In an NFL season that has been anything but normal, I fell in love with an unlikely partner. The Cleveland Browns, a storied franchise that has contributed tons of historic moments to the history of the NFL, is what I consider to be, the most intriguing team in the NFL. Here are a few of the reasons why…

1. A young secondary on the verge of stardom

If it was not for Ndamukong Suh being an unstoppable force in Detroit, you would have heard the names T.J. Ward and Joe Haden as the leaders for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Haden, the Browns first round draft pick out of the University of Florida is leading all rookies with 6 interceptions and is developing into what many analysts consider to be a shut down corner in the next year or two. Haden is no slouch against the run either, notching 58 tackles through 15 games.

Ward was a second round pick for the Browns this year, and has turned out to be a stud. The hard hitting rookie out of Oregon has tallied 116 tackles and two interceptions. Ward has proven he is not afraid to step out as a vocal leader for the Browns developing defense. Following a $15,000 fine for what the league considered to be a “cheap shot” on Bengals rookie receiver Jordan Shipley, Ward had this to say :

“I just tried to make a play and unfortunately he got hurt. It’s part of the violent game we play. If you play that position, it kind of comes with the territory.”

That sort of grittiness is what all great defenses need. While the Browns are far from a league power house now, Ward and Haden have broad enough shoulders to hoist this defense up, and with a few additions over the next year or so, we will be looking at the Browns like we do the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers.

2.A quarterback who won’t lose games

When the Browns drafted Colt McCoy this season, I knew the offense was taking a step in the right direction, the only question was when will we see this kid take the field? Due to injuries to the overpaid Jake Dellhomme and the undersized Seneca Wallace, the answer was sooner rather than later.

McCoy is not the type of quarterback who will single handedly win you games. He is no Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, however he does the little things that make those around him better.

A fundamentally sound quarterback, McCoy will never lead the league in passing yards or touchdowns thrown, but he is a great student of the game, who understands how to make an offense work. McCoy will live an die by short over the middle passes and tosses out to the flats. McCoy will be a low interception risk for the Browns.

In order for McCoy to be more of an ariel threat, the Browns need to bring in some explosivness at the wide receiverposition. Mohamed Massaquoi has the potential to be a great possession guy, and rookie speedster Carlton Mitchell will be a slot threat before we know it. Ideally, the Browns will be in the position to draft A.J. Green, Michael Floyd or Nick Toon in the draft this year, and perhaps the front office will get brazen and make a move for someone like a Chad Ochocinco who may find himself out in Cincinnati after this season.

As long as the Browns keep a good solid running game in place, and continue to add high potential receiving options for McCoy, there is not reason he won’t see success. Hell, if Trent Dilfer can win a Super Bowl by just not LOSING games for his team, why can’t McCoy?

3.The Albino Rhino

Ahhh Peyton Hillis. Everyone’s favorite white boy running back. The Great White Hype. The Albino Rhino. Whatever you want to call him, you can’t dispute the fact that the move to bring in Hillis from Denver was genius. Someone really did their research on this guy. I hadn’t even heard of him until I was looking for a fantasy upgrade this year. Boy did he pay off.

Even the most casual fan of professional football has to know that it is rare to have a white running back see this kind of success. I liken Hillis to Mike Alstott…and it has nothing to do with the fact they are both white, down hill runners who wear/wore the jersey number 40.

The comparisons are eerie…

• Downhill running style
• Neither guy had a true “position”. Both were listed as fullbacks, but often lined up as the feature back
• Both have exceptional hands out of the backfield and a nose for the end zone
• Hillis, like Alstott will benefit from a running back by committee approach.

As much as we all love Hillis, I feel that this season will be the statistical peak of Hillis’ career. With a downhill running style like he has, it is rare he can carry the ball for 1,000 yards a season each and every year…and that is okay. It does not make him any less dangerous. The Browns drafted their feature back this year when they took Montario Hardesty, unfortunatley, due to injury Hardesty did not see the field. Next season, I fully expect for Hillis to be the starter on opening day, with Hardesty finding himself as the feature guy before too long–which will free up Hillis to catch some more passes, and show some flexibility by lining up at the tight end spot, something he did frequently in college.

4.The most underrated player in the NFL

Josh Cribbs used to JUST be one of the most exciting return men in the NFL. Now, Cribbs must be accounted for on every down, making him one of the most dangerous–yet most underrated–skill position guys in the NFL. Listed as a wide receiver, Cribbs is that and so so much more. Though his offensive statistics don’t reflect it, Cribbs is explosive. He has caught 20 passes for 255 yards, carried the ball 19 times for 66 yards and been a consistent threat in the return game. 2010 has been a tough year for Cribbs, who has been banged up for a large part of the season, but that has not stopped NFL defenses for game planning to stop him.

“Josh Cribbs is one of the very best in the NFL … He’s a big, strong guy who is really fast and explosive. He might not have broken any long ones, but we know the potential is there. We have to be at our best because we expect the best from him.” – Joe Corto, Buffalo Bills safety

If Cribbs can stay healthy, expect to see more of the 2009 version rather than the 2010 version next year.

The Cleveland Browns are headed towards NFL dominance. If they can continue to get production and development from their key youngsters, and add some talent through the draft over the next few years, I expect to see them competing for a Super Bowl ring as early as the 2012 season.