CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns should serve as a 2019 case study that division titles are not won in the offseason. There have been plenty of NFL teams before the Odell Beckham Jr.-infused Browns that were crowned in July and failed, but last season hit Cleveland in a way most wont forget.
Yet, with that hype from a year ago in mind and those scars of disappointment still showing on fans, why does it seem difficult not to buy back in?
Let me try and answer that.
The Browns havent won a single game and coach Kevin Stefanski is 0-0 as a head coach. This regime still has everything to prove. But, it is tough denying this offseason seems calculated.
Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry have put an emphasis on team building and culture by playing chess rather than throwing darts at the bar.
A new Browns Way, or culture, cannot be established until the facility in Berea opens, allowing players and coaches to finally be together. That is out of the control of Stefanski and Berry. What they do have a grip on is team building, specifically a vision for what the Browns will be in 2020 and beyond.
Rather than throwing darts at Beckham, Olivier Vernon and Kareem Hunt like John Dorsey did, this front office doesnt move unless it makes sense on their chessboard. Lets review them quickly and highlight what a dart throw may have looked like.
Chess move: Signing Austin Hooper.
Dart throw: Starting a rookie at tight end.
If the only knock on signing Hooper is that the Browns overpaid, then that is a lame argument. Every team overpays top free agents. Its how the system is set up and why elite quarterbacks hardly ever hit the open market. If Russell Wilson was available, hed command at least $15 million more than his already $35 million annual salary.
The Browns made their move on Hooper, knowing Stefanski couldnt run the offense he wants with just David Njoku, Stephen Carlson or a rookie. Since the 2020 tight end draft class is one of the weakest positions, Hooper was worth it and Stefanski/Berry know that.
Chess move: Signing Jack Conklin.
Dart throw: What the Browns did at right tackle last year.
The Browns made a choice last year to neglect the right side of the offensive line by trading Kevin Zeitler and entrusting Chris Hubbard at right tackle. Berry left little to chance by signing Conklin, and more moves on the offensive line are expected.
Chess move: Signing Case Keenum.
Dart throw: Bringing in talent like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.
Signing either couldve been defended. Winston was a former No. 1 pick and Mariota was a No. 2. Perhaps the right situation could turn their careers around.
Say the Browns sign Mariota and all of a sudden he starts playing well in the preseason. Though the starting quarterback market is oversaturated right now, that will swing the other way eventually. The Browns could consider trading him for a draft pick and it wouldve looked smart and great.
However, signing Keenum is the low key, calculated and more appropriate move.
Chess move: Staying flexible on defense.
Dart throw: Quick fix, big linebacker contracts.
Quick exercise: Name the starting middle linebacker for any of the four teams that played on Championship Sunday this year (Chiefs, Titans, Packers, 49ers).
Tough task, eh?
Im not saying linebackers are unimportant. Like any position, having a talented guy there helps a lot. But it is okay to go cheap at linebacker and that is what the Browns are doing for now. Better than being the Jets a year ago, giving C.J. Mosely a five-year, $85 million deal.
The draft serves as the Browns next move. Theres far too much yet to happen to know if theres a chance Cleveland can checkmate the league, but at least the franchise seems to be playing the same game other smart front offices favored for years.
Getting to know the newest Browns
Find out about the new Cleveland Browns for 2020 via free agency in these videos.
Browns Hooper swayed by Mayfields competitive spirit -- Mary Kay Cabot reports on what she learned from a conference call with Hooper this weeks.
Conklin is important addition for Browns, even if he is just a right tackle -- Conklin spoke with reporters and downplayed his role as an offensive lineman. Dan Labbe has the story.
Browns QB Case Keenum: If Mayfields shoelace comes untied, Im going to be ready to go -- Cabbot writes about how eager Keenum is to get on the field even though he accepts his role as a backup.
Andrew Billings adds valuable depth on interior of Browns defensive line -- Labbe covers what he learned from talking to Billings via conference call.
Film reviews on the newest Browns players
Can new Browns middle linebacker B.J. Goodson really replace Joe Schobert?-- Ellis L. Williams breaks down the Browns new linebacker can do and where he could improve
What did the Browns defense gain in signing former Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo? -- Williams uses a film review to highlight what caliber of safety the Browns signed.
Why Conklin can change the Browns offensive line from a weakness to a strength -- Find out why the Browns right tackle earned such a major payday.
Why Austin Hooper is the perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns offense -- Hooper is exactly what Stefanski needs to run his offense. Here is why.
Other cant miss stories from this week
Baker killing his garage workouts: Trying to keep my sanity during this quarantine period -- Cabot writes about Mayfield and how he is working out this offseason.
Roger Goodell informs Browns and all 32 teams the NFL Draft will take place as scheduled -- The NFL keeps following its original schedule.
Are the Browns winning the offseason in 2020? One measurement says theyre close -- Check out how the Browns are doing this offseason compared to other teams. Scott Patsko has the latest on a new metric.
Case Keenum can still play: Why that is important to the Cleveland Browns -- Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto shares his thoughts on the Browns backup QB.
How Browns free-agency moves stack up against the Bengals, Steelers, Ravens -- Patsko takes a look at the AFC North as a whole.
Orange and Brown Talk podcast
On this weeks Orange and Brown Talk podcast, Ellis L. Williams, Dan Labbe and Mary Kay Cabot share what they learned from Hooper, Keenum and Conklin. Then they identify how these new pieces will fit in with the Browns before getting into Football Insider questions and discussing moves around the NFL.
Read the rest here:
GM Andrew Berry and the Browns are playing chess, not throwing darts this offseason: This Week in the Clevela - cleveland.com