Cleveland Browns Odds - Browns head in new direction with Mangini
The Cleveland Browns odds have been pitiful as of late. They've had no consistency with the head coach or quarterback positions, but with Eric Mangini and Brady Quinn, there is some optimism. Online betting fans must realize it will be a trying season, though the goal will be to lay a foundation for the future.
Cleveland Browns odds: +8500 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Mangini will help the anonymous Browns overachieve
- Brady Quinn finally has the opportunity to start, lead and be the face of the franchise
- Defense will improve sooner than the offense
The NFL betting lines pretty much always have the Browns as an underdog, and ownership is hoping for that to change this season. Since the Browns moved from back to Cleveland, they have been nothing more than a lovable loser in the NFL. They have been inept on offense and incompetent on defense. From Chris Palmer to Butch Davis, from Terry Robiskie to Romeo Crennel, the Browns have been dysfunctional because of their bungling head coaches. In steps Eric Mangini, who failed to make the New York Jets into a Super Bowl winner - but the Browns odds of improving under him are high since the bar will be set much lower in Cleveland.
The Browns may not have a roster full of Pro Bowlers but Mangini typically does a good job of getting the most out of his anonymous assets. He’s a disciplinarian, and as many people know, the Dawg Pound has been one undisciplined bunch. Immediately, Mangini traded away star tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., which somewhat irked the Browns betting community. And while the Browns did lose an asset, they also lost a selfish player who cared more about himself than the team.
The Browns betting community may not yet have a face to their franchise but with Mangini, they will have a more cohesive team. Without stars, the sportsbook will make them a bigger underdog each week but that doesn’t matter. Mangini thrives in that role. The offense will possibly be built around Brady Quinn, although he’ll battle it out with Derek Anderson for the starting spot. Quinn has more upside and could really develop into the leader this team needs.
The Browns odds for being in the top 10 in scoring is unlikely, but they have some serviceable parts. Jamal Lewis is back in the backfield, Braylon Edwards still has Pro Bowl potential as long as he stops dropping passes, and there is some upside in rookies Martin Massaquio and Brian Robiskie. Plus the Browns betting community is excited to see the defense, which could take a jump forward this year. Mangini carried over Kenyon Coleman, Eric Barton, David Bowens and Abram Elam from the Jets, and in doing so, filled a number of gaps in the Browns 3-4 scheme. Since Mangini is a defensive coach, the Browns odds are that the defense improves sooner than the offense.
Overall, the Browns have been fairly quiet in both the offseason and the draft – exactly how Mangini likes it. But the good news is that Mangini is a smart young coach who can milk the most out of his teams. Under the pressure in New York, Mangini never got the chance to grow and cultivate his team, but with free reign in Cleveland, Mangini will make this team competitive in a couple of years.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
