The offseason of 2019 had the Cleveland Browns again reshuffling coaches and players with the hire of Freddy Kitchens (HC), Todd Monken (OC), and Steve Wilks (DC) with John Dorsey (GM) at the Con. In March, Christmas came early to Cuyahoga County and surrounding areas in northeast Ohio with the blockbuster trade that had Odell Beckham Jr joining the Dawg Pound. A month earlier our stockings were already stuffed with the signing of troubled running back, Kareem Hunt, league leading rusher 2017, former Willoughby South Rebel, (suburb of Cleveland), and Toledo Rocket to a backfield led by the NFL’s newest beast, Nick Chubb. On the other side of the ball, defensive linemen Olivia Vernon and Sheldon Richardson joined Myles Garret, nothing to sneeze at in cold winds. With Baker and big brother, Freddy, the Browns looked, “Ready to Roll,” to quote Costner in Draft Day; and Vegas had them 14-1 to win the Lombardi Trophy.
Pundits from coast to coast filled talk radio, blogs, and sports shows with A Bullet Hype Train, not found in the continental US, straight to the top of the AFC North and “But now we are Contenders,” Major League movie status. The only voice of reason I recall was from FS1 host Colin Cowherd, when he said, “I said on the air last Friday that Cleveland would be in first place and Baltimore would be in second place by the end of the season, it’s embarrassing and I’m apologizing. It’s my worst football take ever. I forgot two very important things: John Harbaugh is excellent and Freddie Kitchens is a busboy at Applebees.” I saw Kitchens as a potential offensive coordinator but not ready for the responsibilities of head coach with all that star power. I assume he had other offers but the real reason he was signed, to be a “Yes Man” to Dorsey, who lost control in Kanas City to Andy Reid.
The lack of leadership, discipline, preparedness, and a worthy product of not just Cleveland but the NFL, was showcased in week one with a 43-13 loss at home to the Titans; with a NFL record 18 penalties. What started off with 8 plays, 88 yards, in 4:48; resulted in a TD on the opening drive, ended taking the Lords name in vain, Golly! Mayfield threw for 285 yards, a TD, and 3 interceptions; keeping the 15 consecutive opening day losses rolling. The young gun slinger, didn’t have his Philly special swagger from his debut on Thursday Night Football against the Jets a year prior. Chubb’s solid performance of 75 yards on 17 carries, Garrets 2 sacks, the LSU tigers combining for 138 yards, and 13 attempts on offense, were no match for a well-coached professional football team in Tennessee.
The schedule continued to not just hit the tough nosed AFC north team in the mouth, but break its heart, with losses to Rams, 49er’s, Seahawks, Patriots, and Broncos; with a record of 2-6 by November 10th. The Browns finished the season UGLY, (More so than the Miles Garret helmet bash) losing to the one win Bengals and Chubb rushing for a dismal 41 yards; losing the rushing title to Derick Henry of the Titans. Watching every game, as Clevelanders do after church and before family dinner in the snowbelt, it became clear the Browns are a run first team. Unfortunately, Kitchens wanted to air the ball out like we played in the Superdome with his Heisman Sooner. Everyone who bought tickets to the Hype Train had buyer’s remorse.
This year’s train tickets, sold by Kevin Stefanski, new head coach, has fans and pundits alike taking notice of the Erie Canal transportation to a respectable record of 8-3. Former Vikings OC, and new head coach, has embraced the run first offense; asking the minimum, game manager, from Baker. Quietly, the Browns have risen to 2nd place in the AFC North behind the undefeated Steelers but have had little recognition from the national media. Although, Phil Simms, started this week’s Inside the NFL, with a nod to the Orange and Brown and Showtime subscribers got the 411.
With OBJ being sidelined, a torn ACL, after an interception against the Bengals and fronting like a CB into the pile, our most recognized star has left national sportscasters with no juice to squeeze for a Browns story. The team has kept its playoff hopes alive through 3 straight home games of atrocious weather and without the services of Chubb, (4 games) Garret, (2 games), and corner Greedy Williams. (Yet to play) The team has stayed focused on what works for them, hand-offs to Chubb and Hunt, Baker rolling to his left, tight ends blocking, and letting Garret feed. It isn’t sexy by any means but a W is a W.
Last week, the team traveled to Jacksonville for a warm weather win against a one win team they were supposed to beat; and did. To be honest, the schedule has been easier, but the Browns still play in the AFC North, home to last year’s MVP, and an undefeated Mike Tomlin lead squad; for 4 games. The Cardiac Kids had an impressive win against the Colts but can they stand up to the Titans this Sunday?
The no hype, no talk, Dawg Pound, in 2020 has delivered a solid foundation and Clevelander’s should really believe the mantra of, “Wait ‘til next year.” With two of the best backs in the game, a top 3 DE, 2 shutdown corners, 3 solid TEs, a line worth believing in, a QB with fire, 2 all-pro receivers, a head coach of the yr. candidate, and an astute GM, the country should require aviators; the future is bright on the North Coast. This team will not win the AFC, but they will go through growing pains finally, and understand what it takes to be a champion. So go ahead fake news, get on the train.
