Cleveland Browns - Week 1

Here we go! The Browns kick off another season. This season feels new though. There's something a little different about it. It's not the same ol regime...the same ol Browns. It's new, it's better, and despite losing to the Dolphins in their home opener, there's a comfort in knowing the Browns are heading in the right direction.

The stats from the game don't really tell the complete story. For example, one of Weeden's picks wasn't his fault. Granted that still means two were, but it's important to place the blame accordingly. There are a lot of negatives, but there are some positives to hang hope on.

Negatives

There are two stats that are really concerning to me, and this is the one that worries me more: 1-14 on 3rd down conversions. This stat represents how you are in crisis and that percentage is not going to cut it. It doesn't help that Davone Bess is is their go-to-guy on third down (or should be considering his effeciency rating) and the Dolphins knew how to play him. With Gordon out and Benjamin still learning the ropes, that left Cameron and Bess as their only play-making receivers on offense. Cameron didn't come off the line every time, so pretty much concentrate on Bess, especially on third downs. Browns have got to get better in this category.

The second surprising stat was the six sacks. This will get better as their offensive line gets healthier, but the one thing Cleveland has going for them is a strong O-line. This doesn't help that argument.

I'm not as upset at Richardson's mere 13 carries that game. Especially with the way Miami controlled the line of scrimmage, if he had more carries, I don't think much would've changed. As it was, he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. Not good enough to merit more carries, especially when RB is as thin as it is right now. If Trent did get hurt, the Browns would've probably had to send in the kicker to play RB. Pull the trigger a little more on passing so we can get some mistakes out of Weeden now so he doesn't make them later on. I can agree with that way of thinking. Plus even off of Weeden's three picks, the Dolphins only got a field goal out of them.

Buster Skrine stinks, but we knew that, didn't we? We just need McFadden to grow into the starting spot.

Positives

Jordan Cameron is going to be a stud at TE. He seems to fit just like a Jimmy Graham or a Vernon Davis. Again, once Gordon comes back from suspension, they'll have a good arsenal of weapons for Weeden to work with. Man, Gordon can't get back fast enough!

If Greg Little doesn't drop that pass which turned into a pick, Weeden throws for over 300 yards in his opening game without the Browns' star wide receiver. I don't know about you, but I feel pretty good about that. He outdid Tom Brady in terms of yards. In fact, in total passing yards, he's 12th on the list. I know that doesn't mean he did a fantastic job, but when he's coming from 28th in the league last year, that's a big improvement. Weeden has the talent, he's going to be the guy going forward. Norv Turner has a lot of work to do, but Weeden will be the Browns franchise QB at least for a couple more years (until hopefully we get Jameis Winston from FSU). The efficiency will come.

Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant are going to be great. Once Mingo gets into the mix, the Browns front seven are going to be really dangerous. Four sacks isn't anything to feel bad about. Aside from his two sacks, Bryant also nailed the Dolphins QB four times.

Everyone in the division is 0-1. At least we didn't let someone put up 7 TD's against us, right?!

Take Away

It's too early for Browns fans to start chanting "maybe next year." We'll know more about this team in about a month. They may be 0-4 by then, and if so, we'll know this year probably isn't it. But we've got some pieces now and next year is the year pegged for the Browns to make a playoff run anyway. Let's have some faith in the new coaches, players, owners, and systems by not over-reacting just yet.