BALTIMORE – The NFL is big business all the way. But the Browns’ postgame locker room scene had a personal tilt, from veteran players to owner Jimmy Haslam.
It’s easy to see why.
The Browns can become a proud franchise again -- inching toward respectability for the first time in seven years -- if they lift the offense and clean up the volcanic headlines that distract from on-field production.
That’s what’s so deflating about at least three high-profile culprits of the latter just before the 20-10 loss to the Ravens, Cleveland’s fifth loss in a row and the franchise's 12th in a row in games played in December.
The Browns suspended their most talented receiver (Josh Gordon) for missing a team walk-through, fined their first-round quarterback (Johnny Manziel) for being late to treatment and benched cornerback Justin Gilbert for showing up late to a team meeting. Manziel also reportedly hosted a party on Friday night.
Those players weren’t in the locker room Sunday when it opened for the media. But the players who almost knocked Baltimore from playoff contention with an undrafted rookie quarterback answered for the team.
Joe Haden was there. He’s never been part of a winning season. He seems to know why.
“We just, I don’t know -- everybody’s got to be all in,” said Haden with a soft voice, after a long pause, minutes after the 20-10 loss at Baltimore. “Everybody’s gotta try to fight for this one goal. It’s very, very hard to win in the NFL ... everybody’s got to be accountable.”
Donte Whitner was there. He sees progress in the 7-9 Browns but believes there should have been more. He seems to know why, too, saying he’s been assured the Browns will get rid of players who aren’t dedicated to their cause.
“We need to get some guys off the train and get some guys on the train who want to win,” Whitner said.
Owner Jimmy Haslam was there. Haslam validated Whitner’s words by saying continued distractions “won’t be tolerated.” In his first interview all season, Haslam had to put out fires about young kids needing to grow up.
“If they can’t grow up and they can’t be responsible to their teammates and the coaches and our great fans, then they won’t be with the Cleveland Browns,” Haslam said.
These comments intensify an offseason that already promises heavy roster maneuvering. Haslam’s words must resonate or the players will believe their voices don’t matter. Suspending Gordon seemed like a good step because his missed walk-through wasn’t an isolated incident. He had been late to team activities before. His future with the team is uncertain at best.
The defense played playoff-caliber defense at times this year. It still wasn’t enough. That’s why this offseason will hurt.
Yes, the Browns were last in the league against the run, but they were ninth in points allowed and first in interceptions entering Week 17. A team can win games with those rankings. The Browns’ secondary was one of the league’s deepest, and veterans played admirably on the front seven. Plus those rushing numbers were inflated because the defense was on the field too much thanks to countless three-and-outs by the offense.
If the Browns' offense was even slightly below average in December, the Browns might be preparing for the playoffs. The Browns should aim for 15-20 points per game down the stretch next year. That doesn’t seem like much. But the last four weeks? The Browns averaged8.6 points per game from the offense.
“Our biggest thing right now is being more consistent,” outside linebacker Paul Kruger said. “I know we can do that on defense. As a team, that’s really going to be a goal of ours.”
Kruger is a pro who wouldn’t rip the offense, but maybe that’s his way of saying, "We could use some help."
Manziel’s right that it’s too early to judge his long-term trajectory, but his rookie season couldn’t have gone much worse. It will be a huge next eight months for him. Cleveland fans are fatalistic with their quarterback problems. They will shun as fast as they embrace. That Browns security had to check on him Saturday because he wasn’t showing up for treatment doesn’t help his cause, especially after publicly stating his case for the job four days earlier. He has trust to earn.
There will be many needs to fill in the draft and free agency. The Browns have a need at nearly every playmaking position on offense, guard/tackle help, maybe another edge rusher on defense and another inside guy.
Who’s on the train and who’s off? This locker room wants to know. Every team has “bad apples,” as left tackle Joe Thomas said, but key players having issues showing up for meetings on the last week of the season is not a good look for anyone involved. The Browns have off time next week.
There are plenty of available party slots then.
