Which Super Bowl Team are the Cleveland Browns More Like?
Jan 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of mannequin with media day uniform of the Denver Broncos (left) and the Seattle Seahawks at the Super Bowl XLVIII media center at the Sheraton New York, Times Square. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With the Super Bowl upon on this Sunday Cleveland Browns fans still have to deal with the continued failures of the team. The Browns just hired their new head coach, after they may or may not have been turned down by number of others. Their new coach will call the defensive plays and has brought in quite a few of his people from his Buffalo Bills staff to coach the defense. The same Bills defense that was beaten by Brandon Weeden. For Browns fans, right now its easy to focus on these things as negatives, with the team’s history its not difficult to assume the worse, while this writer has hopes for a quick turnaround even with evidence to the contrary.
So today we look at each team’s strengths and see which team the Browns are more like, the Broncos or the Seahawks?
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are obviously led by Peyton Manning’s offense. Manning orchestrates his offense like the Cleveland orchestras conductor. His ability to analyze the defense and put his teammates in the right places to succeed is legendary and amazing. He is surrounded by high quality receivers on the outside in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, slot receiver Wes Welker and tight end, and athletic marvel Julius Thomas. He also has a stable of running backs when the defense sets up with a loaded backfield, and light box. Defensively the team had been led by Von Miller’s pass rush, but his injury has changed things. Instead the team has cobbled together a defense of veterans and young players. Terrance Knighton, Champ Bailey and Dominic Rogers-Cromartie are the most known but it is a team effort that has helped the defense provide some sense of balance to the team.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are the polar opposite of the Broncos. With their dominate defense and adequate offense the ‘Hawks have old schooled their way to the Super Bowl. Led by Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and a bevvy of pass rushers Seattle has loaded that side of the ball with game changing players. On offense Marshawn Lynch is the lynch-pin. Everything the team does revolves around him. He runs with aggression, breaking tackles and causing earthquakes in their home stadium. His running sets up the play action pass and zone read game of Russell Wilson, who has struggled as a drop back passer for the past few months of the season. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin were suppose to lead a upgraded wide receiving core but have both struggled through injuries. Instead Golden Tate has been the teams leading receiver.
Comparing the Browns and the Broncos
The Browns have no one near Manning’s level. In fact even if they had their choice of QBs in this up coming draft the likely hood that one of them could even sniff the air Manning breathes is unlikely. However the Browns do have 2 offenses weapons in Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron that are comparable to some of Manning’s targets. Gordon is a big receiver in the mold of D/ Thomas who, while not as strong, is far more athletic. Jordan and J. Thomas are two tight ends who played basketball and are still learning the game of football. Cameron may be farther along then J. Thomas in route running but Thomas has the expert Manning throwing to him. The Browns defense is has more dynamic players including Joe Haden, Desmond Bryant, Paul Kruger, Phil Taylor and rookie Barkevious Mingo. Without Miller the Broncos have had to to piece together their defense. The Browns are lacking those type of pieces that could bring a defense together but they have the star power to have a dynamic defense.
Comparing the Browns and the Seahawks
The Browns have their Sherman like player in Haden. They attempted to have a bevvy of pass rushers with the additions of Kruger, Mingo, Quentin Groves and Desmond Bryant to go with Jabaal Sheard. TJ Ward is a bigger, hard hitting Strong Safety while Thomas provides more coverage at Free Safety. The Browns have no one near Lynch’s status. The Browns don’t even have a starting caliber running back. Wilson has the ability to continue to develop into something special, but has not shown that this year. The Browns could find a quarterback in this draft that could be a facsimile of Wilson, whether that is Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel is to be determined. The Browns weapons of Gordon and Cameron are better then those the Seahawks have fielded all year.
Who is a Better Comparison?
With their focus on developing the defense, and their lack of quarterback, the Browns are more comparable to the Seahawks. A miraculous addition of a franchise level QB to pair with Gordon and Cameron could give the Browns a better defense and comparable offense but that is far less likely. Adding a QB, running back and cornerback in the draft and depth in the draft and free agency could provide the type of foundation the Seahawks have put together over the last 2 years.
Is this comparison even worth the time? Did this past year, and this off-season, kill all of your confidence in the team? Do you agree that the Seahawks are a better comparison then the Broncos? Tell us your thoughts below in the comments.