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.