What Now In Cleveland?
Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal
For those keeping score at home, it feels like the Cleveland Browns are losing a million to zero in the game of life. After one of the biggest wins since returning in 1999 last weekend vs. Baltimore, the Browns announced Wednesday morning that Deshaun Watson will miss the remainder of the season because of a shoulder injury.
Just before 9 AM the organization released the news. It was clear that Watson took a few big hits in the first half of the game vs. Baltimore, but after his stellar performance in the second half, not many expected this type of news. Not only did the Browns lose a guy on a $230 million contract, but Watson was finally starting to show that he was worth the money. A path to serious contention felt within reach.
The team now sits at 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the division with everyone asking, is the season over?
With statistically one of the easiest schedules moving forward and the Bills and Bengals both struggling, it feels like 10 wins is what it takes to get a wildcard bid. Cleveland’s remaining schedule includes vs. Steelers, at Broncos, at Rams, vs. Jaguars, vs. Bears, at Texans, vs. Jets, and at Bengals. With all the injuries, it’s easy to see four winnable games, but they may need to beat the Steelers and Bengals to keep the division title hopes alive.
So what now?
For the short term, the answer should be easy (or so we thought). You go with PJ Walker who won you two games and put you in a position to win another. Walker is an athletic quarterback with a strong arm and a proven ability to win with this team despite turnovers having been his Achilles heel.
Not so fast.
Reports are that Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) will get the start vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. His horrendous first start has people across the football world questioning the decision.
While the rookie had some star moments in the preseason and was certainly dealt a bad hand learning his first start vs. the Ravens was happening about two hours before the game, I’m shocked to learn that Kevin Stefanski is making the change back with so many goals still achievable. I hope I’m wrong, but not going with a guy (Walker) who won you two games and gave you a shot in another seems silly.
The Browns have a top-five defense that has kept them in every game but one this season. Even with all the challenges on offense and all the injuries (Nick Chubb and Jack Conklin both out for the season as well), there is only one game the Browns didn’t have an opportunity to win in the fourth quarter: the DTR start vs. the Ravens.
The media pushed Andrew Berry on Wednesday morning for answers and what-ifs, but in true Berry fashion, he gave us nothing.
Everyone mentioned that the Joshua Dobbs trade seemed like a bad move, but Berry continued to push that they are moving forward and he can’t afford to judge past decisions at this point in the season.
The one big piece of information we did get was that the Browns would be adding a quarterback and soon. Now, is that a third quarterback who will get stashed on the practice squad? Or is that a veteran that they bring in to eventually take over for DTR or Walker?
The redundant comment was, “We are comfortable with the room”, meaning that Walker and DTR are the guys moving forward, and the team will regroup next year and expect a full recovery for Watson.
When you look at the available players, Colt McCoy and Nick Foles appear to be the only two names that make the any sense. Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick, and others have been mentioned by fans to bring in, but those options are nothing short of silliness.
Everyone is in full panic mode right now (me included). The questions will keep flying until we have some answers or until the answers don’t matter. Regardless of where this team lands on a path forward, they owe it to the fan base to do everything they can to give themselves an opportunity to salvage this season.
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