Month: February 2020

It’s NFL Combine week. We’ll get to find out the exact height and weight of all the players participating in the combine, as well as their hand size. We’ll see how fast they can run, how much weight they can lift, if they failed a drug test and how they did on an intelligence test. And all this will be done in prime time on the NFL Network. Aren’t you thrilled? As you can probably tell, I’m not. I don’t watch it, but I do read what the experts think. To me the best part about the NFL Combine are all the rumors of free agent signings and trade deals that circulate during this week. It is the beginning of the “illegal” tampering period. Two years ago, former Browns GM John Dorsey worked out the flurry of trades that brought to the Browns Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde. And last year the big trade for Odell Beckham Jr. This year I think the Browns will work on free agent signings.

So far there are rumors the Browns are targeting Titans RT Jake Conklin. Browns ESPN reporter Jake Trotter first reported the Browns are “all in” on Conklin and that would probably take about 13 million per year to sign him. This figure seems about right. Earlier in the week the Cardinals signed their young LT, D.J. Humphries to a three year, 45 million contract. Conklin is a right tackle, so he should cost a little less. The reason Conklin is available is because the Titans didn’t pick up his 5th year option of his rookie contract at the beginning of the season. This isn’t a deciding factor for Conklin to look elsewhere, but it is a reason. Why would the Titans let Conklin get away? The Titans are a little busy trying to secure the services of Ryan Tannyhill and Derek Henry. Plus add to the mix the rumors of Tom Brady coming to the Titans. The Titans are walking a fine line right now with who their future QB will be and how much to spend on a two down RB.

I think the Titans would like to get a deal done with Henry first. Henry told Rich Eisen in an interview during Super Bowl week that his starting point was the deal that Ezekiel Elliott signed with the Cowboys, six years, 80 million. Since then Henry has walked that back. Then you have the Tom Brady rumors. If the Titans start to woo Brady, Tannyhill might just go ahead and sign elsewhere. This is a dangerous dance. Personally I think Brady will stay with the Patriots and will enjoy all the attention he’ll receive in free agency. What does this have to do with the Browns and Jack Conklin? Too much distraction and too much money. Last year the Titans had 89 million wrapped up in their offensive line. They also have to resign OL Ben Jones and possibly Logan Ryan, who made 10 million last year. Again, this is a potential dangerous dance. There is talk of franchising either Tannyhill or Henry. The franchise tag for quarterbacks is around 30 million and for running backs it’s about 12 million. Here’s the problem with these two situations, is Tannyhill worth 30 million and will Henry like being franchised? There could be a holdout in the case of Henry. Titans fans will find out soon enough, the franchise and transition tag period starts on February 25 and ends on March 10.

Of course Browns twitter, the absolute NFL experts, are all bothered because Conklin didn’t play in a zone blocking scheme. The Titans did use zone blocking about 25 to 30 percent of the time and Conklin did play in a similar scheme at Michigan State. He must have been pretty good because the Titans traded up to select him with the eighth pick. Anyway, the Browns have one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. If Bill Callahan thinks Conklin can help the Browns, then sign Conklin. Other potential free agent rumors prior to the combine are Denver’s Chris Harris and Vikings Anthony Harris. DC Joe Woods has ties to both players and both would fill positions of need. Chris Harris would play the slot corner and Anthony Harris free safety. Hopefully as the week progresses, we’ll hear more on potential free agents and possible trades.

As for the draft, I want the best available tackle at pick ten. Browns twitter is currently going through a fixation with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. First of all he won’t be there at ten, unless he fails a drug test or gets arrested. He’s a top five talent, so it’s not going to happen at the tenth pick. Browns twitter is also concerned that the Browns will trade down from the tenth pick. If one of the three top ten quarterbacks falls to ten, then hell yeah you trade down. But not too far. Depending on free agency, I could see the Raiders at 12, the Colts at 13 or the Falcons at 16 as potential trade partners. The Browns could still get a tackle and acquire some more draft capital. But like I said, stay at ten and get your plug in and play right away LT. Sounds simple right?

Finally, I have to correct something I wrote in last weeks blog. No one likes to admit when they’re wrong, but if I screw something up, I’ll jump right in and own up to it. I wrote that the Browns could have about 5 to 10 million in cap money to carry over from last year. Well, I have since found out it’s over 30 million. That’s a mistake in the right direction. So, with the four players who were cut and the additional 30 million over carry over, the Browns would have over 92 million in cap space. If the current CBA is approved by the players union, that would add an additional 20 million. Aren’t numbers fun? As for the CBA, the sticking point is the 17th game. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how the NFL plans to schedule home and away games with an uneven amount of games. Not every team can play in London every year. Speaking of London, there’s a 33% chance that the Browns will play Jacksonville in London this year. It would be an away game for the Browns, so no loss of home games. So as the league year begins, sit back and enjoy the “underwear olympics”, take any rumor with a grain of salt and Go Browns.

This week, I thought about diving into free agency or possible draft targets now that the coaching staff and front office has all the main components. However, the Myles Garrett story has got me a little pissed. First let me say, what Myles Garrett did was not only a terrible action for the game of football, but also in everyday life. As you know, everyone has condemned Garrett for his on the field behavior of trying to hit Steeler QB Mason Rudolph in the head with his own helmet. And Garrett has acknowledged his actions were inexcusable and has expressed regret and apologized for those actions. The NFL imposed in essence, a six game suspension, it’s stiffest penalty for on the field behavior. One of the best Browns players sat the final six games of the season, damaging the Browns slim playoff hopes. Now that the season is over, there were reports that Garrett would be reinstated after meeting with the commissioner and that’s what happened. The Browns get their best defensive player back for the 2020 off season and the regular season. End of story right? Nope. As a Browns fan you know what’s coming next…..drama.

Myles Garrett did an interview with ESPN and said Mason Rudolph called him the N word while the fight was happening. Forget the fact that Rudolph was the one who tried to rip Garrett’s helmet off of him as they both lay on the ground and after Garrett grabbed Rudolph’s helmet off of him, Rudolph charged Garrett. This is when Rudolph allegedly uttered the phrase “stupid N……”. Every critic of Garrett, mostly from western Pennsylvania, argues Garrett is injecting race into this situation. Or using what Rudolph said as a justification for his actions. Wrong on both accounts. After the game, Garrett told team mates, the Browns coaching staff and GM John Dorsey what Rudolph said, but not the media. He didn’t want anyone to know. At his suspension hearing with the commissioner, he told them in confidence what happened and again did not offer what Rudolph said as an excuse, but as a reason for his actions. So what happens next? It’s leaked that Mason Rudolph called Myles Garrett a racial slur. Why would the NFL want that leaked out? I have a theory about leaks, they are never unintentional. I think the NFL is so afraid of anything racially inspired, that they wanted to get ahead of the story just in case the public found out about it, i.e. TMZ. Now the story is, Myles Garrett is using race as an excuse. Ban him for life.

First of all, Myles Garrett is a very soft spoken young man, who while being an extremely talented NFL defensive end, writes poetry and is an amateur paleontologist. Not your typical dumb jock. Do I think Rudolph used a racial slur? I have no idea, however if I’m going to believe anyone, it’s Myles Garrett. Not because he’s a member of the Cleveland Browns, but because of his nature. It’s just not in his nature and the Cleveland sports media agrees on this, which would be the first time they agreed on anything. I find it strange that’s there is no audio of this, or should I say no audio has been released. It was a Thursday night game between two bitter rivals, with extra video and audio equipment everywhere. Plus add that NFL Films mics players and the YouTube show “Building The Browns” does as well. Has anyone else besides me noticed that the YouTube show’s last episode was the three games prior to the Steelers game? Now there is word that Mason Rudolph may sue Myles Garrett. Fine, lets hear the audio to settle the case. Rudolph says it’s 1000% untrue he said it. If you have to go more than 100% on anything, you’re not telling the truth. Finally, Mike Tomlin is defending his player and is saying what Garrett said is untrue. Here’s a small list of the players that Tomlin has defended. Ben Roethlisberger ( alleged rape), Antonio Brown (alleged assault) and Santonio Holmes (alleged assault). Fine group of guys right? The result will be Rudolph doesn’t sue and the next Browns/Steeler game will be the home opener or a prime time game.

In other news, the Browns released four players today, CB T.J. Carrie, TE Demetrius Harris, G Eric Kush and LB Adarius Taylor. As I mentioned last week, I thought Carrie, Harris and Kush would be in the first round of cuts. Taylor was a special teams player who was forced into the starting line up against Denver and was exposed almost immediately. Takitaki replaced him and responded very well. Christian Kirksey should be in the next round as could Chris Hubbard, although I think the Browns will try and trade Hubbard. The cap savings from today’s cuts is 12.75 million, bringing the Browns cap up to about 62.25 million. I’ve heard the Browns have contacted the agent for Olivier Vernon. Hopefully it’s for a contract restructure and not to inform Vernon the Browns are cutting him. I still want to keep Vernon, but not at 15.5 million. Finally the combine starts next Monday, which means the Browns front office will in gauge in the non legal tampering period. Or as I call it, the “wink wink, nudge nudge, you know what I mean” period. I fully expect Browns twitter to go into meltdown mode when seeing the pictures of GM Andrew Berry talking to other GM’s. Fun times, can’t wait, really looking forward to it, no not really. On to the combine and Go Browns.

It appears new Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is doing a great job of putting his new coaching staff together. The Browns finally got new DC Joe Woods under contract and there are now reports he’s bringing Chris Kiffin to be the new DL coach. He is the brother of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and son of legendary NFL defensive guru Monti Kiffin. Kiffin was the pass rush specialist last year for the 49ers and having seen their pass rush, Myles Garrett must be a very happy man. There were reports that Woods was also hiring Fred Pagac as his LB coach. Nope, the Browns hired Jason Tarver. If you’re a Vanderbilt, fan like me, that name should sound familiar, Tarver was Vandy’s DC the last two years and was fired this past year, as were a few Vandy assistants. I think it was the only way Vandy HC Derek Mason could keep his job.

I love both of these hires. The 49ers probably have the best defensive line in the NFL and even though it consisted of five first round picks, someone had to teach them. I expect big things out of the defensive line for the Browns. Garrett, Richardson, Ogunjobi and Vernon should all flourish. I know a lot of Browns fans want to cut Olivier Vernon to save cap space, I’m not one of them. I’m hoping the Browns can restructure his contract, because 15.5 million for next year is too much. He still can be a very good pass rusher and I would prefer the Browns spend their cap money on quality DL depth. The Browns need to spend big in free agency on the offensive line, linebackers (Schobert) and the safety position. As for Tarver, he has NFL experience as the DC of the Raiders. This will be very beneficial to Woods, having someone on his staff who has called defensive plays before. Experience never hurts. Tarver is probably best known for flipping off the officials twice during a game against the Steelers. I love the guy already.

On the offensive side of the ball, the hiring of Alex Van Pelt became official as did new WR coach Chad O’Shea. There are reports the Browns are hiring former Broncos QB coach T.C. McCartney. He did one heck of a job last year with two young Denver quarterbacks. Remember QB Brandon Allen? I still have nightmares about that game, what a wasted opportunity. The Browns have Van Pelt listed as the OC, however at this time, position titles for Van Pelt and McCartney are fluid. If Stefanski feels comfortable about Van Pelt calling plays, then he’s the OC and McCartney is the QB coach. The best thing about this offensive staff is Stefanski, O’Shea, Van Pelt and McCartney have all been QB coaches. It looks like this staff has the firepower to turn Baker Mayfield around. Now it’s up to Mayfield to follow through.

With the start of the new NFL year right around the corner, lets talk about free agency. The Browns right now have about 50 million in cap space. That’s assuming the salary cap rises 40 million as has been speculated. NFL teams are allowed to carry forward a certain amount of their 2019 unused salary cap so the Browns might have an additional 5 to 10 million. The Browns do have some large salaries which go into effect when the league year officially starts on March 18th, ( the legal tampering period starts on March 16th, but it really starts at the NFL Combine on Feb. 24th). Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Odell Beckham and JC Tretter, to name a few, all have large bumps in salary coming. So lets see who the Browns can cut to make a little room on the cap and on the roster. By releasing RT Chris Hubbard, RG Eric Kush, TE Demetrius Harris and CB TJ Carrie, the Browns can save about 20 million. As for Browns free agents, restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents, I hope they resign, LB Joe Schobert(FA), S Justin Burris(FA), RB Kareem Hunt (RFA), DE Bryan Cox(RFA) and WR KahDarel Hodge(ERFA).

As for opposing team free agents I hope the Browns can sign, lets start on the offensive line. The Colts Anthony Castonzo and the Titans Jack Conklin are two of the higher rated tackles. Castonzo has threatened to retire unless the Colts resign him and Conklin is going to command a contract in the 14 to 18 million dollar range. Washington’s Brandon Scherff, Green Bays Bryan Bulaga or the Eagles Halapoulivaati Vaitai might be better options. If it was me, I’d go all in on Conklin. He’s 25 and coming off a season where he got better as the season went on. As for the safeties, there are quite a few good ones hopefully hitting the market. Vikings Anthony Harris, Broncos Justin Simmons, Bears Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Carolina’s Tre Boston and 49ers Jimmie Ward. The linebacker free agent group is not very deep with the Rams Cory Littleton as the best option. Defensive linemen the Browns could target, Carolina’s Gerald McCoy or Steelers Javon Hargrave. Some of these players have connections to the coaching staff and some are on teams that are in salary cap hell, either over the cap or too close to afford certain players. New GM Andrew Berry said he was going to be aggressive, so we’ll see.

So my free agent wish list would be T Conklin, S Boston and/or S Ward,DL Hargrave and QB Case Keenum. Combine these players with resigning Browns players and the draft and the Browns aren’t that far away. Right now Las Vegas has the Browns win total at 8 wins, which astonishes me. I’ve seen some mock drafts starting to come to a consensuses that the Browns will draft Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas. I would be fine with that, he’s a three starter with two years at left tackle. Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs or Louisville’s Mekhi Becton would be able to start day one at the left tackle spot. Browns fans have to hope three QB’s go in the first nine picks of the draft, that will force one of these tackles down to the Browns at ten. Lastly, sad news, team mascot Swagger has passed away. Some people will laugh at Browns fans for being sad about this, but Swagger was part of the Cleveland Browns and that’s all that matters to Browns Fans. RIP Swagger and Go Browns.

Excuse me while a rant a little. I know the expectations for the 2019 Cleveland Browns were sky high and a ton of fans, including myself, got caught up in the hype. Franchise quarterback, stud running back, two star receivers and a defense that looked dominating in the preseason. Then the wheels of the bus flew off, AGAIN. So as Browns fans, here we sit with another redo. Having seen this bus wreck too many times, my natural born Cleveland cynicism has grown through the years, however this has a different feel to it. Because of my age, I’m lucky to have seen Jim Brown play, completely enjoyed the Kardiac Kids and went on the wild ride that was the Bernie Kosar years. So I know what good Cleveland Browns football looks like. I guess I’m more patient than most people, but watching Browns twitter since the season ended has been frustrating. Look, I understand the younger Browns fans have not enjoyed the fruits of their affection. This “win now” expectation will always bite you in the ass, so stop it. By the way, this isn’t a “get off of my lawn” rant. I’m going to try and dazzle you with logic, real logic, not Browns fan logic.

First Jimmy Haslam did the right thing by firing both Freddie Kitchens and John Dorsey. Freddie couldn’t coach his way out of an open paper bag and Dorsey was starting to gain too much control. Besides, he wanted to bring back Kitchens for another year. I thought both would do well in the beginning, Freddie’s lack of coaching ability and organizational skills sent him packing and some of Dorsey’s personnel decisions and the ignoring of the offensive line still makes me shake my head. Enter a slow, well thought out, coaching search. Wait, Jimmy isn’t listening to some homeless guy or other NFL owners or old washed up football guys? Nope, he’s finally going to listen to Paul Depodesta. Hold on a minute, a baseball computer nerd is going to run the once proud Cleveland Browns? No, he’s going to try and provide the necessary information to help find the perfect match for the Browns. I have no idea why the word “analytics” drives fear into Browns fans hearts. It’s also called RESEARCH. Paul Brown had an assistant coach who did nothing but research on opponents. It ain’t a new thing people. The simplest way to explain analytics is for you to look at your cell phone. That’s analytics. All of us use analytics everyday, whether it’s setting up our play list, searching for a restaurant, watching a video, listening to a pod cast or god help us all, going on twitter.

I love how this off season is going so far. Kevin Stefanski seems like a no nonsense type of coach who will bring an offense that plays to the strengths of the players on the roster. New GM Andrew Berry worked his way up the ladder as a scout and then into the front office. No, he’s not responsible for the Browns 1-31 seasons. That’s like saying I’m responsible for Block Buster Video stores closing, because my wife and I stopped renting videos. Sashi Brown and Hugh Jackson bear that responsibility ( not Block Buster, the 1-31 seasons). The next meltdown that came was caused by both Alonzo Highsmith and Eliot Wolf leaving. Highsmith was going to leave anyway and the Browns tried to keep Wolf, but he decided to go elsewhere. That’s life in the NFL, new GM, new people, it happens all the time. I’m glad Berry did it fast, before the NFL Combine, now he’ll have the people he can trust to evaluate talent. But wait, Wolf and Highsmith were at the Senior Bowl, now the Browns have no one in the front office who was at the Senior Bowl. Just a reminder, the Browns new OC, Alex Van Pelt was on the coaching staff for the South team at the Senior Bowl. He got more access to players than the scouts. By the way, the Browns still have a franchise QB, a stud running back and two star wide receivers.

Speaking of the Browns new OC. I like the hire. He was Aaron Rogers QB coach at Green Bay and Rogers was pissed when Packer coach Mike McCarthy didn’t retain him. But wait, Browns twitter says he sucks because he was with the Bengals last year and they went 4-12. See the above reference about Block Buster. So far I’m really liking how this coaching staff is coming together. Stefanski retained both ST coach Mike Priefer and RB coach Stump Mitchell (best beard in the NFL), then hired a top five offensive line coach in Bill Callahan. You have to have at least one former head coach on the staff of a first time head coach. New wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea is a former OC and QB coach and TE coach Drew Petzing was the WR coach with the Vikings last year and has worked with Stefanski. On defense the only official hire has been DB coach Jeff Howard, again formally with the Vikings. The expectation is 49ers DB coach Joe Woods will be the new Browns DC and he already has two assistants lined up. I’m curious to see who the DL and LB coaches will be. Woods was recommended by Wade Phillips which fine by me.

The only question remaining is who will be the QB coach? But wait, Browns twitter says there won’t be a QB coach and Stefanski, a first time head coach will call his own plays. Everyone panic, it’s Freddie all over again. Nope, the Browns will hire a QB coach and Van Pelt will likely call plays. An under the radar hire was Callie Brownson as Kevin Stefanski’s Chief of Staff. She was an intern last year with the Bills and is basically the head coach’s personal assistant. She makes sure the football part of the operation runs smoothly, so the head coach doesn’t have to worry about that. It’s a first for a woman in the NFL, excellent hire Browns.

To all those Browns twitter warriors who are jumping off the Browns band wagon, have a nice trip, don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not drinking the Browns kool-aid just yet, I’m still in a wait and see mode. 1-19-1 in season openers still looms large for me. But it looks like everyone in the organization is pulling in the same direction for once in the Haslam era. Hopefully they are all pulling in the winning direction. Remember there’s a thin line between hope and insanity. I’m leaning towards hope right now, hope that the Browns don’t drive me crazy for another year. Everyone enjoy the Super Bowl and Go Browns.