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No brainers IMO. Heck, I never heard of the first guy. Nobody needs a 30 year old player who's speed and shift was his calling card headed back from an Achilles injury, and Johnson...well, lets see what the new D coordinator thinks, but I think he is gone.

These three will be easy to walk away from.

Ok


[color:#993399][/color]But then again, I've heard that doobies affect memory. Who knows what this guy is saying.

Forgot the purple.

Without the injury, I thought he might have been helpful to us for a couple of seasons. A position need we've sorely lacked for awhile. Oh well.

Heckert and Mangini weren't down with the peace pipe.

He still took the job.

I wonder about the timing of this. When did that interview take place? Why talk about it now?

Thanks for the clarification. The timing seemed weird.

For coaches, as with any job is a personal choice. As your quote indicates, being head coach isn't always greener. Different people have different motivations.

Both have tasted the head coaching position and for their own reasons are happy doing what makes them the happiest.

j/c:

The Browns signed Jacoby Brissett last off-season to a $4.65 million contract. He vastly outplayed the value of that contract. PFF concurs and released their top 5 Value contracts of 2022. Nice job by Berry and the Brown's FO.

PFF released the the highest graded player and most surprising player for each team recently. Here are write-ups on the two Browns who they recognized.





https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2022-s...est-graded-players-biggest-surprises#IND

As has been pointed out by Vers himself, the Browns had a top 10 rated O with Brissett playing. When you combine that production with him knowing and flourishing in the scheme, being on the same page with the WR's and success working with the coaching staff it does on the surface look like a no brainer.

The issue becomes what is Brissett's value now? Just as with most things his value is based on what someone is willing to pay. And I think we're going to find out that after Brissett's performance this past season his value has increased quite a bit.

I've always been one who has lived by the creed, "Prepare for the worst. If the worst happens you're ready for it and not disappointed. If something better happens you're pleasantly surprised."

The restructuring of contracts only kicks the can down the road. The bill will still come due. I certainly agree that Kelly Mond isn't a legitimate back-up. But I'm not so sure that paying Brissett borderline starter money is the answer either. Because I do believe his play in 2022 will make his market value in the range. It's a long time until next season starts. I'm not going to jump to the conclusion at this point in time that the only possible solutions are either Mond or Brissett.

j/c:

I'd love to keep Jacoby, but he has earned the right to get paid as a starter in this league. He deserves the opportunity to cash in on his performance this year and make the money that will help his family for the long term. I don't expect him to take back-up money to stay in Cleveland just because he is a nice guy.

Agreed.

I wish we'd found a way to keep Dobbs for the back-up competition in camp. I think I would have preferred him over Mond.

No doubt we'll bring in an interesting vet name to throw the ball around in July (see Rosen). But, then again, Rosen ended up not being very interesting.

At some point, not this year, we'll have to go to the draft again.

I'm glad we have Watson, but we're one helmet to the knee away from the back up plan.

I figure if we still have the offensive talent this upcoming season, one injury away might sink a season once again.

Can't imagine Brissett will still be here. But - fingers are crossed.

I think Stenson Bennett would be a steal in the middle rounds as a backup QB. He is small but he is a winner. This team needs players with winner attitudes associated with them.

Is there a possible landing spot as a starter?

I think he fit nicely into his role here as a great back-up option and a great voice in the room. He may choose to ride out that role and enjoy mentoring others. I don't think there are many teams out there saying "we gotta get this guy!" That's not a slight on Jacoby, just the fact that the NFL has embraced the philosophy that you'll go nowhere without an upper-tier, young, franchise QB.

I wish him the best and certainly hope he stays put for another season.

While I certainly am not trying to dismiss your point, I think we can all look around the league and see teams with borderline starters at QB. And yes, for at least most teams addressing that in the draft is the traditional way of addressing it. At least in terms of looking for a long term solution at the position. But there are far more teams that either need a QB or certainly teams that are unsure if their starting QB's going into next season than what I'm pretty sure feel there are long term solutions at QB's in the draft that would address it. I doubt many NFL teams actually believe in more than 2 or 3 QB's good chances in this draft to find a franchise QB.

So once you get past those few QB's your options aren't something you feel you can find in the draft. At that point the question becomes where is the best place to find a bridge QB. Do you take a big gamble on a second round QB pick or use that pick to address much higher ranked player at a position of need? You can always sign a Brissett to keep you at least competitive for the time being while still building your team in other ways. Or I guess a third option would be to tank next season so you have a shot to land a QB in the 2024 NFL draft.

I'm simply saying that there are far more teams with QB needs than there are any realistic solutions that they can find in the draft.

I do not think any team is saying "we gotta get this guy!" but there will be teams out there that I expect to give him the chance to compete for a starting job, likely as a bridge QB. Brissett will go where he has a chance to compete for a starting job if/when given the opportunity.

Brissett will get somewhere north of $5M/year. The Browns will not allocate that much salary to the back-up QB position. Maybe I'm missing a team, but I do not believe any of the teams with high paid QBs are paying a back-up QB that type of money.

Yes.

And at some point, and at his age, plus if his agent is relatively responsible,, one more year at the type of one year contract we might offer him might be appealing to the guy. He's an asset to the team no matter if he's starting or not.

2024 might mean a broadcast or position job for the college ranks.

Hope he stays,. Doubt it.

The old saying is strike while the iron is hot. After starting 11 games and helping produce a top 10 offense in the NFL, his value will never be higher than it is right now unless he lands a starting gig elsewhere moving forward. In regards to Brissett's career, his best opportunity is to cash in now. Brissett is only 30 years old. I see no reason an NFL QB would stay on in what he knows is a backup role if he knows he will at least get a shot starting elsewhere. Sitting behind watson for a season will only decrease his value going into next years off season. I think he could command north of 10 mil. on the open market as of now. I see no reason he would pass that up.

JC...

I see Jacoby as a better version of Senaca Wallace, or somewhat on the same path. He had his breakout season, so as pit said, you strike while the iron is hot so to speak. He won't command QB mega bucks, but there is a good chance he can get a longer term deal with a fairly large amount of guarantees.

At least i would hope so. The problem might becomehis age. The question will become is will a team bet on him, or just go with a young drafted player and take your chances he can become as good a Jacoby?

In todays NFL, teams don't seem to be willing to develop and then keep mid range QB's at mid range money. It seems to be you go all in with big bucks to someone, or you go young a cheap in the hope he becomes a big buck player. Not many teams seem to want that mid level QB.

I think the age factor comes into play more about the position you play and the punishment you've taken. Brissett is only 30 and won't be 31 until December. That means he would play nearly all of the 2023 season at 30. His body hasn't taken much abuse over the course of his career and at his age, I certainly wouldn't see age as a factor to team giving him a three or four year deal if they are considering doing so. I see him as being a bridge QB and more likely to get a 2 year deal. 3 at the most. I don't see him being 30 as any obstacle to that. I know it seems like he has been in the league longer and should be older than that. But he's not.

We simply see this differently and aren't going to agree about it. I do agree as far as it would be nice to see him stay here. Beyond that is where things go south. For me it's a matter of practicality because teams that are unsure of their starting QB's are going to value Brissett much higher than those who don't. You seem to indicate the Browns keep him at all costs. Costs are often times why I see things as more of a problem than a solution.

I see it much the same way. I think Jacoby would be a nice bridge qb for a team who drafts a young qb that needs some seasoning, such as Will Levis from Kentucky. Another possibility is a team like Tennessee, who may want to move on from Tannehill and know that Malick Willis is not close to being ready.

I'm going to start a QB Carousel thread after the Super Bowl concludes. Lot's of moving parts this year and it should be interesting.

I don't want to hear any excuses from those of you who poo-poo the idea of the Browns resigning Jacoby. This claim that we don't have the money is pure BS..after all, after Haslam spent nearly a quarter of a billion dollars to sign Watson, he sure as hell can find the money to resign Brissett. And for those who want cry about the cap...restructure and cut the under performers.

It comes down to one thing...how badly does Haslam want to win a Super Bowl..? AND I ask the same question to those of you who say NO to idea of the Browns being smart for a change by planning ahead for a worst case scenario situation.

The sad part is, the Browns, especially GM Berry didn't plan for this situation by signing a 3rd string QB who had no starting experience and is I'll qualified to even lead a team....not did Berry try to resign Brissett during the season when he had no competition to bid against...not smart, Berry.

Re-signing Brissett will tell if Haslam and the Browns management are serious about competing for a Super Bowl or they are just happy to win a few games if Watson should suffer a season ending injury.

I don't know, he's a gamer and I admire how he got to where he is..... but he was a 26yo qb throwing against 18-19yo db's. I'm not sure he can take that moxy to the next level.

I wonder if we consider bringing Josh Dobbs back next year?

5 Browns who need to take a big leap in 2023
Cory Kinnan
January 24, 2023 4:03 pm ET

To say the 2023 campaign was a disappointment for the Cleveland Browns would be an understatement. After making the playoffs in the first season under head coach Kevin Stefanski, they have left more questions than answers on the field over the past two seasons. To get back into the playoffs in 2023, the Browns will need big leaps out of players like quarterback Deshaun Watson, left tackle Jedrick Wills, and more.

There are no excuses left in 2023, and this current regime knows it. They had their best assistant sign an extension rather than jump ship, and they landed a top-tier defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz. The belief in the building should be high, but the Browns need a big leap out of these five players' next season.

1. QB Deshaun Watson
The expectations for Watson were high in 2022, and a 3-3 record and subpar quarterback play did not meet them over the last six games. Watson and Stefanski will sit down and hash out an offensive plan to install, and they have a full offseason and camp in the building and on the field together.

Point blank: Watson is making way too much money, and the Browns gave up way too many assets to acquire him for the level of play they got this season. Their 2023 season will revolve around the success of their high-profile and highly volatile quarterback. They will look to get more explosive in the passing game and live out of the shotgun as they look to cater to his strengths, so Watson needs to meet three-quarters of the way there.

2. LT Jedrick Wills
The Browns have invested a ton of money into their offensive line after extending right tackle Jack Conklin. They also have significant interest in bringing back center Ethan Pocic. This is telling that they want continuity upfront as they look to capitalize on the next two or three years so they can keep their offensive unit together. It also likely means they will see Wills through his rookie contract.

Wills has put the Browns in a peculiar position, however, as they have a decision to make regarding his fifth-year option this offseason. Regardless of whether they decide to pick it up or not, the Browns will likely see Wills through his rookie contract, whether it is this year or next.

The former 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, however, needs for his play to reach a level of consistency. There are weeks on end where he will grade out as a high-end pass blocker, then weeks where his play will bottom out. To this point in his career, the highs have been high, but the lows have been really low. The Browns need more out of him next season.

3. DE Alex Wright
The Browns drafted Alex Wright in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he was rushed into significant playing time sooner than anticipated. While he was a rotational piece early in his season, the injury to Jadeveon Clowney in the second week of the season thrust Wright into the starting lineup from a Group of Five program way too soon.

His rookie season did not go to plan. Wright did not record a sack, and while he flashed a bit in run support, needs to take a big step as three edge rushers are set for free agency with little hope of returning. No more Jadeveon Clowney, no more Chase Winovich, no more Stephen Weatherly (who suffered a season-ending injury in training camp), Wright may be thrust back into the starting lineup in 2023.

4. DT Perrion Winfrey
The Browns are going to overhaul their defensive tackle room this offseason, but seeing a significant leap out of fourth rounder Perrion Winfrey would soften the blow of the turnover. Multiple free agents and another drafted rookie will likely enter the room, but Winfrey will be given every opportunity to maintain his rotational role upfront.

After a rough start to his rookie season that included multiple discipline issues and healthy scratches on gameday, Winfrey finally solidified a significant chunk of snaps down the stretch for the Browns. Expect him to keep those snaps, but they need him to become a playmaker when he is on the field rather than just a bare minimum body.

5. K Cade York
It is rare to see a team invest so highly in a special teamer. But the Browns used a fourth-round pick to select kicker Cade York out of LSU. And while his career started well for the Browns, including a 58-yard game-winning bomb in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, York suffered significant lows in 2023 as well.

While he only missed two extra points in 2022, and none after Week 3, York missed six field goals over an eight-game stretch from Weeks 7 through 15 this season. If York struggles like that again in 2023, the Browns will certainly bring in competition at the kicker position midway through next season and into 2024.

2022 Browns season review: Grading Denzel Ward and the cornerbacks
Jacob Roach
Wed, January 25, 2023 at 1:37 PM EST

During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns decided in the modern NFL they needed more corner talent to combat high-power passing attacks. The AFC is full of talented pass catchers and has a ton of talent at the quarterback position. So general manager Andrew Berry used his top pick to take Martin Emerson despite having Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II already on the roster.

It turned out that was a great decision after Emerson had the best season of the three this year. No doubt the team likes where the position group is headed overall but if there is an opportunity to improve it wouldn’t be shocking to see even more added to the room.

Let’s look at each player in the group.

Denzel Ward
After signing an extension in the offseason Denzel Ward didn’t look like himself for most of the season. He seemed to be caught out of position or unsure of his responsibilities at times which was an overall theme for the defense as a whole. He did however come on strong late in the season and showed the type of player he has been to earn that contract.

The Browns will need Ward to play at a Pro Bowl level in 2023 if they are to return to the playoffs. Overall, PFF gave Ward a 56.8 overall grade with a 60.4 in coverage and 46.6 in run defense. The Browns absolutely can’t have Ward play that poorly against the run next season.

Grade: C-

Greg Newsome II
The team transitioned Greg Newsome II to the slot this season after trading slot corner Troy Hill to the Los Angeles Rams after the draft. There were obvious growing pains for Newsome in the beginning but he wasn’t a total liability out there at any time this season. By the end of the year, Newsome seemed to be figuring out how to play the position.

Rumors suggest that Newsome doesn’t want to remain in the slot and if that is the case will he be traded or who goes in the slot? Overall Newsome continues to show he has the talent to play the position.

Grade: C

Martin Emerson
There was some surprise for sure when the Browns took Martin Emerson but it was a good pick. Emerson was thrust into starting early with injuries and was more than up to the challenge. He uses his great size to go up against physical receivers without difficulty.

Emerson received a 75.1 coverage grade from PFF at showed that he can be a legitimate starter. He needs to clean up tackling in run support but he by far exceeded expectations.

Grade: B+

Greedy Williams
Greedy Willams has had an up-and-down career with the Browns marred by injury. However, this season was not good for Williams who struggled to find the field at times and played sparingly. He didn’t provide much off the bench and is likely headed for free agency this offseason.

Grade: D