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.