Month: May 2022

Back Up And Running.

After taking a week off from writing this all-important Browns blog because of surgery last Thursday, I’m back in the saddle. Let’s see how well I write on Hydrocodone and 800MG of Ibuprofen. For some strange reason I’m feeling nostalgic for high school or maybe it was junior high school, I don’t remember. I would also like to thank my lovely bride Karen, not only did she have to take care of me, but our dog hurt her leg, so she’s been a post-op nurse and a part-time vet. Enough about my weekend, let’s talk Browns.

In the breaking news, water is wet department, DE Jadeveon Clowney resigned with the Browns, TE David Njoku got an extension and QB Baker Mayfield didn’t show up for “voluntary” OTA’s. Clowney works at his own pace and was never associated with any other team, so him resigning with the Browns is a no brainer. He had one of his best and healthiest seasons in a while, you could tell he loved playing on the same defensive line with Myles Garrett and felt DC’s Joe Woods was the best scheme for him. And of course, the contract was perfect for the Browns, a one-year deal with four voidable years to spread out the $8 million signing bonus. His cap hit for 2022 is only $3.5 million, 1.59% of the total cap. Bargain.

The Njoku extension was a nice surprise. I’ve always been a big believer in David Njoku and now Browns fans will hopefully see he is worth the money. The deal is reported to be a four-year, $56.75 million contract extension with $28 million guaranteed. I’ll wait till I see the contract details before passing judgement on if it’s a good deal. I do know that Njoku has become a very good blocker, improved his pass catching (only two drop passes in 2021) and is a young (26) talented up-and-coming tight end. Some have suggested that QB Deshaun Watson will make Njoku a better player, however Watson has never relied on the tight end position heavily. The last year he played in Houston, former Browns tight end Darren Fells had a nice year, but it wasn’t anything to write home about. I’m eager to see how head coach Kevin Stefanski will use Njoku and Harrison Bryant in the red zone with Watson. Mismatch city.

As for Mayfield, there are reports this morning other teams are willing to trade for Mayfield if they only have to pay $5 to $6 million of his salary. The Browns are willing to pay half, $9 million. Let’s just split the difference and end this ever growing national nightmare. Even heavily drugged I still got my sarcasm. And speaking of heavily drugged, time to go get horizontal and enjoy these legal pharmaceuticals. Everyone stay safe, enjoy your three day weekend (and remember why you have a three day weekend) and Go Browns.

Deshaun Watson Speculation.

The national and local Cleveland media has been on a clickbait rampage lately concerning the Browns new starting quarterback. First, let me say, I’m not here to judge or pronounce guilt or innocence. The “Baker Bros” and “Baker Haters” do enough of that on Browns twitter. I’m a believer in letting the system play out, fairly or unfairly. But some of the judgements presented by the media have been ridiculous. This week, the league met with Watson to hear his side of the story. It’s called due diligence. The league felt there were false reports floating around and wanted clarity from Watson. The leaking of the taped deposition testimony to a local Cleveland television station moved process along. The testimony was leaked by the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzzbee, to advance the settlement process forward. How am I sure Buzzbee leaked the video? The plaintiff’s attorneys took the deposition and were the only ones with access to the video and the ten-minute clip was very unfavorable to Watson. Court of public opinion goes a long way in today’s world.

So, the NFL investigation is still gathering facts. Today it was announced the league would be interviewing Watson again because next Tuesday night several of Watson’s accusers will be interviewed on HBO’s Real Sports with Brian Gumbel. Tony Buzzbee is really pushing for a settlement, and I could see why. Legal experts estimate to settlement amount to all 22 plaintiffs could be between $35 to $55 million. As for the league investigation, it’s headed by Lisa Friel, a special counsel for investigations by the league. She is investigating if Watson violated the leagues personal conduct policy as stated in the 2020 CBA.

Here’s where it gets speculative. Will the league end their investigation prior to cases being settled monetarily or in court? I just can’t see that happening. Upon completion, the investigative report will be presented to former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson an impartial arbitrator agreed on by both the league and the players union. She will determine if there is a suspension and its length. If the NFL suspends Watson now and further incriminating evidence comes out at a later date, the league will not be able to suspend Watson a second time. I know Mike Florio has been pushing this notion, but it won’t happen. Running back Ray Rice was suspended for assaulting his girlfriend. TMZ later released the video of the attack, and the league gave Rice a harsher penalty. Rice sued the league and won based on the legal premise of “Double Jeopardy.” The NFL won’t let that happen again. Florio is a lawyer, but I think he’s let his Steeler fandom cloud his legal judgement.

Would the league like for Watson to settle? Sure. They probably want to deal with their other problems. Like one owner who wanted to pay his head coach to throw games and another owner who was pimping out cheer leaders and skimming revenue from the other owners, allegedly. As much as the media would like for this to be over, I just can’t see it happening unless Watson settles. If he’s innocent and that’s a big assumption, then why would he settle. “Baker Bros” will say he doesn’t want to settle because of the money. I’ll counter with this argument, if he’s guilty and more evidence comes out, then the $35 to $55 million previously stated will look like pocket change.

Finally, the Browns have to have general knowledge of if there will be a suspension and its length. The current front office is too smart not to have a general idea. This statement will send the “Baker Bros” into the Andrew Berry is clueless rant because their favorite quarterback hasn’t been traded yet. Tough. Mayfield will be traded, and he won’t play another snap for the Cleveland Browns. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

It’s Here.

Happy NFL schedule release day. After a week of leaks, rumors and the drip, drip, drip of the NFL releasing key games, the day is here for all NFL fans and media to start playing the NFL schedule game of wins and losses. The Browns opponents for 2022 are, Home: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Patriots, Jets, Chargers, Saints, Buccaneers. Away: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Bills, Dolphins, Texans, Falcons, Panthers, Commanders. So far, the rumors, and they’re just rumors, I’ve heard are the Browns playing their first two games at home against the Steelers week one and the Ravens week two, and the Browns hosting the Jets week 11. The Browns current strength of schedule according to CBS Sports is tied for 17th at .495. My hope is for a winnable first game, I’m tired of 1-20-1 in openers and a reasonable bye week.

Right now, the Cleveland media is trying to figure out if the NFL will make the Browns schedule with a Deshaun Watson suspension in mind. First of all, the NFL doesn’t care. Second of all, I’m of the opinion Watson will not be suspended for 2022. A judge and both attorneys have agreed no cases will go to court till after April 1, 2023. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already said that due to no criminal charges Watson won’t go the the exempt list and the NFL isn’t going to suspend Watson until a case is settled or decided. If the NFL did suspend Watson prior to a case being settled or decided, the plaintiffs could use this against Watson as a presumption of guilt. The NFL won’t let that happen so it’s not going to happen.

Finally, on the Baker Mayfield front, he’s not being held hostage. The Browns are just showing the patience they always show in player deals. GM Andrew Berry has a number and compensation in mind. He’ll do the job, he’s being paid to do, make the Browns better. NFL media and kitchen table GMs can bitch and complain, but the last time I looked they never ran an NFL front office. And the former GMs who are now members of the media, the reason they are former GMs is because they weren’t successful. Andrew Berry will take care of it; I have no worries.

I’m going to sit back tonight try and enjoy the schedule release show. I don’t know why it’s going to take two hours, but I hope I don’t hear two names, Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson. Especially Baker Mayfield. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Clean Up On Isle 6.

With the draft complete here are my day two, https://clesportstalk.com/day-two-recap/ and day three, https://clesportstalk.com/day-three-recap/ recaps for the Browns. As for the players drafted CB Martin Emerson is a scheme fit, he played mostly cover 2 and cover 3 at Mississippi State. Defensive linemen Alex Wright, Perrion Winfrey and Isaiah Thomas were for depth. I could see Winfrey starting and Wright and Thomas as key rotational players. WR David Bell will take over in the slot and excel. He catches everything, a 4.7% career drop rate. Kicker Cade York was the best kicker in the draft and he’s now the Browns starting kicker. RB Jerome Ford is a future pick because Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson are not signed past 2022. Johnson might not make the team. WR Micheal Woods and C Dawson Deaton are practice squad players.

Looking over the rookie undrafted free agents, three players stand out, DT Glen Logan, WR Isaiah Weston and CB Shaun Jolly. Browns GM Andrew Berry has been successful in the past finding UDFAs. I don’t put much stock in draft grades. The Browns pre-draft roster was very talented to start with, so the Browns were drafting for the depth and the future. That’s what consistently good teams try to achieve. Some Browns fans were complaining about no star players added and the drafting of a kicker. As for the star players, there were none in this draft and as for the kicker, last year the Browns kicker missed seven of his last eleven field goals in 2021. I’m glad to see the Browns addressing the glaring need to improve one of the worst special teams in the NFL. I still think the Browns will resign DE Jadeveon Clowney, a veteran defensive tackle and possibly a veteran wide receiver.

The other news from the draft was the trade of CB Troy Hill and the possible trade of QB Baker Mayfield. The Rams inquired as to his availability and the Browns pulled the trigger. Hill now feels he’s been disrespected because he was traded for a fifth-round pick. WR Amari Cooper was in essence traded for a fifth-round pick and I don’t hear him complaining. I’m told the Mayfield trade never got as serious as had been reported. Carolina tried to make it sound like the Browns didn’t want to pay any of Mayfield’s contract. No one knows what was asked for and what was offered. If Carolina asked for $16.5 million of the $18.9 million to be paid by the Browns, I wouldn’t do that trade either. I would do anywhere between $ 8 to $12 million and a 2023 conditional draft pick. My hair isn’t on fire like most the fanbase and the local media about Mayfield. Andrew Berry has a number and compensation in mind, and he’ll stick to that plan. He won’t be released, and he won’t be kept on the roster to start for Watson if he is suspended. I still don’t think there will be a suspension in 2022 if no cases go to court and he doesn’t settle.

The Browns now have eight picks in the 2023 draft due to two trades this weekend. One second, one third, two fourths, two fifths, one sixth and one seventh. Teams that want make the playoff’s every year try to go into a draft with nine to twelve picks. Pick up a 2023 for Mayfield and they’re there. I was happy with Andrew Berry’s third draft because I consider QB Deshaun Watson as their first-round pick. I’ll take a top five QB for the next five years every day of the week. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.