Quarterbacks
The season started with a lot of promise when Brady Quinn was named the starter. Even though he was an unknown commodity, his star power had Cleveland fans thinking that he could be the guy to get this team back on track. Much to the dismay of everyone involved, he floundered in his first three games and was eventually benched for Derek Anderson. Once Anderson was inserted into the fold he immediately went all Derek Anderson and threw three second-half interceptions against Baltimore.

Anderson has continued his dream run and has compiled a season stat line of:

66 of 154 passing for 681 yards
42.9% completion percentage
Two TDs
Nine INTs
QB Rating: 36.2

The Browns have realized they do not have a viable option at quarterback. The first half of this season is just the tip of the ice berg. Anderson is approaching Ryan Leaf in conversations about the worst quarterback to start in the NFL.

Grade: F

Running Backs
We can all agree that Jamal Lewis doesn't have to ability to carry the full load anymore. He has already missed two of the first eight games with injury and he has not performed particularly well when he has been in the line up. Lewis has 349 yards rushing, but the worst stat is he has not yet found the end zone.

As far as back ups go for the Browns, pickings are pretty slim. Jerome Harrison is a nice player from time to time, but he has similar stats to Lewis. Harrison has 254 yards rushing. Where Harrison is valuable is his pass catching ability. That would involve some creativeness from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, so we can't bank on seeing that. The emergence of James Davis in the preseason was short lived when he was put on the IR early in the season. We don't know what we have Davis moving forward, but with Lewis saying he will retire at the end of the season, someone needs to step up or talent needs to be brought in.

Grade: D

Wide Receivers
Let's start here: The Browns No. 1 receiver is a rookie second-round draft pick. Is it as bad as having Syndric Steptoe? No. But it isn't that much better. Mohamed Massaquoi looks like he could be a slot receiver, but with the lack of talent the Browns have with their wideouts, he is playing out of position so to speak. Which brings us to Brian Robiske. He was a healthy scratch a couple of games early in the season and really didn't see any playing time until Edwards was dealt. It isn't like Robiske earned anything. He was simply all the Browns had. Robiske often looks lost and I'm not sure he has completely grasped the playbook. He is still a work in progress, but at this point he doesn't look like he will turn into a consistent starter.

After the Browns two rookies, who aren't exactly world beaters, that cupboard is really bare. Chansi Stuckey developed a case of the dropsies and hasn't really contributed so far. Mike Furrey is being best used on defense at this point and really hasn't contributed much. Josh Cribbs is as electrifying as any player in the league, but he is not a full time receiver. The Browns need to realize that. Moving forward with Cribbs slotted in as a No. 2 wideout is going to hurt the team more than help it.

A grade here is tough, because the Browns wideouts may be a product of extremely bad quarterback play. Still, when they have the opportunity to make a play, they do not capitalize except for Massaquoi's game against the Bengals on Oct. 4 (eight catches for 148 yards).

Grade: D

Tight Ends
When Mangini was hired he immediately got rid of Kellen Winslow. At the time I was fine with the move. Winslow thinks he is better than he is and he is one of the most injury-riddled players in the NFL. I figured the Browns were going to be using a run-first approach and Winslow is an below-average blocker. Hind sight is 20/20 and I would love for Winslow to be an option in the passing game. Instead, the Browns have Robert Royal listed as the starting tight end. Royal was hurt the last two games and has not recorded a catch since week four.

Since Royal has been out Steve Heiden has been picking up the slack along with journey man Michael Gaines. The tight ends haven't been a big part of the offense since Quinn has been benched. Anderson is completely inept at throwing the check down. In terms of blocking, there is such a lack of confidence in their ability the Browns are using an extra lineman to help block in the run game.

Grade: D

Offensive Line
I truly believe Joe Thomas is the best left tackle in football. With that said, the line has holes and needs to be addressed. Alex Mack came into the league and has looked lost at times, but those growing pains are going to make him better in the long run. He plays hard and he will be a good player for years to come. Eric Steinbach looks like he has lost a step, but is still a more than serviceable left guard next to Thomas.

Now there could not be more polar opposites on this line. For as good as the Browns left side is, the right side is bad. The combination of Rex Hadnot and Hank Fraley has been mediocre at best. Neither guy gets a big push and neither seem to have the talent to make a huge difference in the running game. Which brings me to John "El Matador" St. Clair. He may be the worst starting right tackle in football. I would kill to have Kevin Schaffer back, that is how bad St. Clair has played in the first half of the season. He made guys named Ray Edwards and Elvis Dumervil look like Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. This is a situation the Browns must address in order to move forward. St. Clair should not be starting.

The Browns have allowed 18 sacks. Because individual offensive line stats aren't readily available, I will go by what I have seen from watching the games. If 75 percent of those sacks are not in some way or another St. Clair's fault I will be beyond shocked.

Grade: C+

Overall Offense
With the change in regime came new schemes. By the looks of it Daboll has created a scheme that is, at best, a middle school offense. I don't believe I have ever witnessed a coach lack creativity in a situation that desperately calls for it. I will not blame this all on Daboll. He has nothing to work with, which I get, but that only makes it worse that he isn't pulling anything and everything out of his hat to try to find a way to move the ball. Instead of me complaining I'll just give you the offense's mid-season rankings:

32nd - Points per Game
31st - Yards per Game
32nd - Yards per Play
31st - First Downs per Game
31st - Third Down Percentage
30th - Time of Possession
32nd - Turnover Differential (-11)

Grade: F

Editor's note: Check back Friday for the first-half grades of the Browns defense and special teams.