Cleveland Browns: Under Construction

In this article by Dan Labbe, Dan suggests we shouldn't be fooled by this Browns defense.  It's still pretty bad.

So it is.  I won't repeat Dan's article, which cites how other teams have managed the Denver offense.  I'll just say I agree.

I do need to point out, however, that I have detected signs of life.  On a scale of one to ten, and taking out the Mariota game, they were a .5 until the Ravens game.  They were a one vs the Ravens, and a 1.75 vs. the Broncos.

At this rate, they'll be at least average by the end of the season!

The offense, considering this opponent, did okay.  Especially McCown, the pass-blocking, and receivers (mostly).

Once again, of course, they couldn't run the ball.  Once again, they fell behind, and it was all on McCown.

The defense certainly helped by scoring 6 points of it's own.  With the other turnovers and this in mind, it was nothing to write home about.  But this was the best defense in football, especially against the pass.

Travis Benjamin...what can you say about this guy?  Oh I know: Wow.

This proved something: This is a good offense, despite its being one-dimensional.  Flip deserves as much credit as McCown for his substituting short throws for handoffs to get the running backs the ball in space, ala Lindy Infante.

The offensive line still needs a testosterone injection run-blocking, but has improved in pass-protection.

I know that for some fans, comments like that sound like nails on a chalkboard after a loss.  You just want to say everybody sucked and should be cut or fired.

Well, the Bengals are running away with the Division.  The Steelers just managed to beat Arizona with Micheal Vick.  The Browns can pretty much kiss the playoffs good bye.

But how many of you expected the playoffs at the start of this season?  How many penciled in a win over the Denver Broncos in week 6?

Oh, they should be doing much better, given their talent.  They should be able to run the ball on anybody, get sacks and turnovers, and at least rank in the top two thirds against the run.

But whatever the Coach might say, this is still a young team not yet ready for primetime, and this season is scheduled for further construction.

No "five year plan" crap here, please.  But three years?  Yes.  2016 is the sink-or-swim year.

Screw the money though: Cut Dwayne Bowe.  Get Pryor back.  Send the offensive line to a hypnotist or something.

And Johnny.  Johnny couldn't have done better against Denver.  It's probably too early (and unjustified) to make a change here.

But at some point, he needs to get some more reps and prove guys like Bill Cowher wrong.

I don't listen to Cowher about quarterbacks.  He had Jim Miller and started Cordell Stewart.

In 2015, the Browns can still win.  My adjusted prediction: 12-4.