tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Browns On The Right Track

Had the opportunity to be at Cleveland Browns Stadium yesterday to watch the Browns roll over the Kansas City Chiefs 30-7 and what I couldn't help notice was the optimism that Browns fans had for this 5-8 team. This is a fan base that has suffered from The Drive to The Fumble to Art Modell's hijacking the team to Baltimore and leaving this proud city without an NFL team from 1996 to 1999. But for the first time in a number of years, these fans sense that their young team may finally be moving in the right direction.

A team in the AFC North needs to have 2 constants: a solid defense and the ability to put the game away with a running game. But for the brief time when Jamal Lewis still had some legs, the Browns have never had a strong running game since they have been back in the league until now. Trent Richardson is the real deal. This kid is tough as nails and has a nose for the end zone. Montario Hardesty is the perfect change of pace back and is finally showing why Tom Heckert made a move to draft the young back from Tennessee a couple of years ago.

Since the team has been back, the Browns defense has been putrid at best. How many times would they be destroyed by an opposing team's running back. There was never a solid pass rush and it seems they were never able to come up with a big turnover or stop to change a game. This has all changed as this year's defensive unit has been solid. The front seven has really improved, applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks and holding running backs in check. Joe Haden and TJ Ward lead a secondary that can only get better.

The beauty here is the fact that this team is one of the youngest in the league. They seem to be gaining confidence week in and week out. After giving up an 80 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, the Browns put the clamps down on Kansas City and took charge of a game that they should win. All of this optimism makes it hard for me to understand all of the rumors about Mike Lombardi becoming the team's General Manager. To me, this would be a huge mistake.

Tom Heckert has done a tremendous job in acquiring young talent. What an unbelievable move in picking up Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft. Gordon has become a game breaker for the Browns. You can tell that this kid is the real deal. It should also be pointed out that Mike Lombardi ripped the Browns for giving up a second round pick in 2013 to select Gordon. I guess you were wrong Mike.

In my mind, Heckert deserves to remain as GM. Unfortunately, his remaining with the team will be dependent on what his relationship was in Philly with Joe Banner. I'm getting a bad feeling about Banner. The only hope is that new owner Jimmy Haslam will see what's going on with his newly acquired team and make sure that Banner does the right thing. In my mind, the right thing would be to retain Heckert as GM.

Since 1999, the Browns management team has been in constant flux, changing GM's and head coaches like I change socks. While the jury may still be out on Coach Pat Shurmur, there should be no doubt that Tom Heckert has put this team on the right track. Replacing him will be a huge mistake. It all seems to rest in Joe Banner's hands and I have to say that scares me.