Among their other dubious distinctions, the Browns are tied for the league lead in penalties. Last season they were third, behind only Arizona and Oakland.
Let’s break this down a bit. Here’s the details on all 31 infractions, including those declined and offset:
by number…
- 4 — Seth McKinney
- 3 — Braylon Edwards, Brandon McDonald, Shaun Rogers, team/unspecified
- 2 — Derek Anderson, Mike Adams, Rex Hadnot, Joe Thomas, Shaun Smith
by unit…
- offense: 16
- defense: 8
- special teams: 7
by type…
- false start: 8
- illegal formation/shift: 7
- offsides/neutral zone: 4
- defensive holding/illegal use of hands: 4
- personal foul/face mask: 3
- other: 5 (offensive PI, illegal block, holding on kickoff return, delay, tripping)
Nothing smells “out of sync” or defines “self-defeating” quite like failing to even begin a play properly 20 times in just three games. That’s downright inexcusable, even moreso when two of those games were at home.
