March 2023 – Dawgpoundsouth

The Curious Case of Lamar Jackson.

Wait a minute, this is a Browns blog why are you writing about the soon to be former Ravens quarterback? It seems the Browns giving their franchise quarterback a fully guaranteed contract has caused a disturbance in the NFL force. First of all, any pain caused by the Browns to other AFC north teams, especially the Ravens is a good thing. And any complications to the league because of the Browns is also a good thing. My thoughts and prayers to Baltimore fans and NFL owners.

For years Browns fans were told the Ravens were a well-run organization, while, because of the hole the league placed the Browns in in 1999, Cleveland was always dysfunctional. There were years when I thought they were worse than dysfunctional. During 1-31, dysfunctional would have been an improvement. But now the league owners are blaming the Browns for doing something that if the other 31 teams had an opportunity to do, they would have done it. Just a reminder, 13 teams inquired about Deshaun Watson and the final four teams (Saints, Falcons, Panthers & Browns) all offered the same contract. Only Cleveland guaranteed the money. If the Cowboys or the Patriots had done the same thing, they would have been lauded as trail blazers and smart, well-run franchises. I don’t blame owner Jimmy Haslam for wanting a big upgrade at quarterback and doing what was necessary to build a winning team. I want the Browns to win as well. Hell, I’m not getting any younger.

The Ravens had the opportunity to extend Jackson prior to this year. The Buffalo Bills (well-run organization) picked up Josh Allen’s fifth-year option in May of 2021 and on August 6, 2021, gave him a six-year contract worth up to $258 million with $150 million guaranteed. The current Browns front office tries to extend their core players before they hit their final year. Chubb, Garrett, Teller, Bitonio, Njoku, Ward and Conklin are just a few examples. The Ravens (not a well-run organization) had the opportunity prior to the Watson contract. Ravens’ fans will argue that Jackson seems to get injured at the worst time, late in the season. Yes, his last full season was 2019, however that was the year he won the MVP. Fans say he’s a running quarterback. Have you seen Josh Allen and Partick Mahomes?

In summary, according to everyone, except Browns fans, this all Cleveland’s fault. Yep, and I’m loving every minute of it. Karma baby, karma.

One final note, I’m joining the Fanatical Elfz Network podcast (http://@ElfzNetwork) as a regular contributor. This will transition into my own podcast on the same network. I’ll still write my blog (Dawgpoundsouth – A blog about the Cleveland Browns) and continue to write articles for https://clesportstalk.com/. This is great opportunity to talk even more about the Browns.

So Far, So Good.

The Browns are off and running addressing team needs in free agency. The defensive line needed work, okay, sign four defensive linemen, so far. Created a hole at free safety with the release of John Johnson, III, no problem. Wanted to keep the continuity with the offensive line, okay you got it. Need to keep two key contributors on defense and special teams, check. Like I said, so far, so good.

Some in the Cleveland media, I’m looking at you Tony Grossi, are criticizing the Browns for their lack of a big swing signing. I thought there might be one as well. They were in on defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, but he picked the 49ers over the Browns. Actually, I’m shocked Browns GM Andrew Berry was willing to throw big money at the best DT in this year’s free agency. The signing of DT Dalvin Tomlinson makes me very happy. He’s a run stopper who can create pressure. Pressure up the middle so the pass rushers can clean up the mess. Speaking of pass rushers, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was high on my list. An ascending player who is just coming into his own. Five sacks in the last six games he played, including one against the Browns. Next came the free safety this team needed. Juan Thornhill was the guy I wanted. He’ll allow Grant Delpit to stay a strong safety, where he’s a better player. Here’s a link for an article I wrote Sunday, https://clesportstalk.com/ready-set-and-go/

The biggest shock was the resigning of center Ethan Pocic. I thought for sure he was gone because he was asking for $ 10 million a year. The Browns got him for a little more than $ 6 million. Today it was reported that tight end Jordan Akins is visiting Berea. Both made my wish list article for Clevelandsportstalk.com ,https://clesportstalk.com/my-offensive-free-agency-wish-list/. As for the other two defensive linemen, Maurice Hurst and Trysten Hill, they are both low risk, high reward signings. Both are very talented but injury prone. Will they make the team? I’ll wait to see their contracts. If they have guaranteed money, then they’re making the team. I was glad to see the resigning’s of A.J. Green and Sione Takitaki. Green is key backup and great special teamer. Takitaki played very well when he took over the middle linebacker spot. The team still needs to sign another LB. Either Anthony Walker or Reggie Ragland would be fine with me.

Other positions that need to be addressed are wide receiver (Mecole Hardeman or Trent Sherfield), backup QB (Josh Dobbs or Teddy Bridgewater) and possibly another DT (Matt Ioannidis). Right now, all Browns fans are on wide receiver watch. A trade is possible, but a signing makes more sense. Andrew Berry uses free agency to fill holes and to allow the team to be very fluid during the draft. Stay Safe and Go Browns.

Here. We. Go.

Now that the Franchise and Transition Tag period has ended, the “illegal” tampering period goes into high gear. Rumors will run rampant, players will post cryptic messages on social media and people who say they have reliable sources, don’t. The voices in their heads aren’t reliable sources. Clickbait season has begun. Just remember, Browns GM Andew Berry can be unpredictable. No one knew the Browns were going to trade for Amari Cooper before it happened. With new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on the coaching staff, Berry will go heavy on the defensive side of the ball. That’s no surprise, the uncertainty comes from how he’ll attack the situation. Conventual wisdom tells you, he’ll spend the free agency money wisely, t0 maximize the value of the money. But there’s a nagging feeling he might just swing big for a “name ” free agent. All I know, if a signing doesn’t happen right away, I’ll have to scroll past a lot of memes on my twitter timeline. Like a stick figure poking a Browns helmet or pictures of Mr. Bean waiting.

The Browns aren’t going to trade Nick Chubb. Not this year at least. Sure, the Browns have to clean up their salary cap, they’re currently $ 14 million over. But trading Nick Chubb doesn’t help that situation. As for acquiring more draft picks for this year, who knows what you could get for Chubb. All I know is this is a deep draft for running backs and if a team needs one, financially a rookie contract is much more affordable. Like I’ve said before, the Browns are in “win now” mode and Chubb helps that mode. Finally, the Browns are going to restructure Watson’s contract. Recently he said he would agree to it, however he already has, it’s written in his contract that the Browns have that option. The public will find out about it prior to the start of the league year.

The Deshaun Watson contract is starting to look like a good deal. Daniel Jones is going to get $40 million a year, $ 6million less than Watson. Just a reminder, Jones is 21-23-1 as a starter. As for Lamar Jackson, he should have hired an agent prior to last season and worked out a contract then. If he didn’t get what he wanted, he could have held out. It doesn’t help his case that the last time he played a full season was 2019 and hasn’t played in December the last two years. It’s amazing how so many quarterback needy teams, within an hour of the announcement Jackson was being tagged, said they weren’t interested. Yep, the NFL loves to collude. My problem with all this mess, some experts are blaming the Browns. First of all, if Baltimore is in disarray because of the Browns, GOOD. Second of all, why blame the Browns for doing something the other 31 teams could have done. Thirteen teams inquired about Watson and there were three other teams to make the cut. These teams knew his contract demands and were willing to do the contract. Watson chose the Browns.

The legal tampering period begins Monday March 13 at noon EST. The official signing period starts Wednesday March 15 at 4:00 pm EST. Enjoy the ride. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Quick News & Notes.

The Browns have been busy since I wrote my last blog. They hired veteran coach Bill Musgrave as an offensive assistant. Personally, I would have preferred someone who is more familiar with quarterback Deshaun Watson, but I’ll take a fresh set of eyes looking at the offense. Especially someone who head coach Kevin Stefanski knows and respects. Musgrave spent 19 seasons in the NFL as either a quarterback coach or an offensive coordinator. The team also made some minor moves on the coaching staff.

The Browns started the process of restructuring contracts with WR/KR Jakeem Grant. They took the remaining two years on his contract and turned into a one-year contract with a voidable year. They saved $1.7 million and made his cap number the same amount. It was also announced the team will cut safety John Johnson, III and designate him a post June 1 cut. This wasn’t a surprising move as I’ve said it might happen and saves the team $9.75 million in cap space. I thought at the time this was a great free agent signing, however I don’t think they Browns utilized Johnson’s talent properly.

As expected, Washington franchised tagged DT Daron Payne. No surprise and still don’t believe he was ever a free agent target for the Browns. There’s a lot of talk about the Browns and Bengals safety Jessie Bates. Just don’t see the Browns spending $15 million on Bates when they could use that money on two or three much needed players. Just a reminder the Franchise & Transition designation period ends March 7. Expect the Browns to announce a Watson restructure after the Ravens tag Lamar Jackson.

The combine has started and the only player I’ve heard who has talked to the Browns is Michigan DE Mike Morris. Other possible targets for the Browns: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, Zach Harrison, Ohio State and Tuli Tuipulotu, USC. All would be potential third round picks. Yesterday, Browns GM talked to the media. My takeaways are: Would not name Nick Harris as the starting center, a Watson restructure is on the table (Yes), there are other options for restructures (no surprise), kicker Cade York will have no competition and the age guardrails for draft picks is still in use. For those who don’t know, Berry doesn’t draft players over the age of 22.

Finally, it was announced the Browns and the Jets will play in the Hall of Fame game. Again, no surprise. So the Browns and the Jets report a week early to training camp and play four pre-season games as opposed to three. The start of the league year is two weeks from today, March 15, so expect a lot of articles stating the Browns have this free agent or that free agent on their radar. They should have every free agent on their radar. Stay safe and Go Browns.