Is Mike Vrabel A Threat Or Positive For The Cleveland Browns?
Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal
As spring voluntary workouts are underway, we are getting our first real look at much of this Cleveland Browns roster. At this point, we are seeing just helmets and jerseys, but it’s still a perfect time for chemistry and friendships to be formed.
One of the best sights this week has been Deshaun Watson who has been limited in throwing the football but has also had great velocity and accuracy on days he can throw. After season-ending surgery in 2023, it does appear that Watson should be 100% healthy by the start of the season.
Guys like Nick Chubb and Jack Conklin still aren’t on the field, but there is hope that both still have a chance to be on the field in 2024.
There is no doubt that with basically an entirely new offensive staff this year, we are going to see an offense tailored to Watson. You will likely see more shotgun, more downfield passes, and more plays getting Watson out of the pocket. Ken Dorsey who was the scapegoat in Buffalo for their early struggles last season is a great fit and will certainly have his thumbprint on the offense.
One change that made the news for a day and has been somewhat silent since, was the addition of Mike Vrabel as a consultant. Vrabel was a surprise firing last year, and it was a bit shocking he didn’t end up with a job.
Vrabel is known as a no-nonsense coach. Players are willing to run through a wall for him, but he still believes in extreme strength training, conditioning, and full-contact practices which is basically nonexistent in the NFL these days.
What Vrabel Brings to the Browns?
The biggest thing Vrabel brings to this team is toughness. I don’t think there is a whole lot from an X’s and O’s standpoint he can provide over Kevin Stefanski and Jim Schwartz, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the experience in the room.
The piece I said the Browns were most missing in 2022 was a killer instinct or a hype man. They didn’t have that vocal leader that teams need. Schwartz filled a lot of that void in 2023 with the energy and borderline arrogance he brings to the locker room.
And while I love the experience, toughness, and physicality he will bring to this team, one must wonder if he won’t turn into a bit of a distraction as well. There is no doubt that he will be one of the most sought-after coaches next offseason, but will that turn Browns fans too quickly?
Even with playoff appearances in two of the last four seasons, Browns fans are a different breed. They don’t care that Stefanski is a two-time NFL coach of the year, they want to see this team compete for a Super Bowl which has felt out of reach since the late 1980’s.
In a scenario where the Browns struggle out of the gate and start the season 1-3 or 2-5, will Berry be compelled to try and make a change? Knowing the pressure will be on in year three of the Watson experiment, was that the reason that they brought him in?
Only Berry and possibly Jimmy Haslem know the answer to those questions, but they are certainly plausible thoughts. So as much as I love having his experience on the staff and his voice on the headset on Sunday, I certainly have a fear that he could become a major distraction.
Not to get too far off track, but Vrabel is also a flight risk at any point during the season. I don’t think that Ryan Day (Ohio State Head Coach) is at risk of being fired in season, but there is no doubt that if that team has a single stumble boosters will be filling a truck to find a way and get Vrabel to Columbus.
The same thing could happen in the NFL, if a talented team fizzles out early and decides to make a coaching change, Vrabel is going to be on the top of every single team’s list.
Listen, I hope I’m wrong when I question if Vrabel is adding value to this team. We all saw the videos where he was coaching up the special teams this week in Berea and even I’ll admit that got me excited to see someone with head coaching experience working directly with a group that has under-performed, but we also must not get our hopes up.
My point is, for every bit of upside there is of having Vrabel on the staff, there is 50 percent or more downside to the move. I had to point out that there is a chance he jumps ship mid-season, but the real risk is the pressure he puts on Stefanski.
It’s easy to say that in this field of work, a bit of competition and pressure should only bring out the best in Stefanski, but he’s human. And no matter how good of a coach the guy is, sometimes too much pressure can lead to a spiral of bad decisions.
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