Month: October 2024

That was fun. When the Browns win it should be fun. The Jacksonville game was not fun, it was painful to watch, but back then we all said an ugly win is still a win. And at that point in the season, after a terrible loss to the Cowboys, it was needed. So was this, much needed. With all that has happened since the Bengals loss, it was desperately needed. I thought Kevin Stefanski would come out after the game and stand at the fifty-yard line and say, “are you not entertained?”

At halftime after the Ravens got a cheap score off of a Winston fumble, I still felt good. Surprisingly, I didn’t think, how are they going to screw this up. The most important thing, you could feel the crowd through the TV. The announcers mentioned it and you could see it in the fans faces. This is how this new offense is supposed to work. A quick passing game allowing the Browns to run the ball against the best run defense in the league. The best example is the thirty yard pass to Jerry Jeudy. A quick pass with yards after the catch. Running back Nick Chubb is close to being Nick Chubb again. You could see the vision and the cutbacks. It’s surprising what an average, healthy offensive line can do to a team. Speaking of OL, Dawand Jones played his first NFL game at left tackle and looked decent. With more practice, he could be the left tackle of the future, and I’d keep playing him even if Jedrick Wills gets healthy.

Can the team still make the playoffs? It’s possible, but they need to get to the bye week with a win over the Chargers before we can even think about talking about the playoffs. The good news is the teams ahead of the Browns for a playoff spot are on the schedule. Kansas City, Steelers (twice), Broncos, Ravens, Chargers, Bengals and Dolphins. But like I said, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, the team needs to concentrate on beating the Chargers.

Finally, the two players on defense who have been playing at a pro bowl level JOK and Denzel Ward both got hurt yesterday. Ward now has had six concussions, and that’s not good. JOK’s injury was very scary and very concerning. Hopefully both will be ok, but Ward needs to sit down and have a serious discussion with medical professional. He can’t keep getting concussions. Stay safe and Go Browns

That’s the only way I can describe the 2024 version of the Cleveland Browns. Mistake after mistake after mistake. Twelve seconds into the game against the Bengals and they’re already behind by a touchdown. I should’ve turned off the game and found something else to do with my afternoon. But I didn’t, because I’m a Browns fan and I don’t give up on my team. I’ll watch every game from now till the end of the season. I always do.

Did you know that Deshaun Watson over his last four quarters of play was 26 of 29 for 250 yards? Yep, the last half of the Eagles game and the first half of this game, prior to the injury, he was playing well. But that came to an end with what appears to be an Achilles tendon rupture. His recovery from this injury will be at least a year. The Browns did take out an insurance policy on Watson for $14.5 million according to Over The Cap, which will result in about $7 million in cap relief for 2024. If you’re hoping the Browns will move on from Watson because of this injury, sorry it’s not going to happen. Their only opportunity to move on is the beginning of the league year 2026. Then the team can designate him as a post June 1st cut and split his cap hit of $92 million over two years, 2026 & 2027. Similar to what the Broncos did with Russell Wilson this year. By 2026, again according to Over The Cap, the salary cap will be around $300 million and the Browns could still be competitive even with $46 million in dead cap space due to Watson’s contract. I expect him to be on the PUP list at the beginning of 2025.

As for this year, keep an eye on three players who could be traded for future assets. Greg Newsome, Za’Darius Smith and Quinton Jefferson. Has anyone else noticed Jefferson has been a healthy scratch the last two weeks since Michael Hall has returned? Who starts at quarterback will tell you if they’re going for wins or going for talent assessment. If DTR starts, it’s talent assessment and if Winston starts, they’re going for wins. You have to know what you have if your team is picking in the top five in the 2025 draft. Let me also add, Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry aren’t going anywhere. Jimmy Haslem will give them 2025 to fix this roster. If the same thing happens next year, all bets are off. So if you’re a blame Stefanski & Berry type of fan, sorry it isn’t happening this year.

Finally, I know Browns fans have been through a lot over the years. If you’re not my age or older, you don’t remember the last time the Browns won a championship. So you’ve become very anxious with your fandom. We live in an instant world right now, no one wants to wait till next year, people want to have an easy rationale to place blame at the feet of one person. I also understand if you go to the games in person, you’re paying a fortune for that privilege. You should be allowed to boo a bad product, but to cheer when a player gets hurt crosses the line. I don’t care how you feel about that player or what that player has done or not done; you should never cross that line. Then to get mad at the players teammates for calling you out because of the cheering, also crosses the line. Either own up to it or don’t do it. There’s a complicated dance NFL GM’s play with potential free agents every year that fans aren’t aware of, and it doesn’t help the process. Stay safe and Go Browns.

This is the most frustrating Browns team I’ve watched. The only consistent thing about this team is you know they’re going to shoot themselves in the foot at any moment. Last year, you had the feeling they would somehow win, but this year is the opposite. Before you point the finger at a certain player or coach, this a team effort to be this bad, with the exception of Myles Garrett. This guy gives his all, every game.

There’s no easy solution. Sure, the head coach could bench Deshaun Watson, but that’s not on the table right now, but could be in the future. I saw the offense improve in the second half, but stupid penalties, questionable play calling and lack of effort stopped any hope for a comeback. False starts, holding, offensive facemask, yada, yada, yada. A jet sweep on a third and one, kicking a field goal instead of going for the go-ahead touchdown late in the game on what would be your last offensive possession. On defense, Greg Newsome gives up a big play touchdown late in the game it seems like every game. Finally, again there was lack of tackling in key moments in the game. After the superhuman play by Myles Garrett the Browns had a tie at halftime. The Philly fans were booing their team off the field. You had this team right where you wanted them. The team comes out with the ball first and drives the field. The perfect double dip situation. Then comes a third and one and Jameis Winston comes in and they try a jet sweep with Cedric Tillman. Really? How about a simple quarterback sneak. You should know how it works, the Eagles did it to you all game long.

So now what? They’ll keep starting Deshaun Watson. I’ve heard there are some veterans in the locker room who want a change to one of the backups. Stefanski will do everything in his power to force this to work and he has to because of Watson’s contract. Cut him this year and his cap hit would be $119.9 million. Cut him at the beginning of the league year in 2025 and his cap hit would be $92 million. 2026 is the only year the team can cut him and still have money to be competitive. The only relief is if he’s suspended by the league. The NFL is not going to do the Browns any favors.

As for trading players before the deadline, Myles Garrett is not going to be traded. Why would this front office do something stupid like that. The only way he’s gone is if he wants to be gone and he doesn’t want to be gone. WR Amari Cooper would be a candidate for a trade deadline deal as would Greg Newsome. After those two, there really is much value in anyone else.

Now for the good news. Nick Chubb, baring a practice setback, will be activated and play the next game against the Bengals. Will he be the same Chubb? No one knows, but this team needs some kind of boost on offense. The second good news is the Browns are currently slated to pick second in the 2025 NFL draft. Hey, I have to grasp onto something, right? Stay safe and Go Browns.

Yeah, pretty much. Could the Browns go on a long winning streak and turn it around? Nope, not really. When you can’t even put the right number of players in a huddle more than once, it’s over. I’ve seen some bad Browns football teams in my lifetime, that had to be the worst loss. When your alma mater has more effort, drive and physicality on Saturday against the number one team in the country, it’s over. So what’s next?

First of all, this isn’t all quarterback Deshaun Watson’s fault. When your offensive line can’t block, your defense can’t tackle, and your receivers can’t catch the ball, you lose. The entire coaching staff needs to take a long hard in the mirror, because some of these simple things can be fixed in practice. Yes, Watson made mistakes, but I put this complete mess on the coaches. You can’t get the right players on the field? Your offensive line can’t block simple stunts? You can’t tackle an opposing player? I knew this game was over when a punt team player hit the Commanders player receiving the punt after he signaled for a fair catch. Stupid penalty number one of many stupid penalties.

Should coaches be fired? Unless they allow Ken Dorsey to take a shot at calling plays, then he’s probably gone at the bye. I’ll hold judgment on Kevin Stefanski until he has healthy players. Will he be fired? No, and neither will Andrew Berry. This team doesn’t need to go back to fire the coach one year, then fire the GM the next. Will they eventually bench Watson for Winston? Possibly, but expect Winston to be sacked seven times a game and throw interceptions. Changing the QB doesn’t make all the players healthy. And it will be Kevin Stefanski’s call and only Kevin Stefanski’s call.

So now the team heads to Philly as a nine-point underdog. Glad to see the bookmakers finally realizing this team is a hot mess. On the positive side, the Browns are currently picking fourth in the 2025 draft. Stay safe and Go Browns.