Changes in Cleveland as Ken Dorsey Takes the Helm
In a pivotal shift for the struggling Cleveland Browns, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is swapping his listening headphones for the play-calling headset this week, marking one of several significant changes as the team seeks to turn around their season ahead of Week 8.
With Deshaun Watson sidelined for the remainder of the season, Jameis Winston has been named the starter, as the Browns (1-6) grapple with their dismal offensive output. “I’m just trying to win a football game. I’m just trying to win a game,” Dorsey asserted, emphasizing the collective responsibility of both players and coaches to rise to the occasion. “Just like the players, if someone takes a step back or isn’t on the field, the players need to be ready to step up. The same goes for the coaches.”
The Browns’ first challenge under Dorsey will come against the Baltimore Ravens (5-2), who are riding high on a five-game winning streak. The Ravens have been explosive on offense, averaging a staggering 35 points per game since their rocky start, but they do have vulnerabilities—sitting at the bottom of the NFL in pass defense, allowing an average of 287.1 yards per game.
Cleveland’s offensive struggles have been glaring; their season-high scoring output was just 18 points in their lone victory, and they currently languish at 29th in the NFL with a scoring average of 15.6 points per game. They are also last in several key offensive categories, including total yards per game (253.9), yards per play (4.00), third-down conversion rate (23.71%), and sack rate (13.89%).
Coach Kevin Stefanski entrusted Dorsey with play-calling duties in the hopes of igniting a spark within the team. “It’s an intense reflection, an evaluation of the current situation. It’s a decision that’s being made right now. We’re taking these things week by week,” Dorsey explained, underlining the urgency of their situation.
“There is no magic coach or magic pill to play better in attack. It will be a matter of work. It’s about paying attention to details. In the end, it’s about concentration and fight. Play with extreme physicality. Play with speed. Play with safety,” he added passionately.
Dorsey acknowledged the collective effort required to succeed, stating, “There are a lot of great coaches. A lot of great coaches. During the week, you do a lot of game planning and putting your players in positions to make plays. Great coaches are the ones who, over the years, make these adjustments to the game.” He emphasized the importance of maximizing preparation during the week to achieve success on game day, stating, “We were able to do that at a high level. That’s where we saw those second halves, doing some good things. Oh, we didn’t see that.”
As the Browns prepare to face the Ravens, the stakes could not be higher. With a new voice at the helm, Cleveland fans are hoping for a renewed sense of hope and determination as they fight to salvage their season.
