Month: September 2025

That’s the on way to describe the Lions game. After beating the Packers where all three phases of this team contributed, watching two of the three not even play average, thud is the only word I can use. I had my doubts going in they could win, but this Browns defense is elite and in games like this one they can drag them to an improbable victory. But the offense and the unspecial teams were directly responsible for 24 of the Lions 34 points. Basically, the Browns defense only allowed ten points. as with the Green Bay game where they only allowed 10 points. I still believe the Browns will win more than three games, just because of the defense.

The big topic going into the Vikings game is who should start at quarterback. I’m still not there on replacing Flacco. Everyone saw the first six games of the season on the schedule and knew it would be tough. I said I would be happy with 2-4 after six games and the Browns are still on track to achieve that goal. Their next two games are against the Vikings in London and the Steelers in Pittsburg. Both teams can play very good defense and I don’t want a rookie having to face either. Besides, Dillon Gabriel is left-handed, so the Browns would have to shore up the right tackle spot. The team did trade for Cam Robinson, a true left tackle, but unless you can guarantee Jack Conklin will play, there’s not a chance I would start Gabriel.

As for the Lions game, the only good things I can say is running back Quinshon Judkins is the real deal. As is Isaiah Bond. I think he’s ready to step into the number two wide receiver spot. The Browns need to give him more opportunities. But they need to protect the QB. I have no doubt they plug Robinson right into the left tackle spot and if Conklin plays, then Flacco will have the time to throw. This will be the fifth OL combination is five games. Robinson isn’t the long-term solution at LT, but he’s a hell of a lot better than KT Leveston. It’ll be a tall task to keep Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave off the QB. One saving grace is edge Andrew Van Grinkel is not expected to play.

The defense is playing well, very well. I think they’ve found their number three cornerback in Myles Hardin. Unfortunately, this week the defense has to content with wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Adam Thielen. There’s word out of Minnesota J.J. McCarthy will practice this week, but I’ve heard they’ll wait till after their bye to bring him back to start. So, it looks like the Browns will face Carson Wentz. Also, the Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill will not play because he was injured during last week’s game.

I still don’t like the fact that the Vikings are playing back-to-back games overseas and get to stay for two weeks. The Browns have to travel tomorrow, a wasted practice day, then travel back to play the Steelers the next week, after Pittsburg has a bye. Screw you NFL. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

That was the answer by Myles Garrett when asked after the game how this win feels. I would agree. After playing elite defense, good special teams and unwatchable offense for 56 minutes and still getting the win, it does feel damn good. I was not one of the Browns fans screaming to replace Joe Flacco during the game. Did I think it, yes, maybe one or two times. But I kept telling myself somehow his experience would come through. I noticed during the entire game prior to the snap; he would make sure everyone was in place to avoid pre snap penalties. The last two years, pre snap penalties killed any chance the Browns had in winning games. Then on the last offense play of the game, Flacco’s veteran leadership put the Browns in position to win. A quick pass over the middle to David Njoku and then getting the team lined up for a snap to down the ball before the clock ran out. I’m sorry, no rookie could’ve managed that. Extra yardage and time for a game winning field goal. Just the way you want it drawn up.

Don’t get me wrong, Flacco does look old and is leaving plays on the field. More practice with Isaiah Bond and Quinshon Judkins will improve the offense. Also finding a solution at offensive tackle would help as well. More on that in a minute. Judkins and Bond are starting to get the feel for the professional game. Bond is starting to get separation and Judkins is learning to follow all pro Joel Bitonio even if there doesn’t look like a hole is opening. Let’s not forget about Harold Fannin who had a big catch and then fought through tackles for a bigger gain. On defense, the rookies shined, as well as the usual suspects. Mason Graham had an unheard of 43%-win rate. The average for defensive tackles is 9%. Carson Schwesinger is that guy. In college he had trouble fighting through bodies to make tackles but with this defensive line he’s free to run around and make plays.

Maliek Collins was the best free agent signing this off-season by Andrew Berry. He’s been so good, it helps the other defensive lineman, like Graham and my favorite URFA Adin Huntington. It also helps Alex Wright, Iasiah McGuire and of course Myles Garrett. This defense is elite. All this team needs is an average offense and a good special team, and they could beat anyone.

Concerning the offensive tackle position, In case you didn’t hear, Dawand Jones is done for the year again. I like Jones, but that’s it for me, the Browns have to find a long-term solution at left tackle. The 2026 draft class is loaded, so I would start there. In the meantime, the Browns will be trying to trade for a tackle this week, but it all depends on a trading partner. Andrew Berry knows he needs to get someone in here quick. As for replacements, it does not look like Jack Conklin will be ready for the Detroit game so Cornelius Lucus might move back to right tackle. The Browns did sign two experienced tackles last week, Joshua Miles and Tyre Phillips with Phillips being the best of the two. I’ve also heard the Browns are going to try guard Teven Jenkins at left tackle this week. He’s played that position in the past. KT Leveston took over at right tackle after Jones hurt but showed why he’s developmental player. He’s an outstanding run blocker, but as all Browns fans saw, he’s not very good at pass blocking.

Enjoy this victory Browns fans, stay safe and Go Browns.

Both Joe Flacco and Myles Garrett used that word to describe yesterday’s game and I would agree. How special teams coach Bubba Ventrone still has a job is amazing. Also, how Cameron Mitchell still has a roster spot is also amazing. This team has no room for errors this year especially against a team like the Ravens. So what happened? Flacco looks very old, and the interior of the offensive line looks even older. Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic and Joel Bitonio were supposed to excel in the wide zone blocking scheme. Nope. The special teams again cost the Browns a win. The defense played winning football again but got rewarded with nothing, again. Everyone said the first six games were a gauntlet and yesterday showed you why.

Again, the defense came up with no turnovers and they have no third cornerback. I don’t know how long they can keep this up if this continues. The wide receivers can catch the ball; the Browns lead the league in dropped passes and what the hell is wrong with David Njoku. He’s mostly been quiet after two games. The only positive on offense is the play of the 2025 draft class. Looking forward, I think the running game will improve dramatically with Quinshon Judkins starting.

The new Cleveland media debate is starting Dillon Gabriel over Flacco this weekend against the Packers. Please don’t even suggest it. The Packer’s defense is better than the Ravens and you want to throw a rookie out there? Let’s wait and get pass the next four games, then we can talk about it. I know he looked good very late in fourth quarter after the outcome was decided, but to throw the kid out there against the Packers, Lions, Vikings and Steelers would ruin Gabriel. If the running game can get going with Judkins the Browns offense will be better.

Prior to the season starting, all I asked was for the Browns to be at least 2-4 after the first six games. That can still be achieved, if the defense continues to play great, the offense can start to move the ball on the ground, and the special teams plays a ton better. If any of these three aspects fail, then it’s going to be a long season. Stay safe and Go Browns.

If you had told me before the game the Browns defense would hold Joe Burrow to 114 yards passing and a QBR of 87.7, I would say how much did the Browns win by. Not so much. After a slow start, the defense was as advertised, great. Team leader and all-pro defensive end Myles Garrett took over the game, right when the team need him to take over the game. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was great as were Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome. Isaiah McGuire was everywhere. My only complaint was they need to be that dominate from the start and do a better job at stopping the run.

The offense was also very good. Quarterback Joe Flacco had one hell of a game, and the two interceptions weren’t his fault. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin and rookie running back Dylan Sampson were better than advertised. Hopefully, running back Quinshon Judkins will be able to play this week against Baltimore, because right now the Browns need to find a way to run the ball. Cincinnati’s defense came into this game as one of the worst run defenses in the league, but they had a great game plan. The Browns offense worked the short field and side to side perfectly in the passing game. If only they had a more dominate running game. I’ve always been a Jerome Ford defender, not anymore. Cleveland has a two-game roster exemption for Judkins, so after those two games I’d cut Ford and keep Raheim Sanders as the third back. My only problem with the offensive line was Dawand Jones. He’s never been a great run blocker, but too many penalties. BTW, the OL did a good job creating holes for the running backs, but the running backs weren’t hitting those holes.

Special teams were average at best and I’m not talking about the kicker missing an extra point and a field goal. The coverage teams gave up too much, especially on one punt return. You have a great weapon in Cory Bojorquez, don’t diminish him by allowing long punt returns. I’ve been told the kicker situation is fluid right now. If I had to guess, they’ll keep Szmyt on the roster this week and let him work through this. He kicked very well in the preseason and beat out the incumbent veteran, so they’ll give him one more chance. But it’ll be a short leash. The fact is there aren’t any good kickers available, only guys the Browns have cut before because they had trouble kicking at Huntington Bank Field.

Next game, at Baltimore where they’ll be celebrating stealing the Browns from Cleveland. Happy thirty years of screw you Ravens. Stay safe and Go Browns.