Todd Monken’s willingness to push the envelope already looks like a talking point for the Browns, even after a road win over Tampa Bay.
Cleveland beat the Buccaneers 23-19 on Sunday, but the first half was a slog. The Browns went into halftime down 9-6, had only three first downs, and had actually lost more yards to penalties than they had gained as a team. Monken’s offense needed a clean second half because the opening two quarters were anything but.
The most glaring moment came late in the second quarter with the game tied 6-6. Cleveland’s defense was holding up, but Monken kept the offense on the field on fourth-and-short from his own 34-yard line.
The call backfired. Quinshon Judkins went behind left guard Zion Johnson and got nowhere.
Monken didn’t flinch when asked about it Monday.
“Yeah, I’m going to go for it again when we have inches to go,” Monken said. “In that situation, we probably would have run the sneak, but after botching that, that wasn’t an option.
"I’m going to be aggressive, I’m going to play to win the game, and I’m more disappointed in our execution of it and our decision, maybe in the type of play - but I’m going to be aggressive. I don’t want to give the ball back to them when it’s inches. We have to be able to sneak it, and we have to be able to get it when the opportunity arises.”
That kind of posture can sound admirable in the abstract. In this case, it felt like too much faith in an offense that hasn’t earned it yet.
The safer move was obvious: punt, lean on the field-position battle, and trust a defense that had already made Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offense work for everything. Instead, the Browns handed the Buccaneers a chance to swing the game, and the risk only grew because Tampa Bay was set to receive the opening kickoff of the third quarter.
The decision model from @NextGenStats even recommended going for it, and Monken said he’s open to using analytics. But Cleveland’s defense was playing well, and the situation still screamed for caution. The Bucs then turned that extra possession into a 65-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, pushing the lead to 16-6 and creating a 10-point double score.
Cleveland eventually dug out of the hole and stole the game on the road, so Monken escaped the kind of second-guessing that usually follows a loss. But the call at his own 34 didn’t look bold. It looked reckless.
Monken may eventually build this offense into one that can own short-yardage situations. Right now, it’s nowhere near that level. The Browns averaged 1.9 yards per rush on Sunday, which makes the idea of charging ahead in those spots even harder to justify.
A coach can always lean on the language of belief - “I’m going to be aggressive,” “I trust my guys” - and some, like Dan Campbell in Detroit, have made that philosophy part of their identity. But there’s a difference between conviction and forcing the issue. The smart ones know when to go for it, and when to punt and let the game breathe.
In Other News...
Browns Just Added A New Twist To Steelers Night In Cleveland
Before the Browns even get to their Week 4 Thursday night meeting with the Steelers, theyve already put a little extra Cleveland flavor on the calendar. The team announced the game will be themed as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Game, a nod that fits neatly with a franchise that has spent the early part of the season trying to build momentum at home while getting ready for its Week 3 opener against Carolina.
It also adds another layer of intrigue for a prime-time matchup that already carries plenty of edge. The obvious question now is who, if anyone, will take part in the nights entertainment, especially with this years Hall of Fame class and their touring schedules offering a few possible fits. For now, though, the Browns have only set the theme, leaving the rest of the details to develop as Steelers week approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Suddenly Have A Tyson Campbell Concern They Can't Ignore
Tyson Campbell was on the field for the Browns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers even while working through an ankle issue, and he still managed to log five tackles before things took a sharper turn. After a collision, Campbell left with ankle and hip injuries, then did not come back once the weather delay hit, leaving Cleveland to finish the game without one of its more important defensive pieces.
Todd Monken said Campbells progress will be monitored through the week, and there is at least some optimism about his availability for the next game. Still, the Browns have reason to be careful here, because an injury that was already bothering him before kickoff became a bigger concern by the end of the afternoon, and his status now feels like one of the more important health questions on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Fans Are Already Feeling The Weight Of The Myles Garrett Trade
The Browns were hoping the Myles Garrett trade would help reshape the front seven quickly, and the early returns have been uneven. Jared Verse, the two-time Pro Bowler acquired in the deal, has had a quiet start in Cleveland, with a low pressure rate and no sacks through his first two games. Opponents have also keyed on him more heavily, and the Browns have not been able to give him much help up front because injuries have thinned out the pass-rushing group around him.
There is still plenty of time for Verse to settle in, and Cleveland knew it was getting a developing player with real upside when it made the move. The trade also brought in additional draft capital, which gives the Browns more flexibility beyond this season, but the present-day concern is obvious: without healthier support around him, Verse is being asked to do a lot before he has had much chance to find his footing. [Read more 🡒]