It seems like everyone-and I mean EVERYONE-has them pegged as a near lock to make the playoffs & even compete for the AFC crown.
And yes, looking at their roster, they got talent all over the place: Mayfield, Chubb, Hunt, a certain someone who used to play WR for the Giants, Landry, Njoku, Garrett, Richardson, Schobert, Ward, etc.
On paper, that's a damn good roster. But I see how this team unravels easily: a rookie HC + a team with a lot of guys who think they should be the number one option getting the rock. They lose a couple of games & the bitching begins publicly & it snowballs. And their schedule before their Week 7 bye isn't exactly a cupcake schedule: TN, @ NYJ, Rams, @ Ravens, @ SF, Seattle.
I have nothing against Cleveland & would like to see them do well if nothing else that I hate Pittsburgh & Big Ben, but I think people would be wise to, as Shurmur says, slow their roll when it comes to anointing them as the next big thing.
they haven't had a winning record in 12 years. I think they're a good bet to do it this year.
+1, I am too.
they weakened their OL which makes everything harder
expectations make everything harder
they lose Gregg Williams who is a very good DC and replaced him with Wilks who was a DC for only 1 year in Carolina
I think Mayfield is legit but he does have an arrogance that prob rubs people the wrong way (I don't think he handled the Duke Johnson thing right)
OBJ could be great or have nagging injuries or be great but also a distraction
#1-4 to me are the real areas of concern. #5 & #6 you obviously roll the dice on because those guys are so talented it's worth it. But it's hard for any 2 players to overcome bad to mediocre D, coaching, and OL play though (if those areas have the issues they could).
On the other hand, if Mayfield is the guy triggering the implosion, then things will get ugly fast, because the team will follow him down the drain.
But he's the #1 overall pick, he's the QB, he's the cocky leader. Let everyone else follow.
But if HE gets disgruntled, it's over.
Someone is going to be disgruntled and that is like tinder to firestorm for that team
Do I want them to lose every game they play? Absolutely yes. And that.has nothing to do with Beckham and everything to do with douchebag supreme Baker Mayfield.
A lot of personalities to satisfy, a lot of mouths to feed.
They'll be an interesting case study this year - they are talented enough to go a long way, but I really don't believe the synergistic team element is going to be there in the way it needs to be.
There's so much potential; I just can't see it really meshing. Too many cooks in the kitchen and too many guys who are going to be vying for the spotlight.
But, I could certainly see them implode.
Looking forward to watching.
It may not happen this year, but when it does I will have my popcorn ready
What is more likely is this team is a borderline playoff team that may struggle some in big games or even in the playoff because they may not have the team chemistry most championship teams need. I wouldn't label that imploding so much as a limitation that may hold them back.
Unless they are putting up Brady to Moss numbers Mayfield/Beckham will not work.
I predict that this team will implode at some point. I dont think the coach is strong enough to hold them together. They have Superbowl on the brain but not sure they know how a team functions. Plus their OL is not that great and that will affect the most volatile unit on the team.
Get your popcorn ready!
Unless they are putting up Brady to Moss numbers Mayfield/Beckham will not work.
I think it is more likely this team hits a rough patch and turns on itself than it has a really good season and wins the division.
Ok, I'll revise - the "hate" for Mayfield is now justified...arrogant DB.
I also have concerns about their OL. Bitonio is very good, but they clearly have not found a replacement for Zeitler.
The rest of that OL is mediocre at best, IMO (Greg Robinson?), and could hold the team back.
Just a terrific locker room developing over there in Cleveland.
The Browns are loaded; Baker Mayfield may be a twit but he is a very talented twit; and their defensive front line will cold cock a lot of offenses!
A few losses in a row, it'll be fun to watch.
I think they make the playoffs. I'll be rooting against them accordingly after all the drama.
And on their rookie coach IMO. They all love him now, since he’s letting them act out freely. Wait until they lose a couple close ones and OBJ feels he didn’t get enough targets
I think they make the playoffs. I'll be rooting against them accordingly after all the drama.
Yep! Yes!
i predict less wins than last year.