Last Sunday, the Cleveland Browns did something they rarely do: win easily. Perhaps it was the fact that the Atlanta Falcons were complacent, thinking the Browns were no threat. Maybe it was due to Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb firing at all cylinders in the offense. Or Denzel Ward and T.J. Carrie slowing down the Falcons’ receivers. Perhaps it was John Dorsey and the wise moves that finally paid off.
The Cleveland Browns Personnel Moves That Finally Paid Off
There are some elements that worked for the franchise recently, and they continue to work off of these, it can only mean a brighter future.
The Cornerback Signings
In the off-season, Dorsey signed T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines, and Terrance Mitchell. All three were without doubt of starting caliber. Mitchell shadowed Jarvis Landry all through training camp and impressed everyone with his superior coverage ability. Gaines looked ready to play until both he and Mitchell went down with injuries and now sit on injured reserve.
The rookie Ward has performed well, and makes a formidable duo with Carrie. The latter made things difficult for Julio Jones and forced a fumble out of Mohamed Sanu. Both moves kept Atlanta down.
Cleveland’s cornerback situation isn’t one to worry about. When Mitchell returns next year, we can expect it to look even better.
The DeShone Kiser for Demarious Randall Trade
As Randy Gurzi of Dawg Pound Daily said, the Browns weren’t entirely wrong for drafting DeShone Kizer. There were aspects of his game to like and he would one day develop into a starting quarterback. He simply wasn’t ready to start for Cleveland. He needed plenty of time to work on his skillset before being thrown into a starting role.
The franchise finally has a legitimate starter in Baker Mayfield. But Dorsey also made an excellent move shipping Kizer off to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a much needed defensive back, Damarious Randall. The Browns now have a reliable free safety in Randall.
Jabrill Peppers didn’t fill that role successfully in 2017, and with Randall in place, he was able to transition to strong safety. Both are now in roles that fit their skillset perfectly.
Giving Up Carlos Hyde and Using Nick Chubb
It isn’t smart for a franchise to give $6 million to a running back who hasn’t topped the 1,000-yard mark. But that’s what the Browns offered Carlos Hyde. They envisioned him as a bell cow, and for five games, he was.
Hyde carried an average of 19 times per game, but only averaged 3.4 yards per attempt. Other running backs showed more promise, yet Hyde was continuously getting the ball. It was painful to watch. Nick Chubb was one such player, but Todd Haley didn’t use him enough.
After the Browns handed Hyde off to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chubb finally had his chance to shine. Against Atlanta, he screamed down a 92-yard run, a team record. He ended the game with 176 yards and two touchdowns. Besides that, he became the first rookie since Trent Richardson in 2012 to get 100-plus yards in two games.
Dorsey realized a young running back would benefit the team more than a veteran, and he made the necessary moves to get that.
With the maneuvers made in Cleveland recently and the amount of talent they now possess, the Browns are likely to continue on their path to success.
