That’s third round picks for us. I think I’d rather have the big brain.

I am not familiar with the history of the All-Rookie Team. Is it unusual to get three guys on it?

Yes it is,but Felton?
I can't see him being all anything.

Congrats! Is this a fancy name for something? After this season, this feels like a participation trophy. Great, I guess. Might be impact rookies, but not so much for me.

Including his name does make it more like a "which one is not like the others" type of exercise.

I thought the same thing.

Now flip those 3rd round comp picks back to the Vikings for Cousins and let them begin their rebuild.

Cousins makes $35M in 2022, and is UFA in 2023. Paying $17M more for what I'd consider an only marginally better QB than a healthy Mayfield doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/kirk-cousins-9915/

My post was more tongue-in-cheek, but if the Browns happened to trade for Cousins they would extend his contract.

Also, there is no measurable statistic where Baker really comes close to Cousins' numbers. This isn't me saying Cousins is elite. Cousins is very consistent. Stefanski knows Cousins well. Who knows how Berry would perceive the idea of trading for Cousins, but I am sure it's something they would explore.

I posted this article before, but worth a read because Cousins really is a polarizing QB.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/09/kirk-cousins-elite-stats-polarizing-vikings/

Cousins 2021 stats 66% completion%, 4,400+ yards, 33 TD's to 7 INT's with a 103 qb rating. Now where would the 8-9 Browns be if our QB had those stats for the year. I think we would have played at least 1 playoff game and maybe be still playing right now.

I want Russell Wilson, but I'll settle for Kirk Cousins.

You Mayfield haters might want to check back in 2019 to see how Cousins performed under Stefanski as his OC in comparison to 2018 or 2021. You also might want to think about how we are going to get receivers in here the caliber of Theilen, Jefferson, and Osborn because we currently don't have anyone close to that level of a WR and that includes Landry.

Of course, it starts with Cousins' who also has the NFL's third-largest 2022 salary cap number at $45,166,668 and is a free agent in 2023. Because Cousins was on the Vikings roster on the 3rd day of the 2021 league year, his 2022 salary, which is currently guaranteed for injury, became fully guaranteed. Cousins base salary for 2022 is 35 million with 10 million added as a prorated bonus making his cap number $45,166,668.

Right now, the Browns have about 39 million in cap space. Mayfield's contract of 18.858 million is fully guaranteed so the only way out of that deal is a trade. 35 million of the current 39 million cap would go to Cousins. That leaves about 4 million as a starting point for free agency, the draft, and a new deal for Ward before anything else happens. All for a 1-year shot that hinges totally on Cousins delivering with a downgrade in receivers not to mention what other assets the Browns would have to offer up to Minnesota or any other trade partner before entering cap hell for years to come.

Yep, this makes total sense for the Browns (sarcasm).

1. Paying a QB is a good problem to have. Not a bad one.
2. I would assume you can subtract Mayfield’s salary if we get Cousins so that would add about $18 million in cap space.

Also, I am not a “Mayfield hater”. I am a Browns liker. I like Baker and would love for it to work out with him.

j/c...

About time. Hope he sticks to it and focuses on football and is able to ignore the outside noise.

Man, when was the last time we had someone actually leave our staff voluntarily for a promotion elsewhere?

Good move, long overdue. Time to get rid of the rabbit ears, grow a thicker skin, and realize that success is the best way to quiet the critics, not Twitter.

Would he have had those stats if he TORE HIS LABRUM early on in the season??? how bout apples to apples

We would have hosted at least 1 playoff game. We might have had a bye.

Nothing personal, but all this talk about dumping Baker after a poor showing while injured to go after guys that are 1) questionable whether they are an upgrade, 2) almost double in cost from the current situation and would require a contract even bigger than anything the Browns would have to pay Baker and 3) a team with no pass receiving weapons in place with a coach that has a documented history of suppressing the passing game.

The point is all this talk about getting a Wilson, Rodgers, Carr, Watson or a Cousins is not a fix for the Browns passing game. Stefanski is a run first coach and he's going to run that scheme no matter what talent he has at any position. Look, it's documented that in 2019 when he took over as OC for the Vikings he cut back Cousins attempts from the previous year by 27.8%, completions by 26.7% and passing yards by 16.17%. Keep in mind that was with Diggs (55 target reduction), Thielen (105 target reduction), Rudolph (34 target reduction), Bisi Johnson.(rookie), and Cook (increase of 14 targets) from 2018 to 2019. In fact, since Cousins became a F/T starter in 2015, his 5-year average excluding 2019 is 380 pass attempts per year - in 2019 it was 307 (a 19.2% reduction). The Browns don't currently have anywhere near the skill set that the Vikings had at WR and TE so that would have to be addressed too (though highly unlikely considering Stefanski's scheme).

The thought process that Stefanski would change his scheme for a Cousins is just hogwash. If that was the case he'd change for Baker. Not only that, Cousins has already lived through a Stefanski in charge offense and felt the reduction even after he had a year (2018) where he completed 70.1% of his passes with 30 TD throws. Diggs saw the writing on the wall and demanded a trade. OBJ seen the writing on the wall and demanded a trade. The Browns have (at the time of signing) the highest paid TE in football and reduced his targets by an average of 29.2% the last 2-years and posters here think it's a QB problem and getting a guy used to throwing 250 plus more times a year currently is going to save the Browns by having his attempts drastically reduced?

I think Mayfield has things to work on but this goes way beyond Baker Mayfield's performance. This goes to building your offense to the skill set of your players and be equally threatening as much in the passing game as you are in the run game. Teams have figured out Stefanski's run scheme and are defending the Browns as such. As much as Baker has items to work on, Stefanski has a much bigger challenge of adjusting his offensive scheme which to date he has been unwilling to do. The Browns can spend every dime they have on talent but if the coach won't build to that - WHAT's THE POINT?

Ok. Stefanski is a run first coach but let's stop for a minute and examine the words used suppresses the passing game. The Browns ran the ball on 54% of their offensive snaps. That means they passed the ball on 46% of their snaps. That sounds more like a balanced offense than a pass suppressing offense. This team needs a QB whether it is Baker or some one else to have better than a 60% completion % throwing in those 46% of snaps. This run game can win in the NFL it just needs complimented with a pass game and threat of big plays.

Diggs and OBJ are selfish players. OBJ could not handle being a #1 WR. He is doing much better playing Robin to the Rams Batman Copper Cupp. This team needs some play makers outside that is for sure because teams will stack the box and not allow the Browns to run the ball. Need to bring balance to the offense and better QB play is where that starts.

People have shown Cousins stats and I'm always surprised. Maybe I just don't watch enough Minny games to really appreciate what he brings to the table.

I know I'd be pretty disappointed if we brought him in (doubly so if we had to give up major assets in addition to the $$)... but at the end of the day I trust KS and Berry. Cousins being a guy he's worked with within the same offense, if that's what Stefanski thinks he needs, and he gets him, then I'll get on board.

The third round picks are nice but I’d rather keep him.

Cousins doesn't bring anything we don't already have. All he is is grass on the other side of the fence.

bottom line is whatever the team does at the QB position, whether this year or next , their futures are directly tied to it. I think this year was really hard on them, I think they went into it hoping to get some clarity and hoping the Mayfield at the end of last year would take another step this year and they could be done with the questions about the position. Now they have more questions than before and are even more scrutiny to get it right. Not an enviable position for sure.

Kirk Cousins has been in Minnesota for 4 years and has gone

2018 8-7-1
2019 10-5
2020 7-9
2021 8-8

How is he a major upgrade? he's not exactly "carrying the team"

OBJ seems like a great guy to have around. He’ll tell you not to go to his team because he wants the best for you.

I read the article. There was no context. In the offseason the Browns were a trendy super bowl pick. Maybe it was as simple as the nightlife sucks and there's no place to eat. Even obj couldn't have known then how awful Baker was going to be.

Or maybe he didn't like Stefanski. Could be a hundred things.

How does this guy know what was said last offseason at some training session in Colorado Springs?

No matter how many times you say Baker sucks. It makes no difference.

He is the quarterback till he is not.

Odell is no longer a Brown. Another topic that is meaningless.

j/c:

Agreed. We all know now that OBJ didn't like it here and didn't want to be here. I didn't like the trouble it caused either but it's over now and he's gone. If he goes to the SB he goes. Maybe we as Browns fans should forget it and move on to who we can sign and draft to replace him. JMO

I am totally over 2021.

Come September a third of the roster will be new. Stefanski is in the backseat and Berry is driving the car right now.

Lots of tough decisions ahead that will shape the new roster. That is where my head is at now. First comes free agency.

Conklin and Takk face rehab. It is super important that Conklin comes back to full strength. He is a big investment and a very good player.

I really doubt Hubbard will be resigned. We will need a guy who can step in at both tackle positions. Takk was playing well just before his injury. Achilles is a nine month or more injury?

I firmly believe Berry will sign one or two receivers in free agency. I have great faith in Berry. He is a smart guy who will be totally prepared for this off season. He is also bold. He may surprise all of us.

The Browns draft picks:

1st Round – Pick #13
2nd Round – Pick #44
3rd Round – Pick #78
3rd Round – Pick #102 (Compensatory Pick)
4th Round – Pick #114 (Lions Trade)
4th Round – Pick #124
5th Round – Pick #171
6th Round – Pick #218
7th Round – Pick #257

That is good draft capital. Six picks in the top 124. Berry can bring some fresh new talent.

I am beginning to get a good feel for the draft but I am still far away from picking players.

So far these are the guys that have my attention:

Malik Willis, Trevon Walker, Drake London, Treylon Burks.

Long way to go.

He's a 2020 graduate of the class of Buckeye Senior High in Medina, Ohio. So he must have a lot of reliable pro sources by now.

Now if you could just figure out a way to win without scoring TD's.

Von Miller told him.

Most weeks, the duo trained Monday through Saturday, often sweating for two or three workouts between sunrise and sunset. Almost every day, they wondered: Wouldn’t it be wild if, one day, somehow, some way, they played for the same team?

Maybe in Ohio, Miller wondered, daydreaming out loud.

“Don’t come to Cleveland,” Miller says Beckham told him.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/01/28/v...-odell-beckham-jr-demaryius-thomas-death

That is a good start.

I still think we are going to use this draft to gain more picks for next year. I could see us trading down in the first round to gain a 1st rounder next year. I think we can still get a impact player later in the 1st round, or even top of the 2nd round.

I think we are behind Baker and aren't planning to draft a QB and would rather gain another pick for next year in the event we do need to make a run at one of the quality QBs who should be in the draft.

No doubt much will depend on how the draft is panning out as we get near our 13th pick. If we see a nice group of guys we like and feel we can get in the 20's somewhere, we will pull the trigger.

And as you said, FA will have a major impact on what we end up doing.

I'm with you on that. I could us doing that.

Somehow in the back of my mind. I hear a voice that says there could be a surprise.

https://watchstadium.com/show/tape-dont-lie-football/

When I saw this it really caught my attention. If Berry falls for this guy. He damn well might pull the trigger.

It is my firm belief that sometimes you have to swing for the fence.

I see great upside in this kid. I don't yet know enough but I see that specialness. Things others can not do.

I first saw that kind of thing when I saw Mahomes in college. That What moment? What did he just do?

Love Caleb Williams.

Not me. Only played one half of good football (Texas). Was consistently short on the long ball. Held the ball waaaay longer than Baker ever has. He'd have to show a heck of a lot of improvement. Me-first attitude....can't make up his mind where to transfer to in the portal because he's looking for best NIL money, with zero loyalty to a team.

What?



Nevermind, I see why you don’t like him.

I believe it was a quote from Miller.

Jack Conklin ‘ahead of schedule’ to start right away in 2022

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
Feb 1, 2022

MOBILE, Ala. — The Browns will thoroughly scout the top tackles at the Senior Bowl, but right tackle Jack Conklin is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab from surgery to repair his torn patella tendon and on track to start the 2022 season, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told cleveland.com.

“Jack is doing great,’’ Rosenhaus said, adding that he’s ‘absolutely’ expected to be read to start the season.

Rosenhaus said Conklin, who suffered the injury Nov. 28 against the Ravens, is rehabbing in Cleveland and doing even better than anticipated at this point. That’s great news for the Browns, who struggled down the stretch without their two-time All-Pro right tackle, including Baker Mayfield getting sacked nine times by the Steelers in Week 17.

If the Browns can count on Conklin, who also missed games this season with a knee injury and dislocated elbow, from the beginning of the season, they might not have to add a starting-caliber tackle. Recovery from a torn patella tendon can take six to 12 months, but Conklin is apparently on the short end of that.

The Browns’ fourth-round pick in 2021, James Hudson III, will be called upon to take a big step up in 2022 as their swing tackle.

In the meantime, the Browns will study and interview offensive linemen here such as highly rated Bernhard Raimann of Central Michigan.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...tions-on-the-table-browns-takeaways.html

*Note: I assume the word "read" in the second sentence of the story should be "ready". Copy editing seems to be a casualty in the age of internet publishing.

That is fantastic news. If it works out, that makes our offseason much less complicated.

Yeah, that's true, but I worry about him. The guy always seems to get injured.

This is colossal good news.

Conklin is an excellent tackle. The injury is a serious injury.

If he is ready to play when the season begins it has a huge impact on the whole line.

Really happy to hear this.

He had an ACL tear in the 2017 playoffs, and then another knee injury the next year. That's it, other than the stuff this year (the knee(s) for him might be becoming an issue).

aye so what are we thinking about Wills Jr?

is he somebody we can rely on for the next 10 years or do we have to start considering upgrades along the line?

The only caveat I'd place on the Conklin news is that it is his agent talking, and you would expect him to paint a rosy picture about his client's condition.

swish...Wills has to rank as one of the worst LTs in the NFL and unless he dedicates himself to conditioning and working in the weight room to get stronger..he might not be a starter.

Against LasVegas, the Browns had to shuffle their OLine, using two backups and moving Bitonio to LT, this was the OLine starting unit...
Michael Dunn OG
Blake Hance OG
Joel Bitonio G
Wyatt Teller G
J.C. Tretter C

Nick Mullens QB

This group didn't allow a sack..so the Browns do have options if Wills doesn't want to do the work to keep his starting job.

Wills might be a better option as a fill-in at OG and RT.

Wills is good enough where you have to extend him and bad enough where you don’t feel great about the extension. He’s also only two years into his career, made a huge position change, and played hobbled in year two. I’d expect 2022 to be his best year if healthy.

j/c:



This should get some of you to pucker up like a snare drum.

SMOKESCREEN!

Swish IMO We will know more about Willis after his 3rd season. He played a new position his rookie year. He played on a bum knee for most of last season. He has one more season to prove himself either way.

It's gotta be hard on the joints being the size and height that he is. Thanks for providing that info. I don't know why...I thought he missed several games for us in 2020 as well.

I didn't include missed starts due to COVID or concussion (I think I read he had one, but I don't remember if it was here or Tenn).

I was under the impression he was pretty durable and just had a weird season (elbow then immediately knee injury), but it seems like knee issues could be an emerging trend.

It was an ankle.

I am wondering if Wills would be a good replacement for Conklin at RT, and we think about getting a LT?

Hearing Conklin is ahead of schedule, and seeing him on the field, are 2 different things. Hoping he recovers, but can't count on it long-term.

I find the Wills thinking rather odd. He did pretty well as a rookie at the LT spot. This year he battled an ankle injury most of the season. For some reason I don't think Wills forgot how to play LT during the off season. He is certainly not Joe Thomas. But he is also certainly athletic enough to have improved in his second year, not declined. I think we should take a step back on a guy who struggled with an injury all season and see what he brings to the table next season.

I mean that's what a lot of us say about Baker so I don't think we should be in the position of using a double standard as it applies to injuries. A LT's footwork is as critical to his position as Baker's injury is to to the QB position.

Agreed 100% - I *believe* that Wills was the best graded LT from his draft class. I think his issues this year are mostly because of injury and playing through injury.

Me too. With the injury, there is simply not enough info to make a good decision, or even judge his upside, until during or after this season.

It's interesting the Wills gets a pass for playing through injury, but there is about 50 pages worth of Baker related pages that cannot arrive at the same conclusion.

It like Myles having no sacks late in the season due to the groin....

I'm not seeing where you get your "50 pages worth" from. There are a few select posters that try to downplay Baker's injury this season but the vast majority take it into account and feel he should get next season in order to see what a healthy Baker will bring to the table.

I certainly understand how the injury to his shoulder impacted his play negatively. I'm not sure it explains everything we saw but I certainly want to see a healthy Baker on the field next season in order to find out.

Many people think that Baker’s performance is attributed somewhat to his injury and mostly to his inability to find receivers which had nothing to do with his injury.

He was injured this year and probably should not have been playing, how soon you haters forget that last year (2020) Baker Mayfield led this franchise to its first winning season since 2007 our first playoff appearance since 2002 our first playoff win since 1994 and our first road playoff win since 1969 in Dallas nuff said!!!!

Haters = People who think we can do better

Scroll down a bit, there are 9 Baker threads so far ending with the off season Baker, add the Stefanski getting rid of Baker to that hot mess. Roughly 8 pages per thread.

Insert beating a dead horse graphic... It is nauseating.

I'll believe it when I see him on the field with full team drill participation and not on a pitch count.
Hope is not a plan.

Get another OT because Hudson cannot hold down that spot.

Sounds crazy, but long-range, Wills might be well-suited as a swing tackle, and shop for a "better" LT, veteran maybe or draft. Hudson is not the answer. We have proven with injuries that we have regular and ongoing need for OL. Bitonio should not be forced into this problem as the cure going forward. That plan, where a star player will not play his strongest position sounds dumber than I believe, especially for a run strength team. Again, not Hudson, please.

I agree on half, and to pick on something MKC said, you should always be looking for starting caliber players. As for Hudson, I am not ready to say he can't hold a spot down even if he did look pretty bad last year.

I wonder what folks around here would have said about Wyatt Teller after his rookie season?

I'll gladly eat my words if Hudson miraculously pulls the same level of turnaround that Teller did, but I think we all know that Teller is the exception. Guys generally don't go from struggling to hold ground and getting blown up to suddenly being one of the absolute most dominating at their position in a single offseason. That is exceptionally uncommon and shouldn't be expected.

Now, will eight months eating and training like a professional benefit Hudson? Absolutely. He has a lot of time to get a lot stronger and work on a lot of technique, but to think he'll be able to step into Conklin's shoes is a stretch. I think his ceiling, right now, is as our Swing Tackle and filling Hubbard's shoes. That in and of itself would be a HUGE leap for him, and very welcomed.

IMO, we only really got into trouble this year when both of our tackle spots were being manned by backups. I think it's approaching reasonable for Hudson to be able to fill in for Hubbard, and if that's the case I don't see why he can't man that tackle spot for a couple games while Conklin finishes up his rehab.

I worry about adding yet another starter-caliber need to the list (WR (x2?), DT, TE(?), DE(?)). That's a lot when we know we're going to get an elite guy back very soon.

Good news Conklin when healthy is EXCELLENT better than Good. I would look into getting Trevor Penning who is a nasty wants to destroy his opponent kind of guy! He lacks some technique but our OL coaches have the ability to teach that technique Trevor can sit and learn under Conklin and at some point give him a breather if need be especially if we have a lead and are planning on running the ball to take up time. He has played mostly LT but I'm sure he can make the switch to RT no problem. The guy is Nasty!

The biggest jump in player proficiency is between year 1 and year 2.

It is a now a full time job, and the player can take the time to condition himself work with coaches.

Hudson was drafted as a project, and ideally would have not seen the field last year. But that was not the reality.

Some players do better than others, and I hope Hudson improves.

When healthy, Conklin is the best we've had since Mitchell Schwartz or Ryan Tucker. He's the real deal.
Unless his knee was misreported as a rupture and was really just a minor/partial tear, I find it not quite believable that he's on track to be back on the field, full-go, in six months.
I'd be quite happy to be wrong, though. Still, he's at the older end of the spectrum and entering the last year of his deal... you KNOW he and his agent are feeling the pressure to guarantee he's back out there on the field, even if he goes back too soon.

That's my boy and he is still very raw .. Big up-side .

i hope so. im just trying to move on from this season and focused on the next one i guess. im assuming baker and most of our starters on offense and defense come back. trying my best to really chalk it up to injuries and covid and get into being positive for the team.

we still have a young squad, but im just really hoping it is just injuries for the browns, and not that we're once again losing ground to other teams.

Unfortunately we did lose ground to the Bengals.

Going from four wins to the Super Bowl is a giant leap.

They are good and will be good for a long time. The Steelers may take a step back. The Ravens will comeback and be better. They were racked by injuries.

The Browns also were hit hard with injuries and covid. We have a strong core. Our defense should be excellent.

Our season success will be based upon offensive improvement.

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/spor...-browns-brian-flores-lawsuit/6653752001/

Has Jimmy Haslam ever said anything this interesting?

Strong words.

Also, I'd love to be quoted in the media saying that I 'dismissed' someone.

“I can’t think of any individual that I’ve worked with over the past 45 years that I spent as much time trying to help be successful as I did Hue Jackson,” Haslam said. “His third year, when our roster began to pretty dramatically improve, the eight games he coached we were 2-5-1. After Hue was dismissed, we went 5-3.”

GC. The Bills hired a new Quarterbacks coach.

Browns? Your move!

One thing I've looked at the senior bowl for is how well a player transitions. They're playing with players they've never played with before and coaches that have never coached them before. If they can fit in well, perform well and make a statement on the field under those conditions, I think it bodes well as it pertains to their transition into the NFL.

I wouldn't say it's some tried and true method of gauging that but it's certainly an indicator that they can move into a foreign environment, fit in well and take to coaching well. All things you would like to see in a rookie player.

j/c...

I don't even know where else to put this, but Ben Tate coming out of the woodwork. We're in the midst of a true Browns off-season!

He was here for 8 games in 2014 and ran for 300yds and his career was over. I'm sure he has all kinds of good insider info.

I'm always up for some gossip!

Ben had his ear to the grindstone.

Lol... Ben Tate.

I wanted Ben Tate bad. He played in the Kubiak offense with the Texans and was pretty good. We then got Kyle Shanahan and signing him made a ton of sense. We actually did it! And then he didn’t make it through one season.

I remember Ben Tate arranging a fan meet and greet on Twitter on the spur of the moment when he first arrived in town. He gave a location that was pretty random and a bunch of fans showed up and he took pictures with all them and stayed and chatted. Next day I think he was at a Tribe game.

The random, obscure memories of this franchise are the best.

Ben- who?

Ben Watson?
Ben Franklin?
Ben Gay?
Ben Grimm?

why can't 'stupid' leave the Browns alone for more than a couple years?

An absolute legend in Browns folklore.

Best RB in history this side of the Mississippi

Interesting that Mayfield isn't the only AFC North QB dealing with contract issues. Maybe this will be the new normal when dealing with super high dollar QB contracts. I know, Josh Allen received a new deal but he's the only one from 2018 and 2019 has Murray where the Cardinals have until May too either give him a new deal or exercise the 5th year option.

Ravens GM Sends Clear Message About Lamar Jackson Contract Extension
Alek Arend - Yesterday 10:35 AM

The Baltimore Ravens are exploring all avenues to a Lamar Jackson contract extension.

On Friday morning, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta spoke at length about Jackson’s future with the organization.

It sounds like the Ravens are committed to keeping the former NFL MVP for the long haul, but the organization is going to do things at Jackson’ pace.

“Lamar and I have had probably five or six conversations at different points over the last year in regards to his contract… We’re working at Lamar’s pace. … Lamar and I have a great relationship. … The line of communication is great.”

Lamar Jackson will become a free agent in 2023. There’s a growing likelihood the Ravens work on an extension during the 2022 season. That would mean Jackson would be on the player option that would pay him $23.02 million.

Injuries this past season might be playing a role in the Ravens’ contract negotiations with the young star. It’s a much lesser risk if the organization waits to see how Jackson performs this upcoming season before offering him a massive extension.

The franchise tag could also be at Baltimore’s disposal. The Dallas Cowboys used it on Dak Prescott, but eventually came to a massive extension agreement.

Right now, Jackson’s last year with the Ravens will be 2022. But it sounds like both sides are working toward an extension.

The post Ravens GM Sends Clear Message About Lamar Jackson Contract Extension appeared first on The Spun.

Interesting that Mayfield isn't the only AFC North QB dealing with contract issues. Maybe this will be the new normal when dealing with super high dollar QB contracts. I know, Josh Allen received a new deal but he's the only one from 2018 and 2019 has Murray where the Cardinals have until May too either give him a new deal or exercise the 5th year option.

Ravens GM Sends Clear Message About Lamar Jackson Contract Extension
Alek Arend - Yesterday 10:35 AM

The Baltimore Ravens are exploring all avenues to a Lamar Jackson contract extension.

On Friday morning, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta spoke at length about Jackson’s future with the organization.

It sounds like the Ravens are committed to keeping the former NFL MVP for the long haul, but the organization is going to do things at Jackson’ pace.

“Lamar and I have had probably five or six conversations at different points over the last year in regards to his contract… We’re working at Lamar’s pace. … Lamar and I have a great relationship. … The line of communication is great.”

Lamar Jackson will become a free agent in 2023. There’s a growing likelihood the Ravens work on an extension during the 2022 season. That would mean Jackson would be on the player option that would pay him $23.02 million.

Injuries this past season might be playing a role in the Ravens’ contract negotiations with the young star. It’s a much lesser risk if the organization waits to see how Jackson performs this upcoming season before offering him a massive extension.

The franchise tag could also be at Baltimore’s disposal. The Dallas Cowboys used it on Dak Prescott, but eventually came to a massive extension agreement.

Right now, Jackson’s last year with the Ravens will be 2022. But it sounds like both sides are working toward an extension.

The post Ravens GM Sends Clear Message About Lamar Jackson Contract Extension appeared first on The Spun.

Ben Gay. The Legend Lives!!!

He did help the Browns beat Baltimore once, I had a re viewing memory of his right side run, I think for a touchdown. A pretty good player in some under appreciated years.

Former Browns offensive lineman and future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas on Thursday expressed interest in replacing Doug Dieken on the Browns radio broadcasts.

Dieken, 72, announced his retirement from the booth after 35 years as a color analyst on radio broadcasts. Before that, Dieken spent 14 seasons on the Browns' offensive line and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1980.

Thomas now works for NFL Network and has a podcast with former Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, The Thom and Hawk Football Show. But on Thursday, he outlined his potential interest in replacing Dieken and joining Jim Donovan while speaking on WKNR's The Really Big Show.

"I am interested. Who wouldn't be interested?" Thomas said. "I mean, if you're a fan of the Browns like I am, a former player, I mean, that's one of the most iconic and marquee positions within the NFL, and I feel the same way about it. You think about all the memories I had when I was a kid. It was, we would watch the game, we'd listen to the radio and all those big moments from when I was a kid and we were watching the Packers listening to Jim Irwin and Max McGee and the way that they called the game, those memories and those voices are ingrained in my brain forever.

"No matter how many times I get hit in the head during the NFL, I remember that. So to be potentially that person for Cleveland and the Browns fans would be amazingly special. Now, with that being said, I don't know if my schedule will allow it because I don't live in Cleveland and I obviously do those other jobs, but certainly it's something that would be incredibly flattering if I was able to be a part of it in any way."

Thomas said there have been some conversations about his involvement with the team's radio broadcasts, but that nothing has yet been worked out.

"It would be something that you'd have to make a decision about. There's no doubt," Thomas said. "In a vacuum, it's a no-brainer. That is such a, first of all, a fun opportunity to be able to do the radio, be part of those games. As a person that's not playing on the team anymore, that's about as close as you could feel like you could be to the team. So from that standpoint, the fun would be 10 out of 10. You'd be breaking the fun meter every single weekend. The question is then how does that fit in with the rest of your life?”

Thomas, during his playing days, became the only offensive lineman in NFL history to earn 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/joe-thomas-expresses-interest-replacing-174435226.html

I don't think the Hall of fame matters, until they put Clay Matthews in. I don't think Joe Thomas deserves to go in before Clay Matthews.

from Benjamin Gay's Wikipage:


Man... I'll say one thing's for sure- that Nick Chubb guy sure is no Ben Gay.

Chubb is a JAG when compared to Mr. Bejamin Gay! <wink emoji>

Huge injustice, I agree. But as Browns fans our opinions are very biased.


Now you are just going to crazy town.

Nobody can accuse him of being a quitter.

He's looking for a place under the jail.

j/c:

That's just Pure Awesome.

Hard not to root for dudes like him.

Thanks for posting.

He's gonna get paid well this offseason.

Not if the Browns put a 2nd round tender on him like they should. But a few million will be a nice shot to the bank account.

j/c...

Chubb is truly a beast ...

Browns Meet With Reps of D'Ernest Johnson at NFL Combine
ByBRAD STAINBROOK

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland...rowns-dernest-johnson-combine-183975493/



INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Andrew Berry and the Browns had a busy week at the NFL Combine.

The Browns and the rep of running back D'Ernest Johnson met at the NFL Combine and will remain in contact as the March 16th deadline approaches, sources tell TheOBR.

March 16th is the deadline for the Browns to place a tender on Johnson, who is a restricted free agent.

The Browns arguably have the best running back room in the league in Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and rookie Demetric Felton, which will factor into the decision.

Johnson stepped up when the team was hit with COVID-related roster changes and injuries and said last season he never lost trust in the grind.

"No, I never lost trust in the process. Coming from a fishing boat, I always dreamed of playing in the NFL. Even when playing in the AAF, I always dreamed of playing here in the league. Being able to be on this team is a blessing. It is always a dream come true to be able to be here. To be able to start and come out here and help the team win; that is the best feeling," Johnson said.

After rushing for his first touchdown and 100 yards in a game last season, Johnson described the moment as unexplainable.

"It is unexplainable, I cannot even lie to you. I wanted to celebrate, but I did not know what to do. I just yelled because it has been a long journey, man. To get your first start and get 100 yards and your first touchdown, that ain’t nothing but God," Johnson told reporters.

Johnson worked in a fishing boat after going undrafted in 2018. Johnson also worked as a personal trainer before joining the AAF in 2019 before sneaking into a workout that led him to Cleveland.

Johnson rushed for 534 yards and three touchdowns in his 2021 campaign.

Felton?

If I had a choice, I'd take DJ over Felton any day. That isn't even a choice IMO.

Man, I completely forgot about that aspect.
I'd love for him to stay, but I wish him nothing but the best and hope he gets to really cash in this month!

D.J could start for a handful of teams. Falcons, Cards, Texans.
He really hits the hole fast and has a knack of dragging tacklers for extra yards.
He might make Hunt expendable one day

Source: Cleveland Browns set to add Catherine Raiche, Philadelphia Eagles' VP of football operations, to front office

9:24 PM ET
Jake Trotter
ESPN Staff Writer

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are expected to hire Catherine Raiche, currently an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, to their front office, a league source told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.

As the Eagles' vice president of football operations, Raiche was already the NFL's highest-ranking woman football executive.

Raiche, 33, previously worked alongside Browns general manager Andrew Berry in Philadelphia.

ESPN Cleveland was first to report the Browns' interest in Raiche, who could take over the assistant general manager role in Cleveland's front office vacated by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Minnesota Vikings hired Adofo-Mensah to be their general manager in January.

A Montreal native, Raiche spent five years in the Canadian Football League, including directing football operations for the Toronto Argonauts, before joining the Eagles in 2019 as their football operations/player personnel coordinator. That was the same year Berry joined the Eagles as vice president of football operations.

Not long after Berry left to become GM of the Browns in 2020, Raiche was promoted to Berry's old position in 2021, becoming involved in pro and college scouting, contract management, player/staff development and football research.

The Browns have hired women for key positions in the past, most notably Callie Brownson, who is now the team's chief of staff and assistant receivers coach.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...gles-vp-football-operations-front-office

If they are hiring her on Resume alone that is fine. If they are hiring her because she is a woman, that would be discrimination in the hire to non women, and discrimination on the basis of sex in the hiring for a job is against the law in the United States.

Great opportunity for her ! Wish her the best !

Yeah Throw... I'm sure they just hired her because the toilet paper is over-stocked in the women's restroom.

More smart people is better than less smart people. I wonder if she eventually got hired to be a GM if she would get us a third round pick.

The Browns have done a better job than most in hiring minorities and women. I see that as a good thing.

Geez,,, can you find something sinister in everything?


Welcome aboard young lady,,, wish you well.

2020 RESOLUTION JC-2A

Whereas, the member clubs believe that policies designed to promote equal employment opportunity and a diverse and inclusive workforce advance significant league interests, including improved decision making, enhanced business performance, and representing the NFL as an employer of choice that hires and promotes based on merit; and

Whereas, the member clubs have adopted policies extending over several decades in furtherance of these goals, including policies designed to permit upward mobility and advancement of club employees, particularly those in coaching and football operations roles; and

Whereas, the member clubs believe that it is appropriate to take additional steps to enhance opportunities for employment and advancement of minorities and women in key positions, including leadership roles in coaching, personnel, and football operations,

Be it Resolved, that the League Policy on Equal Employment and Workplace Diversity will be amended as follows:

(i) The employer-club of a minority employee who has been hired by another club as its Head Coach or Primary Football Executive (General Manager) shall receive Draft choice compensation in the form of a compensatory Draft pick in the third round in each of the next two Drafts for an employee hired as either a Head Coach or Primary Football Executive, or for the next three Drafts if it has two employees hired for both positions. The reference to the hiring of employees into “both positions” could be by the same club or different clubs. The following will apply to the Draft choice compensation:
a. Any compensatory Draft picks awarded pursuant to this Policy will be at the end of the third round following all compensatory Draft picks awarded to clubs pursuant to Appendix V of the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
b. If multiple clubs are awarded compensatory Draft picks pursuant to this Policy, then the order of those picks at the end of the third round will follow the original selection order for that Draft established prior to any trades or other adjustments.

(ii) The employer-club shall be eligible to receive this Draft choice compensation if:
a. The minority employee hired as a Head Coach or Primary Football Executive has been employed by the employer-club for a minimum of two full seasons; and
b. The minority employee is not the Head Coach or Primary Football Executive of the employer-club and is hired into the same position with the new club. There can be no break in employment between clubs.

Submitted by Workplace Diversity Committee

Effect: Establishes a system that rewards clubs for developing minority employees who move to the position of Primary Football Executive or Head Coach with other clubs.

Reason: Supports development opportunities for minority employees to advance goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hunt is a good football player and he loves the Browns...I like those kind of players on the team. Hopefully for his career.

jmho

I keep waiting for the announced hire of Kevin Costner. He is going to get our picks back…..all of em!!

I also love his positive, infectious spirit. When we get to see those sidelines camera 'iso's,' he's always pumped up and energetically interacting with his fellow players. When he leaves the field after breaking one for 8 yards, he's just as geeked for the next play, even though he's not in on the play ("Feed me... feed me all day! I love it, I love it!" Who's in? Alright 24! Break somethin' on'em!"). And funny, too- he knows how to keep it light even during a very tight game.

Total asset to the team, and a perfect foil/balance for the businesslike, low-key, devastating Nick "24 is the new 32" Chubb.
Not expendable in my book. At all, for the forseeable future. And certainly not at this moment in CLE history.

He's an impactful, energetic, positive presence on a team that is tooled to win now/soon. And he still has miles in the tank.
Keep. Re-sign. Get him a ring.

.02

Agreed. I love the way Hunt plays the game. He goes 100 freaking percent on every damn play. Runs w/no regard for his body. Great blocker. Good receiver. Tough as nails. Good teammate. He and Chubb, while very different personalities, get along great. I remember when Chubb asked Hunto pick him up or something like that one game. Hunt never pouts about not getting the ball as much as Chubb. Both those dudes are good for the team.

Ditto, well, biggest Browns new is DW meetings OVER- now the ex-judge makes her decision. The biggest one for this season probably. Wonder how long she'll take? Hope for best for DW, he has issues, but lot more good than bad.

I have no idea how long she will take to render her decision, but I am hoping she makes it before TC opens. That's just hopeful thinking. No way of knowing.

Prisco's Top 100 NFL Players of 2022:

Aaron Donald new No. 1 as Rams have three of top 10; Aaron Rodgers No. 2
Pete Prisco keeps Tom Brady near the top even at nearly 45, while the Chargers have the most in top 100
Pete Prisco

By Pete Prisco
Jun 15, 2022 at 7:42 am ET

The Los Angeles Rams put that on display last season in winning the Super Bowl. They are certainly a top-heavy team, with big money paid to their star players. Of course, they have to do a good job of supplementing the roster to make it work, which general manager Les Snead has done, but it's the stars who drive the team.

They also lead my 2022 list of the NFL's top 100 players. Not only do the Rams have the No. 1 player on the list, but they have three in the top 10, and none of those is their high-priced quarterback, although Matt Stafford is a top 50 player.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the No. 1 player on my list this year. That's because he's the best defensive player in the league, as well as being in the argument to be considered the best of all time. He is clearly the top player at his position, whereas an argument could be made at all the others, even quarterback.

The other Rams players in my top 10 are receiver Cooper Kupp at No. 5 and cornerback Jalen Ramsey at No. 10. Kupp showed the football world last year that he is currently the NFL's best receiver. Ramsey remains a shutdown corner, who evolved into much more last season in a variety of roles in the new-look Raheem Morris defense.

The fact that Donald tops the list moves a quarterback off the top spot. That doesn't mean the top-10 isn't quarterback heavy —as usual. In fact, the entire list is quarterback heavy because there are a lot of star passers in the league right now.

If you're wondering which team has the most players, it's the Los Angeles Chargers with nine in the top 100 -- three more than the three teams tied for the next most with six (Cowboys, Buccaneers and 49ers). The Rams ended up with five, as did the Bills, Bengals, Chiefs and Packers. The Patriots are among six teams without any in the top 100, joining the Giants, Jets, Texans, Jaguars and Lions.

So dive in and eat it up. Nobody will be happy. That much I know. But for all those out there ready to kill me for the list, I offer you this: Try it. It's not easy to do, especially in a league where there are so many good players.

1
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Aaron Donald
LOS ANGELES RAMS DT
He continues to be the best in the NFL; his ability to take over a game is second to none on any defensive line. He is one of the best inside players of all-time, and might be the best ever when his career is over.

2
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Aaron Rodgers
GREEN BAY PACKERS QB
He was the 2021 MVP, which was his fourth. His level of play has not gone down at all. It will be interesting to see what he does without Davante Adams. I wouldn't worry too much.

3
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Patrick Mahomes
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS QB
He wasn't as good last season as in years past, but he remains one of the best in the league. Even a slight dip for him is better than most. It will be interesting to see what he does without Tyreek Hill this season.

4
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Josh Allen
BUFFALO BILLS QB
Those days when nearly everyone doubted him seem like a lifetime ago. He has emerged as an MVP candidate year in and year out. His ability to move to run and throw on the move are a big part of the Bills offense. He is now a legitimate star.

5
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Cooper Kupp
LOS ANGELES RAMS WR
He led the NFL in catches (145) and yards (1,947) last season, establishing himself as the league's best. He also led the league in catches of 20 yards or more and tied for the league lead with nine catches of 40 yards or more.

6
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Tom Brady
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS QB
He is coming off one of his best seasons in terms of stats, throwing for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdown passes. When does he slow down? Does he before he retires? He is amazing. And there is no reason to think he won't put up big numbers again.

7
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T.J. Watt
PITTSBURGH STEELERS OLB
He was the Defensive Player of the Year last season after leading the league in sacks with 22.5, which tied Michael Strahan for the all-time single-season record. Watt is also good against the run, which makes him a double threat on the edge.

8
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Trent Williams
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS OT
At the age of 33 -- he turns 34 in July -- he is coming off a season where he was the NFL's best offensive lineman. He is great as a pass protector and a big part of their run-heavy offense with his ability to move people off the ball.

9
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Myles Garrett
CLEVELAND BROWNS DE
He had 16 sacks last season to show that he remains one of the game's best edge players. He can change a game with his ability to get after the quarterback. He plays with speed that tackles have a tough time handling.

10
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Jalen Ramsey
LOS ANGELES RAMS CB
He is a big corner who excels playing man coverage, but has evolved into an all-round corner who can also do good things. He was really good near the line of scrimmage last season and has evolved into a much better zone-coverage player. He is consistently one of the best in the league.

11
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Davante Adams
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS WR
He is coming off a career year in catches and yards. But now he will be playing with Derek Carr, rather than Aaron Rodgers. It will be interesting to see how that impacts his numbers.

12
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Nick Bosa
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS DE
He finished fourth in the league in sacks with 15.5 after playing in just two game in 2020 after tearing an ACL. Bosa is one of those edge rushers who can take over a game. He plays with speed and power.

13
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Justin Jefferson
MINNESOTA VIKINGS WR
In his second season, he finished fourth in catches with 108 and second in yards with 1,616. He also had 10 touchdown catches. It's scary to think what type of leap he can make this season as he better understands the position.

14
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Micah Parsons
DALLAS COWBOYS LB
He had 13 sacks last season to lead the Cowboys, sometimes being put in a role of playing defensive end because of injuries. He excelled in it, but his ability to cover, run and blitz makes him one of the best defensive players in the league in his second season.

15
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George Kittle
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS TE
In terms of being the best all-round tight end, he is it. He can run, catch and block. There aren't many who can do all three at the level he does it. He was limited to 14 games last season, but still caught 71 passes.

16
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Zack Martin
DALLAS COWBOYS OG
In a season where the Cowboys line wasn't as good as in years past, he still excelled. He was dominant in the run game again and remains stout in pass protection.

17
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Tyreek Hill
MIAMI DOLPHINS WR
His speed makes him a headache for any defensive coordinator. He changes the way teams play defense. It will be fun to see how much he can improve Tua Tagovailoa. Hill has raved about him so far, but only game action will tell.

18
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Ja'Marr Chase
CINCINNATI BENGALS WR
As a rookie, he was a big reason why the Bengals went to the Super Bowl. The scary thing is he said he was just playing by instinct and really hadn't learned the tricks of the trade. He said he knows them now, which can't be good for opposing secondaries.

19
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Travis Kelce
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS TE
He was second in catches by a tight end last season with 92, which was down 13 from the previous season. His yards and yards per catch also went down. But he is still one of the best.

20
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Justin Herbert
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS QB
He's thrown 69 touchdown passes in his first two seasons, showing off his cannon for an arm and his ability to make big plays. This could be the year he emerges as a legitimate MVP candidate.

21
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Joe Burrow
CINCINNATI BENGALS QB
He led the Bengals to the Super Bowl a year after having a torn ACL. He showed he was worth being the first player picked in the 2020 NFL Draft. He threw 34 touchdown passes last season playing behind a line that was awful. He will be even better with an improved group this year.

22
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Derrick Henry
TENNESSEE TITANS RB
He played just eight games last season because of a foot injury, but still rushed for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. The one concern is that his yards per carry number dropped from 5.4 to 4.3 after two seasons of having a heavy workload in 2019 and 2020.

23
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Joey Bosa
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS LB
He had 10.5 sacks last season, but that number will go up with Khalil Mack now on the other side. His best season came when Melvin Ingram got double-digit sacks on the other side. Mack should help him in a big way.

24
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Jonathan Taylor
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS RB
He led the NFL in rushing with 1,811 yards, averaging 5.4 per rush. He also rushed for 18 touchdowns after scoring 11 in 2020. He is now considered one of the two top backs in the league.

25
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Jaire Alexander
GREEN BAY PACKERS CB
The Packers awarded him with a big contract this spring for a reason. He is coming off a season where he put himself into the conversation as the best cover player in the league. The best is yet to come.

26
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Deebo Samuel
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS WR
He caught 77 passes last season with six touchdowns and nine catches of 40 yards or more, tying him for the league lead. He also lined up at running back, rushing for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. He can do it all for the 49ers offense.

27
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Cameron Heyward
PITTSBURGH STEELERS DE
He might be the game's most underrated down player. He is a force who doesn't pile up huge sacks numbers in their scheme. But he did have 10 last year, which is the second-best of his career.

28
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Terron Armstead
MIAMI DOLPHINS OT
The only knock on him is health, as he's missed a lot of games in his career. But when he's on the field, he's one of the best in the NFL. He should help solidify the Dolphins line.

29
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Von Miller
BUFFALO BILLS OLB
He had 9.5 sacks last season for Denver and the Rams. He really picked it up in the Super Bowl run after the trade to the Rams, showing off his ability to win with speed outside. His pass-rush ability could be what puts the Bills over the top this season.

30
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Mark Andrews
BALTIMORE RAVENS TE
He led all tight ends last season in catches and yards. He has established himself among the elite of the tight end position in the NFL, and at the age of 26, he has a lot of good football ahead of him.

31
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Jeffery Simmons
TENNESSEE TITANS DT
He had 8.5 sacks last season, fifth-best for interior players. He is also good against the run and has developed into one of the best power players in the league.

32
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Tristan Wirfs
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OT
He might be the best right tackle in the league, which is impressive since he's entering his third season. He is outstanding in pass protection and should get better as he matures.

33
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Maxx Crosby
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS DE
He is coming off his best season, even if his eight sacks were one fewer than his career best. He was a force for the Raiders defense last season, excelling against the run and with his pass-rush ability. The sack numbers don't do him justice, as he was near the tops in the league in pressures.

34
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Lamar Jackson
BALTIMORE RAVENS QB
Jackson was limited to 12 games last season because of COVID-19 and injury, and didn't have the type of season many expected. He threw 16 touchdown passes and 13 picks and his rushing numbers weren't as good. He is trying to get a long-term deal, which I think will happen, but he needs to get back to his MVP ways this season.

35
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Stefon Diggs
BUFFALO BILLS WR
He caught 103 passes with 10 touchdown catches last season. Since coming over in a trade, he's a big reason why Josh Allen has developed into one of the game's best quarterbacks, catching 230 passes in two seasons.

36
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Chris Jones
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS DE
They moved him to end last year, which was a horrible move. When he moved back inside, the defense improved greatly. He had nine sacks last season and is a tough guy to block inside in one-on-one situations.

37
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Quenton Nelson
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OG
He remains one of the best inside players in the league. He is physical and nasty, but also does a nice job in pass protection. He is a big reason Jonathan Taylor led the league in rushing.

38
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Fred Warner
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS MLB
His ability to run and chase runners down and cover a lot of ground in the passing game makes him a prototype for the current game. He flashes on tape when you watch the 49ers.

39
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Cameron Jordan
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DE
He tied for seventh in the league with 12.5 sacks last season. It took him a while to get going, not getting his first sack until Week 6. Age is starting to be a concern since he turns 33 in July.

40
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Darius Leonard
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OLB
He is the perfect style of linebacker for this era of football. He isn't big, but he can run and chase and he's great in causing turnovers. He had four picks last season.

41
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Dalvin Cook
MINNESOTA VIKINGS RB
He didn't quite have the season some expected, but he still rushed for 1,159 yards in 13 games, missing time because of injury and COVID. He also caught 34 passes, and that number should go up this season as the Vikings might use him more in the passing game -- even outside.

42
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Russell Wilson
DENVER BRONCOS QB
Wilson was traded this offseason to the Broncos, where he will inherit a nice group of pass catches and an offensive-minded coach who will let him play free. Wilson threw 25 touchdown passes and six picks in 14 games last season, but the offense was run-based, which hurt his numbers.

43
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Khalil Mack
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS OLB
He hasn't had double-digit sacks in a season since 2018, getting just six last season when he was limited to seven games. But he's still capable of being a 12-15 sack player and should flourish playing opposite Joey Bosa.

44
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Trey Hendrickson
CINCINNATI BENGALS DE
He was a big reason why the Bengals made the Super Bowl last season. After signing as a free agent, he had 14.0 sacks to finish fifth in the league, which was a career best.

45
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Alvin Kamara
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS RB
He is coming off a down season in 2021, where he was limited to 13 games. He rushed for 898 yards, but his average was just 3.7 per rush. He did catch 47 passes with five touchdown catches, but almost all of his numbers were down from the year before. Bad quarterback play didn't help.

46
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Tyron Smith
DALLAS COWBOYS OT
He played at a high level last season, although he did miss games because of injury -- something that has become all-too-common for him. When he's on the field, he remains a top left tackle in the league.

47
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Nick Chubb
CLEVELAND BROWNS RB
He finished second in the league in rushing with 1,259 yards and eight touchdowns in just 14 games. He also averaged 5.5 per rush, continuing to show his big-play ability.

48
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Matthew Stafford
LOS ANGELES RAMS QB
He led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first season, validating the move to trade for him. He threw 41 touchdown passes but needs to cut down on the 17 picks he threw last year. He proved a lot of skeptics wrong last season in terms of his ability to carry a team.

49
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Antoine Winfield Jr.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS SAF
In his second season, he showed off skills in both coverage and playing the run. He isn't big, but he is a playmaker who plays bigger than his size.

50
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Dak Prescott
DALLAS COWBOYS QB
He came off that major ankle injury from 2020 to get back to playing at a high level. He threw 37 touchdown passes with 10 picks, playing behind an offensive line that wasn't top-notch last season.

51
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Joel Bitonio
CLEVELAND BROWNS OG
He is coming off an impressive season, especially as a run blocker. He was dominant at times and he is a big reason why the Browns are so good running the football.

52
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Micah Hyde
BUFFALO BILLS SS
He can do so many things for the Bills defense. He is good in coverage, causing turnovers and tackling. He's a self-made player who has great value in their scheme.

53
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J.C. Jackson
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS DB
He had eight picks last year and was once again sticky in coverage for the Patriots. That earned him a big contract from the Chargers in free agency.

54
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Kevin Byard
TENNESSEE TITANS FS
He is coming off one of his best seasons, grabbing five picks for the Titans defense. Heck, even Deion Sanders has to know his name now.

55
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Darren Waller
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS TE
He was limited to 11 games last season because of injury, which is why his catch numbers fell from 107 to 55. But when he is healthy, he is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game.

56
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Xavien Howard
MIAMI DOLPHINS CB
The Dolphins gave him a long-term contract this spring for a reason. He is a good man cover player who can take on the best receivers in the league.

57
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CeeDee Lamb
DALLAS COWBOYS WR
He emerged as the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver last season, catching 79 passes for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns. With Amari Cooper gone, those numbers should go up this season.

58
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Chandler Jones
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS DE
He had 10.5 sacks for the Cardinals last year, but five of those came in Week 1. In every season that he's played 15 or more games, he's had double-digits in sacks. The Raiders hope he can team with Maxx Crosby to bring those same type of numbers after signing as a free agent.

59
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Creed Humphrey
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS C
As a rookie in 2021, he was one of the best centers in the league. He anchors what has become a good offensive line, and he should be even better this season.

60
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Rashawn Slater
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS OT
He came into the league as a rookie last year and immediately looked like he'd been around for a few years. He is already in the conversation as one of the best left tackles in the game. That was quick.

61
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Jonathan Allen
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS DE
He has emerged as a force in the middle of the Washington defense. He was its best defensive lineman last season, with his ability to push the pocket and play the run a big part of their unit. He had nine sacks in 2021 with injuries all around him impacting their line.

62
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Chris Godwin
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS WR
He was having his best season when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. He had 98 catches for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns when he went down. Godwin, who signed a three-year deal this offseason, is expected to be back early this season.

63
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De'Vondre Campbell
GREEN BAY PACKERS OLB
In his first season with the Packers he was a big part of their defense. His ability to run and chase and cover helped the defense improve. He was rewarded with a new contract, which was well-earned.

64
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Rashan Gary
GREEN BAY PACKERS LB
He had his breakout season in 2021 with 9.5 sacks and should be even better this year. He also was fourth in the league with 47 pressures. He can rush with power and speed, which makes him a tough guy to handle.

65
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Keenan Allen
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS WR
He is coming off a season with a career-best 106 catches and remains a big part of the Chargers offense. He isn't a big-play threat down the field, with an average of 10.7 yards per catch, but he is a reliable chain mover.

66
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DK Metcalf
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS WR
He is physically one of the most impressive receivers in the league. He had 75 catches last season with 12 touchdowns. Imagine if he played in a pass-first offense?

67
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Chase Young
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS DE
He played just nine games in 2021, tearing an ACL to end his season. At the time, he had a disappointing 1.5 sacks. He didn't play as expected, but the talent is still there. He will be 10 months removed from the ACL injury when the team kicks off the 2022 season.

68
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A.J. Terrell
ATLANTA FALCONS CB
He quietly had an impressive season in his second year in the league. He is a long corner who can cover outside and is a willing tackler in the run game. He looks like a future star.

69
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Budda Baker
ARIZONA CARDINALS SS
His play fell off a little last season, but he still was one of the better safeties in the league. His tackle numbers were down, but he remains a big part of the Arizona defense and his importance can be noticed week in and week out.

70
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Diontae Johnson
PITTSBURGH STEELERS WR
He had a career-best 107 catches with eight touchdowns last season. He tied Davante Adams for the second-most targets per game at 10.6.

71
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DeAndre Hopkins
ARIZONA CARDINALS WR
Injuries limited him to 10 games last season and he had a career-low 42 catches. He did have eight touchdown catches. Now in his ninth season, he has to stay healthy, especially since he's already been suspended for the first six games.

72
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Robert Quinn
CHICAGO BEARS LB
It's probably a little of a surprise to see him on this list this late in his career. But after getting two sacks in 2020 for the Bears, he had 18.5 last season to finish third in the league. That means he's had double-digit sack totals in two of the past three seasons.

73
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Mike Evans
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS WR
He remains a big-play threat in the Tampa Bay offense, averaging 14.0 yards on his 74 catches last season with 14 touchdowns. He is entering his ninth season, but still can get behind defensive backs.

74
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Derwin James
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS FS
After being limited to five games over the 2019 and 2020 seasons because of injury, he played 15 games last season. He showed off his ability to play both the pass and the run in Brandon Staley's defense.

75
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Jordan Mailata
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OT
The Eagles just rewarded him with a big contract for a reason. He has developed into a good player with a chance this season to move into the top tier of tackles. He is good in pass protection and good in the run game.

76
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Brian Burns
CAROLINA PANTHERS DE
He had nine sacks last season for the Panthers, but he was a better pass rusher than those numbers would indicate. He also had 31 pressures to go with those sacks.

77
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Grady Jarrett
ATLANTA FALCONS DT
On a bad team, he remains a bright spot. His ability to push the pocket and play the run make him one of the better inside players in the game.

78
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Jordan Poyer
BUFFALO BILLS FS
He had five interceptions last year, teaming with Micah Hyde to give the Bills one of the best safety tandems in the game. Poyer has the range to cover a lot of ground.

79
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Austin Ekeler
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS RB
He rushed for a career-best 911 yards and also caught 70 passes, proving to be one of the best all-round backs in the game. He also scored 20 touchdowns, making him a fantasy player's delight.

80
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Arik Armstead
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS DE
He is coming off a six-sack season where he showed that he is a big, powerful end who can push the pocket. When the 49ers traded DeForest Buckner two years ago and kept Armstead, some wondered why. He showed why last season.

81
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DeForest Buckner
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DT
In his second season with the Colts after coming over from San Francisco, he wasn't as productive. His sacks feel from 9.5 to seven. He was still really good, but maybe just a tad behind the year before.

82
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Kyle Pitts
ATLANTA FALCONS TE
As a rookie, he was the primary pass-catching threat in the Atlanta offense. After a slow start, he came on strong and showed why he was a top-5 pick. He finished with 68 catches for 1,026 yards, but had just one touchdown catch.

83
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Deshaun Watson
CLEVELAND BROWNS QB
He's a tough player to rank. He hasn't played in two years and has the legal issues and a potential suspension hanging over his head. If he plays 17 games, he will be higher on this list next year.

84
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Trevon Diggs
DALLAS COWBOYS CB
He led the NFL in interceptions with 11, but he has to be more consistent in coverage. It isn't always about the picks. There were times where he had issues in man coverage. I think he will be better this year.

85
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Darius Slay
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES CB
He had one of his best seasons in 2021, showing off his ability to lock up in man coverage. With James Bradberry now on board, the Eagles have nice corner combo.

86
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Corey Linsley
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS C
After signing as a free agent last spring, he solidified the line in front of Justin Herbert. That is a unit that needed an anchor in the middle, and he responded with a good season.

87
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Lavonte David
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OLB
The leader of the Tampa Bay defense remains a top run-and-chase linebacker in their scheme. While Devin White's play leveled off a bit, David again had a good season. Age is starting to be a concern.

88
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Kyler Murray
ARIZONA CARDINALS QB
Murray got off to a fast start last season, but like the team he faded some down the stretch. He has to be more consistent to close seasons. He threw 24 touchdown passes with 10 picks, but his rushing numbers were down in a big way. This is a big year for him.

89
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Joe Mixon
CINCINNATI BENGALS RB
Playing 16 games, he had his best season in 2021, rushing for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. With an improved offensive line in 2022, expect those numbers to go up.

90
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Lane Johnson
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OT
When he's on the field, the Eagles seem to operate much better on offense. He has missed time with injuries, which has hurt, but he's still one of the best right tackles in the game.

91
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Demario Davis
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS OLB
He's a leader on their defense, with the ability to play well in the run and against the pass. He is getting up in age at 33, but he hasn't slowed down yet.

92
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Kenny Clark
GREEN BAY PACKERS NT
He is the anchor in the middle of their defense. His ability to hold up against the run is huge for what they do. He did chip in with four sacks last season.

93
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Bobby Wagner
LOS ANGELES RAMS MLB
His play dropped off some last year, which has to be a concern at his age. He doesn't run like he used to, but he makes up for it with his smarts. He will flourish in the Rams scheme.

94
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A.J. Brown
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WR
The Eagles traded to get him from the Titans to liven up their passing game. The only knock on him has been injury issues, but when he's on the field he's a big, powerful receiver.

95
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Jessie Bates
CINCINNATI BENGALS FS
His regular season in 2021 was a little uneasy, but he came on in the postseason. He admitted the contract situation bothered him early last year. He is playing under the franchise tag this season unless he signs a new deal by July 15.

96
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Joe Thuney
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OG
After signing as a big-ticket free agent last season, he lived up to the expectations. He was good protecting Patrick Mahomes and was solid in the run game -- even if they don't run it as much as some would like.

97
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Minkah Fitzpatrick
PITTSBURGH STEELERS FS
After an impressive 2020 season, his play dropped some last season. Early in the season, he just wasn't as good. But he came on late to help the Steelers make the playoffs.

98
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D.J. Moore
CAROLINA PANTHERS WR
Playing in an offense with a lot of bad quarterback play, he put up impressive numbers last season with 93 catches for 1,157 yards.

99
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Harrison Smith
MINNESOTA VIKINGS FS
The veteran safety is coming to the end of his career, but he put the talk that it's over to rest last season with another impressive year, even on a bad defense. He can do so many things as a safety in any scheme.

100
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Marcus Williams
BALTIMORE RAVENS FS
He is a safety who plays mostly in the middle of the field, which he will do for the Ravens. He's got good ball skills and he's developed into a good tackler, which helped earn him a contract as a free agent from the Saints.


HONORABLE MENTION: Penei Sewell, T, Detroit Lions; Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints; Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins; Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns; Shaq Mason, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers; Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins; D.J. Reader, DT, Cincinnati Bengals; Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos; Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders; Kenny Moore, CB, Indianapolis Colts; Tre'Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills; Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens; Matt Judon, EDGE, New England Patriots; Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns; Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets; David Andrews, C, New England Patriots; Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles; Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders; Randy Gregory, EDGE, Denver Broncos; Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles; Haason Reddick, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles; Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos; Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints; Tyrann Mathieu, S, New Orleans Saints; Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers; Leonard Williams, DE, New York Giants; Elgton Jenkins, OL, Green Bay Packers; David Bakhtiari, T, Green Bay Packers; Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings; Quandre Diggs, S, Seattle Seahawks; Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Phillips, S, New England Patriots; Harold Landry, EDGE, Tennessee Titans; Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts; Matt Ryan, QB, Indianapolis Colts; Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks; Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers; Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders; Cordarrelle, Patterson, RB/WR, Atlanta Falcons; Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Allen Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams; Brandon Scherff, G, Jacksonville Jaguars; Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings; and DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas Cowboys.


https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...have-three-of-top-10-aaron-rodgers-no-2/

On top of this... it was just a-cup-of-coffee-ago that he was at the low point of his life. He had "the security tape" drama coming to a close and then he was found with weed in his backpack on a traffic stop. He was clearly distraught (not to mention high) and I'll never forget one of the things he said (sounded like he was choking back tears) "I'm supposed to be playing in the Superbowl right now" (he was previously released by KC and then they went on to win).

So he ended up coming here, put his head down and now he's poised to either continue running over defenses or be the absolutely stud of the next round of FA. Cheers to him, he's a guy that'll probably leave but I'll always root for.

Given my life's story, I'm a big fan of second chances.

I'm also a firm believer in the idea that a man should not be permanently branded by his worst moment. By all accounts, 27 has been the model team mate/citizen since Day One in Berea. I know he's repeatedly expressed gratitude to the Browns for helping him resurrect his reputation/career, and his actions bear out his sincerity. It's really been fun to watch, because I took that 'wait&see' approach when he got here. I waited. I saw. I really like what my eyes are telling me.

One other point: dude played his college ball 8 minutes from my house, so I got to see a lot of him on my tv before most folks even knew what a Kareem Hunt was (MAC isn't splashy like the SEC).* The Ohio/local angle is something that appeals to the homer in me. Love these stories.

I haven't spoken much about the elephant in the room, but I'll say this now: I hate that the DW acquisition has come with such a cloud of controversy. It would have been nice to have outbid all others for a squeaky clean (baggage-less) trade, but here we are. I've been doing my best to extend the same 'wait&see' to #4, as it's only fair. I expect suspension time. How much is anyone's guess. What I do know is that when he does make it onto the field, he'll be part of a backfield that will give DC's sleepless nights 4 days/week, and nightmares during the other three.

I'm sure it will be something to see.



I'm a BG Falcon. I spent a lot of time watching this dude make my team look like Wm. McKinley HS from Anywhere, Ohio.

LONG overdue!!

I have so much respect for this guy's heart, motor, and leadership. Put him in! Long overdue.

LOL!
.!Say it with me! Loved the flick, especially that part.

I think Clay will make it. When you start sifting through the leftovers, he is no doubt one of the best who hasn't made it to the HOF.

Prisco listing DW 83rd is absurd.

He sould have put me in the top ten if Watson is 83.

Lists? I see things like the greatest rock bands. Or guitar players, or drummers etc.

Who is making the list and why should "their list" matter?

Has nothing to do with you showing his list. I should don't buy subjective lists.

Quincy has an interesting take:

I will disagree slightly w/Quincy in that while there is an emphasis on smaller, faster guys in the 4-2-5, there is also a need to have a bigger, stronger DL in the middle to eat blocks and stop the run. That's pretty much universal in that particular defense.

The GM has to weigh many factors. Sometimes it ends up as "it's just the way things go sometimes." No doubt just looking at the moves Berry has made. He had a proirity list on what he wanted to do.

DT is a position that he felt was not top priority. You can only do so much at a time. We know the positions that are on the top.

They have signed FA, drafted in the 3rd, made low trades. Hope to be adequate and develop within.

The big money is spent elsewhere. Unless you hit a lotto pick in the draft like Perrion.

CB, DE, then who looks or fits good.

I think he likes fresh players. Sheldon is still out there. They want Elliott to deliver. So, far they have not used a NT type. Every DT on the roster is right at 300 lbs.

j/c...

I like this.

Glad to hear this. He gave good effort when he played. He was starting to make an impact.

I hope he makes it back.

The more DL help the better

You get the feeling that with DW here the team seems to be a lot more enthusiastic about the season. That's why I hope Judge Robinson comes to a decision very soon so we can put all this behind us and plan for the season.

-We should see if we can get Malik McDowell back on the team if he's not in jail. He'd be a good fit.

If you click on the link, there is a video of the legendary Bruce Smith informing Myles of the award. Congrats to Myles and it's all very cool.

We line our DTs' at 2-i and 3-tech a lot, so together they're lined up on the inside shoulder of the OG, and the outside shoulder of the other OG, respectively.

I think that we will only carry four on our roster ... in part because we have big DEs' who will be getting pass rush snaps reducing down inside.

Personally I think that Day, although a better player at this point than Togiai, is more likely to make it to the PS, but if I had to make a depth chart today, then Togiai is #5 imo

One a side note:

Our DL Coach mentioned that Elliot came in from the off-season in good shape and he has bulked up to around 310 lbs.

Hopefully Takk doesn't try to come back to early and he is available later in the season, where injuries will inevitably open up a roster spot.

Is he even on the team? I thought he was on a 1 year deal?

He may be associated with the team in terms of any remaining medical care, but after that I don't think we hold any rights.

No, you're correct, he is a FA, but their is interest on both sides

.

j/c:


I thought he had already signed but apparently not. This guy talks a big game so I hope he can deliver on that.

Presented without comment......

I need a puke bucket!

Crazy to think we tried to trade a 2nd and a 3rd for one of them a few years ago.

''Crazy' is certainly one word to describe it......

Who fixed the fax machine?

File that one under "it could always be worse".

j/c:



Rolling it over to 2023? If so, that's a lot of rollover paper.

The cap isn't real.

Just wait until Berry restructures Watson's contract again next year and pays out the bulk of the money as a signing bonus and even more rolls over into 2024.

It's really just a neat idea that you have to pay attention to cause if you lose sight of it then it bites you.

If we do, I'm pretty sure that what we're rolling over covers all of Watson's cap hit for next year.

Man I got 30 lbs of water in me I got to get rid of - dieretics just not working out...wish I can do what that ump did, that is exactly how I feel...lol

Hope that is temporary, eo. That is a ton of liquid. Wishing the best for you.

EO, you might have tried them, but dandelion capsules helped my wife when she was in bad shape retaining water. If you haven't tried them, it wouldn't hurt to give them a shot. Results take a few days of steady dosing, then the dam breaks.

At the risk of sounding like a TV commercial or captain obvious, trying herbs and homeopathic treatment while taking prescribed medication shouldn't be done without talking to the doc first.

Yes, you are correct. Didn't think I needed to make a medical disclaimer or be a doctor to share something that worked in my house. But it is good you brought it up, it's good advice, and we do the same thing.

unfortunately not temp and my major problem should be dead bed holding out for a Championship season!

j/c:

Jerry Jones taking shots at former players, including Amari Cooper.

Jones is a guy I have to mute when he speaks.

Can not stand the guy. The Cowboys are so overrated and so over covered by the media.

Just like him to take cheap shots at former players.

I understand that Cooper is the best WR in the WR room.
But thats not saying much when you look how
Non productive the Browns WRs were last year.
Cooper is the #1 WR for the Browns, but how many other
Teams would he be a number #1 ?

Cooper is talented no doubt. But can he simply
Takeover a game if his number was called?
Almost sounds like he has some of traits that Dwayne Bowe
And Kenny Britt had.

My understanding is that this characterization kinda runs counter to Cooper's reputation.

No?

The only difference may be that Bowe and Britt definitely mailed it in when they were with us. No question.

I'm not so sure Cooper will turn out that way, despite what Jones or the Cowboys press said.

I have the gained/read the same impression. Jones is a turd...he did not name names...I'm guessing he's not talking about EVERY player gone from '21? Who knows.

and a mental "Midget"

There were some issues. Cooper did not get vaccinated and got Covid. He missed more time than Jones would have liked because of that decision. Cooper also took himself out of two games in crucial moments. Before the recent onslaught of high pay for WRs, Cooper was the highest paid guy at $20 million or so. He did drop a couple over the middle. His numbers dipped significantly this past year.

With that said, I think he is way better than what stripper is saying. He is a number 1. He is a skilled route runner and he's been very productive. I don't think he gets in trouble and doesn't run his mouth. I do think this is a pretty important year for him.

I think if the Browns are winning he will stayed motivated
And prove to be worthy of conversation regarding upper tier
WRs.but what,if the season is rocky and rough?
Small obersavation though, how will he do when its cold
And 25 degrees outside and the winds of Lake Erie
Are kicking up.
Some guys just cant adjust to those kind of conditions
I think traditionally he has not performed well
When its cold out.

j/c

Well according to the logic of some, since we only gave up a fifth round pick for Cooper, he must suck, right?

Shhh...someone is taking that as a "personal attack" as we read.

j/c:

Does Mr. Unlimited not realize parts of The Avengers and other Marvel movies were filmed here?!?

Wilson is washed up and is a shell of his former self.


in all seriousness, if he doesn't want to be here. he can go pound salt.

jc


I did not know that, wow. Guess I need to look that up, very interesting. On topic, many people know little about Cleveland except for the negative impressions of others. I haven't lived in Ohio for 45 years, but have family I visit every year. The city has many cultural venues, top tier restraunts, entertainment, professional sports and the Rock & Roll HOF that makes Cleveland as good as any other city. Better than Denver by far. Wilson can bite it.

Had they offered him a guaranteed 230 million reasons to be here things might be very different now. At one point watson didn't want to be here either.

Do you know what they offered?

I know they didn't even offer that to watson until they felt they had to. That's why watson went from the Browns were out of it to he wanted to come here. So it certainly wouldn't make sense to believe they offered 230 mil. to Wilson the first time around. It isn't that complicated.

So, no. No you don't.

Yeah, he would have turned down the biggest QB contract in NFL history. Even you don't believe that BS.

That's a lot of words for 'No'.

I'm glad that we ended up w/Watson instead of Russ. I knew the Browns needed an upgrade at qb due to the rapid progression of so many young qbs in the AFC. I thought about Russ as a possibility. However, he is short and has to drift out of the pocket and he takes a lot of sacks that are not the fault of his OL. He's not great from the pocket, either. The guy is a magician and throws a beautiful deep ball, but Watson is much more well-rounded and complete QB.

And that's not many words to admit even you don't buy your own BS.

I have read that Cooper is supposed to be an outstanding route runner and very good at shedding DBs to get open at the line of scrimmage. I am certainkly not qualified to evaluate and don't watch the Cowboys much so can anyone shed light on this?

Cooper is a feast or famine WR. Last year in game 1 he had 130
Yds receiving, then didnt register a 100 yd game the rest of
The season. Yeah hes a upgrade over Landry but thats not
Saying much.

Cooper is known as one of the best route runners in the league. I'm not sure about how he does in regards to getting off of press coverage at the LOS.

Actually he had another game for over 100 yards vs Minnesota on 10/31.

8 receptions on 13 targets for 122 yards.

I stand corrected.
I think.Cooper will need to produce more than.2-100 yd
Games in order to help this offense ascend.
He cant produce 126 1 week than the next 3 weeks
He totals 120 yds.
The Browns have lacked a home run.threat for years
Now at WR. Cooper needs to put fear in a secondary

I don't disagree with you. It will take more than name recognition.

In the years 2020 and 2021, Landry and Beckham combined for two 100 yard games.

My big concern with Cooper is his ineffectiveness outside of Dallas. he was always very good at home and very pedestrian on the road

j/c...

Happy voting.

Option 4 over Option 1 just slightly. Just the helmet on the 50 yd line, please.

The professionals don't necessarily agree with your amateur scouting report.
https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/ne...-not-to-sign-dallas-cowboys-amari-cooper

https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/article263841342.html

https://fantasysixpack.net/2022-fantasy-football-overrated-players/

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-dallas-cowboys-release-amari-cooper-free-agency-2022

https://twitter.com/pff/status/1208881199390887936?lang=en

Cooper is an aging number 2 receiver. If he is drawing the other teams best DB, he is in trouble

...and Baker is a washed up number 2 qb.

We'll see in a couple of years if that is true or not, now that he is freed from the most dysfunctional, moralless organization in sports

... Cooper is 28 and in his prime right now

Really?

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...-amari-cooper-one-nfl-best-route-runners

https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2015acooper.php

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...aking-his-route-running-to-another-level

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...e-are-3-ways-he-does-it-film-review.html

https://www.nfl.com/videos/amari-cooper-s-double-move-on-sluggo-route-creates-29-yard-gain

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...port-cowboys-got-potential-game-breaker/




Btw----how is Carolina's board?

Not sure, never visited - How's Watson's OnlyFans board?

Not looking good. He was outperformed by the 3rd and 4th string qb's yesterday. Maybe the receivers were running the wrong routes down there too, or he's having a hard time motivating the guys just there for a paycheck. Good thing that Cheesecake Factory is nearby.

charlotteobserver.com

Great! You should join.

"We like to put as many guys on the ground as possible, just because the act of picking yourself up off the ground takes something out of ya."

He's not superman just because the Browns have nobody else on the team and so no one else to talk about; That doesn't make the only guy you have suddenly become superman.

Thanks for posting that. Unlike Kyler Murray, I love watching game film. Our OL is something special.

Three quick notes:

That first clip where Conklin is blocking Chris Jones of the Chiefs. The coach mentions Jones' left arm as a weapon. Conklin did a great job, but it might have been smart to have Hunt chip Jones because his left arm was exposed.

The second thing is about Teller. Everytime I watch him, it is amazing just how freaking strong that man is. He freaking manhandles people.

Finally, watch how Teller is stepping. His lead foot shoots out first. Believe it or not, you really have to teach that. Think about track guys and how their back foot comes out of the blocks first. Watch how Teller goes to his right and steps w/the right foot first. Later, he does the same thing w/his left foot when moving left. This helps a blocker get his hat across a man's body and aides in coming out of the shoot as well as balance. It takes quite a bit of practice to commit it to muscle memory.

Hey Throw.......your constant negativity is a thing, but I'll post what I want. I did not say he was "Superman." I said he was a good route runner in regards to a question Fort asked awhile back and I then provided links to back-up my claim after it was challenged.

Notes: DL coach Chris Kiffin says Myles Garrett more ‘locked in’ than ever, sees DPOY award in his future

https://www.brownszone.com/2022/07/...than-ever-sees-dpoy-award-in-his-future/


BEREA — Chris Kiffin is in his third season coaching defensive end Myles Garrett. Kiffin has never seen his superstar quite like this.

“I know it’s (early in) camp, he’s been locked in more so than I’ve ever seen,” Kiffin, the defensive line coach, said Saturday before practice. “He’s out early to everything, he’s really taken the next step, as far as in our defensive line room being the leader. Obviously he does that for the team. But he knows that room is his now — he had some older guys when he first got in there — and he’s really locked in right now.

“Obviously the talent continues to keep getting better year to year.”

Garrett said Wednesday one of his personal goals for his sixth season is to “get some more DPOY votes.” Despite being a first-team All-Pro the last two years and totaling 28 sacks, he’s never received a vote for Defensive Player of the Year. He’s always wanted to win the award and is the betting favorite this season.

“I absolutely see that in his future,” Kiffin said. “I think he does, too.

“His time will come, and hopefully it’s this year.”

Kiffin was surprised Garrett hasn’t received any DPOY votes and didn’t have an explanation.

“I can’t speak on that. I would vote for him if I had a vote. I love coaching the guy,” Kiffin said. “I mean, why wouldn’t he get votes? He does everything we ask him to do. He plays the run, he’s all over the field, he hardly comes off the field, he impacts the game a number of different ways, he’s unblockable, has been as advertised, he’s gone through three guys before. So, yeah, I’ll vote for him.”

Garrett will be joined for the second straight season by Jadeveon Clowney at the other end. After waiting a good chunk of the offseason, Clowney re-signed on a one-year, $10 million contract.

“As you guys see, he’s happy right now,” Kiffin said. “He’s very happy to be out here. So we’re excited. When JD’s happy, everyone’s happy.

“Obviously he’ll get a little tired here when we start getting into the dog days of camp, make sure he has that same energy. But the guys are happy to have him back, he’s happy to be back and we expect the same results as last year, if not better.”

Clowney had nine sacks, 19 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

THE NEW GUY

The Browns acquired Chase Winovich from the Patriots in March in a trade for linebacker Mack Wilson. Winovich played outside linebacker in New England and will shift to defensive end, competing with rookies Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas and veterans Stephen Weatherly and Isaac Rochell for playing time behind Garrett and Clowney.

“He’s learning the techniques, he’s learning how to line up and things like that,” Kiffin said. “We’ve got to see when we put the pads on and get going if he’s a scheme fit and how he falls into line.”

BETTER BY THE DAY

When starting tight end Austin Hooper was cut in March, David Njoku moved into the No. 1 role and Harrison Bryant became No. 2. Bryant, a fourth-round pick in 2020, has 45 catches for 471 yards and six touchdowns in 31 games.

“Oh, my god, night and day,” Njoku said of Bryant’s improvement. “Even when he came here as a rookie, he was very, very good. Each day, the route-running, the catching, the blocking, everything, as an overall tight end, he’s improving every day.”

New tight ends coach T.C. McCartney said Bryant’s production through two years isn’t what anyone wanted but his performance has been solid.

“He does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet necessarily, but we expect him to take the next step, as well,” McCartney said.

BUCKEYE BACKUP

Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, had a quiet rookie season, totaling 16 tackles, a half-sack and a pass defensed in six games. He’s slotted to back up starters Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan.

“Right now, he’s a rotational guy for our two-deep on the depth chart,” Kiffin said. “I was pleased with Tommy’s rookie year. When his number was called, he was always around the ball making plays. He does everything right in our scheme. He’s got to take the next step like all these guys do.

“He’s a very, very strong individual. That gives you a chance to keep blockers off you, locate the ball, get off of guys like he does and get to the ball.”

INJURY REPORT

Receiver Isaiah Weston (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) was carted off the field with a knee injury. He’s an undrafted rookie from Northern Iowa.

The Browns finished practice down four receivers. Rookie third-rounder David Bell (foot) remains on the physically unable to perform list, Javon Wims is out with an illness and Anthony Schwartz strained his left knee Thursday. Schwartz wasn’t on the field for the second straight practice.

** Weatherly (knee) missed his first practice and wasn’t on the field.

** Right tackle Jack Conklin (knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (foot), defensive tackle Sheldon Day (back), linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (groin) and Bell again worked on the side.

EXTRA POINTS

Former left tackle Joe Thomas was at practice and received big cheers from the crowd.

** Clowney made it through the line and rejected a pass from Watson.

** Garrett “sacked” Jacoby Brissett in one of his reps with the first-team offense.

** Rookie sixth-round receiver Michael Woods II adjusted to catch a slightly underthrown deep ball from Brissett.

** The Puppy Pound is back for an eighth season, and 10 puppies were adopted.

'The glue': Safety Grant Delpit becoming a leader among Cleveland Browns defensive backs

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story...-harrison-lsu-interceptions/10144328002/

BEREA — As he begins his second season in Cleveland, free safety John Johnson III could barely contain his excitement.

He feels a better vibe with the continuity on the Browns’ defense. He envisions one of the league’s best safety trios as he teams with Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Grant Delpit. And Johnson sees a new “glue” in the defensive backs’ room.

Surprisingly, Johnson gave that designation to Delpit, the second-round pick in 2020 who missed his rookie season after rupturing his Achilles in training camp. Delpit started seven of the 15 games he played last season, was voted by teammates as the winner of the Ed Block Courage Award and was a standout in the Browns’ June minicamp.

“I think he's like a mixture of myself and Ronnie. I feel like he can do pretty much everything, and he has done it,” Johnson said of Delpit before Thursday's second training camp practice. “Even you go back to his LSU days, he pretty much did everything for them.

“Can take the ball away, he's explosive, he's a good leader, I think people sleep on that. He works hard, does everything right. I think he's just like the glue to the safety room, and honestly to the DB room.”

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski believes the fact that Delpit is starting to show leadership is a product of his understanding of the defense.

“Any leadership probably comes from him being more comfortable out there on the grass,” Stefanski said. “Natural leaders, that starts to come out of them when they can process information quickly and can react quickly and are doing their job.”

Johnson, 26, who signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, has high expectations for Delpit, 23. Last season, Delpit totaled 66 tackles, three for losses, one sack, one interception, a forced fumble and three pass breakups in starting seven of his 15 games.

“I mean, he could be one of the best, like period,” Johnson said. “In the game that we got today, our safeties we don’t really get mentioned in those top tier safeties. I think this is an opportunity for us — we know each other and we feed off each other — [to] be ... one of the best trios. I think we can be the best trio in the league and I’m just looking forward to it.”

The Browns return nine starters on defense, replacing two defensive tackles and nickel back Troy Hill. That’s why Johnson was enthused.

“It’s a lot different, like the vibe is way better,” Johnson said. “I don’t know if it’s just me, but everyone feels that same vibe, like we got a lot of guys back, that continuity is huge, especially on defense. It’s fun and we’re enjoying it and we can’t wait to get out on the field.”

That familiarity and the defensive backs’ versatility could allow defensive coordinator Joe Woods to play three safeties more often.

“That brings me back to last year when we were talking, ‘Oh, we’ll put three safeties on the field, how is it going to work’? We had a lot of ups and downs, but toward the end of the year we kind of meshed given whatever position the core safeties were playing,” Johnson said.

Asked if that look can be effective, Johnson said, “Oh, absolutely. Sometimes you want to bring more corners up there.

“I think bringing the safeties up there, especially with our skill types we can do pretty much anything — Ronnie and Grant they can play nickel. They play dime. They play whatever you ask them to do. So I think us three on the field, even whatever the offense gives us, I think we can stand up and play any type of defense.”

Johnson is just as confident about the Browns’ defense, which ranked fifth in the league last season, its highest since 1987 and the third time since 1970 it had cracked the top five. It was also fifth in pass defense, its highest finish since 2011.

Johnson believes his unit can build off how it played in the second half of last season.

“Towards the end of last year, we were like really rolling,” he said. “At the beginning of the year, we were kind of thinking a lot, we’re trying to get adjusted but even now it just feels natural.

“We don’t even have to say anything to each other, we just look and that’s the definition of a good defense, a good secondary from what I’ve learned.”

The Browns are emphasizing takeaways after totaling 13 interceptions and six fumble recoveries last season. Johnson tied cornerback Denzel Ward for the team lead with three interceptions, but Johnson wants more as he strives to improve as the Browns' last line of defense.

“Being a perfectionist playing deep, that’s just me personally,” he said. "Usually if you can limit big plays you’re going to win the game and have a good defense. I think that’s my role, being the air traffic control, not let anything get behind us and playing deep.

“We were just watching teach tape and relearning the systems and I popped on a lot of the clips. I’m like, ‘OK, I’ve got stuff to build on, but I also did some good things last year.’”

Johnson’s former team won the Super Bowl in February, and he said “it was bittersweet” watching the Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.

He was in Los Angeles and had tickets to go to the game, but decided to watch it on television.

“I know most of the guys; there are a lot of new guys as well. I know the work that they put in, their daily rhythm, their daily routine,” he said. “They were deserving of it, it’s not like it’s a fluke or anything.”

But Johnson didn’t wish he had been there.

“Nah, I’m where my feet are,” he said. “I like being here and I think we can get there with our group.”

Thanks to you and P-dawg for all the articles about Browns football. It's appreciated.

Yep, and that's what I was looking for. Didn't realize he was an aging number 2 receiver, especially after I had read an article related to his route running, Just looking for confirmation. Thanks Vers.

You're welcome.

Lol Carly Teller says that after our most successful few years in like 30

"Browns fans... just livin' that dream."

j/c:

To her point, AJ Green has been a great find for us. He’s making our secondary even better with Newsome in the slot

This article has NFL news. I didn't want to start a new thread and wasn't sure where to put it. The news on Brady is mysterious and a shout out to James White, who had a very nice career in NE.

Usually when everyone from all different backgrounds have disagreements with one person it means the one person is in the right, right?

j/c:

A little news about the Browns:

Tough spot for the Browns because it sounded like DW could use those reps before his return too.

Giving Brissett all the first team reps is the only logical move going forward. Even if Watson was only going to miss six games then Brissett should be getting all the reps.

So say the suspension ends at six weeks. Is Watson allowed to practice if it's less than a year? If not, how many weeks of practice do you give him before putting him back on the field? I feel that if he can not practice, he will need at least a couple of weeks to be dropping those dimes in games.

It will probably be more than 6 games, but for the purpose of providing an example.......here is how I believe it works.

Watson could practice and play throughout the preseason.

Watson would be away from the team's facilities through the first 3 weeks. He would be eligible to return to the facility and practice after week 3. He would be able to practice for weeks 4-6 and start game 7.

The suspended player can return to the team to practice and use the facilities after the halfway point of the suspension. So say it is 10 games. Watson would be available during preseason. He would be away from the team through week 5. He could return to the facilities after week 5 and play in game 11.

To add to that:

If it’s an indefinite suspension Watson is gone and can’t come back until the league tells him he can come back. No more preseason or practice reps. No early return to knock the rust off.

Yes.

And not to hijack the thread, but I think it might be noteworthy that the NFL didn't announce the decision by Harvey on Thursday or Friday and that Watson issued an apology of sorts. That makes me think that a settlement might be forthcoming. I could be wrong, but it makes some sense.

Frankly, I just want closure because I'm sick of reading, hearing, and talking about it. It will be nice to get back to talking about football.

I sure agree with this comment, vers...set the punishment, serve the punishment and take care of the off the field stuff and we will seeya whenever you get back on the field...go Browns..!

One of the benefits of having a set suspension is the fact that he can come back and practice halfway through. At this point just set the 8 or 10 games or whatever and let us focus on getting Brissett ready

Poor Sue Robinson, undermined by the league that brought her in for her judicial experience.

I agree. Even if Watson's suspension stays at 6 games. Once Watsons comes back, he doesn't have to be inserted as the starter for a few games. It might not be ideal, but a QB rotation of sorts could be used.

I think Watson starts right away if it stays at 6 games. Remember, he would return to practice after week 3 and that would give him weeks 4-6 to get reps in practice.

Robinson was jointly hired by the league and the NFLPA. No one was undermined. The appeal was always a possibility and it seems like the judge wanted her ruling to be appealed based on her findings.

There is an issue with Watson practicing during the suspension, time is limited and each week the practices are geared toward the upcoming opponent. Will the Browns really want to sacrifice reps to the starter over a 3, 4, 5, 6 or longer week period which would clearly have an effect on winning or losing? The biggest complaint that shows up when the backup is forced into action is the lack of reps with the 1st team due to game planning. Would it be in the Browns best interest to split reps for something that won't occur most likely for a month or more. If the Browns do this, it would basically be cashing in on the season because the ultimate loser would be Brissett or whomever the starter might be. How much negative feedback, not to mention team attitude, would rear its ugly head if the Browns are losing while the starter is splitting valuable reps with a player that cannot even play?

Likewise, what do the Browns do if they are winning with Brissett? If the Browns are let's say 7-3 or 9-4, do they bench the QB that got them to that level for a player that hasn't played a real snap in over 500 days? I get that Watson is a better player, but would he really be the better guy after sitting for so long and the backup doing his job at a top level? There's a lot more that is going to rear its ugly head as the weeks go on and on. What those issues are going to be, no one knows for sure but going card blanche with an attitude as to what is going to happen with Watson is premature at best. Just my opinion.

If Watson can play, he starts.

" Frankly I just want closure" ?

Frankly I'm trying to reside my beliefs that the Browns future lies probably in the performances of Josh Dobbs, and whomever comes out of college in.. 4 years?
I think there will probably be a settlement that gives the Browns their contract back, but not their draft picks.
Deshaun- will probably never play in the NFL again
Dobbs- will proabably overtake Jacoby for the starter position,
and the Browns will be right back in uarterback jersey names list-ville.
Who knows, just a guess.

After Friday night, is that referring to his eligibility or his performance?

Jeremy Fowler was on Get Up and he said that the Browns plan on starting Watson in week 7 if the 6-game suspension stands because they would have 3 weeks to get him ready. I don't think the Browns really care about fans on a message board who will rear their ugly heads no matter what the Browns and/or Watson do. LOL

100%

It means some people can think rationally without being a homer on a board full of homers.

It's what is known as the contractually agreed upon process.

In theory. I would hope we would still be trying to win the games while he is getting reps.

If Brissett is playing poorly, Watson starts out of the gate. If the Browns are winning and Brissett is playing well, I am not so sure Watson starts right away.

I was thinking about that.

What if the Browns are 6-0, averaging 42 points/game, and Brissett has an average 120 QBR?
Unlikely? Yes
Impossible? no

If this is the case, how do you replace Brissett?

Impossible? Yes.

Trade him for a #2 and 3 and pay half his salary!!!!!!!

It's going to be a rough season. Everyone should strap up for that reality.

This is where I am at and my enthusiasm for this point of the off-season is at an all time low. Defense might be good enough to squeak into the playoffs despite all the challenges. But we need a good deal of luck and health.

Do you think the record will be worse than last year?

Joel Bitonio wonders whether JC Tretter is being blackballed for his stance on player safety

Posted by Mike Florio on August 14, 2022, 1:16 PM EDT
link



Colin Kaepernick may have some company.

Free-agent center JC Tretter, who also happens to be the NFL Players Association’s president, remains available, in the middle of August. Former Browns teammate Joel Bitonio suggests that Tretter’s role as a vocal advocate for player safety could be contributing to his ongoing unemployment.

“When you have a guy that’s top-five, top-10 at center in the league and he’s not on a roster, you know, and he’s the NFLPA president and maybe some of the owners don’t appreciate what he brings to the table on certain topics when he’s trying to protect player safety and things of that nature, it seems a little suspicious to me,” Bitonio said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “But, again, I don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. I don’t know what his conversations have been with teams and stuff, but just from an outside perspective usually players that are close to the top of their game get picked up. Teams want to win in this league. So it’s an interesting topic, for sure.”

Teams want to win in this league. That was the excuse the Commissioner repeatedly gave for teams not signing Kaepernick. Teams want to win, so they would never fail to pursue a player who can help them win. (Unless they’re tanking, of course.)

The Browns cut Tretter earlier this year, saving more than $8.235 million in cap space. The Browns also lost center Nick Harris for the season on Friday night. The Bucs previously lost center Ryan Jensen, possibly for the year. There has been no serious suggestion that either team will sign Tretter.

None of this has stopped Tretter from doing his job for the NFL’s players. On Saturday, Tretter sounded off on the condition of the playing surface at Soldier Field.

A fourth-round pick in 2013, Tretter spent four years with the Packers and five with the Browns. He ranked 89th on the Pro Football Focus list of the top 101 players of 2021.

Would it be crazy to think that owners are shying away from Tretter because he has become an agitator to the oligarchs? Nope. That’s another reason why high-profile (and highly-compensated) quarterbacks should be more involved in union leadership. They’re far less likely to be blackballed, and they’re far more likely to take command of the rank and file if/when a line must be drawn in the sand — even if it means a work stoppage.

For now, it makes sense to pay attention to what happens with Tretter. If the goal is to keep him out of the league because he helps run the union, ignoring it makes it easier for the owners to pull it off.

I have brought this up multiple times on this board. The guy's PFF numbers are outstanding. Unless he wants to not have to deal w/TC like cfrs suggested, I think it's entirely possible that the NFL blackballing him. That's not stated as a fact, but it is worth contemplating.

I know one thing............the NFL doesn't care about player safety, women, or anything else that doesn't make them money. If they can use it to make money, they will. But, it's not because they really care about people.

We're going to find out how much they acre about women here very soon.

This is great, one of our best players openly wondering if the Browns have "blackballed Tretter"..this after losing Nick Harris to a knee injury on the second play of the Jacksonville preseason game.

Make no mistake about it, Bitonio is talking directly to then Browns front office, Haslam, Depodesta and Andrew Berry...do they care enough about the team and winning to do the obvious..?

Watch some team like the rams, patriots or steelers .. teams that put winning first...watch one of those teams scoop Tretter up and defy those teams and the league that is attempting to blackball Tretter.

The Browns have the top need for Tretter...will the Browns owner and his Harvard boys put winning first..?

Now you want these girls shipped off to work in the fields?

Seems like a much weirder perversion that Watson's.

Where and how dd you make up that stupid BS?

I disagree. I think he is referencing the entire league. Teams make roster moves based on salary and age all the time. However, it seems odd that no one has picked Tretter up.

I had to quote that. This was great.

The Browns did put winning first by trading for Watson, and you have not been on board with that move.

The Steelers put winning first by standing by Pig Pen, and you appear to give them an atta boy for that.

This is what happens when you mix moral high ground with fanaticism. You often paint yourself into a corner with a bunch of double talk.

I'm being just as tough on watson than I was ben. Sadly many people don't realize the world has changed and while it has been far too late, people are actually taking the sexual abuse of women far more seriously now and understand it has not been dealt with near harshly enough with in the past. I thought that ben wasn't punished nearly enough back then. I feel exactly the same about the 6 games of watson as it stands now.

rish...sweeping your manure to the side...the bottom line is, will the Harvard Boys and their fearless leader do what is best for the Browns to "WIN NOW" and fix the situation facing them by signing Tretter...or will they push "winning now" down their list preferring to "blackball Tretter" and go with a career backup at center while kicking Tretter to the curb because he is a "UNION REP"...

Rish..what say you..? WINNING FIRST ? or NFL anti-union politics the first priority of Haslam and his Harvard Boys.

vers..and look at you, trying to play both sides...lol...

I’ll jump in here .. if Watson doesn’t play I can’t see us getting to 7 wins. AFC and our division is tough

Dodgeball must be your favorite movie ...Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.

To answer your question, my guess would be "no, they won't". This isn't the Rams' front office. These guys are playing the long game. They would rather lose short-term for long-term stability and getting ten, fifteen, twenty cracks at a super bowl than one. I don't think I agree with that philosophy for a reason I stated earlier...I believe the odds of going all in and winning one super bowl over twenty years is greater than winning more than one by playing the long game, IMO. Although both have their merits and risks. The Rams were a dropped interception away from not making it into to the Super Bowl last year so it could have all blown up.

Me personally, I would go all in for this year if I were the FO. That means Jimmy G and Tretter.

I think the Browns can make the playoffs with average QB play if the following two things happen -

1. Defense becomes top 5 and the Browns are winning on the backs of their defense.
2. Stefanski really shines as a coach... team is prepared and appears to over perform and out coach the other side.

Absent those two things I think the record will be about the same as last year, but ultimately, I just don't think we make the playoffs.

If I were putting money on it, I don't think there will be many fun Sundays.

D4...I disagree with only 7 wins...

If "STEFANSKI" is anything close to the QB guru he has been advertised to be, between Brissett, Dobbs and Rosen...if he can't mold at least one of our QBs into a legit NFL starting QB, capable of winning 11 or 12 games and making the playoffs...Stefanski should be sent packing.

The trio of QBs playing behind Watson are capable if Stefanski can mold his offense to at least one QBs capability. Show us what you have, Stefanski..!

As much of a skeptic as I am of Stefanski, this is too harsh.

Our max ceiling with Watson was 11 or 12 games. No way you're getting that with anyone else.

j/c:

With all the speculation, conjecture or possible scenarios, how about this -

Watson is suspended 10 games.
Brissett is injured or benched after three games.
Rosen has the finger of epiphany touch his skull and comes in to take us to 7-3, 6-4 or something like that.
Watson comes back, looks below average in his first few couple of games after so much time off.
But, a wildcard spot is still achievable.

Would it be comparable to a Couch/Holcomb thing? A gut decision?

Kidding.

Just getting restless for the season to start.

When we are faced with the quality of the defense and special teams units that have been built to support Stefanski and his " renowned" offensive skills and his history for developing NFL quality QBs...like I said, if Stefanski can't mold his offensive capabilities to fit one of the 3 QBs behiind Watson, then Stefanski fails as a QB guru.

Not with who is on the roster now. I agree. I think BM will get 9 wins out of a much worse Panthers team - and while the Panthers have a weak division, I also think they are a bad team and badly coached so far by Rhule ... so I think we'd have easily got yo 11+ wins with BM and a first round pick. I fully understand and expect you might not agree.

That would be nice! We might be looking for a new coach then because I don’t have the confidence that others do in our ability to get to .500 without a good Qb

I said it on an earlier post. If we play the whole season without DW I can see 6-8 wins tops.

That’s about what I’d guess too. I think we can beat NYJ, Pittsburgh once, Carolina or Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore once, Washington, New Orleans, and maybe New England

j/c...

Hey Schwartz did something (good)!

We won 8 games last year w/terrible QB play and issues in the locker room. I think we can win that many and may challenge for a playoff spot.

I'm curious how you come to this conclusion when Baker, over his career and not just last year when he was hurt, has been a very poor 4th quarter QB. Even during the nice run to finish 2020, the Browns were up almost every single game they played in the second half of the year with the exception of the Bengals and the Ravens, his two best games as a pro (and yes, he was clutch in those games and played great).

He just has not proven to be able to deliver in the clutch. To me, you cannot count double digit wins with a QB who can't deliver at the end of games. That's really what it comes down to for me. The eye test says it's true and the stats back it up. If Baker were able to deliver in the clutch, I think he'd still be on the team, and I think those 11 wins would be achievable. And I'd be excited as hell about the season. Believe it or not, I'm sad things didn't work out with Baker. He was exactly what this team needed, and over all the 4 years had a lot of highs. It sucks it didn't turn out for us the way it did the Bills. I have mixed feelings about it at the end of the day. But I just don't think he was good enough.

It would be a neat comparison IF DW plays this year if he played with the same injuries Baker played with last year. Weird, I know. But your despise of Baker permeates basically every post you make, and your love of DW does as well. 1-7.

I like Anthony Schwartz. I like his speed and am really pulling for him to have a positive impact on this team.

There is no arguing with the fact that Baker was terrible last year. With regards to well we can do this year Baker’s injuries are not a concern. He was terrible. If we had average QB play we would have been in the playoffs. The team is probably more talented this year. With average QB play we should be able to make the playoffs. Jacoby Brissett was awful when he played last year.

j/c:

I think people are underestimating just how good our OL is and just how important OL play is to a team.

I also think that we have excellent backs.

I think Brissett won't turn it over as much as Baker and take fewer needless sacks.

I think Cooper is a very good WR.

I think Njoku is going to be featured this year and he is looking very good in camp. He's been killing Delpit.

Our D is strong. Our corners are excellent and our Edge guys are strong. The D got better and better over the course of the year.

It's a prediction, so it certainly is not a given, but I think it would be shocking if we only win 6 games. I think we will have a winning record but won't be a contender for the Super Bowl because we won't have Watson for most of the season and the AFC is freaking loaded w/great young qbs and very good teams. I think the most challenging aspect of this season is listening to all the negativity from certain posters on this board and how fighting will be more prevalent that actual discussions.

Unless something changes dramatically, I expect the Browns offense will see 8 in the box with line checks on the TE's forcing Stefanski outside his comfort zone. I see the best defender on Cooper and daring the Browns to try to throw from the 12 personnel that I expect the Browns to be running a lot of this year. Unless Stefanski has suddenly learned how to make half time adjustments, I look for an even more ho hum offense than what we experienced last year.

The same goes for the defense. Unless something changes dramatically, I expect teams to pound the middle of the Browns defense. The Browns had the worst rated PFF DT's in the league in 2021 and the worst of the bunch, Elliott, is expected to anchor that position as we speak. Unfortunately, when you're weak up the middle like that, players tend to overcompensate to help out. When the Browns defense does that, they become susceptible to the play action pass.

If that happens (like I think it will) and the Browns fall behind, they do not have the kind of Stefanski offensive scheme to play from behind. Falling 10-14 points behind eliminates Chubb from the equation and as of today, they don't have the QB or WR's to make up for Chubb's lack of production especially when trying to come from behind.

Being that Harris is now gone for the year, question marks on the OL could arise. However, staying with the trend of the forum, injuries have no bearing on the QB's play so next man up!

I wasn't aware of this...

I think soft tissue stuff is so prevalent now that teams use the early part of camp to be very careful with this stuff. I hope it’s nothing serious

It sounds minor, but hamstrings can be tricky. Doesn't take much to tweak it again and they take forever and a day to heal.

And I wasn't arguing any of that. At all. But thanks for playing. And I disagree the team is more talented this year. But, what do I, or you, know.

I just know baker was hurt for 14+ games last year. With 1 injury that some ex qb's said was almost impossible to play with. Now, I know, I'll get labeled a Baker fanboy.

I'm not. He's gone. I AM a Browns fanboy. I've been told on her, repeatedly, how much better DW would be. Just 1 pre season game, I know. And who knows how he'll do, IF he plays.

I hurt my hamstring chasing after a soccer ball during my daughter's soccer game back in April or so. A kid kicked the ball off the field and it was heading for a hill where it was going to roll down and roll forever. I was the closest parent and broke into a sprint to get to the ball before it got to the hill. In addition to tweaking my hamstring, my wife said I looked like an idiot.

My hamstring is still not the same and has not healed even 1%. I'm still able to play basketball if I stretch for about twenty minutes, and it takes a game or two before it loosens up and doesn't bother me.

I have a whole new appreciation for hamstring injuries.

No-one really wants to get into an in-depth discussion of the player no longer on the team. We disagree. Your 4th Q comments are genuine concerns. It's statistically factual. I happen to think he has a ton of mitigating factors from no-clue Freddie trying to score again against Seattle inside 2 minutes before the half when (if memory serves) we were 3 TD up, to ultra-conservative play calling when we've had leads with KS. Some think the injury didn't make a difference - I think the 55% completion after the injury vs 80% completion % pre-injury is an indication that maybe it had a slight impact. Maybe. I think Baker doesn't go thru progressions as fast as he needs to, I think his height is an issue with batted balls, but beyond that I think he is and will be a top 15 QB.... Like we've said, we'll get to see with a roster that is ranked about 28th in the NFL by ESPN, PFF, SI etc. . . . and that would make him about average which is what all these posts are saying we need to get to 11+ wins (or that's sort of the gist even if that's not spelled out in black and white.... you know we can't make generalist comments coz someone will be here to throw nasty names about and call me a liar).

To be clear I don’t think average QB gets us 11 wins. I think it gets us in the playoff race.

That's fair. Although I'm not 100% convinced 10 wins gets you into the playoffs with the Ravens and Cinci to duel against. It might be wild card spot at best. 9 wins probably won't get you there.

However we won 8 games last year with 'terrible' play. We have a better roster ... so average QB doesn't even get us 3 more wins over the terrible play last year? It's possible the better QB play doesn't guarantee 3 more wins, there are so many moving parts ... but it does seem a bit odd to talk about the terrible play last year, better roster this year, and then not think we can win 3 more games with Average QB play. You'd think 1 more win is a must/guaranteed, 2 more wins is highly probable - 3 more wins 50%+ chance?

Some people, (some not all), may underestimate just how 'bad the WR group .. will end up' , and how important WR play is to a team.
-----------------

Originally posted by Versatile Dog: " I think people are underestimating just how good our OL is and how important OL play is to a team."
----------------


Well I think people may be underestimating just how bad the WR group will end up and how important WR play is to a team.

I dont agree we have a better roster. Receiver is worse. DT is worse. And even though we resigned clowney he won't play all season unless we are winning. He'll find a way to sit if he feels we don't have a chance to win which will make it harder on Myles. I have high hopes for JOK but linebacker is pretty weak too. Walker is one of the worst I've seen. We've also taken a step back at center.

I think Watson was supposed to come here and elevate the play of the team, but that's shot.

It's going to be a long season.

So let me get this straight. The Browns had to go out and get Watson because they would never have a chance to make it to the Super Bowl without an elite QB. Now that Watson's disgusting behavior off the field will most likely see him missing the majority if not all of the season, it is now the determination that an average QB can get us into the playoffs in a conference that is ultra-loaded with elite QB's?

This forum amazes me sometimes. Now Mayfield doesn't even qualify as an average QB according to some. Thank heavens Mayfield was able to get away from this unappreciative mess. Brissett was horrible last year, no question. The fate of the Browns is currently in his hands. 3 previous failures as the designated starter means nothing. Not to worry, the Browns have upgraded the QB position. 8 wins tops and that's if the Browns stay totally healthy. Whoops, injuries have no bearing on the play of the QB per forum guidelines.

Super Bowl or bust with Brissett! If the Browns don't at least make it to the conference championship minimum, it's time for Stefanski to go. Injuries don't matter and he got his upgraded QB room.

Three wins is a lot. I would guess we win one or two more if we had average QB play. I don’t think Brissett is average.

Cool, Kidding just restless for the season to start,
With all the speculation, conjecture, and possible scnearios,
HOW ABOUT THIS
I was thinking today, If I were an odds maker,...
where would an odds maker set the line for Wins by Baker Mayfield in 2022, and Browns team wins in 2022.
Now in 202I, Baker had 6 wins, the Browns won 2 more with others at @b, Keenum.
so, If I'd project, Baker wins, in Carolina, with their easier road imo
and Browns wins, in 2022 with their dysfunction imo,
------------
I'm thinking Baker minus one. so that I think, if Baker wins X games with the Panthers
and the Browns win one less than X, then the casino house would keep all the money from both sides' bets.
Who would be the better bet.
Would you set a different line.

Just clicking. I see posters here already throwing in the towel. We have a good supporting cast on O, better than what JB has had IMO. We also gave a lot of talent on D (Can’t wait to see JOK I’m his second year).

You should be happy, Rish - Baker is gone.

How about starting a Baker thread so those of us who just want to discuss the team don't have to listen to the constant whining of a few guys that ruin every freaking thread on this forum.

I'll be happy if we win.

Otherwise it's a waste of a season in a long line of wasted seasons.

Not sure if you are referring to my comment. Look through my posts if you want to know my stance on the QB change (signing/trade). It is just irritating that Rish and some others are saying we are done like dinner if DW is ‘unavailable’ for the 2022 season.

No, I wasn't referring to you. You don't play that crap.

How about you start talking about DW instead of bashing a guy who isn't even on the team, in basically every post? That'd be neat.

Tell us how great DW did.

And before you go 'dumb' on us all, I'm a BROWNS fan. Baker's gone. I care about the BROWNS. Stick that in your agenda.

Good night.

Can't take your own grief?

You, pit and ocd (on different threads) have made this place intolerable to logical people.

Let’s step back, take a deep breath and exhale. Our QB status is up in the air because the NFL keeps wasting our time, plus the DW thing (not important lol).

We’re bitchier than a lonely housewife with three kids, no booze left and a husband who won’t communicate.

Btw, does anyone else want to Rosen get more snaps?

Dion Sanders said the Pro football hall of fames' standards have become too low.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...fame-has-lowered-standards-for-inductees

Annnd that's the first time in 30 years I've agreed with anything Deion Sanders has had to say. And probably the last.

And Clay Mathews' Jr. STILL deserves induction under the more stringent demands that the Prof Football hall of fame should have.

I don't want Rosen to get more snaps. Maybe Dobbs. ( What was wrong with Baker again?) hmm. Oh well.

Nah.........I want to see a certain poster stop talking about a qb that isn't here, and I'd like that poster to tell us how bad DW looked. 1 preseason game, I know. But hell, dude might not even play this year.....

Hey dude, you started the freaking BS by bringing up Baker. You have the freaking balls now to post some kind of crap like this because someone takes exception to your thread. You are the biggest hypocrite on this forum. 90% of the BS that goes on in this forum is because of your constant belittling of anyone who doesn't agree with you, especially your upfront hate of Mayfield. For me and the other Browns Fans that want to talk about the Browns, you can kiss my azz!

I humbly apologize to every other poster on this board for my unprofessional rant. I'm just so tired of his 51,247 posts of attacking loyal Browns Fans.

Why does everyone care so much if Vers hates Mayfield? That seems to be a huge triggering point for some of you.

Without even seeing his posts 90% of the mentions of Baker I see in these threads are from him and people calling other Baker Fans Boys. It's amusing

But seriously. It’d be cool if Josh Rosen went Jim Plunkett on us.

J/C

I fall into the category of thinking that Brissett is not an average QB. He was pretty bad last year.

Jim Plunket is a former NFL @uarterback, who played for sixteen years.
he achieved his greatest success during his 'FINAL' 8 seasons, including 2 SB titles.

[quote=Dawgs4Life]J/C

Actually, he's been pretty bad anytime he's been made the starter. However, the Browns wanted an upgraded QB room, so they went out and got 3 replacements for the players they bounced. It only stands to reason that those moves would have only been made if they were upgrades to the position, right? Excuses flying now that the Browns might not win with the upgrades, they made now seems a little wishy washy. I mean after all, the Browns won 8 games last year just missing the playoffs with a QB that was injured for 15 games and so horrible he single handedly made us miss the playoffs and backups that went 2-0. You'd think that our new room just being healthy would win more games - whoops, injuries are no excuse for poor play so the upgrades should net us more win's, right?

If no excuse is acceptable for 2021, then winning in 2022 should be expected no matter the circumstances - just saying...........

Second time in as many weeks: This truly is sig material. It's 100% us... in a nutshell.
You should consider it.
Seriously.

Quote of the week.

L
M
F
A
O

No-one cares that Vers hates Baker. I think you know that.

I think some care about his hypocrisy, his bullying, his victimhood and his telling everyone where and what to post. And then there's all the times he criticizes posters for not calling out other posts that he feels are questionable. Or when he starts a debate like he did with Arch early, get's pwnd and then runs away. Another good one is the constant mentioning of posters without ever actually addressing those posters. Personally I cared when he spammed the board for an evening calling me "evil"..... but like I said, I think you knew all that.

Haha for some reason I got the image of Jack and Wendy Torrance in The Shining

It's just a message board. My personal feelings is no one should be getting that emotional over stuff that is posted on here. Seems like a lot of energy to waste on a message board.

Bruh- that's dark af.
Perfect- for a CLE fan.

Priceless.

Here lies the random CLE fansite poster... frozen, waiting to be found after the inevitable post-Super Bowl thaw...

Hmmm... seems like that message would be most effective if delivered to a particular poster's inbox... Ironically enough.

My friend, I have come to understand that every season is going to be a rough season unless everything meets your expectations.

Last year you were all over Baker for being a trash QB. We were in the playoff hunt. Even if we go with Brissett all season I feel we will still be in the playoff hunt. By most measures that isn't a rough season. Thus far in his career Brissett hasn't turned the ball over very much, so that alone is a upgrade at QB. I also think Brissett knows his limitations which Baker did not so we should see a better short to intermediate passing game, especially with the addition of a bigger target in Bell.

😂 😂

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...mp;cvid=c6a76d0536384863b176afe695e4e565

Browns players clearly don't understand what Deshaun Watson did wrong
John Buhler - Yesterday 4:10 PM

Joel Bitonio's awful quote means Cleveland Browns are still clueless about Deshaun Watson.

Browns players clearly don't understand what Deshaun Watson did wrong

If there was any hope that the Cleveland Browns understood the severity of Deshaun Watson's previous actions, Joel Bitonio removed all doubt with the most tone-deaf quote in quite some time.

After getting booed relentlessly by all of Duval County in their first preseason game of the summer vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bitonio tried to spin this as little more than Cleveland vs. Everyone nonsense.

It is not the same thing as being booed by your fans with bags on their heads after going 0-16.

Joel Bitonio provides the most tone-deaf quote ever over Deshaun Watson mess
You know what the absolute shame in it all is? Bitonio is dragging the great people of Cleveland into the flaming pile of s**t that is this football franchise. If Jimmy Haslam would rob truckers blind, of course, he would give a sexual predator an unprecedented, fully-guaranteed contract to join his team because what is shame, honestly? If you want to root for a new team, you have time.

Of course, not all players are going to blabber festering nonsense to a well-respected beat reporter, but they all got a job to do. This was a team seen as having a top-six roster in all of football entering last season. Since losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 AFC Divisional Round, the Browns have once again been what they usually are in most years: A dumpster fire.

Although they may still have the talent to make the playoffs, they are not picking up any new fans this year. Will players start to think Boo is their name like Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird? They can try their best to tune them out, but they do not have the organizational stability to navigate such a never-ending onslaught of negativity they are about to endure. It is going to be so, so bad…

For the love of god, let's not print out brown and orange "Cleveland vs. Everyone" shirts this year.

Is the above your commentary or is it some op-ed? Is Bitonio quoted somewhere in that mess?

That guy is a Falcons fan. I think he's mad the Falcons didn't sign Watson.

There are times when you love being right. There are other times you really wish you were dead wrong.

During drafts I spend a good bit of time looking at positions that seem apparent that the Browns will draft. This draft it was receivers. I looked at all of them.

One guy I thought we could get after the trade was George Pickens. He had slipped IMO in the draft because he didnt play much his last season. To me he looked like first round material that we could get in the second round. He was the 52 pick in the second round and of course. He went to the Steelers.

So far he has been the the buzz at Steeler camp. He had 3 catches for 43 yards and niffy td catch with toe tap in the endzone. The word from Steeler camp was no surprise. He has torn up camp.

Totally pisses me off. I am not sure about our draft yet. I sure hope Bell pans out and is great. But damn I hate seeing Pickens playing well.

I don't feel this is a good thing.

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland...ossibilities-2022-191333270/#191333270_1


I had real concerns about this position before the draft. I am fine with Cooper and DPJ.

After that we are weak. An injury to either guy and we are looking at a problem. You do not want to rely on a third round rookie who has now missed camp time.

I am wondering how Andrew will handle this.

j/c:

For the record, I have not been talking about Baker at all. I post a lot of tweets and articles. I have been commenting on the team. There was a conversation occurring about how many games we would win this upcoming year. Six games was mentioned. I countered by saying that we had terrible qb play last year. I did not elaborate. It's undeniable. I also talked about how important a very good OL is, our excellent RBs, Njoku poised to be a bigger part of the offense, Cooper being a very good WR, our Edge rushers, our excellent corners, etc.

Of course trouble starts. Some people come here to fight and nothing else. It's so freaking old how a few people ruin threads for others.

I like Slayton as a WR. He's been pretty good for NY. Golladay has been a bust w/the Giants. He dropped another easy one last night. Tyler Johnson is interesting, but not sure he is better than DPJ or Bell.

I'd say Slayton would be an option if NY wants to move him.

John Buhler is a Staff Writer for FanSided.com

I think it's pretty well documented as to what Bitonio said. It's clearly an op-ed from Buhler stating the obvious, that Watson's issues reach much further than just Cleveland.

There is an active Watson thread in this forum. You can find it here:


https://www.dawgtalkers.net/ubbthre...on-in-perpetuum-et-unum-diem#Post1962220

I was watching the show last night and Ward was also named to the list.

[social:tweet][/social]

Grateful posted this in the Game Day forum. I thought I would bring it up here because Elliot continues to disappoint. I also have some concerns about Jacob Phillips and his slow progress. Another guy is Delpit. He's gets talked up a lot, but he did not impress me much last year and apparently struggled again the other night. Also, Njoku has been schooling him in TC.

Pickens got a lot of love from a lot of people before the draft - and I've seen the same buzz about him as you have. The good news is that he doesn't have a good QB throwing him the ball (yet), but given the thinness of our WR core, it does hurt. If we stick at #44 - maybe we don't get Winfrey or Cade ? Players we acquired with the draft picks from trading out of #44. But it is still going to irk every time we see Pickens make a play. He seems aggressive, physical, nasty too - characteristics that we seem to lack sometimes.

So...JB and most of the starters will not play - again - in the 2nd pre-season game. WTH is it with Browns HC's who continually do that crap while continuing to play on Opening Day like the team hadn't played football for a year? They will get work in the joint practices? No kidding genius. JB needs as many live-action snaps as he can get with a rag-tag group of WRs to try and build SOMETHING before the season starts. The rag-tag room of WRs needs to work with the 111 to see what we have there - if anything.

Smartest guy in the league syndrome for Ski.

I dont think Stefanski knows how to prepare the team or has a pulse on what is needed. He has a recipe and he follows the recipe like a robot.

I think Ski does a lot of things well, I think his offense can be very good and dynamic. The issue I see is a lack of ability to adjust, a lack of nimbleness, a lack of seizing opportunities. So sort of like he has a recipe he sticks to - the recipe is good, but more on the move adjustment and reaction to situations to help the team seems to be lacking. I think that's why we've seen some questionable game management over the time he's been in charge. Many will say that's because he was limited by the players he had at his disposal, I think he get's too conservative and tightens up. Overall a lot more +ve than -ve.

I didn't care for the Stefanski hire, but I think the guy has done an excellent job. He's got a great scheme and puts his guys in good positions to succeed. He comes from the Shanahan/Kubiak tree and I think that is the best system in the NFL for offensive football. I really don't understand all the criticism he gets.

I just think there is more to this than Xs and Os. It's all too robotic for me. Decisions made because of a model on paper telling him to and not just using common sense. Brissett won't see any game action until the last preseason game. Does that make any sense at all? We aren't talking about Aaron Rodgers here. We are talking about a below average journeyman QB. On top of that we have a ragtag group of WRs, many of whom haven't been practicing.

You want to give Myles days off, makes sense. Bitonio, makes sense. These guys don't need any work until game 1.

You think Harris would have gotten hurt if he was prepared for contact? He either really sucks...I've never seen an offensive lineman get bent in half...or he wasn't prepared for the physical contact.

Game 1 will be a loss because it will be the first real practice the team gets.

It's evident AB doesn't really value WRs. Look at the WR room.
George Pickens has traits and abilities that no one
In the WR has. Yet he AB passes on him at 44.
The elephant in the room is that AB has done a porous job
In building a top 16 NFL WR room. It's a bottom 5.
I noticed the Schwartz defenders have been quiet.
He isn't a NFL WR. That was very clear from the tape.
A offense that expects to score a deal of points needs
A strong WR room. It's how the league Is now

I would give Brissett 1-2 series if I was the HC because of the reasons you stated. I really don't see the robotic thing, though. Of course, I'm not looking for that.

I guess my biggest issue is how there is talk on here about firing him if the Browns don't go to the Super Bowl or that his scheme sucks. Neither of those things make any sense at all to my way of thinking. I have also read on here that he is too conservative and then I see that he tries to get too cute. LOL...what the hell????

Again, I was not a fan of the hire. However, I am not one of those people that won't change my mind based on evidence. He changed my mind and I saw all the good things he has done.

J/c

I've missed any discussion about firing Stefanski. Is that a real thing or more agenda driven BS?

I think that’s a sensible reflection even if I sometimes are a little bit more critical then you.

For me he’s more of a school teacher type then a captain out in a war with his Platoon.

He just lost his starting center, and his WR group (already, arguably, the weakest group on the roster) is banged up. I can understand hesitancy to throw starters out there in games that don't matter.

We are all staff writers for FanSided.

Yeah, it was just as lame as I thought it was.