Cleveland Browns: Stefanski hire ushers in 2nd reign of analytics

For better or worse, “Analytics” is king for the Cleveland Browns again, as advanced data analysis will dictate the future of the once proud franchise.

How do you like your analytics Cleveland? Anything but 1-31, right? With the addition of Kevin Stefanski as head coach, the Cleveland Browns are again, relying heavily on advanced data to return to prominence.

In theory, the second round of analytics should go a lot better than when Sashi Brown was controlling the 53-man roster. The Browns still have talent. They have a top 10-pick and could arguably add a franchise left tackle on a rookie contract.

We saw analytics tear the the team, its fans and the city down, but there was an oasis in that desert of wasted years watching the team we love. Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb.

In truth, the drums around this hire had been banging ever since the Browns laced up their cleats for an embarrassing season finale loss in Cincinnati.

DePoesta wanted his voice heard more in the organization. He was right about Sean McDermott over Hue Jackson. He was right about Freddie Kitchens. He was right to pick up Brock Osweiler for $14 million. It ruined into Chubb.

But Haslam would’t heed his advice, until now.

CantonRep.com’s Steve Doerschuk wrote about how Stefanski won over an interview room that he was already well acquainted with.

"Stefanski presented a detailed vision of how he will approach the head coaching job. He made it clear he was willing to yield to certain DePodesta standards, such as an analytics person with a head set and access to the coaching staff on game days, in addition to certain Haslam likes, such as hours-long, Monday-after, owner-coach meetings."

An analytics person with a  head set? You read that right, Defenders of the Muni Lot. But as you cash that six pack out in Week 1, don’t get upset. It’s the way sports is going.

Analytics shouldn’t be a bad word, although it is on Sundays in the Dawg Pound. Knowing more information than the other guy and predicting opponent tendencies is as old as time.

It’s just the way pro sports is going, whether you agree or disagree, it’s already happened. Even the Ravens are presenting game plans to their analytics crew. Heck, if Major League Baseball had its way, Minor League Baseball would be eliminated so that big-league clubs could develop the type of players they covet in extended Spring Training.

Even if you were the staunchest McDaniels advocate, admit it: Your’re curious about this Stefanski guy. I mean, this kind of thing, where the guy finishes runner-up and then gets the big gig one year later doesn’t happen all the time.

I consider DePodesta to be unbiased. He’s a man who relies on data analysis. If the information pointed to Stefanski, so be it. Even better it happened again, as the field was much stronger this last coaching cycle.

If it doesn’t work, the Browns will still be here, but I do worry about the fans. How much is enough? I don’t know how ownership could sell its customers on another move two years from now.

That’s also a legit time frame to form an opinion on Stefanski. Remember, this is a team with talent and they’ll get better through the draft. They should win. The playoff drought ends in 2020. If it doesn’t. Stefanski and DePodesta better go on the hot seat in 2021.

I’ll be a Browns fan forever, no matter who owns the team or who is coaching. You think losing will drive me away. How could they lose anymore.

So, while I advocated for McDaniels, I don’t hate Stefanski. I’ve actually got a good feeling: This is going to work out.