No matter the circumstances. No matter the record the year before. No matter the gaping holes in the roster.
Browns fans always find reason for optimism when training camp arrives at the end of July.
This year is no exception. For the first time since the team’s return in 1999, however, those rosy expectations just might be deserved.
The Browns are coming off a 10-win season, return nearly all of the key contributors and addressed the biggest weakness by overhauling the defensive line with trades for Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers.
The NFL and the television networks christened the Browns a playoff contender by giving them five prime-time games, including a Week 2 showdown with defending AFC North champion Pittsburgh.
“Let’s be real, people took us as a homecoming game,” receiver Braylon Edwards said during minicamp. “Now, for people to be leery of what we can do, it makes us feel good.
“It is going to make us prepare that much harder. Going into these games we are going to be ready, have a lot of fire and just go out there and be ready to do it.”
Edwards is coming off a breakthrough season. He caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards and a franchise-record 16 touchdowns, earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He was joined in Honolulu by teammates Kellen Winslow, Joe Thomas, Ryan Pontbriand, Joshua Cribbs and Derek Anderson.
Perhaps no one in the NFL was a bigger surprise than Anderson. He began the season on the bench, only to take over for Charlie Frye in the opener. He went 10-5 as a starter, including 7-0 at home, with 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns.
While the Browns quarterback position always garners the most attention — and this summer will be no different — the team is faced with other pressing issues.
Here’s a list of five hot topics to watch when camp opens Wednesday in Berea.

Who’ll be No. 3?

When the 2007 season ended, receiver Joe Jurevicius realized he might only have one season left in his aging knees. That season is now in jeopardy.
Jurevicius has had four surgeries since last season ended, is expected to miss the start of the season and may be forced to retire a year early. While that would be another sad ending to a Cleveland kid’s return home (LeCharles Bentley, anyone?), the Browns are left searching for a replacement at third receiver.
Travis Wilson, Joshua Cribbs and Kevin Kasper are the early favorites to fill the role, but they bring varying degrees of uncertainty. Wilson has two catches in his career, Cribbs 14 and Kasper has bounced around the league. If one of them doesn’t emerge in camp, the Browns may have to think about a trade.
Either way, Jurevicius’ hands, size, third-down production and leadership will be hard to replace if he’s unable to return.

Corner market

The trade of Leigh Bodden and Daven Holly’s season-ending knee injury left the Browns short-handed at cornerback behind starters Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald — both entering their second seasons. Veteran Terry Cousin was signed to play nickelback, but the position remains slim past the top three.
General manager Phil Savage will continue to monitor the waiver wire and explore trades, because he can’t afford to let one weak spot sabotage the season. A veteran who could make a spot start or two would be the ideal addition, especially given the youth of Wright and McDonald.
In the meantime, Jereme Perry, A.J. Davis and a group of rookie free agents have the opportunity to impress and win a roster spot.

New chief of D

The defensive coordinator never gets as much publicity or takes as much criticism as his counterpart on offense, but Mel Tucker will be under the microscope in his first season at the helm. With the offense expected to put up a number of points, Tucker must find a way for his defense to hold up its end of the bargain.
Tucker won’t change much schematically — the 3-4 is head coach Romeo Crennel’s baby — so his focus will be on execution. His first projects are improving the run defense and getting pressure on the quarterback — both of which would take some pressure off the questionable secondary.

Brady watch

Derek Anderson is the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback, but that doesn’t mean Brady Quinn will just fade into the background. Not only does he have aspirations of winning the starting job, but many fans are infatuated with the former Notre Damer.
After a holdout as a rookie, Quinn is hoping to take advantage of a full training camp and increased playing time in the preseason. If Anderson plays as poorly as he did last year in the preseason — he lost the battle with Charlie Frye when he couldn’t lead a touchdown drive — and Quinn looks good, the clamoring for Quinn (justified or not) will surely be heard throughout Browns Town.

Here’s the beef

The coaches and fans will finally get a chance to see the impact of new defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. The pair have been with the team for months, but hitting hasn’t been allowed. That will change Thursday, the first day of two-a-day practices and contact in full pads. Center Hank Fraley and guard Rex Hadnot better be ready.
Rogers and Williams were acquired in trades to fix Cleveland’s biggest problem. They must shore up the run defense for the team to reach its potential, and they could also help the pass rush through their size and athleticism.
Simmering topics:
The recovery of offensive lineman Ryan Tucker and tight end Kellen Winslow from offseason surgery.
The quality of the depth at running back behind Jamal Lewis.
The battle for a starting spot at inside linebacker among Andra Davis, Leon Williams and rookie Beau Bell.  
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

BROWNS CAMP

OPENS: Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
ENDS: Saturday, Aug. 16
COST: Camp is free and open to the public.
HOTLINE: Call 877-6-BROWNS for more information.

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