With only 4 games remaining in the 2019 season, it's obvious things didn't go the way we thought they would go. I'm really interested in what you guys think that worked (Things Gone Right - TGR), things that were so so (MEH) and things that didn't work ( Things Gone Wrong - TGW). I'm more interested in moves made to build the team than specific plays, games or things the league did that affected the Browns (rule changes, etc). TGR: Joe Schobert. Just pay the man. He's earned it! Mack Wilson. He's made the typical rookie mistakes but I've seen improvement in just about every game. Baker Mayfield is still vertical. Odell Beckham. Other than shoes, visors and watches - he really hasn't been the distracting diva many thought he would be. The running back room with both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb currently leads the league in rushing yards (with only 40% of a competent O-line) and Hunt is just getting started. MEH: Sheldon Richardson. I was high on Richardson when they brought him in. Although he's clearly an upgrade to his predecessors, he hasn't been the force I thought he would be. The Tight End room. Njoku's injury was unfortunate. However, the next men up (Seals-Jones and Harris) have been underwhelming. Olivier Vernon. He's been just okay but not worth the price (see: TGW). TGW: Trading Kevin Zietler to the Giants and thinking Austin Corbett could attempt to fill his shoes. The utter lack of discipline resulting in leading the league in penalties (one of which cost the team an indefinite suspension to perhaps it's best player). Ignoring the O-line thus rendering a potentially lethal offense punchless. There are more but I have things to do. What are some of your thoughts?
TGW: The decision (from whoever made it) to allow a virgin Head Coach with less than a season's worth of Coordinator experience to retain in-game play calling responsibilities on top of all the other things required of a Head Coach in the NFL. It's like he has one guy in his ear through his helmet device while on the field and a different guy in his ear on the bench between possessions. During the second half of Baker's rookie season, those two guys were the same person.
Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter. Here's his stat line: 49 of 91 (53.9%), 569 yards (6.3 YPA), 3 TD, 7 INT, 51.9 QB rating -- all his worst marks. Compared to Baker Mayfield (2018) in the fourth quarter: 89 of 139 (64.0%), 1,046 yards (7.5 YPA), 7 TD, 4 INT, 91.6 QB rating. Number of games the Browns have trailed in the fourth quarter: half (6), with average point differential of -12, however only one (San Francisco) was more than two score game. Two (Seattle, Pittsburgh) were a one score game. Browns only lost one game where they led going into the fourth quarter (Los Angeles). They have not won a single game that they trailed going into the fourth quarter. I mentioned this previously, but we haven't seen the magic you come to expect from a franchise QB (or first overall pick) from Mayfield this season. He has not been able to overcome his circumstances to elevate the play of those around him and bring home a win. He had three fourth quarter comebacks in 2018 with four game-winning drives. This season, it's been one (Buffalo). From what I've seen, it's pressing and trying to play hero-ball. He's not taking checkdowns, he's forcing Odell (understandable), and he's getting careless with reads and/or mechanics. He needs to improve and Freddie/Monken need to structure the gameplan in Q4 around helping Mayfield, not asking too much.
All Pro Joe is so, so good. Dorsey needs to bury his contempt for analytics and Sashi and sign the man to a major extension. Joe's the heart and soul of a defense which includes a generational pass rusher -- that's saying something. You already touched on the running back room, but look at the offense overall. You've got two running back studs, Chubb is projecting a nearly 1,600 yard season (1,900 all-purpose) and Hunt is projected 500 all-purpose, despite just getting started. Jarvis Landry is sitting nearly at 1,000 yards presently and should hit it this weekend. Odell Beckham, despite a very poor statistical season, is projecting a 1,000 yard season. Mayfield is projecting 4,000 passer yards - a Browns franchise record. This is what's maddening is that the talent pieces are performing. It's a microcosm of the whole season: the individuals are working but the sum is not greater than its parts.
TGW Odell Beckham. There's an article floating around that says he isn't sure if he wants to be in Cleveland next season. What a hot mess that would be for your team. The good news is if you guys get rid of him there is no dead cap money.
I saw that article. What has me confused about it is that OBJ signed a 5 year contract (with the Giants) in 2018 before he was traded to the Browns. Unless he has a voidable year(s) clause in that contract, how can he free agent in 2020?
A non-verified Browns fan on the bird app tossed something out there and the click-bait Cleveland media (trying their best to be like the New York media) have only continued to feed the flames of it. It's a non-starter. He's one of the most talented players at his position under contract until 2023 with a majority of the guaranteed money already spent... he's going to be a Browns for a while.
Not a FA, but if traded or cut he has no cap hit. Obviously the Browns would trade him if he goes somewhere else.
So you're projecting that next year he goes full on LeVeon Bell / Antonio Brown and demands a trade? WTF does that have to do with 2019 TGW? Answer: Nothing.
I agree the media likes to run with this stuff buy why say this... “I couldn't tell you what's going to happen," Beckham said. "Whether I'm going to be here, want to be here, don't want to be here. This is exactly where I'm at now. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.” Why not just say, "I love playing in Cleveland. I'm not going anywhere!" - even if it's not true it just shuts the whole thing down.
You want the perfect answer. Get over it. He doesn't "know" where he'll be next year at least in part because Dorsey could decide he's more valuable as an asset than a player. A fake new story, fueled by imperfect answers by Odell. Call me when there's something to talk about.
Or..... It's not fake at all and Beckham has been talking about wanting out all season. Thus, the statement he made had some truth to it.
Strange. Beckham has talking about wanting out all season but these crack investigative reporters just now started circulating that news about the same time the Myles Garrett story started losing wind. It's gotta be gospel. Adios, Odell.
Oh, it was Glazer !! That makes it totally different. But I still have to wonder why, if Beckham has been saying this all season (your claim), did he wait until week 14 to break this story. Yep, adios OBJ . . . Glazer and Beachbum got you dead to rights.
Gotta get them clicks! Even if this is true, Odell just have forgotten the part where he's under contract until 2023. Tough for the Browns to be interested in trading him (at a discount, mind you) when he's barely a Top 30 receiver this season.
I understand it's against the hapless Cincinnati Bengals. Still... his season is littered with these. He's a beast. Baker might not like it. Freddie might not like it. But the best player right now on this team is Nick Chubb and the offense simply *must* go through him. Add in the fact we have a dynamic back in Kareem Hunt and the Browns should be a team that's throwing 30% of the time and running the other 70%. Baker's had 25 or less attempts twice all season (San Francisco, Cincinnati)... his two worst statistical games. Lamar Jackson has been asked to throw 25 of fewer times in eight of the team's 13 contests, including four times when he was asked to throw 20 or fewer. I'd say when your QB is regressed/slumping and on top of that, injured, maybe 25-30 carries for Chubb and another 15-20 carries for Hunt isn't the worst idea.
