Kevin Stefanski’s tenure as head coach of the Cleveland Browns ends on a two-game winning streak as the Browns defeated the Bengals 20-18 on Andre Szmyt’s game winning field goal.
It was fitting that it ended that way because in the season opener against Cincinnati, Szmyt missed an extra point and a potential game winning field goal. But the rookie kicker proved a lot of people, us included, wrong, making 24 of 27 field goals for the year and looking like the Browns have solved the kicker spot heading into next season.
Besides winning the game, there should be celebration for Myles Garrett breaking the single season sack record, getting his 23rd by getting Joe Burrow behind the line late in the fourth quarter.
Garrett should also get his second Defensive Player of the Year Award in three years prior to the Super Bowl. It’s a bit of a downer though that it came with a 5-12 team.
Shedeur Sanders was very pedestrian for most of the game; the Browns’ two touchdowns were both scored by the defense, but credit should be given where it is due, he did drive the team into position for the game winning kick.
However, the offense did produce only 200 yards for the contest, illustrating again why we felt the Browns needed to move on from the head coach. His offense was stale and unimaginative.
True, the offensive line is subpar, the receiving corps isn’t good, and the Browns used rookie quarterbacks for much of the year, but it became a struggle to put 17 points on the board each week.
Why Andrew Berry stays is a complete mystery here. Yes, we know about this past draft class, but when rookies don’t contribute, the mantra is always you have to wait a few years to truly judge a class. Why doesn’t it apply when they have productive rookie seasons.
We agree that Carson Schwesinger will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year and looks like he will be successful for a long time. And Mason Graham is a solid player. But let’s see how the other player’s progress.
And this still sticks with us, the two biggest areas of need for the Browns are the two spots Berry has had trouble finding talent: wide receiver and offensive line. Why does ownership think suddenly he will be able judge these spots accurately?
What the Browns need is a GM and head coach who feel the same about the way the game should be played, and also value leadership and character. We don’t think those latter traits are valued by Andrew Berry.
Maybe if you are already a winning team you can gamble on guys who have checkered pasts, but when you are trying to develop a winning culture, it starts with guys who can be leaders and play for the love of the game.
That’s another reason we like Schwesinger, who gutted out the Pittsburgh game when he could have easily went to the locker room. It was a meaningless game for Cleveland, but he played it right to the end.
So, a new coaching search begins. The ownership can talk about all kinds of things, but until they realize this, we fear the Browns will continue to flounder:
“The wise man knows what he doesn’t know”
Cleveland Sports Perspective 