Did You Think the Browns Were Ready? Really?

The 2016 Browns are not a "sick joke", nor are the the "same old Browns" because they got dominated by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

I wrote that I expected a closer game, but Kessler went down.  If there is a sick joke to be found in this, that's it.  God another one? 

Then Whitehurst too why the hell not?  As for that, Whitehurst is no Josh McCown.  When he took over, the writing was on the wall.  The Patriots were muffling the running game, and rapidly putting the Browns in must-pass mode.

The offense was hanging in there with Kessler.  He was handling things better than I had suspected in his third NFL start vs this defense, and when the run wasn't working.

What Brady did to this defense came as no surprise.  You can say it sucks, but the big problem is inexperience more than talent.  A safety reacts to Brady's eyes, and comes off his tight end in front of the end zone?  Really?  Not to mention the calls.

Lack of four man pressure is maddening, and a real problem, especially against Brady and his ilk.  There were a couple blown coverages and dumb moves in the secondary, but you can't blame them for all of this.

Who can stop a perfect pass to Gronk?  Nobody.  

But in general, get real:  This was the youngest team in the NFL vs a well-oiled machine.  This team was 3-1 and did worse to the Texans (a GOOD team) without Tom Brady.

The Browns aren't ready for primetime yet.  That's a revelation now?  Where have you been?  

If Kessler hadn't been injured, do you assume that the Sith Lord and Patricia would have just figured out a way to shut him down?

Pryor is impressive, but unfortunately didn't have himself to throw to.  Have you forgotten the loss of two centers in three weeks?

This game meant little.  Mohammud Ali might have been the greatest, but if Cassius Clay had taken on the heavyweight champ fresh off his Gold Medal, he would have been pounded to mush.  He started at the bottom, vs tomato cans, and had over thirty fights before he took on Liston.

The Browns just took on Liston too soon, with predictable results.  Get over it.  They'll be better next time.  Players improve with experience.

Same old Browns?  That's absurd!  Same old Hue?  Same old rookies?  What the hell are you talking about?  

As I write this, Cody Kessler's status is unresolved, but nothing seems to be broken.  I hope he can come back, because he was passing all his tests with flying colors.  The offense was better with him in there.

Once Whitehurst took over, the Patriots defensive playbook changed.  Whitehurst has a strong arm, but not the same accuracy or mobility.  The running game, which had worked intermittantly, suddenly disappeared completely.  They weren't worried about Whitehurst.  

Give the guy credit for a nice touchdown pass.  He did ok.  But the rookie was better.

This is about next season, and those to follow.  Seventeen rookies and Terrelle Pryor will return to a now familiar team and system with real NFL experience under their belts.  They will be joined by a BUNCH of high draft picks.

They still won't be ready for the big game, but they'll be better.  Obviously.  I see the growth.  It will come.