The Browns had a week off to reflect on a horrible home loss to the Chargers. And now the second half of the season, and the only question is, will we win another game or two? As sad as that is, that question is in play with the schedule the way it is. And today should be one of their best chances for a win, as they are in New Orleans to take on the Saints and their very bad defense. But sadly, we have a beyond bad offense.
But here comes the second question I feel is fair to ask. How do other teams do it? How is it that other teams come off the junk pile and become very successful very fast? Well some of it is the salary cap, which is proof positive they work, as it keeps everyone competitive with an even field, unlike MLB. Injuries too play a part in it, but what is the real reason? The Chargers are a great example. Last year they were not very good at all, (5-12) and we were 11-6. New coach, new attitude, new way of doing things and they came here and just threw us around in our own yard. They got rid of their bozo head coach and went a new way. It's working, they are more than likely playoff bound. They successfully indentified their problem and fixed it with the right hires.
Washington, the Cardinals, Vikings, and Falcons and a few others are having far better seasons than many thought from last year. How have they gone from the outhouse to the penthouse, and how is it we have taken their place on the cold wooden throne? Could it be that they have drafted savvy, and hired great football people to run their teams? Brought on great head coaches with a common sense approach and let him do his job on Sunday afternoons? And understanding that numbers and analytics are a tool to be looked at and understood and not to be implemented on every play and decision made in an NFL game draft or trade? All are true.
If the Browns continue on this same road of these people making most of the big decisions, then there is no reason to think that the immediate future is going to be better. Let's face it, the Watson trade is the worst trade I can remember in any sport. It has crippled this team to the tune of 72 million against the cap each of the next two years. He's a total bust, and has two years to go with us. We are missing those three huge first round draft picks now more than ever. And somehow, I feel there is a very good chance they will recommit to him next season. There is just too much money involved. Kudos to the Broncos who ate Russell Wilson's huge contract, moved on and are now in a playoff hunt with a rookie QB that we play on the road in a couple weeks.
Sadly, the Browns are in a very tough spot. The problem is not the head coach, but it may be his head we see rolling by us if we finish poorly. The issue are those insisting on analytics football, those who continue to draft and trade beyond terribly and have the final say-so on who makes the team. What is fact too is that the vast majority of this teams very best players on both sides of the ball, the core, were NOT drafted by these guys. But these people somehow seem untouchable and that flabbergasts me, as the result is clear. We have gone from good to bad - twice now - from young to old, and from hopeful to dreadful. And even though the stadium fills, the fan base is really unhappy with the direction of this team and they should be.
Again we have reached the place where we have some of the parts in place to retool, but are we going to trust the same bunch to execute it knowing their track record? If so, the Browns will get not what they deserve, because that's mean spirited to say.
But - they will get what they asked for - again.
