Butch Davis may have had more prospects on his Miami Hurricane team than the Cleveland Browns when he took over 18 months ago, but he won the favor of ownership for his talent acquisition. Davis spent last season revamping the roster and pushing the team to a 7-9 record, two more wins than the franchise's first two seasons. After a front office shakeup that sent general manager Dwight Clark packing, Davis has complete control over the front office and is ready to put the Browns into playoff contention.

To ask the Browns to catch the Steelers may be a lot to ask, but Davis has no fears. To help matters, he signed former Steelers inside linebacker Earl Holmes to upgrade his already improving defense. Davis spent $49 million on contracts to acquire Holmes, safety Robert Griffith and defensive end Kenard Lang. His hope is to take the Browns from 22nd in the defensive rankings into the top 10. His chances are based on an aggressive scheme that enabled to Browns to lead the league with 42 take-aways last season and record 52 sacks.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Jamir Miller was second in the AFC last season with 13 sacks.
	Location: Cleveland Browns training facility, Berea, Ohio Rookies report: July 22 Veterans report: July 25 Preseason schedule:    Aug. 10: at Minnesota    Aug. 17: Detroit    Aug. 26: at Green Bay    Aug. 30: Carolina

Still, the success of the season will be determined on offense, which has been starving for talent since the Browns came back to the NFL in 1999. Quarterback Tim Couch has developed into a franchise-caliber quarterback on a team slim on skilled offensive threats. Couch's only reliable option was wide receiver Kevin Johnson, but Davis upgraded the offense by drafting halfback William Green in the first round. The hope is that Quincy Morgan and newly signed Chris Sanders help the wide receiving corps. The Browns again ranked last in offense averaging 259.5 yards per game and 84.4 rushing yards. Green was the most talented running back in the draft and should better balance the numbers.

Maybe the Browns are a year away from playoff contention, but Davis is willing to push that timetable.

Man in the spotlight
Linebacker Jamir Miller was the franchise's first legitimate Pro Bowl player, but he could blow it. Miller wants the team to upgrade his contract, but the team isn't sure he's its best linebacker. Miller had a great season, but he wasn't a Davis selected player. Holmes and outside linebacker Dwayne Rudd are. Miller's future may be determined by how he handles the next couple of weeks. A holdout could lead to a trade, but if he returns, the Browns will be able to compete in a division that is rich in linebacker talent.

Key position battle
The Browns and the NFL know that Johnson is the team's go-to receiver, but whoever develops on the other side of the field needs to lift the team from the bottom of the league's passing offenses. In the past four drafts, the Browns have selected five receivers in the second or third rounds. Johnson is the best. Morgan, JaJuan Dawson and Dennis Northcutt are fighting for their profession lives. A sleeper could be Andre Davis, a second-rounder taken this year. Best man wins, and if he wins as a receiver, so do the Browns.

Injury update
The only two injury issues involve tight end Rickey Dudley, who is coming off a Lisfranc foot problem, and guard Tre Johnson, who has been cleared to play despite persistent knee problems.

Rookie report
Green is expected to win a starting job and second-round wide receiver Davis could fit into the team's top three receiver group by mid-season. The other six choices were selected for depth.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.