Haden still unsure of Browns’ progress

Canton Repository

BEREA

The Browns are walking the fine line between ‘Wait ’til next year (sigh),” and “Can’t wait until next year.”

With a 4-9 record, the players must grind through games against the Bears, Jets and Steelers, and the fans (based on online ticket prices dropping to $5.99) only have eyes for 2014.

Well? Was a near-win in New England a sign the corner will be turned in the offseason?

“I know just as much as you,” fourth-year Brown Joe Haden said. “I have no control. No control.”

Even in a 1-7 skid, head coach Rob Chudzinski is emphatic that a good plan is in place, there are signs it is working, and he is certain it will work.

“Until it happens ... you know what I’m saying?” Haden said. “I hope it does. I wish it could change.”

The Browns have reached the time of year when contract status is more interesting than game preview. T.J. Ward, Haden’s best friend on the team, is asked nonstop about whether he thinks he’ll be back.

Haden’s take on the topic:

“Right now we’re just trying to keep winning or whatever, but that’s my boy. Of course I want him to be in the best position for him and his family.

“But being a football player just trying to win games, I think the best possible way is to have him as our strong safety. If I had any say, which I don’t think I do, I would want T.J. to be here.”

Haden is curbing his opinions, staying in his lane.

“If you’re not in your lane,” he said, “you might get run off the road.”

Captain Joe Thomas has been down this road before. After 13 games, he has been at left tackle for Browns teams that have been 4-9, 5-8, 4-9, 5-8 2-11, 4-9 and 8-5.

It has been years since 8-5. Yet, he talks more hopefully than Haden.

“I think we’re definitely closer than we’ve been in years past to being a playoff team,” Thomas said. “We were in it longer than we have been since my rookie year.

“We’ve shown we’re putting some good pieces together and we’ve got a lot of young, talented guys.

“We’ve got guys they need to re-sign. We’re going to have a lot of picks in the draft. So that’s exciting, because I think we’re just a couple pieces away from being a really good team.

‘And I think we’ve got the coaching staff to make that happen.”

Thomas has been on Browns teams coached by Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur and Chudzinski and guided by general managers Phil Savage, George Kokinis, Tom Heckert and Michael Lombardi.

“We’re going to have some continuity this offseason,” Thomas said. “I don’t expect any changes.

“The last few years in the organization, there were quite a few changes. The coaching staff ... we get new ownership, new general managers. All those sorts of things take away from the foundation.

“The foundation we’re building now is a solid one that’s going to be here a while. It’s exciting for me.”