cabezadecaballo
Well-known member
Okay, say whatever you want, from hopping on "the Freddie Excuse Train" to "they still lost to two 3rd string QBs", but the Browns' schedule has been brutal. Compare the Browns' schedule to-date to the NFL's week 14 Power Rankings.
They will play the #1 a second time (after having beaten them once).
They have four games total against the top 3 teams.
They play 4 of the top 5 teams in 5 total games, and they played 4 of those games consecutively as part of a 2-6 start.
They play 9 games against 8 of the top 13 teams in the league.
They play 5 games against playoff teams from last year, including both Super Bowl teams.
They will play 9 games against 7 of the top 9 defenses, with an O-line that will likely have 3 of 5 new starters next year. (At least it should)
There has been some mystifying play-calling. Way too much for me to permit them to stand pat. There is a crushing lack of discipline on many levels. Way too much if the penalties continue. Now, most recently, a team that they whomped the hell out of 17 days earlier spots them a 10-0 lead after a quarter and a half, and then suddenly flips the script and pounds them. With a third string QB. Another bad loss.
That early schedule is still brutal. If they play near-perfect football the rest of the way, and only lose respectably to the Ravens in winning 3 of their last 4, I can't be surprised seeing Freddie return.
The lack of a real NFL QB coach this year has been and continues to be a seldom-mentioned but very-real-to-me problem. On injured reserve, is Stanton even in the room day-to-day ? Is there a QB coach hire that can become OC if Freddie is run out mid-season and Monken is elevated ? Is Todd Monken as HC something we really even want ? Wilks elevated, since it is pretty clear that the "pass-happy NFL" trend is fading fast ? The teams that win, year in and year out, are those that recognize changing defensive personnel/draft trends and tweak offense accordingly. The running game is back among the winners because they change gears after recognizing these teams can't defend it well. Is a defensive head coach OK if he checks the other boxes now ?
I can EASILY see the same undisciplined BS, stupid play-calling, and surprise losses creating the desire to fire Freddie mid-season if he returns. IF THAT happens, I don't see the guy I want stepping in to replace him employed on this current staff. So, is it another full season of Freddie if he returns ? The media will begin the drumbeat by at least game 4 next year if there is any disappointment in the fan base. Will replacing Monken or Wilks with a credible HC candidate ensure the call to fire Freddie mid-season ? The potential HC and/or DC/OC lists put the team on different paths. Do these facts and questions demand a complete reboot after the final game, regardless of how Freddie's Browns finish the season ?
I think Dorsey kind of put himself in a tough spot here, but I guess that depends upon the cut-off point for his decisions and Haslam's.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Ravens supplant 49ers at No. 1
The 49ers' four-week reign in the No. 1 spot is over. Who claims the throne? And how far do the Patriots fall? Dan Hanzus updates his Power Rankings in the wake of Week 13.
www.nfl.com
They will play the #1 a second time (after having beaten them once).
They have four games total against the top 3 teams.
They play 4 of the top 5 teams in 5 total games, and they played 4 of those games consecutively as part of a 2-6 start.
They play 9 games against 8 of the top 13 teams in the league.
They play 5 games against playoff teams from last year, including both Super Bowl teams.
NFL Football - Defensive Rankings & Statistics - January, 2024 | Odds Shark
NFL Football - Defensive Rankings January, 2024 & Statistics for Every Team Sortable By Category.
www.oddsshark.com
They will play 9 games against 7 of the top 9 defenses, with an O-line that will likely have 3 of 5 new starters next year. (At least it should)
There has been some mystifying play-calling. Way too much for me to permit them to stand pat. There is a crushing lack of discipline on many levels. Way too much if the penalties continue. Now, most recently, a team that they whomped the hell out of 17 days earlier spots them a 10-0 lead after a quarter and a half, and then suddenly flips the script and pounds them. With a third string QB. Another bad loss.
That early schedule is still brutal. If they play near-perfect football the rest of the way, and only lose respectably to the Ravens in winning 3 of their last 4, I can't be surprised seeing Freddie return.
The lack of a real NFL QB coach this year has been and continues to be a seldom-mentioned but very-real-to-me problem. On injured reserve, is Stanton even in the room day-to-day ? Is there a QB coach hire that can become OC if Freddie is run out mid-season and Monken is elevated ? Is Todd Monken as HC something we really even want ? Wilks elevated, since it is pretty clear that the "pass-happy NFL" trend is fading fast ? The teams that win, year in and year out, are those that recognize changing defensive personnel/draft trends and tweak offense accordingly. The running game is back among the winners because they change gears after recognizing these teams can't defend it well. Is a defensive head coach OK if he checks the other boxes now ?
I can EASILY see the same undisciplined BS, stupid play-calling, and surprise losses creating the desire to fire Freddie mid-season if he returns. IF THAT happens, I don't see the guy I want stepping in to replace him employed on this current staff. So, is it another full season of Freddie if he returns ? The media will begin the drumbeat by at least game 4 next year if there is any disappointment in the fan base. Will replacing Monken or Wilks with a credible HC candidate ensure the call to fire Freddie mid-season ? The potential HC and/or DC/OC lists put the team on different paths. Do these facts and questions demand a complete reboot after the final game, regardless of how Freddie's Browns finish the season ?
I think Dorsey kind of put himself in a tough spot here, but I guess that depends upon the cut-off point for his decisions and Haslam's.