Been a while since we've talked Browns, but the draft is over, free agency too for the most part and it's time to start thinking about what's next.  Will this year be better? And the answer, as it stands today is  - yes.

The Browns are thinking Superbowl with the Watson contract and other key players in their prime. Probably an over reach, because there is NO LOGICAL reason today to think they have made the moves this off season that makes us worlds better.  But we'll see as it plays out.  The draft  - today -  looks better than many could have thought.

Social media sites and the Browns have been deflecting some issues and that's troubling.  They're talking about the offense, how great Watson is going to be, this new receiver and that new speedster and all that's fine. They want NO real part of discussing the problems the Browns have which are defense, special teams, roster depth, and in-game decisions. The aforementioned are issues, but I'm not so sure they see it that way.

There is EVERY LOGICAL reason to think that Watson will play quite well.  The offense will score a lot of points if everyone stays healthy. They, without question have all the right personnel to do that. They scored enough for the most part last year, especially in the early season although limited in what they could do with Jacoby Brissett at QB.  This year, they're banking on Watson to be more than good, cover up the teams other warts, and throw up big numbers. 

Conversely, there is NO LOGICAL reason to think that their historically bad run defense will be a lot better.  They are banking on Jim Schwartz, the new defensive coordinator to save the day.  But as always, it comes down to players, philosophy, and roster decisions. As of this writing, they have a few players coming back from serious leg injuries and those are question marks at best.  They need to find proven defensive linemen and linebackers that can make a difference, and who knows if we signed or drafted those guys this off season. We thought we had last year and that didn't work out. We'll see, but they did not sign any real proven NFL difference maker.

They need to establish a defensive leader, and plan for even their best defenders to miss some games, as that is their well established track record.  They need to be bigger, stronger, and meaner to stop the run  -  or this season will resemble last.  And if analytics STILL INSIST their defense should be smaller and faster, this season will be over early.  Bigger men push around smaller men in the NFL over an 18 week season and certainly in the post season.

Special teams have a new coach named Bubba and this town is going to love him initially simply for that.  But can he get the overall kicking and return game to be more consistent?  Can we jump up about 10-12 places on the overall rankings of special teams to make us more competitive? The above questions and observations are nothing short of fair.

The AFC is loaded and the Browns today are not in the elite. The Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, Dolphins, Chargers, Jets, Ravens, and Jags are better -  today.  Plus, until we start beating them regular, so are the Steelers.  The Broncos and the Raiders this year are more than likely going to be at least a close match with us.  Each week will be imperative for the Browns with the AFC being so good.  Lucky for us, the schedule seems - today  - a bit softer than last year. There is also the added pressure of Stefanski being on the hot seat from day one, he must win.

Now we wait, and see what's next.