After tiring offseason, Browns get to hit field
- col-aaron-dorksen
- September 9, 2022
- 764
A few thoughts from the week in sports …
Are you ready for some Cleveland Browns football?
If you’re a Cleveland sports fan like me, you’ve probably been anticipating the Browns’ season opener at the Carolina Panthers this Sunday at 1 p.m. like few others in recent memory.
It’s been exhausting to endure an offseason of drama about the now former Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield, who’s now with the Panthers.
The drama got even worse surrounding his replacement, Deshaun Watson, who won’t be eligible to replace Jacoby Brissett until the 12th game due to his suspension for sexual misconduct.
It’s an incredible coincidence the Browns will open up against a team led by Mayfield, who divided fans about as much as Republicans and Democrats arguing politics.
Add in the fact the Browns still have a lot of talent and rare consistency in their coaching staff and this is arguably the Browns’ most anticipated opener since their return to the NFL on Sept. 12, 1999. (I don’t want to mention that score, but longtime fans probably remember it didn’t go well against the Steelers.)
Kevin Stefanski will enter his third year as head coach and has some big-time players to lead the way: running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, wide receiver Amari Cooper, guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, defensive ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
So how good will the Browns be? What are their keys to success? Here are five keys to Cleveland making the playoffs, followed by my prediction:
A good start
I’m not going to ask for too much, like a great start, just a good start, and that includes a near “must-win” opener. Cleveland hasn’t won a season opener since 2004, and it would be a horrible tone-setter to lose the “Baker Bowl.”
After week one, I wish Mayfield all the best, but the Browns desperately need to start strong.
Cleveland follows the opener with home games against the Jets and Steelers, followed by a trip to the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns need to come out of that 3-1 or 2-2 before the schedule gets considerably tougher. If they can be above .500 when Watson returns from his suspension to meet the Texans — his former team — in game 12 on Dec. 4, then the playoffs are a real possibility.
O-line clicks
The offensive line was supposed to be a major strength in 2021, but injuries were a problem and it seemed like Mayfield was beat up every other play. A big part of that could be blamed on Baker’s lack of mobility, but it’s worth noting Watson was sacked a league-high 62 times in 2018 when he led the Texans to an AFC Divisional Playoff loss against the Chiefs.
Passing game clicks
With Chubb, Hunt and some capable backups coupled with a good line, the running game should be strong again.
The Browns’ coaches need to come up with a game plan that helps Brissett spread the ball to the likes of Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Njoku. The line needs to do a good job with protection. Cooper is a real X-Factor with four seasons topping 1,000 yards receiving.
Defense holds leads
The defense let the Browns down until late in the 2021 season when it clicked, giving up the lead late in several losses.
The pass rush should again be solid led by Garrett (franchise record 16 sacks), but the passing defense was 22nd in passing yards allowed (3,962) and 24th in passing TDs (31) and needs to step up.
Deshaun Watson
No NFL team has ever given up more for a player than the Browns did to acquire the services of Watson, who brought more baggage to Cleveland than a fleet of airport shuttle vans.
The modern NFL is set up for teams with elite quarterbacks to win, and that’s why the Browns went all-in to get Watson. Hopefully, Cleveland is still in contention for the playoffs when Watson is eligible to play and he will deliver.
Browns prediction
The Browns were 8-9 last year and finished third in the competitive AFC North. Predictions from media types for this season have been all over the board.
My crystal ball sees a 9-8 record and just missing the playoffs.
Parting shots
Marquise Blair, a 2015 Wooster High School graduate, will start the season on the Panthers’ practice squad.
Blair showed a lot of promise after being drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 but suffered season-ending knee injuries each of the last two seasons. He was the odd man out at safety for a deep Seahawks’ secondary, but here’s hoping he gets a chance and excels for the Panthers.
—The Cleveland Cavaliers had dropped off the sports radar with lots of talk about the Browns and the Guardians’ exciting playoff push.
On Sept. 1 the Cavs reminded sports fans nationwide of their presence with a true blockbuster trade. Cleveland acquired All-Star Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz for Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.
The NBA Playoffs usually come down to the best couple players on each team, and the Cavs got better by adding an elite player. The Cavs became a top-four team in the East.
It’s a lot to give up, but a starting lineup of PG Darius Garland, SG Mitchell, SF Caris LeVert, PF Evan Mobley and C Jarrett Allen is young and highly formidable. Add in bench players like Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Isaac Okoro and Cedi Osman and this team will be really fun to watch.
—After three weeks of high school football, the WCAL and PAC teams are a combined 14-10.
Smithville is the only 3-0 WCAL team. The Smithies, whose three opponents are a combined 1-8, will host Chippewa (1-2) this week and will visit Dalton (2-1) in week five.
OCC teams are a combined 11-13, led by West Holmes (3-0). Mansfield Senior (2-1) will visit the Knights this Friday in a must-see game, which could ultimately determine the OCC title.