For the first time since taking over as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Lombardi has openly and honestly answered questions about the future of the game. Lombardi discussed the team’s plans moving forward and some of the evaluations that will need to take place.
Among the players that Lombardi will be keeping a close eye on are quarterback Brandon Weeden and linebacker Jabaal Sheard.
Lombardi wants to find out whether or not Weeden can be the quarterback of the future for the Browns and if Sheard will be able to transition in to their new defensive scheme. If not, the team will adjust accordingly because they are aiming for long-term success.
“I’m not sitting up here saying I’ve got a five-year plan, this is going to work. I’m telling you we’re building something. I’m not saying it’s for the future because I think it’s all going to come down to us making sure we make good decisions and moving forward. And I’m not asking for any more patience than anyone else,” Lombardi said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
“I’m just saying we’re going to build this thing the right way so we can sustain success. We’re certainly, by no means, thinking about giving up on the season …We’re going to go in there and compete. We’ve got some pieces to compete with. This team last year was in a lot of close games, had a lot of opportunities in the fourth quarter. I think we can build on that.”
The Browns always seem to be in the evaluation stage, but they have been making progress over the past few seasons.
There really isn’t a major weakness on the Browns roster and if they are able to continue building on their foundation that could certainly be a playoff contender in the AFC North moving forward. For now, it all rests on Brandon Weeden’s shoulders.
If he is not the answer at quarterback, look for the Browns to target one of the top signal-callers in next year’s draft as they make a major leap in the right direction.