TAMPA — Not long ago, Bruce Arians was asked if he would consider ending his retirement to coach in the NFL again.
“I would listen to the Browns,’’ Arians said. “And only them.’’
Well, everyone is listening to the Browns, now. You can’t escape the noise.
If it’s not Baker Mayfield ripping the Giants’ selection of quarterback Daniel Jones in GQ, it’s Odell Beckham, Jr., telling Sports Illustrated the Giants “thought they’d send me here to die.’’ They are bold, brash and barking louder than the Dawg Pound.
Given their 7-8-1 record a year ago and a stacked roster, the Browns are the popular pick to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season, the league’s longest active playoff drought.