Contrary to the belief of some fans, NFL players are just like the rest of us. While they may look to fans like the kings of the world, this is simply not the case. Football players have dreams, aspirations, and fears. Additionally, they can hold a positive or negative mindset on certain things. Nowhere is this more present than in the NFL locker room. As the season goes on, both players and fans form an idea of the outcome of a season. Some teams might be riding high to a playoff run. Conversely, hope reigns eternal for those going into rebuilding mode. Unless, of course, you are the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have just been too bad for too long. Truthfully, both fans and players have every right to feel jaded. Cleveland has not sniffed a playoff spot in nearly a decade and has had no postseason action since 2002. Since their 1999 NFL return, Cleveland has had two winning seasons. Let’s take a look at the psychology of their locker room and how to fix it.
Analyzing the Psychology of the Cleveland Browns
Curing the Cancer
The Browns made good headway in this area during the 2016 season. Following yet another suspension, they released receiver Josh Gordon. In addition, they got rid of quarterback Johnny Manziel. Even though Gordon was a stud receiver, he could not stay off of drugs long enough for the Browns to utilize him. Manziel’s antics were too much for the Browns (or any other NFL team, apparently) to handle as well.
The Cleveland Browns have to continue with this message. During the 2016 NFL Draft, the front office made it blatantly clear: character issues would no longer be tolerated. If the Browns continue with this method through the next two to three drafts, something has to give.
Find Your Anchor
Throughout the last ten seasons, Joe Thomas has been the Browns’ psychological anchor. But Thomas is 32 years old now. Sure, he is still producing at an all-pro level, but what if he decides to walk away from the game? The Browns need an anchor of positivity in their locker room.
As far as candidates go, it has to be one of the best players on the Browns. Linebacker Jamie Collins could be a prime candidate for the position, as he comes from a winning culture. Collins played in New England until the Browns traded for him, and it shows. Although he is a bit of a hothead, Collins gets the job done tremendously. The Bill Belichick influence on him shows on the field, and it might show itself off the field should Collins become a leader in Cleveland.
Another contender for the job could be Terrelle Pryor. Like Collins, Pryor is a high-emotion player and a little bit reckless. However, it seems that he has cleaned himself up since joining Cleveland’s roster. If he continues to produce at his fantastic level, he might be the guy that the Browns are looking for.
Win Something
Finally, the Cleveland Browns just have to rebuild, draft right, and start winning. Even if the Browns are competitive in 2017, even if they manage to hit 7-9, everything changes. A locker room of a Browns team on the rise creates a lot of positive effects. First of all, head coach Hue Jackson has made his guys believe. Second, Browns fans will actually have a reason to be hopeful. And finally, the long-awaited “culture shift” will finally happen in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns can talk about changing their locker room culture all they want. But nothing is going to change until the Browns actually win consistently. While a great locker room might not constitute wins on its own, winning creates a great locker room. Everything starts and ends with the results on the field. Football is just as much mental as it is physical, and the two go hand in hand. And if the physical play in Cleveland improves, their morale will rise as well. It is an amazing cycle, and one that could work wonders for Hue Jackson and the Cleveland Browns in the coming years.
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