As a Browns fan, deep down in your soul you knew that was going to happen. The Bills are one of the good teams and the Browns are one of the bad teams. Cleveland could’ve won because NFL games hinge on three to six plays. To beat Buffalo, the Browns had to win each of those plays. They didn’t. Bills kick returns for long yardage, tight ends dropping sure touchdown passes in the end zone, missed tackles, blocked field goals, etc. Should Kevin Stefanski be fired? No. He has a top ten offense with a career backup quarterback starting. Does he need to give up calling plays so can focus on the team as a whole? Yes. Alex Van Pelt can call plays. Get your head out of Cheesecake Factory menu you carry around and watch the game.
The problem comes with the Browns defensive and special team’s coordinators. Could the Browns fire them both before the season is over? Yes, they could if the owner told Stefanski to do it. But he won’t. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver has been a DC before, so why not? As for special teams, Stephen Bravo-Browns is the assistant special teams’ coach, let’s give him a try. It would send a message to the players that things have to change. If they wait till after the season is over, for DC I would hope the Browns are considering Mike Zimmer, Brian FLores, Kris Richard or maybe Jim Schwartz. As for the special teams coach, I have no idea, but right now anyone would be better.
Like I said last week, GM Andrew Berry also carries some blame. A lot of Browns fans are pointing out none of his draft picks have made the Pro Bowl, I don’t care about post season awards, I care about winning games. It’s a chicken and egg situation, is it the defensive players or the defensive scheme? A little of both, changing defensive coordinators right now sure would bring clarity to the situation.
This week’s game against Tampa is yet another important game. Not for the playoffs, but for easing Browns fans pain. Being 4-7 before QB Deshaun Watson returns would help. It would be so Browns for the team to be 3-8, then go 6-0 with Watson, be 5-1 in the division and miss the playoffs at 9-8. Yep, that would be so Browns. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and Go Browns.