Cleveland Browns: Bill Barnwell predicts improvement in 2017
After a forgettable 2016 season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell offers up an optimistic prediction for the Cleveland Browns in 2017.
Barring a total 0-16 meltdown, the only way for the Cleveland Browns to go is up after a 1-15 season.
Those predicting records of 7-9 or even 6-10 may be called too optimistic, but the team should have had several more wins a year ago, meaning an improved roster should mean an improved record.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently wrote an article detailing teams likely to improve and decline in 2017, and the Browns came in as one of the teams he expects to bounce back after a terrible year.
He points out the fact the team should have won several other games, along with the fact the roster was stripped of veteran talent as opposed to this year, when veterans have been brought in. Add in a great draft class, on paper, and the team should certainly pick up more than one measly win.
From the article:
"And while the Browns didn’t win until Week 15, they were competitive in other spots. They led the Ravens during the fourth quarter in September. They were a 46-yard field goal away from beating an eventual playoff team in Miami one week later. The Browns weren’t historically awful. They were just a run-of-the-mill terrible team. There’s a difference there, although it’s academic for last year’s team."
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Barnwell also explains how simple luck could make a difference this year. Just think back to Cody Parkey‘s missed kicks against Miami or the phantom fumble against Washington. Even a player landing awkwardly and getting injured is all part of the random chance that goes along with any game.
The Browns have not had much luck in the past two decades, but having more talent on the field should help increase the potential of less disasters this season.
Barnwell’s prediction of five wins is not something to get fans too excited, but a jump of four wins would be a major accomplishment for this rebuilding team.
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It would also prevent mass firings, which would likely cause some fans to swear off the team for good.