Cleveland fans are expecting big things from this expansion version of the Browns, based on the early success the last two expansion teams had after coming into the league in 1995. After Carolina went 7-9 and Jacksonville 4-12 in their inaugural campaigns, the two teams mingled with the NFL elite in the 1996 conference championship games -- in only their second year of existence.

	BROWNS AT A GLANCE
	Tim Couch
	Last year: Expansion team New faces:: QB Tim Couch (No.1 overall), RB Terry Kirby (49ers), DE Derrick Alexander (Vikings), C Dave Wohlabaugh (Patriots), TE Irv Smith (49ers), DB Corey Fuller (Vikings), LB Jamir Miller (Cards), OT Lomas Brown (Cards) New places: Former owner Art Modell has vowed never to return Watch out: Ty Detmer is the starter, but Couch will get his shot. Better than '98: Anything is better than going without football for three years. Worse than '98: A handful of wins would be a success for any expansion team. -- Scripps Howard News Service

While the Browns are in relatively good shape at several positions because they were afforded extra draft picks and a full salary cap, the going won't be easy for this team. The Browns aren't expecting any playoff miracles in 1999. In fact, avoiding the postseason this year will actually benefit their future. If the Browns don't make the playoffs in 1999, they will receive seven extra draft picks in 2000. The positions of those picks are based on their 1999 record.

Considering the lack of skill-position talent on this team, those extra picks could come in handy.

Here's a position-by-position look at Cleveland's roster:

Quarterbacks
This is the one skill position where the Browns are in pretty good shape. Head coach Chris Palmer devoted a ton of time to scouting the QB class of '99, eventually deciding to select Kentucky's Tim Couch. Even though he was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and he had some good showings in the preseason, Palmer is expected to take his time with Couch, allowing ex-49er Ty Detmer to start at the beginning of the regular season. Eventually, though, the plan calls for Couch supplanting Detmer in the starting lineup, with the veteran acting as a tutor for the rookie.

Detmer has a very good understanding of the game, a lot of guts and good field vision. He will adequately hold the fort until Palmer deems Couch ready. When ready, Couch will bring size, mobility, athletic ability, field vision and good arm strength to the offense. However, he will also bring rookie mistakes as he learns the intricacies of Palmer's offense and the speed of the pro game. The Browns recently signed ex-Jaguar Jamie Martin to be the No. 3 quarterback. Grade: C

		You have to take everything into consideration with the Browns. Really, what will help them be successful is their ability to play smart on both sides of the ball. I think their defense will be more advanced and ahead of the offense. What is important is getting consistent, smart quarterback play from Ty Detmer. They need him to stay healthy. Otherwise, the Browns need to find someone at running back to rely on for 20-25 carries a game -- and get production. It's one thing to run 20-25 times, and it's another to run that often and average four yards a carry. So everything comes down to the running back. Can they find that productive back? A guy who will keep the quarterback in good situations? Detmer isn't an All-Pro quarterback, but he's as solid as you're going to get. He'll do the right things to help the Browns win, but he won't come out and singlehandedly beat teams. The Browns are looking at a 4-12 season at best.

Running backs
The Browns are seriously lacking in this department. They were able to get Terry Kirby from the 49ers, and he is being asked to step in as the No. 1 running back. However, he has spent most of his six-year NFL career as a third-down back. He has not shown in the preseason that he is an ideal every-down back -- but considering the current alternatives, he's the guy for now. Kirby has never rushed for more than 559 yards as a pro.

Backing him up are ex-Patriot Sedrick Shaw and seventh-round rookie Madre Hill. Shaw was not productive in New England, but he is getting a second chance with the Browns. So far, he hasn't done much with it. Hill is a talented runner who dropped to the seventh round because of questions about the durability of his knee, which he has blown out twice. FB Marc Edwards is a competent receiver and steady blocker. He is backed up by former LB Tarek Saleh. Grade: D

Receivers
The starters are expected to be veteran Leslie Shepherd, signed as a free agent, and second-round draft choice Kevin Johnson. Shepherd was Washington's slot receiver last season but will be the go-to guy this season in Cleveland. Johnson has shown some flashes of ability in the preseason, but he is still learning. He has very good speed and run-after-the-catch ability.

Because Palmer is expected to use three-WR sets often, look for either Damon Gibson, an ex-Bengal taken in the expansion draft, or fifth-round rookie Darrin Chiaverini to be the No. 3 receiver. At tight end, Irv Smith is the starter despite a rocky early going with the Browns. He is being pushed by rookie free agent Mark Campbell. Grade: C-

Offensive linemen
This is an area that the Browns placed a great deal of emphasis on when building the roster. They signed veteran free-agent OTs Lomas Brown and Orlando Brown and C Dave Wohlabaugh to big-money contracts. Thirty-six-year-old Lomas Brown will man the OLT position. He is a durable, smart veteran who is capable of protecting his quarterback from blind-side hits. Orlando Brown will handle the ORT position. He is a massive lineman with a mean streak. Wohlabaugh is a very good center who is coming off somewhat of a down year in New England.

Filling out the OG spots are ex-Lion Jim Pyne, who was the first player taken in the expansion draft, and Scott Rehberg, another expansion-draft addition. Pyne is considered an above-average guard but a below-average center -- the position he played in Detroit last season. He will handle the OLG spot. Rehberg, who is also the team's top backup tackle, has been slotted in at right guard. Grade: C+

Defensive linemen
The two DL positions -- tackle and end -- feature different types of players. At tackle, free agent signees John Jurkovic and Jerry Ball will start. They are veteran run stoppers who will fit into this division nicely because of the presence of powerful running backs. At end, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has two proven passer rushers in Derrick Alexander and Roy Barker. Their presence should keep the defense from having to blitz too often. A real concern along the defensive line is depth. Grade: C

Linebackers
The big story at this position is the retirement of MLB Chris Spielman. He was expected to be the heart and soul of the Browns' defense this season, but after a serious collision in a preseason game vs. the Bears, he was momentarily paralyzed. Coupled with the fact that he had suffered a serious neck injury in 1997 that resulted in neck fusion surgery, Spielman decided to retire from the NFL rather than risk further injury.

His departure means that fourth-round draft pick Wali Rainer will step into the starting lineup. Outside will be veterans Jamir Miller and John Thierry. Miller is one of the NFL's best run-stuffing linebackers and an excellent pass rusher. He has been the team's most outstanding player throughout training camp. Thierry, who was a defensive end the past several seasons in Chicago, is being tried at strong-side linebacker, which is the position he played in college. Second-round pick Rahim Abdullah also could see some action. Grade: C+

Defensive backs
The Browns are fortunate to have four talented cornerbacks in veterans Corey Fuller, Antonio Langham and Ryan McNeil, and third-round draft pick Daylon McCutcheon. Fuller, who has decent size and speed and can be physical, will start at one spot. Langham still has an edge over McNeil for the other starting job and seems to have regained much of the confidence he lost last season in San Francisco.

McCutcheon, who had three interceptions in the first two preseason games, has nailed down the nickel job. At safety, Marquez Pope is slated to open at strong safety, and Tim McTyer gets the job at free safety. In addition to Pope and McTyer, the Browns have third-round draft choice Marquis Smith for depth. Grade: C+

Special teams
The franchise didn't skimp in the punting department, signing free agent Chris Gardocki to a lucrative contract. He has a very good leg for punting and kicking off, and, despite playing for the Colts last season, he knows how to kick in bad weather because he started his career with the Bears.

Phil Dawson and Chris Boniol, recently cut by the Eagles, are battling for the PK job. As for the return game, expect to see Gibson handle a lot of the work, and rookie Johnson will also get an opportunity. Coverage teams should be decent because the team used the expansion draft to find good special-teams players. Grade: C

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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