I’m getting to the point of apathy with this year’s Cleveland Browns. I’ll still watch and stress over every game, but yesterday was disgusting. I’d start looking at mock drafts, but I have to remind myself the Browns don’t have a first-round pick. Also, I’m now on the fire Joe Woods train. It won’t happen until after the season, because Kevin Stefanski won’t do it, but I hope someone in the front office is vetting defensive coordinators. They started vetting quarterbacks last year after Halloween, so hopefully the process has started. If they’re smart, they’ll make a serious run at Brian Flores. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will save his job with how well quarterback Deshaun Watson plays the last six games of the season. Here’s good news, starting today Watson can start practicing with the team.
The blame can’t just be laid at the feet of the coaches, GM Andrew Berry also has to except responsibility for not addressing the defensive tackle position in the off-season. Before you ask, there’s no player available right now that will help. Currently the Browns have eight draft picks in 2023. A second, a third, two fourths, two fifths, one sixth and one seventh. They also have $ 32.9 million in cap space. If they don’t spend it, they can roll it over into next year’s salary cap. The estimated cap space for 2023 is $ 225 million and the Browns, based on the current roster, have $6.2 million in space. I fully expect them to restructure Watson’s contract, so they could be in the $ 50 million range for the off-season.
As for the game, the lack of effort was stunning. You had two weeks to get ready and that’s the effort you put forth. The only good things that happened was the opening drive and the special teams didn’t cost them the game. After the opening drive, the Browns gave up 30 consecutive points. The Dolphins scored at will and it felt like they could’ve scored on every drive. Does Miami have a punter? They never punted the ball the entire game. I have no idea who the Buffalo Bills starting running back is, but he’s going to have a career day next Sunday. It felt like the Dolphin defense knew when the Browns were going to run and when they were going to pass.
Now it’s on to Buffalo and the only hopeful stat I can find is from Andrew Siciliano of @NFLResearch,”Josh Allen’s Bills are 2-8 in games decided by one score since 2021.” Pray for a close game. Stay safe and Go Browns.