Do the Browns Resemble a Benny Hill Skit? The NCP go to London to Investigate.

London Calling for the North Coast Posse

Colin: I think it's awesome you guys shipped the NCP Browns Party Gremlin across the Atlantic Ocean so you could tailgate properly.  Seeing other sights while you are in London?

Big$: Full disclosure, K-dubs and I are in negotiations to get a half hour (or halfe houre as they say across the pond) show on the BBC titled "Pencil Storm Gremlin Talk." Some suits at the network are concerned that some of our anti-Beatle rants from the past may surface and derail it, so we're here smoothing things over. It's a coincidence that the Browns are also playing.

Colin: Not to put a damper on your roadtrip across the pond but.... Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Deshaun Watson are all tearing up the NFL while Kenny Britt is taking Deshone Kizer out to tear up the bars. Meanwhile the Browns were already the worst team in the league before losing their All Pro tackle / ironman Joe Thomas. I think I ask this question every year, but is right now, the lowest point in Browns history? 

K-Dubs, the Soldier: Yes.  This is the lowest point I can remember.  It is disappointing to now think of 3-13 seasons as halcyon days.  

Big$:  I think expectations play heavily into the depth of certain situations. I had next to no hope for this team going into the season, so it's hard to feel real low about where they are at. Plus, I think there are some pieces in defense that may be bright spots. For me, watching grown men parade around in Manziel jerseys, convincing themselves that he had an inkling of NFL talent will always be the low point.

Colin: The NFL is trying to create excitement in England, are the Browns the right team to be showcasing American football to a bunch of futball hooligans?

Big$:   The Browns offense quite often resembles a Benny Hill skit, so this may be just what the Dr. ordered for NFL/England relations.

Colin: Do you see anything positive on the field?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:   I am still liking the defense.  A lot of media attention has focused on how rookie safety Jabrill Peppers plays excessively deep, but these commentators are missing out on how well the rest of the defensive back field is playing.  Jason McCourty is rated as one of the top cornerbacks in the league, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Derrick Kindred are becoming fan favorites.  Linebackers Kirksey and Schobert are having good seasons, too.  We just need Miles Garrett to stay on the field so we can ratchet up pressure on the quarterback.  On the offensive side, positivity is harder to find.  Part of the problem is that Hue Jackson has to give up play-calling duties.  He continues to baffle with deep throws on 3rd-and-short situations and failing to get the electrifying Duke Johnson any more than 7 touches per game.  He and his staff have also failed to curtail the penalties that have killed offensive momentum on countless possessions (notice I didn’t say drives).  I still have faith in the development of Kizer but Hue has got to stick with him for better or worse, in good times and bad, until Jimmy do them part.

Big$:  I referenced some defensive pieces earlier and I'll cite Carl Nassib specifically. His emergence is especially interesting as I have grave concerns about Garrett's commitment and durability. Not to incite the PC police, but self-reporting concussion symptoms on Tuesday doesn't scream "football guy to build on" to me.

Colin: October is usually the time Browns fans start thinking about the upcoming NFL Draft. Any hope on the horizon?

Big$:   It's obvious that the lingering QB issue is still a question. At this point, I think Darnold goes back to USC and Josh Allen (Wyoming) seems to be a fraud. Rosen (UCLA) looks like the real deal, but I'm not sure the brash outspoken Cali kid model would fit in the 216. Therefore, I'm for drafting Barkley and trading for or signing an under the radar QB already in the league.

Colin: Will Hue survive the Browns and if not who would possibly want this job?

Big$:   I think Jimmy will stick it out with the Baseball bunch and Hue for another year because of A.) Rich dude Pride and B.) Ain't no one taking this job. I myself, would’ve fired everybody already. The culture is so toxic at 1-23 that I'm not sure that any leadership position can be salvaged.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:   I agree Hue keeps his job, but only because Jimmy has blown his coaching staff up so many times in the past and the changes have yet to bear fruit.  In the immortal words of Great White, “Once bitten, twice shy.”  (editor's note: Hey, that's the immortal words of Ian Hunter, Dubs.)  There has got to be a change in the front office, though.  

Colin: Who would Lebron start for this week?

Big$:  I'm starting Lebron at head coach, Hue needs a break.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:   GM Sashi Brown.  LeBron brought Derrick Rose and D-Wade to town.  Sashi did not even rate Wentz in his top 15 quarterbacks of last year’s draft, essentially spent $12 million for a second-round pick in the trade for Brock Osweiler, who he then cut and received nothing in return, passed on Deshaun Watson in this year’s draft, signed Kenny Britt, and has forgotten that you need at least a few quality veterans on your team to win.   

The North Coast Posse cover the Browns for Pencilstorm. They are a Top 5 Follow on Twitter. follow @northcoastposse

The NCP Responds to Browns' State-of-the-Dawg-Pound Address

Follow @northcoastposse.  The NCP are a top five Browns twitter follow

With Big$ out completing his community service this week, K-Dubs, the Soldier responds to the Browns call for the Dawg Pound to "Keep Calm and Bark On."

After its fairly stunning silence during a 0-10 start, the Browns front office held a State-of-the-Team address this week.  The team’s executive vice president Sashi Brown met with the beat writers, trying to reassure them that this disappointing season, which has reached lows previously unseen in franchise history, is simply a part of “The Process.”  Sashi told us the culture truly is changing in Berea and that soon the world will witness the resurrection of the Browns.  Coach Hue Jackson echoed that sentiment this week, admonishing other teams to get their licks in now, because the Browns are going to be Kings of North soon.  What else could they say?  Sure, nobody expected to be winless, yada yada, but evolution is afoot.  It was all monotone platitudes, and while I listened, I recalled Dana Carvey’s impression of President George H.W. Bush: “Stay the course. A thousand points of light.  Stay the course.” 

Here is a response to this banality from a proud member of the Dawg Pound: Excuse my doubt, but what the hell am I missing?!  Of course there was going to be a change of culture from last year.  The past few seasons the front office and coaching staff did not [or could not] work together.  The result was a team that had a roster with players that did not fit the coach’s system. 

Owner Jimmy Haslem responded by creating a completely new structure of governance and placing a focus on finding value players rather than high-priced free agents.  No doubt these changes would create a new culture, but the time has long passed to show us what this different and more-cohesive vision means on the field.  The defense ranks 31st in yards and points per game and 23rd in sacks.  The team has a minus-5 turnover margin, and the offense has an average time-of-possession that is 6:37 minutes less than opponents.  How is that for analytics?

When the season started, I was optimistic that we would begin to see some flashes of forthcoming glory for the new, new Browns, even though I was fairly certain that a 5-win season would be a stretch.  My outlook persisted after some early-year losses in which the team was generally competitive but came up short in tight games.  Things just seem to have gotten worse lately, though.  In the second half against the Cowboys two weeks ago, the offense gained just 33 yards in a deflating defeat.  Then, last week against the Ravens, they had to call a timeout before the very first play of the game because there were 12 defenders on the field.  On the first play!  The D then forced a punt and the two returners, Duke Johnson and Joe Haden, ran into each other and nearly fumbled the ball. 

When you see things like this it is so hard to maintain hope.  Where is this change?  To quote recent campaign ads, we're getting "more of the same."  I will keep carrying the torch for now, but patience is getting low.  So when the Browns kick off at home this Sunday against the Steelers, I will be watching and cheering (and drinking Four String Brewing’s Skeleton Red Rye IPA).  What else can I say?

So what are the keys to victory this week?:

The Browns are going to be playing two opponents on Sunday, Pittsburgh and the weather.  The forecast for kickoff is 35 degrees with a chance of rain and flurries, and wind gusts up to 50 mph!  This may cause havoc for Browns QB Cody Kessler, whose arm is not the strongest.  Coach Jackson pulled Kessler out against the Ravens because he was not pushing the ball down field, but in this wind, I imagine keeping routes short may serve the team better.  Cleveland may have a better chance to get the ground game going against the Steelers, too, because DE and former Buckeye standout Cam Heyward is out with a torn pectoral muscle.  The offense needs to get Isaiah Crowell running downhill to eat up some clock and keep the ball away from Ben Roethlisberger. The harsh winds will also likely cause problems in the kicking game, so field position will be at a premium this week.

Speaking of Big Ben, he did miss a game last month with a torn meniscus, and hopefully that injury, coupled with the harsh lakefront weather, will limit his mobility this week.  He is not known as a runner obviously, as he resembles a competitive eater more than he does a track star, but he is one of the all-time greats at avoiding sacks and keeping plays alive by scrambling.  If the Browns really want to exhibit a change in culture, getting some sacks and putting opponents in 3rd-and-long situations more often would certainly help.  Recently acquired OLB Jamie Collins will have another week of practice in this system under his belt, too, and he is a playmaker that should help the Browns improve its 3rd-down conversion rate, which is 50 percent for the year.

Of course, there is another force of nature at play in all-world wideout Antonio Brown.  Over the years, he has had huge games against Haden, much like he has against every other DB in the league.  He is probably going to get his catches and yards this Sunday.  Cleveland’s chances of winning are tied then to how well the team contains all the other playmakers for Pittsburgh.  They need to limit yards-after-contact for RB La’Veon Bell, who is also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield (45 rec., 360 yds.), and keep the ball away from the tight ends, which have killed the Browns this year.  If they can pull it all together, a win over the hated Steelers would be a rare bright spot in The Process.

Rookie Stars Return for Browns Still Searching for First Win; The NCP Take Questions for Week 9

Still nursing their hangovers from Game 7 of the World Series, the NCP fields your Week 9 Browns questions.

1) Getting Jamie Collins for a 3rd-round pick seems a little too good to be true. What’s the catch?

Big$:  Hard to say how this trade will bust, but with the Browns track record, odds most likely will be defied. With that said, one way to utilize an abundance of picks is to try and get lucky through trades. It’s pretty clear the lb corps are in desperate need of help, so unless we find out Collins is shacking with Johnny fb at The Nine, he is a value add (#analytics).

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I am not sure what the catch is.  There were rumors this week that Collins is lazy, that Bill Belicheck needed to shake up his locker room to maintain his team’s focus, and that this trade was simply a pre-emptive salary dump by the Patriots.  Whatever the reason, I like this trade.  Collins is a playmaker that can make tackles in the running game, sack the quarterback, and defend the pass.  The Browns’ D needs help in all of these areas.  I am not sure how many snaps he will get this week, but this is a positive move for Cleveland, who would be hard-pressed to find a guy in the 3rd round as good as Collins anyway.

2) Speaking of catch, when is Corey Coleman coming back and who is the starting QB this week?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Coleman is returning to the lineup this week for the first time since catching 5 balls for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Ravens in week 2.  He had broken his hand in practice that following week. Cody Kessler is also going to start at quarterback today, returning from a concussion.  The offensive lineup has been such a patchwork all year because of injuries, but with Coleman and Kessler on the field, this could be a preview of the Browns future.

3) An 0 -16 season is starting to creep into the picture. Could Hue’s seat get hot before he gets a chance to rebuild with all these draft picks?

Big$:  So help me God, if they make a change, I’m done FOR GOOD. You can put that in writing. Let the Harvard guys do their thing and trust the frigging process.

4) Speaking of the draft, what are the positions of need that need to be addressed sooner than later?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  The defensive backfield.  The play of the DBs has been so inconsistent this year.  Joe Haden has missed a ton of games the last few years, and with few exceptions he has not had many good games when healthy.  The Browns also need a center.  Cam Erving, who was a 1st-round pick last year, has gotten a pass because of his inexperience, but the more time he’s on the field, the more it looks like he just can’t hang. 

Big$:  Defense, Defense, Defense. I think a franchising of Collins is in play, so I expect the play to be outside - in. ( DB to DL). Conventional wisdom used to believe D lines made secondaries (2015 Panthers), however I think the opposite is being shown to be true (2016 Panthers).

5) Let’s give LeBron a week off, who should a member of the Tribe start for this week?

Big$:  Speaking of secondaries, I’m starting Frankie L. at cornerback. Kid is clutch and doesn’t let anything get by him ( honorable mention to letting Tito take the Head Coaching reigns).

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  So many good choices, but I have to go with Rajai Davis.  His two-run homer off of Chapman to send the game into extra innings was as clutch as anything has ever been.  The Browns are a young team that needs to learn how to win.  Rajai would bring some of that swag.

6) Other than Zeke coming back to Ohio, how much do you hate the Cowboys?

Big$:  I’m nothing if not loyal to my Cleveland roots. Garrett is a Cleveland guy. Plus, I love their O line play. We’ve had enough to hate about the Browns over the last decade to worry about hating other teams*
(* except the Bengals, I hate the freaking Bengals)

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Couldn’t agree less.  I hate every team that is not the Browns.  Sorry to say that includes Zeke now, too.  This week is really about the return of Coleman and Kessler.

NCP Answers Your Questions on the Battle of Ohio

It’s the Battle of Ohio and the NCP will be watching the game at Four String Brew with the League Bowlers playing before the game. FREE.

1) Who should feel more excited about the future of their team, Bengals or Browns fans?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  The Browns.  I know they are 0-6, but each week we can see the young players, like defensive tackle Danny Shelton and quarterback Cody Kessler, getting better. The Browns have shown a lot of fight in their losses, too.  I truly believe we are witnessing a culture change in Berea and the building of a winning franchise.  Cincinnati maybe a perennial playoff team, but they have an aging roster that I think has already passed its peak potential.  This year, the Bengals will be at home during the postseason, just like Cleveland, and I think Cincinnati’s win total will trend down the next few years while Cleveland’s should trend up (I do realize that the Browns’ win total can only trend up).

Big$:  I truly feel that future is brighter moving forward for Hue Jackson’s Browns, but the singular reason it’s better to be a Browns fan, is that we do not have to defend Vontaze Burrfict. There is no room for a player like that in professional sports or everyday life, for that matter. It’s impossible to take Roger’s assertions on player safety seriously, when he won’t take that goon off the field.

2) Cody Kessler has quietly put together some pretty good numbers. Is there QB worth drafting in the 1st round next year or could he be the QB of the near future?

Big$:  The Commander’s competence has bought the front office some time. It’s crucial that defense is addressed this April, and using both 1st-round picks towards that end will be big league. I have my eyes on Myles Garrett, the defensive end from Texas A&M, and would love to couple him with some secondary help. Cody can continue to keep the seat warm for the NCP’s favorite son, Mitch Trubisky, the quarterback from UNC.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I really like Kessler.  I don’t think I would have ever said that when Josh McCown went down.  He throws an accurate ball, he makes good decisions, and he can create plays by scrambling and buying himself more time in the pocket.  His growth has been impressive, and his performance should give the Browns’ brain trust some leeway to fill other needs at the top of the draft.  That said, if the front office believes there is a quarterback in next year’s draft that is a can’t-miss prospect, they have to take him.  Keep an eye on Jake Browning from the University of Washington.   

3) Is TP going to sign a long term deal?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Word on the street is that they are already in talks.  I think it is a great move to lock up Pryor.  He is a unique talent.  At the very least, he is a possible target for the franchise tag, which could keep him around for an extra year. 

Big$:  I think he likes playing for Hue and will reward the loyalty with a signature on the dotted line. Should be easy for the Harvard crew to find the cashola considering roughly 87% of the team is on rookie deals.

4) If the Bengals lose today, should they re- locate to Las Vegas or just fire the head coach?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I love a team that has stunk for what seems an eternity.  They always find new ways to break my heart.  I have wasted a lot of time, money, and emotion on the Browns.  And yet, I have no idea how anyone can be a Cincinnati fan.  The Bengals are the Crocs of the NFL.  I know they exist, but I can’t fathom why anyone buys a pair.  I don’t think a new address will help the Bengals, but I would like to see it happen.  That way at least we wouldn’t have to get their games on local TV anymore.

Big$:  I’m too busy making championship parade plans to worry about what’s happening down I-71.

5) Who should Lebron start for today?

Big$:  I’ll start LBJ for Joe Haden. It’s pretty obvious ole Joe isn’t too motivated to get his highly paid keister on the field, so let’s get a true champ on the corner.

Keep hope alive! The North Coast Posse tackles your questions as the Browns head into a week 4 match-up with Washington.

Keep hope alive!  The North Coast Posse tackles your questions as the Browns head into a week 4 match-up with Washington.

Q:  The Browns are 0-3, have played four QBs in three games and lost their 1st round draft pick to injury, yet I am still enjoying the season immensely.  Did I smoke some of Josh Gordon’s weed?  What gives?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  During the fourth-quarter of last week’s game, I definitely could have used some of Flash’s ganj to take the edge off.  You are right, though.  This season has been exciting and heartbreaking so far.  If not for poor special teams, the Browns could easily be 2-1.  Going into this season, we said that the record might still be ugly, but that the team will keep you watching all year.  That is because—despite the facts that they are down to a rookie, third-string quarterback, have lost their starting center and two rookie starters to injury, and their best offensive weapon just checked himself into rehab—this is not the “same ol’ Browns.”  There has been a lot of turn-over on the roster, which is now teeming with young and hungry players.  Also, the coaching staff has shown creativity on both sides of the ball, which has leverage the strengths of the players that they do have.  No, my friend, this truly is a new era for the Browns.  They still kind of suck, but it is a team with pride, and it is on the rise.

Big $:  I’m right with you, mainly because we’re getting to see ex-Buckeye Terrelle Pryor transform into an NFL tour de force.  However, I’m also impressed by the effort shown by the young players and coaching staff.  It would have been real easy to fold after Kessler’s 1st couple series last week (see Johnny Manziel’s 1st start).  But adjustments were made and they battled (forgive the Pettine-ism) on.

Q:  Speaking of Josh Gordon, breaking news is that he is headed to rehab. Couldn’t he have done this anytime in the LAST TWO years while he was suspended instead of right before he is actually able to finally play again?

Big $:  I’m concerned that our fan base learned nothing from Johnny, and are again willing to apply martyrdom to a guy who refuses to get his life together, even with all the supports he has in place. This guy has serious issues that expand beyond weed, and I hope they are identified and replaced before he hurts others.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Dude apparently hasn’t hit his bottom yet.  Cris Carter has said a million times that the best thing that happened to him was his release from the Eagles.  That was when he realized the real impact his substance abuse was having on his life and those around him.  I was very excited for Gordon to return, but the Browns just need to send his ass packing now.  If not for his own sake, then because the fans can’t take this anymore.  When I heard the news that he was entering rehab, I looked to the heavens and wailed, “Why do the righteous suffer?” just like Job.

Q: Hugh Jackson’s game plan against the Dolphins was inspired. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons. What do you think of the new coach so far?

Big $:  I’m head over heels for this staff. The vision and creativity they have shown will start to pay serious dividends as the young players gain experience and more talent is acquired.

Q:  Meanwhile, Terrelle Pryor couldn’t make the team last year, now he is the best player on the field for either side against Miami. Is that Paul Depodesta finding value where the previous regime couldn’t see it?

Big $:  I’ll say this, watching what Theo Epstein is doing in Chi town, makes me believe this is a good time to have ivy leaguer analytic freaks run your organization.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I don’t know if it takes a genius to see that Pryor is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the league (let alone that you could pick him up for a song).  I think the emergence of T.P. says more about his new-found maturity and the work he has put in to become a legitimate receiving threat, than it does about the front office.

Q:  As crazy as it sounds, should the Browns lock down T.P. with a contract extension ASAP?

Big $:  I tried to find the “hell yes” font, but caps will have to suffice HELL YES.  As a full offensive weapon,  he has only scratched the surface.

Q:  The defense has improved every week. What is up?

Big $:  It’s documented that I am no fan of defensive tackle Danny Shelton, but he’s playing like a pro lately. Dude is steppin’ up. It’s a good time to 2 be a Huskie.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I agree that the defensive line has played much better than expected, but they are getting solid production from everyone.  The run defense, which has ranked at the bottom of the barrel the last couple of years, is currently ranked in the middle of the pack, and the defensive backfield has really improved.

Q:  Who on offense impresses? 

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Cody Kessler played surprisingly well last week once he got settled.  He showed good-decision making, and I think he will continue to improve with more practice reps, as well as game action.  There are questions about his arm strength, but he throws an accurate ball and keeps a cool head.  I think they need to keep starting him even after Josh McCown is ready to return.

Big $:  Obviously I love T.P., but I’m also impressed with The Crow’s burst through the line. Feed him more.

Q:  Who should LeBron start for this week?

Big $:  You know what, I feel good for once.  Let LBJ focus on the preseason and developing chemistry with Mike Dunleavy, Jr. (aka the most underrated off season acquisition in the NBA).

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I want LBJ to take over as Josh Gordon’s drug counselor.  LeBron is easily the most upstanding sports megastar since Wayne Gretzky.  I mean even Peyton Manning is accused of giving a female athletic trainer a Roman helmet when he was in college.  Flash could use LeBron’s positive influence and solid advice in his life.   

Q:  What games suddenly look like we might have a shot to win?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I think they get over the hump this week against Washington.  The Browns should be competitive in most of the rest of the games, with the best chances to win in road games against Tennessee, Baltimore, and Buffalo, and in the home finale against San Diego.

Week One Growing Pains: NCP Looks Forward to Home Opener

Q:  So was The North Coast Posse Browns Kick-Off Party at Four String Brew the highlight of the season?   Should the Browns sign Mike Parks of The League Bowlers to play guitar in the locker room at halftime?

Big$:  Life is about expectations. What we expect from ourselves, what we expect from others, and what we expect from each experience. If someone went into the 2016 Browns season with misguided expectations, such as playoff contention etc., I could see why they would be ready to punt on enjoying any part of this season. I, on the other hand, am fully ready for the tear down. It was time to reset the deck completely and get some new blood on the field. I don't plan on seeing many wins, but I am amped to watch the progress of building blocks like Terrelle, Bitonio, Nassib, Ogbah, Schobert, Duke, and Kirksey each week. One needs to look no further than the future Las Vegas Raiders for a blueprint of this nature.

Browns Kickoff Party with Pencil Storm Impresario/League Bowler frontman Colin Gawel, Big$, Neil Sika (Golden Voice of the Columbus Crew), and K-Dubs, the Soldier.

As for the Kickoff Party I could probably enjoy Four String while being forced to listen to a Harbaugh mixtape. So getting to down the finest beer in Columbus while getting a taste of the mercurial League Bowlers is nothing but aces. Seriously people, Mike Parks is a CBUS treasure.  You should see him at every given opportunity.

Q:  RG3. Gone. I know we are rebuilding but it was sure more fun to watch us lose with him under center than Josh McCown. Still, will this injury actually affect the offense? Could this offense actually become decent?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I was hoping that we would get the chance to watch RG3 this year, but his injury does not change my outlook on the season at all.  I think the front office pegged Griffin as a place-holder with a big potential upside.  His loss merely leaves us with our previous place-holder, and I am OK with that.  I am an unabashed Josh McCown apologist.  Last year he showed a mastery of the offense, and when he is clicking, the team can score.  Don’t forget that he threw for 457 yards against the Ravens in a rare road win in Baltimore.  In fact, last year’s debacle of a season started with such promise when McCown led the Browns on a 10-minute, 90-yard drive against the Jets.  (Please do forget, however, that drive ended when he drove for the end zone, was sent into a helicopter spin by a pair of defenders, fumbled, broke his shoulder, and paved the way for Johnny Dickwad to take over as QB).   Sure, the new coaching staff has installed a different offensive scheme, but McCown is a savvy veteran that still moves in the pocket surprisingly well for a dude that is now closer to AARP than NCAA.  He also put up good numbers last year when his tallest wideout was 5’9”.  He ain’t as exciting as RG3, but a McCown-led offense will run like a well-oiled machine, and with Pryor, Gordon, and Coleman in his arsenal, the Browns will put points on the board. 

Big$:  Trent Green, for better or worse (who we are we kidding, worse for sure) seems to always be circulating around the Browns. With that said, they should look to his Wally Pipp-esque Rams injury story for inspiration. Let us all remember when the Rams were ready to wrap up their season after losing ole T. Green. The reigns were handed over to a stock boy from Iowa, and the rest is NFL history.

Fast forward to the Browns of 2016 and I think that Josh McCown offers this team a better chance at winning each week. His experience and moxie coupled with the “Greatest Show on Turf II” could surprise a whole bunch of people. Plus I think he and Kurt Warner's wife have the same hairstyle so there is another tie to that Rams miracle super bowl run.

Q:  Forget offense, how bad is this Browns defense?

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  No doubt, last week was a letdown, but there’s no reason to hang your head.  The young guns on defense played fairly well and were able to get pressure on Wentz.  Also, although Philly had a 2-1 advantage in time of possession, they gained less than 4 yards per rush.  The problem was the veterans, particularly at cornerback giving up big plays.  Joe Haden needs to step up his game.  The defense has potential, but it will only be as good as the defensive backs will allow it to be. 

Q:  Should the Browns have drafted Carson Wentz? 

Big$: One needs to look no further than the Browns training room for the cautionary tale that makes this an easy answer. RG3 didn't just have one breakout game, he had a breakout season. Now he'll be lucky to ever start another NFL game. So excuse me if I'm not ready to crown Carson the “one that got away” just yet.

Q:  Who Should LeBron start for this week?

Big$: I'm sorry Gary Barnidge, but you must pay for your costly unforced errors in week one. Grab some pine, as I'm inserting the King at TE this week.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  He should start in place of special teams coach Chris Tabor.  I do not know have any idea how this guy has kept a job for as long as he has.  Hue Jackson is the 3rd head coach to retain Tabor, who was hired by Pat Shurmur in 2011.  Despite this perpetual vote of confidence, the Browns continue to have special teams breakdowns at the worst time.  Since he’s been the coordinator, the Browns have lost on second-chance field goals at the buzzer, had field goals blocked in 3 straight games, including one returned for a winning touchdown, and the team still does not have anyone that can field a goddamn punt.   Special teams are a third of game, and Cleveland continues to struggle here.  LeBron has shown that he is a coach on the court (especially in the David Blatt era).  Now we need his leadership on the field in the kicking game.

Q:  Any chance against the Ravens?

Big$: There is always hope. My boy Josh looked strong in a start against the Ratbirds last year, and with TP Sr. at his disposal, anything is possible.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  Of course, the Ravens are no longer a premier team, and if Baltimore had not returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown at the final gun last year, the Browns would have swept them.  Again, I think McCown will move the ball.  The concern is how well the linebackers and defensive backs play.  In recent years the Ravens have done a lot of their damage against Cleveland with passes to their backs, and for a squad that has looked lost at times in coverage throughout the preseason and in the opener last week, the pass defense needs to play much better than they did against Philly.  If Joe Flacco gets going it going early though it could make for a long afternoon.  My prediction is for a Browns win 24-20, with the defense pressuring Flacco into a pick or two.