The Dawgs are back

The new Browns' debut in Cleveland could be rocky

Carmen Policy hopes to build another Super Bowl champion in Cleveland. Tom Pidgeon/Allsport

The new Cleveland Browns opened their training camp July 21 in Berea, Ohio. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Browns this season. SI's season preview will be posted August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know : 1) How long will it take Chris Palmer, who performed magic with nondescript backups in Jacksonville, to develop the league's top draft pick, Tim Couch, into a functional NFL quarterback?

2) How good will ex-Niners front office hotshots Dwight Clark and Carmen Policy prove to be in the old talent-procurement game?

3) What, exactly, is Al Lerner getting for his $530 million?

4) How high will the fans' tolerance level be, since expansion babies Carolina and Jacksonville got good so quickly?

5) How can Terry Kirby, a kind of journeyman third-down back, be expected to carry the running game?

6) Will 33-year-old Chris Spielman become the inspirational leader of the defense, as we're all hoping? If he has a big year, it'll be the comeback story of '99.

The Browns can make the playoffs if : Couch is closer to Peyton Manning than he is to Ryan Leaf and he hooks up, telepathy wise, with running back Kirby. That is, if Ty Detmer doesn't start. That may be the only chance for the offense. Defensively, depth has to be a question anytime wide-body Jerry Ball is a starter on the line. This is an expansion team, folks, with not much depth and questionable or untested skill players.

Browns Facts 1998 record: 0-0 (expansion team) Coach: Chris Palmer (first season) Stadium: Cleveland Browns Stadium (72,000, natural grass) 1998 rankings: Did not play. Depth charts 1999 schedule CNN/SI Projection: 5-11

Pivotal games : Oct. 10 vs. Cincinnati, Dec. 26 vs. Indianapolis. The Browns have the easiest schedule in the league -- only two opponents made the playoffs last season -- but they still will struggle. The game against the Bengals may be their first shot at a real win. The game against the Colts is their last chance for one.

On the hot seat : Kirby is a career backup whose strength is catching the ball, not running it. Still, that's why the Browns wanted him. Detmer can get it to him and, hopefully, so can Couch. A lot is riding on Kirby, who is entering his seventh year in the league and will get used this season like in no other.

Up-and-comer : Practically the whole team. But keep an eye on rookie wideout Kevin Johnson of Syracuse, who may be a little undersized (he's 5-foot-10) but has the speed to open things up for the rest of the offense -- if whoever's throwing the ball can get it to him.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Derrick Alexander, DE, from Min. Jerry Ball, DT, from Min. Lomas Brown, T, from Ari. Orlando Brown, T, from Bal. Corey Fuller, CB, from Min. Chris Gardocki, P, from Ind. Darius Holland, DT, from Det. John Jurkovic, DT, from Jax. Terry Kirby, RB, from S.F. Jamir Miller, LB, from Ari. Marquez Pope, CB, from S.F. Leslie Shepherd, WR, from Wash. John Thierry, DE, from Chi. Dave Wohlabaugh, C, from N.E. Jeff Buckey, T, re-signed Ben Cavil, G, re-signed Marlon Forbes, S, re-signed Raymond Jackson, CB, re-signed Lenoy Jones, LB, re-signed Jerris McPhail, RB, re-signed Scott Milanovich, QB, re-signed

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 1 Tim Couch QB Kentucky 2 32 Kevin Johnson WR Syracuse 2 45 Rahim Abdullah OLB Clemson 3 62 Dayleon McCutcheon CB USC 3 76 Marquis Smith S California 4 124 Wali Rainer ILB Virginia 5 148 Darrin Chiaverini WR Colorado 6 174 Marcus Spriggs DT Troy State 6 187 Kendall Ogle OLB Maryland 6 191 James Dearth TE Texas A&M 7 207 Madre Hill RB Arkansas