HBO Hard Knocks Featuring The Cleveland Browns: Takeaways From Episode Four

Episode Four of Hard Knocks with the Cleveland Browns tonight aired on HBO.  They certainly had a lot to work with as the Browns prepared for their “dress rehearsal” as well as the drama surrounding the return of often suspended Josh Gordon to the team.  With only one episode left before the season finale, they had a lot to pack into 60 minutes.

Before we get to our weekly hot takes, let’ talk about our friends over at RLN Home Healthcare.  Ricky Nerone not only provides extraordinary mental and physical health care for his patients, but he gives them perhaps the most important quality of all, confidence!  You can visit them here https://www.rlnhomehealthcare.com/

Hue Jackson talks a good game, doesn’t he: It is hard to take a guy serious who has gone 1-31 in his tenure as head coach.  But he sure does talk a good game!  From joking with players, to tough love, to pointing out mistakes that need corrected, Jackson doesn’t miss much.  Now if only his talk could finally relate to wins, we’d have something.

Rookie comedy show is a hit: That was excellent, with the highlights being Baker Mayfield pretending to be John Dorsey, as well as the wide receiver imitation of Jarvis Landry being the high spots.  It was good to see some personality and bonding. It’s also good to see Baker doing all the team orientated things you would expect out of a leader.

Tyrod Taylor is one tough guy: From the pain and agony of hearing him suffer in the blue tent, to the urgency to get himself back in the huddle, it is hard not to respect the toughness of Tyrod Taylor.  Number “5” will be a fun guy to root for this season despite this more then likely being his only season in Cleveland, he seems like a natural fit on this team.

The Browns provide a trailer to nap in: Can that same trailer swing by my office, about 15 minutes after I’m done eating lunch tomorrow?  All joking aside, it is nice to see the human element of players.  Long gone are the times of two practices a day in 90-degree heat.

Does anyone really care about Devan Cajuste: His dad has a really cool whistle, other then that, why do we care about this guy?  One segment on the last episode may have worked, but making him a main storyline every episode has been horrendous to put up with.  He looks lost in practice and has zero confidence.  He is not going to improve, either the guy has it or he doesn’t, and he doesn’t!  Enough already!

Myles Garrett is a beast: Do we really need to expound?  If he can stay healthy, he will be the best player on the team, and one of the best defensive players in the league.  Hard Knocks has brought to light what many of us already knew.

It is hard to take Josh Gordon seriously: Josh Gordon had one outstanding season, 4 plus years ago and yet they treat him as the savior.  Listen again to the conversation Todd Haley and Jarvis Landry had on the sidelines during the game.  It is clear they are referring to Gordon setting a bad example.

Not a word that comes out of Gordons mouth sounds sincere, and I would be shocked if he plays all 16 games before he gets suspended again.  Do not buy a word coming out of his mouth.  Hue Jackson referring to him as the “big fish” is almost uncomfortable.  Why have any faith in this guy at all?  How could you?  Josh Cribbs talked about actions and results, when it comes to Gordon, enough with the empty promises and false hope, lets see some results.

That’s it for now Brown fans, but we will see everyone next Tuesday night, have a safe and fun holiday weekend!