The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams before kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 7. Today, the Cleveland Browns.
Head coach: Hue Jackson
Last season’s record: 1-15 (last place in the NFL)
Playoff result: Missed ‘em by a Myles
Key free agent gains: The biggest question for the Browns this summer has circulated around the quarterback, so it’s only fitting that the club’s biggest off-season acquisitions should, too. The importance of bringing in centre J.C. Tretter and guard Kevin Zeitler from Green Bay and Cincinnati, respectively, cannot be overstated when you’ve got a fresh-faced rookie like DeShone Kizer in the pocket. Adding them into the mix with the likes of recently re-signed Joel Bitonio and steadfast veteran Joe Thomas means the Browns have transformed their O-line from promising to downright powerful.
The Browns also brought in safety Calvin Pryor via trade with the Jets. The 2014 first-round pick adds depth to the Browns’ developing secondary.
On offence, wide receiver Kenny Britt should add a bit of veteran presence to what will be a young receiving corps and an even younger QB. The 28-year-old registered 68 catches for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns with the Rams last season before signing a four-year deal in Cleveland.
Key free agent losses: The Browns have had a busy off-season, but aside from QB-turned-top-receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. and experienced safety Jordan Poyer, both of whom walked in free agency, the majority of the team’s significant roster losses came in the form of cuts.
Get comfortable — it’s a long list.
The Browns’ off-season both began and ended with Brock Osweiler, who was acquired via trade back in March in a mutually-beneficial exchange that saw Houston rid itself of the beleaguered quarterback and his heavy contract and Cleveland gain a few valuable draft picks and either a trade chip or a possible project. Long story short, the Osweiler era is now over, as the Browns released him on Friday.
In a more surprising move, the Browns also released beloved cornerback Joe Haden earlier this week. Haden was heavy on the books and light on playing time over the past few seasons as he dealt with several injuries, but wasted no time in signing a three-year deal with the Steelers, where he’ll have a shot at winning.
Gone, too, are last year’s quarterbacks Josh McCown and Robert Griffin III as Cleveland moves forward with the trio of Kizer, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan. They also moved on from some of last year’s targets, including Pryor, who signed with Washington, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (retired) and tight end Gary Barnidge (released).
Kicker Cody Parkey lost the starting gig to newcomer Zane Gonzalez and was released on Friday, as was offensive lineman John Greco.
While the Greco decision was met with a few raised eyebrows, the trading of fellow O-line man Cam Erving was not. The 2015 first-round pick struggled at centre and couldn’t get comfortable at guard, losing the starting gig to Shon Coleman and ultimately getting dealt to Kansas City for a fresh start.
Key draft picks: The Browns converted an almost winless season into the No. 1 overall pick, and selecting consensus top prospect Myles Garrett has already made up for 15 painful losses. The six-foot-four, 272-pound defensive end is about as pro-ready as they come and will make an immediate impact on Cleveland’s much-improved defensive line.
He’s lethal as an edge rusher, versatile enough to drop into just about any assignment and boy, is he fun to watch:
Fellow first-rounders Jabrill Peppers and David Njoku are also set to make an impact. Both are exceptional athletes, with Peppers already making his mark at safety:
Njoku is projected to be a dominant tight end. He’s got the raw talent, but will need a bit more refinement.
Oh my, @David_Njoku80! pic.twitter.com/MqmQGEVQXr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 2, 2017
The biggest story this off-season, however, belongs to DeShone Kizer, the Browns’ starting quarterback. Cleveland has been seeking the answer to their long-lingering QB question since they re-joined the league, and the hopes are high that Kizer is it.
The 21-year-old beat out Osweiler and Kessler for the starting gig and has earned rave reviews, thanks in part to throws like this:
Kizer has formed some great chemistry with second-year receiver Corey Coleman.
X-factor: Patience — especially at quarterback. The Browns have several positive building blocks in place, and won’t be the 1-15 team we saw last year. The future is bright, but patience will be required from all parties — ownership, management, and the players themselves — if the club is truly to make strides this season. Cleveland has seen too much turnover over the past decade, especially at QB. Kizer could (finally) be the answer, and the Browns have set him up for success by giving him several capable bodyguards on the line.
It won’t all be smooth sailing, of course, but head coach Hue Jackson is sticking with his guy.
“This is not just for the moment,” Jackson told reporters following last week’s announcement. “We’re going to get with DeShone, (and) ride with him through it all.”
2017 will be a success if: They can make things competitive in the AFC North. Despite what last year’s standings said, the Browns still made opponents work for their wins. They’ll prove tougher this year thanks to an impressive O-line and a decent run game led by Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson.
When you finish dead last in the league, there’s nowhere to go but up. It’s still going to take some time, but there’s finally (!) reason for optimism in Cleveland.
[relatedlinks]
