I am really glad I got to spend time with family today and yesterday. My mom, sister, brother-in-law, and their sweet little niece can brighten up any bad day. And today sucked pond scum.
Usually, I do either Keys to Victory, or reasons the Browns lost. But we're at a certain point in the season, where I think a game like this has earned another "Good, Bad and Ugly" type of article.
The Good: Myles Garrett and the Running Game
For as awful as the Browns defense has been (and they still weren't very good today), one particular play they made was by far the biggest bright spot in an otherwise ugly loss. The blocked field goal by Myles Garrett, and then the scoop and score by safety Rodney McCloud, swung the momentum squarely in the Browns' favor just before halftime.
Had Philly's kicker successfully made the 57-yard field goal, the Eagles would've been up 13-3. And with as lifeless as the Browns offense was looking up to that point, I think the Eagles could've sat on the lead. Watson, the offensive line and wideouts were so inept today. And I'm being nice. Being down 10 would've felt like being down three scores.
But just like he did at Indy last year, Myles Garrett didn't just get a finger on the ball, he jumped completely over the line, and his MASSIVE hand got all ball. I still don't know how he does that. He's not 6'0, 185. I could sooner see someone that size sneaking in, and blocking a field goal. Myles is every bit of 6'4, 272 pounds. He's a freakishly large man. But he's so athletic, I guess he can time his move just right, and has the explosiveness to break through and pull that off!
The running game was a pleasant surprise today too. The Browns still don't have Nick Chubb back. But for as dead as this offense was for most of the day, the ground game was solid. Pierre Strong, D'Onta Foreman and Jerome Ford all combined for 25 carries and 100 yards. Four yards a pop. For a team that's been missing their best running back since Week 3 of last season, that was solid enough to win. But sadly, this is where "The Good" section of this article ends...
The Bad: The Offensive Line and Watson being Watson
I really don't want to be a believer in conspiracy theories. I'm not in the locker room. I don't hear what's going on. But even Stevie Wonder can see this offensive line wasn't the same unit guided and led by Bill Callahan from last year. I still do wonder if there's any chemistry between Watson and his offensive linemen. It sure doesn't look like there is.
Five sacks were surrendered, and Watson was hit 10 times. Yes I know the Browns are an injured team. But this offensive line hasn't looked like a cohesive unit at any point in the season. They were a great unit last year. Now they don't even pass for a serviceable line. They're just flat out BAD.
I'll put this part of the loss mostly on the offensive line. But Watson still didn't look like the man this team paid $230 Million for. He has yet to hit 200 yards passing this season, and the Browns' offense has yet to score 20 or more points in a game. He still looked timid, unsure of himself, and like he can't command an offense.
His receivers had a few drops today which didn't help. But he just doesn't look confident out there at all. Some of that is from being sacked so often. But even when he's had time, he's never really let things rip.
The ONLY (yes only) time I've seen him look even close to the guy this team traded for, and paid for, was last season at Baltimore. That dude was a DAWG. But that Deshaun Watson hasn't been seen since. I'm not sure he exists anymore, honestly.
And I'm saving the worst for last. I really don't want to have to blame Kevin Stefanski. Any idiot can blame the head coach. It's easy, and requires no conscious thought after a loss. But a lot of people in Cleveland and Ohio are mad at him this evening, and they have every right to be...
The Ugly: Putrid situational football and awful playcalling
Losing stinks no matter which way you look at it. But if there's one thing that instantly gets me white hot, and gets my Irish blood boiling, it's bad situational football.
Holding penalties that kill otherwise solid drives and chances to score. Throwing instead of pounding the ball straight at an Eagles defense that struggled to stop the run in the second half. And that INFURIATING, and always-idiotic jet sweep on a third and 1 coming out of the locker room that killed Cleveland's best chance to go up 17-10, and would've made this a whole new ballgame!
All of those mistakes had me saying things that would grow hair on the palm of your hand, and would make Bob Knight sound clean by comparison!
I guess I'm angriest at stuff like this, not even because it kills good drives. That does stink. But I'm most angry because a lot of these mistakes are things they teach players not to do in peewee football and junior high football.
They're fundamental things that every football player and coach should learn and know. It's irritating when pros seemingly don't remember them.
Keep your hands inside a defender's pads. Watch for the snap of the ball to avoid false starts. Pound the rock straight ahead on third and short instead of getting cute. These aren't hard things to commit to memory. But apparently, they're incredibly tough for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns to execute.
Numbers, trick plays, and occasionally thinking outside the box, do have places in this game at times.
But by and large, the game of football rewards those who play it the way it's meant to be played: With a common sense, disciplined, direct approach. There's no need to reinvent the wheel. There's a reason teams run by football guys win a lot.
Paul DePodesta, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski certainly don't look like football guys right now. They look like the "Ivy League Braintrust" but all deserve dunce caps right now. I miss John Dorsey, honestly.
And I do not understand Kevin Stefanski's aversion to letting Ken Dorsey call the plays. Kevin, you're now 1-5 on the season, painting yourself into a corner, and going absolutely nowhere fast. Swallow your pride, check your ego at the door, and hand over the reins. After that, CLEAN THIS TEAM UP!
A smart, humble head coach would take a long, hard, uncomfortable look at himself in the mirror and go, "You know what? What's going on right now isn't what's best for these guys. I need to delegate calling plays to my offensive coordinator, and work with these guys on becoming more disciplined."
That would be the right thing for Kevin Stefanski to do. It's uncomfortable, and a little sad. But it needs to be done. But he'll likely never do it.
Last week, I blamed Jimmy Haslam for Kevin Stefanski not benching Watson. And I do think Jimmy's pulling the strings. But refusing to give up playcalling is on Kevin. Entirely. He doesn't seem like an arrogant man. But for some reason, he just doesn't want to let his OC do his job. And that's a great way to end up getting fired.
What's Next?
Cleveland goes home next week to square off against a Bengals team that's had similar struggles at this point in the season. It's a little sad. There was a time when the Bengals and Browns were both great football teams, ruled their division, and punished each other every time they played.
But unfortunately, that was about 40 years ago. This year? The Battle of Ohio looks like a case of whoever isn't the worst. And Ohio NFL fans deserve better than that. So much better. But if there was a game the Browns could, and probably should win? It's next week.
If Kevin Stefanski and Co. lose THAT one? Oh boy...
Statistical Leaders
Deshaun Watson: 16-23, 168 yards
Pierre Strong Jr.: 8 carries, 43 yards
Amari Cooper: 4 catches, 42 yards
Source
ESPN
Picture Credit
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