Browns’ ‘new’ offense for QB Deshaun Watson lacking imagination, identity, consistency

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns switched coordinators in the course of the offseason to rebuild their offense so it higher suited quarterback Deshaun Watson.

After three video games, there aren’t any detectable indicators of progress.

The truth is, Cleveland’s offense lacks creativeness, an id or any actual consistency, until you depend Watson taking a weekly pounding attributable to an absence of pocket safety and his seeming lack of ability to acknowledge coverages.

With extra run-pass choices (RPOs), shotgun formations and multiple-wide receiver packages, the offense was speculated to function higher, not worse. It was supposed to enhance Watson’s ability set, not stifle it.

The Browns have scored 17, 18 and 15 factors, respectively, of their three video games. They’re averaging 248 complete yards, with solely New England getting fewer.

It’s nonetheless early, and coach Kevin Stefanski has harassed persistence. However there are causes to imagine issues could not enhance any time quickly.

Let’s begin with Watson. Whereas he’s made some robust throws, and he doesn’t seem like restricted by his surgically repaired shoulder, his accuracy and timing are off and he’s not finishing any deep balls.

Watson’s longest completion in Sunday’s 21-15 loss to the New York Giants got here on his first throw.

Extra troubling, Watson was sacked eight occasions, took 17 different hits and spent a lot of the afternoon scrambling for security. By way of three video games, Watson has been sacked a league-high 16 occasions, and the blitzes will maintain coming till the Browns present they’ll cease them.

A few of it’s his fault for holding the ball too lengthy. A few of it’s on an offensive line that’s now ravaged by accidents. And a few of the blame has to go to Stefanski, first-year coordinator Ken Dorsey and their play design.

“It’s everyone,” Stefanski stated Monday. “It’s from myself, the coaches, the offensive line, tight ends, operating backs, large receivers, quarterbacks. It’s everyone. And everyone has a job to do with the intention to maintain the quarterback clear.”

The operating sport is caught in impartial.

Cleveland couldn’t get something occurring the bottom within the first half, and the offensive line’s lack of ability to get any push or open holes, coupled with taking part in from behind, prevented Stefanski from committing to the run.

Making issues worse, the Browns are with out Professional Bowl tight finish David Njoku, who missed his second straight sport with a sprained ankle. He’s arguably the crew’s prime playmaker, Watson’s safety blanket and a weapon Stefanski likes to deploy.

Njoku can’t be counted on to avoid wasting Cleveland’s offense.

However somebody had higher — quickly.

What’s working

A minimum of Watson was in a position to reconnect with Amari Cooper, who had seven catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns — together with one on Cleveland’s first offensive play.

Cooper’s lack of manufacturing within the first two weeks (5 receptions, 27 yards and two vital drops) had been a priority, however the crew’s No. 1 large receiver promised a dramatic enchancment and delivered.

What wants assist

The offensive line is in shambles, and will likely be at lower than full energy for a number of weeks with left guard Wyatt Teller anticipated to go on injured reserve with a sprained knee ligament suffered Sunday.

Teller’s harm, together with these to left sort out Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and backup sort out James Hudson III (shoulder), pressured a whole makeover within the second half. Jack Conklin had been anticipated to return following reconstructive knee surgical procedure final yr, however he suffered a hamstring harm late within the week at follow.

Additionally, proper sort out Dawand Jones, who’s coping with knee points, was benched at halftime earlier than being wanted when Hudson went down.

Refill

Professional Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward had one other robust sport regardless of a shoulder subject that restricted him to 11 performs per week in the past at Jacksonville. He was credited with 5 tackles, two cross breakups and a quarterback hit.

Inventory down

Cornerback Greg Newsome II’s penalty for roughing Giants quarterback Daniel Jones worn out an interception that might have led to the Browns opening a 14-0 lead within the first 5 minutes.

Blitzing from the appropriate aspect, Newsome left his ft and made contact with Jones’ helmet, a simple name for the officers.

As an alternative of a possible game-swinging turnover, the Giants stored possession, drove the size of the sphere and scored to tie it.

“We’ve got to be higher there,” Stefanski stated. “Greg is aware of that you may’t go up close to the quarterback’s head and neck space.”

Accidents

Myles Garrett’s ft escaped additional harm after they bothered him in Sunday’s sport. He’s “day after day” and “battling,” Stefanski stated. The reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months twice wanted to be handled within the sideline medical tent and needed to be helped off the sphere within the fourth quarter.

Garrett stated that in compensating for the problems along with his ft, he’s created different issues in his legs.

Key numbers

7 — Cleveland’s speeding yardage within the first half on seven carries.

What’s subsequent

A weekend journey to Las Vegas for the primary of three straight highway video games for the Browns, who won’t thoughts the prospect to get away after being booed by their dwelling crowd for the second time in three weeks.

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