LINE AND LANDRY’S EMOTIONS BOTH OFFENSIVE

By STEVE KING

OK, the 24-hour grace period is over.

It’s time to quit celebrating the Browns’ 19-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and instead look into the things that almost doomed them.

First, the offensive line. Again. Still.

The line has had problems all season, just as was feared heading into the year, and never were those issues more of a well … problem than against Bills. The Browns could not punch the ball into the end zone from the Buffalo 1 on seven straight plays. That is absolutely incredible, and obviously not in a good way. The Bills have a good defense, but not that good.

Anyway, after all that, if there were any question whatsoever that the offensive line was the major need of this team – really, the only major need although there are, as with all clubs, a number of other smaller needs – then that pitiful goal-line effort against the Bills put it squarely to rest. Whether it’s through the NFL Draft, free agency, or likely both, the Browns need an influx of top-line talent along the line. I’ve been saying that for a long while now.

General Manager John Dorsey sees it, knows it and has been saying it, too, even sometimes in a veiled way so as to not throw those guys under the bus in public. Now let’s see what he does about it.

What is also inexcusable is wide receiver Jarvis Landry getting called for taunting after catching a touchdown pass early in the opening quarter for the first points of the day. The penalty yardage forced rookie kicker Austin Seibert to try a 48-yard extra point, which he missed, and that in turn forced the Browns, down four points, to go for a touchdown late in the game. Fortunately, they got it, but if they had not, then the blame would have been placed about Landry – and rightfully so.

Landry is supposed to be a real leader on this team, and he is, but he must keep that in mind at all times.