In an NFL where analysts are quicker to toss around the word "parity" than Drew Rosenhaus' clients are to hold out, virtually any coach and ownership can pluck its team from the previous season's mire and heave it into the national spotlight.
For example, take the San Diego Chargers, who climbed from a pitiful 4-12 in 2003 to an astonishing 12-4 just one year later. Or the Pittsburgh Steelers, who morphed a mediocre 6-10 in 2003 to a league-best 15-1 in 2004. Even the Cincinnati Bengals have the SportsCenter clone army adlibbing.
Still, season-by-season, one team has proven the current recipe for NFL success is flawed — mix two or three "rebuilding" years with a handful of high draft picks, stir in a proven veteran at a skill position, fire the coaching staff, and serve. The club that is the closest to the Pro Football Hall of Fame moves further and further away.
Tough luck for a coach like Romeo Crennel, who could land in Canton one day, if given the right opportunity. Instead, Crennel is the new CEO of (formerly) Butch Davis, Inc., the worst team in football — the Cleveland Browns.
Browns fans, hear me out. You've got one of the most storied franchises in football, but it's time to fess up. Ownership and coaching decisions have devastated your roster. Since the 1999 restoration, your record is 30-66. Through no fault of your own, the Cleveland Browns have won only 14 home games in the past six seasons.
So don't get mad at me when I tell you — Romeo Crennel, regardless of his vast tactical genius, can't help you. At least, not any time soon.
Even if Trent Dilfer makes you forget about the Baltimore betrayal and Braylon Edwards shuts up just long enough to play, 2005 is already a dead year. The worst team in football faces its greatest challenge of this millennium — competing in the NFL's new toughest division.
Until 2003, playing in the AFC North and its annual flip-flop of mediocrity was a luxury for the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals or the Steelers or the Ravens were bound to challenge for the bottom of the barrel. When the new divisions were demarcated following the 2001 season, the Browns were counting themselves among the blessed.
Indeed, when Cleveland "made the playoffs" in 2002, it was thanks to the Bengals (2-14), the Ravens (7-9), and three other AFC clubs who matched the Browns' shabby 9-7, but lost out on the tie-break.
Now Cleveland is trying to improve from 4-12 in a division in which 10-6 would be a disappointment for every other team.
The Steelers know they won't repeat 15-1, but harbor high expectations for Roethlisberger's continued emergence. With Jamal Lewis, Todd Heap, and Ray Ray starting 16 games, the Ravens will do better than 9-7. The Bengals continue to receive praise from the media for their improvement and are every other analyst's dark horse to strike the 2005 playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Browns await a hideous schedule in 2005. Outside of their division, Cleveland will play opponents from the AFC South and NFC North, including Indianapolis, Green Bay, and Minnesota. With the Bears, Lions, and Texans all improving, Crennel's first winnable game might not be until Nov. 6, when his squad faces the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Bad news for a franchise that expects to win sooner rather than later.
Punt or Bomb?
In light of the predicament outlined above, Crennel's best option for success is to change the expectations of Cleveland's ownership and fans to "lose-now, win-later."
Though this plan has been hindered somewhat by the designs of new GM Phil Savage (see Edwards, Braylon), Crennel seems to be doing his best to cleanse the depth chart of all vestiges of Butch Davis. Getting past failures Courtney Brown and Gerrard Warren out of town was a good move.
However, the acquisition of Denver runner Reuben Droughns — an alleged "character" guy — has proven a huge headache. Droughns, under the hex of newly-inked agent Drew Rosenhaus (mentioned above), is demanding a new contract and quickly untangling himself from the good graces of coaches and ownership.
Also, running back William Green, perhaps Butch Davis' most personal bust (since he passed on former U player Clinton Portis to draft Green), remains on the roster, largely thanks to Droughns' very public whining. Many analysts expected that the Droughns trade would spell the end of Green's tenure as a Brown, but that scenario is no longer guaranteed.
Furthermore, Crennel faces an additional cancer: a guy who is possibly the most obnoxious player in the league — besides two receivers who wore green and white in Super Bowl XXXIX — appropriately-labeled "tight end" Kellen Winslow.
K2, who bragged about his contract before breaking his leg in 2004 and forfeiting much of his "guaranteed" bonus money, has made headlines again. According to ESPN.com, on Saturday, Winslow dumped a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle in a community college parking lot and suffered undisclosed injuries.
Winslow, who was wearing a helmet he apparently forgot to buckle, landed hard enough to uproot a small tree. However, the pain of the crash will seem like a pinprick when Winslow realizes, as ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio reports, that the Browns could recoup $9.4 million in bonuses paid under Winslow's current contract, which includes language to guard the team against non-football injuries suffered by the player.
Accordingly, it seems in Crennel's best interest to rescind Winslow's bonuses and let the situation detonate. Given Winslow's past actions, particularly his fondness for hanging dirty laundry in the eye of the media, it wouldn't be long before K2 wrecked the bike.
And Cleveland fans should celebrate when it happens, even if it means watching the Browns stink for two or three seasons. After all, they're already accustomed to it.
Only in Your Fantasies...
If you're planning on drafting rookie receiver Braylon Edwards and playing him this season, think again.
In 2000, when he led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win, Trent Dilfer produced terrible fantasy numbers, and his receivers fared no better. Qadry Ismail led the team with 49 catches for 655 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Moreover, new Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, who spent the last two seasons in Dallas, has produced only one 1,000-yard receiver in his career, Detroit's Johnnie Morton (77/1154/4) in 2001.
May 4, 2005
Dan:
You are a complete idiot!!! While I don’t expect the Browns to contend this season..I do expect them to contend in 2006..and for many years to follow. Crennell and Savage have the plan and the know how to turn this thing around quicker than any one expects… with or with out Winslow. Yes it will be a messy process…but the fans here will give these guys time to operate..and remove the cancer of losing from this franchise. The Browns WILL be in the playoffs in 2006..and WILL be in and WIN a Super Bowl before 2008. Get your head out of your ass and pay attention to what’s going on in Berea instead of writing an ignorant article based on the past exploits of a team in the process of shedding the past and building for the future. I bet your a Suckler fan.
May 4, 2005
Jason Kendall:
You’re right — Charlie Frye will throw Antonio Bryant the Super Bowl-winning touchdown off a playfake to Adimchinobe Echemandu, following, of course, a three-and-out forced by defensive leaders Chaun Thompson and Sean Jones…
May 4, 2005
Jweev:
Looks like somebody’s glass is half empty! Surely the Brownies may struggle again this year, but for the first time since being reborn, they look to have a gameplan in place. With predecessors such as Butch Davis/Dwight Clark/Chris Palmer, it wold be hard for Savage and co. to do worse.. They have already made some smart, low cost free agent additions, plus a solid (not spectacular) draft. With a couple of additions to the front seven after June 1, I think this team will compete week in and week out, and given the teams recent history, that is all browns fans can hope for (realistically). But with the current state of the NFL, I feel they can compete for the division in ‘06 with another solid year of rebuilding. And would somebody PLEASE cut Winslow a break, lets remember he’s only 21 years old, plus he is more a victim of circumstance than any fault of his own.
May 4, 2005
rob:
I bet you said similar things about the 2004 San Diego Chargers before the season began, am I correct? The 2005 Browns will not be a force in the NFL this year that much is true however; they will not be a disgrace as they were during King Davis’s reign. Addition by subtraction already makes Cleveland a better TEAM. The key word here is TEAM. I believe this year will be the Browns first steps in building a team that plays as a team. To win you must first have what it takes to compete. In 2005 the Browns will be a competitive TEAM. I can’t predict the future however; if there’s no foundation there can be no future. Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage have given the Browns a foundation… it’s called TEAM. Playing as a team is a new concept for the Cleveland Browns, and us as Browns fans. Personally I’m going to enjoy watching the Browns develop and build this TEAM the right way for a change… from the bottom up!
May 4, 2005
Jason Kendall:
Looking at Cleveland’s additions outside of the draft, Jweev, there’s just not much long-term value there. Andruzzi and Coleman are stopgaps in the middle, and, while they’re upgrades over last year’s ensemble, both have battled weight problems and neither is a real difference maker.
In the secondary, Baxter is a nice pickup, but you have to wonder how long the Browns will be willing to keep him around if his numbers aren’t prolific. $1.5 million apiece for 2005 and 2006 is not bad, but 2007 ($3.5 million) and beyond ($4.3 million) could turn into a headache.
Also, Baxter and safety Brian Russell didn’t generate many turnovers in 2004—though Russell fluked with 9 picks in 2003 (see Henry, Anthony). And Russell is only signed for two more years.
In this regard, at least, Dan’s comment is right on — if the Browns don’t win the Super Bowl by 2007, all four of these guys could be gone.
May 4, 2005
Alan T:
Hey Jason,
FYI - The Browns split last year’s games with the Bengals AND the Ravens and have UPGRADED a number of key areas (O-Line, for instance) since that time via free agency. There’s a minimum of 3 wins there. Hideous schedule?? Minnesota 8-8; bye bye, Mr Moss; Detroit 6-10; here comes Joey… or will we see Jeff??; and Chicago 5-11 oh my, here comes Rex - or will it be Mr. Dinwiddie!!)?? Another 2 of 3 in the” W” column. Then we’ve also got the Texans, Dolphins, Jags and Raiders… Add at least 3 more “W”s. Now were looking at 8-8. Did you have a chance to look at our IR roster last year (one of the league’s highest) and consider that THAT was a factor as well? Put your money where your mouth is - $50 says 8-8 or better. Double if Braylon plays.
May 4, 2005
Cooperider:
I for one am completely happy with the Browns right now!
The past six seasons have been horrible mainly due to lack of direction and lack of competency. Our drafts have been abysmal and our offseason free-agency signings have been non-existent.
At least this offseason has been one of building a foundation with a clear cut direction. I don’t expect the Browns to win more than six games this season but I do expect them to be more competetive. They have had huge IR problems that have compounded the offseason ineptitude. Hopefully (crossing fingers for everyone other than Winslow who can take his arrogant idiotic self straight out of town) we can have some healthy players this season that can contribute.
I also don’t expect Dilfer, Andruzzi, Coleman or Russell to be long term solutions. They do have a purpose though… providing short term relief and teaching the youngsters through solid play and veteran leadership.
If we have a competetive season this year and we have an offseason next year comparable to the one we just experienced, I only see the Browns getting stronger as a TEAM. Maybe in ‘06 we can watch them on their way to a winning record and a possible playoff berth that isn’t considered a fluke like ‘02 was.
I’m happy that the Browns finally appear to have direction and decisive leadership in the front office. That should be the key to having direction and leadership on the field.
May 5, 2005
vernonb:
since 1957 I’ve been a browns fan and therefore accustomed to pain.Crennel has his work cut out for him, as he and Savage look for improvement in what is perhaps the most inept franchise in the league.Look at the o-line and those all pro tackles that the team has been enamored with for the last few years, and optimism fades away like so much cigarette smoke with only the stench left behind.The heart and soul of a good football team rests in its o-line.If they suck,even the best skill players will be a waste.The defense no matter how good wears down and falters.Winslow,Droughns,Verba,Tucker and other liabilities should be removed,hopefully for something in return.It appears that Mary Tyler Moore could gain a thousand yards for the Bronco’s.Remember opening day in Cleveland against the Colts,first down on the one foot line and Verba,Tucker ,Wohlabaugh,Stokes and O’hara lost yardage.Three of the five are gone,with two to follow.Surely there must be two guys better than they.If you have a Rolls Royce with a faulty engine it is little more than eye candy.Davis is gone,so hope springs eternal.However ,as a Browns fan,so does reality.Wait and see.
May 5, 2005
Nancy Whitmire:
As a long time Browns fan I can only hope for the best. Reality — with all the egos in the way who knows what team will be on the field for the new season? AS for KWII — if he is out for another year, let’s get rid of him and get on with things === he appears to be another bad decision no matter what his talent. As Paul Brown proved years ago —- draft people with intelligence and motivation == those are the most important to the team and the most successful in the long run. Even in today’s environment.
GO BROWNS!!!
May 6, 2005
Jason Kendall:
A note on IR:
The Browns had four real contributers on IR in 2004: Kelvin Garmon, Courtney Brown, Sean Jones, and K2 (and the latter two’s inclusion in that list is based solely on expectations).
Compare that to a team like the Carolina Panthers, which lost Kris Jenkins (best DT in football), Steve Smith, Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, and Travares Tillman.
Despite facing one of the toughest schedules in football, the Panthers still managed to pull out 7-9, compared to the Browns 4-12.
The difference here is depth. NFL football is terrible for your body, plain and simple, and injuries will occur beyond the control of coaches and ownership. Teams that manage to compete through bad luck years do so because they have built a solid foundation of experience and talent at every position.
Depth takes years to build, and — thanks to Butch Davis — Cleveland has a need for depth and years to build it. The Tennessee Titans are, if not already, soon to be in the same boat.
May 6, 2005
Jason Kendall:
That said, the one Brown who really impressed me last year was tight end Steve Heiden, who stepped in for K2 and caught 28 passes for 5 touchdowns.
Heiden, an NFL journeyman, may have his best year in 2005, if he gets enough snaps. And given the reports pouring out of Berea on Winslow’s injuries, it looks like Heiden will play.
May 7, 2005
BJ:
Brilliant…. Best article I have read in a long time. The Browns are the worst drafting team in the history of sports. Crennel won’t put down the cheeto bag long enough to get this bunch of losers past 3-13. Crennel won’t be able to match the outstanding turn around that Marvin Lewis pulled off in Cincinnati. With the first pick in the 2005 draft the Cleveland Browns select ……
May 7, 2005
Jonathan:
Week 1
Bengals 49
Browns 7
and it will only get worse from there :o)
May 7, 2005
Mike:
Romeo Crennel couldn’t comb out Marvin Lewis’ Dingleberrys
May 7, 2005
Nancy Whitmires Husband:
trust me my wife is delusional…. as a Cincinnati Guy I know who the real champ this year will be
May 7, 2005
Joe Tucker:
We have a saying in Southern Ohio
“if it’s Brown flush it down”
May 7, 2005
Joey Watts:
You guys are crazy…. The Browns will at least win 10 Games this year… I’d bet my trailor on it
May 7, 2005
Brad:
Not only will the Browns finish last in the North, they will again finish last in the division, and most likely in every major offensive and defensive category. Cleveland, a team not even worthy of being called an NFL Europe team.
May 7, 2005
Stacy Ohrt:
quit being so mean to my Brownies…. thay are one of the only bright spots we have in this town.
May 7, 2005
BJ:
Kellen is the lucky one… I wouldn’t want to get destroyed while wearing excrement colored Unis every week in front of a National audience. Maybe Winslow will pack on 50 lbs, lose most of his teeth, forget how to read, and then get a dog bone and join the rest of the Cleveland faithful in the stands.
May 7, 2005
Brad:
The only bright spot in Cleveland is the spot on Lake Erie that is on fire.
May 9, 2005
Steel City Baby:
Steelers Div Winner
Bengals WildCard
Ravens 8-8
Browns 0-16 (First team ever)
May 9, 2005
Bradshaws Barber:
Roethlisberger is the best QB in the League….. Boller is aberage and hell even Carson is decent. Dilfer on the other hand lol!!!
May 9, 2005
Bradshaws Barber:
Roethlisberger is the best QB in the League….. Boller is average and hell even Carson is decent. Dilfer on the other hand lol!!!
May 9, 2005
Bradshaws Jockstrap:
U all are soo stupid, Cleveland sucks an Pittsburgh is soo good, I me grate. Look we always win and use never win soo we are like way lots better then Cleveland see. So stop whining like little girly girls and lean to plai football like us men in Pissburgh…..
May 9, 2005
Bengal Nation:
Look, it’s nice to be enthusiastic about your team, Browns fans, but come on now…you guys are at least another year away from even trying to crawl out of the cellar. Pittsburgh will still be very strong, Cincinnati and Baltimore both got better, and you guys are rebuilding after years of futility. While I know that the Bengals did this a couple of years ago, we also had more talent than you currently do. I think that Crennel will right the ship and make you guys contenders at some point, but think more like 2006 or 2007…maybe. Possibly. If you’re lucky.
And as for Roethlisberger being the best QB in the league, I am fairly certain the best QB in the league didn’t fall apart and have a really awful second half of the season and playoffs, which automatically disqualifies Big Ben. And Boller is not a decent QB…Boller is only “decent” if “decent” means “awful”, which i am fairly certain it does not.
May 9, 2005
Brad:
The Steelers were 6-10 the year before last….. don’t act like they are gods, Big Ben proved he can do nothing but handoff, so once Bettis gets arthritis in his hips (3rd game of season) it’s all over. Steelers 8-8 in 2005.
May 9, 2005
Jason Kendall:
Good point on Roethlisberger, Bengal Nation. Leading your team to a winning record does not cement your status as a great QB.
Guys like Chad Pennington, Drew Brees, and Mike Vick, along with Big Ben, still have a lot to prove before they should be mentioned alongside guys like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Daunte Culpepper,
In fact, games won means so little, many pundits still think Tom Brady doesn’t even have what it takes (he does).
That said, you don’t need a great quarterback to win a championship. Just ask Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer.
May 9, 2005
Southern Ohio Boy:
I dont think rothlisbuger is a bad qb,trent dilfer a qb,huh,amazing.Carson Palmer,maybe.The brownies will become the next laughing stock of the NFL,replacing the bungles.The squeelers will go 8-8(rothlisbuger comes back to earth).The rat birds will go 6-10,sorry boller you aint the man.The Who-Dey boys will win the AFC NORTH with a record of 12-4.You heard it here first sports fans.Welcome to the basement turd rollers.
May 10, 2005
Winslows Agent:
http://www.big-boys.com/articles/brandnewbike.html
Actual Video of Winslows Crash
May 11, 2005
Bengal Nation:
Just wanted to post this to clarify:
I am indeed BN1281 from the Bengalszone board.
Bengalszone: Where Browns Fear to Tread
May 11, 2005
Grant Dawson:
I would just like to find the two guys who were willing to bet that the Browns will have success this year. I’m not sure I need a trailer from Joey Watts, but I would certainly take any bet that has the Browns winning 10 games this year (or next year, for that matter). I’ll also take the $50 from the guy who said 8-8 for the Brownies this year.
C’mon, Browns fans. Admit that your team and the 49ers are contending for worst NFL franchise right now.
June 16, 2005
James Charles:
Great article Jason.You have serious talent.I’m looking forward to more articles.How can anyone disagree with anything stated?
June 25, 2005
Dumb Dawg:
My Browns are a very good team and you are a bunch of meanies!
July 29, 2005
DawgPound:
Brownz 13-3
Hellz Yah Baby !!!