BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Mathematically, the Browns remain alive for the playoffs at 5-8 heading into Saturday’s game with the Ravens.
Realistically, their chances are slim to none to make it leaving fans and pundits feeling this was another wasted year for a talented team.
“I mean, if you're looking at the big picture, the big prize, obviously the chances of taking it all the way is slim, very slim,” safety John Johnson III said. “I don't think it's a waste, it's ever a waste. There were flashes of good things. It was just one of those seasons where it was tough. But that's football. You gotta ride the rollercoaster and enjoy the whole process.”
Even if the Browns win their remaining four games, they need a ton – and we can’t emphasize enough, a ton – of help to back in, which means another December and early January of playing for pride, and next year.
“Coach Stefanski's told us straight up. He understands and we understand where we're at, and it's unfortunate,” left guard Joel Bitonio said. “But we understand we have business to handle and nothing changes that mindset of trying to win out 'cause I mean we still got a chance. I mean, it's not zero, and I think the guys have a lot of pride in this locker room.
“We understand we haven't put what we wanna put on tape throughout the year. It's been very sporadic sometimes, but our goal all week's been 1-0. We understand where we're at, but we're going to try to beat the Ravens, and they've been playing really good defense and finding ways to win games.”
While the postseason isn’t realistic, players aren’t planning offseason vacations just yet. There’s just too much football to be played and they are ready to fight to the finish.
“It's ups and downs every season and we've been riding the wave, but we've got four more shots left guaranteed to go out there and execute at a high level, put good tape out there,” Johnson said. “It's guys on their last year of their deal, it's rookies trying to make a name for themselves, younger guys, every time you step out there you want to put your best work out there and that's what we're trying to do.”
Lost linebackers – The Browns have lost four linebackers due to injury this season – Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki and now Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
The rash of season-ending injuries is something defensive coordinator Joe Woods has never dealt with at a given position before.
“To have those guys go down, it is tough, but it is the reality in the NFL,” Woods said. “It is always the next man up mentality. I feel good about the guys who are playing for us. They feel confident. They are doing good things. To answer your question, no, it hasn’t happened to me before.”
Johnson admitted the injuries have taken their toll.
“It's tough, that's like the fourth guy, core guy in our linebacker room that went down,” Johnson said. “It's unfortunate, it's going to be tough without him, he's a fantastic player, but just presents an opportunity for someone else to come in, make a name for themselves, so we'll see how it goes.”
Campaigning Cade – Rookie kicker Cade York campaigned hard with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer to be able to attempt a 67-yard field goal at the end of the first half in Cincinnati, to no avail.
“I love the competitiveness of the young guy,” Priefer said. “I kind of chuckled. Somebody said I was laughing, but I was smiling because I was pleased that he wanted to kick that, but he doesn’t look at the big picture of we have to cover with a lot of big people against a return man.”
York, who had two long kicks blocked earlier this season, could be seen pleading with Priefer to try the long shot field goal but practicality won out over emotion.
“They are going to put a guy deep like we would underneath the goal post and if he is short, they are going to bring it back,” Priefer explained. “That is a hard thing to cover. We have two D linemen on our field goal unit, we have six offensive linemen on our field goal unit and we have a snapper, a holder and a kicker. It is going to be tough to cover with those guys against a good returner. That is why I am glad that we didn’t kick that in that situation.”
Garrett in the lead – Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is tops in the AFC at his position with 117,445 votes per latest Pro Bowl Games voting numbers released by the NFL Wednesday.
Garrett, who has 12.0 sacks in 12 games along with 19 QB hits, 14 tackles for loss, four pass breaks ups and a pair of forced fumbles this season, is looking to make his third straight and fourth overall Pro Bowl.
Flashback Saturday – The Browns are switching out their brown facemasks in favor of the traditional white in tribute to the Kardiac Kids of the early 1980’s this weekend against the Ravens.
The Browns last wore white facemasks from 1999-2005 as well as from 1975-1995.
The team will wear their brown jerseys and continue the tradition this year of wearing orange pants against AFC North foes.
Roster moves – The Browns signed linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad.
Originally a fifth-round selection by Carolina in 2018, Carter has appeared in 68 career games, including three with the Browns this season, where he has totaled 163 career tackles, half a sack and two fumble recoveries.
The team also signed linebacker Storey Jackson and receiver Marquez Stevenson to the practice squad.
Injury report – DNP: WR David Bell (thumb), DE Jadeveon Clowney (rest/ankle), WR Amari Cooper (rest/hip), S John Johnson III (knee), DE Myles Garrett (rest/shoulder), LG Joel Bitonio (rest), RT Jack Conklin (rest),; LIMITED: TE David Njoku (knee), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder); FULL: C Hjalte Froholdt (ankle), CB AJ Green (toe), DE Chase Winovich (knee)
Up next – Final practice of the week Thursday.