The Browns have much to overcome, starting with their reputation

By Bud Shaw, cleveland.com

December 29, 2017

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- UCLA's Josh Rosen didn't exactly refute a ESPN report that he doesn't want to play for the Browns.

"I'd rather be a lower pick at the right team than a higher one at the wrong team,'' Rosen said before the Cactus Bowl.

So, he's saying he'd rather not get drafted by a franchise that's 1-30 over the past two seasons and has managed two winning seasons since 1999? He's saying he wouldn't look forward to joining a team whose head coach might not last a third season (provided he really does survive his first two)?

He's saying that - given the possibility of more upheaval - he wouldn't readily embrace playing for a new regime one year into his NFL career? He'd rather not play for an owner who's been all over the map in organization building?

What gall.

What is he? Smart?

* If Rosen comes out and reiterates that stance, there would be widespread criticism of him among fans who think he's cocky and spoiled. If he's as good as advertised, the criticism won't stick any more than it did to Eli Manning.

Who somehow seems to have made his mark without being a name in the Browns QB roll call since '99.

* The best-case scenario for the Browns is if they like USC's Sam Darnold or Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield as much or more than Rosen and don't really want Rosen, who suffered concussions at UCLA and missed the Bruins' bowl game. They may agree with scouts who consider Rosen aloof and who question his locker room leadership.

The worst case? Rosen is clearly the top QB. The Browns pass on him. And he wins Super Bowls elsewhere.

I know. When has the worst-case scenario ever happened in Berea?

* The Giants suspended former Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple after a week in which teammate Landon Collins called Apple a "cancer" in an interview with 98.7 ESPN New York.

Collins later apologized.

"I never stop supporting my brother/teammate Eli and the rest of my teammates as we move forward," said Collins. "Just want him to know I'm always here for him."

If that's support, you don't want to be around when Collins isn't showing so much of it.

* The Giants came down on Apple Wednesday after he reportedly argued with coaches at practice. When approached by reporters, he refused comment other than to make a graphic reference about needing to use the men's room.

The suspension was apparently a joint decision by interim head coachSteve Spagnuolo and interim GM Kevin Abrams. The Giants earlier fired head coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese. They are 2-13 this season.

And, according to ESPN, Josh Rosen prefers that team to your team, Browns Fan.

* USC's Darnold, meanwhile, says he'd be happy to play anywhere.

"Whenever I come out to go to the NFL, I think I'd be honored to play for any team," Darnold told the media in advance of USC's Cotton Bowl matchup against Ohio State. "It's been a dream of mine for such a long time to play in the NFL. Any team that would want to give me that opportunity to be a part of their organization, it would mean the world to me."

Spoken like a young man who plans on going back to USC for another season.

* Some Browns players are rooting for Joe Haden to win a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh.

The biggest reason to think the Steelers could win it all? Not Haden, though he's helped.

It's the pain Browns fans would feel watching it happen.

If you root hard against the Steelers, I get it (as Hue Jackson would say).

Just know the alternative might be Kenny Britt going to the Super Bowl in New England.

* Wide receiver Josh Gordon told reporters this week he was confused when he heard the Browns cut Haden.

"It just didn't make sense at the time," said Gordon.

If you believe in the Browns' strategy to cut players who could still help them because they're overvalued on a losing team, Sashi Brown thanks you for your unfailing but misguided support.

* ESPN asks the question: "Did the Pats get enough for Jimmy Garoppolo?" After all, he's 4-0 so far under head coach Kyle Shananan in San Francisco.

ESPN's conclusion, reached after careful study of the deal that sent Garoppolo to the Niners for a second-round draft pick, is that "it's complicated."

Granted, it's hard to settle on a single answer.

It's either no, or hell no.

* The 2008 Detroit Lions, the only team to finish 0-16 in league history, was outscored by 249 points that season. Opponents have outscored the Browns by 172, the most in the league.