Dawgpoundsouth

Browns rookies report tomorrow and veterans report Tuesday July 28. Finally, we can talk about real (sort of) football. No more articles about people writing about people writing about the Browns. Now the local and national media can focus on Sheduer Sander’s short film posted on social media about how he’s independent of social media. Untwist that pretzel. My head hurts. Next up will be the short highlights of Sanders throwing and running in games. Just one favor, can we stop posting the long throw to Isaiah Bond against the Bears. After that pass the team managed a field goal for their only points in the game, they lost 31-3. The videos I want to see are the team videos of the players entering the building in Berea. That tells me it’s time.

The Browns, especially GM Andrew Berry, still have some work to do, mostly with defensive team depth. I’ve made my requests for another defensive end, linebacker and slot corner known. Also, it would be nice for Andrew Berry to extend Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman. The team and the player representatives are talking. The one thing I’m sure of is Denzel Ward’s contract will be extended. The Browns already redid his $2.5 million signing bonus and Ward wants to retire a Browns, so with some number juggling, the Browns can redo his deal and save the team an additional $12 million. Currently the Browns are a little over $16 million under the cap. A new deal for ward would push that to over $28 million under the cap. That’s enough money for Hickman, Delpit and some depth players.

Two things the pundits will hammer this pre-season will be the quarterback position and the defense. I have faith head coach Todd Monken will pick the right quarterback to get the team the most wins. That’s his job, win as many games as possible. There’s no agenda for a guy who just got hired as a head coach in the NFL and because of his age, this will be his only shot at an NFL head coaching job. He’ll hopefully fix the offense because having a good to average offense helps the defense. As for the defense, I think they can be just as good as last year even without Myles Garrett. Jared Verse may not have a ton of sacks his first two years in the league, but he does have a ton of pressures, (189 in two years) and pressures are more important than sacks. Garrett admitted he wouldn’t have broken the sack record if it wasn’t for the pressure provided by DT Mason Graham. The one thing that’s very important for the success of this defense is the play of the secondary. Find the best slot corner you can so Tyson Campbell and Ward can do their thing on the outside. The Browns will play three safeties to not only help the run defense, but to also cover tight ends and to provide pressure (there’s that word again) on opposing quarterbacks.

The pre-season is finally here. Just remember when listening or reading anything about the Browns ask yourself if it sounds logical. The Browns front office does not leak information. Don’t let someone’s personal opinion confuse you into thinking it’s inside sources, because there are no inside sources. Stay safe and Go Browns.

And I like it that way. Of course, as we wait till training camp begins, the attention getters are putting out their normal “Browns Stink” content. Bleacher Report has added to their pile of stuff with a pre-training camp power ranking. You’ll never guess where the Browns were placed, at number 30. Bleacher Report feels the Dolphins (32) and the Cardinals (31) are worse. Sitting at 29 they have the Jets, at 28 the Titans, at 27 the Giants and 26 the Falcons. The reasoning for the Browns at 30 was the unsettled QB situation, the defense will regress because of no Myles Garrett and a new head coach. They do admit the Browns will be fun to watch in 2026 because of the young talent on the team. I agree on the QB situation. The Browns need Sheduer Sanders to step up and become the quarterback all his fans think he is. I’ll settle for above average. If he is the starter and wins more than seven games, the Browns won’t have to waste their draft capital on a first-round QB in the 2027 draft. Drafting a QB in the first round is always an uncertainty.

I personally think the defense has the potential to become better or at least just as good. Teams no longer have to gameplan one player, Garrett. In 2025 we saw both ends to the spectrum in how teams handled Garrett. The Titans ran away from Garrett and won, while the Steelers avoided Garrett and lost. As long as the secondary does what they’re capable of doing and the defensive line provides pressure, the defense will be fine. As for Todd Monken, He’s won with quarterbacks with different styles of play. If the young talent on the team develops like some experts think they can develop, then they will be fun to watch and possibly win seven or more games. I’m not saying they could make the playoffs, but watching a fun offense would be a nice change of pace compared to the last two years. On average there are usually five teams who make the playoffs one year after failing to do so the previous year. On paper the Browns have the easiest schedule in the league for 2026 and if you look at the teams mentioned above, Cleveland plays four of them.

Most betting services have the Browns picking in the top five in 2027. One, Tankathon, has the Browns selecting Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. Smith is the ultimate offensive weapon, but if the Browns are in the top five, they’re taking a QB. It’s only logical, if the team is that bad, it’s more than likely it’s because of the QB play. Tankathon has the Browns selecting at four, with three quarterbacks being selected in the first three picks. The Dolphins select first and take Arch Manning; the Cardinals select second and take Donte Moore and the Jets select third and take Julian Sayin. Still on the board were C.J Carr and Darian Mensah. Interestingly Tankathon has the Steelers picking Carr at ten and the Vikings picking Mensah at thirteen. They do have the Browns using the 32 pick for a QB, Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State. So six quarterbacks in the first round. We’ll see how NIL money in college changes the 2027 draft when it comes to quarterbacks. Kids today can make some serious cash and gain valuable experience while staying in college. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Not a lot of Browns news as the team heads for training camp. There are a ton of lists, because that’s what generates social media clicks this time of year. Lists like ranking uniforms or rosters or overpaid players. None of these lists does a thing for me, but NFL fans eat them up. Of course, the Browns list near the bottom of every ranking. Just a spoiler alert, when the next power ranking emerges, the Browns will be near the bottom. I understand the reasoning; Cleveland only won five games last year while playing three different quarterbacks, one who should have retired by now and two rookie draft picks. To add to this, the quarterback room hasn’t really improved this off-season. Browns GM Andrew Berry did improve areas of the team that sucked last year, the wide receiver room and the offensive line room. He also found a group of players who are very good special team players. But still, Las Vegas still has the Browns picking third in the 2027 draft.

One item that caught my attention yesterday was a report by Pro Football Talk that tried to suggest the Browns received $88 million in cap savings due to injury insurance for QB Deshaun Watson. Sorry Browns fans it’s fake news. According to Over The Cap’s response to this fabricated report, Pro Football Talk apparently added the wrong numbers together. Troy at Over The Cap explained it like this,” Where the contract says the cost went from X to Y. They appear to have added all the Y’s together (the new cost), rather than the difference each time.” Jack Duffin, who’s expertise on the NFL salary cap is unmatched, has previously reported the injury settlement already paid was a little over $1 million in 2023 and about $4.8 million in 2024. As for 2025, no one knows but I’ve seen speculation the cap credit could be anywhere between $15 to $25 million. As I’ve said many times, any insurance credit for Watson’s injuries would be credited the following year. So to recap, the Browns have received total cap credits for Watson’s injuries are around $6 million for 2023 & 2024. We’ll never find out the credit for 2025, because injury insurance is covered by HIPAA rules. Steeler fan Mike Florio strikes again.

Just remember, a team may insure a certain amount of money, but that does not mean the team receives that amount of money due to an injury to that player. Finally, ESPN Cleveland has all but admitted they know nothing about the salary cap and how it works, so why listen to their salary cap analysis? Stay safe and Go Browns.

I want to both thank the NFL for taking care of this stupid Brenden Sorsby nonsense and yell at them for creating more time for other nonsense. For weeks, the national and local media have convinced most Browns fans Sorsby was the team’s next QB messiah. Forget about the gambling and the fact he needed another year in college, he was the one. No, he wasn’t and now he’ll have to wait till next year’s draft to be on an NFL team and then be suspended. The league informed Mr. Sorsby there will not be a supplemental draft this year, which according to the CBA is within their right to do. Sorry kid.

Defenders of Sorsby are now convinced the team should sign him as an undrafted rookie free agent. Nope. The CBA is very clear on this, college players who sign with a league team must go through the draft process. They must declare their draft availability, which Mr. Sorsby did not do and go through the draft process. Even players who play for other leagues (CFL, UFL) must have gone through the draft process before signing in the league. Sorsby’s lawyer says he’ll file a complaint through the NFL players union, but because his client didn’t go through the draft process, he’s not a member, or a potential member of the union. Sorry kid.

Now that this mess is cleaned up, the next item on the off-season agenda is to convince Browns fans Shedeur Sanders is going to be traded. This stupidity was brought up by a “Hey look at me” radio personality who has zero inside information. Zero. Nada, Zilch. His large insecurity complex thought he had an opening for spinning an attention-grabbing tall tale. As I always do, I beg fans to think logically about anything some local media members say. Why would the Browns invest so much time in the OTA’s & minicamp with first team reps and an offensive install for Sanders if they were going to trade him? Speaking of first team reps, isn’t that what Sanders fans wanted?

If they traded Sanders, who would be the starting QB for the Browns? Watson? So far two NFL beat writers (Zac Jackson and Pete Smith) who actually were at OTA’s and minicamp, have said Watson still looks like the 2024 Watson. Remember the 2024 Watson? I do. I even went back and watched the seven games he started. If that’s what you want, then you want the Browns to tank the 2026 season, which they’re not doing. Head coach Todd Monken didn’t get his first opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL just to tank. Again, not logical. I’ve been told; the team is going to wait till they get to training camp to pick the starter. The coaching staff will then see both Watson and Sanders in pads going against Browns defensive starters, not depth players. Hopefully media members will finally realize the 2020 Deshaun Watson doesn’t exist anymore and will never return.

Next up, the reemergence of the Mac Jones nonsense. I’m really beginning to hate the time between the last minicamp and the start of training camp. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As the team heads into the dead period, let’s look at a few key things. I’m of the belief; Browns GM Andrew Berry still has some roster building to do. I’ve heard the team is concerned about depth at defensive end, cornerback and linebacker, so let’s see where the team is salary cap wise. According to Over The Cap, the Browns are currently a little over $16 million under the cap. Plenty of room to sign some veterans to take care of the depth on the defense.

The quarterback competition will extend to the start of training camp, which will happen in late July. Head coach Todd Monken had hoped someone would step up and claim the job. No one has. I’ve been told Deshaun Watson and Sheduer Sanders are tied as of now. I’ve also been told if the season started today, Watson would start. I don’t like this, but Monken is trying to win games, so it makes sense to go with the veteran, again if the season started today. Thank God it doesn’t. If you’re a Sanders fan, this is good news. Watson, a ten-year veteran, hasn’t been able to distance himself from two second year players. Sanders has shown some improvement but still has the same bad habits from last year when pressured. Watson is the media darling right now and I have no idea why. I’ve been told by someone who was at the OTA’s and minicamp, Watson has thrown the most “turnover worthy” passes. In other words, go back and watch what he did in 2024 before getting hurt. These two- and three-day sessions don’t really tell anyone anything. The true test will come in training camp when the team practices four or five days in pads and the offense is going up against defensive starters.

Local and national media types are still pimping trading Denzel Ward. It isn’t going to happen. First of all, the team is worried about the current cornerback depth, so why create more roster problems. Second, there isn’t a team in the league who is a cornerback away from the Super Bowl. Finally, in order to trade Ward, the Browns would have to get back the Jared Verse of cornerbacks included in the trade. What team is going to do that?

When Todd Monken was hired, I said on a podcast that he remined me of another head coach, Bruce Arians. Arians didn’t get his first NFL head coaching job until he was 61. He had been a very successful quarterback coach, wide receiver coach and offensive coordinator in the league. In 2013 he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to his hiring, the Cardinals were 5-11. Under Arians, they finish 10-6 after starting 3-4. In 2014, the Cardinals finished 11-5. They started 9-1 that year, but injuries to starting QB Carson Palmer (6-0 as a starter) and backup Drew Stanton (5-3 as a starter) caused the team to finish second to the Seahawks in the division. In 2015 after a 3-0 start, the Cardinals finished 13-3. The key to these first three years for Arians was having the starting QB he wanted. A couple of months after hiring Arians, Arizona traded for Palmer.

If there’s a moral to this story, I’m going to let Todd Monken find is Carson Palmer. He didn’t wait till he was 60 years old to get his first NFL head coaching job to tank for the next mystery draft pick at quarterback. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As the Browns gear up for the final minicamp tomorrow (mandatory), the media has gone from the Myles Garrett trade back to who the hell is going to be the starting QB for the team. Two weeks ago, everyone was reporting it would be Deshaun Watson. Last week it was going to be Shedeur Sanders. Two weeks ago, Watson looked good. Last week he didn’t. Sanders is making strides, but, according to head coach Todd Monken, he’s still retreating in the pocket and throwing off his back foot.

Previously, Monken had said he’d have a starter named by the time training camp started in July. Not so fast my friend. Last Wednesday he said, “In a perfect world, you’d love to have your starting quarterback, right?” Monken said after OTA practice No. 8 on June 3. “And you’d love to have your O-line set. I’m not sure we’ll be there, I’m just not. I think both quarterbacks have played well enough where we haven’t really been in pads. We haven’t played any games yet. Haven’t really got to that point yet.” He admitted the competition is close, “Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks,” he said. “But we still got to get to that point…and then quarterback, who’s going to start for us. But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we got two starting level quarterbacks. We really do.” The statement about having two starting level quarterbacks could be seen two ways. One, they’re both advancing or two, neither one has separated themselves from the other.

I maintain Watson will not take another meaningful snap for the Browns. So that leaves Sanders as the starter, but if he’s going dispel the fears of many fans, he needs to separate himself this week. Yesterday I decided to watch games from last year (Sanders) and from 2024 (Watson). My only conclusion is how either of these guys can be in the conversation for starting. Fans of both will maintain neither QB had the benefit of a good offensive line and offensive weapons. Some will point out the failures in play calling by former head coach Kevin Stefanski. All those factors are true, but the majority of the failures by both land on the shoulders of both.

I’m not anti-Sanders, but I am anti-Watson. I’m a tear the band-aid type of person, so the quicker this team gets rid of Watson (start of the league year in 2027) the happier I’ll be. If Sanders can show the head coach, he can be a viable starter in the NFL, then that’s the best thing for the team. He’ll have a better offensive line, better receivers and an actual running game. Monken is supposed to be a coach who gets the best out of any QB and can fix an offense which quite frankly was offensive to watch. If Sanders can win the job, the Browns won’t have to search for their savior in the 2027 draft. If he can’t, the Browns might be searching for a veteran QB at the end of training camp. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As I settled in at my desk yesterday, I intended to write an article about how the Browns were not going to trade all world defensive end Myles Garrett. It was June first and the media were writing articles about how it was now easier to trade Garrett. The redo of his contract made all this possible. My reasoning was the Browns didn’t draft a replacement, and they were already a veteran DE short in the position room. As I wrote in last week’s blog, they needed one more veteran to go with Garrett. Then to add to all this, I was told the reports that the Browns had talked to the Rams & Eagles were false. Then about 11:00am central, I got word the Browns had talked to the Rams and were still talking. Stop the presses. If this guy tells me something was up, then something was up.

I know a lot of Browns fans are upset, but let’s stick to facts. Prior to signing his new contract, Garrett wanted out of Cleveland. The Browns didn’t respond to the trade demands; they instead may him the highest paid DE in the league. Then the team redid his contract making a salary cap friendly trade possible, but only after June 1. I personally thought 2027 would be the time to trade Garrett. Give him one year under a new coaching staff and see what happens. The main reason this trade happened was the Browns wanted a strong, up and coming player in return. The Rams did not want to give up Jared Verse He’s a two-time pro bowler and the 2024 rookie defensive player of the year. He’s only been in the league for two years but is top five in pressures and number two in run stop win rate. He’s 25 years old and is still on his rookie contract. He’s from Dayton Ohio and coming out of college said he would love playing for the Browns.

Without Verse, this trade does not happen. He’s worth a first round pick because he was a first round pick. As a matter of fact, he was the Rams first round pick after not having a first round pick for nine years. The deal also includes the Rams first round pick in 2027, their second-round pick in 2028 and their third-round pick in 2029. The Browns now have eleven picks in 2027. Eleven. The there is no secret that Jimmy Halam loves Arch Manning. Besides Manning, the quarterback draft in 2027 is very special. If all the QB’s play up to their expectations, Cleveland will have the capital to find the right guy. If Sanders or Gabriel balls out and produces a winning season and a playoff berth, then the 2027 draft becomes gravy.

Now the speculation is Denzel Ward will be the next one out the door. Another team will have to offer a comparable player like Verse. Elite cover corners, like left tackles and quarterbacks, don’t grow on trees, so I doubt Ward will be dealt. The next big move by the Browns should be the signing of a good veteran defensive end like Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Jihad Ward or Preston Smith. After that, the team needs to work on a contract extension for Grant Delpit.

The fans who hate GM Andrew Berry will hate this deal. They claim a football “nerd” can’t be a GM. I hate to tell you this, but that’s who runs teams in the league. Smart people. This was a haul for the Browns this year (Verse) and a haul for the future. The Rams get the best defensive player in the league because their playoff window is closing fast and they are in a win this year mode mostly because they have a 38-year-old QB without a competent back up. I hate losing Garrett, but this trade was necessary for the Browns future both for the roster and the salary cap. In business if both sides of a transaction feel they didn’t get a good deal, it’s always a good deal. Stay safe and Go Browns.

If you read my last blog, I guessed at a way too early 53-man roster. While the talent on the 2026 Browns roster has improved, there’s still some work to be done. In 2025, Cleveland played the most rookie players in the league. That’s great for future development, but to succeed in this league you need veteran players. There are a view position groups that could use a free agent signing, defensive end, tight end, running back, safety and cornerback. All these groups are important, but one stands out, defensive end. In the off-season the Browns attempted to add veteran A J Epenesa, however he the signing fell through because Epenesa failed his physical. Currently the Browns defensive end position group consists of Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire and three promising UDFA, Logan Fano, Khordae Sydnor and Tyreak Sapp. Fano and Sydnor have guaranteed money in their contracts, so they’ll at least make the practice squad. But the room still needs a veteran. Here are some options.

Forget about Joey Bosa and Cameron Jordan, they’re more than likely going to a contender. Jihad Ward, Titans, Preston Smith, Commanders, Denico Autry, Texans, Kyle Van Noy, Ravens, Leonard Floyd, Falcons and Hassan Riddick, Buccaneers could help the Browns pass rush. Ward is 32 years old who had over a ten percent pressure rate last year. Smith’s last two years haven’t quite as good as his previous years but still would be an excellent rotational player. Autry is also an older player but is very consistent week to week, which is what you need in a rotational player. Van Noy has been a thorn is the Browns side for years. Last year was a down year for him, but he’s still one of the best pure pass rushers still on the market. Floyd provides pressure every passing down. Riddick is another pressure monster, who could add value to the room.

Van Noy, Floyd and Riddick are lighter than the Browns usually like their defensive ends to be because of the importance of playing the run. Epenesa could provide nice pressure, play the run and was very good on special teams. As I wrote in my last blog, the Browns would have to keep five defensive ends, with one of them being a UDFA, most likely Fano for special teams play. If I had my choice, I would go after Ward. He looks like he would be a good one-year option. Stay safe and Go Browns.

When Browns owner Jimmy Haslam fired Kevin Stefanski, he was asked what his expectations were for the upcoming season. Haslam said to give the team 120 days and then we’ll know. Well, it’s been over 120 days, and, in my opinion, it’s been a very successful offseason. Since news is slow, I thought I’d do a way too early roster prediction.

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

Running Backs (3). Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Michael Burton.

Wide Receivers (6). Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley, Cedric Tillman.

Tight Ends (3). Harold Fannin, Jack Stoll, Joe Royer.

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

Offensive Guards (4). Elgton Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Teven Jenkins, KT Leveston.

Centers (2). Parker Brailsford, Luke Wypler.

Defensive Ends (5). Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Logan Fano, Free Agent.

Defensive Tackles (5). Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, Michael Hall, Jr., Kalia Davis, Adin Huntington.

Linebackers (5). Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Winston Reid, Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.

Cornerbacks (5). Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Tre Avery, D’Angelo Ross, Michael Coats, Jr.

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

Special Teams (3). Andre Szmyt, Cory Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara.

I could easily see the Browns signing veteran players, especially at tight end, defensive end, running back and safety. Also, the Browns could go with four defensive tackles and keep six defensive ends, both Huntington and Wright can play DT. Finally, the quarterback position isn’t set. The team could go with two quarterbacks and add another running back. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Rookie minicamp just concluded and as always there’s plenty of optimism about the 2026 Browns draft class. Out of ten draft picks, it appears the Browns have found at least five starters, LT Spencer Fano, WR K.C. Concepion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and C Parker Brailsford. If the team can get any quality contributions out of four of the other five, (not counting QB Taylen Green) that’s a good draft class. Over the years, Browns GM Andrew Berry has been able to find very good players after the draft. Last year the Browns signed four undrafted rookie free agents who made significant contributions, DT Adin Huntington, WR Isaiah Bond, WR Gage Larvadain and S Donovan McMillon. This year is no different. Here are three to watch.

Micheal Coats, CB, West Virginia. Coats is a very athletic player who could play both safety and corner. He’s a physical player who has the size and speed to play in the slot. Coats ran a 4.4 40. In 2025 while playing for Nevada, he led the team in pass break ups (13) and interceptions (4). IN his final year at West Viginia, he again led the team in pass break ups (7).

Logan Fano, DE, Utah. Brother of first round pick Spencer Fano. In 2025 Fano had a pass rush win rate of 15.6 percent. In passing situations that number jumped to 25.5 percent. He’s torn his ACL twice, which may explain why he wasn’t drafted. But I can see why the Browns are rolling the dice on Fano, his 21.6 percent pressure rate in true passing situations is too good to ignore.

T.J. Harden, RB, SMU. Harden had pretty ordinary production as a running back, but in 2024 and 2025 while at UCLA, he was very productive as a receiver. In 2025 he was second on the team with 368 receiving yards which was 12.6 percent of the team’s total. Browns head coach Todd Monken was very vocal about the team adding a FB and the Browns did sign 12-year veteran Michael Burton, but if Harden can handle the blocking assignments, he could be the prefect west coast style FB.

Others to watch: Safety Zion Washington, DE Tyreek Sapp, DE Khordea Snyder, WR Aaron Anderson and WR Kole Wilson.

Finally, it’s NFL schedule announcement week with the full schedule being announced on Thursday night May 14. As the week progresses, the games overseas will be announced leading up to Thursday. You can follow me (http://@ctownthug) or follow who I’ll be reposting, Ozzy (http://@OzzyNFL) or NFL Nerd (http://@NerdingonNFL). Both are excellent follows for schedule leaks. Stay safe and Go Browns.