Are We a Better Team Today?

Less our leading receiver and with a 2+ mil charge against the cap next year, is this team better now than it was, say, last week? I'm having a hard time thinking it is. Let's get this straight -- KJ was a good possession receiver. He had lots of flaws, but he had the one thing you have to covet in a wide out -- great hands. And because of that, you can really only presume one thing: his release was personal. No matter how much snow the front office attempts to pile onto the situation, remember that. It was personal.

I won't say that personality conflicts are minor things, or that these types of clashes arern't reason for getting rid of someone. But we can confidently state that such clashes should be few and far between. And if one guy has clashes with several otherwise decent people over the course of a short period of time, then that guy is most likely the source of the problem. In other words, Butch has used up all his mulligans and should be taking some hits for this one. If it happens again with another player, you can bet his "gotta be one of my guys" reputation will be taken as fact around the NFL. Seriosuly, if one more players leaves the Browns under dubious circumstances (except perhaps Couch, since that situation is already simmering) then Davis himself will be next in line. You don't stay in charge of people when you have lots of personality clashes.

So how will we know if it works? Pretty simple, really -- 1) finish 2003 well. That means winning some games, but even more it means seeing the team solidify what it does well. If Butch wants "his type" of players, then let's see this team develop its identity. Right now, doesn't anyone know? We know it includes size and speed, but it does not appear to include discipline or blocking. Especially on offense, this team needs to turns its promise into genuine threats to the opposition. 2) win 10 or more games in 2004. That is the bottom line. We are either a contender in 2004 or we are not. Odds are the Browns will not be anyone's Super Bowl pick. But if we're not making the playoffs and battling it out for a division crown, then Butch Davis will have failed. Pretty simple.

[I wanted to add 3) no more players arrested for drugs or guns, but perhaps that is asking way, WAY too much. Is it? I don't know, after watching the finale of Playmakers it's hard to tell.]

To pile on... one more wouldn't be a bad idea -- 4) the team must have a reliable QB, not controversies, etc. If there is any doubt who is the leader of the offense, then we might as well fire Davis after Game 1 in 2004.