Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Cleveland Browns

Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Cleveland Browns

For my half of the Go For It On Fourth preview for the 2018 NFL season, I decided to ask fans of every team questions about how they think their team will do this season. Instead of asking just one fan per team, I decided to get as many fans as I could involved. For some teams, that was several. For some teams, that was just one fan. But we very much appreciate everyone who got involved in our Preview for the 2018 Season!

Representing the Browns:

Ian, Kincardine, Fife
Simon, Preston, Lancs, @brownsuksimon

First off, sum up last season for us.

Ian: Last season was difficult, a rookie quarterback and an HC making rookie offensive mistakes in certain situations. It was painful to watch at times and there were few bright spots, I felt sorry for Deshaun Kizer, it felt like he was hung out to dry.

Simon: 0-16.... nightmare. Poor coaching, no depth, terrible QB play (as always). Couldn't finish from winning positions. Treatment of Kizer was awful....he wasn't ready and it showed. Squad wasn't mentally or physically tough enough. Wrong attitude.

How was your offseason?

Ian: I think it's been a good offseason so far, the additions of Taylor,Hyde and Landry are exciting, a very capable quarterback,a dependable running back and an excellent receiver, fingers crossed the offensive line stays healthy and they find the right combination there.

Simon: Off-season much improved via new GM John (buddy boy) Dorsey. He knows what he's doing and what he wants to reshape Browns

Key additions from free agency and the Draft?

Ian: Obviously, Tyrod Taylor, Mychal Kendricks, Jarvis Landry and Baker Mayfield are the standout players but Denzel Ward and Austin Corbett could prove to be good acquisitions as well.

Simon: . Good FA acquisitions especially Addition of Jarvis Landry,  Tyrod Taylor and Carlos Hyde gives quality to key positions. Loss of Iron Man Joe Thomas to retirement was a big blow. Had to draft a QB no.1 and Baker Mayfield looks the real deal! Further additions of Denzel Ward at CB and RB Nick Chubb. Also a complete overhaul to the previously poor defensive secondary including Terrence Mitchell and Damarious Randall. HC Hue Jackson surprisingly stayed after going 1-31 overall in the last two years. He's in the hot seat and is not Dorsey's coach. Todd Haley in as OC is a massive plus for the Offense. Return of Josh Gordon...hopefully fit and mentally right cannot be underestimated. Gordon has the potential to be a top 5 WR in the league. Browns now have a talented squad.

What's your hopes for this coming season?

Ian: I start every season looking at the roster and thinking there's potential for .500 and by week three or four you get the feel for what the next eight weeks will bring and adjust that number downwards for the most part, give up on any hopes of post season and hope you get a win over a division rival at some point, this season feels different, the hard knocks spotlight, an efficient quarterback with some offensive weapons and a defense that looks hungry, I'm hoping that .500 and adjusting upwards is a possibility, but .500 would be a good start.

Simon: Have high hopes that the off-season additions plus improved play from 2nd year TE David Njoku will light up the scoreboards! Last year's no.1 draft pick DE Myles Garrett looks unblockable. Browns will win games in a tough schedule that includes games against NFC South and AFC West teams not to mention the always tough AFC North. 6 wins is very possible.

What's your thoughts on your starting quarterback?

Ian: I'm a fan of Tyrod already, the decision to get him on board looks sound, he's not reckless and hopefully won't force plays that become turnovers, from watching hard knocks he looks like he has a great work ethic.

Simon: Tyrod Taylor should start all 16 games with Mayfield red shirting for the year. He's a very good, experienced QB who got Buffalo to the playoffs last year....great FA pick up...very underrated.

And your thoughts on your head coach?

Ian: Honestly, I think the jury is still out on Hue Jackson, last season there were many head scratching decisions on offense and lots of mistakes, the addition of Todd Haley should take some work load away leaving Hue to 'do his job'

Simon: I like Hue Jackson but I'm not sure he's HC material. He's too soft and the play reflected that last year. The positive is that he's got two really tough sobs in Haley and big mouth DC Gregg Williams behind him. Can't help thinking that Haley could be HC next year if things don't go too well. Hue is definitely in the hot seat!

A player that will be key for you this season?

Ian: Mychal Kendricks (Disclaimer: this was before he was cut)

Simon: Key player... Tyrod Taylor at QB for obvious reasons...should provide the experience, leadership and desire that has been missing for so long. Great confidence in Mayfield though if Taylor gets injured or doesn't work out.

And who would you happily drive to their next club?

Ian: There's no one player right now, there's optimism approaching the new season and everyone deserves their chance, once the final 53 are named there may be one or two that aren't up to the challenge, by December I'll probably have a list.

Simon: WR Corey Coleman has gone...phew! Josh Gordon needs to be on the field and productive...we can't be going through this every year with him.

What made you choose to support your team?

Ian: January 3rd 1987, Cleveland Browns 23-20 NY Jets AFC divisional game at the Municipal stadium in Cleveland, the Browns were trailing 20-17 with 53 seconds left and get the ball on their 32, they drive to the Jets 5 and tie the game with 7 seconds left, Bernie Kosar throws for a playoff record in yards and the Browns stadium just looked fantastic on TV, up until that point I'd been watching the NFL for 3 years and had never really found a team to follow, that game had me rooting for the Browns from start to finish, it was a harsh introduction to following Cleveland as the following week John Elway broke our hearts with 'the drive'

Simon: First NFL game I ever watched on British TV....mid 80s Playoff between Jets and Browns. Went to double OT. Loved it! Cleveland won it and I've been hooked on the Browns ever since! Just love them despite 30 years of failure and that includes losing the team to Baltimore!

For a first-time NFL fan, tell us some reasons why they should support your team?

Ian: Why the Browns? The highs are higher for this franchise than any other, they play in one of the toughest divisions in the AFC so victories are to be savoured, they are a blue collar team from an unfashionable city with one of the most fanatical fanbases in the NFL and a team rich in history, innovation and tradition.

Simon: Watch Hard Knocks! Can't help but love these guys. Plus we always love an under-dawg! Cleveland will be entertaining to watch on the field this year win or lose and they're going to upset some of the bigger teams.

Compare your team to a European football club.

Ian: That's a tough one, but I would liken them to Dynamo Kiev, unfashionable, workmanlike and their successes have come mostly in the past.

Simon: I'm a Burnley FC fan...always have been. Seen the good times and the bad. Typical blue collar northern gritty town. Traditional colours of claret and blue. Very much like Cleveland.... except for the brown and orange!

What's the best-case scenario for you this season?

Ian: Sneak the playoffs behind the Steelers

Simon: Best case for me realistically would  be 8-8 showing enough potential for a serious playoff run next year.

And what's the worst-case scenario?

Ian: Winless again, Taylor goes down and Mayfield struggles.

Simon: Worst case would be poor performances leading to another bad win/loss record. Anything less than 4 wins would be really disappointing.

How do the Browns rebuild after 0-16?

Ian: They have to develop the talent they have drafted, there's a good blend of veterans and rookies on the roster so they should make progress this year.

Simon: Think I've covered this in terms of the quality additions both on and off the field...Hue Jackson still concerns me greatly.

Predict your record for this season, and how far (if at all) you will go in the postseason.

Ian: 8-8.

Simon: 6-10 would show that Cleveland is heading in the right direction....no playoffs though... I can only dream!

Tell us who you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta on February 3rd next year?

Ian: Rams, Vikings or Falcons, too early to tell which one of those three will have the most success this season but I have a feeling Atlanta will make amends for throwing away their last chance at the Super Bowl.

Simon: SB winner...tough one but I'm going for the Vikings. They are just so talented and have improved again in the off season. Their D is awesome!

Anything else you’d like to promote?

Simon: Take a look and follow the UK Browns Backers...brilliant fan club of like-minded people! Also, the Paul Brown podcast which is funny, intelligent and articulate. This is a British podcast mainly for British Browns fans but a great listen for all NFL fans.