Week 2 reflection: Is Tyrod the chicken or the egg?

Looking back on the Cleveland Browns 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints presents more questions than answers. And no question will start to get bigger than is it time for Baker? But I think the Browns have another question to ask first?

Who are the Cleveland Browns? That was my question last week. This game left me with no answer so I’m asking a different question.

Yes, Tyrod Taylor did not cost us the game.

Yes, Zane Gonzalez had a horrible game.

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But, I can’t help wonder what offense am I watching? If the Cleveland Browns are “not ready for Baker”, then it would seem that they would run plays that accent what Tyrod does best. In the limited time Tyrod Taylor appeared in the preseason, the Browns ran a lot of up-tempo offense. Maybe that was just practice, but it was working.

However, now that the games count, the offense looks (at times) predictable, and (at times) slow. Conservative. Like they are playing not to lose.

Which is never a recipe for winning.

But then there are moments where the Browns look exciting. Assertive.

So the question I have is … is Tyrod holding back the offense or are the play calls holding back Tyrod?

I hate asking this question. I’m the last one that wants to stir the pot. But the question needs to be answered because the Cleveland Browns have a defense that looks playoff-caliber.

If the Browns are concerned about opening up the offense because they don’t want to expose Tyrod, then the decision for Baker has already been made. So make it. But if the Browns still believe that it’s not time for Baker, then let’s go all in on with what Taylor does best. Right now, it looks like the offense is making up its identity as it goes along.

I thought the offensive line played better in this game. I liked the commitment to the run because it slowed down the pass rush. But I just don’t know what the Browns are trying to be offensively.

Maybe it’s as simple as Todd Haley said in his press conference this week and it’s just a question of timing that has to develop. Maybe with the Josh Gordon saga officially behind the team, the offense can move forward. All I know is that the Browns just lost a game that not many fans thought was winnable. Which makes it hurt more, not less. And yes, missed kicks had a lot to do with that. But trading touchdowns for field goal attempts is a recipe for losing. Or tying.

A short week calls for a short memory. But the Browns need to remember what kind of offense they seemed to want to be.