Off-season thoughts (Vol. III)

Something the Browns, namely head coach Kevin Stefanski, should seriously consider while making plans for the 2022 National Football League season . . . 

Eliminate the three tight-end look and think about opening the offense with a (much, much) brighter spotlight on the passing game. Continuing with emphasis on three tights is a prescription for another 8-9 record.

The NFL is -- and has been for most of the last decade -- a passing league. Stefanski is a stubborn, close-to-the-vest coach wedded to the notion the run game opens up the passing game. Worked in the second half of the 2020 season, ending with a playoff run.

Did not last season because Baker Mayfield played a vast majority of the season wounded, performing well below his capabilities due mainly to wretched decisions on whether he was fit to play. It was obvious game after game he wasn't even close.

As a result, the club suffered. The players, who entered the season firmly believing it was going to end the second Sunday in February in Los Angeles, suffered. The fans suffered. Seeds of change were in the air.

It became evident early last season that the rest of the NFL caught up with Stefanski's offense by taking away the Browns' bootleg, misdirection and counter plays that worked beautifully in 2020. What worked in 2020 failed in 2021. Stefanski had no answer.

Instead, he quickly (too quickly?) abandoned them and rolled the dice with a wounded quarterback playing with what turned out to be an iffy offensive line and receivers corps filled with players either injured, not quite ready for prime time or bad fits.

The offense was heavy on tight ends with Austin Hooper, David Njoku and Harrison Bryant. Stefanski played with 13 personnel (one running back, one receiver and three tights) more than any other team. The entire league played just 4% of the time with that grouping.

The Browns lined up with that personnel, which almost automatically indicated a run, a staggering 165 times, or 17% of the time, nearly double the next team (Tennessee at 9% with 91 times). The result, not unexpectedly, was a precipitous dip in scoring.

Were it not for the defense in the last half of the season, the Browns would have occupied the AFC North cellar by themselves once again for the umpteenth time since 1999.

Hooper is a better blocker than catcher of the football. You never know what you're going to get from Njoku, whose ceiling is much higher than his consistency. And Stefanski called on Bryant, the best receiver of the trio, not nearly as often as he should have.

Hooper, who carries the most heft in the salary department, is a liability in the passing game. Most teams don't pay good-blocking tight ends nearly as much as Hooper cashes. He might be in a different uniform next season if Stefanski's offensive stance swings over to a passing game featuring more wideouts.

Njoku's on again, off again, back on again love affair with Cleveland is back on, so he'll be back. So will Bryant, whose work load should rise substantially after being targeted just 28 times last season. A Hooper departure would be the first sign Stefanski's philosophy is beginning to turn.

In order for that to eventuate, General Manager Andrew Berry must reconstruct the wide receivers room through trade channels, free agency, the waiver wire and college football draft. Right now the only reliable occupant in that room is Jarvis Landry and there is no guarantee he'll be back with his sizable contract.

Who's left? Donovan Peoples-Jones: Like Njoku, too inconsistent. He'll dazzle you and frustrate you on the same possession. He'll be back, though.

Rashard Higgins: The mystery man. Mayfield likes him, but his play-calling head coach rarely gives him the opportunity to throw the football in his direction, Time for him to find a new home with a coach better suited for his talents.

J'Marcus Bradley: Bounced between the practice and the active roster several times in 2021. Unknown quantity until given a chance.

Ryan Switzer: Perennial practice squader. Not quite good enough to move up.

Anthony Schwartz: World-class track star masquerading as a football player. Third-round draft choice last season with hopes his dazzling speed would translate to the football field. It hasn't thus far with little indication it will. Directly responsible for the injury Mayfield suffered in game two that hampered him the rest of the season.

That's it. Worse than you thought? Rhetorical question. 

Conclusion: Ditch a tight end and completely redo the wide receivers room.

Time for Berry to work the magic that transformed the offense in 2020 and defense in 2021.