Oh no, not again: Are the new Browns the same as the old Browns?

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It wasn't supposed to be like this anymore.

Do you trust these men?

Eighteen months ago Cleveland Browns' owner Randy Lerner sold the town's most beloved sports franchise to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam. The move was long overdue, as the team's losing ways and shabby sideshow of a front office had made it a national punchline. 

Now that the room has been cleared and an entire new ownership group brought in, how is it possible that things may be even worse than the days of Bottlegate and "F*ck you" emails? Not just an unending stream of bad football - Browns fans are used to that - but the horribly familiar feeling that those in charge have no idea how to improve the situation?

What we think the Browns will do against the Steelers today (Week 17)

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Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers 

December 29, 2013

Brian	Steelers 33 Browns 12	Browns suspend entire team for "conduct detrimental to the team." But Squealers still don't sneak into the playoffs.
Tom	Browns 24 Steelers 17	This is what I get for huffing butane on a Sunday morning.
Doug	Steelers 26 Browns 6	The best thing about the season coming to an end is that we won't have to hear any Browns' talk for five months...he said wistfully.
SamVox	Steelers 28 Browns 16	Feeling very Phil Leotardo-ish this morning. And when the last word has been written, the world will look back on December 2013 and say, "that was the month that finally broke the Vox." No more, Butchy...No more o' this.
Kevin	Steelers 34 Browns 12	Seems like yesterday the Steelers were 0-4 and the Browns were challenging for the division lead. It's hard to decide which turnaround is more impressive.
Ryan	Steelers 27 Browns 10	Another fabulous ending to another fabulous season.
Sean	Steelers 2200 Browns 1	Super stoked about what's going to be a FUN and EXCITING off-season here in Browns Town USA. Listen for me on Bull and Fox Show daily as I break down the draft position by position. I go under the name 'Da Browns Freak' so make sure to tune in lol. You are my moon and stars, Browns. I love you.

Bennett pick sheds unkind light on Cavs' GM Grant

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 If only Anthony Bennett let off this kind of steam (Trust me, that's funny).

Michael Olowokandi, Kwame Brown and Greg Oden. Three names that will forever live in infamy as well as compilations of the worst overall No. 1 draft picks in NBA history.

The career of Anthony Bennett  is still in its infancy, but the rookie forward's lack of readiness for the rigors of the pro game has put him on the short list for Bleacher Report's next "NBA's Most Shocking Draft Busts" column. 

If Bennett's numbers spoke for themselves, they'd be slurring like a drunk coming off a four-day bender. In 22 games, the NBA's top selection for 2013 has scored 50 points on 29 percent shooting.  Bennett averages ten minutes a game, though even in these brief stints he appears lost in Mike Brown's offense, getting few looks near the basket and flicking up panic jumpers like a guy playing pick-up at the local rec center.

2013 Browns give fans little reason for optimism

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It's been a rough first year for Banner and Co.

The dialogue from local sports scribes these last few weeks has centered on whether or not the Browns are better than last year. Remember that relaxing bye week we had in early November? Cleveland had just beaten the champs and a glorious season of seven or eight wins seemed possible. A month later and the team is staring at the possibility of not even matching last year's five-win total, a song so part and parcel of Browns' fandom that we should be collecting royalty checks. 

Comparing the 2012 and 2013 seasons is like choosing what strain of herpes you'd rather contract. Even the numbers are basically the same: As compiled by The Plain Dealer, last year's team finished 25th in the league in points; this year's offense is actually worse in that rather important category, ranking 27th before yesterday's washout against the Jets. The 2013 Browns are giving up more points this season, too, standing at 21st in the NFL as compared to a 19th-place finish last year.

What we think the Browns will do against the Jets today (Week 16)

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Cleveland Browns at New York Jets

December 22, 2013

Brian	Browns 27 Jets 23	Because when draft position is at stake is when the Browns pull off a victory.
Tom	Jets 20 Browns 14	Read this during the week on twitter, courtesy of Tom Withers from the AP. "#Browns are second NFL team with at least 10 10-plus loss seasons in 11-year span. They join the #Buccaneers." Why do I even bother....
Doug	Jets 27 Browns 24	If the Browns have a meaningless win in them, this will be the week to do it.  However, expect them to stay the course with the end of the season mercifully in sight.
SamVox	Jets 20 Browns 16	The smell of hospitals in winter and the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls...Adam Duritz ain't got nothing on Cleveland! Because what could be more tedious and depressing than any activity associated with the Browns in these annually-long Decembers?
Kevin	Jets 36 Browns 17	It's the annual win-to-learn-how-win vs. lose-for-a-higher-draft-pick" debate. Either way, does it really matter? If they don't screw up the draft, one of our key players will be bit by a rattlesnake while hiking with friends just outside of Vegas and need his leg amputated. Literally snake-bitten–get it? I'll be at the Improv next week.
Ryan	Browns 24 Jets 17	The defense finally holds onto a 4th quarter lead.
Sean	Jets 26 Browns 3	Rex Ryan is sexy.