Month: March 2022

As the national media rakes the Browns over the coals for their news conference on Friday, let’s remember it’s football and it’s a billion-dollar a year industry. A quick couple of comments about the presser on Friday. It was appropriately serious and somber. The Cleveland media asked the right questions, and the Browns did answer to the best of their abilities. I found Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson very genuine. But I’ll let the process work its course. I still have reservations about Deshaun Watson the person, but not about Deshaun Watson the player. He’s a top five, maybe a top ten quarterback in this league. He chose Cleveland before he knew about the giant contract, he knew this was a talented roster. I consider him the best quarterback in the AFC North. But now what?

The Browns protected themselves in case of a Watson suspension by signing Jacoby Brissett. It sounds like Watson will not settle any cases against him any time soon. He wants to prove his innocence. This could take a while. His case has been brought before two grand juries for criminal charges. The first took a couple of days, the second took a couple of hours. It’s a he said, she said situation, and unfortunately the she said gets run over by the talent of the player. As for the reporting the Browns structured Watson’s contract to protect him from losing money if suspended, that’s a load of crap. Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, Tyreek Hill and Aaron Rogers all have the same structure. Last year the Titans did the same thing with Ryan Tannehill’s contract restructure to sign WR Julio Jones. It’s common in the NFL.

As for Baker Mayfield, his agent is working with the Browns to find him a new home. The Browns are going to have to pay the team trading for Mayfield part of his salary because right now Mayfield is seen as a backup, unless Seattle changes its mind about Drew Lock. You have to think Tampa would take him as a backup to Brady. Look what happened to Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota last year. They both sat behind two pretty good quarterbacks and worked their way into starting positions with two new teams. Wash, rinse, repeat. The biggest Mayfield news over this weekend was reported by ESPN and Joe Thomas that he turned down a $30 million dollar a year extension last year. Put the shovel down Baker. Right now, the man can’t get out of his own way. All this will come to a head before April 18 when the Browns have a training camp session. If Mayfield doesn’t show up, (he’s still on the roster), he’ll be fined $50K a day. This penalty is written in the new CBA and is mandatory. Money talks and you know what walks.

As for more free agency news, I hear it’s coming. Trust in the man who I consider a Ninja GM, Andrew Berry. All I know is I don’t have to watch the first day of the draft for the next three years, or do I? Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Before Deshaun Watson makes his decision and social media turns into everything college basketball, I have a few things to get off my chest.

Whose idea was this? This was an organizational decision. Owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t demand GM Andrew Berry trade for Watson. That’s not how this front office works, and Haslam has let them make all the football decisions. Did he approve the trade? Yes, he’s the owner as is Dee Haslam. Chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta also had to approve this trade as did head coach Kevin Stefanski. Over the last two years, the Browns front office has worked together to improve the roster. Do I agree the Browns should trade for Watson? Oh hell no. Too much baggage. I don’t like his alleged behavior, not one bit. I know we’re a country of forgiveness and second chances, but this one is too hard to handle. But if he’s the QB, I’ll still root for the Browns. I’m too invested.

As for the other crap that’s on social media. Stop. I have no problem with Baker Mayfield posting a thank you to the fans. It seems like most people post their feelings on social media. Doesn’t make him soft. Calling him soft creates clicks. Did the Browns give Mayfield a heads up about pursuing Watson? Of course they did. This front office is too smart to not give him a heads up. They cross every “T” and dot every “I”. This one drives me crazy, “Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski lied to the media about Baker Mayfield being the starter in 2022.” No, they didn’t. Why would they broadcast to the NFL world their plans? Head coach Kevin Stefanski when asked if there would be changes in the QB room in reference to QB Case Keenum said there could be structural changes before the season starts. Rumors of the trade proposal to Houston. Everyone’s educated guess for clicks. Three first round picks and two prominent players? Doesn’t sound like an Andrew Berry type trade. He just traded for a top ten wide receiver for basically a fifth-round pick.

All I can go on is how this front office has performed the last two years. I fully believe the Browns were either going to find a replacement for Mayfield in 2022 or 2023. Their history is keeping players they want by signing players to extensions before their last season. Myles Garrett, Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. David Njoku is a special case. He demanded a trade and changed his mind and his agent. Hopefully they extend Denzel Ward before training camp.

What’s the plan moving forward? If Watson chooses another team, and I hope he does, the front office has a plan B, a plan C, a plan D and probably a plan E. Also, after all this, the door still hasn’t shut on Mayfield being the starter this year. It would take some incredible gymnastics by both sides but there is a small chance. I’m not a “Baker Bro” or a “Baker hater.” I’m a Browns fan. I just hope Watson makes up his mind today, I would like to go back to enjoying free agency again. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

As the 2022 NFL combine comes to an end, pro football fans await the spinning of the rumor mill. First up is the deadline to franchise and transition tag players is on March 8. For the Browns, the rumor is they have a deal on the table for TE David Njoku in the $10 million per year range. If no deal is agreed upon, the team could franchise tag Njoku and try to work out a deal by July 15. And as I type this, the Browns franchised tagged him. Next, the team talked to the representatives of RB D’Ernest Johnson and WR Jarvis Landry over the weekend. Johnson is a restricted free agent and if a deal isn’t agreed upon, they could place a second-round tender on him or trade him. As for Landry, it sure sounds like the Browns are going to cut him saving over $15 million is cap space. Decisions also need to be made concerning C J.C. Tretter, TE Austin Hooper and QB Case Keenum. I get the feeling, Keenum would be the most likely to restructure. Since Njoku has been tagged, there is a big question if Hooper will be back.

There are conflicting reports about the Browns resigning DE Jadeveon Clowney. It sounds like GM Andrew Berry will let him see what’s out there and give him a time limit. I’m sure his agent is listening to hypothetical contract details because the legal tampering period doesn’t start till March 14. As for the wide receiver position, there are reports the Browns will be aggressively involved in free agency. That being said, it would depend on the right player for the right price. They might work out a trade, but don’t expect WR Amari Cooper, his contract of $20 million is why the Cowboys are getting rid of him. Possible trade targets are WR Andy Isabella of the Cardinals or WR Calvin Ridley of the Falcons.

I expect the team to sign defensive linemen at both tackle and end. Also on defense, there is a need for another safety because I don’t think Ronnie Harrison will be back. The Browns would like to resign M.J. Stewart, but he might be seeking a better deal. The team won’t overpay for a number three safety. A backup swing tackle will also be needed. There were reports the Browns want to resign Chris Hubbard, however he’s on the wrong side of 30 and has gotten hurt the last two years so they might be looking for younger options.

Going back to Njoku, the franchise tag for a tight end is $10.8 million but that amount doesn’t count against the cap until Njoki signs his franchise tag deal or until July 15. Like I said earlier, the Browns want to work out a long-term deal with Njoku. Other players who are expected get tagged the Browns might be interested in are WR Chris Godwin and WR Mike Williams. Besides tagging Njoku, the Browns also tendered exclusive right free agents, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, G Michael Dunn and T Blake Hance. If you’re wondering where the contract extension is for CB Denzel Ward, that will be worked out after free agency.

The next couple weeks are going to be busy for the Browns front office. As I stated many times, I have full faith that GM Andrew Berry will do all he can to improve the Browns roster. Let the illegal tampering begin. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.