It's good Browns aren't uttering 'tough, smart, accountable' lately because it doesn't fit

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson's greatest contribution to the Browns thus far is ostensibly forcing them to discreetly abandon their “tough, smart, accountable” mantra.

Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry adopted the phrase after the Browns hired them in 2020 and trotted it out in news conferences and press releases.

They haven't been uttering it publicly, though, since the franchise traded in March for Watson, the quarterback who has faced 25 lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments, received a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns despite those allegations and served six of the 11 games for which he's suspended.

It's a good thing Stefanski and Berry have strayed from the “tough, smart, accountable” claim because it would be the height of false advertising.

The Browns have individuals who embody those characteristics, but they aren't close to being a “tough, smart, accountable” team, and it showed Sunday during an embarrassing 38-15 loss to the New England Patriots at FirstEnergy Stadium.

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At 2-4 and third in the AFC North, the Browns will need a miraculous turnaround to make the playoffs this season, especially with the schedule stiffening. The Baltimore Ravens (3-3), Cincinnati Bengals (3-3), Miami Dolphins (3-3), Buffalo Bills (5-1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) are the next five opponents.

Following that stretch, Watson, who has denied wrongdoing and settled 23 of those aforementioned lawsuits but has yet to resolve two of them, including one filed last week, is slated to return to the lineup Dec. 4 on the road against his former team, the Houston Texans. The Browns will be lucky to have a viable role in the postseason hunt by then.

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Aside from the competition they'll encounter, the number of problems they possess is staggering. Last season, they were crushed 45-7 by the Patriots at Gillette Stadium, but this year's defeat created a three-game losing streak and proved to be even worse.

With Mac Jones (ankle) and Brian Hoyer (concussion) out, the Patriots pummeled the Browns with rookie third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe, who completed 24 of 34 passes (70.6%) for 309 yards and two touchdowns without an interception for a rating of 118.4.

Zappe had a rating of 100 last week in his starting debut, a 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions, so he should have had the Browns' full attention. Now he's the first rookie QB with a 100-plus rating in his first two starts since Sonny Jurgensen in 1957.

Meanwhile, the Browns struggled with familiar issues on defense. They missed tackles, experienced communication breakdowns and were caught out of position.

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On offense, the league's top rushing attack (192.4 yards per game) sputtered for 70 yards on 18 carries (3.9 average), and quarterback Jacoby Brissett transformed into a turnover machine, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.

Special teams actually provided a highlight with rookie Cade York making all of his kicks, including field goals of 39, 48 and 51 yards, but Chester Rogers muffed a punt, and cornerback A.J. Green sliding partially out of bounds as he pursued an onside kick spoiled a would-be recovery by safety Ronnie Harrison with the Browns trailing 24-15 and 6:17 left in the fourth quarter.

“Every which way you want to say it, we got beat ― offense, defense, special teams and coaching,” Stefanski said.

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Stefanski continued his trend of forsaking three points when he went for it on fourth-and-1 at the New England 18-yard line with 14 minutes left in the second quarter. The officials ruled Brissett short of the line to gain on a sneak, resulting in a turnover on downs. The Patriots (3-3) didn't score on the ensuing series, yet the score remained tied 3-3 instead of the Browns leading 6-3.

The calls to fire defensive coordinator Joe Woods remain loud because his talented unit is underachieving despite its continuity in personnel from last season.

What ails the Browns is deeper, though.

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Stefanski and his assistants were schooled by Patriots coach Bill Belichick for the second consecutive season. Belichick greeted and hugged well-wishers outside the visitors locker room after tying George Halas for second on the all-time win list (324) for a head coach and improving to 9-2 against the Browns, his former team.

On the other hand, Browns players must execute better. The Patriots scored 24 points off the Browns' four turnovers, Brissett's two interceptions and lost fumble and Rogers' muffed punt.

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And Berry's questionable acquisitions and strategies are coming into focus. Safety Grant Delpit, a second-round draft choice in 2020, missed a tackle on tight end Jonnu Smith early in the third quarter, allowing him to break free for a 53-yard catch-and-run. Delpit also lost his feet while trying to cover tight end Hunter Henry, thereby leaving Henry wide open on a 31-yard touchdown catch with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.

Opting to not upgrade from Brissett once Watson's camp and the NFL Players Association agreed with the NFL on a settlement and an 11-game suspension Aug. 18 and choosing to not further bolster the defensive tackle position have already haunted the Browns in recent games.

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In the aftermath off Sunday's loss, Brissett addressed teammates in the locker room and encouraged them to “dial in” collectively to give themselves a chance instead of beating themselves, linebacker Jacob Phillips said. Brissett and All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett took blame and preached messages of unity during postgame news conferences. Then Brissett and wide receiver Amari Cooper spoke at length near Cooper's locker, with a brief visit from Berry mixed in.

Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., out for the season and on crutches, visited defensive teammates at their lockers and reminded them they can't give up.

“He was telling me it's a long season,” Phillips said. “He was on a team that started 1-5, and they made it to the playoffs.”

It's true. Walker played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, when they went 1-5 and finished 10-6 to earn a wild-card berth.

A team needs character to pull off such a remarkable feat.

The Browns are saying the right things, but they need to follow through with their actions or those words will be as empty as “tough, smart, accountable” are right now.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns aren't 'tough, smart, accountable' after loss vs. Patriots