Looking Forward to the 2019 AFC North

History tends to repeat itself. Remember when Chubb wasn't seeing many snaps last year playing behind Hyde? Dorsey got the guy he drafted on the field by trading Hyde. Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, I suspect Higgins will start to see more snaps over Calloway.

Before someone points this out . . . I realize it's not apples to apples as Dorsey also signed Hyde. But I think Dorsey places significantly more weight on drafted players than Free Agents. Not to mention risking a potential trade asset to injury.

 

I was more than a little upset while watching the game, and I still haven't heard any explanation for Chubbs absence in crucial moments. That said, I don't think we are deliberately trying to sabotage the offense. I have to assume he was banged up, or something. It really was frustrating as hell though.

 

The Steelers wouldn't have a problem running Chubb into the dirt if he was our RB

 

Per Freddie, they run that package will Hilliard because they want to "trick" the defense into thinking that they were going to pass. One fourth-and-short. In the redzone.

TBH... this front office *desperately* needs to get the stat nerds back under contract because someone's got to explain percentages and tendencies to Freddie's coaching staff.

 

In a "normal" Browns season, we'd be less angry, more resigned, and talking about the possibilities of the up coming draft. Yes. We have been conditioned to accept losing. On top of that, the whole country pretty much left us alone in our misery, out of mercy or simple apathy.

Then last year happened, and suddenly the sun was shining. The Cleveland Browns were news, and good news at that. We were far from being ignored, we were touted as the new America's Team.

Now we're not ready to accept the losing. We were sold on this young dynamic team, and it's charismatic, bordering on obnoxious QB, and the chubby southern boy who seemed to have the magic to make it work. Everyone was poised to see the Cleveland Browns rise again.

Oops! The schedule makers, did us no favors, and our "not ready for prime time" coach, got no breaks, and started looking like he'd never heard of football, our QB learned that the NFL isn't a recreation league, and the wheels fell off.

We can't just move on, because we see the same faces that gave us so much hope and optimism. Admit it or not, we still in our hearts are waiting for them to show up on Sunday, and re-kindle that flame.

Another loss and the ember of hope will be gone for me, but this week, I remain hopeful. There is no rational reason why, this "group/not team" should get that hope, but maybe it's the years of not even being relevant, but I still hope. I hope one win can re ignite the confidence our QB plays with. I hope Freddie can focus on what he knows about football and leadership. I hope the talented men who wear the Orange and Brown, can start to believe again.

I hope......

 

I guess the silver lining is now that we have Hunt in the RB mix, we're almost "Freddie-proof" from that situation happening again.

 

That's, honestly, precisely why I'm taking them at home against Buffalo. Taking Chubb off the field for 25% of the total RB touches and putting Kareem Hunt in there makes me feel a *lot* better than D'Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard.

Now, Hunt's not going to come in here and look like he did his rookie year Game 1, but the drop-off from Chubb to him should be much less noticeable. That said, we saw huge talent upgrades elsewhere (Beckham, Vernon) without any tangible results...

 

To wit.

 

I look to see a lot of 2 back sets. Let's not forget - Jim Brown was actually a Fullback in a 2 back set.

 

Guys, I also secretly hope that maybe Kitchens just forgot that Kareem was set to be suspended and installed an offense featuring the "21" personnel look and he's been calling plays thinking Chubb and Hunt are back there. Like maybe "Hilliard" looks like "Hunt" to him on a jersey or something.

Full, intended playbook and offense to be unleashed this Sunday.

 

FWIW, which isn't much since I expect them to win every week, but I'm calling for a Browns victory Sunday. This team is due to put one together like they did in Baltimore a month ago. Contain Allen in the pocket. Don't let Singletary get loose. Force a few turnovers. It would be nice to see the defense crank it up a notch or two at home.

 

However . . .

Chubb and Hunt don't have the likes of LT - Dick Schafrath, LG - John Wooten, C - John Morrow, RG - Gene Hickerson and RT - Monte Clark in front of them.

 

It would be impossible for them to do anything behind those two hundred lb shrimps

 

Three of those "shrimps" were All-Pro and one of those three are in the Hall of Fame.

Gidiot . . . do us all a favor and take your Black and (piss) Yellow homer bullshit somewhere else.

 

Offensive linemen were very small back in the 50's-70's. . I was putting a spin on it for this day and age, not what they did back then. The great Steelers line from the 70's couldn't do jack shit nowadays either, doesn't mean they weren't very good back then.

 

Nice try. Didn't work but, nice try anyway.

 

We'll be discounting Myles Garrett when I'm 80.

Grandkids: "Paw-Paw... what was it like to see Myles Garrett play?"

Me: "Amazing... it's no wonder he's the greatest defensive end to ever play and recorded over 250 career sacks."

Grandkids: "Yeah, but he put up those stats back when he was going against 300 pound linemen. He'd get crushed by today's group of them where 450 is the average and your standard wide receiver is 275."

 

Test him.

 

Callaway was undraftable with his character flags but even after proof he's apparently not unplayable according to his team. Character seems not to be an issue but apparently he should have just been left alone.

 

Beach's Grandkids: "Pop pop why do all those Browns fans still think Myles Garrett was better than T.J. Watt?"