The Chiefs have generated a record of 20-3 in their last 23 games; the Browns over that same span are 1-22.
In 2016, the Browns are 0-12. Their run of futility now stands at fifteen straight losses.
The run of futility has sparked plenty of criticism and cracking wise about the Browns, including a suggestion that Alabama could beat them. Browns cornerback Joe Haden doesn’t like that, at all.
“It’s a smack in the face. It makes you very upset,’' Haden said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “That’s a slap in the face, it doesn’t make any sense. Alabama’s a great program, they’ve got amazing players, they’ve got players that are going to play in the NFL. We’ve got a team full of NFL guys. Comparing college team vs. NFL team is disrespectful.”
Haden also doesn’t like hearing the jokes from late-night comedians and the plans for an 0-16 parade.
“Oh, man, this is terrible,” Haden said. “This is terrible. You’re talking about an 0-16 parade. It’s very, very tough and it hits you right between the eyes because I’m on the team, there’s something I can do about it and that’s why I’m playing. But when you get all that talk . . . . The worst thing I’ve ever seen is us getting beat 34-0 to ‘Bama. Once I’ve seen that, there was just nothing else to talk about.’'
Haden remains pragmatic about the team’s predicament.
“Everybody’s giving it to you,” Haden said. “There’s really nothing you can do but go win.”
He’s right. And the problem comes from the fact that they Browns haven’t won. Week after week after week. After week.
No, Alabama wouldn’t beat the Browns. But when a team is terrible for such a long period of time, those and similar comments are going to be made, repeatedly, until the team wins.