The Cleveland Browns lost to the Arizona Cardinals 38-24 in a season where everything seems to get worse as each day passes.
There was never a feeling that the Cleveland Browns were in this game. Arizona led 14-0 fairly quickly and after that it was all catch up. There was nothing the Browns defense could do to stop the Cardinals offense. Combine that with a Cleveland offense that is extremely inconsistent, the game was essentially over with 12 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter. Cleveland would cut the Arizona lead to four twice, but they were unable to tie it up or even take the lead. Now the Cleveland Browns are 6-8, a winning season is not possible. There was still hope for the playoffs coming into this game. The odds for that happening were slim to none and slim just walked out the door. Where do the Browns go from here?
Cleveland was clearly unprepared for pretty much everything Arizona threw at them. Kenyan Drake had a field day and Kyler Murray’s effort was enough to bury the Browns. Offensively, Cleveland was just bad. The statistics in this game lie, they make things seem better than they actually were. The team was not on the same page quite often and even when they were Baker Mayfield was throwing some atrocious passes.
Freddie Kitchens was given the support of the team before the game Sunday. Have to wonder if that still remains. The one caveat with this support was barring a “horrific collapse or circumstance to end the season”. Does Sunday’s double-digit loss to a clearly bad Arizona team count? If not, it should.
Freddie Kitchens is not the only one at fault here. John Dorsey is responsible for a lot of the players on this roster. This collection of talent. This team of characters. Dorsey is just as much to blame as Kitchens.
The solution?
Clean house from top to bottom.
John Dorsey? Gone.
Freddie Kitchens and his staff? Gone.
There is no future with any of this intact. There is clearly some disagreement over who should play and when to play them. In order to get the most out of this team the Browns need to have a coaching staff and front office on the same page. Right now they do not have that. Not in the least bit.
Even with a new front office and coach there is still questions in regards to Baker Mayfield. At least at that point there would be an unbiased evaluation of Mayfield and nobody involved would have any attachment to the quarterback. Making things a bit easier if they eventually decide to move in a different direction.
Perhaps talk of moving on from Baker Mayfield right now is a bit premature. Although, if they bring in a new regime they will give an honest look at the quarterback. Sometimes being in a situation where the success or failure of a a quarterback does not impact your job brings out the best in all involved. If Mayfield succeeds, great. If not, that decision became a hell of a lot easier.
Before there is an in-depth breakdown of what moves the team needs to make, Jimmy Haslam needs to realize that there is one shot at the current roster working. That shot is next season. Haslam needs to ask himself one question. Are John Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens the people he wants in charge of the best roster that has existed during his ownership? The obvious answer is no. The sooner Jimmy Haslam realizes this, the sooner the team can get where most expected them to be this season. The playoffs.
