They're still not, but boy are the Cleveland Browns doing their best to try and drive the loyal fans away.
This past game against the Arizona Cardinals was perhaps the most frustrating game to watch, and that's saying a lot given the games that us fans have suffered through since the team's rebirth in 1999.
Yet it was a symbol of what we've come to expect from the Browns. Play competitively for a while, then fall into an abyss as the opponent makes adjustments and the Browns fail to counter.
You could feel it coming really with about 5 minutes left to go in the first half. The Browns had just taken a 20-7 lead on Josh McCown's third touchdown pass of the first half (missed the extra point) and the stadium was buzzing. The Browns were relatively competent on offense and the defense had done a nice job of forcing some turnovers.
Yet you could feel the change was going to come. The Browns defense has been notorious for giving up points before the half, squashing all momentum that they had built up.
Sure enough, Carson Palmer had the Cardinals in position to at least get a field goal, if not a touchdown, and a completion to Larry Fitzgerald seemed to confirm my own belief that the score was coming. Then K'Waun Williams forced Fitzgerald to fumble, thus seemingly preventing that end of the half score.
With over a minute in the half, the Browns could conceivably try to get down the field and possibly put some points up before the half, but of course, the coaching staff went conservative and the Browns were forced to punt with 36 seconds left in the half.
A false start pushed the Cardinals back, but then Palmer hit Michael Floyd for 28 yards to the Browns' 27, thus putting the Cardinals in field goal range. Palmer then hit Fitzgerald for 19 yards, and after spiking the ball the Cardinals had 2nd and goal from the 8. There were offsetting penalties on the following play, which allowed the Cardinals to kick that field goal at the end of the half to make it 20-10.
Now, with the Browns having the ball at the start of the second half, you wouldn't be too bothered by all this, except the Browns have been putrid to start the second half at times. This game was no different as the Browns lost 2 yards in 3 plays before punting. Joe Haden was beaten again by Floyd for a long touchdown, thus finishing the shift in momentum. Cardinals were down 20-17, but you knew that wouldn't last and the train wreck continued.
The Browns punted on their next 3 possessions and allowed the Cardinals to take the lead at 24-20. The Browns forced two turnovers, but didn't get anything out of those turnovers, punting after intercepting Palmer, then McCown threw an interception in Cardinal territory after the Browns defense had forced a fumble.
Of course the Cardinals responded by adding another touchdown, and finished the scoring with a field goal to win 34-20.
Remember, the Browns led 20-7 at one point. They gave up 27 unanswered points from the end of the first half going through the 4th quarter. McCown could barely stand, yet Mike Pettine refused to remove him from the game. The offensive line, which had done an admirable job in the first half, couldn't block anyone in the second.
The run defense, which had also done an admirable job in the first half, parted wide open in the second half.
Haden and Tramon Williams couldn't cover anyone. Donte Whitner hit a player so hard he knocked himself out the game.
It was an utter catastrophe in the second half from every angle. There is not one positive you can gleam from that second half.
Nothing.
Listen, this team is now making me angry. Us as fans devote 3+ hours to watch this and no, I don't know why we do this to ourselves. Especially those of you who go down to that stadium every Sunday, paying exorbitant prices on tickets, parking, and concessions, just so you have the privilege of saying you were there when Brian Hartline dropped 4 passes, or watched Dwayne Bowe stand there on the sideline.
Why are you paying Bowe a ton of money if you aren't going to play him? Why has he been inactive so much this year even though he's healthy? Why did anyone think picking up Robert Turbin was a good idea? Why can't this "premiere" offensive line block anyone or open up any running lanes?
Why can't they stop the run? Why can't two of the best cover corners cover anyone? Why can't these guys stop getting concussed? Why is McCown out there when he can barely stand up?
I could go on, and I will because Ray Farmer, the genius himself, took to the podium today to talk about the team. You know, the guy who was trying to trade Joe Thomas anyway he could for some god-forsaken reason. You know, the guy who didn't believe in going out and getting a play-making receiver, who instead threw money at Bowe to stand on the sidelines.
Farmer contended that the team was close, that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. He claimed he wasn't on the hot seat (but very visibly needed to wipe his ENTIRE HEAD OFF WITH A TOWEL), that the hot seat was just something outsiders say.
Farmer is now an internet meme and that's not a good thing.
Look, we could spend hours dissecting what's wrong with this team. Jimmy Haslam is the second coming of Jerry Jones, but without the football knowledge. Pettine, well, he's in a rough spot. He knows his job is on the line and needs to win now, but this team really needs to be developing the younger players, which costs you wins (not that the vets are doing a bang-up job).
The defense, which was supposed to be the strength, gets gashed on a regular basis both on the ground and through the air.
Are the players trying? I believe so, but I feel most aren't being used properly or being put in the best position to succeed. Best example? Paul Kruger, brought into to rush the passer, is being dropped into coverage a lot more than he should be.
One final thing before I switch into a more positive tone, this team needs to stop being jerks to the few good players it has. Tashaun Gipson is one of the best young safeties in the league, yet the team will likely refuse to pay him, much like Buster Skrine (who admittedly wasn't great, but was still serviceable) and TJ Ward (who they replaced with past his prime Donte Whitner).
There's so much more I could get into, but I'm not going to do this to myself. Yes, I want the Browns to become a great franchise, but I doubt they'll do it with the current regime in place. I HATE saying that because I hate constantly changing the faces, but this is possibly the worst I've seen outside of the Pat Shurmer debacle.
Hopefully they figure it out, but expect more painful moments before they do.
Some final thoughts:
- Haden has become more about talking about his game then actually playing like a ProBowl corner. He's been beaten multiple times by average receivers, then is magically hurt afterwards. Please don't be that guy Joe. We want to love you.
- Alex Mack is still not right. Before his injury last year, he was one of the best centers in the league. Now he is getting pushed all over the place and part of why the rushing attack just can't get going.
- Why are the linebackers constantly running up the backs of the linemen in front of them? Shouldn't they be shooting the gaps?
- Justin Gilbert, Johnny Manziel, Cam Erving, and Danny Shelton are your high profile draft picks. Let that soak in.
- Brandon Marshall was had for a fifth round draft pick. The Browns CUT their fourth round receiver.
- If nothing else, I'd like to see the Browns become better so we stop getting the worst announcing crews. Seriously, some of these guys clearly didn't pay attention to who they were going to be covering.
- NFL officials continue to be the worst. In last night's Colts/Panthers game, they made a few errors that helped the Colts in their comeback attempt. The worst was on an a pass play where the receiver was ruled out of bounds even though he was clearly tackled in-bounds, thus saving the Colts several valuable seconds.
Cavalier Caveats
I love the Cavs.
One, they're not the Browns. Dan Gilbert has made it clear he wants to win, he wants to win now, and he'll do what he can to make it happen. Of course, it helps having LeBron James, Kevin Love, and eventually Kyrie Irving, but Gilbert has shown he will give the greenlight on just about any roster decision that helps the team win.
Last nights game was a dud early on though. The 76ers came out with energy and took it to the Cavs early on, but the Cavs started to get back into the game late in the first half, closing what had been a 15 point lead down to 5 at 54-49. They continued the assault in the second half, taking the lead at 56-54 just minutes into the half.
They never looked back. Mo Williams was hitting jumpers, Love was posting up on the block, James was catching alley-oops from Matthew Dellavedova, and the defense tightened up considerably. They stretched the lead to 21 at one point before David Blatt turned it over to the bench, who allowed the lead to dwindle, but not completely disappear.
James passed 25,000 points for his career last night and did so as the youngest ever. The only downside was JR Smith having to leave with a knee injury. He'll be out at least two games, but at least it wasn't serious.
I just want to point out that Love appears to be 150% more comfortable with the team this year than last. He has a bounce in his step (he's health), but he's more assertive. He's calling for the ball and the Cavs are getting it to him where he can be successful. He's no longer just drifting outside the three point line, waiting to shoot a jumper. He's active, he's vocal, and he's being aggressive.
Finally, it's really great to see Mo back with the Cavs. He was a favorite of mine his first time with the team and has done exactly what they need him to do until Irving comes back.
Oh wow, that's right, they're playing pretty well without Irving and Iman Shumpert.
This is going to be fun.
Unlike that Browns team.
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