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5 Changes the Cleveland Browns Need to Make for the 2015 Season

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By @jerry2landry

5 Changes the Cleveland Browns Need to Make for the 2015 Season

Cleveland Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

When your last consistent quarterback was Bernie Kosar, you have good reason to feel downtrodden. And when it comes to downtrodden, there is no franchise that has suffered quite like the Cleveland Browns. Here’s what the Browns need to change in order to throw the stigma and finally exorcise “the Drive” and “the Fumble” from Cleveland dogma.

5. Find Another Quarterback

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns Quarterback
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Find Another Quarterback

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns Quarterback
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In today’s pass-friendly NFL, you know immediately if your quarterback will pan out. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford hit the ground running and left their teams with zero hesitation. The Cleveland Browns tried Johnny Manziel and he wasn’t even good enough in camp to beat out Brian Hoyer, so there’s your answer.

4. Find a Complement To Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver marijuana
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Find a Complement To Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver marijuana
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Gordon has all sorts of chemistry issues, from the chemicals he puts in his body to the clashes he regularly has with the Browns Brass. Yet he’s a unique offensive weapon and needs to be utilized on the field. If the Brown’s don’t trade him, they should draft a receiver with their 12th pick and hope this year’s crop was as good as last year’s.

3. Improve The Pass Rush

Andrew Luck sacked by Cleveland Browns defense
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

3. Improve The Pass Rush

Andrew Luck sacked by Cleveland Browns defense
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Although Cleveland gave quarterbacks headaches with their ball-hawking secondary, they made them feel at ease in the pocket. Cleveland was sixth worst at sacking the quarterback, and if they can improve this they’ll give every quarterback legitimate nightmares.

2. Shake Up Kick Returns

Cleveland Browns Kick Return
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Shake Up Kick Returns

Cleveland Browns Kick Return copy
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Field position is bigger than you might think. Former New York Giants punter Sean Landeta once remarked that forcing the Buffalo Bills to start their final drive on the nine-yard line is what won the Giants Super Bowl XXV. Cleveland needs to take this advice and start taking those yards -- the Browns were fifth worst in return average last season.

1. Play Calling On Third Down

Brian Hoyer Cleveland Browns Quarterback
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

1. Play Calling On Third Down

Brian Hoyer Cleveland Browns Quarterback
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland was dead last in third down conversion percentage at 29.5. That’s less than one-third! A lot of this falls on the quarterback to make the appropriate read and execute, but everything starts with the initial play call. If Cleveland can extend their drives in 2015, they’ll be able to extend their season too.

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