Dawgpoundsouth

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.

The Cleveland Browns are in their second week of training camp and here is what I’ve heard. The national media is trying to make the quarterback competition more than it really is. I’ve been told it’s a competition between two average quarterbacks so far. Deshaun Watson is making the same mistakes over and over and Sheduer Sanders is making fewer mistakes than Watson. Watson’s errors are happening post-snap and Sander’s errors are happening pre-snap. Not very encouraging. I’ve had more than one person tell me Watson looks like the same player who started 1-7 before getting hurt in 2024. Sander’s is still holding on to the ball too long. Thank goodness the Browns aren’t counting sacks.

It’s starting to be reported that right now Dillon Gabriel is having the best camp of the three quarterbacks. He gets the offense lined up faster than Sanders and is throwing the ball quicker than Watson. This is not to suggest Gabriel is going to be the Browns starting in 2026, but according to coach Monken, he’s earning more reps. So who gets reps taken away? We’ll find out soon. Gabriel just needs confidence. He was thrown to the wolves last year and never looked comfortable. Just remember last year he played behind the same offensive line and the same lack of talent at the skill positions that Flacco and Sanders had in 2025.

Running back Quinshon Judkins and Isaiah Bond look great so far. Judkins is showing the burst and speed we all expected last year. Bond has put on ten pounds of muscle, and it shows. Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion have so far instantly upgraded the wide receiver room, but remember, they’re rookies. Harold Fannin is catching everything. Rookie draft pick TE Carson Ryan is impressing the coaching staff.

The offensive line looked bad their first day in pads, but the Browns defensive line is excellent. The OL will settle down once they find their right guard and center. Hopefully it will be soon, these guys have to have time to jell.

On defense, cornerback Denzel Ward hasn’t allowed a completion. DE Jared Verse is better than advertised. Mason Graham and Mike Hall are spending most of their time in the offensive backfield. LB Quincy Williams is the real deal. Rookie undrafted cornerback Michael Coats is also looking good; he’s getting more comfortable every day. I’m still concerned about the depth at defensive line, linebacker and cornerback, some veteran help would be helpful. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Browns veteran players report to Berea today and practice starts tomorrow. It’s the beginning of thirteen practices in fifteen days. Full speed and with pads. Hell yeah. There’s no question the current Browns roster has talent but how is that talent going shake out. Of course, the biggest fetish for the national & local media will be the quarterback position. The good news is the final decision is in the hands of head coach Todd Monken. As I’ve said numerous times, my choice is anyone other than Deshaun Watson. The narrative going into training camp is he’s healthy for the first time in a long while, let’s see what he can do. No. We all saw a healthy Watson the first six games of 2024. No thank you. Older NFL quarterbacks don’t get faster after two Achillies tears. Older NFL quarterbacks don’t get better; they don’t all of a sudden learn new tendencies. Watson’s is slower and his arm is just as slow. He’ll finally be off this team next year, don’t waste time on Watson.

That leaves Sanders and Gabriel. If Sanders can improve his bad habits of holding on to the ball too long or running backwards, then he has a shot. Gabriel just needs to regain the confidence he had in college. Another big question mark is the offensive line. Yes, the position was addressed in free agency and the draft, but no one knows how these guys are going to jell. The number one unit has to be established as soon as possible. If the OL lives up to the hype, then the running game can flourish. If the running game can flourish, then the passing game can also flourish if the two rookie wide receivers are as good as they look. Sanders or Gabriel need to show they can handle Monken’s offense.

On defense, the Browns can be great if two things happen, Pressure from the defensive tackle spot and a secondary who is great in coverage. Pressure up the middle will lead to sacks and incompletions. It will also lead to winning on third down. My only concern in the secondary is slot corner. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell will be good and the safeties ae talented enough to take away an opposing tight end. But having the right guy in the slot will make all the difference. Just go back and watch the Lions game, the first Baltimore game and the Vikings game from last year.

As for special teams, return coverage, return coverage, return coverage. All I ask from this unit is to be boring. If the media isn’t talking about special teams, then they’re doing their job. Penalties, especially pre snap penalties have been this team’s downfall for years. Monken doesn’t impress me as a guy who’s going to put up with that crap.

I have no idea what Monken’s schedule in deciding who the starter at QB will be, but the local media is going to turn this into the usual circus. Don’t buy into it. They all think that Watson has a legitimate chance of starting. He doesn’t. Monken isn’t going to tank; he wants to win as many games as possible, so he’ll pick the one he thinks will achieve that goal. If none of them work out, then 2027 becomes the ultimate search for the new messiah. Stay safe and Go Browns.

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.