The season hasn’t even started yet and already Lions and Browns fans have reason to be miserable.

The Lions got crushing news on Monday when it was revealed that rookie running back Mikel Leshoure is out for the season after he tore his Achilles’ tendon in practice. The second-round pick was supposed to be the power to Jahvid Best’s speed in Detroit’s rushing game this season, but now he’s faced with a full year of rehab instead.

It’s a bad break for a Lions team that is being viewed as a potential sleeper playoff candidate. Even with a healthy Leshoure, I think the playoffs might be out of Detroit’s grasp this season but an 8-8 record certainly isn’t. This is a young team that is being built correctly by GM Martin Mayhew and it’s going to take time before it all comes together. Losing Leshoure hurts, but this season is still all about guys like Best, Matthew Stafford and first-round pick Nick Fairley maturing.

The Browns got a bit of bad injury news themselves when head coach Pat Shurmur revealed that wideout Mohamed Massaquoi has a “bone issue” in his injured left ankle. Apparently no one is sure when it happened and the third-year receiver is now out indefinitely, but team president Mike Holmgren said Massaquoi won’t need surgery and that he could return to practice as soon as next week.

Massaquoi didn’t exactly set the league on fire with his play over the first two years of his career, but the Browns were expecting him to emerge as Colt McCoy’s top target this season. With Massaquoi out, second-round pick Greg Little should see first-team reps this week in practice. That’s probably a good thing considering the reports on Little so far haven’t been good. Apparently the young man has been doing his best Braylon Edwards impersonation and dropping everything in sight.

A 2-2 Sunday in Week 6 has left me starring at a losing record this season in the NFL. While I hit the Eagles and Vikings last Sunday, the Bears and Raiders left me hanging with their horrendous efforts against the Seahawks and 49ers, respectively.

Maybe this is the week it all turns around for good and I can start sleeping at night again. That losing record haunts my dreams…

Browns (1-5) @ Saints (4-2), 1:00PM ET
Despite a wide array of injuries, the Saints’ dominated a Tampa team last Sunday that had been playing with a lot of confidence. Maybe New Orleans has found a way to overcome all the injuries and will start to turn it on. Either way, the Browns are banged up themselves and don’t have the luxury of having Drew Brees under center to right the ship. I was impressed with Colt McCoy’s NFL debut last Sunday in Pittsburgh, but he may be without Josh Cribbs (head) and Mohammad Massaquoi (head) this Sunday, which is a problem considering Cleveland was already thin at receiver. The Browns will try to win this game on the ground with Peyton Hillis, but I think their defense will be on the field for long stretches of time and the Saints’ offense will kick it into high gear at some point. New Orleans rolls again this week.
THE PICK: SAINTS -13

49ers (1-5) @ Panthers (0-5), 1:00PM ET
Sorry for my bluntness, but I don’t like the Panthers. I think they rival the Bills for being the worst team in the league and whether it’s Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen that takes the snaps, I think they have a good chance of losing every Sunday. That said, I don’t trust the 49ers as far as I can throw them. Their first win came against an Oakland team last Sunday that actually may have been trying to lose based on the effort they gave. I don’t think San Fran is well coached, I don’t think they play disciplined football and I don’t trust Mike Singletary’s in-game decision-making. So while it pains me to take Carolina, I think they get their first win this week and Vegas burns those that are hoping back onto the 49ers’ shaky bandwagon.
THE PICK: PANTHERS +2

Patriots (4-1) @ Chargers (2-4), 4:15PM
Before making my picks each week, I scour locate all the traps. And this, my friends, is a trap. Why in God’s name would anyone take a 2-4 San Diego team playing a 4-1 New England squad that just beat the Ravens? Because the Chargers are 2-0 at home? Not buying it. Antonio Gates is hurt and may not play and the Chargers were just dominated by the Rams. There’s simply no reason to take the Bolts this week, which is exactly why I’m taking the Bolts this week….and for a more logical take on the game: The Chargers have looked like a completely different team at home this year and Philip Rivers should take advantage of a suspect New England secondary. It’s tough for East Coast teams to travel cross-country and win on the road, and no team will travel farther than the Pats this weekend. The depleted Chargers win and cover.
THE PICK: CHARGERS –3

Giants (4-2) @ Cowboys (1-4), 8:30PM ET, Monday
Speaking of traps…The Giants have won three in a row and have been awfully impressive on both sides of the ball the past three weeks. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have shot themselves in the foot at every opportunity and have essentially become a joke. With that in mind, what better time for Dallas to wake up then against a division rival on national television? Expect the unexpected every week in the NFL. Everyone is expecting the ‘Boys to lay an egg and embarrass themselves on Monday night, but I actually think the opposite plays out. I think the Cowboys put together their best performance of the season and make people consider whether or not they can climb back into the NFC East race. (Then they’ll promptly lose next week by committing 17 penalties and turning the ball over six times and then they’ll go back to being a joke.)
THE PICK: COWBOYS -3

Season Record: 9-10-1

The first word that comes to mind when you think about Josh Cribbs’ game is “versatile.”

While at Kent State, he set school records for total offense (10,839 yards), rushing touchdowns (38), pass completions (616), pass attempts (1,123), passing yardage (7,169), touchdowns scored (41) and points scored (246) – all records that still stand today.

Now a member of the Cleveland Browns, Cribbs continues to flash the versatility that made him a star at Kent. Arguably the Browns’ most explosive playmaker, Josh is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball as either a returner, a receiver or a runner out of the Wildcat formation.

Oh, and the guy can given drop back as a quarterback and even spent some time in training camp at safety. You just don’t find players as versatile as Cribbs, who the Browns are lucky to employ (which is why they locked him up to a long-term deal this past March).

We were fortunate enough to catch Josh in between games and got to ask him what the secret is to being an elite kick returner. He also filled us in on two Browns to keep an eye on this year (fans will be extremely happy to hear what he said about one young player in particular), what his role will be in Cleveland’s offense over the course of the season and how he did in his acting debut for a September 30th episode of FX’s “The League,” in which he plays himself.

Enjoy the interview and for more on Josh, be sure to check out his Twitter Page.

The Scores Report: Hey Josh, how are you?

Josh Cribbs: Good, how you doing?

TSR: Doing great, thanks for joining us today. I know you’re busy during the season so we appreciate your taking the time to sit down with us.

JC: All right – no problem.

TSR: What changes now that Jake Delhomme is out and Seneca Wallace is your starter, besides the fact that Seneca is obviously more mobile?

JC: Well, I believe that since Seneca is mobile, defenses will try to do a good job of containing him but we’ll combat that. We’re going to be ready for them to try and contain Seneca, who will keep drives alive a lot more than Jake. But Jake is used to running the offense, so it’s just some minor things that change. They’re both great quarterbacks, but I know the biggest thing for defenses is to try and contain Seneca and I think they’ll have problems doing it.

TSR: I see you’re 1-for-1 passing on the year. Not that you want to see anything happen to Seneca, but are you ready to go in at a moments notice? How’s the arm?

JC: (Laughs)

TSR: (Laughs)

JC: The arm is great – I’m ready to throw some more passes.

TSR: You’re such a versatile player in that you can return kicks, you can receive, you can lineup as a quarterback in the Wildcat and you can also run the ball as well. What can fans expect out of your role over the course of an entire season?

JC: I think they can expect my role to increase. The more good I do in those roles that they put me in, the more my role will expand. Look for me to drop back as a regular quarterback, because defenses will assume that I’m going to run every single time and that’s not true. So you can expect me to throw the ball regularly…I can quarterback, run the ball, catch the ball, return and tackle.

TSR: Speaking of tackling, I saw that your coaches had you lining up at safety at times during training camp. What was that about?

JC: You know, I’m there if they need me. It’s all about being versatile. Injuries happen during the season and you know, they might want to spice it up. They may want to throw me out there to give our defense a different look. They know I’m capable of doing it and I’m ready. Whenever they give me an opportunity I’m going to shine.

TSR: I’m going to put you on the spot – I read on your Twitter page a couple of months ago that you had planned to lose 13 pounds before training camp. Did you accomplish that goal?

JC: Yes I did. We get fined if we’re overweight, so it wasn’t something that I wanted to do – I had to do it. I didn’t want to lose any money, so I lost about 18 pounds.

TSR: Good for you – I’m sure that helps during the season.

JC: Definitely. I’ve gained a lot of muscle weight, but I still wanted to keep my speed in order and losing the weight helped there.

TSR: What’s the key to having a successful kick return in the NFL and what’s your secret for being one of the best in that area?

JC: The key is watching tape and knowing that when you catch the ball, you have everyone’s livelihood in your hands. So watching tape is of great importance and in order to be an elite kick returner you have to keep watching film. You have to envision it before you do it, so I always sit there before a game and just envision myself running in for a touchdown. I watch film over and over and over on myself, as well as the team we’re about to play. That’s another thing – research. You have to research your opponent and be prepared.

TSR: I have to admit that’s one thing I didn’t even think of when it comes to being a returner – watching film. You often hear about how important game tape is for quarterbacks and defenders, but as a fan you don’t think about it as it applies to kick returners. That’s interesting.

JC: Absolutely, it’s very important – for everybody.

TSR: You have a front row seat to watch a couple of young receivers in Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie. Talk to me about their development to this point.

JC: They had excellent OTAs and training camps. They proved themselves worthy day in and day out in practice and they just make plays. And that’s what’s most important – making plays. You saw Mohamed catch a touchdown in the first game and that’s proof of what he does in practice.

TSR: The Darrelle Revis contract holdout in New York this past offseason really brought the potential lockout in 2011 to light. How crucial was it for you to get your deal done back in March?

JC: It was very crucial because I wanted to put the contract and everything behind me. I didn’t want to have it lingering on during the season and that’s why I waited until after the season last year to handle things. I didn’t want it to linger into OTAs and I didn’t want to be a problem for my team. You know, being a captain, you don’t want to be a distraction and I was able to get that done without being one.

TSR: Josh, give me one offensive player and one defensive player for Brown fans to watch out for this season.

JC: I think one guy is…let me see…just one? (Laughs)

TSR: (Laughs) Just one on each side of the ball and you can’t pick yourself!

JC: That’s really tough. You know what? Evan Moore – our tight end. He’s been a receiving tight end that is learning how to block after being a receiver in college. He’s a big guy that’s going to line up at tight end, but he’s a receiver at heart. Any time he’s lined up on a linebacker, you know he’s going to win – he does it consistently in practice. He’s a guy that we called up from the practice squad last year and I forgot how many catches he had, but he had plenty of catches in those last four games, which were all wins.

TSR: Right.

JC: And on defense: Joe Haden. This is a guy who came in and I’m like, oh man, I don’t know if they made the right pick. I don’t know how good this guy is going to be and he blew me away. He’s come a long way since OTAs to where he is now. At OTAs I’m like, okay, we don’t have equipment on so you don’t know how this guy is going to play. He’s from my area so I’m going to root for him but…training camp came around and it’s like the switch turned on. He’s going to be a great cornerback for years to come. He’s already playing above expectations and I think he’s going to be great in this defense.

TSR: Well, I’m sure you just made a lot of Brown fans happy that they’re No. 1 draft pick will probably pan out. One last question for you Josh: I hear you’re going to be on FX’s “The League” at the end of September. You’re starring yourself?

JC: Yes, sir!

TSR: (Laughs)

JC: That’s my acting debut. They gave me the opportunity to take that role and you know, I’m playing myself so it’s not really acting, but it’s directed by really great people and it was a great opportunity. Terrell Suggs is in it too and I’ve been tweeting it all day – it’s a great episode. And actually, not only the episode – the show itself is good. They sent me a couple of DVDs and now I’m hooked, and everybody who watches it because they follow my Twitter – now they’re hooked. So hopefully it’s something I can build on and have after football.

TSR: Well, I’m definitely going to tune in and maybe next time we’ll have you back so you can talk about your acting career.

JC: Thank you man, I really appreciate it!

TSR: Not a problem, Josh – thank you for joining us, we really appreciate it. Stay healthy and have a great season.

JC: All right – I like to hear that! Thank you and take care.

TSR: Thanks, Josh – you too!

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the major issues the Browns could have with their passing game this season.

Usually teams have enough skill players to make an offense work, but their line holds them back.

The Browns have the opposite problem.

Joe Thomas is one of the top pass blocking left tackles in the game and will once again anchor a solid Cleveland offensive line. While he needs to improve his pass protection, young center Alex Mack is a budding star and Eric Steinbach completes a pretty dominating left side.

Unfortunately, not even a good offensive line will save the Browns from what should be one of the worst passing games in the NFL.

I’ve never been a fan of Jake Delhomme and while he may be fooling Cleveland fans with his “veteran presence” act right now, the guy was atrocious last year. He doesn’t handle pressure well, he forces passes into coverage and even when he does have time he still turns the ball over.

Granted, he was a consistent performer in 2008 before his disaster in the playoffs against the Cardinals that year. So if he can recapture some of that magic then maybe the Browns will be okay, but 1) I wouldn’t bet on it and 2) that means other players will have to step up around him.

Mohamed Massaquoi obviously has a ton of talent, which he displayed in big games against the Bengals and Lions last year. There’s a chance this could be his breakout season, but that would require Delhomme being able to get him the ball. While he certainly has a ton of potential, Massaquoi is being counted on as the Browns’ No. 1 receiver and he only amassed 624 yards last season.

On the other side is Brian Robiskie, whom I think has a nice future as a possession receiver. But he looked incredibly lost last year as a rookie (which I realize isn’t uncommon) and needs to make strides in his development if he wants to remain a starter.

Behind Massaquoi and Robiskie are Joshua Cribbs and Chansi Stuckey. Obviously Cribbs is explosive in the return game and he’s a highlight reel waiting to happen if he can get into open space. But he was arguably the least productive Brown as a receiver last year. Stuckey is fine as a No. 3 or No. 4, although don’t expect the light to turn on for him at this point in his career.

The good news is that the receiving corps does have potential (I’m intrigued by this Carlton Mitchell kid, too) and the running game should be strong. Adding Ben Watson at tight end should also help in the passing game, although it looks like Evan Moore is going looks at the position as well.

If Delhomme can be more consistent and cut down on all of the mistakes, the Browns’ passing game might be okay. And if Massaquoi can develop into a true No. 1 receiver over the course of the year, that should help Delhomme. And if Robiskie makes strides and if Cribbs carries over his play on special teams to receiver, the Browns will be in good shape.

You can see where I’m going with this. If, if, if, if…

I don’t have a ton of faith that all of this will come together – especially Delhomme transforming back into the quarterback he used to be. Thus, I think the Browns’ passing game (among other things) will hold them back in 2010.

Yesterday, I listed a few sleeper RBs that I’m targeting in the mid to late rounds, and today I’ll tackle the WR position. I’ve already discussed a few 10th-round-type players in the WR preview — specifically Derrick Mason, Malcom Floyd and Devin Aromashodu — so I’ll limit this list to players with average draft positions (ADP) in the 11th round or later.

Johnny Knox (10.11) & Devin Hester (10.11)
I’ve already broken my 11th round rule. Knox and Hester are practically going on the 11th, so I’ll give myself a pass. Truth is, I like all the Bears receivers in Mike Martz’s wide open system, but I’m not sure which guy will finish the best stats. Hester seems built to be a Wes Welker slot-type guy (with more quickness), while Knox has a ton of speed. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune thinks that Knox is emerging as Jay Cutler’s top target and Rotoworld speculates that it’s because of his ability to control his elite speed a la Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. It’s entirely possible that all three wideouts will have fantasy relevant seasons.

Kenny Britt (11.12)
The second-year Britt did not have a very good offseason, showing up to minicamps out of shape and generally driving the coaching staff crazy. But he’s doing better in training camp, even though he’s currently running with the second team. He is clearly the most talented of the Titans’ WRs and it should only be a matter of time before he’s Tennessee’s top option in the passing game. As a rookie he caught 42 passes for 701 yards and three scores. He was WR51 last year with those numbers, but with just 10 more catches and 150 more yards, he’ll be knocking on the Top 30. Seeing as he’s currently being drafted W47, he should be a good value, even in the 9th or 10th.

Nate Burleson (12.04)
Burleson went for 63-812-3 for Seattle last season and has had an up and down career. But the always-trailing Lions will be forced to throw a lot and Burleson should be able to make hay opposite Calvin Johnson, who will receive most of the attention in the secondary. And let’s not forget that Scott Linehan is the Lions’ new OC, and the last time these two worked together, Burleson went for 68-1006-9 as a member of the 2004 Minnesota Vikings. Don’t expect nine scores, but Burleson should be an effective WR3 or WR4 in PPR leagues.

Chris Chambers (12.10)
Just shoot me now. I had long given up on Chambers ever offering any consistent fantasy production, but then he gets picked up by the Chiefs and rattles off 45-730-5 in the last nine games of the season. Those are WR8-type numbers, people. So what do we do with him this year? Well, I guess if he’s still available in the 11th or 12th round you can do worse. The guy proved he could play in the Chiefs’ offense last season, and that’s something.

Chaz Schilens (13.04)
His foot is still giving him some trouble, but the X-rays are negative, so hopefully that soreness goes away. If it does, Schilens should have a nice year. He finished fairly strong in 2009, with 4.4-53-0.4 over the last five games, and now he finally has a pretty decent QB throwing to him in Jason Campbell. Keep an eye on that foot in the preseason and if the pain starts to clear up, look at Schilens in the 11th or the 12th.

Mohamed Massaquoi (13.04)
Let’s be clear — I’m not high on Jake Delhomme or the Cleveland passing game. But anytime you can get the top option in a passing game, no matter how bad it is, in the 13th freaking round, you have to take notice. Massaquoi is entering his second season after posting a respectable 34-624-3 as a rookie. We know two things about the Browns: 1) they’ll have to throw a lot to stay in games and 2) if Jake Delhomme likes a guy he will force the ball to him. If Massaquoi becomes that guy, he could take a big step forward stat-wise in his sophomore season.

Laurent Robinson (14.01)
Robinson got off to a great start in 2009, catching 11 passes for 141 yards and a TD in the first two games before going down with a season ending leg injury that required surgery. There has been little in the way of news coming out of St. Louis, but everyone expects him to start for the Rams this season, provided his leg is sufficiently healed. If it is, he could very well pick up where he left off last season — the Rams will be throwing a lot late in games trying to catch up, and that’s a recipe for PPR success.

Jacoby Jones (14.09)
Labeled as ‘immature,’ Jones has finally won over his head coach with his maturity this offseason. Now, if he can only beat Kevin Walter out for a starting job. Jones surely has more physical ability, but Walter is a good route runner and has soft hands. Jones is a flyer, for sure, but if he can beat Walter out for the WR2 job opposite Andre Johnson, a 1,000-yard season is well within reach.

Mike Williams (14.02)
The reviews have been rave for the rookie out of Syracuse. He has already won the starting split end job and has impressed Peter King, Pete Prisco and even Adam Schefter, who says that Williams “has star written all over him.” Now it’s important to keep in mind that Williams is a rookie, but when a player is impressing this much for a team in desperate need of a playmaker at WR, fantasy owners should take notice. I’d definitely look to draft Williams in the later rounds, but don’t wait too long.

Eric Mangini said Monday that the Browns’ starting quarterback job is Jake Delhomme’s to lose. Some Cleveland fans may want to throw their Jim Brown bobblehead through their office window after reading that news, while others probably shrugged and muttered, “Well, at least it’s not Derek Anderson.”

Thus far, all of the reports on Delhomme this summer have been positive. Mike Holmgren was looking to add a veteran quarterback who could help provide leadership in the locker room and he found one in Delhomme. Perhaps more importantly, the former Panther has developed a good report with young receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie.

Of course, Delhomme has been around long enough to know how to make an impression in OTAs. While his veteran presence has probably been a welcoming sight around Cleveland this summer, the real work is still ahead. This is a player that hasn’t played with confidence in the recent past and his decision-making has been downright brutal over the last year and a change. If the Browns were looking for a savior at the quarterback position, Delhomme isn’t it.

I’ve been critical of Holmgren’s decision to sign Delhomme and I won’t change my tune now. After the Panthers released him, Delhomme only had two choices as where to sign: Cleveland or New Orleans. He wanted to be a starter, so his only real option was to sign with the Browns, yet Holmgren still gave him $7 million guaranteed. That’s a ludicrous amount of money for a quarterback that couldn’t start for most flag football teams in this country.

But I also have to keep in mind what Delhomme’s role is. The Browns aren’t looking for him to be a savior; he’s merely a stopgap this season (and possibly even next season) until Colt McCoy or another quarterback is ready to take over the reins. If he provides the Browns with veteran leadership, plays a role in developing Massaquoi and Robiskie, and mentors McCoy, then Holmgren accomplishes his goal with the signing.

And hey, if Delhomme does have some success this season, then it’s a bonus. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on that scenario, but seeing as how the expectations will be much lower in Cleveland than they were in Carolina, anything could happen.

Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wonders aloud if the Browns are still intent on trading Braylon Edwards after recently signing free agent Mike Furrey, who now joins a crowded receiver corps.

• Until proven otherwise, we’ve got to assume a trade of Braylon Edwards is still being explored. Surely he’s not scoring points with Mangini by missing the “voluntary” offseason conditioning workouts. Perhaps the Browns are bracing for the possibility of Edwards also skipping the two “voluntary” minicamps scheduled later this month. Securing a No. 1 pick in 2010 for Edwards now would give the Browns some comfort moving forward.

• If Edwards does not return, the Browns have a lack of speed at the wideout position. Robiskie and Massaquoi — again, they’re rookies — run decent for their size, but they won’t be getting behind many NFL corners. Furrey, 32, is a possession receiver. David Patten will be 35 when the season starts. As for the other receivers returning from last year’s roster — Paul Hubbard, Syndric Steptoe, Lance Leggett — I haven’t heard Mangini or Kokinis mention any of their names since they’ve been on the job.

• Perhaps the Browns are merely adding competition to the receiver position. But it’s odd that they aren’t doing the same at running back.

I didn’t excerpt this portion, but in his article Grossi makes a good point that it’s unrealistic to assume that both Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi (two receivers the Browns drafted in the second round of last month’s draft) will develop into starters as rookies. However, while Massaquoi was largely considering a raw prospect by some scouts, Robiskie was the most polished receivers to enter the draft so it wouldn’t be far-fetched if he turned some heads this summer and became a starter. (His father is long-time NFL assistant and current Falcons’ receiver coach Terry Robiskie, so you know Brian has had excellent training throughout his young career.)

In regards to trading Edwards, the Browns are setting themselves up for either outcome. The additions they have made to their receiving corps this offseason haven’t been spectacular, but they could at least get them through a season if they do wind up trading Edwards.

Edwards becomes a free agent after the 2009 season and it appears that he doesn’t want to re-sign with Cleveland, so the Browns would obviously love to get some kind of compensation for him if he does plan on bolting. But if they wind up hanging onto him, he is still their most talented receiver and would be their top playmaker in the passing game next season. I don’t know if I would say it’s a win-win for the Browns, but at least they seem to have a plan.