The AFC North figures to be a bloodbath yet again in 2024. The turnover on Baltimore’s defensive coaching staff should have an impact, and maybe that pack comes back down to Earth a bit. But, they’re still going to be pretty good. Joe Burrow getting healthy for the Bengals should have them back in the hunt. And, the Steelers are competitive at pretty much every position except for the unknown at quarterback. If they can get something out of Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields, they could be a surprise contender. Then, there’s the Cleveland Browns. Folks, I’ve had a take brewing in my skull for about a week now about the Cleveland Browns. I think Jameis Winston is going to lead ’em to the playoffs. I finally put it out there last night on Twitter, and now, I’m sticking to it.
This man's leading that team to the playoffs. https://t.co/mduNDWE3qn
— Stoney Keeley (@StoneyKeeley) June 11, 2024
I’ve never been more certain than after seeing that clip. Look at the raw energy he brings to the bit – it’s a natural sort of energy that you can’t coach and you can’t teach. That’s why his teammates love him, and that’s why he’s still landing jobs where he may be needed. I started brewing this take after watching a ton of Browns tape to get ready for this show on Bill Callahan’s run scheme and how it projects to the Titans. But, I also watched a ton of Browns tape last season for a preview piece ahead of their game against the Titans. I’ve developed an appreciation for Kevin Stefanski and the things he does well, and believe him to be one of the more underrated head coaches in the game. The names ‘McVay’, ‘Shanahan’, and ‘McDaniel’ have become legend, but Stefanski has quietly put together an offensive resumé that puts him among the best in the league in my opinion.
He knows how to call an offense tailored to the strengths of his personnel. He’s an incredible rhythm play-caller, setting defenses up for one thing over the course of a few plays, only to dip to something else and catch the defense off guard. He game plans well and seems to have a specific plan of attack for each opponent’s weaknesses. And, the boot game off of play action misdirection is a work of art. And, hell – you guys don’t need me to tell you how good Jim Schwartz and that defense was last year. They have stars at every level. The team is so fucking good around the quarterback spot, especially assuming all of the injured offensive linemen return to form. It’s a good enough roster with good enough coaching that it could go on a real run in January.
The problem? Deshaun Watson sucks. He was indecisive running Stefanski’s offense last season when he was healthy, and panic-threw balls high and off-target left and right, especially on the move. He just didn’t seem to be the perfect quarterback for what Stefanski was trying to do. Sure, maybe another year’s worth of work and developing familiarity will help, but there were too many times that I watched Watson and thought, “he ain’t got it from the neck up.” A lot of these chunk plays require a decisive and accurate thrower. A lot of the rollouts require a guy that can read and reset his feet on the run. Watson didn’t consistently do those things in 2024 before he went down with an injury. I wouldn’t be surprised if that contract ends up being considered among the worst in the NFL’s history.
For better or for worse, Winston is decisive. I know a lot of his sound bytes have become meme clips throughout the years, but if you listen to his teammates and coaches around him, when those lights are burning bright, his football IQ is on display. He has the arm talent and the confidence to make plenty of the throws that Watson looked too timid to make last year. I won’t be surprised at all if Winston gets a look this year and does an admirable job, especially given the shiny new toys that offense has at its disposal (I’m a longtime Jerry Jeudy apologist, and I was a huge fan of Jamari Thrash coming out of the draft). They need a real quarterback and leader in the room, and that man is Jameis Winston. Just watch.
If I get this wrong, I will gladly do nothing more than accept accountability for being wrong and move on with my life. Go ahead and bookmark it, Browns fans. As competitive as that division figures to be, not to mention the AFC as a whole, I still think the Browns are one of the best and most well-coached rosters in the conference.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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