The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No secrets in store this week
Randall: ‘We’re not changing (anything), man, period’ vs. former coach
The Battle of Ohio between the Browns and Bengals hasn’t been much of a battle in recent years. The Bengals have beaten the Browns seven straight times, and never by fewer than 13 points in that span.
That losing streak, however, isn’t bothering these Browns as they prepare to face the Bengals on Nov. 25 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Neither is the news that broke last week while the Browns were on their bye: Hue Jackson, fired as Browns head coach on Oct. 29, on Nov. 13 was added to the staff of Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis to help coach the Cincinnati defense.
The Bengals lost to Baltimore, 24-21, on Nov. 18 with Jackson contributing. They gave up 275 rushing yards in the process.
The subplots are obvious. Jackson knows the chinks in the armor of Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and will make sure the Bengals’ defense exploits them. Jackson knows the Browns signals, which will force the Browns to make changes to how they communicate with each other on both side of the ball or risk tipping off the Bengals. At least, that’s the theory.
“We’re not changing (anything), man, period,” safety Damarious Randall said on Nov. 19 in the Browns locker room in Berea. “We’re going out there to play football. We’re going out there to swarm, tackle and hit. That’s what we know how to do and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
“It’s a divisional game! We knew what they were doing before he went over there and they know exactly what we’re going to do. At the end of the day, we’re just going to go out and punch them in the mouth – straight up. That’s exactly what you have to do on the road rivalry games. If that’s what we do, it doesn’t matter what they have over there.”
Right guard Kevin Zeitler, a former Bengal, played for Jackson in Cincinnati and Cleveland. He called Jackson rejoining the Bengals staff, where Jackson was offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015, “surprising.” Zeitler did not dismiss the intrigue as easily as Randall did.
“Hue’s a smart guy,” Zeitler said. “He knew what we were doing here, so you’ve got to assume they know everything and we’ll find a way around it.”
The Browns have lost 25 straight road games, but ignore that little factoid for now. They beat the Falcons on Nov. 11 in their most recent game and are trying to build on that, Jackson or no Jackson on the opposing sideline.
“I learned a long time ago that it’s more important that we know what we’re doing than somebody else,” said Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams, who replaced Jackson. That was pounded down my throat when I worked with (former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator) Buddy Ryan many years ago.”
The Browns rarely practice on a Monday, but they worked in the field house at the team complex on Nov. 19 in their first day back together following having all last week off – another bye week irregularity. But the extended time off might prove beneficial.
Williams said the players returned rejuvenated and healthier than at any point since the start of training camp. Beating the Falcons as thoroughly as they did is a launching point for the final six games.
“It was good to see them all back in the building refreshed,” Williams said. “They had a good week. I can tell. We can tell. The practice was energized. The meetings were energized. There was a good focus.
“It was fun to see them wanting to be back doing their jobs and doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Every day is a competition from meetings to practice and getting over there with the best group of guys that we can get when we get ready to go into the ball game.”
The Browns are off on Nov. 20 and will resume practice for the Bengals on Nov. 21.