FINALLY, SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT THE BROWNS

By STEVE KING

There is a lot of bad news about the Browns right now.

It’s what happens when, after being predicted by everybody and anybody to blow through the regular season and then waltz into the playoffs and beyond, a team stands just 6-8 and is far removed from realistic postseason consideration.

And the news could get even worse. After all, there are still two games left, beginning with Sunday’s visit by the two-time defending champion Baltimore Ravens to FirstEnergy Stadium.

Ugh.

In any event, here’s some good news about the Browns. It comes with the fact that quarterback Baker Mayfield came out the other day and agreed wholeheartedly with running back Kareem Hunt’s decision to voice his opinion and claim that some of their teammates did not give their all, all the time, in last Sunday’s 38-24 blowout loss to the woeful Arizona Cardinals.

Hooray! Good for Mayfield! I am so thrilled that he lended his support, just as I am so thrilled that Hunt spoke up.

Mayfield is the leader of the Browns. You want your quarterback to be the guy. In fact, the quarterback has to be the leader. He is the voice of the team and the face of the franchise, and Mayfield has morphed into those roles nicely this season.

As such, things like loafing – taking plays off, which everybody could plainly see last Sunday – can’t be tolerated. That Hunt had the nerve to speak up, and Mayfield had the nerve to back him fully, is a good sign for the Browns going forward.

The Browns are trying to establish who they are, who they want to be, how they want to play and how they intend to carry on their business both on and off the field.

NFL players are paid way too much for that to be even a consideration. It is absolutely unacceptable. Mayfield said as much, and made it clear that he, as the guy carrying the torch, and the Browns will not stand for it.