The Christmas season is one that often is associated with cheer and joy. As a Browns fan, there is not a whole lot about this team that will fill you with joy.
As of December 20th, the Browns are in the midst of a 15-game regular season losing streak. Christmas Eve will mark a full calendar year since the last Browns victory. So in the spirit of the holidays and Browns football, let us celebrate 12 things wrong with the Browns.
1. The quarterback
It just can't just be easy for the Browns. After drafting a 20-year-old DeShone Kizer, a known quarterback project, there was no other option but to become a starting quarterback immediately. Now, after this season, the Browns will likely try and move on from Kizer in one way or another.
2. The play calling
With head coach Hue Jackson acting as the de facto offensive coordinator, his play calls over the last two seasons have often been questionable.
3. The run schemes
Arguably more improved over the past few weeks, it's amazing how long it took to realize Isaiah Crowell works best in a Power Run Scheme as opposed to a Zone Scheme.
4. The safeties
Currently, the Browns have two serviceable strong safeties. The problem with that being, Jabril Peppers is not playing strong safety but is instead starting at free safety. If the Browns were to draft Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James, that should fix it.
5. The defense
Although a huge step has been taken in defending the run, it is still a passing league. The Browns have a weakness between their safeties and linebackers when it comes to the passing game. The obvious fix to this would be moving the safeties forward as they are playing absurdly deep. Gregg Williams claims that this is an effort to stop the deep ball, but you'd think an adjustment would have been made by now.
6. The playmakers
Not to say the Browns are lacking in playmakers on offense. There seems to be plenty of them. The problem is that they often seem to disappear from our offense. Whether missed throws, dropped passes, or no play calls in their direction, why can't we use our best players to make plays?
7. The general manager
I don't have any real issue with John Dorsey. My problem is that Sashi Brown wasn't given the three years he was promised. I hate that this wasn't the case. The Browns currently have a front office built around Sashi Brown, without Sashi Brown being in charge. Dorsey likely won't even be given the ability to hire his own coaches. If the group Haslam put together gels, it would be nothing short of a Christmas Miracle.
8. The injuries
Every NFL team has to play through injuries, but isn't it already hard enough for the Browns? Starting linebacker, starting defensive end, and starting left tackle. All are lost for the season. Those are just the ones I came up with in a few seconds. There are plenty more.
9. The fans
I truly hope the fans don't have as much control as they seem to. However, the group that was calling for Sashi Brown is at least partially responsible for the turmoil that Browns upper management appears to be.
10. Trump
This isn't actually a problem with the Browns themselves. But Trump called for Americans to stop watching the NFL because of the players protesting during the National Anthem, many of his supporters have used attendance at the Browns stadium as evidence of the strength of these protesting protestors. Except the Browns haven't done any sort of anthem demonstration since September and they haven't won a game since last year. Hmmm...
11. The uniforms
Plenty of fans don't like the new uniforms anyway. Why can't the Browns at least wear orange every once in awhile? Might make losing slightly more interesting if it isn't done in white every week.
12. The owner
Realistically and without question, everything on this list is Jimmy Haslam's fault. He is the owner and has been almost solely responsible for each hire and fire since he purchased the team. We couldn't have gotten here without your help Jim. Cheers bro, and Merry friggin' Christmas.