CLEVELAND — After a hot start, the Browns got a little dose of reality last Sunday with a 38-7 loss to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was Cleveland's 17th straight loss in Heinz Field, a woeful streak that dates all the way back to 2004. While the team still has a respectable 4-2 record, anxiety is beginning to rise among the fans, especially after a poor game from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
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Wednesday on "Front Row," "Voice of the Browns" and 3News sports anchor Jim Donovan once again answered your questions about the team on the latest edition of "Hey Jimmy." If you would like to ask him a Browns question, text us at (216) 344-3300 and we just might use your question on the show!
Here's what Jimmy had to say today:
"Do you think Baker will ever be more than an average quarterback in the NFL?" - Dan in Solon
Jimmy: Here's the real story there: He can't be "just an average quarterback." He's got to be much more than that. He was the No. 1 pick in the draft; we went through an 0-16 season to get that pick! He's got to be better.
These next 10 games, starting Sunday in Cincinnati, are very important for his progress. He has to play better, he has to cut down on the interceptions, he has to be able to throw from the pocket as well as rolling out.
The Browns control him contractually this year, next year, and a fifth year if they want to do that. Then, we'll see, but he's got to be more than just average.
"Why do the Ravens and Steelers blitz often, but the Browns hardly blitz at all?" - Jim in Akron
Jimmy: Let's go down that avenue: The Browns play a 4-3 defense, so they're saying, "We're going to try to get sacks from our front four (i.e. from Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon, Larry Ogunjobi, and Sheldon Richardson), and in doing that, we've got seven people behind those four that can cover in the passing game."
That's why they don't blitz so much; the Ravens and Steelers blitz a lot because they play a 3-4.
Here's the other thing you have to remember: If you blitz, you have to get to the quarterback. If you don't get there, you leave people wide open, and that leaves you vulnerable to big plays. The Steelers and Ravens get there when they blitz, as we saw Sunday.
"How much longer can the Browns win with a weak secondary?" - Darryl in Walton Hills
Jimmy: In fairness, I don't know if the Browns secondary is as much weak as it is injured. If it was completely healthy with Greedy Williams and and Grand Delpit on the field, I think it would look different. It will look better this weekend against Cincinnati, because they'll get Ronnie Harrison back at safety and they could get Karl Joseph back, too.
Here's what makes a secondary look strong: A good pass rush. The Browns need more heat up on the quarterback than what they've been getting, certainly more so than last Sunday.