CLEVELAND, Ohio – A year ago, with a new coach, a new general manager, new players on both sides of the ball, two new offensive tackles and a pandemic that wiped out any out-of-season appearance, the Cleveland Browns somehow replicated continuity.
They will admit that the 38-6 loss to Baltimore in week 1 was an “hey, it’s not us” moment, but they recovered quickly and were able to play mostly, and often win, as a team that hasn’t yet existed presented to itself. Kevin Stefanski did not look like a first-time coach, and the Browns did not act as a team in transition.
All the successful changes in the midst of remote learning are the reason why the Browns are particularly excited about an aspect of the coming season.
Nothing.
The same as before. No news. Run it back. The delicious monotony of the status quo. For the first time since 2017 (Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown), the Browns will open the season with the same coach and general manager from the previous season. For the first time since 2008 (Derek Anderson, Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage) they will open the season with the same trio of quarterback, head coach and general manager who started the year before.
Baker Mayfield, Stefanski and Andrew Berry are a family foundation. But it doesn’t end there. The main offensive moves were made last season not only to give Mayfield immediate help, but to start the timer for getting to know each other. The solidifying offensive additions (Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills, Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant) were made all at once, so that the Browns could get to this point and revel in nothingness.
This does not mean that the Browns are not going to add a free agency this week. They go. This means that they already believe that they are adding by not losing. Teams across the league, spurred on by an unexpected increase in the pay cap caused by a pandemic, are dismissing good players they want to keep because they cannot afford to pay them. The Browns are not doing this. The attack must return your defender, the entire starting line of attack, the first two running backs, the two best receivers and at least two of their three tight ends. The 10 browns with the most offensive snaps in 2020 are expected to be part of this attack in 2021, and it could be that the top 15 in offensive snaps are all back.
This is new territory for this organization. And they absolutely see it as an advantage. They won without continuity a year ago, but the Browns believe they can jump from level with everyone back to attack, while restructuring the defense around a handful of their best players.
The Browns are not just winning with “nothing” compared to themselves. They are winning with “nothing” compared to the rest of the league. We will eliminate teams in different categories based on the important pieces they will not have in 2021. Certainly, in some of these cases, talent or coaching is an upgrade – the new guy is better. But he is not familiar.
Therefore, we will start with 32 teams and eliminate one team the first time there is a change. A team can have a lot of changes, but after you’re gone, we don’t care about the rest, because it’s already clear that the team isn’t doing “anything” as well as the Browns.
Former San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is the new coach of the New York Jets, replacing Adam Gase.
Did you change coach?
Yes (7): Houston, Jacksonville, LA Chargers, New York Jets, Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia.
If not, proceed: 25 teams.
Explanator: Stefanski was one of five new coaches a year ago, and the only one with a winning record, although Washington’s Ron Rivera also made it to the playoffs with 7-9. Replacing former Jets coach Adam Gase with someone is a positive step, for example. But new is new, and that puts these seven teams behind the Browns.
Carolina fired general manager Marty Hurney while retaining coach Matt Rhule.
Have you changed general manager?
Yes 1): Carolina.
If not, proceed: 24 teams.
Explanator: Several teams that changed coaches also changed GM. Carolina was the only one to do this without a change of coach, although in Denver John Elway remained in charge, but withdrew from the role of GM. But in Carolina, the change in philosophy will take some time to adapt.
Matthew Stafford is Rams’ new full-back after Los Angeles dropped out of former No. 1 Jared Goff after five years.
Are you changing the starting defenders?
Yes (4): Indianapolis, LA Rams, New Orleans, Washington.
If not, proceed: 20 teams.
Explanator: More teams than that can change initial QBs, but we know from those who haven’t changed coaches or GMs, these four teams are switching signal callers. Philip Rivers retired in Indy, Drew Brees practically retired in New Orleans, and the Rams and Washington are changing faces. This may be an upgrade for some teams, but you’d rather have a guy you like and you know how to execute the attack.
The Steelers dismissed Randy Fichtner (left), who had been an assistant to Pittsburgh, and the coach of defenders for much of Ben Roethlisberger’s career (right). Fichtner was the coordinator of the Steelers offensive in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Have you changed your offensive coordinator?
Yes (5): Miami, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Minnesota, Seattle.
If not, proceed: 15 teams.
Explanator: Is the offensive plan changing? Miami, Pittsburgh and Seattle started their moves, while Minnesota retired and Tennessee got the job of head coach. Change everything around.
The Packers did not give a new contract to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, the former Browns coach who led Green Bay’s defense in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Have you changed your defensive coordinator?
Yes (5): Las Vegas, Dallas, Green Bay, San Francisco, Chicago.
If not, proceed: 10
Explanator: Many defensive problems here, including former Browns coach Mike Pettine, missing out on the DC show in Green Bay. In the meantime, there is a chance that defensive coordinator Joe Woods in Year 2, and with the best talent, will make a big step with the Browns in 2021.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is obviously not going anywhere, but the Chiefs were forced to give up their Pro Bowl early tackles Eric Fisher (72) and Mitchell Schwartz (71) for financial reasons.
Did you cut important offensive line games due to wage cap reasons?
Yes 2): Kansas City, NY Giants.
If not, proceed: 8 teams.
Explanator: The cover is rough. The Chiefs lost both tackles, while the Giants dismissed former Brown Kevin Zeitler to save money on guard. This is just a sample of matches that have been lost, or will be lost, in the league due to the limit. But on the offensive line is where the teams can really miss the guys who wanted to keep it, but couldn’t afford it. And none of the Browns Big 5 up front go anywhere.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots have not lost much of the 2020 team at the moment, but there are doubts whether veterans like striker Joe Thuney and cornerback Stephon Gilmore will be back.
Did you miss the playoffs last year, so maybe you should make more changes instead of keeping them?
Yes (4): Cincinnati, New England, Denver, Arizona.
If not, proceed: 4 teams.
Explanator: Denver is a little lost and Cincinnati is going in the right direction, but still adding a lot of pieces. The Patriots and Cardinals are close to the playoff level, but the Browns are at the playoff level.
What will Josh Allen (17) and the accounts be looking at in 2021? Many familiar faces.
Are you good and giving back most of what made you good and therefore an experienced, talented and cohesive Super Bowl competitor?
Yes (4): Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Baltimore, the Browns.
Explanator: Tom Brady restructured his business with the Bucs. Why? To facilitate change? No, then Tampa would have more money to try to retain as many pieces of his Super Bowl team as possible. That’s because, when it’s working, you don’t want to change.
Brady saw him in Tampa Bay while winning a ring last season. The Browns saw it too, with an 11-5 record and a playoff victory.
The Ravens could actually lose a decent amount of their free agency pass brokers. Bucs still have a few key pieces they can go to. It is the Bills and Browns who can really lead the league in continuity in 2021. Without a doubt, the Browns are in the first group in terms of cohesion. Keep this in mind when starting the free agency. As the Browns add, they think that those who are keeping it already have them ahead of them.
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