If you’re Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam, then you have got to be wondering, “What in the world is going on?”
And if you’re Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, then you have to praying that Haslam doesn’t figure it out.
For weeks as the Browns season deteriorated into a nightmare, almost entirely because of the offense, or the lack thereof, Stefanski refused to bench quarterback Deshaun Watson or to give up his role as the offensive playcaller. That was despite the fact that it was obvious to everyone, even the most casual observers, that both moves definitely had to be made for the good of the team. It was frustrating beyond belief that Stefanski did not see it as well, and to step aside so that the right thing could be done.
Then, after a 21–14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals two weekends ago, Stefanski‘s hand was forced after Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles injury. That was followed by second-stringer Dorian Thompson-Robinson injuring his hand when he came on in relief, leaving only third–stringer Jameis Winston, the guy everybody had wanted all along to be given a chance, as the only option.
Along with that, Stefanski finally handed over the playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey heading into last Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Winston, who had been the team’s best quarterback throughout training camp and the preseason, passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and Dorsey seemed to make all the right play calls, with the place as the Browns stunned the Ravens 29–24.
Everybody was left saying to themselves after the game, “We told you so. We knew that was going to happen. If only those things had been done earlier this season, then maybe the Browns season would still be viable.”
Among those saying that might possibly be Haslam. He must be questioning his head coach more than ever. The object is to win games, not hold onto your pride and keep doing things that are just not working out.
Haslam has to be himself. He is paying big money to put a competitive team on the field, and Stefanski‘s actions, or inactions, as it were, hindered that effort considerably.
Yes, indeed, the win over the former Browns was a relief and a revelation. That is, Stefanski has some big questions to answer.
Steve King
