Some thoughts on several topics as the Browns prepare to meet the New York Jets on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium:
*As I wrote in my last post, I think the Browns today will get their most convincing win since he 2014. But to do so, they’ve got to play a whole lot better than they have the last three weeks against the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens. They were awful in those games after playing so well in the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. What team will show up Sunday, the one against Pittsburgh or the one against the Colts, Ravens and Bengals?
*What is the Browns offense? On what is it predicated? I have no idea. And that’s worrisome since head coach Hue Jackson, who doubles as the offensive coordinator, has the reputation as an offensive expert.
*The Jets’ Todd Bowles is one of three head coaches in the NFL now who were together on the staff of former Browns head coach Butch Davis a decade and a half ago. The others are Chuck Pagano with the Colts and Bruce Arians with the Arizona Cardinals. Back then, I never would have projected that. Arians was the only one I envisioned as head-coaching material.
*A team that’s struggling can really benefit from good special teams play. The 0-4 Browns get no help from their special teams. It’s a problem that has lasted for years. How special teams coordinator Chris Tabor doesn’t come under constant criticism is beyond me.
*This is the worst wide receivers the Browns – this franchise or the original one – have ever had. Conversely, this is – at least potentially – the best defensive front seven that the expansion-era Browns have ever had.
*Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has taken a pounding, partly because he holds onto the ball too long sometimes and also because the line does a poor job of protecting him. Regardless of who’s at fault, if he keeps getting pounded, he’s going to get hurt to the extent that he will be sidelined, perhaps for a good, long while. Then what will happen with the team’s franchise quarterback search?
