You have to love the NFL, Covid-19 be damned, they’re moving forward as planned. First, I heard the NFL schedule would be released without dates, then I heard the first month would be AFC verses NFC match ups in case the start of the season had to be moved back. Nope on both. The NFL just stuck to the plan, the schedule as it was first drawn up. Like I’ve said, the NFL owns the room. When I saw the schedule my first thought was the line Cleavon Little says in the movie Blazing Saddles, “Excuse me while I whip this out.” That’s the NFL, whip it out, pandemic, what pandemic? Now let’s see if they start the season with fans in the seats, because if you bought season tickets, you’re not getting a refund. Roger Goodell needs to buy more comfortable furniture for his basement.
So lets look at the Browns schedule. First let me say I will not play the schedule game of predicting wins and loses that all Browns fans, Browns twitter and the Cleveland media is playing right now. The only record I care about is 1-19-1. But I can still look at the schedule and give an opinion. When I first saw the schedule, I said “Oh Crap, we have to play in Baltimore game one?” After thinking about it, why the hell not? Let’s take on the big dawg in the AFC North first and get it out of the way. If this new coaching staff doesn’t have this team ready for that game, then Browns fans will know we’re in trouble. Like the old joke says, if you go to prison or jail, pick out the biggest inmate on the first day and punch them in the face. The other inmates won’t mess with you because they’ll think you’re either crazy or tough. But they will end up respecting you and leave you alone. The Browns need to go into Baltimore and punch that bitch in the face, game one.
The early part of the schedule has winnable games after Baltimore and games that are going to be really tough. Week 4 at Dallas and week 6 at Pittsburg look very challenging. The week 2 and 3 games should be wins, at home verses Cincinnati and Washington, but I’m not taking anything for granted. I really like the middle of the schedule, weeks 7 through 12, three of the five are at home and the bye week is placed perfectly in the middle of those three home games at week 9. Weeks 7 and 12 are on the road, but they’re against the Bengals and the Jaguars. Both are very winnable. Weeks 13 through 17, lets say, are very intriguing. The week 13 game here in Nashville has revenge game written all over it for the Browns. December 6th in Nashville, there should be plenty of seats available. After that, unusual back to back games in New York, verses the Jets and the Giants. You can really tell the NFL doesn’t care about OBJ going back to New York to face the Giants. During that span the Browns play Baltimore and Pittsburg at home weeks 14 and 17, hopefully during a playoff push. The Browns have the fourth easiest schedule in the NFL and after a 6-10 record, still have two prime time games, both at home. Currently, the Browns have 12 noon starts, which I like. Get the pain over with early. The Colts game in week 5 is a 3:25 pm start and the Jets game week 16 is TBD. All in all, I like how the schedule plays out, but what the hell do I know, I liked how last years schedule played out.
In other Browns news, the signing of Hollywood Higgins was made official. Best number three receiver in the NFL. Go ahead fight me on this, remember I slapped around the biggest inmate on the first day in prison. As for free agency, LB Clay Matthews is not going to be a Brown. It ain’t happening. I wish he was three years younger and he could put on his dad’s number 57, but it just isn’t a fit right now. As for Mr. Clowney? He doesn’t want to play for the Browns. They offered the most money in the early part of free agency and he turned it down. He’ll either go back to the Seahawks or wait till and injury in training camp when he’ll have more leverage. Clowney and Seattle are like the two best looking people in high school. Everyone knows they’re going to the prom together, they’re just waiting until it’s official. Besides, the Browns need LB depth, that’s the only thing they’re missing.
Finally, Tennessee resident Little Richard died Saturday. He influenced so many rock greats. From the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, Elvis, David Bowie, Jimi Hendricks, Bob Dylan, Sam Cook, Otis Redding, The Kinks, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Creedence and Queen. Plus many more, RIP Little Richard. Everyone stay safe, stay at home when you can, if you go out, have respect for your fellow man and wear a mask, shop local and WASH YOUR FREAKING HANDS. Go Browns and https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/nfl-schedule-2020-browns-tickets-information