Misery: 2024 is Almost Over Anyways
This is a RTA train track that sits on Lorain and W 25th by the West Side Market... which I thought was fitting... because were are rapidly declining...
Estimated 11 minute read
On a daily basis, I tend to struggle mentally and emotionally with the date and time. I think most humans do actually. I think part of it has to do with the fact that time is a man-made construct to define Earth’s spinning around the sun and rotation on our axis. The other parts I think though have to do with the fear most humans have with time itself.
Most people I have spoken to have some sort of time fear. For some, it’s related to the idea that you won’t ever get things done if time keeps going. For most, it’s the fear of missing out due to being late or being dead once you’re time is up. For years, I have actually struggled with this. It’s terrifying… but… pondering on something we all have to deal inevitability and are all losing can become scary if you let it.
We can use this fear to engage in a fearful approach to life. “Wow, I have to rush because if I don’t get this done now then I never will.” “I’m going to be late for work if I kiss my wife goodbye. I just don’t have time.” It’s one of the three ways I have discovered you can embrace the scary truths regarding the minutes and hours hands on your watch.
You can also use it to your advantage - a super power if you will. The second approach can have you embracing amazing moments passing by because you may never get them ever again. You can appreciate the good times because, who knows, you may never get them back.
The third way - my friends - the third way… is what we’re are going to talk about today.
“The Cleveland Browns suck so damn bad, I’m going to throw my television screen out the damn window I have to watch another second…”
However my friends…
“…the season is almost over anyways. My suffering will pass soon.”
Look outside folks. Go down to your local Kroger and take a look… Giant Eagle will do you too…
Candy corn is on the shelves. Pumpkin patches are abundantly present driving down any populated road. I’ve had about 20 PSL’s from Mrs. Bucks herself. October is quickly going to come to an end… and I am praying for the sweet release of the months ticking bye.
If I write another damn article about how much this team sucks… I won’t be able to talk myself off a ledge… and my television will go out the damn window. So let’s talk about the future. Let’s talk about next season. Alas, 2024 is almost over anyways.
The way I see it, the Cleveland Browns have four options to get out of this hell hole. I laid them all out in last week’s edition of this above-average fan blog we’re a part of here. Let’s go through them all and see what I think should be the right option.
Deshaun is gone… Stefanski stays.
The coach is the blame so he gets the axe… but we keep Deshaun around for a while longer yet.
Deshaun is gone… and Kevin follows him out the door too.
Minor changes need to be made… let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Option 1: Deshaun is gone… Stefanski stays.
What every single sports reporter is saying is true. This Deshaun Watson trade is the single worst trade in NFL history. I am not judging it just on it’s face though, you have to peel back the layers to give it that true worst “ever” label.
The picks are fine. You take big swings and sometimes you take big whiffs. Nothing you can do about it. All good. I’m actually more than comfortable giving the front office a bit of a break. Remember, when this move was made, this was a team that looked like a fledgling contender with multiple starts in their prime. Going “all-in” is not the problem here.
When a guy is standing next to you grilling up burgers and says, “hey man, I’ll sell you this sweet $1000 dollar grill I’ve wanted my whole life that I’m firing up these hot dogs on to you for $200” you better run for the damn hills.
Deshaun Watson was the Texan’s guy. He was a 3-time pro bowler who looked like he was ready to continue to carry their franchise to bigger heights. When he was sat out for an entire season for “personal reasons” related to legal issues he was having (we won’t even begin to go into that here) no team seemed to either bite the bait, make an offer big enough for a potential MVP caliber quarterback, or make a contract offer to that QB that satisfied his wants. When the Texan’s GM and Deshaun’s agent got the Cleveland “Suckers” on the phone, they must have both been jumping with glee.
First, Houston now had a team to take this “mess” off their hands. They can get the locker room cancer out of their hair and not have to face any consequences from the outcomes of these lawsuits/leaks. They also were going to be able to collect a “king’s ransom” for their asset as well.
Second, Watson got what he wanted - “guaranteed” money to the tune of $230 million dollars.
Mind you, the Cleveland Browns did this knowing all of the problems above. Knowing that he had already been fined before this for breaking team protocol in the past. Knowing the potential legal risks they were taking. It’s worse than the grill scenario actually. It’s as if you’re friend gave you that proposition above after you watching him damn near almost blow the roof off his house and you say, “heck yeah! That sounds awesome!”
The throws have been so wildly off target sometimes and the mistakes have also been “egregious” some weeks. Worst of all? When he comes to the bench, I don’t ever see him with a tablet looking over anything once he makes those mistakes. No care to get better and no want for more. He’s comfortable just hanging out and collecting that check.
There is no way to shake it - the trade and the subsequent contract is a mess. A lot of these lineman don’t look like what they did a few years ago. I think a quarterback change leading to a guy behind them they believe in would be a potential game changer for them. The only question is, first, “is that guy Jameis Winston?” Second, and more important, “if we draft another guy, can we even properly develop him?” I have little faith in either.
Option 2: The coach is the blame so he gets the axe… but we keep Deshaun around for a while longer yet.
Maybe Deshaun is the guy we all think he is but the culture just isn’t right. Kevin does not strike me as the coach to yell, but I could genuinely be wrong.
At this point this team needs someone to go to the offensive line and say, “those blocks are horse crap. You’re not playing up to your full potential and you know it. Whatever you feel about the guy, give it up. Let’s win football games.”
I’m not so sure Kevin is the guy that is having those hard conversations. With a bit of a culture change Deshaun could also get some confidence or the fear of embarrassment in him. Remember, he has guaranteed money, there is truly no reason other than pride to make him play better. A coach may need to come in and say, “I heard you’re a washed up bum. I hear you don’t care. I hear you’re just a gold digger. Those things true? Prove it.”
The play calling hasn’t been “terrible”, but it’s always good to remember the head coach isn’t making all the decisions. If he believes in his staff he may be passing off things to staff and focusing on the bigger picture. Hard to say who is to blame for a run on 3rd & 8 when you literally can’t rush for more than 3 yards a carry. If some of the decision making regarding protection, play calling, or attitudes can be attributed to him - maybe he’s the guy to blame. Why isn’t Deshaun getting a tablet literally forced into his hand? I’m not sure, but I’d start with Stefanski as the one to blame for that.
Will that even help? I’m not sure. A culture change could change the whole dynamic though. It would also be a good way for ownership to make a change without admitting the whole trade was an absolute failure. Even if it improves a little bit, you may start to feel “okay” about the whole thing.
Option 3: Deshaun is gone… and Kevin follows him out the door too.
The third least likely option is only one I don’t think they’ll take because of the time and resources already put into this dumpster fire. Multiple first round picks and guaranteed money may make Browns’ ownership hold out for a little longer before moving on from Deshaun. Multiple years of sticking to a “plan” with Stefanski may provide him with the leeway to be able to carry out a few more years post-“worst trade ever.” To cut off both limbs may be organizational suicide.
Remember, before Deshaun was the regular starter the Browns were trending upwards. Flacco had this team clicking in the playoffs last season. Maybe the ownership see what I see and pick option one. With how dispensable coaches are now though, and how clearly entrenched the ownership is with Deshaun, I think they may choose to take option 2.
Option 4: Minor changes need to be made… let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.
To me, this is the least likely of the four solutions. I just can’t imagine someone not getting the boot at some point during or after the season. Since this team is looking to finish, again, way below .500 - changes will need to be made to keep the fan base engaged.
The kicker? The real reason I’d bet my money that one of the other three options comes true? The Browns are in an odd position regarding their stadium. An organization that is begging for tax breaks, land rezoning, and fan reengagement in a less urban part of Cleveland is going to need momentum to get a lot of those things done. Another three win season with no movement just isn’t going to cut it. To get city councils and commissioners on board - change is going to have to come.
No matter what happens, it seems that misery is here to stay in Cleveland for a few years yet to come.
Not as pretty as Cuyahoga Falls...
This week’s Misery team of the week are the Los Angeles Rams. A sleeper pick I know. Most of you may be thinking that because - hell - they have a great head coach, weapons that will eventually come back off injury, an all-timer at QB.
The only problem is that their schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. With the Eagles, 49ers again, Bills, Vikings, and both Seahawks matchups on the way - I can’t see this team getting any better than they are now in the standings.
On top of all the “misery”, in true “Cleveland Browns like” fashion, their QB situation is about to be heavily up in the air. Stafford is now Aaron Rodgers level - “aging rapidly.” If they can stay with McVay for the foreseeable future and ride it out with him as he gets to develop his new quarterback, they may have a shot of a rebuild soon. Even though the criticism that “he’s never actually developed a quarterback there from scratch” is very true. If he fails, and all his weapons slowly out age out of their prime, the Rams could potentially be in big trouble.
Misery Team Week 5: Los Angeles Rams
Prediction: Best Case 7-10… worst case 4-13.
