The Browns' tough schedule in games four through ten has given permabashers and victims of Stockholm Syndrome alike massive trepidation, when that combines with Josh McCown.
The permabashers just love being dark clouds and are hopeless. But many Browns fans even in my circle are victims of Stockholm Syndrome.
In this case, Stockholm Syndrome means that they've about given up on escape from the Factory of Sadness, and are reconciled to perpetual losing.
Some writers turn themselves into logical pretzels in order to dig up more doom and gloom.
One guy writes about Manziel's prospects, and when his first start might be. He cites the first three games, and thinks McCown can win those. Then he talks about the next seven--all teams with formidable defenses. He expects McCown to lose all of those.
Right here is his first logical mistake: He pits McCown, all by himself, against these defenses. He ignores the Browns own defense and the running game--among other things.
The guy goes on to predict a top-ten defense. He stipulates a dominant offensive line and backfield. He even grudgingly admits that the wide recievers don't suck.
But he just said that McCown will lose seven games. Wow.
In this more positive article, Browns.com's Kevin Jones lists eleven numbers Browns' fans should know:
One is 7: The number of games in which Isaiah Crowell averaged at least 4.9 yards per carry.
Another is 59: The number pf players with under three years experience on this roster.
6: The number of games in which Taylor Gabriel had at least one play of over 39 yards.
324: Interception return yards by Gipson since 2012.
36: The number of passes Manziel has thrown in his short career.
1: The ranking of the Browns 2014 defense in opponent completion percentage, passer rating, and passes defensed.
Joe Haden has a ton of passes defensed in his career too, but I didn't include that.
In this other (longer and less interesting) article by Kevin, Craig Robertson talks about a different mindset on the defense.
Indeed, the Browns have just added three more run-stoppers to go with the returns to health of Hughes and Taylor. I should mention that most of these guys can also rush the passer, and make it even harder on opposing quarterbacks.
Robertson also enjoys the fact that, for the first time, he gets to open a second season in the same defensive system. That helps a LOT.
Another Permabasher article quotes Ernie Accorsi as saying that yes, a team can win with a journeyman quarterback, but it has to be exceptional in some other area. The article goes on to point to some admittedly dent-proof stats about where all the top-ranked quarterbacks finished the last few seasons.
It's true. That's why I never said that the Browns would go to the Superbowl or even win a playoff game in 2015. Not since Trent Dilfer took the Ravens to the Superbowl has a non-elite quarterback led a team that far.
Pretty damning, except that this defense and running game are being written off, as compared to the Olympian, godlike Ravens defense and running game.
After all, Crowell only averaged 4.1 yards per carry, and all they added to their offensive line was just merely Cam Erving and that guy from Seattle. And the defense, though incredibly tough against the pass, was a seive vs the run, and they've only added the best nose tackle in the draft, two more defensive linemen, and only John Hughes and Phil Taylor are back from injuries, so what hope is there?
I'm sorry, but there is something wrong with you if you can't see the positive changes here, or if you think that this defense can't be as good as the Ravens Superbowl defense.
Pettine was on that staff, by the way.
And what about Manziel? Quit saying all the positive reports are "just talk". We all know that, and you aint Yoda.
Roger Staubach said he can do everything Russell Wilson does, and I agree. It remains a big question mark, though. It's a matter of how quickly he can think when he has a read-order and a clock in his head. And then if he does have the mental hardware for that, how long it will take him to be ready.
For that matter, what about Connor Shaw? He has everything but the arm. So did Joe Montana, and this is the same offensive system.
And again (repeating myself warning), McCown wins with good teams and loses with crappy teams. And while you were sleeping, the Cleveland Browns became a good team.
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