Month: August 2025

The Browns finished 3-0 in the preseason which gets them absolutely nothing. The last time they finished undefeated in the preseason was 2017 and then they went on to not win another game. That year, I had a feeling of dread before the season started, this year not so much. I’m getting some positive vibes (yes, I know, vibes is an archaic term) but it seems this team is ready for the season. The 2017 team sure the hell wasn’t. I’ll point to very physical practices and the fact that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz appeared to be calling plays like it was the regular season in the final preseason game. Lining up rookie Carson Schwesinger as a defensive tackle so he can blitz and get a sack is criminal, and if it’s a crime, I’m here for it.

Most of the attention for the final preseason game will be focused on the poor play of quarterback of Shedeur Sanders and how it’s everyone else’s fault but Shedeur Sanders. Some of the crap (and I wanted to use another word, but I’m trying to keep it clean) is just plain stupid. You don’t draft a player to proceed to make him fail. For f**cks (sorry couldn’t help myself) sake, what the hell is wrong with you people. What the hell gives Colorado fans the right to think their better than any other football fans. They act like they’re in the SEC or the Big Ten. They haven’t been relevant since Kordell Stewart. The Browns saw an opportunity to draft a potential 2026 starter in the fifth round. They’ve coached him up as much as possible. He regressed. It happens. The best news is they’re not giving up on him. He’ll make the roster, and they’ll keep investing in him. And I thought the Baker Bros where bad, the “Shedeur Fanboys” are the worst.

The game itself was kind of boring, and that’s how I like my final preseason games. Boring, but efficient. Flacco looks like he knows what he is doing, Gabreil is a quality rookie and Sanders needs work. It looks like the depth chart for QB’s all off-season was right on target. Speaking of QB’s, I have to admit I’m wrong. Unlike those on social media, I have no problem with it, but the Browns are going to keep four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster. No one wants either of these rookies to be one heartbeat away from starting if Flacco gets hurt, no one. If you want to see how I worked it out, go to https://www.ffsn.com/the-fanatical-elfz-network/cleveland-browns-53-man-roster-prediction-pre-nfl-cutdown-day-browns/ for my final roster prediction.

It looks like center Ethan Pocic is going to ready for the season opener, which is good news. But the best news is, my favorite UDFA who I’ve been pimping since he signed, Adin Huntington, has made the roster. I love this kid. He played on offense Saturday; he’s a special team’s ace and he gives opposing offensive linemen real problems. Congratulations, Mr. Huntington. Since writing this, cornerback Tony Brown has been waived, but I think he’ll clear waivers and be resigned.

Now we wait to see how GM Andrew Berry improves the roster, and he will. Cutdown day is Tuesday. Watch the running back situation and the cornerback position group. Finally, I feel the Dustin Hopkins era is over in Cleveland. You just can’t miss extra points. Stay safe and Go Browns.

If you watched the Browns preseason game two against the defending Super Bowl Champs, you learned a little more about this team. Their offense will be better than last year, and their defense might be better than 2023. I had forgotten how much fun it is to watch a competent offense. I know what you’re thinking, in both games the offense was very vanilla. You’re right. But to be this effective this early in the process with mostly second and third stringers and two rookie quarterbacks is impressive. In game one, the Panthers weren’t much of a challenge, but the Eagles are a very good team, top to bottom.

As for the so-called quarterback competition, Joe Flacco will be the starter vs. the Bengals, barring injury, (fingers crossed). Both Sanders and Gabriel equated themselves nicely, but neither is nowhere near being a starter in the NFL. That’s leaves what to do about Kenny Pickett. Yes, the Browns like him, but he’s not been available to play. Would the team have liked to see him in a preseason game, sure. But it hasn’t happened. Hopefully he’ll be available for the last game against the Rams, if only to increase his trade value. I still can’t see the Browns keeping four quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster.

There are going to be some hard roster decisions to be made prior to cutdown day and not because of injuries to this point. The reason will because there are some very talented young players on the roster. Both DE Cameron Thomas and DT/DE Adin Huntington have played very well. If the team keeps four defensive tackles and six defensive ends like I think, then DT Shelby Harris might not make the roster. On defense, the only trade or future signing I see the team making is for a new cornerback. Cameron Mitchell is just not cutting it to be the guy to play in the slot. He’s allowed two touchdowns in two games to backup quarterbacks. It will be interesting if he starts against the Rams.

On offense, the backups played better. Both guards Teven Jenkins and Zac Zinter improved from week one, as did Javion Cohen. Luke Wypler had another great game at center. My only concern is OT Dawand Jones. He’s never been a great run blocker but has been a very good pass blocker. Against the Eagles he was neither. The big question on offense is the wide receiver room. Again it’s not because of injuries, it’s because the younger players are playing well. Gage Larvadain and Kaden Davis are playing like they’ll make the roster. Both returned kicks Saturday and both did well. There are rumblings that returner DeAndre Carter may not make the final roster. He hasn’t been a returner in either of the first two games. The Browns might want to see the young guys or they’re saving Carter for the regular season.

Finally, two things. One, the Browns are waiting to sign both Isaiah Bond and Quinshon Judkins until after they’re sure the league won’t suspend them. Bond looks like a surer thing then Judkins, but the Browns are very optimistic Judkins won’t face any penalties. Second, this is the worst I’ve seen Browns social media and local reporters. I expect the national media to be stupid, but the locals are making a race of it. Before you believe anything on social media, and you shouldn’t believe most of it, wait at least thirty minutes. By then a very logical and reasonable explanation will be reported. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Let’s all calm down a little. Yes, quarterback Shedeur Sanders stepped up and handled his first start well. Was he perfect, no. Are there area’s he needs to improve on, yes. Let’s not get carried away and think he can start week one against the Bengals. He can’t. As a matter of fact, if you look at the Browns first opponents, Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Lions, Vikings and Steelers, you really don’t want the kid to start. The Browns want to accomplish two things in 2025, win games and develop one of the rookies to start in 2026. Neither rookie should start in 2025, because it would destroy their development. Joe Flacco will start week one. The one thing I’ll say about Friday night, it was a fun game to watch. Last year there were very few games that were fun to watch. The home game against Baltimore, the “snow globe” game against Pittsburg and the primetime game against Denver. The first win of the season, against Jacksonville, was a struggle to watch, too much stress for a victory over the Jaguars. Here’s a few things I noticed.

Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger are the real deal. I have no idea why the Panthers double-teamed Graham, but it freed up Alex Wright. Imagine if Myles Garrett had played, Yikes. The Browns defensive line is deep and talented. Julian Okwara had two sacks and UDFA Adin Huntington had one. The Browns had two take aways and didn’t turn the ball over. The team had 308 total offensive yards (183 yards passing & 125 yards rushing). The Browns had 20 first downs, were 6 of 15 on third down (40%), had 6 penalties for 34 yards and their time of possession was 34:28 versus 25:32 for the Panthers. Considering how bad the offense was last year, all these numbers are an improvement, and the penalties mostly happened in the fourth quarter. On offense Luke Wypler and Cornelius Lucas were the best offensive linemen for the Browns. I found it interesting; Javion Cohen started at one of the guard positions. Jackson Barton (RT) and Teven Jenkins (LG) were not impressive. I think Jenkins can still turn it around, but the Browns might be in the market for a fourth tackle on cutdown day.

Gage Larvadain and Kaden Davis have a real chance to make this roster as wide receiver number six. I thought the same of Luke Floriea, but he was waived with a serious hamstring injury. Hopefully he can clear waivers, and the Browns can put him on IR. The backup running backs looked good. I noticed the offensive line was running wide zone concepts the entire game. That’s how this offense is going to work in 2025 and to do it the first preseason game is impressive. It was weird number three tight end Blake Whiteheart didn’t get a single snap, but his replacements Brenden Bates and Sal Cannella played very well.

On defense, I’m not sure Cameron Mitchell makes the roster. After Rayshawn Jenkins was thrown out, he struggled. I’m gald to see the Browns sign two more cornerbacks today, Christian Holmes and Darius Rush. Never hurts to have as many corners as possible. I feel much better about the linebacker depth, while I’m still not to concerned about the secondary depth. Donovan McMillon (UDFA), Dom Johnson (UDFA) and Chris Edmonds played well. As did special team ace, Tony Brown, he was very impressive. Speaking of special teams, wow what a difference. They made a big difference in this game and in a good way.

This week will be a true test for the team. Going from an average Carolina team to the defending Super Bowl Champs is big difference. I can’t wait to see how the two practices go; this will be a true measurement for this team. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Yesterday the Browns signed QB Tyler Huntley and Browns twitter went crazy. Of course, where was a valid reason, but some Browns aren’t happy unless they express their displeasure for the team on social media. If they had only waited 15 to 20 minutes, trusted people would’ve informed them of the reason for the signing. Both Kenny Pickett and Dillon Grabriel are dealing with hamstring injuries and might not be able to play Friday night against the Panthers. Joe Flacco will not be playing, nor should he be playing, not in a meaning less preseason game. So that leaves Shedeur Sanders as possibly the only available QB. Huntley is an insurance policy, that’s it. If Pickett or Gabriel take part in the combined practice Wednesday, then they could be available for Friday night. Huntley would then be released next week.

There is a game played by NFL front offices and player agents. They have to maintain great relationships if both are going to have a chance at being successful. By signing Huntley, the Browns allow him to show that he could still be a valuable backup in the league. It also is a great gesture to the agent who might represent a player the Browns might be interested in signing in the future. It also shows other agents Cleveland is willing to give players a chance, especially quarterbacks. The NFL overvalues the QB position. Tampa wants to sign (pending a physical today) Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater coached a high school team last year and is coming off his third retirement. This league is obsessed with quarterbacks, that’s why they are always over drafted, especially this year.

As for the Browns quarterback room, I still maintain Flacco is the starter, and the Browns will keep (barring injury) Dillon and Sanders. I just can’t see a scenario where keep four on the final 53-man roster. Because of the overvaluation of the QB position, someone will be interested in Kenny Pickett. Tyler Shuck is struggling in New Orleans. The Titans, because of the injury to Will Levis, really don’t have an experienced veteran backup to Cam Ward. There will be opportunities and teams interested in Pickett, but he has to play in practice and preseason games.

Friday night might provide an opportunity for Sanders to start. If he does, he’ll be starting against most of Carolina’s starters. If Pickett or Gabriel are healthy, one or both would play before Sanders. That would be ideal. The Browns are taking their time with Sanders because they see something in him that could bode well for the future. You really don’t want him have a setback because so far, he’s improved with every practice he’s had. Monday was his best day, and the coaching staff is very happy with his progress. He’s not being held back, there’s no conspiracy to make him fail and he’s learning the NFL game at a quick pace. He was never a first-round draft pick, he’s a developmental quarterback, who has the potential to be the Browns franchise QB in 2026. Just remember, if Sanders plays well Friday night, so did DTR and Josh Dobbs in preseason.

Finally, here’s some people who will tell you the truth about the Browns on social media, Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66), Bill Sparks (@SparkScouting), Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_), Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd), Brad Ward (@WardonSports), Jake Burns (@jake_burns18), Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson), Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) and Lane Adkins (@TheRealLA_). Stay safe and Go Browns.