Month: December 2024

Thank God. I had little hope the Browns would win yesterday, mainly because Miami’s playoff hopes improved with the Broncos and Colts loses prior to the game. I was encouraged to see some players still trying, but I have a feeling Saturday’s game in Baltimore will show how many Browns players have vacation plans. I feel it’s doing to be 95% of the team. As for the game itself, it’s Saturday at 3:25 CST and the Ravens are 17.5-to-18-point favorites. They’ll probably have that spread by the end of the first quarter. I’m a pull the band aid of kind of guy, so getting this game out of the way early in the weekend is fine by me.

If you are expecting the Browns to fire the GM and the head coach, sorry, it’s not going to happen. Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will be back in 2025. Will some assistant coaches get fired? Maybe, but that’ll be Kevin Stefanski’s decision. Yes, he makes those calls and always has. The end of the season press conference will be must see TV. Not for the information, but because I expect the Cleveland media to make fools of themselves once again.

Currently the Browns are drafting third behind New England and Tennessee. The Patriots host the Bills, and the Titans host the Texans. I expect backups for New England, Buffalo and Houston. Hopefully the Browns will play QB Bailey Zappe against the Ravens. Why not, let’s see what the kid can do. I do expect a completely new quarterback room for the Browns in 2025. A veteran, a young veteran and a draft pick. Jameis Winston could be back, but I doubt it. You’ll hear a ton a rumbling about Kirk Cousins signing with the Browns after he’s released. It does make sense. Forget about Aaron Rogers, not a Stefanski type a guy and he’s too much of a headache. He benched himself yesterday against the Bills. No thank you. The third pick is an interesting pick. If the Browns keep it, I would be more inclined to take DE Abdul Carter from Penn State. If you’re picking that high, you have to select an impact player and no QB in this draft is an impact player. Most people want Cam Ward, but he quit on his team at halftime of their Bowl game. I don’t want a quitter. If you’re thinking about a trade down, the 49ers traded their first-round pick recently to Chicago and received the Bears first, a second and a fourth.

Finally, next year’s Browns opponents are all set except one. Tonight’s game between the Lions and the 49ers could determine the last one. Right now, it’s Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Miami, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tennessee, and San Fransico if they lose tonight. Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, New England, New York Jets, Chicago, Detroit and Las Vagas. The Browns will have nine home games and could possibly play a game overseas. They’re due. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Well, that was embarrassing. The streak continues for the Steelers, 21 straight games lost by the Browns in Pittsburg and Cleveland hasn’t swept them since 1988. I was actually feeling good after the first quarter, then the football gods decided they’ve seen enough. The strategy of deferring the kickoff looked like the right move. You score before halftime, then get the second half kick and score again. The “double dip” was set up perfectly. Then the Browns pro bowl kicker continued to miss field goals he made last year. I know everyone wants to cut him, but you can’t do that because he just signed a new contract and has guaranteed money this year and next year. This team can’t afford the dead money hit.

Will the Browns continue to start Winston? I don’t know, but it sounds like Kevin Stefanski is thinking about starting DTR versus the Chiefs. Why not. This team has to figure out what their quarterback room is going look like in 2025. The Browns have to find their franchise QB for 2025 and beyond. Do you use your first-round pick on a quarterback? I personally don’t like any of the top QBs in the 2025 NFL draft. Right now, I believe the Browns are drafting eighth. That won’t get you a starter in 2025. I’m not certain Jameis Winston is the answer to be a bridge QB. The Browns have four games to map out their future QB room.

As for Deshaun Watson, he’ll be gone day one of the league year in 2026. The Browns can designate him a June 1st cut and spread his cap hit over 2026 and 2027. What to do in 2025? I’m hearing the front office is working several scenarios. First, I doubt he’ll be ready for training camp or the season opener. My best guess he’ll start the season on the PUP list or IR. Will the Haslam’s decide to just cut bait and pay the price in 2025? They’ve talked about it. Could the team tell Watson to stay away from the team in 2025? It’s been discussed. All I know, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski as of now, will be back in 2025.

The Browns have to get younger on the offensive and the defensive lines. Have to. Use free agency and the draft to fix the two most important position groups on the team. Find the quarterback, fix those two position groups and fix the not so special teams. Finally, as I write this, Stefanski announced Winston will start versus Kansas City. I hope we get good Jameis and not bad Jameis. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I know the Browns lost, but you can’t say they aren’t fun to watch. I had low expectations going into this game because of the history. Lifetime, Cleveland was 4-14 in Denver. The Broncos have an explosive offense and a dominating defense. But, after watching what happened Thursday night against the Steelers, you kind of hoped the Browns would pull off a miracle and they almost did.

Bottom line, if the Browns could’ve run the ball, then Jameis Winston would’ve thrown the ball less. A healthy Nick Chubb makes the Browns offensive line look better than they actually are. I’m glad they took Chubb out of the game; Jerome Ford was more effective. Nick Chubb won’t be the same Nick Chubb until next year and yes, the Browns are going to resign him. But the mission for GM Andrew Berry and the front office is to rebuild a younger offensive line and yes, Berry will be back next year.

Winston is Flacco, but he cares more when he loses a game because of a pick six. Flacco never seemed too upset when he threw a touchdown to the other team, Winston does. He’s built different. Is Winston the answer next year? Hell no. He’s a backup quarterback with the potential to be a bridge QB. That’s it. If the team can stabilize the offensive line and get back to running the ball like they used to, then that would be the perfect solution. Fans wouldn’t get the full Jamies Winston experience. Jerry Jeudy is a number one WR and Elijah Moore should be resigned. Micheal Woods looked like a natural on the field last night and looked like he belonged. Moving forward he might be another late round gem by Andrew Berry.

The defense played well at times but still gave up the big play too often. The communication in the secondary was again the culprit. Some fans want to fire a defensive coach or two, but the communication was bad under Joe Woods as well, so maybe it’s not the coaches but the players. I have no idea what happened to Martin Emerson but it’s plan to see, he’s got problems. This defense is so much better with JOK. I’ve heard he will be back; however, the timeline is still uncertain. After finding the right kicker, the Browns are back to having a kicker problem. I’m not advocating for a change, but some voodoo needs to be performed. Hopefully next year, the Browns will find a punt returner.

I know there are fans you hate the players celebrating after good plays and use this as an excuse to call for the head coach to be fired. DC Jim Schwartz encourages his players to do it and for them to have fun. Personally, if it’s good enough for a coach who knows more about coaching then the complainers, then it’s good enough for me. I’m still laughing at Jeudy’s backward fall into the endzone. Finally, have you noticed the penalties aren’t really killing the Browns anymore. Nice job Kevin. Stay safe and Go Browns.