Browns’ Hands-Eric Drost-Flickr
I don’t think you can handle this…
I’m about to drop a bombshell on the AFC North. CouchRiders, I believe you may want to sit down for this. Are you ready? I sure hope so. Please take all appropriate medication for blood pressure, tell kids to go to another room and please ensure your Mom is not down in the basement distracting you (for my 35+ nesters). There is no easy way to say this but in 2016, the AFC North will have a new top passing offense and no it’s not the Cincinnati Bengals. Wait for it…The new top passing attack by week five will be the Cleveland Browns.
That wasn’t a joke. I’m not on drugs other than the allergy meds that don’t work. And lastly, no I didn’t go crazy like a particular San Francisco 49ERs’ QB who I will not speak of here. There is a method to my madness, and I’ll show you here. Let’s take a look at the “hands”.
Changing positions is not supposed to be this easy
Terrelle Pryor – The former QB has been an unexpected surprise during the offseason, showing off his pure athleticism and making catches look easy on the deep routes. The way he uses his size to his advantage reminds me of a certain weed smoking teammate of his; I get to him later, though.
Coach Hue Jackson is a believer. He drafted the guy when he was with the Oakland Raiders. Additionally, Hue was tied to Pryor in Cinci, and now Hue has finally switched him to what appears to be his calling in Cleveland.
Chemistry is Key. When you are synced in with your signal caller, life is great and coaches cannot deny you your spot. Trust me, I know. I was synced in with the backup QB in my amateur league and rode the bench with the guy forever. Once he got his start, I began to see my snaps increase because they knew we gelled well together. This scenario relates with Robert Griffin III and Pryor. They have put in the work in the offseason to ensure they gel. RGIII had this to say in a post-practice interview with WKYC.com:
“He’s a big guy, physical,” Griffin said. “He’s got an elite trait that you can’t coach, and that’s size. He’s been able to utilize that while he’s been in camp and in the spring. We love the progress that he’s made.”
Pryor has racked up 5-catches for 122-yds and one TD in the preseason. YES, I know it is preseason, but I believe this will transfer over to the regular season. I may have harped on the former QB for a hot minute, but with good reason. Let’s move on to the rest of this potentially dangerous passing attack.
From Zero to Browns’ Hero!
Barn Yard Dog was a term no one recognized at the beginning of 2015 but by week six, Gary Barnidge had made a standing impression on the NFL with 27-catches for 413-yds and 5-TDs. Waiver wires were exploding in fantasy football, as people were trying to fight and claw to snag this newfound talented Browns player. Barnidge would go on to finish the year with a 79-1043-9-TD statline. Cleveland, you’ve done it again! You’ve created another hot hands TE! Looking from the outside in, you could say that is all they have but there’s so much more to this group. Add “Barn Yard” to Pryor and the next guy I’m going to shed some light on, and we’re talking semi-dangerous.
Gotta love them Texas Boys
I’m talking about the first round pick, Corey Coleman from Baylor. I am fully aware of him going to sleep in the preseason with only a single catch for 10-yds in the preseason. However, when healthy, Coleman will be one of the Browns most dangerous threats. Coleman creates great separation between him and defenders when going deep. Additionally, the rookie does a lot after the soft hands catch. He reminds me of a taller Steve Smith Sr.
His first step is nasty! When he catches CBs off guard, ankles are immediately broken. While I would like to see more across the middle snags with this young Brown, he is a solid replacement for the departed Travis Benjamin, who is now with the San Diego Chargers. Barnidge, Pryor, and Coleman are going to be a fun-filled trio for any team to deal with in the north, but wait there’s more!
One more chance man!
Once upon a time back in 2013 there was this guy who put up “Megatron” like numbers with a 87-1646-9-TD statline. Then this beast was suspended for substance abuse. Josh Gordon has been out of the game with since 2014. He came back in the preseason this year like he never missed a beat. Dominating with his size, Gordon amassed 5-recs for 116-yds and one TD during the preseason. Nuff said. This guy will beast in 2016 once he returns from his 4-game suspension.
Ok, I feel like this is all perfect-world based, and the word potential could be used all throughout this article. However, barring injuries, or suspensions, this quartet will be one of the deadliest in the North. AFC North fans are probably in disbelief, but hear me get near me, take a minute and look at your entire corps. Collectively, there is only one squad (Pittsburgh Steelers) even close to the potential of the Browns’ hands.
Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.