In an article I wrote last week, I outlined five key games the Cleveland Browns will need to win to reach the playoffs. I’ll admit, I was shooting for the stars.

This is a rebuilding year for our Brownies, and I think most fans are hip to that fact. More victories than the five wins from last year? That’s a successful season in most people’s minds. How about a .500 record? Might be time for a parade if it happens.

For the Browns to achieve success in 2011, there’s plenty for fans to keep an eye on. Here are some of the more important areas to monitor when you’re watching the final preseason game on Thursday and the opener on September 11.

1) Installation of the West Coast Offense

When Browns President Mike Holmgren hired Pat Shurmur to coach his team, he knew he was bringing in an offensive mind familiar with the West Coast Offense. It’s not a style Browns fans have seen in Cleveland before, but it has shown promise in the preseason thus far.

Quarterback Colt McCoy should thrive in this system – he’s accurate, mobile, and has a strong enough arm to make the short and mid-range throws required in the WCO. But will his receivers? Names like Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi were often invisible last season and need to contribute if Shurmur’s offense is going to work.

2) Change to a 4-3 defense

The Browns spent years under Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini installing a 3-4 defense – three defensive linemen and four linebackers – often by drafting players out of position and expecting them to adapt. Now with Dick Jauron as the Browns defensive coordinator, they’ve switched back to a 4-3.

This formation will put pressure on two rookies on the defensive line – Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard. It’ll be a sharp learning curve for both in their first season in the NFL, but they have impressed in the preseason.

Additional pressure is heaped on the middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense. This means D’Qwell Jackson, who is having a whale of a preseason, needs to stay healthy after missing most of the last two years.

3) Depth

Every NFL team suffers injuries in the course of a season. So many times it’s the guy behind the guy who determines the success of a team. But a look at the Browns depth chart should have fans at least a little concerned.

Nowhere is this more glaring than at linebacker, a position that will depend on an aging Scott Fujita and an injury-prone D’Qwell Jackson. Names like Auston English and Titus Brown do little to instill confidence if a starter goes down. Fujita and Jackson need to stay healthy.

The Browns are also thin at wide receiver, cornerback, and safety. Injuries to starters at any of these positions could be devastating to the team.

4) Divisional games

2010 – 1-5.

2009 – 1-5.

2008 – 1-5.

I’ve just listed the AFC North record for the Browns in the last three seasons. Three wins in 18 games just won’t get it done.

This year, the Browns will endeavor to sweep the season against a Cincinnati team fraught with problems. They also need to find a way to prevail in one game against the Ravens or Steelers at the end of the schedule. A 3-3 record in this tough division goes a long way in establishing yourself as an up-and-coming team.

Success in these four areas will position the Browns as a playoff contender in the near future.

BEREA, Ohio — Thursday’s preseason finale in Chicago is the stuff of which dreams are made.

It’s a night when an undrafted rookie such as cornerback James Dockery can solidify a roster spot, or running back Quinn Porter can make the Browns stop looking outside the organization for another back.

“I hope to score,” said Porter, who was signed to the practice squad in November. “I hope to make plays to show this organization I’m the right man for the job if not on offense, then on special teams.”

While the starters will spend most of the night on the bench in Soldier Field, the bubble guys will try to stave off the pink slips coming Saturday by 4 p.m., when rosters must be trimmed from 80 to the final 53.

One prospect who needn’t sweat out the final cuts is Dockery, who’s come on strong since the first day of camp. Dockery, a 6-1 cornerback from Oregon State, is playing on just about every kicking team, which is a strong indication he’ll stick around. The other was the ringing endorsement he received Tuesday from General Manager Tom Heckert on the team’s radio show on WKNR.

“He’s proved he can play in this league,” said Heckert.

But Dockery, one of the most upbeat players on the team, isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I don’t think [I've done enough to make the 53],” he said. “I’ve got to keep making plays. If that’s enough to get me back to that team meeting on Saturday, I’ll be very grateful.”

Through the first three games, Dockery has made six solo tackles and broken up two passes. He’s averaged 23.3 yards on six kickoff returns and 6.8 yards on four punt returns. His only regret was a muffed punt in Philadelphia that the Eagles converted into a touchdown.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever fumbled in my whole life, so that kind of stung,” he said. “My mom was there and she was shocked, too. But you’ve got to have a short memory. It was an unfortunate event and ball security is No. 1.”

Thursday night, Dockery hopes to show the ball-hawking ability he’s shown in practice and at Oregon State, where he had four interceptions as a senior. At Palm Desert High in California, he set his school’s career record with 17 picks.

“I hope to challenge for every ball, make every open-field tackle to my side and make a big play that can change the game,” said Dockery. “In the return [game], I feel like I’ve been close to taking one past the 40 or 50 and that’s my goal this week.”

For a while, Dockery was working at free safety in addition to special teams and corner. But the Browns backed off when they realized he was getting overwhelmed.

“Honestly, right now my friend is the head special teams coach,” he said.

Porter, whose main competition is Armond Smith, knows the toe injury suffered by third-down back Brandon Jackson’s breathed new life into his chances. Jackson, who signed a two-year deal worth $4.5 million, is in a cast and possibly headed for injured reserve.

“They’re looking for a third running back,” he said. “I feel like I complete that task. It’s going to be a fight between who makes the most errors and who scores the most touchdowns.”

Smith has averaged 7.3 yards on his 20 carries — including an 81-yard touchdown blast — but he’s fumbled three times and lost two. Porter has averaged 4.2 yards on his 10 carries and has also fumbled once, but recovered.

“I was mad at first because it was the first time ever fumbling in my life,” said Smith, an undrafted rookie from Union College in Kentucky. “Last year I had 156 carries and 1,400 yards and didn’t fumble one ball.”

Heckert also identified first-year defensive end Auston English as a candidate to make the 53. Originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma last year, English made his presence felt in Philly when he strip-sacked Vince Young to set up a TD.

“We had Auston here last year, and he was a linebacker,” Heckert said. “Now he’s playing his true position and I think it’s really showing.”

Others with a good chance are defensive tackle Scott Paxson, a second-year player out of Penn State signed by the Browns in January; fourth-year guard Pat Murray and Brian Smith, the undrafted rookie linebacker out of Notre Dame. Smith had a strip-sack the first game and Titus Brown recovered for a TD. Smith also started in place of Scott Fujita against Detroit.

“I’m feeling pretty good about where I’m at,” said Smith. “I’ve put a heavy emphasis on special teams. If I do the things necessary to get better, [my teammates] are confident that I can land anywhere in the league. But right now, I love the people here in Cleveland. I love the team and the coaches. I’m gonna fight like hell to make this team.”

As for the receivers, Carlton Mitchell is coming off finger surgery and was back on the sidelines on Tuesday, which could strengthen Demetrius Williams’ chances heading into Saturday.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns play their final exhibition game on Thursday night, when they visit the Chicago Bears.

One of the least important matters will be the final score, although teams always, of course, strive to be at least competitive in the preseason, if not win.

A matter of more lasting importance will be finalizing rosters. NFL teams will reduce rosters to 53 players on Saturday. 

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal lists some of the roster spot battles for the Browns:

Quinn Porter and undrafted rookie Armond Smith could be battling for the final spot at running back. Carlton Mitchell and Demetrius Williams might be in a similar competition at wide receiver. Ramzee Robinson and undrafted rookie James Dockery appear to be contenders for a spot among the cornerbacks. Undrafted rookie linebacker Brian Smith and offensive lineman Phil Trautwein are others whose fates appear to be hanging in the balance.

Porter believes Brandon Jackson’s toe injury has created an opportunity. After all, the Browns need someone else to serve as a backup to Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty.

“Right now, they’re looking for a third running back,” Porter said. “I feel like I complete that task. Not throwing salt in Armond Smith’s game because he’s an incredible running back, as well, but it’s going to be a challenge. [It’s] going to be a fight between who makes the most errors and who scores the most touchdowns.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi’s story on running back Peyton Hillis; Grossi’s Browns Insider, leading off with a report that rookie Jason Pinkston will likely replace starting left guard Eric Steinbach, who is out for the season after having back surgery; Branson Wright’s video interview with rookie tight end Jordan Cameron; and much more.

The Browns open their regular season on Sept. 11 with a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Goal to goal

With Brandon Jackson injured, the Browns might need to search for running back help, Marc Sessler writes for the National Football Authority.

What to watch for in the Browns-Bears game, by Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Updated AFC North cap numbers, by James Walker of ESPN.com.

Losing Eric Steinbach hurts, but the Browns might be able to make up for it, Jimmy Weinland writes for the Dawg Pound Daily blog.

A Browns Team Report on USAToday.com.

Analyzing the new contract for star left offensive tackle Joe Thomas. By Dave Kolonich for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

Browns notes by Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

Browns notebook by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Browns notes, featuring Eric Steinbach, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Looking to the 2012 draft — the top 50 seniors from BCS conference teams, by Wes Bunting for the National Football Post.

The college football season begins this week, so scouting for the 2012 draft amps up with it. Tony Pauline lists top offensive draft prospects on Sports Illustrated’s SI.com.

We have a pair of Cleveland Browns fans who are our latest “Homers of the Week” in the AFC North blog.

Enjoy.

Mike from Ashtabula, Ohio, writes: You don’t know football or you got your head too far up Baltimore or Pittsburgh’s rear end. Cleveland is the best team in the division this year by far. One reason is neither Pittsburgh nor Baltimore can stop the West Coast offense.

Sean McKenzie from Van Wert, Ohio, writes: When you look at the Browns schedule, I can see the Browns going 10-6 if Peyton Manning plays or 11-5 if Manning doesn’t play. We will sweep the NFC West and sweep the Bengals. That’s six wins. We beat the Dolphins, Jaguars, Titans and Raiders. The Browns will lose to both the Steelers and Ravens twice (4 losses). Anything can happen on any given Sunday.

Walker: Mike and Sean, I’ve never seen so much excitement about a Browns team that’s 1-2 in the preseason. Cleveland is showing some good things in exhibition games, but let’s not go overboard. The Browns still have a long way to go before they are AFC North champs and an 11-win team. Also, Sean, why are Browns fans (and Bengals fans) talking about sweeping the NFC West like Cleveland and Cincinnati are powerhouses. Every team in the NFC West except Arizona won more games than the Bengals and Browns last year. There are no such things as easy games for four- and five-win teams. Congrats on being our AFC North “Homers of the Week.”