Are the Cleveland Browns Winning?
- Mar 10, 2018
- 3 min read
The browns have, since their reconstruction in 1999, had their fair share of heartbreak. In that time they have had 28 starting QBs which really demonstrates the instability of the franchise. However, could things be looking up for the browns who had a completely winless season in 2017? Free agency is a place that offers otherwise unavailable high caliber players to teams who are willing to pay the price in draft picks and trades.
As U.K. fans of the game, we are often waking up in the middle of the night to an array of tweets (usually from Ian Rapport) with news on trades and other Football news. And this morning (10th March 2028) the Bearded Twits Twitter feed was going mental. The Browns are no doubt positions themselves for a comeback of sorts in the 2018 season. Over night they made some remarkable additions to the team. Below I will look at the three additions and what those players bring to the table, and why the browns considered them important enough to acquire.
Jarvis Landry WR - Miami Dolphins to Cleveland Browns
Landry was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round in the 2014 NFL Draft at 63rd overall and was the 12 Wide Receiver to picked that year. Landry was drafted from LSU where he played alongside Odell Beckham Jr. Landry has been a very productive Wide Receiver whilst in Miami and in 2017 led the league in receptions.
The browns need talent, that’s never been a secret and we will come on to their QB trade below. But whilst it’s no doubt that the browns have talent on their offence with players like Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman and David Njoku, they are still in need of experienced playmakers, which is why this makes complete sense for the Browns. The Browns offence scored the fewest points in the NFL in 2017, the addition of a star receiver like Landry ensures they are in prime position in 2018 for scoring some serious points.
Tyrod Taylor QB - Buffalo Bills to Cleveland Browns
Tyrod in my opinion is an underrated Quarterback. Taylor was drafted in 2011 by the Baltimore Ravens and served as a backup quarterback to Joe Flacco during their superbowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. He was picked up in free agency by the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and taking over the starting position that same season.
Taylor’s 2017 season was somewhat up and down. There were times he showed some real talent on the field, and there were times he did not. However, the 2017 season, with Taylor as the starting QB saw the Bills make their first playoff appearance since 1999 with a 9-7 record.
Cleveland's troubles at the Quarterback position have been well documented over the years, as stated above, they have had 28 starters since returning to the league in 1999. Hopefully they can find some stability with Tyrod Taylor under center, and by giving Taylor the confidence it may light a fire that was previously dampened in Buffalo by his benching and replacement (for one game) by Nate Peterman.
Demarious Randell CB - Green Bay Packers to Cleveland Browns.
Randell was s 1st round pick in the 2015 season and was selected 30th overall by the Packers. His rookie season was a success and he played in 15 games, got three picks and 14 Pass breakups. Randell has throughout his career battled with groin and knee injuries and has had some trouble with coaches.
Green Bay had a decision to make on whether to pick up an option which was on Randell’s contract and had until May 2nd to do so. That’s one less decision the Packers have to make going forward.
This trade boosts the Browns secondary and allows them to build for their future in the NFL. It’s important they utilise all three of their new acquisitions and I guarantee we have not heard the last of the Browns during this Free Agency period.
Could this be a winning season for the Browns? We will have to wait and find out. But it’s clear they have just made themselves into an exciting prospect for the 2018 season.
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