers next season and could grow into a nice NFL Wide Receiver. Where the Browns got this guy and with his potential, I love the pick.

6th Round 186th pick B+

Clifton Geathers

This huge defensive tackle, from South Carolina comes from a football family and  is a beast on the defensive side of the ball. The Browns added depth to the defensive line,  Geathers is huge and should be able step in next season with his size and contribute.

My overall grade for the Cleveland Browns 2010 draft is B+. The Browns got a lot better defensively and also added a  talented Wide Receiver. The Browns were able to get Colt McCoy in the third round and will be to let him sit behind Delhomme. The Browns didn’t add a young tight end where I thought they needed to. I like the Draft and hope this where it all turns around for our Cleveland Browns. Go Browns and Destination Super Bowl….

With all the news about the Cleveland Browns trading up and getting Sam Bradford, would you be happy if the Browns pulled the trigger and landed the highly touted QB? If the Browns did try and get Bradford, it would obviously cost a lot to move six spots up in the draft.

If Holmgren did decide move all those picks just to fill that one major hole at quarterback, I think it sets the Browns back at least a year. The luxury we have this year is that with all the picks we can fill many voids in one weekend. If the Browns were considering drafting Bradford, would you rather them take Notre Dame QB Jimmy Claussen with the 7th overall pick?