Behind Enemy Lines: Chatting Dallas-Cleveland With a Browns Blogger

Sportz Assassin: Cleveland certainly was a pleasant surprise in 2007. What are your expectations for 2008?

Ace Davis: My philosophy is that expectations should remain high. If you're protecting your heart from pain even before the first game is played, you're not fully into the fan game. No sense accepting "reality" before it unfolds on the field. So I expect them to win in 2008. Period. However the Browns get into the playoffs is fine with me. 9-7 division champ? Sure. Anything can happen from there.

Sportz: Talk about the QB situation. Is Derek Anderson the future (or even the present) and do you think Brady Quinn could be a better option?

Ace: QB controversies aren't rare in Browns Town. But having two good, young options behind center sure is. DA will get every opportunity in '08 to handle big-game pressure and some top-notch defenses. I'll give him about a 65% chance of surpassing his Pro Bowl-worthy stats of a year ago. If he does that and the Browns do some damage in January, Quinn will probably be dealt. But if Anderson doesn't improve his overall game, he won't be back. The way the contracts are set up virtually ensures one or the other heading out of town after this season. Quinn could eventually develop into an above average starter. I'm confident he's already among the league's top backups.

Sportz: Stuffing the Dallas offense is no easy task. How can Cleveland hold up against Tony Romo, T.O. and company?

Ace: The short answer is that they won't. The Browns' defense may be improved, but it's unproven. To be honest, the only way the Browns win on this side of the ball is if they get an early lead and then force turnovers. From what you know about the Cowboys' offense, how might the Browns get effective pressure on Romo?

Sportz: Dallas' line is just so good. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are going to have to do a great job holding down Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and Jason Witten and give Cleveland the time the front seven needs to get to Romo. Even then, Romo seems to be able to feel the pressure and prolong plays. I think the best way to do so is changing coverage schemes and confusing Romo enough that he makes the mistakes.

Ace: Dallas has been in the limelight quite a bit recently, even for them. Any sense of how all the attention might distract from their game?

Sportz: I think the Cowboys are one of those rare franchises that can deal with being over-pressed (Yankees and Lakers, included). I think the fact that there are so many players who are in the limelight so much, there really isn't any resentment toward them. Still, Romo hasn't shown that he can handle the ultimate pressures yet ... so maybe there is something there.

What advantage do the Browns have over the Cowboys on Sunday?

Ace: Winslow might do some damage up the seam. It's also a home game, and that energy can help too.

Sportz: I agree. I think Kellen Winslow will be a huge factor in this game. Dallas has done poorly with covering tight ends and KW3 is one of the best in the business. If he can get going and disrupt Dallas' defense, it opens Braylon Edwards up down the sidelines. Now, what advantage do the Cowboys have on the Browns?

Ace: Even with their troubles, the Cowboys are a lot healthier heading into this game. In-game injuries anywhere on the field would probably be traumatic for Cleveland, especially on the offensive line and in the secondary.

Sportz: Dallas is deep everywhere but QB and receiver. This offense is so explosive with T.O.'s abilities and Romo's leadership. And we haven't even mentioned Marion Barber! For the Browns to win, they have to get into a shootout.

Ace: Who could be the breakout player for the Cowboys this year?

Sportz: I think it will be Felix Jones. The rookie from Arkansas won't be as gameplanned as the rest of the Cowboys offense and I think he brings a huge dimension to the team. Not only do you worry about Owens' getting a big play on you ... and Witten and Barber killing you softly ... but Jones turning a stretch run or a screen pass into a 50-yard gain. How about a breakout player for the Browns?

Ace: Well, most of the breaking out took place last season. This season, ILB D'Qwell Jackson could get a bunch of tackles playing behind a beefed-up D-line. WR/KR Syndric Steptoe might surprise a few people out of the slot. But I'll go with RB Jerome Harrison. He really was a ghost his first two seasons, but he'll get more touches in '08 and will prove to be a nice complement to Jamal Lewis.

Sportz: I want to thank you, Ace for taking time out for a Browns fan's insights into Sunday's game! Again, everyone can check out Ace at Ace Davis' Cleveland Browns Weblog.