Cleveland Browns - Week 3

Wow! What a great win for the Browns! And to make this even more special, my in-laws flew out from Utah to watch the game as they're Vikings fans. I get to hold this over them for a looooong time!


Negatives
I don't really want to put any negatives here, considering the circumstances and the fact that it was a win. But there will always be questions about some part of the team, even good teams. The run game was pretty non-existent. Granted this was McGahee's first week and not even a full one at that. I think he'll come along and be a good RB for us this season and possibly next year. Brandon Jackson also remains a good option once fully healthy.

While Cleveland stopped Petersen on his rush attempts, we let Christian Ponder run for two touchdowns. That's a little embarrassing.

Three interceptions are never good, but again, it was Hoyer's first week as a starter. And he matched those with touchdowns.

There are still plenty of gaps to figure out (QB, CB, FS, RG), but the difference between this year and years past is that we're actually figuring some things out right now. TE has been fixed, we'll be getting a franchise QB next year (assuming Hoyer doesn't shock the world and become a true starter, but I still think we take one in the first round this draft), and the defense just held the best RB in the league to under 100 yards on 25 carries! The only other two teams to do that in the past 2 years? Texans and 49ers. We're in pretty good company.

Positives
For the first time this season, and hopefully not the last, there are more positives than negatives!

Hoyer is the only Brown to pass for more than 300 yards in his debut. That should count for something right? He did it on the road, with very little help at RB, against a playoff team the previous year. He may not be the answer at QB, but he's worth a shot at replacing Weeden. Sorry Brandon, you've had your chances, you're old, and you're just not accurate. I'm officially clamoring for Hoyer to start, Campbell to back him up, and a new franchise QB next year unless Hoyer gives us reason to believe otherwise. That would take a lot.

Josh Gordon is a true #1 receiver now. Over 100 yards receiving in his debut game this year. If he can get his head on straight, he'll be competing with the elite WR's in this league. He's bigger and faster than most, which makes Megatron so deadly.

TE Jordan Cameron may just be the best one in the league not named Jimmy Graham or Vernon Davis. He fits that same mold. He's strong, quick, and has great hands. It just took him a little bit of time to get used to being in the NFL. He's our #2 receiver really, and will be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. He already has been so far.

Davone Bess had a really good night very quietly. Now with Gordon back and Cameron emerging, Bess is the Browns third option at WR. He's the #1 3rd-down received over the past 5 years and it's not close. A smart, veteran player who does have his head on straight and can provide some leadership in the locker room. I thought this at the time: he was the best pickup of last year's draft because of our need at WR.

Again, this defense is top-10. Right now, it's #8 against the run AND that's having played AP and Ray Rice this year. I still believe next season we get some secondary help in a CB and FS, which would make this defense a top-5 defense next year. We're close this year, though.

We won on the road for the first time since beating Oakland last year. That's something the Browns have to change. We also won by a touchdown or less. Over the past two years, we are 6-11 in games decided by a touchdown or less.

Take Away
The Browns now have actual talent, and if you listen to analysts of any outlet, they will say the same thing. Josh Gordon, Davone Bess, Jordan Cameron, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, and a lot of players on defense. Don't forget about Travis Benjamin, either, who will be a great speed receiver and is already a great special teams guy. Not only do we have talent, but we're shaping the team the right way. I loved the kicker competition. Who is going to win? Nobody, because for the first time in a LONG time, the Browns are getting some standards. We're not going to take someone because we have to. We can go out and get someone better. We've loaded up on free agents which never happens. Desmond Bryant, Paul Kruger, Chris Owens, and Willis McGahee are just some of the names.

The Browns have taken some baby steps so far and it'll just get better. Our captains, Joe Thomas and D'Qwell Jackson, are both on board with what the Browns are doing. In fact, that's why Joe Thomas re-signed with Cleveland. We have a great owner who cares about winning, a smart GM, a good but unproven head coach, and a great coaching staff in Turner & Horton. This is the only Cleveland sports team, in my opinion, who has a great owner - GM - coach (staff included) administrative line. Indians have a decent one with a great coach. You need that to build a great franchise. That's what the Browns can be in a few years. Until then, we can play some great football games and even make the playoffs (next year, not this year). I think this season we'll come close, though. It's okay to feel good, Browns fans! Feels weird though, doesn't it?