Mr. Browns Optimist Looks At Team’s Great Foundation
The Cleveland Browns made an interesting move in signing Josh McCown. His contract is for a little more than some of the high end backups in the league and yet fans are still upset, frustrated and worried about the team’s future. The whole Ray Farmer “Text-gate” thing hasn’t helped, neither has Johnny Manziel going into rehab or Josh Gordon being suspended for a year.
Yet I, a guy who has been called “The Most Optimist Browns Fan of them All,” am here to bring back the focus to the positives. Sports in it’s very essence is supposed to be a fun distraction from the stresses of the world. We as fans are supposed to enjoy the game purely for the sake of the game, not just because of the results. Yet, a little counselor speak here, we continue to focus on only the negatives about our team. The local and national media focus on the negatives about our team, which fans reinforce by clicking on the articles, calling into the radio shows and bantering back and forth on social media.
In life it is all about reinforcement. What we give energy to is what is repeated. Wonder why the “bad kid” in school keeps doing bad things, even though he is punished? The biggest reason, from a psychological perspective, is that his poor choices is given a lot of time, energy and attention (i.e. reinforced) while his good choices get little to none. The “good kid” is quite the opposite as their good behaviors get a ton of attention and they often don’t get noticed when they misbehave. Some of you know you were that “good kid” who always got away with stuff. Some of you know the feeling of being the “bad kid.”
So today I want to focus, really it is continue to focus, on the positives of this team. I want DPD, our readers and fans in general to start a new perspective, a new way of looking at our team. Not a head in the sand, homer kind of fandom but a real one that gives positive regard to the good and acknowledges the bad. I hope you have found that here on this site. The foundation of the Cleveland Browns is great.
Browns Foundation
- Fans
The Cleveland Browns faithful are the foundation of the team. Last year we saw what happened when the fans were into games, were loud and were supportive. We see how important the Browns are to their fans when we travel the world and almost always run into a fellow fan. The fans are smart, passionate and loyal. We buy the gear, we tailgate and we read, listen and talk about our team. Other fan bases might have anointed themselves some catchy name, like the “12s” but Browns fans show up year after year no matter what the record. What other fan base can say that?
- Mike Pettine
Say what you will about GM Ray Farmer, but we all feel very comfortable that Mike Pettine is going to figure this thing out. He has a Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh type feel to him. He is tough, stubborn and passionate. Pettine sets a tone and people follow. Many fans biggest worry is that a bad season could lead to his dismissal. That could be one of the worst decisions the team has ever made since returning, and one we do not expect to have happen no matter the record.
- Offensive Line
While the injury to Alex Mack showed the Browns need for a bit more depth, the Browns offensive line is great. Joe Thomas is an All Timer, Joel Bitonio was considered one of the best guards in the entire league his rookie year and Mack is one of, if not the, best centers. Everyone’s punching bag Mitchell Schwartz looks bad compared to the other side of the line but a lot of that has to do with how teams attack the Browns, avoiding the left side often. Schwartz has been given good grades by PFF and 3 different regimes have kept him locked in as the starting right tackle. The offensive line is a strong foundation for the Cleveland Browns.
- Secondary
With a little development, the Browns secondary could be second to none in the near future. Joe Haden and Tashaun Gipson are near the top of their positions while Donte Whitner is a strong veteran presence who plays his position well. In a league that highlights passing, the Browns have a foundational piece in their secondary. Buster Skrine might be lost in free agency but the team feels good about Pierre Desir, K’Waun Williams and Justin Gilbert for their future. Gilbert has the most upside and some believe his rookie season was a wakeup call.
- Young Backs
The Browns have three young running backs that will help their desire to be a run first team. Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell and Glenn Winston all showed something to the coaching staff this year. West and Crowell gave the Browns fans a taste of Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack that they haven’t seen in a long time. While none of the three might ever be “the stud” of the group, the three together will keep the Browns running game in good hands for years to come.
- Small Receivers
While most don’t like that Farmer didn’t address the receiver position last year, he did bring in two small receivers that should be a big part of the Browns passing game for years to come. Andrew Hawkins is an amazing slot receiver who has the ability to leave defenders in the dust. Taylor Gabriel is a similar size as Hawkins but plays more on the outside, can break off routes in a second and can beat defenders deep. While the Browns do need to add a #1 type receiver to the group, Gabriel and Hawkins are a good foundation for the future of the Browns offense.
- Draft Picks and Cap Space
These final two are a bit unique to this season but are still very important. If you look above we have noted 11 of the possible 22 starters as foundational pieces for the Browns. Add to that Paul Kruger, Karlos Dansby, Desmond Bryant, Christian Kirksey and Armonty Bryant and the defense, running game and part of the passing game are in good shape. With the Browns cap space they are likely to add at least 2 starters to that group. Then the team has 10 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft to add a few more starters and a bunch of depth across the board. The Browns biggest needs, outside of quarterback (the never-ending need at this point) is wide receiver and nose tackle. What do you know, this year’s free agent and draft classes are strong at two positions: wide receiver and defensive line.
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The Browns are in good shape. Yes, they need a quarterback. If they had a Top 15 quarterback this upcoming season most would predict they would make the playoffs. Right now there is no starting level QB options available, some don’t even believe Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota can be those. Instead the Browns brought in a veteran and will hope and pray for Johnny Manziel and whoever they draft next.
Besides that the Browns have the coach, a solid team philosophy that is backed up by the players on the field and a group of fans that is passionate and powerful. As we all get moving in the right direction it is important we the fans start focusing on what is good about the team. There is enough written about the bad, and we accurately acknowledge it as well.
So what do you have? What do you see positive about the Cleveland Browns? Come join me, Mr. Browns Optimist in giving energy towards that which is good about our team.
What say you?