Expectations were so high this year. A possible AFC North division title and hopefully a deep playoff run. Then the starting quarterback gets hurt and the season falls way short. Now the team goes into the off-season with their starting quarterback playing the last year of his rookie contract and everyone is wondering if and when the team will offer an extension. But enough about the Baltimore Ravens, let’s talk about the Browns. I will always root for the Browns to win games and I’m glad they won Sunday. When your team’s front office is a good as the Browns, draft position doesn’t matter. After the game I heard a lot of football fans saying congratulations the Browns beat the Bengals backups. The Browns starters beat the Bengal starters in game one and the Browns backups beat the Bengal backups in game two. The Browns roster is better top to bottom.
As for the game yesterday, it’s nice to go into the off-season with a win. According to Pro Football Focus the highest graded players were G Joel Bitonio (90.7), OT James Hudson (90.0) LT Jedrick Wills, Jr. (84.9), Jadeveon Clowney (79.2) and G Wyatt Teller (79.1). The secondary was graded as the highest coverage unit in the NFL (90.7). During the game on social media, I heard a lot of fans saying if QB Case Keenum had started more games the Browns would’ve won more games. Nope. He had a bad interception and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Browns won yesterday because they were dedicated to running the ball and because of their defense. The Browns offense finished 18th, the defense finished 12th and the special teams finished 24th. The off-season has to be spent improving the offense by drafting a wide receiver with the first pick, signing a decent WR free agent or restructuring Jarvis Landry, getting better depth on the offensive line and a starting defensive tackle. Hopefully the Browns can extend CB Denzel Ward, resign Clowney, TE David Njoku and S M.J. Stewart, Jr.
It’s refreshing not having to wonder or hope the head coach and/or the GM of the Browns will be fired on black Monday. I know a lot of Browns fans want head coach Kevin Stefanski to be fired. I guess some fans love dysfunction. I don’t. My hope is 2021 will be a motivation for the offensive coaches to reevaluate play calling and play callers. The quarterback in 2022 will be Baker Mayfield. It’s the logical thing to do because right now there’s no one better available. The team currently has around $27.2 million is cap space. If they cut C J.C. Tretter, QB Case Keenum and WR Jarvis Landry, they’ll have an additional $29.85 million is cap space. The Browns will pick 13th in the first round (WR Garrett Wilson please) and have eight picks overall. This roster only needs to be tweaked a little, it’s young and talented. On to the off-season. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.