Month: February 2023

Fire the defensive coordinator. Check. Fire the Special Teams coach. Check. Hopefully the Browns will hire a couple of coaches who are upgrades. Big check. It’s being reported today that the Browns have hired former special teams ace Bubba Ventrone. Just like the Jim Schwartz hire, this is a major upgrade. In his five years as special teams coach with the Colts, they finished in the top ten four times. If Cleveland’s special teams had been average last year, I contend they could’ve won three more games. Been then again, both Joe Woods and Mike Priefer would probably be still employed by the team. The Colts wanted to keep Ventrone, so the Browns also added assistant coach to his title. The Browns this week also hired Ephraim Banda as their safeties coach. Now the emphasis is on hiring a QB coach (Sean Ryan or James Urban) and some defensive coaches. They should have the staff complete by the start of the NFL combine on February 28.

In other news, the franchise tag period started on February 21. So far there’s only been speculation on those getting the big money tags. There have been reports DT Javon Hargrave, DT Da’ron Payne and DT Dre’Mont Jones may be tagged. I’m not concerned about these players because I’m of the believe they aren’t Browns targets. Too expensive. Think Matt Ioannidis, David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins and Jarren Reed.

The first fire sale started yesterday. The Tennessee Titans released LT Taylor Lewan, WR Robert Woods, K Randy Bullock and LB Zach Cunningham. There are rumors edge Bud Dupree maybe designated as a post June 1st cut. Of these players, I know Browns GM Andrew Berry tried to acquire Woods before the Rams traded him to the Titans and I might take a flyer on Cunningham on a cheap contract. Because Jim Schwartz was employed by the Titans last year, players from the Titans will catch the eye of Browns fans. Of their free agents, LB Rashann Evans would be an upgrade as a starter, center Corey Levin, edge DeMarcus Walker and safety Andrew Adams would be good backup/rotational players. I have no interest in Lewan, he’s missed 18 games over the last three years and as for Dupree, only as a situational pass rusher at the league minimum.

As I said the combine starts next Tuesday. I’ve heard rumors the Browns are scheduling meetings with agents of pending Browns free agents. I’m not interested in how the draftable players perform; I’m interested in who the team meets with. Always a good indicator. Stay safe and Go Browns.

With the completion of Super Bowl 57, the 2023 NFL season has officially started. As for the game, one play didn’t decide it, but the field conditions really hurt the Eagles. The league spent $800,000.00 growing the grass specifically for the Super Bowl. The NFL should ask for its money back, what a mess. It naturized the Eagles pass rush. You can’t give Pat Mahomes that much time. I hope Browns Kevin Stefanski was watching the Chiefs redzone offense because it was a thing of beauty. A lot of motion, a lot of speed and a franchise quarterback who has time to throw.

Now begins the Browns quest to get to Super Bowl 58. First up, hiring new coaches to replace Jeff Howard, Chris Kiffin and possibly Drew Petzing. The Colts and the Cardinals have decided on their new head coaches, so the Browns can finish out their coaching staffs. I have a feeling new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz knows who he wants to hire, and it’ll be happen pretty quickly.

Next up for the Browns will be contract restructures. Remember, a restructure is not a pay cut if the owner can afford to pay the upfront money. Jimmy Haslam can afford it even after he buys a 25% stake in the Milwaukie Bucks. The date to watch is the beginning of the Franchise tag period. Once Baltimore officially tags quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Browns will restructure Watson’s contract. The Browns want to force the Ravens to pay the full tag for quarterbacks, $32.42 million. It doesn’t matter if Jackson signs the offer or not, once the team applies the franchise tag, the amount is set. The Franchise and Transition period begins on February 21 and runs through March 7.

Now that Joe Thomas is in the NFL Hall of Fame, as if there was any doubt, I know a lot of you are wondering if the Browns will play in the Hall of Fame Game. We should find out sometime during the NFL combine, which is February 28 through March 6. My money is on Jets vs. Browns and no there isn’t a rule that teams who play each other in the regular season can’t play in the pre-season. It’s happened before.

The fun really gets started on March 13, when the legal tampering period begins. The illegal tampering period begins at the Combine. Shh, don’t tell anyone. Then on March 15 free agency begins and large amounts of money will be thrown around. Day one is always big contracts for big names and day two is always what I like to call “fool’s gold day.” Big money given to average players. As I’ve said before, Browns GM Andrew Berry will attack the defensive line first. The team needs at least a DT1, DE2 & DE3. A trade for a wide receiver wouldn’t surprise me either.

Next year is officially here Browns fans. Stay safe and Go Browns.

With both the Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl played last week, I thought I would start messing around with some mock draft simulators. In the past, I usually start looking at mock drafts in November. Now I wait until free agency as started. The Browns big needs in this year’s draft are defensive line, wide receiver and safety. Throw in possibly a running back, offensive tackle and tight end and with eight picks, GM Andrew Berry might be able to fill in some needs. Here goes.

Pick 42, Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan.

Pick 98, Nick Herbig, DE, Wisconsin.

Pick 111, Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas.

Pick 126, Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati.

Pick 142, Quindell Johnson, S, Memphis.

Pick 144, Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland.

Pick 190, Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan.

Pick 237, Kahlef Hailassie, CB, Western Kentucky.

Like I said, this is a way too early mock draft and I think I covered all the Brown’s needs. Berry may surprise everyone and make a big splash in free agency, especially at defensive tackle. He’s been pretty damn good at trading for players, so he could make a deal for a wide receiver. The free agent wide receiver market is average at best as are the players in the draft. Let me know what you think. Stay safe and Go Browns.