If the plan of the front office of the Cleveland Browns’ was to play the “long game” with the trade for Deshaun Watson, then they got their wish, because the team was basically eliminated from playoff contention with the 23-10 defeat in Cincinnati at the hands of the defending AFC Champs.
We say that because we have heard it from so many places, including some media people we respect greatly. And if that’s the case, our question is simple, why do so many fans invest so much love into the Cleveland Browns?
They simply don’t give a damn about the fans.
First, from a talent standpoint alone, getting Watson was a good move. He thought going into last season he was one of the top five quarterbacks in the league, and we still believe he will be again once he gets more acclimated to playing.
It’s been a long time since the Browns have had a franchise quarterback, probably the first since Bernie Kosar was on the field.
Even without Watson, the offense kept up their end of the bargain, but the defense didn’t, and despite the last two contests, that unit is the reason Cleveland is sitting at 5-8 today.
The Browns’ vaunted running game has sputtered a bit lately, mostly since center Ethan Pocic was injured. We love when people call Pocic the “third string center”, which he was going into training camp behind Nick Harris and Michael Dunn, but when he went in, he played as well as any center in the league.
His absence and the decline of Jack Conklin because of injuries have limited the effectiveness of the running game, which was the team’s bread and butter, especially with Watson suspended.
We know you can point to stats for everything, but Sunday was the third time this season Cleveland rushed for less than 100 yards. They are 0-3 in those contests.
Kevin Stefanski is taking a lot of heat for the fourth down call on the first drive of the game, but it was poor execution. Donovan Peoples-Jones are open and a better throw results in six points. Frankly, considering what was at stake for the Browns, we thought the play book would be opened up more. The Browns needed this game badly.
Instead, the Bengals used more trick plays. One worked for a touchdown, the other resulted in a sack by Myles Garrett. We are guessing had Cincinnati lost, fans would be calling for Zack Taylor’s job because of the latter. Or does that only work in northeast Ohio?
Cleveland has four games left. There is nothing to be gained by losing. They have no first-round draft pick.
So, they should do everything they can to win the remaining four on the slate. They need to establish an importance on winning not only in the locker room, but throughout 76 Lou Groza Blvd. That’s what the Ravens (the next opponent) has, it’s what the Steelers have.
And we fear until the Browns have that mentality among the front office, this cycle is just going to continue. They will keep finding reasons why it’s okay to lose.
As for the coaching staff, there needs to be changes made going into next season, but we would stay with Stefanski in charge unless he has the stubbornness issue and is resistant to make changes on the staff.
One playoff win in 28 years should be enough to put a huge emphasis on winning. Doesn’t seem like it today, right?
Cleveland Sports Perspective 