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Ravens win very good. Niners loss very bad. Which game is closer to the truth for the Browns?
The Ice Cube: Sadly, they are both the truth. This team can look as good as they did in the rout of Baltimore and as putrid as they did in that disaster on Monday night. I do think the mean is closer to the performance against the Ravens though. Keep in mind that the Browns had two new starting linebackers against the 49ers, and they got WORKED by Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. Plus, the 49ers got an interception at the goal line when fresh-off-suspension Antonio Callaway set the ball in the air like a volleyball player when the game was still 14-3. A TD there would have put the game on a different trajectory. Few other teams have a pass-rush as dominating as Nick Bosa and crew, too. Last week may have been an anomaly, hopefully, but it showed how the Browns are still capable of appearing Not Ready for Prime Time. The good news is that the schedule will get easier in the second half, but they still have to get through Seattle and New England first.
Big $- I believe the Baltimore game told us more about the Ravens and the AFC North, then it did about the Browns as a whole. The division is trash this year, which means that even if the Browns are closer to the team that travelled across the country for that whuppin’ last week, they may still have a chance to fly an AFC north banner in 2019.
Should fans be more concerned with the performance of Baker Mayfield or Freddie Kitchens?
The Ice Cube: Another great debate, but Freddie’s performance raises more concerns for me. Baker is still really young and is making some normal rookie-type mistakes. That is understandable. Freddie, though, still hasn’t reigned in the penalties and players often appear out of position or confused as to where to line up pre-snap. Part of that problem can be attributed to second-teamers filling in for injured starters, but the margin of error is very small and leadership needs to get this team running more smoothly.
Big $: Hello everybody, My name is Big $ and I am a Baker Mayfield apologist. Sophomore slumps are very common in a league in which film study and strategy are razor sharp. Adjustments come and go. Baker has still proven that he can put balls in spots reserved the elite signal callers in the NFL. That coupled with his tenacity will lead to him bouncing back. Freddie, on the other hand, is a different story. Its clear that opposing coaches are scheming circles around him and he appears lost. The most glaring concern I have arose when he threw OBJ back to return a punt late against SF. He had already pulled his starting QB, so I’m not real sure why exposing a top 3 team asset was even on the table at that point. Most grade school coaches would of steered clear of a stunt like that. As of now, I’m not sure Freddie finishes the season. His used car salesman bravado probably had more to do with his meteoric rise from RB coach on a Hue Jackson led 1-31 team to HC of a “perceived” Super Bowl contender. If things continue to head south, a mid season ouster may be necessary to send a message, specifically to Baker, who seems to see Freddie as more of a pal then authority figure. A coach with (winning) NFL experience (I’m looking at you Mike McCarthy) may right the ship.
What needs to go right this Sunday for the Browns to beat the Seahawks and is this a must win game?
The Ice Cube: The Seahawks D is not as good as it has been in recent years. It rates in the middle of the pack in terms of points and yards surrendered per game. But they are strong against the run. The Browns are going to have to move the ball through the air. One of Baker’s favorite targets, Hollywood Higgins, should be back on the field this week, which will help, but Baker has got to take what is available to him and stop trying to force the ball into tight coverage, or hold the ball too long when waiting for other options to open up. On defense, the Browns might get Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams back from injury, too, but there has to be better play from linebackers Mack Wilson and Adarius Taylor. The biggest disappoint this year had been the lack of production from Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon on the defensive line, who have combined for just 24 tackles and 1 sack. It is hard to believe they will turn things around against the extremely elusive Russell Wilson. But if the Browns can control the clock and keep the ball out of Wilson’s hands, the game should be at least fun to watch. Anything will be better than last week’s performance, which was like having a 4 hour dental appointment.