It’s been 48 hours so lets get this over with. The Browns lost this game with 1:18 left in the first half. For 28:32 the Browns played well and seem to confuse and frustrate the well oiled machine that are the Ravens. The Ravens blew through all their timeouts, so they couldn’t stop the clock. When Baltimore trails at the half this season they are 0-2, so a 6-0 lead with 1:18 left in the half looked pretty good. Then Freddie’s play calling threw everything flammable onto the fire. On 3rd and 1 from your own 28 yard line he decides to run a trick play, a half back pass to the tight end. What in gods name were you thinking Freddie? So what happens, the Browns are forced to punt and the Ravens score a touchdown in two plays. Two freaking plays with no time outs. Okay so now the Browns are down 7-6(because of another missed extra point by Seibert) with less than a minute to play and what does that former running backs coach turned head coach do? He tries three straight passes, stopping the clock and 46 seconds later the Ravens lead 14-6 and get the ball first in the second half. Game over. I heard a stat yesterday that blew me away. Against the Browns, opposing teams have scored 53 points with less than two minutes left in the first half. The Browns have scored 7 points in the same situation. There’s your 2019 Cleveland Browns.
The 2019 season has been a waste. Wasted opportunities in the NFL can set a team back. The Browns have to fire Freddie and move on. This coaching staff, from Kitchens, to Todd Monken to Ryan Lindley, have set Baker Mayfield back a year in his learning. I still believe Mayfield is quarterback the Browns need to win, he just needs better coaching.So who’s the next coach of our Cleveland Browns? My choice would be either Ron Rivera or Josh McDaniels. The problem is there might be quite a few openings come next Monday (Black Monday). Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York Giants, possibly the Chargers and hopefully the Browns. Washington and Carolina have interim coaches and word is Carolina already interviewed Mike McCarthy. I know Rivera has ties to Dallas, Atlanta and the Giants, so if the Browns want him, there will be a bidding war, which could mean more power for the coach. With all the uncertainty about the future in New England , McDaniels might be ready to move on to a head coaching position. We hear Urban Myers to the Browns and I know a good coach can coach at any level, but I really worry about his health. The NFL is a 24 hour 7 day a week job, just ask Steve Spurrier. Anyway, with Dorsey and Myers, the Browns would average three arrests a year.
The next question, can we trust the Haslams and Dorsey to get it right this time? It sure didn’t work with Kitchens. Word is Dee Haslam wanted Freddie fired after the second Pittsburgh game, but she is also the main reason the Browns kept Hugh Jackson after he went 1-15. This part of the off season scares me the most. The decision making process of this group should scare all Browns fans. You want another scary thought? With Cincinnati assured of getting the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the QB’s in the AFC north will be Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger and possibly Joe Burrow. This is why the Browns have to get this hire right. And the new coach has to hire the right coaching staff. This team is close, it just needs a strong hand and someone to bring out the best in Baker Mayfield.
The worst part about Sunday is everything the Browns needed to happen with other teams to keep them in the playoff hunt, happened. The Titans and Steelers lost and the Colts won. A wasted Sunday and a wasted season. This really isn’t a bad team. The Browns have offensive weapons and a good base for the defense. If the Browns add an good return man, their special teams would be top five in the NFL. Before you ask, no I would not trade Odell Beckham. He just needs to show up healthy in the off season and do the work. Besides the coaching decision, this off season the Browns need to improve the offensive line, whether it be in free agency or the draft or both. The Browns also need a safety, defensive tackle and linebacker help. Currently the Browns have the twelfth pick in the draft and have seven picks, one in each round. In future blogs, I’ll get more into the off season, the salary cap, free agents available, resigning current players, potential trades and the draft. But right now, the Browns have one more game to play, at Cincinnati. Lets hope they win and leave Browns fans with a positive attitude as we head towards the off season. I don’t think a win in Cincinnati can save Kitchens and it better not be an excuse to keep him. Go Browns and Merry Christmas.