5 ways the Browns can make the postseason in 2015

Vincent Rapisardi

Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

We all know this Cleveland Browns roster isn’t far away from being a playoff contender. Most likely, this will be yet another bridge year until they find their franchise quarterback.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

With a team built around an excellent offensive line, and one of the league’s best secondary, if they can get adequate production from other facets of the team, you never know what could happen.

Unfortunately, even with an elite offensive line and secondary, the structure of this team is still a dumpster fire. Ownership is awful, Ray Farmer is already getting heat from a poor first-round draft in 2014, and Mike Pettine opened up a can of worms with not guaranteeing Josh McCown as the starting quarterback after he had proclaimed McCown the starter months prior.

Ugh.

There has been so much coaching turnover in the past 15 years, I almost wonder why anyone would go through the pain of taking a job with this team? But that’s another story. Let’s get into the positives and how the Browns can make a run at this, shall we?

Here are five ways the Cleveland Browns can make the postseason in 2015.

Next: Health Needs to Be on Their Side

Oct 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) is carted off the field after an injury during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. Health Needs to Be on Their Side

We are about a week into training camp, and already injuries have spread throughout the league. Have you heard about Arian Foster? He’s expected to go under the knife and miss the start of the regular season, which puts a damper in the early season hopes for the Houston Texans.

The Browns themselves, are dealing with the same issues at the running back position. Neither of which look very serious to Terrance West or Duke Johnson, but thats besides the point. A team like the Browns have no room for error especially with young players like West and Johnson.

Both are still learning the nuances of the NFL game, and not being on the field is never a good way to improve your game as a younger player. Health is what will make or break this team.

I guess you can say that about any team, right? The Browns know they don’t have Andrew Luck behind center, so the little things must be done correctly. Remember when Alex Mack got hurt last season? That just can’t happen this season. Losing key cogs like Mack or Joe Thomas, simply can’t happen. There is almost no margin for error.

Of course, injury is something that can’t be controlled most of the time, but if karma is on the Browns side regarding health, they have an opportunity to make some hay in 2015.

Next: Either Start Johnny Manziel or Cut Him

Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Either Start Johnny Manziel or Cut Him

When I started writing for Dawg Pound Daily, I thought Cleveland loved Johnny Manziel. I mean, I knew he wasn’t very good in his rookie season, but it was such a small sample size.

Throughout the past month, I’ve learned you guys can’t stand him. Nobody wants him to start, and almost every fan I’ve talked to thinks he lacks any starting potential in the NFL.

The problem with this marriage between Manziel and the Browns, is that they both carried a ton of baggage coming into the relationship. Let’s face it, even the name “Johnny” is a bit childish at this point. Don’t you think he should make the switch to “John” or “Jonathan?”

That has no relevance regarding his production, but still.

My point is that if you have no plans of starting Manziel, why keep him around? He’s only going to be a distraction, and the moment McCown struggles you know the media is going to be calling his name.

If you start him, limit his pass attempts, keep him out of third and long situations, and provide a respectable running game, you might be surprised with what he can do. He was a first-round pick for a reason. He has to have some ability to play this game.

I recently wrote a piece on how Manziel’s recent attitude change could lead to a change in performance. Cleveland, if you aren’t going to start Johnny, cut him and move on. No need for the circus.

Next: Establish the Run Game

Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

3. Establish the Run Game

This is a pretty simple one. Anyone who follows the Browns understands the need to run the football effectively in order to have any success in 2015.

Unfortunately, they still need to establish how they’re going to handle their backfield situation. Both Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West enter their second season with the team, with Crowell expecting to get a bulk of the carries (so we think).

On the other hand, rookie third-round pick Duke Johnson, is also expected to be in on the mix as well. His role at this point looks more like the pass-catcher of the group.

With an offensive line that features pro bowlers like Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, these backs surely have a good group to run behind. My issue is do they know their own roles? Sometimes the biggest problem in performance is who does what and when.

Expectations allow us to set goals, and give us a better understanding of our position in whatever we do. The same needs to be done with this group. Give them a direction, and go from there. But it’s easy to say, without a good run game, this offense has no shot for success.

Next: Improve the Run Defense

Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Danny Shelton (71) during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2. Improve the Run Defense

The Browns ranked 32nd in the league in run defense last season. You would think, a team like Cleveland who makes their image off of being tough and rigid would be good in the defensive trenches. That certainly hasn’t been the case.

The one thing looking up for their defensive line, is their rookie first-round defensive tackle, Danny Shelton. Already he is the buzz of camp because of his size, unique quickness, and laid back demeanor. He just seems like a fun guy to hang around.

This run defense can realistically go from worst to first this season, if Shelton lives up to potential and Phil Taylor bounces back from injury. All of a sudden, you have two very big men right in the middle of this Browns defense to clog up anything that comes their way.The ability to stop the run also alleviates pressure off the defensive backfield, which directly effects their production as well.

Bottom line, being good in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive side of the football is what playoff teams are made of. Especially ones that play in a black and blue division like the AFC North.

Next: Secondary Continues to Excel

Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Joe Haden (23) during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1. Secondary Continues to Excel

The two teams who played in Super Bowl XLIX, were also the teams with the best secondaries in football. Of course, the New England Patriots have Tom Brady, and the Seattle Seahawks have Russell Wilson, but there’s no question their defensive backs had a lot to do with their spot in the big game.