Dolphins (Might) Smile – Browns – Dolphins Preview

We all knew that 2016 would be a rebuilding year for the Cleveland Browns (0-2). But, I don’t think anyone expected that rebuilding would literally include performing surgery. A spate of injuries have dampened the already comically low expectations for Cleveland’s professional football organization, and the influx of pumpkin spice products indicate that the season change to fall happened just this week. Still, the games must be played. So as the Brown and Orange jet down to South Beach for a date with the Miami Dolphins (0-2), let’s take a look at their next opponent.

Are the Browns favored?
Nope. The host Miami Dolphins, also winless in 2016, enter as ten point favorites in the contest. It’s unclear if Vegas’ confidence in the Phins comes from their playing at home, the Browns’ uncertain quarterback situation, or Cleveland’ struggles on the road. Most likely it’s all of the above.

The Browns are 8-10 all-time against the Dolphins. Cleveland lost the most recent matchup in 2013, and you would need to go back to 2011 for the club’s last win over Miami. The Brownies won 17-16 as Colt McCoy (Remember him? If not, then just watch Cody Kessler this week.) thew the game-winning touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi (Remember HIM?) with 43 seconds left to secure the victory. Strangely, the new Browns have fared better against the Sea Mammals than their ancestors. Cleveland is 4-2 against Miami since 1999. So, there is certainly some historical reason to put in some good work on Sunday.

Familiar Faces
Before swimming with the Dolphins these players navigated Ohio waters:

Chris Jones (DT) – Bowling Green: The 2012 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Chris Jones was a terror of the Mid-American Conference. The Columbus native tore it up for four years in Northwest Ohio before turning pro. He bounced around for a couple seasons, including a Super Bowl win with the Patriots, before Miami picked him up, cut him, and subsequently resigned him before their Week 2 contest against New England. He recorded three tackles and should have his legs more securely under him entering Sunday’s game with the Browns.

Isaiah Pead (RB) – Cincinnati: Pead’s college career was a wild success. In four seasons he ran for 3,288 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also earned MVP honors in the 2012 Senior Bowl. His pro career, on the other hand, has been a disappointment. He missed the entire 2014 season to an ACL injury. In 2015 he appeared in only two games and rushed for three yards. Currently Pead is buried deep in the depth chart and likely won’t see time against Cleveland.

In Week 1, Robert Griffin III felt the sting of his own mortality. In Week 2 it was octogenarian quarterback Josh McCown who spent time on the trainer’s table. With the Browns primary quarterbacks on the mend, a region turns to unproven, untested, and (until recently) forgotten quarterback Cody Kessler. In the past two seasons as USC’s starting quarterback the Trojans went 17-10 with a Pac-12 South Division Title, a Las Vegas Bowl win and a Holiday Bowl loss. All and all, a mixed bag. The good news is that the last two Browns rookie starting QBs, Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel, set the bar impossibly low. All he has to do is make Browns fans forget all about Carson Wentz. Simple.

The Dolphins dropped their season opener in a heartbreaker up in the Pacific Northwest against Seattle. They followed that with a home defeat to the New England Patriots. Offensively, Ryan Tannehill still runs the offense. So far, his offensive numbers are middling to decent: 48-of-74 for 575 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The ground game features tailback Arian Foster who has picked up a negligible 47 yards in the first two games. On defense the club has been inconsistent – bottling Russel Wilson one week and succombing to Jimmy Garoppolo the following. Despite their ranking 13th in points allowed, the D is largely unproven. The biggest name is name-taker and ankle-breaker Ndamukong Suh. The eighth year man out of Nebraska has 16 tackles to his name so far with a lone sack as well.

The road is steep for the Browns on Sunday. Rookie quarterback debuts rarely go well, even more so when on the road against a desperate, winless team. The good news is despite the lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball, Miami is not a terribly intimidating opponent which leaves the glimmer of hope open for Browns fans. At this point, it may not matter if the Browns win even one game this year, but it would be a nice way to close out the month.

Then again, if the game sours at halftime, the Indians have a chance to clinch the AL Central the same day.