It has been a disappointing season up to this point for the Cleveland Browns. The team is 0-12 this season and it appears that they will be lucky to get one win at this point. The season seemed to be so promising with the arrival of head coach Hugh Jackson and a new front office that appeared ready to build a football team that would compete and be very successful. Owner Jimmy Haslam made it clear that the Browns would not be the best this season. I don't think the fans realized we would be 0-12 bad. There are various reasons as to why this is happening. We shipped off much of our veteran guys. There is not is much leadership in that locker room as there once was. Most of our offensive line is gone. That effects our run game and has often led to every quarterback getting killed at one point or another. Without the same quarterback on the field every game, it has led to inconsistencies on offense. Instead of identifying the problems, I want to talk about solutions. I want to share what I think the Cleveland Browns need to do in order to get a winning team out on the field.
Draft Better
It is simple, the Browns need to draft better players in the NFL Draft. They stockpile picks and then select some head scratchers. They often elect not to take the sure thing in hopes of finding the diamond in the rough. I was listening to ESPN Cleveland last week and they mentioned that in the 2012 draft, the Browns had 11 picks. To this day, none of them are on the roster anymore. You cannot have that in the NFL if you want to be a successful team. You need to bring in players that can come in and make a difference. Sure, some players need a bit more coaching than others. Thats why you have a coach to develop them. The Browns have a history of drafting busts. In order to reverse that trend, they need front office people that can successfully evaluate players and pick the best players they possibly can.
Offensive Line
The Browns need a better offensive line. Besides Pro Bowler Joe Thomas, Cleveland does not have anyone capable of blocking well. Top 2015 draft pick Cam Erving, has been a nightmare to watch at center. They do not create a run game, resulting in the quarterback having to throw a lot throughout the course of a game. It also leads to quarterbacks getting killed. RG III has been hurt all season, Josh McCown missed some time, and Cody Kessler has had two concussions in one season. It is unacceptable to have that many quarterbacks play in one season. It all starts with the offensive line. They need to create a run game and they have to protect their quarterback. That alone would probably get them a win or two.
Spend some money
The Browns owner Jimmy Haslam needs to open the checkbook more. You can build a team through the draft, but the most successful teams have that blend of youth and veterans. With many veteran players being cut or traded for more draft picks, I am led to believe that Mr. Haslam needs to go out there and bring in some productive and high level veteran players. I think if that happens the team could easily win 8-10 games next season.
Quarterback Consistency
We need to have some consistency at quarterback. The one thing about the Browns if a quarterback struggles, you can bet your arm or leg the Browns have a new starting quarterback the next week. With no legit high profile quarterback entering the draft this year, I predict the Browns stay with RGIII. If the line protects him and management puts a fully capable team around him, I have no doubt in my mind the Robert Griffin the third could be the Browns longterm answer.
This offseason is critical for the Cleveland Browns. Regardless of what happens the rest of the season. They need to put a good team on the field next year. Fans have about had enough and many people will always see Cleveland as a Browns city. With the Indians and Cavs both being championship caliber teams, it is definitely hard to support the browns organization. I pray that the Browns organization steps it up because Cleveland deserves a winning football team. It has been way too long.
