Before I get too far into this, let me just tell Cleveland that you’re still a championship city. Sure, it doesn’t feel that way right now. Your Indians lost the best World Series of all time after taking a 3-1 lead to the Chicago Cubs in October. Now, after Thanksgiving, the Browns are doing everything they can to go 0-16, something that should be all but impossible in the modern NFL era.
But the NBA season just started and your Cavaliers are still the reigning champions. Not only that, they’re currently 13-2 and look like a lock to represent the East in the finals again. So put away the razor blades, hide mamaw’s pill bottles and continue to drink responsibly.
Now I’m going to talk about the Browns and the continual, raging dumpster fire they’ve found themselves in this season. Because Sunday, after losing their 12th game in as many tries, Browns head coach Hue Jackson nearly broke down and cried.
But in fighting back those tears, Jackson spit out some resolve.
“I’m not feeling like this next year,” Jackson said. “There’s no way. Uh uh. I’m a fighter and we’ve got a bunch of fighters in that room. And I don’t lose many fights. I’ve never lost many fights. We’re going to keep fighting. I’ve lost a lot right now, more than I’ve ever lost in my life. But we’re going to keep fighting.”
Coming into this season Jackson was a good coach. He was a good hire. He’s not been a good coach lately. Not from what I’ve seen and it’s probably just from panic. He’s an emotional guy and it’s obviously affected his game preparation and playcalling. I think it’ll get better next year too. But there’s no excuse for how shitty it’s been this season.
https://twitter.com/maksimuspatrick/status/803358200607043585
Jackson’s Browns squad is historically bad. Sunday the Giants punted nine times and still beat them by 14 points. It’s the first time that’s happened since 2013. Of Cleveland’s 12 losses, they’ve only been in five at the end. The other seven were comfortable wins for their opponent and, in fact, the Browns haven’t had a close game since a 31-28 loss to the New York Jets. And that was after holding a 20-7 lead at halftime.
The problems for the Browns began in the preseason. On a team struggling to land talent, you can’t afford to let the good players on your roster go. You add to your base, you don’t subtract, but that’s exactly what Cleveland did when it let wide receiver Travis Benjamin escape in free agency.
Hue Jackson meeting at length with Haslams post game is alarming. Right after losses is not the time to have those discussions IMO, sorry
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) November 28, 2016
The San Diego Chargers signed Benjamin away for a four-year, $24 million contract and that’s it. The Browns, right now this very second, have over $47 million in cap space this season they didn’t use. So why let their best offensive playmaker from 2015 go?
Right before the season the Browns did it again, shucking Taylor Gabriel, who cost them nothing on a UDFA contract. He landed with the Atlanta Falcons and is one of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s favorite weapons in the passing game. He had two touchdowns Sunday alone.
Hue Jackson asked if he'll step away from football for 24-48 hours during bye. "I don't know how to do that."
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) November 27, 2016
Maybe a couple of legit offensive playmakers could help a team that’s scored 10, seven, nine and 13 over the last four weeks?
There have been some bright spots. Cody Kessler looks like a real possibility at quarterback, though the team should not hesitate to draft another guy high. They have a nice haul of draft picks to rebuild with thanks to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 2 pick (Carson Wentz) in the last draft and Terrelle Pryor is turning into a legitimate NFL star at wideout. Not only that, he’s a good dude as evidenced by his response to Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins calling him out on Twitter.
You are a great corner. Solid defender! You played a solid game. God Bless !! Good luck rest of year https://t.co/Lomh8ke4YW
— Terrelle Pryor SR (@TerrellePryor) November 27, 2016
The trade for Jamie Collins with New England was a steal and the Browns need to use some of that ridiculous cap space to lock him in long term. There are significant pieces there to build with.
But they need to win a game. The next three coming up after the bye are their only hope. They host Cincinnati, travel to Buffalo, then host the Chargers. The Browns can compete and win one or more of those games and nothing would set this franchise up better than to go 3-1 or better in the final month of the season.
Jackson just needs to get his shit together. Wipe the tears from his eyes and pretend he’s coaching a winning team. Don’t press. Don’t panic. Win. At least once.
And get some security in your garage, for God’s sake. Robert Griffin III’s money was stolen from his car in the player’s garage Sunday. How the hell does that happen in 2016?
https://twitter.com/GSadeiko/status/803042781891534848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
