CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbled in my notebook as the Browns prepare to take on Pittsburgh, a win that brings Cleveland to the playoffs:
1. Is it fair to put all the Browns’ past failures in this game in the past? Of course not. The front office, coaches and players know that the team has not been in the play-offs since the 2002 season. And they heard about all the tormenting losses in the 1980s. But they had nothing to do with all the football sadness.
2. Coach Kevin Stefanski said: “I get fandom. I understand. I love our fans and I want them to be excited about this, but it’s really my job to get this team ready to play, and that includes me really ignoring the noise. ”
3. Stefanski reminds me of Jim Tressel, the former soccer coach of Youngstown and Ohio State. He believes in keeping emotions under control. His personality does not falter under pressure. He is a person that others can count on not to panic. Tressel modeled it for years. Stefanski showed the same qualities, and it could serve him and the Browns Sunday well.
4. Myles Garrett is the Browns captain for this game. He asked for the honor early in the year. Not just because it’s the Steelers, although it’s a factor given his history with the team and QB Mason Rudolph. But also: “I knew it would be a big game for us, even early (in the season).”
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry picks up a pass for an attack on New York Giants cornerback Isaac Yiadom in the first half. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
5. Garrett also raised an interesting point from Baker Mayfield and himself. Both were first place in the draft, Garrett in 2017 and Mayfield in 2018. Garrett signed a huge extension of the contract, which kept him under team control through the 2026 season. Garrett said: ‘Baker and I are both hungry for it (the playoffs). We’re going to try to make it happen. ”
6. Jarvis Landry on Garrett, who nominated the Browns Walter Payton Award for all his community work: “He played hurt for us. He is our leader. He’s a guy who respects so many guys on this team … If anyone’s a Cleveland Brown, it’s Myles Garrett. He deserves this moment in his career with the things he has done for this city and through his career here to be able to represent this team by going out and being the captain for this game. ”
7. In Garrett’s first season (2017), the Browns were 0-16. He played for four head coaches: Hue Jackson, Gregg Williams, Freddie Kitchens and Stefanski. Joel Bitonio is the senior Brown, who was drafted in 2014 by Ray Farmer. Rashard Higgins and Cody Parkey were in the 2016 team (1-15). Parkey was only with the Browns that season until he returned in 2020.
8. Bitonio on winning and play-off matches: ‘You put your heart and your soul and unfortunately your blood and sweat and tears into playing for this team. They gave you everything. They took care of my family and all that stuff. You put so much into it and you get a lot out of it. But the end goal is to win Super Bowls. This is what guys play the game for. You want to win the championship and you want a chance to compete for those titles. Our next step is to win this game to get a chance. ”
Offensive linebackers and role players must gain most of their satisfaction by winning. They are rarely noticed unless they make a mistake. They tend to be some of the most unselfish players in the team. The Browns are 10-5 this season. Prior to that, they had a 24-71-1 record in Bitonio’s career.
10. A few last words from Jarvis Landry: “I feel the weight of it (no play-offs since 2002). That’s why it’s so important to me … All our dreams and goals are in line to be able to play these meaningful games, to win the playoffs and championships here in Cleveland. I think the weight is not just on my shoulders, but on everyone’s shoulders. I think everyone really really wants it. ”
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