Month: May 2020

These tidbits are killing me, but we have to keep up with Browns news. First the Browns facilities will open this Monday June 1st. Phase one will include a limited amount of employees. The NFL announced this week, it will be another two weeks before coaches and players can go to team facilities. Of course we haven’t yet heard from players union president, Browns C J.C. Tretter if the players agree to what Roger Goodell said, so grab your popcorn and we’ll wait and see. As a pro football fan, I’m glad to see the NFL taking the necessary precautions to make sure everyone is safe and the season starts on time. God, we need some football this fall.

In other news, the Browns didn’t do the annual purge of the scouting department. Instead of firing everyone, they actually kept people and even promoted some. What in gods name is going on here? You mean to tell me the Browns are trying to have a stable front office? Okay, the weirdness of 2020, just got weirder. Here’s the breakdown:

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — VP Football Operations

Ryan Grigson — Senior Football Advisor

Charles Walls — National Scout

Josh Cox — Northwest Area Scout

Nate Sterken – Lead Data Scientist

Andrew Jackson – Data Architect / Systems Developer

Kevin Lewis – Software Developer

The following 20 have taken on new roles after their respective promotions and title changes.

Glenn Cook — VP of Player Personnel

Ken Kovash — VP of Player Personnel Process & Development

Andrew Healy — VP of Research & Strategy

Dan Saganey — Director of Player Personnel

Dave Giuliani – Director Research & Strategy

Mike Cetta — Director of Scouting Research

Adam Al-Khayyal — Assistant Director of Pro Personnel

Tyler Hamblin — Football Operations Coordinator

Zach Wigmore — Scouting Research Coordinator

Megan Rock — Player Personnel Coordinator

Shaun Herock — National Scout

Colton Chapple — Southeast Area Scout

Dan Zegers — Midwest Area Scout

Jimmy Noel — Northeast Area Scout

Branden Francis — Pro Scout

Rod Streater – Scouting Assistant

Joe Dever – Scouting Assistant

Debra Kruszynski – Executive Assistant Player Personnel/Coaching

Bradley DeAngelis – Director Football Information Systems

Zach Zelinsky – Senior Software Developer

You have to love Zach Zelinsky as the Senior Software Developer. Let’s break it down, the guy is a stud. Just kidding, I have no idea who the hell this guy is, but I like him because he works for the Browns. What’s great about all this, is continuity. Great teams keep great people. For once the Browns are sticking with the people who helped them have a great off season.

I have to comment on the Clowney situation. Yes the Browns have offered him the most money and a multi year deal. And yes he’s mulling it over. And also yes the Browns are interested in signing Clowney. But here’s the deal, he’s a luxury. Right now, the Browns have somewhere between 40 to 35 million in salary cap space. The Browns still have to sign four more draft picks, including first round pick Jedrick Wills and second round pick Grant Delpit. If, the team doesn’t have to spent a ton of money for players who get injured during the season, that 40 to 35 million will turn into 70 to 80 million in cap space to carryforward into 2021. Add expiring contracts and the Browns will have about 100 to 110 million in cap space next year above the salary cap. Do you still want a luxury?

On a personal note, as I told you previously, I just started writing articles for a great new website for Cleveland fans, https://clesportstalk.com. The people who run this website are true fans. If you’re not reading this website, what the hell’s wrong with you? Friday night I had the opportunity to take part in a roundtable discussion about the Cavs and the Browns for a YouTube show with fellow writers on the site. The show is put together by Joshua Ungar and is called “Ungar To The Max.” It will premiere today, May 31 at 3:00 eastern. Tune in and watch. Also, be watching for a chat I did with John Cahill, Dawg Pound Ireland, @JohnCahill_Irl. John is a great guy and worth a follow. I don’t know what the rest of you are doing with your time but, man I’ve been busy. You know what to do everyone, most importantly stay safe. Go Browns.

Yes there was some Browns news over the last two weeks, hard to believe, right? The Browns are signing draft picks. A mighty cheer was heard throughout the land. Fourth round pick TE Harrison Bryant, fifth round pick C Nick Harris and sixth round pick Donovan Peoples-Jones all signed their contracts and are now officially Cleveland Browns. I personally think that Bryant and Peoples-Jones will have a bigger impacts their rookie year. Harris might be in play for the RG position, but after hearing an interview with OL coach Bill Callahan on Cleveland Browns Daily on 850am last Friday, I’m not to sure.(https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/audio/cleveland-browns-daily-5-15-2020) It sounds like an open competition between Drew Forbes, Wyatt Teller, Malcolm Pridgeon and Harris. Callahan offered up Pridgeon’s name unsolicited. He’s an undrafted free agent out of The Ohio State originally signed by the Texans in 2018 and signed by the Browns on September 18, 2019.

The NFL allowed training facilities to be open last week and a few opened on a limited basis. The Browns chose not to open right away and to continuing their virtual meetings. If you still have not watched episode 4 of “Building The Browns” on YouTube please do. The virtual meetings are fantastic. Run through a wall fantastic. Just what a Browns fan needs right now. Did you hear how great Tom Brady is for holding a private workout in Tampa last week with his new players? Everyone is saying how great he is and what a team leader he is. I wish the Browns had a quarterback like that. Wait….what? You mean Baker Mayfield did the same thing two weeks ago in Texas? Really? Two weeks ago and no one in the national media mentioned it? What a shock. As you all know, I’m not going to drink the Kool-Aid this year like I did last year, but you got to love the vibe this team has right now. From the GM all the way down to the rookies. It also helps that we haven’t heard from Jimmy Haslam in a while. Good times.

More Clowney rumors. Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson explained to Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow what he thought Clowney might be thinking when it comes to a new contract. Basically Robinson felt Clowney might not want a one year, prove it deal and if he wanted to sign a multi year contract in the high teens, the Browns would be the best landing spot. Personally I wouldn’t mind the signing, as long as the Browns kept Olivier Vernon. That would be one hell of a defensive line. Do a three year deal with Clowney and back load it like the Browns did with Conklin and Hooper. Vernon comes off the books next year and you still have Clowney. Again, I still think Clowney is going back to Seattle, but I can always dream.

Unfortunately I have to end on a sad note. In previous blogs I’ve mentioned Lane Adkins @TheRealLA_ the OG of Browns insiders on one of my favorite websites The Orange and Brown Report @TheOBR. Sadly, Lanes wife passed away last Friday after a valent two and a half year fight with heart disease and cancer. I first met Lane in 2002 in New Orleans prior to the Browns/Saints game and I know he does not remember me, but I really enjoyed our conversation. He is the main reason I joined the Orange & Brown Report. I ask all Browns fans to keep Lane in your thoughts and your prayers. Also, a Go Fund ME account has been set up to help Lane, here’s the link, https://www.gofundme.com/f/christine-adkins-wife-of-lane-adkins?

Thank you and Go Browns.

This week the NFL made an attempt to improve minority hiring on their coaching staffs and front offices. The first reported proposals centered on awarding better draft positions for minority hires. If a team hired a minority for their vacant head coach or GM position, teams would improve their third round draft position by six to ten spots. NFL teams could also receive other draft compensation for hiring minorities for top level coaching positions such as coordinators or quarterback coach. Both these proposals where Hail Mary passes to solve simple problems. In my opinion, both were very embarrassing and puts the spotlight on a bunch of white billionaires trying to correct minority issues.

The NFL finally came up with some reasonable solutions. Requiring teams to interview more minorities for head coaching and coordinator positions and easing the anti-tampering rules for teams in the playoffs. Teams are now required to interview two minority candidates for head coaching positions and at least one candidate for the three top coordinators. The Rooney Rule was expanded to include interviewing minorities and/or women for team president and senior executives. Finally, a minority coaching fellowship program will be created to establish a larger pool of qualified candidates for coaching and front office positions. Over the last three years, 70% of head coaches have come from the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach positions. Increasing the minority candidates at these two positions is a great idea.

The Browns have always been at the forefront of minority diversity. They became the first team to sign black players in the league. When the All-American Football Conference was founded in 1946, Paul Brown signed two African American players, fullback Marion Motley and defensive lineman Bill Wills. At first, the new league resisted but after intense discussions relented and agreed to allow black players in the league. Motley was a force on offense and Wills a force on defense for the Browns leading the way to five championships. This took place one year before Jackie Robinson played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In the 1920’s and 1930’s the NFL had black players and one black player/coach, Fritz Pollard. But the owners of the teams came to a gentleman’s agreement to keep black players out of the league because of public pressure. After Wills and Motley were signed by the Browns, the L.A. Rams followed suit and signed Woody Strode and Kenny Washington. Mike Brown, Paul Brown’s son, was once asked about his father signing black players,”When he coached at Massillon High School, he had many black players on his teams. When he coached at Ohio State, he had many black players on his team. When he coached in the service, the same thing was true. When he got to the Cleveland Browns, he looked around and he knew where he had better football players than he had with the Browns. Guys who formerly played for him.” Brown said his father wasn’t a civil rights crusader, ”He didn’t do it for any other reason than to make the team better. It wasn’t to sell tickets in the sense of drawing people because we had a couple black guys on the team.”

When asked if his father was aware that in today’s world he would be considered a pioneer, Brown said, ”He was a person of his times and he had high standards and he believed people should be treated the same. He was going to make sure that these guys got treated the same.” Former Browns player Bobby Mitchell recalled an incident in Miami when the Browns were checking into their hotel. The manager informed Paul Brown the hotel could not accommodate the black players. ”Paul Brown looked him right in the eye and said, ‘No, our team stays together.’ They had words, and finally Paul told them: ‘I’ll tell you what then. We’ll just get back on the plane and go back home.’ The manager said, ‘You can’t do that.’ Brown said: ‘Is that so? Our players stay together.’ So they relented.”

I applaud the NFL’s attempt to improve minority hiring in the league. It seems a little late, due to the fact that over 70% of the league’s players are minorities. But better late than never. When in comes to minority diversity, the Browns have been at the forefront from the beginning and continue to this day with the hiring of Andrew Berry as their GM. It’s good to see the rest of the league is finally catching up to the Browns. They’ve always been ahead of the curve.

Go Browns.

It’s been a busy week for Browns news, so lets get to it. First the ridiculous rumor that the Browns would trade Myles Garrett to the Seahawks. So some clown calls a Seattle radio show, makes up a story about a fictional trade and posts some fake graphics on twitter (which he stole from another twitter account) and people believe it? Garrett is a foundation player on this team and will be getting a very nice contract extension in the area of 25 million and he deserves it. You don’t trade a player who you just picked up his fifth year option and you’re working on a contract extension. Hopefully Garrett will be a Brown for a long time.

The next crap that was being thrown around is the rumor that in 2018 the Seahawks were prepared to trade Russell Wilson to the Browns for the number one overall pick. Why do people want the Browns and the Seahawks to trade with each other? This rumor started with a podcast hosted by Chris Simms. Everyone knows the GM of the Seahawks and John Dorsey are good friends, so that’s probably where this crap started. First of all, John Dorsey is a very secretive man, so if this trade had legs, no one would have known. Prior to drafting Baker Mayfield, he kept the pick secret from everyone in the front office. Remember when it was reported that the Browns were thinking about hiring Condolezza Rice as their head coach? That was a rumor Dorsey started to weed out leaks prior to free agency and the draft in 2018. NFL GM’s have giant egos, but they’re also very paranoid. What makes this rumor even worse, people had to interview Hugh Jackson to see if it’s true. Sorry to tell you this Coach 1-31, you would be the last person John Dorsey would have told.

Next up in Browns news was James Harrison confirming that Mike Tomlin is a douche bag. This story confirms what every Browns fan already knows, the Pittsburgh Steelers are NOT a class organization. Of course since telling everyone that Mike Tomlin pays bounties for hurting opposing teams players, Harrison acts all innocent. I guess Mike passed him an envelope with discount coupons to a local area restaurant. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton is right, the NFL will sweep this whole thing under the rug, because it’s the Steelers. I just hope prior to the first Browns/Steelers game, TMZ Sports gets a hold of the audio of the Myles Garrett/Mason Rudolf game. It would be great to see Goodell have to put the shovel down on this one.

Let’s move on to some positive Browns news. It was reported this week the Browns were in contact with the agent of LT Jason Peters. This is a smart move by Andrew Berry. In the past I’ve called for either signing Peters or trading for Trent Williams based solely on the fear that training camp would be either shortened or eliminated. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy the Browns drafted Jedrick Wills with the #10 pick, he’s going to be their starting left tackle for decades. But, I’ve heard through the grapevine that the NFL might be forced to eliminate training camp and go straight into practices for the preseason games. Signing Peters to a one year deal would allow the Browns to start Peters at LT and move Wills to RG. Wills could learn how to be an NFL lineman for a year in between RT Jack Conklin and C J.C. Tretter. A very good insurance policy.

It was reported this week that Browns franchise QB Baker Mayfield organized workouts with several of his team mates in Texas. Involved in the workouts are Austin Hooper, David Njoku, Damion Ratley and Hollywood Higgins. Of course the only thing the Cleveland media can harp on is the fact that Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham aren’t there. You know maybe, just maybe and I’m just spit balling here, because they both had off season surgery the Browns medical staff might not want them to participate. Besides, I was glad to see the report that 6th round draft pick Donovan Peoples-Jones is down in Florida training with Jarvis Landry. Like I’ve said before, this kid gets it and was an absolute steal in the 6th round.

It’s been another frustrating week listening to the national media break false rumors about the Browns, but what the hell else do they have to talk about? I know one thing I’m looking forward to is this weeks episode of YouTube’s “Building The Browns.” It will air tomorrow at 10:30 am central. After this past week, I need a little Browns pick me up. Just remember Browns fans, if you have to go out in public, PLEASE wear a face mask. Wearing a mask isn’t for your protection, it’s for the protection of others. We need to give the hard working doctors and nurses a break in dealing with this pandemic. As always, stay home when you are able, support your local businesses and wash those things on the end of your arms that steeler fans can’t quite figure out how to count to ten with. Go Browns.

You have to love the NFL, Covid-19 be damned, they’re moving forward as planned. First, I heard the NFL schedule would be released without dates, then I heard the first month would be AFC verses NFC match ups in case the start of the season had to be moved back. Nope on both. The NFL just stuck to the plan, the schedule as it was first drawn up. Like I’ve said, the NFL owns the room. When I saw the schedule my first thought was the line Cleavon Little says in the movie Blazing Saddles, “Excuse me while I whip this out.” That’s the NFL, whip it out, pandemic, what pandemic? Now let’s see if they start the season with fans in the seats, because if you bought season tickets, you’re not getting a refund. Roger Goodell needs to buy more comfortable furniture for his basement.

So lets look at the Browns schedule. First let me say I will not play the schedule game of predicting wins and loses that all Browns fans, Browns twitter and the Cleveland media is playing right now. The only record I care about is 1-19-1. But I can still look at the schedule and give an opinion. When I first saw the schedule, I said “Oh Crap, we have to play in Baltimore game one?” After thinking about it, why the hell not? Let’s take on the big dawg in the AFC North first and get it out of the way. If this new coaching staff doesn’t have this team ready for that game, then Browns fans will know we’re in trouble. Like the old joke says, if you go to prison or jail, pick out the biggest inmate on the first day and punch them in the face. The other inmates won’t mess with you because they’ll think you’re either crazy or tough. But they will end up respecting you and leave you alone. The Browns need to go into Baltimore and punch that bitch in the face, game one.

The early part of the schedule has winnable games after Baltimore and games that are going to be really tough. Week 4 at Dallas and week 6 at Pittsburg look very challenging. The week 2 and 3 games should be wins, at home verses Cincinnati and Washington, but I’m not taking anything for granted. I really like the middle of the schedule, weeks 7 through 12, three of the five are at home and the bye week is placed perfectly in the middle of those three home games at week 9. Weeks 7 and 12 are on the road, but they’re against the Bengals and the Jaguars. Both are very winnable. Weeks 13 through 17, lets say, are very intriguing. The week 13 game here in Nashville has revenge game written all over it for the Browns. December 6th in Nashville, there should be plenty of seats available. After that, unusual back to back games in New York, verses the Jets and the Giants. You can really tell the NFL doesn’t care about OBJ going back to New York to face the Giants. During that span the Browns play Baltimore and Pittsburg at home weeks 14 and 17, hopefully during a playoff push. The Browns have the fourth easiest schedule in the NFL and after a 6-10 record, still have two prime time games, both at home. Currently, the Browns have 12 noon starts, which I like. Get the pain over with early. The Colts game in week 5 is a 3:25 pm start and the Jets game week 16 is TBD. All in all, I like how the schedule plays out, but what the hell do I know, I liked how last years schedule played out.

In other Browns news, the signing of Hollywood Higgins was made official. Best number three receiver in the NFL. Go ahead fight me on this, remember I slapped around the biggest inmate on the first day in prison. As for free agency, LB Clay Matthews is not going to be a Brown. It ain’t happening. I wish he was three years younger and he could put on his dad’s number 57, but it just isn’t a fit right now. As for Mr. Clowney? He doesn’t want to play for the Browns. They offered the most money in the early part of free agency and he turned it down. He’ll either go back to the Seahawks or wait till and injury in training camp when he’ll have more leverage. Clowney and Seattle are like the two best looking people in high school. Everyone knows they’re going to the prom together, they’re just waiting until it’s official. Besides, the Browns need LB depth, that’s the only thing they’re missing.

Finally, Tennessee resident Little Richard died Saturday. He influenced so many rock greats. From the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, Elvis, David Bowie, Jimi Hendricks, Bob Dylan, Sam Cook, Otis Redding, The Kinks, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Creedence and Queen. Plus many more, RIP Little Richard. Everyone stay safe, stay at home when you can, if you go out, have respect for your fellow man and wear a mask, shop local and WASH YOUR FREAKING HANDS. Go Browns and https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/nfl-schedule-2020-browns-tickets-information

It’s back to business for the Browns, well sort of. The Browns will be starting virtual meetings with players and will start getting rookies up to date next week. As for any other happenings, that’s about it. At least the drafted players, Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry are doing radio and television interviews. The more I hear Stefanski and Berry speak, the more confident I feel. I’m not going full high expectations like many Browns fans and I did last year. Not drinking any Kool-Aid this year. I keep reminding myself of one set of numbers 1-19-1, the Browns record in opening day games since 1999. 1-19-1. Change that and I’ll fell better.

Most of the post draft grades are out and I have not seen a grade lower than an A-. According to the draft experts the only weak spot in the Browns draft is LSU LB Brandon Phillips. Most Browns fans, including myself, wanted the Browns to draft LB Malik Harrison from TheOSU. After the draft I looked at the PFF rankings for both players. Phillips was rated 129 and Harrison 133. So not much of a difference. The difference comes in tackles. Brandon Phillips doesn’t miss tackles, only five missed tackles over the last two years. He was the leading tackler on LSU and I’ll take the leading tackler on a National Champion team any day of the week. According to Cleveland media the mystery pick is DT Jordan Elliot of Missouri. First of all, he played in the SEC, yes Tony Grossi Missouri is in the SEC, and this kid is a steal in the third round. He has such a great first step off the line of scrimmage.

The only other pick Browns fans seem upset about is WR Donovan Peoples-Jones of Michigan. I understand as a fellow Buckeye fan, the love for WR K.J. Hill, but Hill is a slot receiver and the Browns already have one of the best slot receivers in Jarvis Landry. Besides in Stefanski’s offense, sometimes there’ll be a tight end or a fullback lined up in the slot. Just a reminder, the Browns have two FULLBACKS on the roster. There is a god. Peoples-Jones in the sixth round is highway robbery. Experts complain about his statistics at Michigan. Have you seen the quarterback play at Michigan? Every player at the NFL combine was drafted except one, Michigan QB Shea Patterson. Enough said. Peoples-Jones will probably return kicks and punts while he learns from two of the best route runners in the NFL, OBJ and Landry.

Speaking of wide receiver….HOLLYWOOD IS BACK. There are reports that the Browns had agreed to a contract with Higgins before the draft. The Browns wide receiver room is incredible. Have I told you how much I love this front office. It’s great to have intelligent, responsible adults leading this team. All in all it’s been a very productive off season so far, I’m not going to say the Browns won the off season because I hate that. I’ll keep it at, very productive. Every position group has been strengthened and some are just unbelievable. The only work that needs to be done is at line backer and one more needs to be added. LB Nigel Bradham is still out there, but like I’ve said in the past, he needs to pass a physical and his price needs to come down. As for the free agent elephant in the room, Jedeveon Clowney, I still don’t think the Browns are going to sign him. Right now the favorites to sign him are the Titans. But, again as I’ve said in the past, they’ll need to move some money around to do it. This week I got blasted by Titans fans on twitter for suggesting that, but I treat the NFL for what it is, a business, not a bunch of guys sitting around the kitchen table picking players for a fantasy draft. Personally I think he ends up back in Seattle. He’s not in a hurry to sign with anyone. He can wait till a training camp injury and get the contract he wants.

The next big event on the NFL table is the schedule release. I’ve heard it’s May 9th, but that’s on a Saturday and the NFL loves releasing the schedule on a Thursday, so I would watch for it on May 7th. I have a feeling the order and the home and away of the teams will be released, but not the dates due to the uncertainty of the future. Lastly, episode 3 of “Building The Browns” will air this Sunday at 11:00 am eastern. It highlights the Browns preparing for the virtual draft. I can’t wait, that show gets me so pumped for the season. STOP… 1-19-1…put the Kool-Aid down. So remember, if you want to see football in the fall, stay home when you have to, wear a mask when you have go out, social distance, please support your local businesses and WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS. Stay safe and Go Browns.