Cleveland Browns 2015: Headed South in AFC North…again?
They say bad things come in threes.
In the case of the Cleveland Browns early in this this offseason, that could not be more accurate.
Then again, no matter what numbers you use, things haven’t added up in a good way for this franchise.
For now, let’s just stick to the present.
Aug 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, left, and general manager Ray Farmer talk before a game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Standout veteran reporter Mary Kay Cabot (of Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer) does a great job laying out the latest regarding the issues facing quarterback Johnny Manziel, wide receiver Josh Gordon and Browns general manager Ray Farmer.
So what does this mean for the team in 2015, a club that also changed offensive coordinators this offseason as former Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo takes over for oft-criticized Kyle Shanahan.
To say it has been a long haul back for this team since the franchise re-entered the NFL in 1999 would be a vast understatement. The Browns own a dismal 84-172 regular-season record over those 16 seasons and lost in their only playoff appearance…back in 2002.
Over that span, the franchise has employed eight different head coaches and 22 different starting quarterbacks.
Let’s spin it forward a bit. In 2002, the NFL realigned to eight divisions and the Cleveland Browns joined the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers in the newly-formed AFC North. It’s safe to say that they’ve been the black sheep of the divisional family, especially in recent season.
Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine celebrates with quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) after beating New Orleans Saints 26-24 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Any wonder why? Since then, Cleveland has gone through seven of its eight head coaches. The Bengals (3), Ravens (2) and Steelers (2) have had seven head coaches combined over that time frame.
In 2014, the Browns finished 7-9, the first time in seven seasons that the club had not lost at least 11 games. Still, the franchise has posted seven straight losing campaigns since finishing 10-6 in 2007.
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Over that same span dating back to 2008, the AFC North has sent at least two teams to the playoffs six times—none of those appearances made by the Browns. This past season, the division sent three teams to the postseason for the second time in four years. Over those four seasons, Cleveland is the only squad in the division to finish with a losing mark each of those years.
The Ravens, Steelers and Bengals all have quarterbacks that have been to Pro Bowls. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger (XL and XLIII) and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco (XLVII) are former Super Bowl champions, while Andy Dalton has guided Cincinnati to the postseason four straight years (yes and without a win). There are offensive stars such as running backs Le’Veon Bell, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, as well as Justin Forsett (if he re-signs with the Ravens). There are wide receivers the likes of Antonio Brown, A.J. Green and veteran Steve Smith, to name a few. And defense has always been a calling card of the division.
The Browns are not without their standouts. Young runners Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell both bear watching, left tackle Joe Thomas is an eight-time Pro Bowler and cornerback Joe Haden is one of the best players at his position in the league.
The issue that has really tripped up the Browns since their return is stability. And with the various aforementioned issues getting 2015 off to a shaky start, who knows where this franchise is headed this year?