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Cleveland Browns: Building in the mold of the Atlanta Falcons

By Jonathan Goehring

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive back Jamar Taylor (27) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive back Jamar Taylor (27) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: NFC Divisional-Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
NFL: NFC Divisional-Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons /

In 2013, the Falcons went 4-12. The next two years, they added two wins each season. Now, after an 11-5 regular season and a 36-20 divisional round playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta is a force to be reckoned with in 2016.

It happened rather quickly, and quite unconventionally. The Falcons didn’t emerge into the Super Bowl contender they are today by following the model of the Seahawks, Broncos or Patriots. The Falcons paved their own way, based on the roster they already had in place. And now here they are, just two wins away from their ultimate goal.

Cleveland may currently be the joke of the NFL, but every season presents a different opportunity to reverse this narrative. The Falcons were a very bad football team just several years ago. But the brilliant way they built their roster combined with their coaching and a little luck has made them one of the NFL’s best.

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Therefore, the Browns aren’t a completely lost cause. It’s not time to tear it all apart and start over. Whether or not the right management is in place, the organization has started moving in a direction proven to have worked in Atlanta. The best chance for the Browns to contend as soon as possible is to continue this path, using the young and exciting Falcons as a guide.

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