Cleveland Browns Instant Reactions: Head scratching ways continue in loss to Steelers

Quick Hits

The Browns cannot find a good kicker to save their life. The Browns kicking game is downright atrocious. Greg Joseph made his first two field goals in the game. He then promptly forgot how to kick and missed the next two. The missed extra point looked like it may have been blocked. If not, Joseph hit an awful kick. There should be an open competition for kicking again. Maybe bring back a healthy Zane Gonzalez.

Brien Boddy-Calhoun looks like the reincarnation of former Browns cornerback Buster Skrine. He is undersized and resorts to holding as soon as he gets in trouble.

Due to the Browns inept second half offense. The defense was on the field way too long. They were clearly worn down. As a result, the Browns promptly forgot how to cover running backs out of the backfield. The defense is trying but is clearly overworked due to the offense’s lack of ability to get a first down.

The Browns offensive tackle situation is deplorable. There is only so much Baker Mayfield can do to overcome the play of Desmond Harrison and Chris Hubbard. Both were abused by Steelers linebackers all game. Baker did little to help himself. He did not mix up the snap counts or use hard counts to help his struggling linemen.

On a bright note, Harrison has shown he can tackle. He spent most of the game tackling defenders to prevent sacks. Maybe the Browns could move him to defensive tackle to salvage his career.

In the end, it was the same old story. The Browns offense was inept. The defense was on the field too long. Maybe the coaching staff could do something to change up this worn out game narrative.

Hue could just blame Todd Haley. Why not? Hue blamed Ray Horton for not being aggressive enough after his first year. He blamed Sashi Brown for not giving him talent after year two. Now he is blaming Todd Haley for his failures in year three. And people still defend this guy.

Eventually, he will run out of people to blame. In the meantime, Browns fans continue to suffer through a serious string of in-fighting, lack of game management and outright stupidity. These are the times that try Browns fans souls.