If the Cleveland Browns fire Joe Woods then the season really is over
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Browns just don’t have the talent
The Browns are in the same place. They gave big contracts to guys who either get glamor stats or have stopped trying (Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward), they spent big money on free agents with an inconsistent history of production at best (Jadeveon Clowney), they also lost a few key pieces in the offseason (M.J. Stewart, Troy Hill), their free agent investments have not paid off (John Johnson III), and their home-grown drafted “stars” are average at best and usually far worse (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramah has a 60.2 PFF score, Greg Newsome 63.2, Grant Delpit 54.2, Jordan Elliot 33.2, etc).
None of this is a surprise either. Garrett has long been called out for his lack of meaningful impact against the opposing offense, Ward has been called inconsistent more than not, Clowney came in with a whole lot of concerns, and the rookies never seemed to have performed well. Though fans screeched “give them time”. This is what time looks like; you know within the first season or two if a player has any potential and talent. You don’t need four years to see if they’ll pan out. You don’t need three and usually, you’re good after a season and a half.
Granted, Owusu-Koramoah, Newsome, and Ward are all capable of much better play. Though, we can’t say the same for the other rookies, second and third-year players.
The Browns are poorly built. That’s not on Woods. Firing him is only the first step to a full teardown, because once the scapegoat is gone, then eyes turn to Kevin Stefanski’s schemes and philosophies and Andrew Berry’s ability to scout talent.
Just like we saw in Baltimore, it’s not the coordinator’s fault his bosses are incompetent.
Next. Browns get their heads kicked in by the Patriots in this weeks 3 good and 3 bad. dark