I'm glad my Mom, sister and brother-in-law are happy after today. They're Bengals fans. Me? I'm just numb to this. I have to find better things to do in cases like this, or I'd lose my mind. There's not a drink strong enough to numb the pain and white-hot rage once the Irish temper shows its ugly face!
I'm still trying to ride the high of Ohio State's win over Tennessee last night. But we can always count on the Browns to bring us back to earth, can't we? The team drops to 3-12 on the season. And the first major drive of the day shows why. It's one of the reasons they lost this one.
Poor execution from the get-go
As soon as D'Onta Foreman fumbled inside the one-yard line, that's when I zoned out for the rest of the afternoon. I couldn't afford to ruin the rest of my weekend. But it was an omen of why the Browns are the Browns. As much as I think Juju Smith Schuster is a punk, he may have been on to something.
There are reasons teams stay where they are, whether that's on top of the league or in NFL hell. For Cleveland? One of the biggest reasons they're consistently at the bottom, is because of their lack of execution. Foreman's fumble is an indicator of that. They just don't do the small things right. From penalties at the worst times this year, to botched handoffs or fumbles like this, to poor clock management, to poor play calling, the Browns consistently choose from what I'd like to call the Buffet of Bad Decisions. But I've seen them have enough helpings that it makes me sick to my stomach!
The interception demon strikes again
Sometimes it's just not a team's night. But for the Browns, it hasn't been their year. It doesn't matter who's under center, whether that's Watson, Winston or DTR. One common theme has been interceptions at the worst times.
We thought DTR would give us some kind of a relief from Winston since he was an interception-machine. But the nightmare didn't come anywhere close to ending, as DTR threw a pair of picks as part of an awful day.
His final stat line for the game was 20-34, 157 yards, and two picks. This offense was absolutely anemic. And by the time they did show some life, it was too little too late.
Luke's Rant
I have done a really good job of keeping my sanity, and keeping my temper in check during an awful year. But I'm gonna cut loose a little here. I have one question, and two proposals to go along with it. Here goes...
Why do players on the worst teams still get paid full contracts?
Especially when it's clear some of them are in Cleveland to collect a paycheck. I believe there needs to be some kind of system in place for severely underperforming players to be docked pay. There should be pay cuts. Because there is no way on earth I would proudly call the Cleveland Browns a professional football team right now. Not with a straight face.
Second of all, who thinks there should be a relegation system like in soccer? Fans deserve better than this junk. If the Browns can't currently win in the NFL, send them to a lower league to get their crap together.
And conversely, if a team is dominating their league, bring them up to the NFL and give them a shot at the big time. Put the NFL at the top of the relegation system, with the XFL below that, and then whatever the top arena league is. If nothing else, it could make things interesting!
The original Browns weren't part of a relegation system obviously. But I DO remember the story of how they were AAFC Champions several times right after their founding. And then they joined the NFL in 1950...only to embarrass the reigning NFL Champion, Philadelphia Eagles, right off the bat!
But those Browns competed. They cared. They executed. They were physical, grizzled and nasty. And most importantly, they won Championships!
This current team is a far cry from the spirit of the original Cleveland Browns. Somewhere on that big Sideline in the Sky, Paul Brown has his head in his hands. When he'll actually be able to smile again is anyone's guess. Only God knows.
Hang in there, Dawg Pound. Just two games left before we can feel the sweet relief of the offseason. It can't come fast enough.
Statistical Leaders
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 20-34, 157, 2 INTs
Jerome Ford: 11 carries, 92 yards, TD
David Njoku: 8 receptions, 66 yards
Source
ESPN
Picture Credit
Bleacher Report
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