Q&A Part Trois

Time now for a look at the 2021 season for the Browns through a more specific lens . . . 

With all the positive reaction about this team by just about everyone in the National Football League universe, what is the likelihood of a gigantic letdown and a tumble back into mediocrity or worse?

Not this season and probably more than a few more after that. This team truly is too good to slip back. Too deep to slip back. Too loaded to slip back.

With what certainly seems to be the kind of front office and smart leadership this franchise has sought for the better part of two decades now firmly in place, the future glows brightly. Browns fans should have no problems getting used to winning games. 

They've suffered enough and are about to be amply rewarded for their loyalty, which had to be painful for the zealots who maintained their faith throughout the years. They had better make room for those who jumped off the bandwagon along the way but are clamoring to climb back on.

Now for some other questions seeking answers. Hopscotching around, let's begin with this: How much will the defense miss defensive tackles Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi?

More than you'd think, especially Richardson, easily the best defensive lineman against the run the last two seasons. I don't see anyone on the roster who can come close to what he meant to that aspect of the game.

None of the current defensive tackles played for Cleveland last season. Andrews Billings and Malik Jackson more than likely will open with rookie Tommy Togiai and Jordan Elliott in backup roles. It is also possible defensive coordinator Joe Woods will move edge rushers Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney inside on occasion.

But right now, gird yourself for a possible return to the days when the defense surrendered hundreds of yards on a weekly basis.

Why won't Stefanski give wide receiver Rashard Higgins a bigger, no make that much bigger, role in his offense? 

Beats me. For crying out loud, he surely has to know Baker Mayfield and Higgins have connected successfully on nearly 70% of their passes. Why tether him to the bench? He's clutch. He's reliable. And Mayfield loves him. He needs to see the field a whole lot more.

How much playcalling latitude will Stefanski give offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt this season?

He almost certainly will for the three exhibition games. But don't count on that once the regular season starts. Not certain whether it's a lack of confidence -- Van Pelt certainly did well in the playoff game victory in Pittsburgh last season when Stefanski was laid up with COVID-19 -- or having a tough time separating himself from those chores. 

He'll soon realize that the demands of being a head coach some day will force him to give up those duties so he can concentrate on the entire scope of a game. Like focusing on making the correct decisions on penalties, time management, making certain the correct moves are being made on defense and special teams as well. 

Speaking of defense, how long will it take for that side of the football to jell to the point of making plays on a sustained basis?

With a dozen new men who have never payed together, it could take as long as the first month before they start to click and Woods settles on situational packages best suited to the talents of the various players. It won't be easy, but the schedule is in their favor early on.

After the season opener in Kansas City, the defense will face Houston and Chicago at home and the Vikings in Minnesota in the next three weeks. If it takes longer than four games to achieve cohesion, trouble lurks. I don't see that happening.

Who will call signals on defense?

Two candidates: Middle linebacker Dwayne Walker and safety John Johnson III. Both possess strong leadership qualities. It will be interesting to see who Woods trusts to call signals, The guess here is Johnson, who can play either safety position and will play every snap. Walker most likely will be a two-down player and exit on obvious passing downs. Both men are huge upgrades over last season.

How long will Woods stay with his 4-2-5 base look?

Because the NFL remains a pass-happy and pass-heavy league and because the Browns now have quality personnel to be effective against the forward pass, get used to it. With some much versatility in the secondary this season, Woods can interchange cornerbacks and safeties in his nickel and dime packages and not be nearly as concerned as he was last season.

How hot is the seat Woods occupies?

Given all that talent, the temperature will start warm and rise and fall on a weekly basis. He got the mulligan last season with the penurious approach by the front office on defense.  There will be no such excuses this season.

What will be Stefanski's greatest concern on offense?

Keeping the line healthy, particularly at center. The quality quotient of the line drops dramatically if JC Tretter misses any time. Everything else falls into place if the trenchmen remain vertical from a competitive standpoint all season.

What can fans expect from Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt?

Lots more of the same. Production, production, production. And then more production. On the ground, Through the air. Enjoy it while you can because one of them won't be here in a couple of years. 

How much better will Baker Mayfield be this season?

He's just getting started in this offense. It took him half a season to climb on board last season, but once he did, the comfort and confidence levels were obvious. The amount of respect he gained from his huddle mates will pay big dividends this season. He is not the same quarterback who arrived in Cleveland in 2018.

Turning to special teams, how worried should Cody Parkey be about losing his job?

This club needs a solid placekicker. Parkey didn't exactly cover himself with glory in his second tour of duty in Cleveland. He missed four extra points, but made 19 of 22 field goals, the fifth-lowest field goal total in the league. He never attempted a field goal of 50 or more yards. He will be challenged by Chase McLaughlin, who has kicked for five teams in his two NFL seasons. The Browns can do better here.

What about punter Jamie Gillan?

Seemed to suffer from the sophomore jinx. His net average dropped four yards to 38.3 yards and he landed just 14 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line, a 50% drop. All that despite punting a dozen fewer times than his rookie season. That needs to improve, Can't ignore the importance of field position. Interestingly, the Browns did not bring anyone in to challenge him.

And the return game?

Bad news all over the place. This franchise has not returned a punt for a touchdown since Travis Benjamin did it way back in 2015, He also returned two more in 2012 and 2013. (That does not include the 86-yard punt return by rookie Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi in a 2109 exhibition against Washington. He was cut a month later.) 

You've got to go way back to 2009 to locate the last kickoff return for a score. Josh Cribbs had three that season, including two in week 15 in Kansas City in a 41-34 victory. Officially, the last kickoff return for a Cleveland touchdown was on Dec. 20, 2009. 

It looks as though returnee D'Ernest Johnson and rookie draft pick Demetric Felton will battle it out to be the return specialist with Felton also slated to show his versatility at running back and wide receiver.

And finally, who will be Browns' rookie of the year, most improved player and most valuable player?

Hybrid linebacker/safety Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah takes down rookie honors; defensive tackle Andrew Billings, a COVID-19 opt out last season, will show why the Browns signed him away from Cincinnati; and the offensive line becomes the collective MVP.