The Cleveland Browns dropped the ninth episode of the 2021 season’s Building the Browns documentary series right before the Chargers game.
No one could know how well timed this episode is.
It chronicles the first four games of the season.
Frankly, everyone who is upset about the Week 5 loss to the Chargers should spend 55 minutes watching it.
It is just what the doctor ordered.
Why do I say that?
Because the takeaways from it are very pertinent after a defeat.
Here they are:
1. Rebounding After Week 1’s Tough Loss
The Browns suffered a very disappointing Week 1 loss.
Baker Mayfield talked about not getting discouraged and continuing to work on execution and leadership.
The team needed to learn from their mistakes and fix them.
Most notably, they needed to start and finish the game fast.
And they needed to play clean from late in the third quarter and throughout the entire fourth quarter.
We saw the failed two-minute drive when the Browns were down by four.
Though the players were disappointed, they realized it was a long season ahead with a lot of football left to play.
2. Finding Inspiration in Browns Legends and Olympic Champion
For the 75th anniversary, Browns legends came to visit with the team.
Some of the legends required no introduction because their excellence stood the test of time.
Those included quarterback Bernie Kosar and running back Jim Brown.
Seeing the Browns legends interact with the current team was inspiring.
Also inspiring was Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter and native Ohioan Katie Nageotte.
She visited practice and spoke to the team about missing her first two attempts and securing the gold medal on her third and final attempt with the bottom line being perseverance.
Nageotte beat out 15 other pole vaulters in her journey to the gold medal.
It was especially sweet for her as she finished fifth in the 2016 Rio Olympic trials and did not qualify for the team.
3. Leading By Example Is JJ3
We saw an up close and personal look at how John Johnson III approaches his job.
He is the consummate leader.
JJ3 facilitates on-the-field communication and critical sideline communication between defensive stints on the field.
He is a cheerleader and a team player who wants everyone to do well with the bottom line to make the Browns a successful team.
JJ3 takes his job and role very seriously but also shows us a lighter side to his personality when he is asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game.
Conclusion
Once again, this is an excellent episode and must-see-viewing for Browns fans.
We also see a bit of the dynamic between the stoic and quiet Nick Chubb and the exuberant and talkative Kareem Hunt on the sidelines.
They truly are yin and yang which makes the combination work so well.
One more thing we are reminded about as it pertains to the Chargers loss, the Browns went on a three-game winning streak after losing to the Chiefs.
Let’s hope that trend returns beginning in Week 6 with the Cardinals.
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