Cleveland Browns: A brotherhood in the making?

While optimism and hype surround the Cleveland Browns, success is found in heart and teamwork. Do they have what it takes to win? Are they a brotherhood in the making?

I have admittedly been aboard the hype train in Cleveland for some time, as I have shown previously in my Bold predictions for 2018. In an effort to stare reality in the eye, however, we must look beyond the roster additions and congruent hype. One thing that optimism often masks, and a crucial key to success, is the brotherhood of a team.

While the Cleveland Browns roster certainly looks vastly improved on paper, a team is much more than numbers. As with any situation involving as much turnover and as many new faces, they must bond together and adhere.

In these modern times, personalities have become front and center in the NFL. As such, how do the specific personalities on the Browns roster fit together? While it is easy to fill a locker room and call it a team, it is a different thing altogether to get them to get along, grow together, and succeed.

Over the years, Browns fans have witnessed the struggles of big personalities clashing within the team atmosphere. While Johnny Manziel showed promise on paper, the team itself certainly did not benefit from his big personality.

That line of thought offers several questions.

Is that the case with the 2018 Cleveland Browns? Are there big personalities that will hinder, rather than bind? I would hope not, and I don’t believe so.

Many drew comparisons between Baker Mayfield and Manziel leading up to — and following — the draft. While both certainly offer big personalities, they are indeed polar opposites. Take for instance the Oklahoma Pro-Day and Hue Jackson’s comments prior to drafting Mayfield (via Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer):

"“I will share this with you — when we walked into the building, he made this sound. He just kind of came out of nowhere. He kind of went, ‘Hee, hee!’ And all the players in the building started going, ‘Hee, hee!’ And here they go. It’s the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen,” said Jackson. “That shows you something about what he means to young men and how he leads them. And that’s who Baker Mayfield is.”"

Mayfield offers a personality that his teammates admire and cling to, whereas Manziel was more the life-of-the-party. Manziel might have been a blast to party with, but his personality proved much more detrimental, than beneficial.

Will the relationship between Tyrod Taylor and Mayfield be an issue?

Any time two players compete for one position the concern is there. Having with the pecking order at quarterback already established, however, should pay huge dividends on the field.

Every player wants to play and while Mayfield certainly longs for his chance, he understands his role and seems at peace soaking up any knowledge within his grasp. Meanwhile, Taylor wants his own opportunity to shine and seems secure in his starting position. Therefore, allowing him to be at ease, and even eager to help those under his wing, specifically Mayfield.

The recent video of Mayfield and Taylor getting work in at USC should provide answer enough. From all reports, there is a mutual desire to win from both parties and things appear to be on track.

When was the last time a Browns quarterback made headlines for getting in extra work? While there has been no shortage of headlines as far as quarterbacks go, it is a breath of fresh air to see two Browns quarterbacks working hard, and working together, at a time when it is not required. Is that, dare I say, chemistry?

In another recent video, “The Office”, several of the Browns players have put together a parody of the hit television show. While it does not offer any insight to how many wins or losses 2018 will yield, it does show that the players are bonding and having fun. That is indeed, chemistry.

Let’s not forget that the game is after all, supposed to be fun. Yes, fun, a word that has eluded fans for sometime where Cleveland football is concerned. It should be fun, players should enjoy their co-horts and have chemistry. Only then will the word team be relevant. Only then will the Cleveland Browns be relevant.

Next: NFL Training Camp: One rookie who must impress from each team

With training camp set to begin in a few days and HBO’s Hard Knocks providing an inside look, fans will get some transparency into whether the players are bonding, or not. There are often scuffles and arguments as the grueling workdays drag on, and while that falls into the category of normalcy, it is essential that a building of comradery takes place as well.

Only time will tell how the current roster meshes and for fans who have endured such hardships as those in Cleveland, any glimpse of hope is certainly welcomed. Training camp will provide some insight, as will the preseason, and while the future for the Cleveland Browns looks promising, only a shared brotherhood will bring the optimism to fruition.