Browns Lack of Idenity Makes Them More Black and Blue

Psychiatrists like to play word association games to help patients figure out the root of what might be bothering them.  I’ll give you an example.  I, as the doctor, might say, “misery” and you, being from Cleveland, would naturally respond with “Cleveland Browns!”  That would about hit the nail on the head, right? 

So what’s the big problem with the Browns that lends accuracy to the above scenario?  Well, lets play the word association game again.  I’ll say a team name; you say the first thing that comes to your mind. 

New Orleans Saints – Points!  

Baltimore Ravens – Defense! 

Denver Broncos – Running Game!      

New England Patriots – Belichick Ball!

Ok so you can see where I’m going with this.  Teams that have enjoyed some success in recent years have developed an identity that is clearly recognizable to even the moderately intense football fan.  So when I say Indianapolis Colts, you immediately think of how great they’ve been behind Peyton Manning’s mastery of the head games at the line of scrimmage.  And actually, if I bring up the Oakland Raiders, you can’t help but think of Al Davis running the team into the ground.  So theoretically, the idea of identity works both ways.

What do you think of when you hear the words “Cleveland Browns?”  If the answer isn’t “perpetual low-scale mediocrity,” than I’m not sure where you’ve been the past ten seasons.  An average of 5.4 wins is not going to change the thought process of a fiercely loyal and unrelenting, hungry fan base.

The question, however, is not a matter of “what” or even a matter of “who,” but instead, it is a matter of “why.”  And I’ve found the answer.

We have no identity. 

Through two games in 2009, nothing seems different.  Just as in years past, the Browns have been decimated by running teams and have continued to lack any shred of an offense.  Just as in years past, the coach is prematurely on the hot seat.  Just as in years past, we have a quarterback controversy.  And, consequently, just as in years past, we have an extremely upset fan base.    

The more things change… You know the rest. 

But that’s just it; you DON’T know the rest this time.  Things are, in fact, subtly different from last year.  Maybe this has not been reflected through on the field performance yet, but from an operational standpoint, the changes are in place.  Take for example, this quarterback controversy.  There are countless theories circulating that Randy Lerner gave Eric Mangini executive orders that Brady Quinn was to be the guy.  Maybe that’s true or maybe it’s the spin of angry Derek Anderson fans, who still harbor false hope that he’ll return to the fleeting Pro Bowl form he displayed two seasons ago.  Either way, I’m not buying what they’re selling.

Here’s what I do know.  Eric Mangini split reps evenly between his two signal callers this summer.  Brady showed he was slightly better overall.  Therefore, Brady is the starter.  This was not an impulsive decision on the part of a rookie coach.  It was not a coin flip.  And guess what?  With due diligence, comes correct decision making. 

Consider this.  The Browns were projected to win, at most, 7 games this year.  This was regardless of the result of the quarterback competition and this shows that the Browns are at least one season away from making the playoffs.  With a young team looking to improve, the most important intangibles to look for in players are leadership, work ethic and consistency.  Derek’s pitfalls, Brady’s strengths.  With Quinn, you know what you’ll get week to week, but more importantly, you know what you won’t get (and feel free to insert your jokes here, i.e. won’t get points, won’t get touchdowns, etc.).  You won’t get four turnovers, you won’t get whining and you won’t get an emotional rollercoaster.  What you’ll have is a quarterback trying to manage a game, and this allows the coaching staff to help their younger players grow on a more consistent basis.  And next year, when you have a chance to be competitive, you have an experienced starter who’s great at game management, just like another quarterback in the AFC North.  More on that in a minute.

Lets take nothing away from Derek, he’s been the consummate teammate and has dealt with his plight extraordinarily well thus far and chances are he’ll catch on with another team and hopefully enjoy success in a different environment.  His brand of ball just doesn’t fit with a team starting from scratch.  Again.  Chalk one up to Mangini.  Previous coaches picked players on a whim, Mangini’s done his homework. 

But lets get back to the idea of identity after the lengthy digression.  The Browns have had none over the past ten years, as we’ve established.  But this year, the building blocks are being laid for that to change.  The front office has brought in players that fit their system as well as players versed in said system that can be teachers on the field; and the results have shown!  On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns have looked extremely good for the first half of the first two games.  Lack of depth and too much time on the field has proven to be a tough obstacle to overcome and the Browns wear down in the second half, causing extreme inflation of rushing statistics for the first two opponents.  But the signs are beginning to show that the Browns are trying to become a defense that makes you beat them with the pass.  Through two weeks when we’ve accomplished this, there’s been great success.  We just haven’t been able to make them pass enough.

Which brings us back to the offense.  Rookie Joe Flacco (2008) succeeded in Baltimore in large part because his defense carried him.  He didn’t do anything outrageous on offense, he simply “didn’t lose” for his team.  Brady Quinn isn’t lucky enough to have this situation yet, so we need to be patient and let him grow into a quarterback that can provide some punch himself  (a la Joe Flacco 2009).  Suggesting he be pulled after two or six or eight games is simply going to push the team back a step; which is the last thing this city needs to see.

What Browns fans need to see is some type of established identity.  Brady Quinn is a good start, literally.  A successful run defense will be a good number two, if we can keep our D off the field a little more.  Hopefully the Browns will turn into a team that does one thing really well and lets the rest fall into place.  Call if the Joe Flacco mold if you’d like, because at this point we’ve got to steal our identity from somewhere.  All the fans calling for heads to roll after two games, give it a rest and get used to what you’re seeing.  This time, the year investing in growing pains will actually pay dividends down the road.

Sure, through two games there hasn’t been any noticeable difference on the field.  But for the first time since 1999, we’re headed somewhere.  Good thing too, I was close to needing a shrink.

Be well.