Christmas has arrived with the start of March Madness
March 19, 2015What I believe about the 2015 Cleveland Indians
March 19, 2015“Play like a Brown.” What does that mean? Is it simply the same catchphrase found in other NFL cities with interchangeable mascot names?
To play like a Brown would seem to imply a proud tradition, perhaps longstanding, of winning, of a certain style of play with a high level of professionalism, dedication and expectation. It implies there exists a team identity.
Most informed fans know that the Cleveland Browns football franchise has been flailing about for a long time, trying to field a consistently competitive, entertaining and, yes, winning team. So it’s understandable that the Browns’ assertion (through this slogan) that such a tradition exists may seem like the horse being placed before the cart. On the other hand, maybe the implied tradition refers way, way back to some earlier era when the Browns could legitimately claim to be “the greatest show in football.” But when would that have been? The Browns under Paul Brown in the 1950’s? The Browns of the mid 60’s that won Cleveland’s last major championship? The Kardiac Kids? The Bernie Kosar era? Many of these teams were very entertaining and competitive. But they each had their own unique identities.
Art Modell flew away with the Browns after the 1995 season, touched down in Baltimore and followed that with an extra point conversion that converted the “Browns” into the “Ravens.” From 1996-98, the Browns were a metaphysical team: Real as idea, but not materially real. The NFL expansion team that began in Cleveland in 1999 were Browns in name only. But in that year, the search for a new identity and tradition began.
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From 1996-98, the Browns were a metaphysical team: Real as idea, but not materially real. The NFL expansion team that began in Cleveland in 1999 were Browns in name only.
So along come Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine with the mission to reclaim a Browns tradition and, maybe, a new identity. Perhaps I’m just a little more alert now than I used to be, but I don’t recall a Browns front office/head coach combination being this specific about attempting to define a team identity. My recollection is it started with Mike Pettine’s early remarks about building a team starting with a rugged, dominant defense and a strong running game, implying, of course, a very good offensive line. We’ve heard this before, though, from previous regimes but looking back now, it all seemed so fickle and experimental. We’re gonna run a 3-4 defense, no, a 4-3, no wait, we’re going back to a 3-4. Each of these changes has required big roster changes and different coaches.
But is it different this go-around? Mike Pettine has been more specific but has the front office paid more than lip service to these goals? Part of that dominant defense, Pettine has made clear, is to have excellent cornerbacks who can stifle a receiver’s freedom to run loose and open in the secondary. CBs who would be so good that they wouldn’t require a lot of double teams and backup from safeties and linebackers who would therefore be more available to shut down the run game and harass the quarterback. One could argue (as I have) that the Browns would have had a greater chance of overall success in the 2014 draft by taking the best available player. But they did improve the defensive backfield through the draft and through free agent signings, and their stats against the pass show a marked improvement. This year Buster Skrine has been replaced by Tramon Williams and, in spite of the agitation over Skrine’s departure, Williams looks to be another upgrade.
In the 2012 draft the Browns traded their 4th, 5th and 7th-round picks to move up one slot to pick Trent Richardson with the third pick overall. So Pat Shurmer and Tom Heckert were definitely aiming to improve the running game. How are things different with Farmer and Pettine? For starters, they seem to have forsworn the practice of investing that much of their draft dollar in the running back position. Their offensive line actually does seem to be the priority. And with the addition of Joel Bitonio, the OL’s much improved performance in 2014, especially prior to Alex Mack’s injury, bears that out. This year, several of the draft prognosticators, probably seeing where the Browns are headed, are predicting another OL selection in the early to mid rounds of the 2015 draft.
Rugged, strong defense and a solid running game. These are two examples where, yes, the Browns do seem to be developing an identity, setting clear priorities and practicing what they preach. But my hunch is they are discovering that it’s a good idea to have an air force as well. But it’s still early. Will they be tempted to go off their rails when confronted by some exotic, novel approach? Well, maybe they already have. It may not be entirely fair to the Farmer/Pettine team, but haven’t we heard from several prior regimes (can’t recall who or when) about their ideal quarterback? Big, sturdy, able to stand up to a pass rush and throw through the strong winds off Lake Erie? You’d think that would make sense if the Browns are modeling themselves after teams in their own division (and just about every other successful franchise). But in Johnny Manziel, they drafted a quarterback who is not only the antithesis of that, but his style or skill set probably requires a different playbook than the one they’d use with a more typical QB. So, even if Manziel does work out temporarily, what if he goes down with an injury, say a pulled hamstring? Are you figuring his backup will be a QB with a similar skill set and a similar playbook? Probably not because it’s a pretty rare set of skills. What do you do then? Bring out the other playbook for your other QB? So much for the next-man-up system.
Predictably, it’s the position of quarterback that so often sends a team off on an expensive tangent. One of the least cryptic remarks from any of Ray Farmer’s public statements came in his end-of-year press conference on December 30, 2014, when he said, “… I know I’m old school in certain respects and I came through with coaches like Dan Reeves and Ray Rhodes and other guys that coached back in the 80’s and 90’s. One of the things that I was told when I was a young player in this league is that your best ability may be your availability …”
Your best ability may be your availability. I like that. You have to show up. You can have all the talent or glamor in the world but you gotta be there. Surely that was no small factor in the Browns’ signing of Tramon Williams. His durability and consistency have been remarkable in contrast to someone like Johnny Manziel, whose absenteeism and tardiness were as much a part of his college legend as was his ability to throw across his body on the run with accuracy.
But if the Browns have already decided to go in another direction, for the quarterback who is able to stand tall and strong in the pocket and actually have him available most of the time, then why did they offer a first round pick for Sam Bradford? I know, he’s a mature professional who will show up. But show up where? In the huddle or at the clinic? The 19th overall pick? I’m glad we still have it.
It could very well be that Josh McCown ends up being the least risky temporary solution. And what’s more, the Browns didn’t have to give up anything to get him. Regarding his athleticism, in his early years in the NFL McCown actually played slot receiver on occasion. And having seen some of his play in the last few years, i.e., his ability to move about in the pocket to extend a play or to take off and run, even at 35/36 he appears more agile and athletic than post-knee surgery Brian Hoyer. As for his upside, after 2014 Mike Pettine is probably not too concerned right now with the year 2018. I think he’d just like a guy who can show up for 16 games in 2015. Will he “play like a Brown?”
I don’t know. I’m not sure what that means yet.
12 Comments
Sorry, no good reason (silly season?). This just cracked me up and i wanted to share. GO BROWNS!
http://www.krakend.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Draw-On-GIFs-Should-Be-More-Of-A-Thing-7.gif
I agree that Pettine/Farmer seem to have a specific identity that they are moving the team towards. That is a good thing. I think Butch Davis was the last coach/FO to do so directly for the Browns (depending on what you think about Mangini’s time deconstructing the team and if he would have been able to construct it from there).
You took the box? Let’s see what’s in the box!
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I thought “Play Like A Brown”(tm) started with Mangini and was picked up by Holmgren and then Banbardi?
Awww it’s Faith!
Go read the post-draft interviews with Kirksey, West, Desir, Bitonio, and guys like Whitner and Dansby. I know Gilbert and Manziel sullied the perception of last years new players but overall they are looking for guys to leave it on the field.
great article Richard …
Go get him for the halftime show, Scheiner!
Well, I’m back to being my usual crotchety old self….
“Play Like a Brown” is a meaningless phrase, one that conveys no more information than “Play Like a Jaguar” or “Play Like a Titan”. Successful teams can define what their philosophy is. Thus, back when the Raiders were good, it was “Just Win, Baby” and not “It Would Sure Be Swell If You Could Be the Best Darn Raider You Can Be Today”. Because the Raiders knew they were about finding any way to win that they could and they lived by that on the field and in the front office.
If the Browns have any philosophy at all, it is that they expect the players to prioritize success in a way that management never seems to have to. When you draft a QB based on anticipated jersey sales rather than ability on the field, when you repeatedly trade down out of elite draft position to gain picks in future drafts, when you let your free agents go to gather compensatory picks in the next year’s draft, that’s not a philosophy of needing to win today above everything else, and if the players play with the same priorities as the management manages, we shouldn’t be surprised by the outcome.
I wonder what I can be earnin?
I hope when Mike Pettine encourages his team to “play like a
Brown” he is using the examples of Jim, Otto, Bernie, et al, and not some of
our more infamous alumni (Touchdown Tommy and Mad Dog Meatmarket Mike). And
while I am optimistic that Pettine will be a long-term success I also hope
that he will “coach (and draft) like a
Brown,” namely Paul. In any case, for those of us who carry a Medicare
card in our wallet we can remember when the franchise actually was held in
high esteem.
Now I am almost resigned to the fact that I may never see them win a Super
Bowl. But I try not to be too disheartened. I believe if you left northeast
Ohio and did a random “man on the street” poll you would find a
significant percentage who believe we have already won the Super
Bowl.
For example:
“Excuse me sir, do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?”
“Only a minute.”
“Thanks. Do you consider yourself a sports fan?”
“Average, I would say.”
“A football fan?”
“Yes, definitely football.”
“Do you remember the year of the first Super Bowl?”
“Sixty-seven, I believe.”
“Good, now since 1967 how many Super Bowls have been won by the Cleveland
Browns, two, three, or five?”
“Two, no, no, no, no, wait. Three, definitely three. But they haven’t
won any in quite a few years.”
“Right. Now for a little more detailed question. Do you remember in
Super Bowl IV, the Browns were down 21-17 with less than a minute to go.
It was 4th and goal from the seven. Ryan pitched out to his
fullback who broke three tackles on his way to the end zone giving the Browns
a 24-21 victory over the Lions. Do you remember that play and the
name of the fullback?”
“Of course I remember. One of the greatest runs in Super Bowl history. Jim
Brown. As a matter of fact I was at that game.”
“Thank you for your time. You are both a scholar and a gentleman.”
That’s my idea of fantasy football. I am in the process of hiring a 12 year
old from Mumbai to hack into every sports website in the country and post
Browns Super Bowl victories for 1969, 1974, and 1982.
He charges 74 cents per hour and expects it to take him a day and a half.
I hope Farmer picks him in the 3rd round.
I like.
1. Smashmouth football!
2. Play like Jim Brown!
or my personal favorite,
3. Don’t draft any first round quarter backs or corner backs you moron!!!!