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Cleveland Browns: Three things that were learned vs the New York Jets

By Ryan Rosko

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Myles Garrett
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Myles Garrett /
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Another week went by and another loss is added to the Cleveland Browns’ record. What else is new?

Sunday versus the New York Jets was the Cleveland Browns‘ best and very possibly last chance of winning a game in 2017. Unfortunately, due to miss kicks, turnovers, poor defensive coverage, and inconsistencies at quarterback and running back, the losing streak continued.

So, what was learned in Cleveland’s 17-14 Week 5 loss to New York?

Myles Garrett’s transition to the NFL won’t take as long as other rookie defenders.

The top pick in April made his debut this week and made the most of it. Garrett racked up two sacks, including his first on his ever play! From the burst off the line to the moves he made continuously, it is evident that Garrett will be a problem for years to come for opposing offenses.

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Although he didn’t play as much as most starting defensive linemen, Garrett showed why he deserved being the first pick. As the season progresses we will see more glimpses of Garrett’s athleticism and as a result hopefully spark not only the defense, but the franchise as a whole.

As impressive as he was today, remember Garrett is still not 100% healthy and did leave at times due to an ankle injury. Just wait until he is completely healthy. When that happens, Cleveland fans will see J.J. Watt 2.0.

DeShone Kizer has to grow through his mistakes but he is not given that chance.

Since there is no one on the roster that has won a game in the NFL, the rookie ended up winning the job. Kizer still provides the best chance to win, but he has work to do to help his case. From holding the ball too long to accuracy issues, those are his biggest flaws but both can be fixed.

Backup Kevin Hogan is an athletic quarterback but he hasn’t done anything in the NFL. Yes, Kizer could learn from the sidelines, but since there is not a great veteran Kizer can learn from, there is not a better area to learn than actually on the field.

That said, the good thing is when Kizer is standing on the sidelines, at least Hogan can attempt to help the team while Kizer figures out the necessary adjustments to his game.

ESPN Cleveland‘s Tony Grossi described the Kizer benching quite well:

If you’re believing that Kizer deserves to be benched long-term now after just four and a half games then that opinion would follow the same plan of firing a regime after a year or two. Hogan already has a year under his belt in this offense. While Kizer has an offensive line, something Tim Couch didn’t, I get Grossi’s tweet.

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On top of being a rookie and learning a complex offense, doing so with such limited play-makers doesn’t help Kizer. Because of that, I just have to say this: Relax. Let Kizer learn and do his thing on the fly.

Now, head coach Hue Jackson is trying to win, but by benching his rookie after such a small sample shows that he is not doing enough to adapt his offense to help Kizer. Of course Hogan looks better at times. Once again, he’s been in the system for some time now.  Even with Hogan in though, Cleveland is not going to win, so rather than doing what previous regimes did with their quarterbacks, just let Kizer play!

Of course it is not all on Jackson since he doesn’t make every personnel call, but his play-calling needs work. Adjusting it to the former Notre Dame product would do wonders for everyone involved.

The running game needs fixed but that is easier said then done.

Once again, Isaiah Crowell did not put up impressive numbers as the team’s starting RB. Versus the Jets he only put up 60 yards. I want to see Duke Johnson used more just like many of you, however his skill set is not suited to be a three down back.

Jackson needs to make a decision with what he is going to do because Crowell is not helping the team at all. If there was confidence in Matthew Dayes, we would have seen him play on offense and not just on special teams.

I have expressed multiple times the need for Dayes to be used, but if he still isn’t being considered, maybe fans won’t see the former NC State product at all this season outside of special teams.

Something needs to give and at least Jackson was able to get Crowell close to 20 carries. Still, as a whole, those players need to put up the stats when given the opportunity.

Next: 10 step method to fix the Browns

Everyone has a theory on what could be done to improve not only the running game but other aspects. Some may be worthwhile, but at the end of the day it all comes down to talent and Cleveland simply does not have enough of that.

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