Cleveland Browns

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 83 Offense: 87 Defense: 89 Offensive Scheme: Power Run Defensive Scheme: Base 3-4 Strengths: LT, LG, C, S, MLB Weaknesses: HB, RT, QB, FB 2014 Team Rankings 4th AFC North (7-9-0) Passing Offense: 20th Rushing Offense: 17th Passing Defense: 8th Rushing Defense: 32nd 2014 team leaders Passing: Brian Hoyer: 3,326 Rushing: Terrance West: 673 Receiving: Andrew Hawkins: 824 Tackles: Donte Whitner: 106 Sacks: Paul Kruger: 11 Ints: Tashaun Gipson: 6 Key Additions P Andy Lee WR Dwayne Bowe CB Tramon Williams DT Randy Starks Key Rookies DT Danny Shelton C Cameron Erving DE Nate Orchard Owner: Jimmy Haslam Legacy Score: 0 Coach: Mike Pettine Level: 2 Legacy Score: 0 Offensive Scheme: Power Run Defensive Scheme: Base 3-4

Offensive Scouting Report

• Josh McCown may be the veteran in the huddle, but the Browns won’t go anywhere without Johnny Manziel. It has only been one season, and there is still time to get his confidence up and develop him into an excellent player! The Browns have lots of WR options, but none really jump out. Look to see who performs best with each QB.
• The Browns have put together an outstanding offensive line, so this should make your the lives of your HBs and QBs easier. Use your starting TE at FB as a lead blocker until you find someone via free agency. Give Isaiah Crowell the nod at HB if you like power backs, but otherwise don’t sleep on Duke Johnson, who is pretty elusive and shows promise.
• TE Jordan Cameron has moved on and left the door open for someone to step up. Gary Barnidge and Rob Housler are both similar in body type, but neither has an elite Catch in Traffic rating. Develop their skills and they will become reliable targets for your squad. Don’t forget to target Andrew Hawkins in the slot — his agility with the new run after catch option could be a game changer.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The Browns are set nicely on the defensive line for their 3-4 scheme. It all starts with Phil Taylor in the middle, who is excellent at taking on blockers in the run game.
• Don’t give up on CB Justin Gilbert in the secondary; there is still plenty of time for him to develop into a solid player. Run plenty of nickel and dime sets with heavy man-to-man coverage. Your team can certainly handle it, and not every team has what it takes to beat it.
• At LB, Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger are excellent to rush off the edge, and they complement each other nicely. Continue to work on developing a second MLB to play with the very intelligent Karlos Dansby.

Schedule

Key Players

• Joe Thomas is one of the most durable linemen out there and gives the Browns’ offensive line great stability.
• Try to get Thomas out in space on screen passes and pulling run plays; he has great speed and impact blocking.

• Joe Haden should be allowed to match up with the other team’s best WR and only given help if the WR proves he can get some separation.
• Haden is a solid corner who has the acceleration and agility to catch back up on a rare missed press attempt. He should be physical with any WR who has a Release rating under 90.

• Keep developing Shelton’s Power Moves rating to turn him into an all-around defender who can get after the passer.
• Groom Shelton to take over for Phil Taylor if you can’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal. You may not be able to afford both.

• Go with the juke in the open field, as it is the highest-rated move for Johnson.
• Johnson has solid strength for his play style and should break more tackles than Terrance West.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Pistol Strong — Inside Zone Split

Setup:

• Make sure to use the backup QB package and run the Read Option for a change of pace.
• Your job is to pick the correct hole on this play. Don’t run into the back of your lineman.

Advanced Setup:

• Sub in best blocking TE at FB (optional)

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Gun Split Close Browns — X Drag Trail

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage wait for the middle to clear out and target the post with a bullet pass.
• Against man-to-man coverage wait for the HB to cut back across the middle.
• Against the blitz throw to either player in the backfield, generally towards the open side of the field.
• While he isn’t the fastest, new WR Dwayne Bowe is probably the most reliable at hanging onto passes.

Advanced Setup:

• On third down, curl the far right WR.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 3-4 Bear — 1 QB Contain

Setup:

• Spread your defensive line, because the risk of giving up a big play to the outside is too great.
• The Cover 2 Bear is a safer defense, but this stops those quick passes to the flat on third and short.
• Don’t get fooled by the read option or it could be a big play!

Player to control:

• Either contain rusher

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Big Dime 2-3-6 — 1 Robber Show 2

Setup:

• This play is a nice change of pace from the Cover 2 Man you should be calling on most of your snaps.
• Consider subbing in an extra CB for your backup SS, who is in man coverage.
• What makes this play special is the extra defender over the middle, whom you can control to cause a headache for the offense.

Player to control:

• SS in a hook zone

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ