CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself about the Cleveland Browns after sitting through the post-season press conferences:
QUESTION: Haven’t we heard all of this before?
ANSWER: That’s the same question a few veteran media members asked after sitting through the press conferences announcing the firings of GM John Dorsey and coach Freddie Kitchens, followed by the hirings of the new front office and coaching staff.
Q: I repeat, haven’t we heard all of this before?
A: I doubt there is any GM or coach who can reveal the basics of a plan that would be entirely new to hardcore Browns fans who follow all the changes.
Q: So why would anything be different?
A: That’s the real question. It’s also why I don’t want to fall into cynicism and a quick dismissal of the new guys coming in. Yes, GM Andrew Berry was a part of the Sashi Brown front office (2016-17), but he wasn’t the primary decision maker. As for head coach Kevin Stefanski, he’s new, along with most of his assistants.
Q: I repeat, why would this be different?
A: Am I concerned about a rookie GM and head coach? Of course. But I also believe they deserve a chance to see if they can improve things. Dorsey actually did that, but ownership lost faith in him. The hiring of the overwhelmed Kitchens doomed Dorsey.
Q: That’s nothing new.
A: But the Berry/Stefanski combination is new. I know, Paul DePodesta remains the chief strategy officer. Because he is associated with the 1-31 record from the Sashi Brown era, he is tainted in the eyes of the fans. That Carson Wentz isn’t a “top 20 quarterback” quote still haunts DePodesta. But as DePodesta also said, he’s not evaluating players like a scout. That job falls to Berry and his staff.
Q: Why don’t you just admit the obvious? These guys (Berry/DePodesta) messed up the first time and it probably will happen again.
A: There were other aspects. Hue Jackson as head coach and his in-fighting with the front office. They had no QB even close in ability to Baker Mayfield coming off his poor 2019 season. The roster is better. Berry/DePodesta have more experience than they did in 2016.
Q: Turn that frown upside down. That’s the best you can do?
A: I’m not going to tell the fans how they should feel about the changes. No football fan base has ever been emotionally abused and traumatized like those who love the orange helmets. Never underestimate the impact of the move followed by the descent into expansion. It haunts the franchise today.
Q: So what’s your point?
A: Maybe Stefanski is the next Sean McDermott or Sean McVay. Berry has never run his own draft or free-agent quest. My view is at least give them a chance to mess up before writing them off.
Q: I know, you want to be fair... blah... blah... blah.
A: Berry was valued highly enough when he left the Browns to be hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 2 guy in their front office. Stefanski does have a track record of improving QBs from his time with the Minnesota Vikings. The team has lots of salary cap room and a top-10 draft pick. It’s not a hopeless situation.
Q: If you say so...
A: I do... and I hope I’m right, for the sake of the fans.
ABOUT THE BROWNS
1. Listening to new defensive coordinator Joe Woods discuss his desire to pressure the QB, I thought back to a year ago at the opening of training camp. Kitchens and others with the Browns were insisting the defensive line “could be the strength of the team.”
2. Myles Garrett had 10 sacks in 10 games before being suspended for the rest of the season. He was headed to the Pro Bowl. Larry Ogunjobi had 5.5 sacks, second on the team. I thought fellow defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson played reasonably well. Defensive end Olivier Vernon had a career-low 3.5 sacks and was hurt much of the season.
3. Other than running backs, none of the other position groups stood out. The defensive line was a disappointment. So far, Vernon is still on the team. Hard to believe they will bring him back for $15 million given his injury history.
4. For what it’s worth, Football Outsiders ranked the Browns defensive line No. 26 overall. They ranked the Browns a dismal No. 30 vs. power and No. 30 in “tackling in the open field.” I don’t understand all their data, but I knew there were big problems up front last season.
5. The Browns allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season, which was the third worst in the NFL. Sigh. Just about every year, we talk about how the Browns need to stop the run. That’s why they brought in Vernon and Richardson last year. It didn’t work, although I’d keep Richardson.
6. By now, some fans are probably screaming 'WHAT ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE?" That’s a given. It needs to be upgraded. But my point is the defensive line wasn’t a strength, it was a significant weakness in 2019. I bet the Browns analytics show that, too.
7. Woods was defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos from 2017-18. In 2017, his defense was No. 1 vs. the run. I use yards per rushing attempt for this stat. The shocker was the Browns defense under Gregg Williams was No. 2 in 2017. In 2018, Denver was No. 18 vs. the run, the Browns were 23rd.
8. Woods was fired after the 2018 season in Denver when the Broncos dumped head coach Vance Joseph. Woods quickly was hired to coach defensive backs in San Francisco. He’s spent 12 years coaching the secondary for various teams.
9. It would seem Woods can help young cornerbacks Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward. At his press conference, Woods admitted the team needs help at safety. It would be a shock if free agent safety Damarious Randall re-signed with the Browns. They have veteran Eric Murray and second-year player Sheldrick Redwine as the two key returning safeties.
10. I will be talking Browns and other sports at the Wickliffe Library on March 2 at 7 p.m. It’s free!
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