Dawgpoundsouth

The narrative after Sunday’s loss to the Jets will be the offense took a step back. The truth is the offense wasn’t that great to begin with. The three late game wins by the Browns helped to cover up how bad the offense has been. When a team can’t run the ball, the opposing defense loads the box and dares the opposing QB to beat them. Until the Browns can effectively run the ball, that’s how games are going to go. The offensive line must create gaps in the defense, and the running backs must anticipate those gaps. It’s a team effort. Better playcalling could be a solution. With 4:12 left in the game, the Browns had the ball on the Jets 43-yard line thanks to a strip sack by linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Cleveland was leading by two and all they had to do was run the ball to get the Jets to start using their timeouts. First play, running back Quinshon Judkins ran out of bounds. Not good. The next two plays were incomplete passes. Cleveland ran ten seconds off the clock. Play’s two and three should have been runs. Put in the short yardage offense and power through. Make the Jet’s use those timeouts. Of course, all this was mute, because a bad snap on the punt gave the Jets a short field.

How do you fix this problem? First of all, less shotgun formations. When a QB is under center, after the ball is snaped, he turns his back to the defense which freezes the opposing linebackers. If you absolutely have to be in the shotgun, then run more RPO’s. Watson has shown he can run the ball and an effective RPO works with his skillset. The biggest weakness of the running game is no inline tight end. A good blocking tight end lined up next to a tackle would give the running back at least a chance. The bad news, Judkins and Rocket Sanders are hurt. The good news the Browns signed former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime off the Vikings practice squad. I loved the guy coming out of college. Plus, Dylan Sampson could return to practice this week, but I doubt he’ll play.

My next question is why the first series isn’t scripted. There was no rhythm to the first series in both in this game and the previous game against the Steelers. Yet, both the Steelers and the Jets went on long drives for scores in the first quarter. After that the defense settled in and harassed Gino Smith and Aaron Rogers all game. We know the Browns use a game plan with WR KC Concepcion being the feature player. After the dirty hit by you know who, the offense didn’t adjust to feature either Jeudy or Boston. Instead, they featured a receiver who is extremely inconsistent. Also, where was Harold Fannin. It was implied he was being used as a decoy in the first half. If that’s the case, then that’s stupid. A good receiving tight end helps the short passing game which helps the running game.

Finally, the Browns have to protect Watson better or at least gameplan to protect Watson better. He was sacked eight times and two or three of those sacks were on Watson., the rest were on the offensive line. I hope Tytus Howard is healthy for the Ravens, because Dawand Jones is not the answer. The Cleveland offense wasted a great game by the defense. As for the special teams, this team is so young, one mistake can cost the Browns the game. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Expectations in sports can be a fans worst nightmare, just ask fans of the Cavaliers and the Guardians. The higher your expectations go the bigger the fall. After a 3-1 start the expectations for the Browns both locally and nationally are through the roof. Yes, it’s true, historically teams in the league who start 3-1 have a 75% of making the playoffs. It’s also true the Browns have the easiest schedule on paper than any team in the NFL. But are they really worthy of the high praise they’re receiving? It’s hard to say after four games.

I could argue if it weren’t for a few key plays in each of their wins, the Browns could be 0-4. Everyone talks about coaching and talent, but luck is also a factor in the league, just look at the Browns 2023 season. They played four quarterbacks, had no Nick Chubb and in one game played without a kicker and a punter the majority of the game. Teams can have magical seasons. In 2020 with a rookie head coach the Browns scored 408 points, had seven games of more than 30 points and three games of more than 40 points. This resulted in eleven wins and a playoff victory. That coach was run out of town because the narrative was, he couldn’t call plays.

The resurgence is being attributed to the quarterback who was the subject of the worst trade in NFL history. But is Deshaun Watson really playing great? No. Is he better than average? Yes. Unless you’re Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback’s success is due to his offensive line. Last Thursday versus the Steelers with a clean pocket, Watson was 22 of 27 for 246 yards, one touchdown and a QBR of 117.0. He completed 81.5% of his passes at 9.1 yards per attempt. When under pressure he was 4 of 8 for 32 yards, one interception and two sacks. In the first half the Browns were unstoppable if they weren’t stopping themselves with self-inflicted wounds. The previous two wins, Watson didn’t show up till the second half. My point is, it’s hard to judge the success of a team until they play a complete game offensively. Maybe Watson should have received more first team reps in the pre-season?

The good news is the defense is already playing at a playoff level. They have the highest-pressure rate in the league at 47.6%. Players are flying all over the field. If Denzel Ward is covering an opposing wide receiver, he’s going to have an unproductive day. This may change with the injuries to Mike Hall and Mason Graham, but if they can keep the pressure around 47% and play man coverage, no opposing QB is going to be productive, just ask Aaron Rogers.

Can the Browns keep this bandwagon rolling? It depends. Relying on three straight wins with late game heroics is not sustainable. The history of the league shows winning games this way is not repeatable. Even at 3-1, they have a negative point differential of fourteen points, have been outgained by their opponents, are even in turnover ratio and have committed more penalties than any other team in the league. Four games is hardly a complete sample size, but winning breeds confidence. Stacking wins like the 2023 Browns increases confidence and one blowout win can change the historical perspective. Right now, Watson has had his elite moments and like I said the defense is playing at a playoff level. If Watson can stay healthy and the offensive line can keep him upright, there’s a good chance the Browns can start playing complete games. Do that and the bandwagon can keep moving along. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Yep, you heard me, two straight victory Mondays. This one was all about the Browns defense. They pressured and covered. The defensive line harassed Bryce Young all game long. Remember, this was the best passing offense after two weeks in the league. Young was first in touchdown passes and the team was averaging 312.5 yards a game passing, 409 yards a game in total offense and 35.5 points per game. The Browns have now gone 48 straight games without allowing a 300-yard passer. They did this without cornerback Tyson Campbell. Myles Hardin decided to have a great game. Both linebackers were outstanding especially Quincy Williams. While some fans are complaining Jared Verse hasn’t had a sack yet, he and Michael Hall are making the first-round trade in 2025 look like a stroke of genius. Mason Graham and Maliek Collins are playing great.

As for the offense, I hate that the Browns are making me root for Deshaun Watson. Through three quarters he was 10 of 21 for 67 yards. Yikes. He still stares down his first wide receiver and panics when there’s pressure. Yes, he’s only thrown one interception, but Sunday he almost added three more and on one he got bailed out by a roughing the passer. The run game was better, but a lot of those yards came from Watson. The good news was his longer runs came in key moments when the Browns needed a first down. The offensive line committed seven of the twelve penalties committed by the team, which now has 34 penalties after three games. They’re second only to the Green Bay Packers. Tytus Howard might be replaced by Dawand Jones Thursday night against the Steelers. Speaking of the offensive line, center Elgen Jenkins turned up on the injury list yesterday with a concussion. If he doesn’t clear protocol that means either Luke Wypler or Parker Brailsford will have to go against Cam Heyward. Yikes, yikes. As for the special teams, not a great game returning the ball, but a good game covering kicks.

I love coach Monken, but his play calling on third and fourth down in short yardage situations is not daring it’s painful. Just do a quarterback sneak please. Getting back to Watson, while he’s been average to okay during the first three quarters, he’s been the best QB in the league in the fourth quarter after three games. But that’s the way he’s always been, a slow starter and a quick finisher. If only he could play that way for a full game. Because the Browns are 2-1, the media and some fans are wondering if the Browns will try and resign Watson. If they do, they’ll have to work out something prior to March 13, 2027, because that’s when a $200 million roster bonus kicks in. I still say that no matter what happens with the 2026 season he’ll be cut March 11, 2027. Stay safe and GO Browns.

If you’ve followed me on this blog and on podcasts, I’ve said many times I do not want Deshaun Watson taking another offensive snap for the Cleveland Browns. Game one versus the Jaguars kind of proved my point and the point of various other fans who feel the same way. During game two in the first half, he didn’t look too bad, and I understand the reasoning you could blame his average play on stupid penalties caused by the offensive line, I’m talking to you Tytus Howard. I have no idea what happened at half-time, but with better execution by the OL, the offense worked. It’s nice to see a coaching staff who recognizes they need to make adjustments. A few simple things got the ball rolling. First passing to Quinshon Judkins. Get him in space and see what he can do. Finding tight end Harold Fannin who works hard for every extra yard. In the first half Tampa knew the Browns were going to try and get the ball to K.C. Conception and were determined to stop him when he did. In the second half, the Browns starting using him as a decoy and that helped other wide receivers get open. For the first time in two years the Browns offense looked like an NFL offense.

The defense made a dramatic change from one week. More pressure, more man looks in the secondary and more letting the talent dictate the formations. There were two plays that saved this win. On offense, the third and one where Watson threw to Fannin as he was getting hit and Fannin getting the extra yards for the first down. On defense and probably for the game, LB Carson Schwesinger tackling Baker Mayfield on third down with 22 seconds left in the game. He slipped on the wet turf, got up, ran and grabbed Mayfield before he could get out of bounds, forcing Tampa to use a time out. This gave the Browns time to put in the right personnel for fourth down, which had to go to the endzone.

Now comes the hard part for some fans. Watson will start and deserves to start the week three home opener. I’m not a fan of this, but I’m smart enough to know he played well in week two. It was the first time the Browns have scored 20+ on offense in a game since week 10, 2023 when they beat the Ravens in Baltimore 33-31. The last time Watson had a good game. I know the “Baker Bros” are licking their wounds as are the “Sanderites” which I’m happy about. I’m a Browns fan and I’ll always want the Browns to win. Hoping they lose just to be right, or just so you think you can dictate what the team will do, or even hoping for a better draft pick, which will happen later in the year, is not my style. I said all year, I couldn’t see a situation where Watson would play any better than he did two years ago. Well, he and head coach Todd Monken have made me say I was wrong. I just wish more fans and media would admit when they’re wrong, but I know that’ll never happen. Hopefully the team can keep this momentum going, because I love it when the Browns win. Finally, I still have March 11, 2027, marked on my calendar as the day Watson is no longer a Brown. It doesn’t matter how he plays this year, he’s still going to be gone. Stay safe and Go Browns.

If you wanted to believe some of the Cleveland media concerning the potential positive play of Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson, congratulations. He was supposed to be the healthiest he’s been in years. His play will show how much he wants to prove he’s a starting QB in the NFL. He deserves this chance. No, no and no. As I’ve said over the last six months, Watson doesn’t need to take another offensive snap for the Cleveland Browns. We saw this pathetic QB play two years ago. Nothing has changed. He’s the same lousy QB making the same lousy decisions he made in 2024. He holds on to the ball too long. He stares down his intended receiver. He lowers his head right before runs. The perfect example of him being a lousy QB is when he’s lined up in the shotgun and still takes an eight-step drop. An offensive line can’t protect you in the pocket if you run away from a pocket.

So what happens next? I’m sure Watson will start against Tampa and I’m equally sure he’ll suck, because that’s what he does right now. He’s not going to get 100% better in six days. My concern right now is the defense. Safety Ronnie Hickman and cornerback Myles Harden looked lost. In the first half, there was no pressure from anyone on the defensive line. LB Carson Schwesinger had ten tackles, but most of those came in the second half. The Jags offensive play calling embarrassed a very good defense. The only bright spot was special teams.

A ton of Browns fans are asking, why not Sheduer Sanders? Good question. Right now, head coach Todd Monken thinks Watson helps the team win on the road better than Sanders. I’m not a Sanders fan, but I’ve maintained you have to play him to help decide if he’s a viable option in 2027. Last time I looked, teams in the league have to play road games. If this team lays another egg in Tampa with Watson as the starter, you have to start Sanders in the first home game, not because the fans want it to happen, but because it only makes sense. Just remember the magical date of March 11, 2027, because that’s when Deshaun Watson will be cut by the Cleveland Browns. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Hard to believe it’s finally Browns game week. The journey from the former head coach being fired to right now seems like a dream, or maybe a nightmare. The roster has been greatly improved at the positions it needed to be after last year. Wide receiver and offensive line were defiantly areas of weakness in 2025. Three promising high draft picks, (Spencer Fano, KC Conception and Denzel Boston) will hopefully spark an offense that was very offensive to watch in 2025. Along with Fano, there will be four other new starters on the offensive line. This is an unprecedented move for any NFL team. But if it works, the run game should be better which will improve the passing game. The only major hole on the offense is the passing game. I for one, never wanted to see QB Deshaun Watson take another snap for the Cleveland Browns. But I understand the reasoning with two road games to start the season. If head coach Todd Monken can get Watson to play like an average quarterback not the hot mess, we all saw in 2024, then he should be in the running for coach of the year.

On defense, the Browns roster in my opinion is more talented than last year. I’m well aware they traded the best defensive player in the league, but overall, the roster is better. My only concern is who’s going to step up and replace DE Alex Wright, hopefully Isaiah McGuire can return to the form he had the last time he replaced Wright, after game two in 2024. As for the rest of the defense, the linebackers are better with the addition of Quincy Williams next to Carsen Schwesinger. The cornerbacks are better with a full year of Tyson Campbell and the addition of Mekhi Blackman. The safeties are better with the addition of Emmanuel McNneil-Warren and a bigger role for Ronnie Hickman and Donovan McMillon.

On special teams, the coverage is very much improved if the pre-season games are any indication. In 2025, the coverage teams and special teams as a whole gave away too many games. I still shake my head at allowing a kickoff return for a TD then a punt return for a TD in the span of 38 seconds. I want the special teams to be boring. If they’re not talked about, then they’re doing good.

This writing may sound very optimistic, but let’s face facts, the 2026 Browns comes down to one thing, the quarterback room. As it stands now, this room is bottom five in the league. In the NFL winning teams are either cared by a great franchise quarterback or the team as a whole carries an average or good quarterback. I can say with great conviction the Browns aren’t the first one, but they could possibly be the second one. They just need average to good quarterback play, a solid offensive line and a top ten defense. We’ll have to wait and see, but six wins looks about right. Stay safe and Go Browns.

There’re a few surprises on the Browns 2026 53-man roster, but it’s pretty much what I expected. I’ve been trying to tell people QB Tylan Green was going to make the roster and Thursday night’s game confirmed it. He’s raw, but super athletic and no he’s not changing positions. The surprise in the QB room was one was placed on IR, unfortunately it wasn’t the one we were hoping for. Dillon Gabriel played very good Thursday night but apparently hurt his back. Before anyone suggests there’s some hanky panky going on, the Browns team doctor has to certify the injury with the league. Gabriel is designated to return in four weeks and knowing Deshaun Watson’s injury history, that sounds about right.

Two players who the fans have not seen practice all training camp made the roster, which is odd. Fullback Michael Burton and defensive tackle Kalia Davis. Head coach Todd Monken loves to use a fullback in the offense and Burton is a special team’s player. I thought Davis was a nice signing when it happened, but he’s a mystery at this point. Many fans are upset that WR Luke Floriea didn’t make the roster. It’s simple, he doesn’t play special teams, Malachi Corley does. The team is pretty confident he’ll make the practice squad. The running back room and the offensive line room were pretty much set weeks ago.

On defense, the team went with nine defensive linemen, usually they go with ten, but both Michael Hall and Adin Huntington can play DE & DT. I really thought Nathanel Watson would make the roster at LB, but Easton Mascarenas-Arnold played better. The safety and cornerback room was settled when the Browns claimed Mekhi Blackman off waivers. He’s played 75% of his snaps on the outside, great depth. I was really glad to see Michael Coats make the roster; he gets better with every snap.

As for special teams, I’m really glad Cory Bojorquez bounced back with a great performance on Thursday night. Some in the front office were a little concerned. Waiver claims will start at 1:00pm EST today, a little less than an hour of this writing. The players can choose who to sign with, so the Browns probably already have deals in place with the players they want on the practice squad. Stay Safe and GO Browns.

Well, that was surprising. This morning Browns head coach Todd Monken announced that Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback for the 2026 Cleveland Browns. Part of me understands the decision. Monken is an older coach, and older coaches always go with the veteran. He must expect a miracle to occur in Jacksonville, because even if you count Watson’s start against the Bears, which was good, I just don’t see how this helps the Browns past this year. The coaching staff expected Watson or Sheduer Sanders to walk away with the starting job. Neither did. But even if both were average at best, you go with the young guy to see what you have for next year. Starting Watson is a waste of time.

Before anyone starts with all the conspiracy theories, this was Monken’s decision and only Monken’s decision. Owner Jimmy Haslam and GM Andrew Berry had nothing to do with this choice. Prior to the news leaking out, Monken talked to the locker room and informed them of his decision, so there’s no fracture in the locker room. The Browns aren’t tanking because this is probably Monken’s last chance at being a head coach in the NFL. He wants to win. I thought his best chance would be with Sanders, but what do I know. Also, there’s no plan to play Watson the first two games, road games, and then start Sanders in the week three home opener.

With this announcement, Sanders will be the backup, so who’s the third string QB? I hope it’s Taylen Green. We’ll see in preseason game three against the Patriots what he can do. In other Browns news, DT Maliek Collins passed his physical and is eligible to come off the PUP list. DE Alex Wright tore his Achillies and is out for the season, so the Browns signed former first round pick Derek Barnett. He’ll be a rotational player, but the Browns still need another defensive end, as well as another cornerback. Linebacker and safety are fine. On the offensive side of the ball, the number two OL played well Saturday. I think Zak Zinter has made the roster. Rookie Austin Barber looked good a guard and center Luke Wypler is having a good camp. If Wypler can stay healthy and start at center, then Elgton Jenkins can move to right guard. The running back room is set, and WR Luke Floriea is playing himself onto the roster.

I’m a Browns fan and I’ll always be a Browns fan. Even with Watson as the starter, I’m still going to be a Browns fan. Stay safe, buckle up and Go Browns.

Although the starters didn’t play much, in some cases a few series, there were players who solidified their spot on the roster. But there are still holes to fill.

Quarterbacks (3). Sheduer Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Taylen Green.

Running Backs (3). Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders,

Tight Ends (3). Harold Fannin, Free Agent, Carsen Ryan.

Wide Receiver (6). Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston, KC Concepion, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Gage Larvadain.

Offensive Tackle (4). Spencer Fano, Tytus Howard, Dawand Jones, Austin Barber.

Offensive Guard (4). Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Free Agent.

Center (2). Luke Wypler, Parker Brailsford.

Defensive Tackle (5). Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, Michael Hall, Adin Huntington, Free Agent.

Defensive End (5). Jared Verse, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Khordae Sydnor, Free Agent.

Linebacker (5). Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Nathaniel Watson.

Cornerback (5). Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, Maichael Coats, Jr. Free Agent.

Safety (5). Grant Delpit, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Ronnie Hickman, Daniel Thomas, Donovan McMillon.

Specialists (3). Andre Szmyt, Corey Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara.

Stay safe and Go Browns.

On Saturday in Berea, the world stopped. Well, Browns fans world stopped. Okay, a little too dramatic. Browns fans restarted an endless argument of who’s the starting quarterback based on first team reps. On a day when according to the previous nine days, second year QB Sheduer Sanders was supposed to get first team reps, head coach Todd Monken switched things up and gave all the first team reps to Deshaun Watson. Chaos ensued. The media saw an opportunity to make money on social media sound bites. and the “Sanderites” were making plans to storm the castle. The conspiracy theories started coming fast and furious. Jimmy Haslam told the head coach to start Watson. Andrew Berry told the head coach to start Watson. When Monken was hired, he was told he would have to start Watson. Sanders asked for a trade. This means Watson will be the Browns starting quarterback in 2026. Blah, blah blah.

This all started when before practice on Saturday, Todd Monken was asked by the media if Sanders was going to get first team reps. He said, “With a seven-on-seven, might end up where Deshaun gets one of those, that’s what we’ve been doing, but Shedeur will take the majority of the one reps today.” Sanders got none, Watson got all of them. After practice, a team spokesperson said, “There were personnel groupings he wanted to see Deshaun with.” Oh My God, an NFL head coach lied to the media, or did he? On Friday no one noticed an article written by Mary Kay Cabot who asked Monken why Sanders was getting more padded practices than Watson. His answer was if Sanders went Saturday, he would have three padded practices to Watson’s one. So were they trying to even things up? “Not on purpose,” Monken said. “It was just every other day.” The pads came off and went back on according to their own calendar. The quarterbacks alternated according to a different one. Things got out of sync.”

Now the assumption is Deshaun Watson will start the first preseason game in Chicago. As of this writing, nothing has been announced. But if you listened to our podcast, (The Fanatical Elfz Network) on Friday afternoon, you would have heard me say I thought Watson was going to be the starter against the Bears. My reasoning was, he’s not going to be with the team next year, give him the opportunity to showcase himself for his next team in 2027. Also, Monken right now is trying to coach out the continuing bad habit of this team and pre snap penalties. He hates them as much as the fans. Hell, members of the media wanted to run Kevin Stafanski out of town in 2024 because the Browns led the league in pre snap penalties. Watson is way better at getting the team to the line of scrimmage and getting the play called without mistakes. Sanders just can’t do this, mainly because in college he didn’t have to. I’m going to wait and see if Monken announces Sanders as the starter in preseason game two.

The plain honest truth is that this quarterback room is average at best. Watson is better pre snap than Sanders. Maybe it’s just a case of both options are bad, and the head coach is picking the option that’s the least objectionable in terms of what happens on the field. When Dillon Gabriel is the most consistent quarterback on this team that should tell you everything. All I know is, today’s media availability by Monken is a must listen. Stay safe and Go Browns.