Well, I've been perusing this board since last year and since you're all freaking out I figured I'd step in and offer an outside opinion. I'm a Longhorn alum, so obviously I'm a Colt fan. So yes, I will be a bit biased, but I think overall I'm giving you a fair assessment.
Face facts. You're the Browns. Your team is awful and has been awful for a LONG time. Great fans. Great atmosphere there. Team stinks. The Browns aren't going to magically become the Green Bay Packers overnight. The Browns have been battling systemic organizational issues for years. It isn't just the coaches or the players. It goes all the way to the top. Thankfully, you guys started turning that around with Holmgren. Someone who actually knows what he's doing. Of course, Holmgren would tell you the same thing. You don't build a consistent, winning football team in a year or two. It just doesn't happen. Everything has to change from the coaching staff, to the personnel, to the front office, etc.
So, let's review what we're looking at here with the 2011 Browns. You've got a new coach. You've got a new system. You had a lot less time to implement that system over the off-season because of the lockout. While other squads already knew the plays, the assignments, etc., your team didn't. They have to get up to speed. It's the WCO, too. Not some simplified nonsense. It's a system that requires timing more than anything and you get timing through lots and lots of practice and repetition. Things your players didn't get enough of because of the lockout. So it's going to be a process getting them to where they need to be. You aren't going to have overnight success. It just won't happen.
Now, personnel. Wow. Where to start? Honestly, your best receiver is a TE. Watson is legit. Everyone else out there? Definitely suspect. Even Massaquoi. I wouldn't want any other receiver on your team as a starter. They lack speed, quicks, and from what I've seen they're lazy a lot of the time on their routes. Oh, and never pass the ball to Hardesty again. Thanks.
I saw someone in this thread mention that the Browns have one of the best O-lines in football. Wow, again. Whatever that guy is smoking, we all need some. Forget handling assignments for a moment. The Browns' O-line is a comedy of errors through four games this year. How many false start penalties do they have? It isn't just one or two guys, either. It's the entire line. It's like they take turns screwing up. When it actually comes down to handling their assignments and getting their guy blocked, that doesn't always work out so well either. Colt is often running for his life back there. The reason the Browns don't have the highest sacks given up total in the NFL right now is because Colt is so mobile and able to escape pressure. Imagine a Peyton Manning standing back there trying to play pure pocket-passer football. He'd be lucky to have all his appendages attached after four games.
Your running game last year under Hillis was pretty solid. However, Hillis fans stupidly voted him up and now he's suffering under the Madden Curse like every player before him that's had the cover. Hardesty is an abject failure so far. Something has to change here.
Now, on to your defense. Holy hell. I'm a fan of Haden and Ward. Thought they were great additions. Still, they ain't there yet. It's one thing to be out of position a bit or get beat by a receiver every now and then, but Jesus H. Christ. You had Titans receivers wide open all day. I'm talking like 20-30 yards wide open. And who was that Browns DB that decided it'd be better to queef on Jared Cook while he was rumbling down the sidelines instead of actually pushing him out of bounds? He should have been fired before the game was even over. Atrocious.
So, let's recap. Your O-line, receivers, running game, and defense are all sub-par. The entire team is running a new system under a new coach with less than ample time during the off-season to learn what they need to. Yet, according to some of you football geniuses, it's the QB who is mainly to blame for your problems? Seriously, Clark?
Yeah, Colt isn't where he needs to be yet. He's a second year guy who has had to switch systems in a short amount of time. He's going to have rough spots. All new QBs to the NFL do. However, some of those QBs have the pieces around them to make the transition easier. See: Sanchez in New York. See: Rodgers in Green Bay (also getting to sit behind Favre for years probably helped, too). Colt doesn't have that luxury. He's on a really bad team and he's desperately trying to make plays while also not screwing up and putting his team in a hole. That's tough on any QB, especially a 2nd year guy.
My suggestion would be to hold your water and accept that the Browns are a year or three away from being a seriously good team. If you want instant gratification, the NFL ain't for you. Unfortunately, that seems like what the Browns have been chasing after for a long time. We're doing badly, blame the QB, get a new one. Damnit, we're still doing badly! Blame the QB, get a new one! What in the hell hootinany is this?! We're still doing badly?! Blame the QB, get a new one goddamnit!!! Oh, and switch coaches a time or three in that period while we're at it.
That is never going to get you a team that wins year in and year out, consistently gets to the playoffs, and potentially brings you home a title. You finally got a guy in Holmgren who can bring some professionalism and stability to your organization. Chill, let the team develop, and enjoy the wins when they come. Flying off the handle when your team, as bad as it is, is still tied for 1st place in the division is asinine and childish.
