The Cleveland Browns play their first pre-season (it still makes us roll our eyes that the NFL doesn’t like them referred to as “exhibitions”) this Saturday night in Jacksonville against Urban Meyer’s Jaguars.
We haven’t written much about the Browns lately and quite frankly, no news is good news.
It really is easier to write stuff when things are going wrong, the pieces kind of just write themselves. And believe us, over the past few seasons, it was very easy to hammer the Browns for getting it wrong.
We understand the sports talk stations have to come up with topics to fulfill their “all Browns, all the time” mantra, but really, how many times can you talk about how much Baker Mayfield’s next contract will be worth yearly or can Odell Beckham Jr. regain the form of his first three years in the league?
GM Andrew Berry has put together a solid roster and Kevin Stefanski and his staff seem well equipped to get the most out of this group of players. He rebuilt the defense without subtracting from the offense. It would seem that only injuries would stop this group from being playoff contenders and the upside could be, dare we say it, the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Imagine saying or reading something like that five years ago.
However, it’s a legitimate goal for the brown and orange, although Stefanski has the correct approach in taking one game at a time. Really, it’s all a team can do.
We can’t wait for the overreaction to bad things that will happen this Saturday night even though the starters will probably make just token appearances in the first exhibition game.
We are also sure there will be a lot of angst when the cuts start, because the Browns are going to have to cut some good football players. That’s the price for having talent. Remember when Cleveland would add four to six players from other teams prior to the first regular season game? The shoe is now on the other foot.
The only news that can come out about the Browns right now is an injury to someone who figures to be on the field plenty once the games start counting in the standings. New LB Anthony Walker injured a knee early in training camp, but figures to be ready for the Chiefs on September 12th.
There has been good news. A contract extension for Nick Chubb, and apparently the team is working with Denzel Ward on one as well. Keeping very good players is smart, but we remind everyone there will be tough choices as well. For example, our guess is this will be J.C. Tretter’s last season with the Browns, because he is a free agent, and Nick Harris was drafted to be the heir apparent.
So, while it will be great to see the Browns back on the field this weekend, it should be a relaxing and fun pre-season with the only worry being injuries. And likely, that’s only a factor in the one game where the starters will get any substantial playing time.
It is also worth mentioning the Browns have some depth on the roster too. Remember the offensive line issues that cropped up throughout the regular season? Really, only the loss of Wyatt Teller caused an issue in the running game.
The Cleveland Browns should be a solid football team. That’s something we can all get used to.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 