Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns have expectations of not being one of the league’s worst clubs for a second consecutive year. GM Andrew Berry worked overtime this offseason to address the weak spots and bring in new players to replace the ones who have left the team.
Now that training camp is over, and the air has cleared on the final 53-man roster and who is in and who is out, the focus for every player, coach, and executive is on the season opener, September 7, against division foe Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland.
There are many good-to-great players on this year’s roster, and still some problem areas. But this is one player on offense and defense, plus special teams who can change the narrative and perhaps be the difference in games.
Here’s the list:
While most would point to the quarterback position as being the key component to success this year, the fact is, QB Joe Flacco is rarely injured, and is a seasoned veteran who has played 17 seasons. Yes, he is 40 years old, but in all likelihood, he will be fine.
The running game should be the main focus anyway. The offensive line is designed for the run game, and guys love to run block. This does cut down on the number of passes thrown.
But the passing game still needs to be successful and prevalent when called upon. The ideal situation would be for the rushing attack to consume 65%-70% of plays. Whether that becomes true for each game will be determined as the season rolls along.
The passing game needs to be the complement and not the focus. In order to do this, the offense will require qualified pass catchers.
WR Jerry Jeudy made the Pro Bowl last year as he had his first breakout year in the league. TE David Njoku, if he remains healthy, is a huge playmaker, but his health is always an issue every season. And on the surface, the offensive X-factor just might be Cedric Tillman starting on the outside opposite Jeudy, or the youngster Jamari Thrash starting in the slot.
The offense will get back to featuring two tight end sets. That requires two exceptional bodies to man the positions.
The player who will be this year’s offensive X-factor is rookie tight end Harold Fannin, Jr.
To begin with, Fannin comes to the Browns as a huge position of need. With a two-tight-end offense, a team needs a pair that can block efficiently and become more than adequate pass catchers. Jordan Akins had minimal production, so he was not re-signed. Blake Whiteheart is the best blocking tight end on the roster, but his passing targets are minimal, it seems, which justifies his TE3 designation. This offense requires two good pass catchers when they aren’t blocking for the run game. Njoku and Fannin fit the bill.
Berry did not draft another receiver in this year’s draft, but he certainly went out of his way...
