It is interesting to see both Browns’ fans and some of those covering the team have gone to the default mode with the team off to a 2-5 start.
Fire the coach.
This is not to say Freddie Kitchens is blameless in the early season struggles, but he isn’t the only person who should be shouldering the blame either.
First, the schedule has turned out to be more brutal than originally thought. Really, outside of the opener vs. Tennessee, have the Browns had a bad loss this season?
Their other four losses are to two teams who are undefeated (New England and San Francisco) and another to the defending NFC Champs, the Rams. The fourth is to a 5-2 Seattle squad.
Turnovers killed the team in all of the losses, but outside of the 49ers contest, the Browns didn’t get blown out in any of them.
And we realize “not getting blown out” isn’t the bar this team set for itself in the off-season.
We also don’t think Kitchens is coaching the team to commit penalties. We are sure it is emphasized on a weekly basis to not make the pre-snap infractions that have been all too frequent for this football team.
However, Kitchens and his staff should start having consequences for these types of penalties. Players should start to lose playing time or even roster spots if they cannot do simple things like know the snap count or line up in the correct position.
Look, we aren’t saying Nick Chubb should’ve been benched for his two fumbles, but guys who are reserves shouldn’t be allowed to do these things.
We think about Antonio Callaway, who seems to be frequently out of position or dropping passes. That’s a good enough reason to give Rashard Higgins more playing time at that spot.
We hate to say this, but the biggest reason to see this through is you can’t keep firing coaches after one year. Bringing in a new coaching staff would mean Baker Mayfield would be on his third coach and third (or fourth, depending on your point of view) offensive coordinator.
You have to see this through.
The nit picking about the challenge flags and things Kitchens says isn’t relevant. Whether the head coach didn’t challenge the pick play called offensive pass interference instead of saving it for a possible fumble recovery later had no bearing on the final score Sunday.
As for press conferences, Kitchens has shown he isn’t going to criticize players in the media (except for Higgins), and his answers should be taken with that in mind.
We look at the rest of the schedule and think the Browns will be the more talented team in all nine games, and that means nothing on the surface, because they have to execute.
This Sunday’s game in Denver is a must win. No, it doesn’t eliminate Cleveland from playoff contention mathematically, but they have to end a three game losing streak and beat a team with the same record, but without the same strength of schedule.
Winning next Sunday, and then following up with a win at home vs. Buffalo can get this train back on the tracks. Victories breed confidence. We saw that last season.
But it starts with baby steps. Take care of business against the Broncos. Play smart, don’t turn the ball over, keep the penalties to a minimum.
That should be the mantra this week. Do those things, and you will win.
Firing the coach? That doesn’t accomplish anything.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 