Where We Stand
Josh Thornton
We all had our pre-season predictions and expectations for the Browns. Some had this team winning a few games and few had them winning many. Most though, fell somewhere in the middle. I think it’s fair to say that 8-8 or 9-7 was the most commonly predicted record to finish the 2020 campaign. Wins and losses were not the only aspects set with expectations though. More specific, finite metrics were tabbed for some level of improvement. Nick Chubb being the rushing leader, Myles Garrett being the sack leader and Baker Mayfield being a top 10 QB were all some of the ancillary expectations outside of overall record. So at the half-way point I have to ask… how do we stack up? Now, at this point all grades are still incomplete. With 8 games down though we can make a fair, more accurate, assessment of where this team is and where they will end up.
Let’s start with coaching. Many were disappointed when the organization chose Kevin Stefanski over Josh McDaniels. I, admittedly was one of those people. Folks, I was wrong in my initial feeling of disappointment. Coach Stefanski has really exceeded all expectations thus far. He has helped steady an organization riddled with turmoil. A once identity-less team now has something they do well… something positive they can be known for… an actual football identity! He has been a calm, collected presence and that coolness has permeated throughout the walls in Berea.
Defensively, well…….. what did we really expect? We knew Myles Garrett was going to be on a mission this season, and he is. Denzel Ward is playing at a high level but outside of that our defensive backfield has left a TON to be desired. It is very evident where this team will be spending future capital at and with the trade deadline having come and gone, we will have to wait until the future for help to arrive. I’ll give the defensive unit this though… they have been very opportunistic at times. That aspect is one of the reasons why the Browns are sitting at 5-3.
On the offensive side of the football I think you have to tip your hat to the offensive line. They have been playing at an elite level as a unit. We did see a drop off in play when Teller went down, but Hubbard has been serviceable in fill-in duty. The Chubb injury hurt and there’s no other way to put that. It hurt. Kareem has been good filling in, but the dynamic just isn’t the same without Chubb on the field. The OBJ injury is a loss as well… no matter how it is spun. The team has been generally dinged up through these first 8 games. Somehow, through pretty decent adversity, this offensive unit has been able to average almost 26 points a game and is still top ten in rushing. Baker has been efficient and has flashed his big play potential. His good moments have been greater than his bad moments and with each game he grows in the Stefanski offense. I’m excited about what this offense can be at full strength.
I’ll be brief on special teams. Gillian has been great when called upon, which thankfully hasn’t been too often. Parkey has been mostly good… no complaints there. Returns have been pretty lackluster, but not overly concerning. I have to say, our coverage unit has been atrocious. I don’t know what Preifers deal is… but he has this unit performing among the worst in the league.
All in all, …I think you have to be extremely pleased and encouraged with the early returns on this 2020 Browns campaign. The team is in the thick of playoff positioning and, with the bye at hand, is getting healthy. It will be a wild ride with the defense we have, that’s for sure.
Buckle up Browns fans…
Things are just getting started.
Go Browns!
