Going Up?
Josh Thornton
I know, I know. Sunday’s matchup against the division rival Steelers didn’t go as planned. Not even remotely close, like, as far from expected as possible. Picture something, anything… now imagine the exact opposite… that’s how it went. I’m sure you all get it. I’ll move on.
The embarrassment in Pittsburgh left us questioning the existence of life altogether. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that monumental, but it didn’t leave us questioning Baker Mayfield and this team’s ability to win “big” games. Both our division foes have trounced us this season by a very, very wide margin of victory. That would be a combined 76-13 margin, to be exact. So, the big question now is where do we go from here? How do we get to the level of the top teams in the AFC?
The answer is simple… time. For nearly 2 decades we have been in a franchise killing cycle of hire front office, hire coach, name QB, bench QB, name another QB, go 4-12, fire coach and fire front office. Wash, rinse and repeat. It’s the most devastating, soul sucking cycle known to man. Okay, maybe another bit of exaggerating there, but you know what I mean. Its defiantly no way to build a championship team.
I understand the reasons Browns fans don’t want to hear the word patience. 20 years is a long time waiting to be asked for an extension on the patience line of credit. Hell, it kind of makes me shiver a bit just typing it out. Now that we have what looks to be the most competent front office and coaching staff this organization has ever seen, It’s time to let the roots grow deep. Let words like stability, identity and success become normal when used in conversation about our team.
Along with this patience is a need for trust as well. A degree of trust will absolutely have to be earned, but some will need to be given immediately. Now, I’m not saying you need to put on orange tinted glasses, but I am saying you can’t view your whole Browns world through cynical glasses. You’ll never make it out alive.
The core of this team is talented, and yes, that includes our starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. These guys need… you guessed it… time. Most of the players on this team haven’t seen stability since their collegiate days... and that’s pretty damn sad. With multiple head coaches and coordinators passing through the doors in Berea, the Browns organization has done no favors for their players. They need to develop within the system. They need to mold into the identity. The success against the top shelf teams will come.
The Browns elevator to success is out of order. That’s okay, they’ll take the stairs. One step at a time… all the way to the top.
Go Browns!
