Martes, Pebrero 28, 2023

[Weiss] Jayson Tatum on working the refs before the ejection: "I told him this is the best officiated game I’ve been a part of. Tried to give him a compliment."

https://twitter.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/1630415452437377026?s=20

[Charania] Hornets All-Star LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season with his fractured right ankle, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ball has had multiple left ankle sprains this season before suffering the right ankle fracture on Monday night.

http://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1630612493721649157

[Valkenburg] The Washington Commanders three minority owners allege Dan Snyder committed bank fraud in securing a $55 million loan without board approval, the NFL made it go away, and now a federal grand jury is looking into it, according this bombshell by @DVNJr

https://twitter.com/KVanValkenburg/status/1630550211725520896?s=09

[Adam Schefter] Giants are releasing WR Kenny Golladay on the first day of the league year, March 15, per source. By waiting until March 15, they will save $6.7 million against their salary cap.

https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1630592589320667139?s=46&t=NjJfrTc28L1J1qxdVh6nGA

[NBACentral] Damian Lillard says the ‘grass isn’t always greener’ when you leave a franchise: “You look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he's leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C..."

Damian Lillard says the ‘grass isn’t always greener’ when you leave a franchise

“You look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he's leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C., then you get traded from D.C. to the Lakers, now you're on your fourth team in four years and in your second year on the team, everybody is talking about how they should trade you. Now you're coming off the bench. This dude is a Hall of Famer, an MVP. It's an example that the grass isn't always greener.” (Via ESPN)

Tweet: https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1630561930329858049

[Falcons] We have released Marcus Mariota

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1630583106619994112?t=c8DarF0yfc5QJRql53qVVw&s=19

Lunes, Pebrero 27, 2023

Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index

Game Threads Index (February 27, 2023):

Tip-off	Away	Score	Home
07:00 pm ET	Detroit Pistons	PRE-GAME	Charlotte Hornets
07:00 pm ET	Miami Heat	PRE-GAME	Philadelphia 76ers
07:30 pm ET	Boston Celtics	PRE-GAME	New York Knicks
08:00 pm ET	Orlando Magic	PRE-GAME	New Orleans Pelicans

[Highlight] Troy Polamalu pick 6 seals Steelers trip to Super Bowl XLIII.

https://ift.tt/3qtubIJ

[Bontemps] Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry has reached an agreement to sell his portion of the Bucks to Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam for a $3.5 billion valuation, sources told ESPN.

https://twitter.com/timbontemps/status/1630198485269053442?s=46&t=4G2lVfWZ6t8ZmMS9ZwxFRg

[Fowler] Quote from NFL coach that speaks to Chicago potentially keeping Fields: 'He kept (the Bears) in games they had no business being in.' Showed he can overcome deficiencies around him.

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1630224920994107394

Nikola Jokic shows out vs the Clippers: 40 points 17 rebounds 10 assists on 14-21 from the field along with 3 steals in 41 minutes

Ridiculous, they had and have no answer for Jokic, a tradition since 2020. He was everywhere offensively and just abused the paint defense the Clippers had. He also had a very funny flop in the final play of the regulation.

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469073

2023 32 Teams/32 Days: New England Patriots

Link to 32/32 Hub

32 Teams 32 Days 2022-23 NFL Season

Team: New England Patriots
Record: 8-9, Third in AFC East
Playoffs: No, eliminated Week 18

Greetings one and all, and welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days: 2022 Season Review for the New England Patriots. This year was a wild one with crazy coaching, bizarre endings, and plot twists you would not believe. This year's Star Wars comparison is The Last Jedi: A plotline with no connections to the previous season, a record going nowhere, and hopefully for the Patriots, character drama ignored next season. Also for the Patriots, the only comparison to Rise of Skywalker I want to make next year is "Somehow, Palpatine returned". Everything in that movie sucked.

Back on track; My name is Bluethingamajig, and I am back again leading the charge for 32/32 Patriots for the second straight year, and fifth year overall. This year, I am joined by u/ecupatsfan12 and u/SpaceGhost1992. Thank you greatly for your contributions and assistance to this project. And as always, I would like to thank 10hmacarena for the opportunity to write.

This Patriots season was a mix of ups and downs. Compared to last year, there was a lack of extremes. Last year saw wins with 50-burgers but also losses without ever forcing a punt. This year did not have the blowout wins, but also the Patriots did not shit the bed against Buffalo. Arguably. So long as we exclude the kickoff returns.

Without any further ado, let us begin. This document sprawled out to 15,000 words. I hope you enjoy it.

An Abridged Story

Patriots fans began the year with a mix of optimism and pessimism. Last year, I predicted 9+ wins, noting "it will be a challenge for the Patriots to make it back to 10 wins and beyond". Although I believed in the talent of the players and coaching of BB, it was abundantly clear that the offense would likely be worse having lost the last of offensive coaches. In a far too brief summary, the offense changed coaches but not players while the defense changed players but not coaches.

The defense made drastic changes in classic Belichick style. Fans, pundits, and Personnel Director Groh all noted the lack of speed in linebackers and thin secondary. So Bill picked up a handful of quicker linebacker/box safety types that never quite fit in with their original teams, and drafted a pair of CBs. Ultimately, the Patriots began the regular season with massive question marks on the offense and an exciting, rejuvenated defense.

This resulted in an uncomfortable season. In the beginning, the offense lacked precision and consistency. The defense, while performing well, could not single-handedly win every game. The Patriots stumbled to a 1-2 start and Mac got injured. After a third loss, things would get better for the middle. Enter Bailey Zappe. He zapped all over the Browns and Lions. Mac returned and after a loss to the Bears, the Patriots won three more in a row. At 6-4, this was the most optimistic Patriots fans would be.

Still, the limits of the team were apparent. We were in the same conversation as teams like the Broncos, Jets, and Steelers: Strong defense and weak offense. The Patriots went 2-4 down the stretch. Three close losses featured the Patriots shooting themselves in the foot.

Going into Week 18 at 8-8, the Patriots had to win in Buffalo to make the playoffs. Technically, the Pats could lose so long as the Browns and Jets both won. However, I want you to slap yourself thrice if you thought for a single second to rely on both the Browns and Jets to win a game. The Bills had the power of friendship, scriptwriters, and the better team on their side. The Browns and Jets both lost their games, because of course they did, and the Patriots missed the playoffs.

Three Quick Questions

Did the Patriots play like an 8-9 team?

The 8-9 record accurately represents how good the team was. The "true" performance of the Patriots team was about 8.5 wins. The Patriots went 5-4 in one-score games and had a slightly positive point differential. Record in one-score games is fundamentally a measure of a team's luck and trends to .500, and most importantly does not have any predictive ability for the next year. A team with a good or bad one-score game record is by far the easiest team to pick for regression (i.e. Vikings, Broncos). The 5-4 one-score game record suggests the Pats were .5 games lucky and combines with the slightly positive points differential suggesting the Pats should be 9-8. The Patriots earned their record as is.

What the hell happened with the coaches?

All the coaches left for other teams. I'll borrow this quote from The Athletic:

Over a span of 14 months starting at the conclusion of the 2020 season, Belichick lost his offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach, wide receivers coach and offensive line coach, as well as trusted assistant Ernie Adams...including departures of Nick Caserio and Dave Ziegler, Belichick lost more than 150 years of experience working with him

This quote excludes the coaches that went with Flores to Miami a few years earlier. There is a profound dearth of coaching talent remaining on the offensive side, and even the defensive side felt bare. Recall that Steve Belichick as defensive play caller is not nepotism, he is the most experienced defensive coach on the team.

The offense coaching is Nick Caley and Troy Brown. I like Troy as a person and player, but he has yet to show any meaningful coaching chops. And Nick Caley, despite receiving multiple OC interviews, was deemed not ready by BB. Most importantly, Belichick’s first pick for OC (Bill O’Brien) was still under contract in Alabama. Essentially, this year was BB knowing the coaching roles were stopgaps yet hoping it might turn out okay.

So why Patricia? Well, he was available.

Launch Matt Patricia into the sun

Not a question. Nevertheless, Belichick clearly was not willing to hire outside the organization before grabbing Bill O’Brien for 2023. As a result, there was Caley, Patricia, or Judge to be offensive play caller. Neither Caley nor Judge rose to the occasion. Knowing that Patricia would not last beyond the season, the offense would have a clean slate to bring in a proper OC this offseason. Patricia was set up for failure, even if he did himself no favors.

Let's not pretend Patricia was the sole fault with the offense. Matt Patricia isn't the one who committed 104 penalties. Matt Patricia isn't the one who gave up on routes. The Patriots offense was not the worst, nor second worst, nor even bottom ten in many statistical categories. Strictly as a play caller, he was okay. It's trendy to blame Patricia. I understand that it is a time-honored tradition and responsibility for fans to overreact. But please try not to confuse r/nfl shitposting with reality.

Cheers and Jeers

Some quick callouts for those who deserve your attention going forwards, for good or ill.

Three cheers for...
Marcus, Jack, and Jonathan Jones, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Michael Onwenu.

These guys are, in my opinion, the best performers on the team. The Jones CBs quickly built themselves as a new elite corps of defenders, and Marcus Jones showed up in offense and special teams as well. Former 5th round pick Ja'Whaun Bentley is playing himself into a shiny third contract. He has a leadership attitude and puts in the work. Last year, he improved to ‘pretty good LB’, and this year improved again to very good LB. At one point, he was top-10 on PFF’s LB rankings.

You might recall Rhamondre for two bad plays in the back half of the year. That discredits how he was carrying the offense all year long. The way he can fight through tackles, sneak through gaps, and block linebackers when on protection duty makes him one of the best RBs in the league. And finally, Michael Onwenu is an elite OL at multiple positions.

Three jeers for...
Isaiah Wynn, Cameron Achord, Jonnu Smith, and Matt Patricia.

Wynn is a career left tackle and is good when healthy. This year, he chose not to attend voluntary offseason workouts so he got shunted to right tackle based on availability, where he was bad. And then got injured. Again. In his 4-year career, he has missed 24 games to injury. Achord is the Patriots Special Teams coordinator. The Patriots had the 32nd ranked special teams by DVOA this year. Sure, Bailey was injured, but giving up two kickoff TDs in a win-and-in game against the Bills is inexcusable on part of players and coaches. I pray that Joe Judge will reclaim the coordinator role for 2023. Jonnu has made zero impact in games over two years; hopefully BOB will finally get him involved.

And of course, Matt Patricia. Yes, I defended Patricia above, but I do not actually think he was a good offensive coach. He is a bad OC and was a terrible HC for the Lions. Just because there are mitigating factors or that some other teams had it worse does not justify how bad the Patriots offense was.

Team Highlights and Lowlights

The NFL is an entertainment product. Here are the highlights we, the writers, loved watching, as well as the lowlights we would prefer not to see ever again.

Highlights

Bluethingamajig: In a week 11 offensive performance that impressed nobody, the Patriots and Jets slugged it out to a 3-3 draw with 26 seconds left. The Jets punted.

Ecupatsfan12: Beating the Browns and Lions, and being competitive with the Vikings and Bills.

Spaceghost1992: Lions game. With a less than stellar start to the season. It was good seeing a goose-egg on the opposing team’s scoreboard. Sweeping the Jets is a close second.

Lowlights

Bluethingamajig: The Cincinnati game. This game perfectly represented the 2022 Patriots season: A bad start against good teams, a strong middle powered by good defense, and when on the cusp of victory, fumbling it all away. In an alternate universe, the Patriots were “on to Cincinnati” and won.

Ecupatsfan12: Jakobi Meyers lateral and the whole Matt Patricia/Joe Judge debacle.

Spaceghost1992: Week 12, Vikings, Hunter Henry call in the middle of the third quarter. One bad play call doesn't decide the outcome, but this match felt winnable.

Mac Jones showed some flashes of brilliance after a rough start to the season and the defense played well. Sure, the Vikings received a lot of criticism throughout the year--the validity of which isn’t for me to say--but they were still one of the top teams in the league. A win here on the road would have been a strong morale boost and possibly what we needed to squeak into a wildcard appearance.

2022 Roster Changes (Draft and Free Agency)

Written by ecupatsfan12

2022 NFL Draft Recap

Round 1 Pick 29- Cole Strange- Guard- UT Chattanooga- This pick shocked me and the football world out of our collective minds. I had Cole going to Tampa Bay in the top of the third round. It wouldn’t have surprised me if we took him at the end of the 2nd round but in fact we drafted him at the end of the first. Cole went through the typical rookie growing pains in the NFL with some very high highs and some low lows. He earned a PFF grade of 55 in his first year in New England- Grade B+

Round 2 Pick 18- Tyquan Thornton-WR-Baylor- TQ was mocked to us in the fourth round and I agreed with the pick and projection so I was less hurt that he went to us mid second round. Tyquan had a similar grade to Cole but it comes with a caveat of our offensive woes and him missing half the season with a broken collarbone. Tyquan flashed outstanding speed and I feel very confident in his ability to produce with the ball in his hands. With refinement in his routes and hands- I look for Tyquan to double his stats and produce a solid 2023 season. Grade- B.

Round 3- pick 21- Marcus Jones- Corner- Houston- My personal favorite pick- I saw him as a potential slot corner and was instantly hooked on him with the ball in his hands. He was a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and I felt that he could play outside corner, inside corner or either safety. He caused me to feel a way inside I haven’t felt since watching Deebo Samuel tape. Needless to say I was ecstatic we picked him. He did not disappoint- making his impact felt on all 3 sides of the ball. He tallied two picks on the year with 34 solo tackles- ran a punt back for a walk off win at the Jets- overshadowed by the career altering answer of “No” by Zach Wilson- and even caught a TD against the Bills. I could go on but you get the point here. Grade A+

Round 4 Pick 16- Jack Jones- Corner- ASU A physical man corner-who was slated to fill JC Jackson's role. Jack burst onto the scene intercepting a wayward pass from Mr Ayuascha himself for a TD against the Pack. Jack got another pick on the year and tallied 25 solo tackles. However- he came to us with character concerns from college and spent the last few weeks of the year suspended with his play time fluctuating to sparse snaps against Arizona. The skill set is apparent here- but Mr Jones’ attitude must improve moving forward- Grade C

Round 4 Pick 22- RB Pierre Strong SDSU I was pleasantly surprised that we picked Pierre- I had him going to San Francisco where I thought he would feast. Pierre primarily played on special teams but got ten carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Most running backs besides Rhamondre don’t typically play their first year here- so I will hold off on a grade until next year.

Round 4 Pick 32- Bailey Zappe QB-WKU- After obliterating Joe Burrow’s passing records in a stellar 2021 campaign for the Hilltoppers Bailey was my top choice to be Mac’s backup this year. Bailey played up to snuff- throwing for 781 yards with 5 TD against 3 picks. I won't rehash the biopic in roster updates- but I am very happy with Bailey and expect him to have a long and fruitful career with the best job in America- back up QB. Grade A-

Round 6 Pick 4- Kevin Harris RB- USC As previously mentioned, Mr Harris primarily redshirted with his draft classmate Pierre Strong. Kevin rushed for 52 yards on eighteen touches with a singular touch down. As previously mentioned- Mr Harris needs to work on his speed and his hands out of the backfield and he figures to be the spell for Rhamondre’s power in 2023- but his draft grade remains incomplete

Round 6 Sam Roberts DT- NW Missouri State A D2 All American-we figured this was Bill’s small school guy on the defensive line. Roberts made the team which is a huge accomplishment for a rookie but received minimal playing time. As previously mentioned- he looks to receive a MUCH bigger role in 2023 moving forward- Grade incomplete

The Patriots selected Chasen Hines and Andrew Stuebner with their last two picks in the sixth and seventh round respectively. Both will be interior depth pieces this year- I see Stuebner playing a much more prominent role than Hines. LaBryan Ray, Brendan Schooler, and DeMarcus Mitchell were UDFA’s that were on the active roster for periods of this past year and look to be on the roster for next year moving forward.

2022 draft grade-right now (B+)

2022 Free Agent Review

Notable Additions

Mack Wilson (ILB) Mr Wilson came to us via trade from the franchise in Cleveland. Mr Wilson shared ILB duties with Juwuan Bentley tallying 36 combined tackles on the year. Bentley is the better player against the run and Wilson against the pass. However- we are migrating to a largely positionless defense with myriad hybrid players and I expect Wilson to duplicate last year's results.

Jabrill Peppers Mr Peppers signed with us after missing the majority of 2021 with injuries. Peppers was a fantastic option at safety for us and tallied sixty combined tackles. Jabrill has a nose for the football and is in large part our rover. I see Jabrill being resigned for 2 more seasons and tallying 65 tackles with 2 picks in 2023.

Ty Montgomery Ty came to us to be a special teams wizard- he looked to have the passing back role locked down prior to injury. Because he is up in age and a very inexpensive cut I don’t see Montgomery coming back next year.

Devante Parker Mr Parker came to us via a trade from the Dolphins and immediately blossomed as our deep threat. I look for another year in NE to pay off tremendously and Parker to tally 47 receptions for 732 yards and 5 TDs.

Departures

Chase Winovich- Mr Winovich played for a couple of disappointing seasons in New England- Chase had a good ability to rush the passer but struggled immensely to learn the variations of his role (the Judon Role) which is the hardest position on the team. He wound up being swapped to the Browns for Mr Wilson.

JC Jackson Mr Jackson departed New England after several years of top tier CB play for a big pay day with the LA Chargers. He suffered a season ending injury and we hope he recovers to the fullest extent that he can- but he struggled a lot with the scheme. Corner in New England is played differently than any other franchise- high percentage of pattern matching etc.

Gunner Olszewski The fan favorite Bemidji State product signed with the Steelers in free agency. He provided depth for the Steelers as a receiving threat and special teams ace. Ultimately with how good PIT is at turning out WR’s I don’t see him having a bigger role in the offense and wish he stayed in NE.

Ted Karras Signed with the fighting Joe Burrows up in Cincinatti to play center. He is a fantastic player and I hope he and Joe Burrow bring home the Lombardi next year if we can't.

Jakob Johnson signed with the Raiders after the offensive brain trust decided to eschew the fullback position in 2022. We missed his lead blocking tremendously-our gap scheme runs suffered immensely- but nowhere as bad as our zone runs. On zone schemes we were absolutely dreadful- surprise surprise.

Brandon Bolden The longtime special teams ace went with Jakob to join Josh McDaniels and his team as their third down back. We don’t talk about the ending to this year's Las Vegas game though.

Shaq Mason- Our longtime guard wound up going to Tampa Bay and playing in Tom Brady’s penultimate season. Shaq was the bright spot in the Buccaneers offensive line which struggled immensely to run the football- resulting in several thousands of dollars worth of tablets being destroyed.

Season Statistics

Written by SpaceGhost1992

OFFENSE

Offensive Statistics	2022 Value	2022 Rank	2021 Rank
Passing Yards	3536	20 ⬇️	14
Rushing Yards	1812	24 ⬇️	8
Total Yards/Game	314.6	26 ⬇️	15
Points/Game	21.4	15 ⬇️	(6)
Time of Possession	29:10	28 ⬇️	16
Interceptions	14	13 ⬇️	11
Fumbles Lost	9	15 ⬆️	23
Penalties	104 -841 yds	9 / 11 ↔️/⬆️	9 / 16
3rd Down Conv	34.9%	27 ⬇️	10
4th Down Conv	38.5%	29 ⬇️	4
Redzone TD %	42.2%	32 ⬇️	11
Sacks Allowed	41	11 ⬇️	4
Pressures	110	*

Not abysmal, but unacceptable. The team has worsened in nearly every category. Our only improvement, with fumbles, is negligible. (The team had 10 last season and 9 this season.)

Unfortunately, with respect to the work that Patricia put in for New England as a DC, he has not done any favors for his reputation around the league as a HC or as an OC. Nepotism is maybe the one major criticism I hold for Bill when it comes to this team, but no reason to dwell, this weird interim moment following the departure of Josh McDaniels is over.

Hopefully the coaching staff has had enough time to figure out what is best for the offense overall, and have found their man in Bill O’ Brien. Bringing the offensive output of this team back up to speed is of the utmost priority.

Note: There isn’t an easy way to find a league-wide ranking system for Pressures, but New England had 104 in 2021 v. 110 in 2022.

QUARTERBACKS

Quarterback Comparison	Mac Jones 2021	Mac Jones 2022	Bailey Zappe 2022
Games Played	17	14	4
Total Yards	3801	2997	781
Yards/Att	7.3	6.8	8.5
Completion	67.6%	65.2%	70.7%
TD	22	14	5
Int	13	11	3
QBR	56.9	36.2	34.5
Passer Rating	92.5	84.8	100.9

Mac Jones had a difficult sophomore season under new (and now previous) OC Mat Patricia. Some of this can be attributed to missing time from a high-ankle sprain and poor coaching, but with Bailey Zappe’s strong play during his absence, the minute details are secondary in nature.

Any major, impulsive decisions on this front would be myopic at this point, but as we all know, the NFL stands for “not for long.” Success at the position is all that matters–regardless of who sits in the driver’s seat.

I have included both QBR & QB Rating as it is a debatable topic. I personally prefer QBR and what it takes into consideration. It helps highlight Mac’s slight edge over Zappe, even if the rookie’s 4 games look flashier at first glance. An in-depth comparison of QBR vs. QB Rating can be found here.

In the end, it’s important to contextualize this season’s performances. Sophomore slumps are common in the league. Defenses get a chance to have tape on your tendencies and when you experience a change at OC every season, it’s hard to build a solid foundation. Last, but not least, Zappe’s four games were against some of the worst defenses in the league.

Considering Mac has a rapport with Bill O’ Brien–they reportedly worked together during the 2021 offseason in Alabama–we might see a return of the Mac and a competent offense. Only time will tell.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Receivers (Top 5)	Jakobi Meyers	DeVante Parker	Hunter Henry (TE)	Kendrick Bourne	Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)
Games	14	13	17	16	17
Receptions	67	31	41	35	69
Total Yards	804	539	509	434	421
Yards/Game	57.4	41.5	29.9	27.1	24.8
Yards/Catch	12.0	17.4	12.4	12.4	6.9
YAC/C	3.5	3.4	5.0	4.1	6.9
TDs	6	3	2	1	1

Our Achilles’ heel. Not a single receiver eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and only one of the listed top-five eclipsed 600 yards. Matt Patricia’s play calling was the antithesis of friendly for the receiving corp, but blame aside, New England has to turn it around. We’d be lying to ourselves if we said that he was the sole cause of the passing game woes. Hopefully Bill O’ Brien can revitalize the air attack and address any lingering issues from the year prior. With a performance like last seasons, the Pats can only go northward in terms of improvement.

RUNNING BACKS

Running Backs	Rhamondre Stevenson	Damien Harris	Pierre Strong	Kevin Harris
Games Played (Starts)	17 (7)	11 (9)	15 (0)	5 (1)
Attempts / Yards	201/1040	106/462	10/100	18/52
Average	5.0	4.4	10.0	2.9
20+ Yard Runs	7	2	1	0
Yards/game (min 1 att)	61.2	42.0	33.3	10.4
TDs	5	3	1	1
Fumbles	2	0	0	0

Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson have essentially flipped roles. With Harris struggling to stay healthy, and having his carries cut nearly in half (202 in 2021 to 106 in 2022), Rhamondre took the helm as workhorse for the team. Despite some unusual antics (Raiders debacle anyone?) the young duo is within / entering their prime, and the team should have nothing to worry about on this front, barring injury.

DEFENSE

Defensive Statistics	2022 Value	2022 Rank	2021 Rank
Pass Yards/G	216.5	16th ⬇️	2nd
Rush Yards/G	105.5	6th ⬆️	22nd
Total Y/G	322.0	8th ⬇️	4th
Points/G	20.4	11th ⬇️	2nd
Interceptions	19	2nd ↔️	2nd
Fumbles	11	6th ⬆️	25th
Total Takeaways	30	2nd ⬆️	T-3rd
Sacks	54	3rd ⬆️	19th
Pressures	163	3rd ⬆️	21st

The strength of this team, as it has been more often than not, for two decades.

In some instances, the team has become worse, in two areas specifically. Passing yards allowed and points-per-game; but I believe that is due to the complementary relationship that the offense and defense have. If your defenders are on the field more often than not, then cracks in their foundations begin to surface.

All-in-all, Matthew Judon has clearly been a worthwhile investment, and so have our draft choices for the last two years (Christian Barmore and Marcus Jones most notably). We continue to be a top 10 defense and hopefully improvements in other areas can lighten the weight of its responsibilities.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special Teams	2022 Value	2022 Rank	2021 Rank
Punt Average	41.7	32nd ⬇️	18
Inside 20	22	10th ⬆️	17
Punt Return	10.7	6th ↔️	6
Return TD	1	1st ⬆️	t-3
Opp Punt Return	7.9	9th ⬆️	16
Opp Ret TD	0	1st ↔️	1
Kickoff Return	23.8	11th ⬆️	18
Kick Return TD	0	3rd ↔️	9
Opp Kick Ret	25.6	32nd ⬇️	14
Opp Ret TD	3	32nd ⬇️	T-1
FG	86.5%	11th ⬇️	5
XP	91.4%	20th ⬆️	25

Special teams, while not traditionally seen as glamorous, is as important as anything else to Belichick. Ask him yourself.

While our yards-per-punt might seem abysmal at first glance, that’s not a real indicator of the overall value of the special teams group. In all likelihood, it has very much to do with field position, and where the offense kicks from. Everything else has either improved, remained as is, or dropped to a non-significant degree. Our FG % could be seen as a large drop, but Folk only missed five of his 37 field goal attempts, and all of his misses were 40-yards or further out.

Roster Review

Written by ecupatsfan12

Roster Review

Note: This review excludes analysis of most of the 2023 Free Agent class.

Quarterbacks

Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Brian Hoyer I don’t foresee a change in the status quo of the quarterback room. Mac is in his pivotal third year of his four year rookie contract, looking to rebuild from a disastrous 2022 marred by injury and coaching mishaps out of his hands. Mac is a Chad Pennington type player with good accuracy and great pocket presence albeit with a weaker arm. I see Mac rebounding strongly under Bill O Brien’s leadership and going for 4200 yards with 28 TD and 11 picks with the Patriots picking up his fifth year option.

Bailey Zappe was our fifth round pick in 2022 out of Western Kentucky. I loved his quick release and his accuracy. He burst onto the scene for a few starts in place of Mac who was ailed by a bum ankle. He lit up the Cleveland Browns and Lions in his nascent starts causing several Patriot fans to get visions of Bledsoe Brady and proclamations that he was 23 years old and a hell of a quarterback. Mac returned to his starting job as it became apparent that Bailey also has a weak arm and limited ability to push the ball down field. Nonetheless, I am very confident in Bailey and see his future to be like Josh McCown- a journey man but a VERY good back up.

Brian Hoyer is a long tenured Patriot who has been around since the mid years of the Brady Belichick dynasty. He is likely transitioning to coaching after his playing career and is serving as an emergency/de facto QB coach to the young quarterbacks, a role in which he thrives in.

Running Backs

Rhamondre Stevenson Rhamondre was our 4th round pick out of the University of Oklahoma in 2021. Rhamondre burst out onto the scene in the back half of 2021 and 2022 and tallied his first 1000 yard season this year. His dazzling start even got the ever talkative Bill Belichick to say that he loved him and even going as far as to on the record compare him to his revered Lawrence Taylor. Rhamondre in my opinion is an exception to the rule of thumb to not pay running backs after their rookie contract. He has excellent hands out of the backfield, has great speed and runs hard. I look to Rhamondre to tally 1200 yards and 13 TD in a fantastic 2023 season.

Pierre Strong Pierre was our fourth round pick out of South Dakota State this past year. Pierre primarily played on special teams this past year but got a handful of carries this year and flashed great speed. Pierre needs to work on his pass blocking and his running between the tackles. I look for Pierre to spell Rhamondre as our 3rd down back and score a handful of touchdowns this year.

Lynn Bowden Bowden is a young journeyman who spent this past year on our practice squad. Hailing from the University of Kentucky where he played every skill position possible. Lynn has gotten limited playing time- but I look for him to maybe be elevated to play on Bills beloved special teams this year.

JJ Taylor JJ has been with the Patriots for three years as an UDFA from the 2020 class. JJ has primarily played on special teams with limited time in the backfield. I see JJ and Lynn competing to be the practice squad back and on special teams. I foresee the Patriots drafting 1 running back in the 4th round and I have targeted Keaton Mitchell from ECU and Tajae Spears out of Tulane as good fits.

Kevin Harris The former Gamecock came to New England by way of the sixth round pick in the 2022 draft. Like his colleague Pierre Strong- Kevin got limited play time but showed flashes in spot duty. Kevin is a great downhill bruiser but lacks top end speed and ability to catch out of the backfield. I look to Kevin to take an expanded role in spelling Rhamondre in short yardage situations and duplicating Pierre’s production on the ground.

Damien Harris UFA

Wide Receivers

Kendrick Bourne Coming to us in Bill’s free agency splurge of 2021 via San Francisco, Bourne flourished in his first year with Mac Jones and quickly became a fan favorite. Bourne- like most members of the offense- was puzzled over our coaching situation and drew the ire of the much maligned Matt Patricia. Kendrick spent part of the year effectively banished from the team and got limited play time in 2022 much to the chagrin of Patriots fans and Bob Kraft. I look for Bourne to have a fantastic 2023 season and rebuild that the dead weight of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge has been removed.

Devante ParkerComing to us via trade last year- Devante assumed the position of X receiver and the jersey number of Patriots legend N’keal Harry. Devante has an outstanding ability to win jump balls and to box out defenders and was one of the few to gel with whomever was throwing him the ball. I look for Devante to have another great season this year.

Tyquan Thornton Our second round pick from last year, Tyquan was slowed by the Patricia and Judge clown car and suffered a shoulder injury in preseason. Tyquan returned midseason and flashed his outstanding speed and good route running. Tyquan did struggle with some drops but I think he will overcome this and be our deep threat this year. He must bulk up and get stronger to survive in the NFL long term.

Nelson Agholor UFA

Jakobi Meyers UFA

Matthew Slater Re-signed

Ty Montgomery The journeyman jack of all trades, Ty is listed as a receiver which he played at Stanford- he has bounced from RB to WR in the NFL. I see Ty likely getting the role of Matthew Slater of special teams stalwart if he does choose to retire.

Raleigh Webb We poached him via the Ravens practice squad this year and he is another hybrid type player. He was a standout at the Citadel and I know that Bill would like to use him as an H back type. I see him as a positionless player that spends time on the practice squad and active roster- he also played defense in college! He is currently listed at WR but that may change.

Tre Nixon Tre is our 7th round pick from the 2021 draft out of UCF. Tre has great speed but has not made much of an impact in his time in Foxboro. I see us adding 2 wideouts via FA or the draft and keeping Montgomery as a tweener. I don’t see Nixon making the team in 2023.

Scotty Washington coming to us via the Bengals practice squad- an ex tight end. I’ll eat part of a shoe if he makes the roster in Foxboro in 2023.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey Picked up off Saints practice squad. Played in 6 games, dropped midseason.

Draft Notes: Possible adds via the draft are Jaxon Smith Njigba and Zay Flowers in the early rounds, and Rakim Jarrett or Trey Palmer in the later rounds.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry Hunter is a product of University of Arkansas and via the LA Chargers. We signed Hunter- Bills favorite tight end to a three year deal in 2021. Hunter has an outstanding connection with Mac and I look for him to rebound from our offensive woes in 2023.

Jonnu Smith The FAU product also signed for us in 2021 but has struggled with the playbook and has been a major disappointment- he will likely be released prior to June 2nd when we can save some cap space.

Matt Sokol A journeyman who has spent stints on several NFL teams, I look for Sokol to be used as the 3rd tight end in 2023- reflected by the two year deal he signed in New England just recently.

Draft notes: Will Mallory out of Miami, Luke Schoonmaker out of MI, or Cade Stover out of OSU.

Offensive Line

Cole Strange Cole came to us shocking the NFL world(and Sean McVay) in the first round of the 2022 draft. The UC Chattanooga product had an outstanding Senior Bowl and wowed the Patriots staff. Cole did solid during his rookie year but needs to improve his pass blocking skills.

Michael Onewenu Onwenu was a 6th round pick out of Michigan from the 2020 NFL draft and has been our second biggest hit in that round from UM apart from a recently retired Florida Man. Onwenu has been a fantastic find on the OL for us.

James Ferentz UFA

Yodny Cajuste RFA

Hayden Howerton is our other guard available right now and we signed him off the Titans practice squad for a two year future deal. I look for him to be a nice depth piece. We might add one body from the XFL or USFL once their season ends.

Tackle Andrew Stuebner Andrew was another Michigan man from the 7th round of the 2022 class. Stubes will be a good swing tackle for us this year and is currently the only tackle on the roster. Trent Brown will likely be released and Isaiah Wynn likely not re-signed. I see the Patriots adding a tackle via free agency and adding two more in the draft.

Connor McDermott Re-signed for 2 years.

Marcus Cannon UFA

Draft notes: Dawand Jones- (Ohio State), Peter Skronski (NW), Jaedyn Duncan (Maryland) Matthew Bergeron (Syracuse) and McClendon Curtis (played next to Cole Strange at UTC).

Center David Andrews Andrews has been a stalwart since the mid 2010s in the Patriots interior. Andrews is likely in the twilight of his NFL career and will likely retire after the 2024 season. We have two very young players in Kody Russey and Chasen Hines that will likely serve as depth in the meantime.

Bottom line is the offensive line will likely add another body at guard from the USFL/XFL-we will likely draft two tackles and add one via free agency. Offensive line needs some work.

Defensive Line

Davon Godchaux Godchaux came to us via our division rival the Miami Dolphins in the 2021 offseason. Godchaux had a fantastic 2021 season but slumped in 2022 only registering 1.5 sacks on the year.

Lawrence Guy This longtime stalwart has been with the Patriots since 2017 and in the NFL since 2011. He has been a stalwart on the front lines for the last five years- however he is aging and the Patriots might cut him to save some cap prior to June 2nd.

Christian Barmore Barmore came to us in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Alabama in the same round as his good friend Mac Jones. Christian has struggled a bit in Foxboro but is looking for his breakout third season on the team- with Guy possibly being released he will play a much bigger role this year.

Sam Roberts Our sixth round pick in last year’s draft from NW Missouri State made the team this past year albeit only dressing for a handful of games. He has a high motor and is a fan favorite and will likely play substantially more this year.

Bill Murray, Jeremiah Pharms, and LaBryan Ray are our reserve players at this position. I believe Ray will make the active roster and play a good bit this year- I don’t see Murray making the team and I see Pharms being on the PS for the majority of the year.

Defensive Ends

Deatrich Wise A fourth rounder out of the 2017 draft class- Wise had an outstanding year for the Patriots in 2022 racking up 7.5 sacks. Wise is our clear cut bandit end in our defense this year.

Ronnie Perkins Perkins was a 3rd round pick in our 2021 draft class. He has seen little to no playing time due to injuries and depth. Perkins is in a do or die season in New England and will be playing with his hand in the dirt this year with the emergence of Josh Uche at rush end.

DeMarcus Mitchell Joined us as a UDFA out of Purdue in 2022 and got some playing time as a end and also as a stand up linebacker. I see Mitchell playing a similar but enhanced role in 2023.

Draft notes: Byron Young (Alabama) DJ Dale (Alabama) Jonah Tavai (SDSU) Jacob Slade (MSU)

Linebackers and Defensive backs

Linebacker and defensive back is the strong point of the New England team- we have a very strong front with Josh Uche and Matthew Judon, plus our interior LBs of Anfernee Jennings and Ja’Whaun Bentley. The Jones Bois on the back end show promise along with Jalen Mills. While Devin McCourty might retire, we will probably re-sign Jabrill Peppers and play Adrian Phillips across from him. We will likely add a corner in FA and a safety via the draft.

Also: Raekwon McMillan, Mack Wilson, Joejuan Williams, UFA

Linggo, Pebrero 26, 2023

[Game Thread] Phoenix Suns (33-28) vs Milwaukee Bucks (42-17) - 26 February 2023

Early Sunday game! Let's do this.

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta submits $5.6B bid for Washington Commanders

https://ift.tt/3T1B4UQ

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta submits $5.5 billion bid for the Washington Commanders

https://ift.tt/3T1B4UQ

[OC] Analysis of the offensive and defensive PPG ranks for Super Bowl champions

“Defense wins championships!” - early to mid-2000s

“Offense wins championships!” - today

“Neither wins championships!” - ’07 and ’11 Giants

This analysis shows the regular season rank (PPG) of every Super Bowl winner since the merger. My goal was to see if there were any trends in SB winners being ranked higher on defense or offense. There are some notable time periods where you can see trends in teams winning with defenses carrying the team, as well as eras (like now) where more teams who excel at offense are winning.

TL;DR scroll down to the chart and explore the data and trends.

This is simply a look back to find historical trends, outliers, and interesting patterns. The intent is not to be predictive in any way or to make any bold claims on how teams should be built. When exploring the data, which you will see on the chart, these are a few distinct eras that seemed to separate themselves for various reasons:

2017-present, an era of offense

We are currently in an era where offense wins championships. All six of the last six Super Bowl champions had an offense ranked higher than defense, and that gap between rankings has increased in each of the last three years with the 2020 Buccaneers (offense +5 over defense), 2021 Rams (+8) and culminating with the 2022 Chiefs who were ranked #1 on offense and # 16 on defense. The average offense is ranked almost 6 spots higher than the average defense for a Super Bowl winner since 2017 (Offense 3.8, Defense 9.5). Five of the six last winners had a top 5 offense (2017 Eagles 3rd, 2018 Patriots 4th, 2019 Chiefs 5th, 2020 Bucs 3rd, and the 2022 Chiefs 1st). The only team not in the top five were the 2021 Rams, but their offense (7th) was still ranked 8 spots ahead of their defense.

2000-2005, and era of defense

From 2000-2005 you might have been able to suggest “Defense wins championships”. The average Super Bowl winner had a defense ranked 8 spots better than the avg offense (Defense 2.3, Offense 10.5). During this period, three of the six winners were ranked #1 on defense (2000 Ravens, 2002 Bucs, and 2003 Patriots). The other Super Bowl champions were also ranked high on defense (2004 Patriots #2, 2005 Steelers #3 and the 2001 Patriots #6). This era could be an era of defense, or it might just be that it’s heavily influenced by one team, the Patriots who won 50% of the Super Bowls during this time with a highly ranked defense.

2006-2015 the golden era of mediocrity

During this time, the average Super Bowl winner ranked only 10.5 in the league for PPG scored and allowed. Part three of the chart (green bars) illustrates this where the bars spike showing the average offense and defense ranking getting worse. The team that exemplifies this era the best is the 2007 and 2011 Giants who own the two worst combined rankings for a SB champion. In 2007 they averaged a ranking of 15.5, and in 2011 they averaged 17.0.

In the 53 years since the merger, there have been only eight Super Bowl winners to be ranked an average of 10th or worse for offense and defense combined, seven of them came during this 10-year era of mediocrity, and only one occurred during the other 43 years. The ’06 Colts (avg rank of 12.5), the ’07 and ’11 Giants mentioned above, ’08 Steelers (10.5), ’09 Saints (10.5), ’12 Ravens (11.0) and the ’15 Broncos (11.5) were all Super Bowl champions during seasons with relatively poor PPG rankings during the regular season.

2000-present, and era of imbalance

We are also in an era of extremes. From 2000 to 2022, the absolute value of the gap between the Super Bowl champions’ offensive rank and defensive rank is almost 9 positions. This is more than twice as large as the gap between rankings from 1970 to 1999 when the gap was only 4. You can see the stark difference between pre-2000 and post-2000 in the 2nd section of the chart. The 2006 Colts exemplify this trend with the 2nd ranked offense and 23rd ranked defense. The 2008 Steelers were extreme the other way with the #1 ranked defense and 20th ranked offense. All in all, there are 12 Super Bowl champions out of the 23 since 2000 that had ranking gaps between offense and defense of 7 positions or greater. This happened only four times in the 30 years leasing up to 2000.

1970-1999, an era of dominance

Until about 1999, the Super Bowl winner was more likely to have a better avg PPG ranking for offense and defense than post-1999. 23 of 30 SB winners from 1970-99 averaged a top 5 rank. For those 30 years, the avg SB winner was ranked 4.2, compared to teams being ranked 8.1 since 2000. Fewer teams during this era is a factor unrelated to the quality of the Super Bowl champion. Fewer teams increase their ability to be ranked better. But a bigger factor is probably less parity. The salary cap was implemented in 1994. Prior to 1994 dynasties and dominance were more likely. (Note-this makes the Patriots dynasty all the more impressive, as it was during a period designed for parity).

During this period there were two Super bowl winners ranked #1 on both offense and defense, the 1972 Dolphins and the 1996 Packers. The 1984 49ers and 1985 Bears were both ranked #2 on offense and #1 on defense. The 1991 Redskins were #1 on defense and #2 on offense. The 70’s Steelers teams with four Super Bowl wins averaged the 4th best offense and a defense ranked 2.5. The 90’s Cowboys averaged a rank of 2.3 on offense and 3.3 on defense over their three championship seasons. The 49ers won five Super bowls over the course of 14 years, averaging an offensive rank of 3.6 and a defensive rank of 4.0. The era of dominance ended after the Greatest Show on Turf, the 1999 Rams ranked 1st overall on offense and 4th on defense.

The Chart:

It’s a busy chart, but I wanted everything in one place so you can follow the SB champions throughout the three sections which all show different slices of the same data. There is a table at the end if you prefer that over the graph.

Top Section

This shows the offensive PPG and defensive PPG rank for each super bowl champion. The Y-axis is the rank (best rank #1 at the top, worst at the bottom). The team’s offensive rank is in yellow, defensive rank in blue. Green is used when they have the same rank for offense and defense.

The line is a rolling 5-year average to illustrate ay long terms trends that might have occurred. Using this year’s Chiefs as an example: They were ranked #1 in the NFL for PPG (the yellow “1”), and on defense they were ranked 16th (blue “16”). You can see the rolling 5-year average for offense improves a bit as the 2017 Eagles and their 3rd ranked offense drops off while the #1 Chiefs gets added. The rolling 5-year defensive trend continues to slide because of the 8th ranked defense three years ago (Bucs), the 2021 winners (Rams) with a 15th ranked defense, and now the Chiefs with their 16th ranked defense.

Middle Section

This shows the gap between a team’s offensive rank and their defensive rank, to understand if teams were better on offense or defense relative to each other. A yellow bar means they were better on offense than defense, a blue bar means they were better on defense. The longer the bar, the bigger the gap. The Chiefs were ranked #1 on offense and #16 on defense, a gap of 15 which you can see is the 4th largest offense over defense gap for a Super Bowl champion.

Bottom Section

This is the average ranking of both offense and defense combined. The 2022 Chiefs average rank is 8.5 (offense 1, defense 16)

https://preview.redd.it/66741ibrijka1.png?width=971&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=70586660257392716fc5e9c3088b142dc2ca57cc

Some other highlights from the data:

The other “Offense wins championships” period was 1991-1999. The 90’s (after the 1990 Giants) was a time period where some of the best regular season teams were winning the Super Bowl, which is not always the case. From 1991-99 the average Super Bowl winner won almost 13 games, and their average offense and defense rank was 2.8. Their offenses were ranked 1.5 and their defenses were ranked 4.1. There were five #1 ranked offenses out of the nine SB winners (1991 Washington, 1994 49ers, 1996 Packers, 1997 Broncos, and 1999 Rams). The 1992, 1993 and 1995 Cowboys as well as the 1998 Brocos all had offenses in the top three. No offense was ranked worse than 3rd overall in the NFL during this era.
The 5 worst defenses to win a Super Bowl were: 2011 Giants 25th, 2006 Colts 23rd, 2009 Saints 20th, 2007 Giants 17th, and this year’s Chiefs with a rank of 16 were the 5th worst defense to win a Super Bowl.
The 5 worst offenses to win a Super bowl were: 2008 Steelers 20th, 2015 Broncos 19th, 2002 Buccaneers 18th, 1990 Giants 15th, 2000 Ravens and 2007 Giants were tied for 5th worst at 14th.
#1 ranked: Out of 53 Super Bowl winners since the merger, 23 (43%) were ranked #1 in either offense or defense. 11 were ranked #1 on offense. 13 were ranked #1 on defense. Two were ranked #1 in both.
Top five: Out of 53 Super Bowl winners since the merger, 45 (85%) were ranked top five in either offense or defense. 32 were ranked top five on offense. 30 were ranked top five on defense. 17 were ranked top five in both. The 2017 Eagles were the last Super Bowl winner to be ranked top 5 in offense (3rd) and defense (4th)
Overall, since the merger, the average Super Bowl winner is ranked 5.7th on offense and 6.0 on defense.

Same data but table format

https://preview.redd.it/f1q28lcyijka1.png?width=605&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=ebeee3f8b72602cc4b5ceab4abe4661f9abeb913

What current players are almost HOF worthy but not quite yet?

Maybe they need 2-4 more good years to be considered My pick is Derrick Henry OPOY 3x Pro Bowl 2x leader in rushing yds and td If he has 2 more 1200+ yds seasons he's in for me

Jaylen Brown on 76ers fans: It got a little disrespectful. Before the game, we were entering the arena there was people saying, 'I hope you tear your ACL.'

https://twitter.com/nbcsceltics/status/1629710788519948289?s=46&t=azcPfvSyNlJpjrcWCkQqaQ

Not so great to see this. Philly fans have a reputation but you'd think wishing injury on another player would be below them

[Jerry Jacobs] 🤷🏾‍♂️What we waiting on ……. @jalenramsey we can do some great things in the D, my guy trust and believe that!!!!💺🚫

https://mobile.twitter.com/_luhjerry/status/1629825086529196041?s=61&t=Typ39kRh3HIZzsQvP_lCqQ

Sabado, Pebrero 25, 2023

[Highlight] Pascal Siakam crosses up Isaiah Livers to the floor, then finishes the And-1!

https://ift.tt/0UsuGa3

Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index

Game Threads Index (February 25, 2023):

Tip-off	GDT	Away	Score	Home
12:00 pm ET	Link	Toronto Raptors	00:11 4Q 93 to 90	Detroit Pistons
07:00 pm ET		Miami Heat	PRE-GAME	Charlotte Hornets
07:00 pm ET		Indiana Pacers	PRE-GAME	Orlando Magic
07:30 pm ET		New Orleans Pelicans	PRE-GAME	New York Knicks
08:00 pm ET		Denver Nuggets	PRE-GAME	Memphis Grizzlies
08:30 pm ET		Boston Celtics	PRE-GAME	Philadelphia 76ers
09:00 pm ET		San Antonio Spurs	PRE-GAME	Utah Jazz

[Jones] It was an honor and privilege to play in the NFL but it came at a regrettable cost I did not foresee. In my opinion, no amount of professional success or financial gain is worth avoidable chronic pain and disabilities. Godspeed to the draft class of 2023.

https://twitter.com/thebyronjones/status/1629540071660560384?s=46&t=huUG9wbLm5YQdo9rdbLLvQ

[Statmuse] The Kings have the best offensive rating in a season in NBA history.

https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1629370259500040192?s=46&t=UKAeRfoFwncJxMXWABvprA

2023 32 Teams/32 Days: The Cleveland Browns

32Teams/32Days HUB

Team: Cleveland Browns

Division: AFC North

Record: 7-10 (3-3 Division), 4th place AFC North

Playoffs: We will not be the NFL Draft Bowl winners this year.

Hello seasoned vets of /r/NFL and those that are new to football! This was a tough season to be a Cleveland Browns fan starting with the biggest NFL off-season controversy that led our organization to go from the league’s lovable losers to one of the most hated teams. All I ask is before judging this post based on the team today, please give this summary a chance and read below. Understandably so, it was very difficult to receive support in writing a post that has the love and care it deserves.

Before talking about football, we have to address this event that has split the Dawg Pound with many having to decide if they would continue to support this poverty franchise. This is addressed in the section below.

The Elephant In The Room

Throughout my life as a Cleveland Browns fan, there have been multiple times I thought the franchise hit its lowest point. Whether it is on the field, off the field, or just some total embarrassment. We’ve had multiple events named after Browns failures, including “The Fumble”, “The Drive”, “Bottlegate”, and we’ve even had a perfect season parade. After the wild ride that was the Browns' 2020 season, we as a fanbase thought we were turning a new page and can finally perform to our wildest dreams. However, these hopes were changed during this past offseason after a disappointing 2021 season.

On March 20, 2022, the Cleveland Browns traded 3 first round picks, 1 third round pick, and 1 fourth round pick to the Houston Texans for Quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns would then sign Watson to a new contract for 5 years, $230 million guaranteed, the highest guaranteed contract in NFL history. At this time, Deshaun Watson had more than 20 civil cases alleging sexual assault and harassment (that number would grow). The Cleveland Browns doubled down on the decision to the public, including owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam revealing their two daughters were given veto power over the trade, Jimmy Haslam saying Deshaun Watson got a second chance because he’s a star QB, and the Haslams saying they, “empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process.”

There were many Cleveland Browns fans devastated and enraged by this decision. There were also many fans focused on Watson's QB performance and excited by this news. I, like many others, fall into the former camp. While before I was proud to be a Clevelander and embraced the track record of this franchise for the chance of hope, I did not wear Cleveland Browns gear during this past offseason or regular season because I did not want to be associated with the decisions of this team. There have been many fans that have decided this was the final straw and switched loyalty to different teams or gave up on the NFL all together. It was at this point I picked up the Minnesota Vikings as a team to follow.

The decisions made by management and how they split the fanbase does not speak for all of us or show that we condone their actions. There were many fans that embarrassed us throughout this season by the comments they made, but that does not mean we all agree with them. Many Browns fans hate how every NFL fan has a justified reason to cheer against us and hope we fail. At this point, many of us are cheering for this team because it is our city, our family, and our pride.

From this point forward, I will be focused solely on the football aspects and consequences this trade caused. I have also personally donated to this Cleveland charity and I'd like to encourage others to also.

General Season Overview

Last season was a year full of disappointment, frustration, and heartbreak for the Dawg Pound. After Baker Mayfield had a disappointing 2021 season filled with injuries and interceptions, the Browns decided to cut him after the season and make a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans to acquire Deshaun Watson, who had his own legal troubles and controversies. The Browns gave up many draft picks and signed a huge deal to get Watson, hoping he would be the answer to their quarterback woes. However, Watson did not live up to the hype, as he failed to connect with his receivers and often made costly mistakes. The Browns finished the 2022 season with a dismal record of 7-10, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Their defense, which was supposed to be their strength, did not meet expectations either, as they allowed many points and big plays to their opponents. At this point, the 2020 season where the Browns made the playoffs feels far away, and there are many questions that need to be answered in the 2023 off-season.

New Player Additions:

2022 Draft:

Free Agency/Off-season Trades

Deshaun Watson QB: As mentioned earlier, the Cleveland Browns traded 3 first round picks, 1 third round pick, and 1 fourth round pick to the Houston Texans to acquire Deshaun Watson. They then signed Watson to a five year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract. Watson was with the Houston Texans from 2017-2021. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and completion percentage (70.2%) in 2020. Before the professional level, he played college football at Clemson, where he won a national championship and was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. However, he sat out the entire 2021 season for the Texans and was suspended for 11 games in the 2022 season. With that much time sitting out, will he be able to perform like he could before?
Amari Cooper WR: Acquired from the Dallas Cowboys for a 2022 fifth round pick and swapping 2022 sixth round picks, the Browns got Cooper for a steal before the explosion in the wide receiver market. His previous season had okay numbers in the 2021 season with 68 receptions for 865 yards, but that was not as good as previous years. It is clear the Browns traded for him for his veteran presence and to see if his value will turn to success on the field.
Jacoby Brissett QB: Brissett was signed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns after it was decided Baker Mayfield would not be the future of the organization. Brissett has previous starting experience with the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins, where he showed his ability to make good decisions and lead his team. However, he also faced some challenges with injuries and inconsistent offensive support. The Browns believed in Brissett's skillset and hoped he could help them reach their goals in 2022 as the starter for the games Watson would be suspended.
Chase Winovich DE: The Browns traded LB Mack Wilson to the Patriots for the DE. Chase played for the New England Patriots from 2019 to 2021. He had a promising start in his rookie season with 5.5 sacks and 26 tackles. However, his playing time and production declined in his second and third seasons.
Ethan Pocic C: The five-year veteran signed with the Browns to replace J.C. Tretter at the starting center position. Pocic was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, where he played for 57 career games with 40 starts. Before this signing, the Browns only had one center remaining on the roster.

Re-Signings

Jadeveon Clowney DE: After having a decent year on the opposite side of Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney re-signed with the Cleveland Browns for a 1 year deal. It did not look likely before this signing that he would stay with the Browns, but he said he would go wherever Deshaun Watson went. The Browns were hoping he would perform to similar numbers in the 2022 season by relieving some pressure away from Myles Garrett.
David Njoku TE: Just a few short years ago, Njoku requested a trade with the Cleveland Browns after not performing to expectations. Since then, he has proven to be a reliable TE and agreed to a 4-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. He has really improved and should be a reliable TE for years to come.
** D’Ernest Johnson RB:** After a successful season in 2021 being a reliable substitute for when CHUNT was injured, the Cleveland Browns re-signed Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson is an underdog fan favorite for his hard work rising up the roster list on the team and being able to prove himself as a capable back on a couple occasions. He was dependable last season, so here’s to hoping he can be again.

Other Notable Re-Signings
- Chris Hubbard T - Anthony Walker Jr. LB

Stats:

Offensive Stats:

Stat	Value	Avg/Game	League Rank	2021 Rank
Total Yards	5934	364.7	13 🔺	18
1st Downs	350	20.6	10 🔺	17
Total Passing Yds	3444	202.6	22 🔺	26
Totals Rushing Yds	2490	146.5	6 🔻	4
Points Scored	361	21.2	18 🔺	21
Turnovers	21		21 🔻	18
INT Thrown	12		11 🔺	14
Fumbles Lost	9		14 🔺	17

Defensive Stats:

Stat	Value	Avg/game	League Rank	2021 Rank
Yds Allowed	5631	330.4	15 🔻	5
1st Downs Allowed	329	19.4	16 🔻	8
Pass Yds Allowed	3336	191.3	5 --	5
Rush Yds Allowed	2295	135.0	25 🔻	12
Points Allowed	381	22.4	20 🔻	13
Takeaways	20		20 🔻	21
INT Forced	11		21 🔻	16
Fumbles Forced	9		18 🔺	26

Weekly Game Review:

Week 1, @ Carolina:
This opener ended up being a surprise revenge game once it was official Baker Mayfield was starting for the Carolina Panthers. Nick Chubb started off the season strong with 141 rushing yards and Jacoby Brissett was keeping expectations by not losing this game. There were some concerns on the defense with blown coverages that helped Baker Mayfield explode in the second half to make the game close. At the end of the day, this game was won from the performance of the rookie kicker, Cade York, who hit a 58-yard field goal in the final seconds to win the game! This is the first Browns opener win in 18 years. WIN, 26-24

Week 2, vs New York Jets:
I wish I could say the most dramatic part of this game was the NFL community freaking out over Brownie the Elf being the main logo on the 50 yard line, that however is not the case. This was a great example of the Cleveland Clowns snapping defeat from the jaws of victory. Seriously, the Jets had a better chance of winning the lottery than winning this game at the end. The Browns had a sizable lead with the score being 30-17 with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Everything that needed to go for the Jets went their way. Jets have the ball but need to score quickly? Deep pass for 66 yards resulting in a TD with 1:22 left on the clock. Jets need to recover an onside kick to get the ball back and score? Jets recover the onside kick and have the ball at their 47 yard line with 1:22 left on the clock. Jets need to get the ball downfield quickly? Jets QB Joe Flacco leads the offense to score a TD to take the lead with 22 seconds to spare. Certain players on the Browns were upset over Cleveland spectators booing the team after the loss, but can you blame them? LOSS, 30-31

Week 3, vs Pittsburgh:
This game easily could have gone the same way as the previous week. The Steelers were one TD away from taking the lead, and they were attempting an onside kick with 1:48 left in the game. This time however, the Browns recovered. IT’S NOT OVER YET! The Steelers forced the Browns to 3 and out so they punted to the Steelers’ 4 yard line with 15 seconds left on the clock. This time however, the Browns’ defense held and forced a fumble TD (this made the game look more dominant for the Browns than it really was). Jacoby Brissett is showing consistency behind center by not giving up turnovers and by making safe passes. He is turning into a fan favorite at this point (even if Richard Sherman is giving him a hard time in the post-game press). WIN 29-17

Week 4, @ Atlanta:
Wasn’t the Browns’ defense supposed to be what kept the team in games? That’s what many have been asking for the past few weeks, but it really shows this game. Yes, the score was relatively low and Myles Garret was out because of the life-threatening car accident, but another case of blown coverage and poor rushing defense is what gave the Falcons the opportunity to walk away with a win. Nick Chubb had his third 100 yard game this season, and the passing game was okay with Njoku and DPJ leading the way. Many fans were questioning the two times the Browns went for fourth down in the red zone resulting in two turnovers which could have been two field goals. Brissett and others were supporting going for it in these cases, but this game would have ended differently with the easy points. LOSS, 20-23

Week 5, vs Los Angeles Chargers:
The Browns chargered it. Near the end of the game, it really felt like neither team wanted to win and just had to pick a winner by coinflip. The Browns gave up a key interception in the red zone, Chargers had turnover on downs to give the Browns one last chance, and the Browns missed a field goal far wide. This game had a ton of rushing offense on it also with a total of 451 rushing yards between both teams. Maybe if the Browns spent a few minutes trying to get a real interior defensive lineman they would have won this game. LOSS, 28-30

Week 6, vs New England:
If you told me after this game that Belichick treats every contest with the Browns as a revenge game for firing him, I’d believe you. The Patriots looked like their former dynasty against Cleveland from all fronts. Not much else to say, really bad performance. Browns fans hope they can turn it around before Watson starts in 7 weeks. LOSS, 15-38

Week 7, @ Baltimore:
Not gonna lie, I thought the Ravens were going to choke it again. Instead, it was a choke off to see who wanted to lose more. At the end of the day, it was the Browns once again and missing a game-deciding field goal like against the Chargers. Jacoby Brissett had another solid game overall with 258 passing yards, but he was not able to secure a victory on a game winning drive. Many Browns were not counting on Brissett to win us games in clutch moments; that is supposed to be the job of Watson when he gets back in 6 weeks. LOSS, 20-23

Week 8, vs Cincinnati:
SPOOKY GAME! This MNF showdown on Halloween between the Browns and Bengals was scheduled most likely because they are both orange teams, but I like to think it is because they are both historically scarily bad franchises. Either way, the Browns kept their streak alive by beating the Bengals for the 5th time in a row. I really do not understand how the Browns seem to always look like a complete team when beating the Bengals, but every aspect of the game was in their favor. And now they’re going into the bye? Shoot, maybe the Browns do have a chance to recover and make the playoffs! Watson starts in 5 weeks.WIN, 32-13

Week 9, Bye Week

Week 10, @ Miami:
Remember the copium I had before the bye week? Yeah that’s pretty much gone. Defense was paper thin allowing the Dolphins to pass and rush all day. But hey, Deshaun Watson can enter the building to start practicing this week, so maybe there’s still a chance! LOSS, 17-39

Week 11, @ Buffalo (Detroit):
While it was very nice of Detroit to host this matchup, it would have been way more fun to see both teams play in 6 feet of snow. The Bills were expected to steamroll the Browns this game (especially once the elements were no longer a factor), but there was still disappointment. Defense couldn’t stop the run again, kicks were missed, and offense had flashes but couldn’t score. He starts in two more weeks. LOSS, 23-31

Week 12, vs Tampa Bay:
Before this game, the Browns only beat Tom Brady once among the 8 contests. That however changed today. This game had it all, the triumphs, the struggles, an awesome overtime, all while spectators will still be digesting their Thanksgiving feast. Seriously, what a rollercoaster of a way to end regular time with Njoku being clutch for the Browns’ catch of the year! Now that the defense wants to perform, maybe they can stay this hot for a new revival next week and Watson returning. WIN, 23-17

Week 13, vs Houston:
The NFL conveniently settled for having Watson’s first game back be against his former team. We spent all this time hyping up how great Watson would be when he returned and he would lead us to a playoff run. However, Watson was missing low and keeping the Texans in this game. And of course, now the Defense and Special Teams decide to keep the Browns in games by performing to their pre-season expectations. Well, maybe number 4 is just rusty and will continue to improve! He can still be our commander for the postseason! WIN 27-14

Week 14, @ Cincinnati:
Spoiler alert: The streak of the Browns looking like a legit team only against the Bengals has come to an end. The most controversial play from this game was when on 4th and 1, the Browns brought out Jacoby Brissett to look like a QB sneak, but instead he throws a TD pass and misses. The focus on this overlooks the massive flaws in Cleveland’s rushing defense, the turnstyle offensive line, and how defensive coaching believed it was a “tough adjustment vs. Bengals when WRs Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd left early”. The Browns are still technically in the playoff race and Watson looked better, so who knows what could happen! LOSS, 10-23

Week 15, @ Baltimore:
Now this is what I call football! No need for those frilly high scoring games! Just some grid-iron football filled with mostly field goals, hard defense, and turnovers! To be fair, the Browns did get one TD, but it was still a pretty low scoring game. Hell froze over also when Ravens Kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goals, one wide left and one blocked. It was a tough win, but Browns fans have slight optimism since they are still in the wild card hunt! WIN, 13-3

Week 16, vs New Orleans:
Yeah Browns fans were high on copium if they really thought there was a chance to get into the playoffs. They had a strong start by getting a turnover and scoring the first TD in the 2nd quarter, but that’s the most they’ll be able to do. There were so many dropped passes. Couldn’t seal the deal on a game-tying drive within the final minutes. Even with the weather being windy and bad, still disappointing. LOSS, 10-17

Week 17, vs Washington:
Even though the Browns were eliminated from the playoffs last week, they were able to return the favor by eliminating the Commanders also. Defense overall had a solid game with 3 interceptions and holding them to only 10 points. This concerned some fans that wanted to see DC Joe Woods fired since the defense always seems to come to life near the end of the season. Either way, the Browns eliminated one team from the playoffs, and they have a chance to eliminate another next week. WIN, 24-10

Week 18, @ Pittsburgh:
At least the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs! That was not thanks to the Browns though; Steelers were eliminated because the Dolphins won their game. The theme appeared for one last time, where the rushing defense was nonexistent. Remember when fans were hoping QB play would have picked up after Watson was starting? I honestly think the Browns had a better chance of winning this game if Brissett played. Either way, disappointing way to end the season. LOSS 14-28

Overall Record: 7-10, 3-3 Division

High Points

Low Points - See: “The Elephant in The Room”. - Clowney saying in a press conference he was leaving the team because they don’t believe in him and having multiple opportunities to walk it back. - Cleveland Browns defensive players being mad that fans were booing them after blowing it in impossible fashion to the Jets.

Overall Roster Review:

All-Pros:

LG Joel Bitonio (1st Team)
DE Myles Garrett (2nd Team)
RB Nick Chubb (2nd Team)

Pro Bowl Selections:

LG Joel Bitonio
DE Myles Garrett
RB Nick Chubb

Pro Bowl Alternates:

TE David Njoku
CB Denzel Ward
RG Wyatt Teller
WR Amari Cooper
RT Jack Conklin

Team Strengths:

Our rushing game with Nick Chubb at the lead was still one of the best in the league. However, just like the previous season, opponent defenses started expecting the run and would scheme for it knowing the passing game could not have the same level of production.
The Browns still have a solid offensive line especially when healthy. They deserve plenty of the credit for the rushing production in the first half of the season.

Free Agency/Draft Needs (Credit to /u/burningburningburnin for their analysis):

Defensive Line: The defensive line in 2022 was atrocious and I would argue is the main reason the rushing defense was poor. The Defensive Tackles were either injured or not up to the challenge, resulting in easy holes forming for rushing to run through. Besides Myles Garrett performing, the Defensive Edge on the other side of him did not perform well enough to take pressure off of him. This will be a big focus in the free agency and draft that has to be resolved if they want success next season.
Safety: The two safeties Grant Delpit and John Johnson III left many holes open throughout the season. A major part may have been Joe Woods’ scheming, but Grant Delpit was a top pick for when Woods started as DC and he wanted to build the defense around him. The defense is going to be completely revamped under new leadership this off-season, so adjustments here will be critical.
Other position needs: Tight End, Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle.

2023 Draft Picks:

Round 2, Pick 42
Round 3, Pick 96
Round 4, Pick 108
Round 4, Pick 127
Round 5, Pick 137
Round 5, Pick 139
Round 6, Pick 176
Round 7, Pick 207

On Their Way Out:

Jacoby Brissett, QB: He proved himself as a consistent QB this season that can be either a solid backup or a starter for a transitioning team. Now that Watson will be starting in 2023, I highly doubt brisket will make a return.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE: After voicing publicly he is most likely not returning, it is the most likely scenario. Clowney did not repeat similar numbers as the 2021 season with only 2.0 sacks (compared to the 9.0 in 2021), so I would not be surprised if the FO decided to look in a new, younger direction.
John Johnson III, FS: He signed a 3 year deal in the 2021 off-season after playing 4 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Overall Johnson performed okay these past two seasons, but I see him as a potential cut-candidate to help save cap space.
Kareem Hunt, RB: After having some amazing seasons as the second running back in CHUNT, Kareem is probably not going to be re-signed. He showed interest in staying with the team a year ago on a friendly deal, but requested a trade in the 2022 off-season when no deal was reached. Kareem is 27 years old and will be 28 before the start of the season. In the running back world, that is getting up there in age with few exceptions. The Browns will probably move on and find a new second string RB.

Coaching Staff/Front Office Review

GM Andrew Berry: Overall, Berry did an okay job in building a roster for his coaches to work with. Before the season started, the Cleveland Browns’ defense was predicted to be one of the best in the league after all the talent that was drafted/signed. Unfortunately, that did not pan out as expected especially with the massive holes in the interior defensive line. The major question is how well will Berry’s trade/signing for Deshaun Watson look a few years down the line? At the conclusion of this season, it looked like a poor trade, but there is still time for it to work. Like many of the coaches on this list, Berry’s position will be on the hot seat for next season. He has a lot of work to do this off-season and if his transactions do not pan out, the Browns will have to find a new GM to build the team.
HC Kevin Stefanski: I want to begin with an anecdote I’ve heard while living in Minneapolis. When talking about football with other coworkers, they’d ask how the Browns were doing and I’d bring up how many fans/Cleveland sports journalists have not been happy about Stefanski’s performance as the head coach. Many of these Vikings fans are surprised by the news and still wish he would come back to their Minnesota franchise. The point is there are many mixed opinions on Stefanski regarding his offensive play calling or his personnel decisions. Just like Berry, Stefanski is going to be on the hot seat for the 2023 season.
OC Alex Van Pelt: Overall, the offense improved this season compared to last season. The passing game performed better and Brissett exceeded expectations when he was the starting QB. The Browns’ receiving corps had 3 players with 1,000 yard seasons and saw consistent performance from Chubb. Kevin Stefanski is still responsible for play calling and has not given that responsibility to AVP. He’ll be the OC next season but the team’s performance will determine where he goes from there.
DC Joe Woods: He should have been fired at the end of last season. For the three seasons Joe Woods has been the Defensive Coordinator, it never really felt like the defense gelled for an entire season. It would show flashes of what it could be, but was never consistent enough. While the DBs improved this year, there were too many games where it felt like the Browns lost because of the defense. At the conclusion of this season, Joe Woods was fired by the Browns and has been hired to be the DC for the Saints. With the Browns’ track record of firing coaches or letting them walk (like Belechick, Saben, and Mike McDaniel), Woods will probably excel for New Orleans.
STC Mike Priefer: This is another coordinator that should have been fired at the conclusion of the 2021 season. The biggest mistake from this past season was how unprepared the Browns looked for the onside kick in the Jets game where they came back in the last minute. Unfortunately, that was not the only onside kick the opponent recovered. Also, the Browns’ rookie kicker Cade York made 24 of 32 field goals with most of the misses coming from within FirstEnergy Stadium. Priefer can probably find another position elsewhere in the NFL if he chooses to do so, but now the Browns are moving in a different direction.

Predictions for the 2023-2024 Season:

Why the Browns will succeed:

Deshaun Watson performs like his previous self before he took a hiatus from football. He puts the team on his back a few games this season when needed to give some solid wins.
With a new defensive coordinator, the Browns’ defense is rejuvenated and is able to keep the team in games.
Myles Garrett has another great year especially with a reliable DE on his opposite side. The pass rush is able to get the opposing QBs and force teams to use the ground game.
The Browns find another RB to keep the 1-2 punch alive with Nick Chubb at the lead.

Why the Browns will fail:

Deshaun Watson continues his trend of this past season and looks like a disappointment or is injured early in the season.
No real improvements are made on the defense so they continue to regress.
Even though Myles Garrett and Nick Chubb continue to perform to their greatness, the rest of the team does not keep up, thus wasting another year of the likes of Garrett, Chubb, and Bitonio.
Kevin Stefanski’s play calling does not adjust to Watson’s strengths which includes RPOs and being in the shotgun.

The next season really falls onto how Deshaun Watson performs as the QB and how Stefanski and the coaching staff are able to support the development. Even if Watson has a bad season, the Browns can’t really get rid of him with his massive contract and guaranteed money. They’ll probably clean house and start over with new coaching to see if they can find the formula to make Watson succeed. That will be an absolute disaster and lead to more drama if it happens.

Final Thoughts

I first want to say thanks to /u/ehhhhhhhhhhmacarena for the opportunity to write this post. I can’t imagine how much work it takes to coordinate this annual event and the trust that has to be given to writers. Wouldn’t be possible without you!

Also, I really want to give a big shout out to the Cleveland Browns Discord. Last offseason after the news of Watson joining the Browns, I had a heavy conversation with myself and my loved ones on if we wanted to continue showing support for this franchise. There were many healthy conversations happening in this community that I was able to participate in. The mods there helped keep conversation in good faith and constructive, so I’m really thankful for that. Go check them out even if you’re not a Browns fan.

Lastly, if you made it this far into the post, thank you so much for reading. This was a really touchy subject to write about and I appreciate your support. If there is anything you’d like to point out or anything you wish to correct, please write it in the comments below. I may not answer immediately as I will be on Miami beach enjoying my vacation when this post goes live, but know that I will eventually take a look. I’ll end it how every Browns fan ends almost every season, “This past season was a major disappointment, but there’s always next year!”

Martes, Pebrero 28, 2023

Lunes, Pebrero 27, 2023

Game Threads Index (February 27, 2023):

32 Teams 32 Days 2022-23 NFL Season

Directory

An Abridged Story

Three Quick Questions

Cheers and Jeers

Team Highlights and Lowlights

Highlights

Lowlights

2022 Roster Changes (Draft and Free Agency)

2022 NFL Draft Recap

2022 Free Agent Review

Notable Additions

Departures

Season Statistics

Roster Review

Roster Review

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

Defensive Ends

Linebackers and Defensive backs

Linggo, Pebrero 26, 2023

2017-present, an era of offense

2000-2005, and era of defense

2006-2015 the golden era of mediocrity

2000-present, and era of imbalance

1970-1999, an era of dominance

The Chart:

Same data but table format

Sabado, Pebrero 25, 2023

Game Threads Index (February 25, 2023):

Team: Cleveland Browns

The Elephant In The Room

General Season Overview

New Player Additions:

Free Agency/Off-season Trades

Re-Signings

Stats:

Offensive Stats:

Defensive Stats:

Weekly Game Review:

Overall Record: 7-10, 3-3 Division

Overall Roster Review:

All-Pros:

Pro Bowl Selections:

Team Strengths:

Free Agency/Draft Needs (Credit to /u/burningburningburnin for their analysis):

2023 Draft Picks:

On Their Way Out:

Coaching Staff/Front Office Review

Predictions for the 2023-2024 Season:

Why the Browns will succeed:

Why the Browns will fail:

Final Thoughts