Best practices ...
As Giants try to become playoff contender again, can they mimic Browns’ successful rebuild?
The Browns were rebuilding for what seemed like forever. If you think the Giants’ rebuilding process is taking a while, consider this: After winning 10 games in 2007, the Browns had this many wins in the next 12 seasons — four, five, five, four, five, four, seven, three, one, zero, seven (plus a tie), and six.
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Then, finally, the Browns last season went 11-5, reached the playoffs, and beat the Steelers in the wild-card round, before falling to the Chiefs in the divisional round. The Browns hadn’t reached the playoffs since 2002 and hadn’t won a postseason game since 1994.
So what can the Giants — who are holding joint practices this week with the Browns in Cleveland — do to mimic this successful rebuild?
They are stuck in slump that includes just one playoff appearance (and zero wins) in the nine seasons since their last Super Bowl championship.
Well, here’s how the Browns managed to get over the hump last season. And while it’s not rocket science, it’s a good example of how to execute a rebuild in today’s NFL.
Get Year 3 growth from young quarterback: The Browns’ Baker Mayfield was in Year 3 last season, just as the Giants’ Daniel Jones is in Year 3 this season. This is the year Jones has to start putting it all together, just as Mayfield did in 2020. No time for much quarterback patience in the modern NFL. Mayfield wasn’t great in 2019 (22 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 78.8 quarterback rating), but he excelled last season (26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 95.9 rating). The Giants would love to see Jones do that in 2021.
Cash in high draft pick chances: From 2017-18, the Browns had eight picks in the first two rounds, including five in Round 1. They used those picks to land four players key to last season’s success: Mayfield, running back Nick Chubb, defensive end Myles Garrett, and cornerback Denzel Ward. Yeah, tight end David Njoku and quarterback DeShone Kizer didn’t exactly work out so great. But that’s why it helps to have a bunch of premium picks.
Actually block somebody: Yes, that does help in football, doesn’t it? The Browns last season had the NFL’s best offensive line — in both Pro Football Focus’ run blocking and pass blocking ratings. They were by far the best pass blocking team — 84.4 grade, compared to 80.2 for the Packers.