Same Old Browns Tag Shedding – Pre-Game Scribbles, Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns prepare to face Pittsburgh, a win putting Cleveland in the playoffs:

1. Is it fair to put all of the Browns’ past failures on this team in this game? Of course not. The front office, coaches and players are aware that the team hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2002 season. And they’ve heard about all the nerve-wracking losses of the ’80s. But they had nothing to do with it. all that football heartache.

2. Coach Kevin Stefanski said, “I’m a fandom. I get it. I love our fans and want them to be excited about it, but it’s really my job to get this team ready to play, and that involves really ignoring the noise.

3. Stefanski reminds me of Jim Tressel, the former Youngstown State and Ohio State football coach. He believes in keeping his emotions under control. His personality does not waver under pressure. She is a person that others can rely on not to panic. Tressel modeled this for years. Stefanski showed some of the same traits, and that could serve him and the Browns well on Sunday.

4. Myles Garrett is the Browns captain for this game. He asked for the honor at the start of the year. Not just because it’s the Steelers, although that’s a factor given his history with the team and quarterback Mason Rudolph. But also, “I knew it would be a great game for us, even early (in the season).”

5. Garrett also raised an interesting point regarding Baker Mayfield and himself. The two were the first picks in the draft, Garrett in 2017 and Mayfield in 2018. Garrett signed a massive contract extension, keeping him in squad control throughout the 2026 season. Garrett said: “Baker and I’m both hungry for it (the playoffs). We will try to make that happen.

6. Jarvis Landry on Garrett, who is the Browns Walter Payton Award nominee for all his community work: “He did bad for us. He is our leader. He’s a guy so many guys on this team respect … If anyone’s a Cleveland Brown, it’s Myles Garrett. He deserves this moment in his career with the things he has done for this city and throughout his career here to be able to represent this team by coming out and being the captain of this game.

7. In Garrett’s first season (2017), the Browns were 0-16. He has played for four head coaches: Hue Jackson, Gregg Williams, Freddie Kitchens and Stefanski. Joel Bitonio is the senior Brown, drafted by Ray Farmer in 2014. Rashard Higgins and Cody Parkey were part of the 2016 squad (1-15). Parkey was only with the Browns that season, until his return in 2020.

8. Bitonio on winning and making the playoffs: “You put your heart and soul and unfortunately your blood, sweat and tears to play for this team. They gave you everything. They took care of my family and all that. You put so much into it and you get a lot out of it. But the end goal is to win the Super Bowls. That’s what guys play the game for. You want to win the championship and you want to have a chance to compete for these titles. Our next step is to win this game to take a chance. “

9. Linemen and offensive role players should get the most satisfaction out of winning. They are rarely noticed unless they make a mistake. They tend to be some of the most selfless players on the team. The Browns are 10-5 this season. Prior to that, they were 24-71-1 in Bitonio’s career.

10. A few last words from Jarvis Landry: “I can feel the weight (no playoffs since 2002). That’s why it’s so important to me … All of our dreams and goals are aligned to be able to play those meaningful games, make the playoffs and win championships here in Cleveland. I think the weight is not just on my shoulders, but on everyone’s shoulders. I think everyone really, really wants it.

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