Fans say it every season. “We’re going over .500!” or “This is our year!” Yet, every season it turns out the same, with the Browns trudging through another horrendous sixteen games. However, last year provided fans the first spark of joy since 2007, when they went 10-6. QB Brian Hoyer led the team to a 7-4 start and first place in the tough AFC North division before losing the last five games of the season. Remember, this is a team a year removed from:

• Signing a player with a torn ACL to replace another player with a torn ACL (ironically, Brian Hoyer)
• Building a practice facility filled with fake or misattributed quotes
• Brandon Weeden getting swallowed by an American flag during warmups, then throwing four interceptions

Actually, that last one was back in 2012, but I bet nobody noticed. It’s hard to tell the difference year to year when every season is filled with pain and misery.

Maybe this year is different. Despite a rough schedule including an end of the season stretch against the Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers, fans are still optimistic for 2015. One Browns writer from fan site Dawg Pound Daily even predicted the team would finish 9-7.

The question is, how?

As surprising as it sounds, there were a couple good moves by the Browns this offseason. One was bolstering a run defense that finished dead last in the NFL last season. Utilizing elite run stuffer Randy Starks and first round draft pick Danny Shelton should get the Browns into the top 20. The Browns also took on the daunting task of upgrading their WR corps, adding plenty of experience in Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline for new QB Josh McCown to throw to. Those additions, so far, have not lived up to the hype. Bowe was inactive for Week 1, while Hartline was invisible, catching two passes for twenty yards. Meanwhile, McCown attempted to imitate John Elway during the opening drive of Sunday’s game, but failed miserably and ended up with a concussion.

To make matters worse, during the offseason the Browns lost some key players that helped them nearly get out of the basement of the division. Last year’s starting QB and hometown hero Brian Hoyer has gone to the Texans–and has since been benched after less than a game–after finishing with the best career record (10-6, .625) for the Browns since they joined the NFL in 1999. In fact, he’s the only quarterback of the 22 that have started a game for the Browns since 1999 to even have a winning record. Jake Delhomme is the next closest, at 2-2 (.500), and everyone else is below .500.

The Browns also lost the only player on the team who could catch a pass last year besides star CB Joe Haden–Pro Bowl TE Jordan Cameron. New addition Rob Housler and returning TEs Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray will attempt to fill Cameron’s role. However, the three managed to grab a total of 39 receptions in 2014.

The most under-the-radar loss was CB Buster Skrine, who has rapidly been improving since being drafted by the Browns in 2011. Skrine finished with 18 passes defended and a career-high four interceptions before fleeing to the Jets this offseason. An underappreciated defender, Skrine will be replaced by veteran signing Tramon Williams, who has impressed coaches and fans alike thus far.

Finally, the offseason would not be complete without the Browns being the Browns. According to NFL Media’s Charley Casserly, the Browns reportedly offered a late first round pick to acquire QB Sam Bradford, who has torn his ACL twice in the past two seasons. While I agree that Sam Bradford is a considerable upgrade at QB when healthy, a first round pick for a walking piece of fine china isn’t exactly ideal in my eyes.

As for the upcoming season, I don’t have high expectations. The Browns schedule starts off easy with consecutive winnable matchups against the Jets, Titans, and Raiders. The Jets proved to be tougher than most anticipated, winning in comfortable fashion 31-10. With the Browns looking as untalented as ever, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose the next 15 straight. The game the Browns have the best shot at winning after Week 3 is against the 49ers in Week 14; however, I can’t say I’d blame the team if they’ve given up by then. Hey, at least we can always Fail for Cardale, right?