Let me start this article by talking about Deshaun Watson's injury, and how I feel about him. No, I do not believe he was the answer to our never-ending quarterback carousel. And I also do not believe he cares about the Browns, Cleveland or Browns fans. He's being paid too much up front to really give a hoot, or have any incentive to really play his hardest. Money will do that to anyone. Especially that kind of money.
But that being said, I do not wish any injury on him. Including the one he suffered today. I do not wish that on anyone. I can't. I am a Christian. A flawed, broken follower of Jesus Christ. And the two biggest things my Lord tells me to do, is to love Him and my neighbor.
Deshaun Watson is one of those people God tells me to love. God tells me to try my best to love everyone. Watson's a "neighbor." Do I like the guy? No. I've never rooted for him ever since he set foot in Cleveland two years ago.
I struggle with everything surrounding him. None of it sits well with me. But even with that said, I truly hope and pray he recovers quickly and fully. I don't like seeing anyone hurt. That Achilles injury looked NASTY!
It looked like Watson just moved awkwardly and landed weird on his ankle. It buckled in a weird way. And the human body was not meant to bend certain ways. That was one of them. It would not surprise me if he's done for the year with an injury like that. It'll be interesting to see how the Browns go forward after today. But even with the loss, and Watson's injury, there WAS one big bright spot...
The Good: Welcome back, Nick Chubb!
I know the Browns aren't going anywhere this season. So I was quiet for most of this game. But as soon as the Browns were in scoring position for their lone touchdown of the day, I knew where the ball was going. And I got louder and louder as the drive went on. As soon as they were in position to score, I literally started screaming and yelling at my TV!
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare get cute, Stefanski! Don't deny him this touchdown!" That was the family-friendly version.
If Kevin had screwed Chubb over, I would've been liable to toss my TV over the balcony railing too!
Even though Kevin called a pitch, which was still irritating, Nick Chubb found his way to the endzone for his first touchdown in forever. And I went absolutely ballistic! For the first time in well over a year, Chubb found paydirt!
Folks, the Browns may struggle a lot. But it's clear they are a different team with number 24 out there. The stadium had an energy to it that we haven't seen or felt in months. And for as bad as the offense has been this year, just the fact that he's out there forces opposing defenses to respect him. Nick Chubb commands a certain level of respect from defenses, coaching staffs, and fans. If only he would've gone off for 100+ yards and a couple scores. But that's wishful thinking. I hope he eventually gets back to that level. This team desperately needs that. Especially with what I'm about to say next...
The Bad: Playcalling. Again.
I didn't hear this come directly from Kevin Stefanski's mouth. So take this with a grain of salt. But the rumor before this game was that Stefanski, and running backs coach Deuce Staley, would have Nick Chubb on a "pitch count." They'd limit his number of carries today.
I can understand that, and agree with it... if we're 4-2 and competing for a Playoff spot. But we're 1-6 and going absolutely nowhere, and Chubb's been chomping at the bit to get rolling.
LET HIM HAVE THE ROCK, RUN YOUR OFFENSE THROUGH HIM, AND LET IT ALL HANG OUT! WHAT ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?!?
But time and again, Kevin Stefanski elected to pass on first down, pass in third and short, or fourth and short situations. Sometimes Chubb was on the sideline, and Foreman was the main back.
Those are the prime situations where Chubb's not only supposed to be in the game, but he's supposed to get the ball. If he gets the ball, and Cincinnati stops him cold? So be it. But a coach's main job, is supposed to be putting his team in the absolute best position to win.
You do that by letting your best players go to work in crucial situations. A dumb reverse play in third and short, and a little dump-off checkdown in fourth and short, doesn't get things done.
Kevin Stefanski knows what to do. He also knows what this team looks like when they're playing their absolute best. And a lot of it includes running downhill. Not cutesie reverses. Not a pitch outside. Not short passes counting on YAC (yards after catch) from wideouts.
The Browns are most dangerous when they run north and south. Simple as that. Kevin knows this. And he doesn't do it. It's absolutely infuriating!
But only one thing made me angrier than Kevin's soft, timid playcalling...
The Ugly: Poor Execution
10 penalties for 80 yards. That's putrid. Junior high and high school teams look sharper than that. Do these guys not know how to execute a normal drive? Perhaps not after what I saw today. Phew!
It just seemed like every time the Browns needed to keep the chains moving, there was a hold. Or if they needed a defensive stop, there was pass interference, roughing the passer, or some other dumb mistake.
But the penalty that angered me the most, was an offensive offsides (yes, offensive offsides) penalty. When Nick Chubb plunged into the endzone for what should have been his touchdown, the play was wiped off the board because Michael Dunn, a backup offensive linemen, got called for having his head too far into the neutral zone (offensive offsides).
Thank goodness Chubb not only got the penalty yardage back, but he also was able to score.
Although Chubb scored, these kinds of mistakes are a microcosm, a snapshot of how the season has gone. Before a team can be successful, they need to be disciplined, play clean, sound fundamental football, and build on that. When a team doesn't do that, or can't do that, that's on the head coach.
This is where Kevin Stefanski desperately needs to give up OC duties, hand them over to Dorsey, and clean this part of the team up. If he doesn't? He'll soon find himself out of a job.
For as irritating as he is sometimes, I don't want to see that happen to Stefanski. I've liked Kevin for the most part. But he doesn't have the humility to do what needs to be done. I just hope he finds that humility before it's too late for him...
Statistical Leaders
Deshaun Watson: 15-17, 128 yards
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 3 carries, 44 yards
Cedric Tillman: 8 catches, 81 yards
Source
ESPN
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