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Kickoff Weekend – The Browns begin the season at home at 1 p.m. Eastern time vs. the New Orleans Saints.


Keys to the Game

Browns

The Browns need to use an old Hank Stram-ism as their motto – “Just keep matriculating the ball down the field boys." They need to practice ball control and dictate the tempo of the game, and score in the red zone; field goals aren't going to be enough.


Saints

If defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs can get his defense to blitz a lot and keep the pressure coming, they could rattle Frye and force him to make mistakes. If Frye can read the blitz and get the ball off, he could have a big day.


QB Comparison

The Saints’ Drew Brees is an accomplished NFL starter; Charlie Frye for the Browns is talented but unproven. Frye needs to stay cool and play within himself. He has the weapons on offense to help him.

Brees is the kind of quarterback that can methodically pick you apart. He has weapons - Reggie Bush, Deuce Mcallister, and Joe Horn. It isn’t certain if Brees can throw the deep ball yet, as he is coming off shoulder surgery; but he may not have to. He might make out well taking what the defense gives him underneath, and allowing his receivers to make YAC yards.

Frye needs to get the ball into the hands of Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Joe Jurevicius and try for strikes downfield to Dennis Northcutt. Frye and Northcutt have practiced long bombs during camp and have the timing to get it done. Swing passes out of the backfield to Droughns and Harrison could be the order of the day against a big Saints rush.


Offensive skill positions

Obviously the Browns will need to stop Reggie Bush - and not just as a running threat. The Browns will have to know at all times where Bush is lined up on the field; he can beat you as a receiver, and it would not be surprising to see the Saints run a reverse using Bush, in addition to having him field punts. The Browns will have to concentrate on stopping Bush, and forcing Brees to throw underneath, taking away the deep pass. If the Browns linebackers and secondary can keep everything in front of them, they can pressure the Saints offense. Being physical on defense will be key for the Browns, with Willie McGinest and Kamerion Wimbley leading the charge against the Saints' backfield.

Browns back Reuben Droughns comes off two 1,200-plus yard rushing years and looked strong in the preseason. If he can continue his dominant running style, it will take a lot of pressure off of Frye. Lee Suggs is gone, but rookie Jerome Harrison has showed a lot of promise and will be the change of pace back to Droughns.

Brees is going to rely on Joe Horn now that Donte Stallworth is gone, and Reggie Bush can line up anywhere on the field so he will provide a constant threat.


Offensive lines

The Saints’ line is suspect and there is an odd relationship between the Browns and Saints here, as former Browns center Jeff Faine will replace LeCharles Bentley, who joined the Browns, only to succumb to injury in the first training camp practice this summer.

The Browns have their 9th center since the end of last season, having recently traded for the Eagles' Hank Fraley. The center position has been a disaster for the Browns recently, and this is not a good year for uncertainty on the line, as Frye will need all the help he can get as he develops into an experienced signal caller. Kevin Shaffer from the Falcons will protect Frye's left side at tackle, and Joe Andruzzi, the former Patriot, will provide stability at left guard.


Defenses

Ted Washington will plug up the middle, Kamerion Wimbley, Willie McGinest, and Orpheus Roye will anchor the front 7. Leigh Bodden had a great preseason, and the Browns expect big things in pass coverage from Gary Baxter as they wait for Daylon McCutcheon to return from recent arthroscopic knee surgery.

For the last few years the Browns' defense has been especially bad at stopping the run. Washington should help there, but the whole defense needs to play with more fire, and be physical on every play.

The Saints will be providing constant rush pressure from ends Will Smith and Charles Grant, and the physical play of safety Dwight Smith could make it tough for Frye to make the right decisions.


Kicking teams

Mitch Berger and John Carney are consistently solid in the kicking game for the Saints, but the kicking teams are one area where the Browns should enjoy a decided advantage. Phil Dawson is very accurate to 50 yards, and Dave Zastudil, a key pickup from the Ravens, will help the Browns play the kind of field position football they need to play to keep high powered offenses in check. If the Browns can keep the Saints pinned in their own territory or at least push New Orleans back and make them start their drives from deep in their own end, the Browns defense will get the initial advantage. Giving Brees and company a short field is the last thing Cleveland wants to do.

Reggie Bush is a noted punt returner, and the Browns will have their hands full covering him, or Michael Lewis, if he is ready to go. Joshua Cribbs and Dennis Northcutt are bright spots in the Browns’ return game.


Coaches

Both coaches stem from the Bill Parcells coaching tree. Each coach will have his team ready for a physical game. While both coaches are relative newcomers to the head coaching ranks, Romeo Crennel has one year under his belt. This should be a classic defensive (Crennel) vs. offensive (Payton) showdown. The tools each coach brings to the table are going to make the difference in the final outcome. Payton has the more experienced quarterback; that gives him an edge. Romeo has several stellar defensive players who can put the pressure on Brees. It will be a challenge all day long for Crennel to outthink Payton and Brees as they scheme against his defense.


Prediction

The Browns will have enough offense to withstand a late charge from New Orleans to win 17-13 at home.

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