While We’re Waiting… No LBJ Tonight, Quinn’s Roster Status, and a Duke/UM Marriage
April 15, 2009WFNY Podcast #17
April 15, 2009
If you think the Browns will automatically slide again this season, don’t discount the strength of schedule factor that occurs from year to year. Yes, the Browns were bad in 2008, but they had a lot of help in that they played some really stiff competition. That appears not to be the case in 2009. According to John Clayton at ESPN, the Browns’ schedule is 25th hardest this year. That being said, the Browns will still have to find ways to win in the division. Pittsburgh’s schedule is 29th hardest and the Ravens’ schedule is 28th hardest. The Bengals have the 22nd hardest schedule.
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2008 |
2009 |
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Cowboys |
Vikings |
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Steelers |
Broncos |
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Ravens |
Ravens |
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Bengals |
Bengals |
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Bye |
Bills |
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Giants |
Steelers |
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Redskins |
Packers |
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Jaguars |
Bears |
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Ravens |
Bye |
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Broncos |
Ravens |
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Bills |
Lions |
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Texans |
Bengals |
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Colts |
Chargers |
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Titans |
Steelers |
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Eagles |
Chiefs |
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Bengals |
Raiders |
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Steelers |
Jaguars |
So, in essence, you are taking the Giants, Redskins, Colts, and trading them for the Lions, Chiefs, and Raiders. I know it is more complex than that, and any team on the schedule has the potential of improving from year to year, but one would have to think automatically that the Browns could be at least two wins better. If they have some health, draft well and improve a couple phases of their game they might even sneak up on some teams after a 4-12 year.
Also, I know nobody wants to think about Mangini’s actual coaching ability because so many people feel the way he was hired was wrong. At the same time, is there much doubt out there that he is going to be a better coach than Romeo Crennel? Honestly?
We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging about the Cavs and how good they are.
14 Comments
I like how the Ravens’ and Steelers’ schedules are easier than ours because they get to play the Browns and Bengals a combined 4 games.
Looks about like 5-11 or 6-10 to me.
THIS IS A FOOTBALL TOWN!!!!!
I can’t wait for the stupid draft to be over with so people can shut up about football and enjoy the Cavs for a few weeks. Or, if we’re going to talk football, at least talk about the best team in Ohio, down in Columbus.
Few notes worth mentioning:
– Both primetime games are at home.
– I like that we start at home, but I wish the numbers were in our favor. 1-9 on opening days since the return…
– I dig that our bye is actually in the middle of the season instead of early on.
– Thankfully, more 1PM games this year – Wasn’t a fan of the 4P starts at home.
– I don’t dig the fact that an 0-3 start is very, very possible which won’t make things easier on our new staff.
Calling it now 9-7. I have good feelings about this season even with all the nasayers out thtere.
Browns fans will have to be embarassed on national TV twice. I can just see the end of the Steelers game, with all of the bandwagon Steeler fans celebrating a blowout victory in a near empty Cleveland Browns Stadium. Ugh.
Not Browns related, but I’m starting to question this strength of schedule. Since the schedules are inherently weighted, doesn’t there need to be some correction?
Last year the AFC East had an easy schedule, so everyone had a good record. This year teams playing the AFC have “tough schedules” but are you really afraid of the Dolphins/Bills/Jets triumvirate?
/off to read about the cavs
SOS in the NFL might be the single most meaningless “stat” in all of sports. The fact is that it is nearly impossible to know just which teams will be good from year to year (think many people were worried about Miami or Atlanta or Arizona last year? And how did the “hardest” schedule bother Yinsburgh on that title run?), moreso than in any other professional sport. The (comparatively) short regular season means even the 2007 Browns could get hot for a stretch and end up with a respectable-looking record that makes them appear potentially more intimidating the following year (oops), whereas the other major sports have longer seasons, allowing the truly great teams to rise to the top. It’s a league of parity, which is part of the reason it’s the new national pastime–anyone can be good any given season, and fans love “hope” more than Andy Dufresne did. The only things I want to see when the schedule comes out are when we play PIT, when the bye week is, and what game(s) will I be able to make it to from here in Florida.
And Scott, I’m with you on the 1PM starts–provides more “recovery time” before the work week begins.
SOS is only relevant in college B-Ball. The Steelers had the toughest schedule in football last year and they won the SB (with help from the refs, AGAIN). But, I do think the Browns can be a decent and probably .500 team. If they beat the Bengals, Lions, Chiefs and Raiders that’s 4 wins right their. I think this team has more talent than all those teams do. Depending on how trades shake out and the talent brought back in.
We could add wins with the Broncos, Bills, and Jags. Those are 50/50 games as far as who wins. And maybe sneak 1 or 2 from unsuspecting teams haha!!! Oh isn’t it great being a fan?
I wish I could be more optimistic but I see us only winning 3-4 games this year. My numbers may change once I see the draft.
SOS is being used as one of the reasons that the Dolphins and Falcons turned it around this year. It isn’t meaningless. Yes, some teams like the Colts and Stillers are immune to it because they are just good. But most teams are affected greatly by this.
“most teams are affected greatly by this.”
Browns circa 2007.
If the season ends up going well. The end of the schedule could be nice with 4 of 5 at home.
SOS is no doubt important. Measuring SOS using last years records does not tell the whole story.
2009 teams that are playing the AFC East and NFC South have “tougher schedules”, because in 2008 those teams beat up on the AFC West and NFC West/North. This year they have the “toughest schedules” because they’re playing each other.
How many of those teams are legitimately proven? I count MAYBE 2.
Teams playing the NFC East and AFC South have the toughest path, regardless of what the 2008 SOS says. Or maybe dig up last years pre-season SOS and compare it to the end of season SOS to see how much correlation there is.
**That’s kind of a jumble of thoughts, hope it’s clear.
Well they are 0-4 right away due to playing Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice. But the rest of the schedule doesn’t look too bad.