The schedule for the New Model Browns.
Denver: Case Keenum the real deal? If not it is winnable.
Houston: If healthy, yeah, probably a loss.
New Orleans: Probable loss.
Oakland: Which version shows up? If Carr really has regressed this is winnable.
Tampa Bay: Winnable.
Atlanta: Probable loss.
Carolina: Schizo team. Competitive game.
KC: Total toss-up. We have no idea how Mahomes will play.
Chargers: Winnable.
Jets: Browns curb-stomp them.
I see only three probable losses. They can go anywhere from 6-4 to 4-6 in that stretch. They can run .500 against the North.
Point being, Hyde will get more use than he did in SF and behind a better line. He could rush for as many as 1100-1200 yards. Plus his bountiful receiver game.
I hope you are more right then I am.
I'm happy with the direction things seem to be heading this off season.
The upcoming draft doesn't factor in that much for me for this year- it can help if they focus on defense early, but I think last year's drafted players improvement (if any) is much more significant. Either their improvement or their utilization.
As for the running game, and Hyde in particular, I joke but for all we know Hue will under use him also and he will come up short of 1000 yards because of not enough carries. (Not that the 1000 yard benchmark is as important as it was in a 14 game schedule, but it is still a benchmark of note.)
One good thing for me is the Browns now have a middle of the pack QB who seems to be risk adverse. If that holds true, then hopefully turnovers are down and the Browns can ball control a little more, meaning more runs. Don't get me wrong, I like a strong air attack, I'm just being realistic with what the Browns have to work with and I don't think Tyrod is going to throw for 3500 yards and 35 tds.
Because of this line of thinking, I am very ok with Chubb at #4 and a db with the next pick (even for a trade back into round 1), because anything the Browns can do to bolster the defense this year will help a risk adverse offense IMO.
All said and done regarding their record and the schedule they face...ya gotta walk before you can run. We know how bad they've been. There is no game on the schedule, including the Jets game, that I will ink in a win based on the past few years. And keep in mind, I like Haley as OC, but there is going to be a transition period early for the offense. It happens every time. The O may still not be in synch by game 3 vs the Jets. He may not even have the whole playbook installed by game 8...who knows?
All the positive additions, money spent, accumulation of picks and cap space... prove that you can win games. Of course I'd like at least 8 wins, would be sadly ok with 6, would be disappointed with anything less than 4. Until they can start winning and stringing wins together, I am happy with the direction this year, but am skeptical. Just my opinion.