CLEVELAND: The course of the Browns’ season may not be defined by games in September or October, but by the events of the past week.
Starting with the debacle against the Buccaneers on Aug. 26, a flop in the most important game of the preseason, Northeast Ohioans may have finally realized their beloved Browns are little more than an expansion team.
In Tampa, the offensive line protected so poorly, the defense gave up so many yards, that new coach Hue Jackson was forced to play his starters in the preseason finale Thursday night against the Chicago Bears. It had been at least four Browns coaches ago that happened, when injuries to the first team were risked just days before the season opener.
But the Browns’ passing game still needed to find rhythm, especially on throws shorter than 40 yards. The offensive line needed to improve its protection of Robert Griffin III. The defense needed to show it could stop someone.
Facing no Chicago starters, the offensive line improved slightly, the defense was not gashed and Griffin staked the Browns to a four-point lead in the first quarter. But they still ended the preseason winless, falling to the Bears 21-7.
It was a breezy, rainy night on Lake Erie and fans showed their apathy by staying home. The Indians had the day off and Tribe manager Terry Francona and bench coach Brad Mills stopped by FirstEnergy Stadium, at least to watch warm-ups. But the stands were no more than 25 percent filled. A downpour in the second quarter forced them to temporarily seek cover under the overhangs.
They were rewarded with the kind of moment that might encapsulate the 2016 Browns. With the Bears facing first-and-goal from the Cleveland 1 in the second quarter, the Browns were flagged for having 12 men on the field. On the next play, the Browns sent out only 10 as running back Ka’Deem Carey scored.
The crowd may not have been any bigger if the Browns hadn’t cut their best pass rusher, outside linebacker Paul Kruger, on Monday.
They may not have drawn better even if they hadn’t traded their second-best player the same day, sending three-time Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee to Carolina for a fourth-round pick.
The turnout may not have been different if new Browns executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown hadn’t reached an impasse with nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams over surgery Williams says he needs and let him go in the same purge.
But if anyone questioned how deep the Browns are willing to gut the roster to rebuild, the past week showed the Browns are willing to re-pour the foundation.
Even backup quarterback Josh McCown may not be safe if the Dallas Cowboys or Minnesota Vikings decide they’re willing to surrender a third-round pick for a 37-year-old journeyman. I wouldn’t let McCown go for many reasons, but mainly because the Browns need the Griffin reclamation project to work and the support and mentoring of McCown could be crucial in that.
The Browns look three drafts away from playoff contention and continuing to spin their wheels at quarterback could further delay the return to relevance.
The attendance could be excused because it was the most meaningless of the preseason games. But the Browns have been exposed for what they are.
They are a team with a leaderless defense that has nowhere to go but up. A team that let its offense line go from its biggest strength to a huge question mark. A team that might have an explosive passing game if its top three receivers prove they can be counted on. Even if they can, they will need to win in a shootout every week considering the state of the Browns defense.
An 0-4 preseason may mean nothing. But the events of the past week — a dress rehearsal flop, surprising cuts, a trade, 10 men on the field — have stripped the walls bare and set the tone for the season.
Considering how far the Browns have to go in their rebuild, I’ll be tempted to leave the binoculars at home.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.