Disgraceful? Pathetic? Expected?
However you want to describe Sunday, the Cleveland Browns’ 23-17 loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs has left Browns fans with the common jaded feeling of misery and hopelessness.
Here are a few moments that stuck out from another three hours of weekly torture:
1. The scoreboard didn’t show it, but the Browns actually played decently.
The defense consistently stopped Kansas City and other than linebacker Craig Robertson once again getting caught in no-man’s-land, defensive coordinator Ray Horton should give the rest of his guys a pat on the back.
Unlike the past few weeks, the Browns finally started to pressure the opponent’s quarterback.
2. The Weeden Era has officially slammed its doors shut after quarterback Jason Campbell’s above-average performance.
Campbell provided the same kind of jump-start Brian Hoyer did last month against Minneapolis, as he finished Sunday’s loss with 293 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-36 attempts.
On a side note, Campbell also didn’t have any underhanded passes. (Cough, cough, Brandon Weeden…)
3. Cleveland’s problem can be blamed on one person: Davone Bess.
The veteran wide receiver had two crucial mistakes that cost the Browns a shot at putting up enough points for victory.
Not only did Bess muff a punt return on the Kansas City 45-yard-line, he also dropped a wide open pass on fourth down late in the game, as he finished the game with three drops.
Bess has yet to catch a touchdown pass in 2013.
It’s frustrating watching this team play. It’s not because they suck; they don’t.
Time and time again it’s the stupid mistakes that cost a mediocre football team one loss after another.
The Browns are now at the midway point on their season, sitting with a 3-5 record, and by Cleveland standards, that’s not half-bad, but they should be better.
Monday morning coach Rob Chudzinski needs to cut Weeden and Bess.
He needs to come out and tell the media that standout wide receiver Josh Gordon is not on the trading block, and he needs to give the fans a reason to believe again.
The Browns aren’t terrible; they’re just not good.
As Cleveland comedian Mike Polk would say, “See you Sunday!”
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohiou.edu
