“Who can most effectively run the offense?”

“Who can look at the defense, understand what the coverage is and go to the right place with the ball?”

“Who can see a blitz look and put us in the right play?”

These are all questions from the new Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini.  These are also questions that are easily answered by anyone that paid attention to the 2008 edition of the Browns.

Last year was destined to be a breakout season for the team.  After a 2007 season that saw the Browns post some gaudy offensive statistics.  That season saw second-year quarterback Derek Anderson pass for over 3700 yards and 29 touchdowns.  He was a Pro Bowl selection.  A pleasant surprise considering he lost the preseason position battle to Charlie Frye (who was shipped to Seattle weeks later).

Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Joshua Cribbs and Jamal Lewis all provided a high-powered punch into Cleveland’s offense.  This was an exciting, talented team with impressive skill players at each key position.

Quinn performed much better than Anderson in 2008.

Then came 2008.  The Cleveland schedule was stuffed with great teams.  They were scheduled to appear on national television broadcasts on quite a few different points in the season.  But after an 0-3 start out of the box, the Browns could not recover.  The offense struggled to move the ball down the field.

Anderson, the 2007 QB stud, saw the most notable decline in his game.  The Browns’ first round draft pick, Brady Quinn, would see action relieving the starter.  Quinn performed well, and eventually was named the starter.  Quinn displayed a level of maturity and understanding of game situation way beyond his years, and consequently achieved some success.  Brady later suffered an injury, at which time Anderson reclaimed the starting spot.  More mediocrity was abound during Anderson second QB stint in the season.

So, here we are – and Mangini wants to see it all for himself.

Good luck Browns fans.  Let’s hope he doesn’t get fooled.