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The national and local Cleveland media has been on a clickbait rampage lately concerning the Browns new starting quarterback. First, let me say, I’m not here to judge or pronounce guilt or innocence. The “Baker Bros” and “Baker Haters” do enough of that on Browns twitter. I’m a believer in letting the system play out, fairly or unfairly. But some of the judgements presented by the media have been ridiculous. This week, the league met with Watson to hear his side of the story. It’s called due diligence. The league felt there were false reports floating around and wanted clarity from Watson. The leaking of the taped deposition testimony to a local Cleveland television station moved process along. The testimony was leaked by the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzzbee, to advance the settlement process forward. How am I sure Buzzbee leaked the video? The plaintiff’s attorneys took the deposition and were the only ones with access to the video and the ten-minute clip was very unfavorable to Watson. Court of public opinion goes a long way in today’s world.

So, the NFL investigation is still gathering facts. Today it was announced the league would be interviewing Watson again because next Tuesday night several of Watson’s accusers will be interviewed on HBO’s Real Sports with Brian Gumbel. Tony Buzzbee is really pushing for a settlement, and I could see why. Legal experts estimate to settlement amount to all 22 plaintiffs could be between $35 to $55 million. As for the league investigation, it’s headed by Lisa Friel, a special counsel for investigations by the league. She is investigating if Watson violated the leagues personal conduct policy as stated in the 2020 CBA.

Here’s where it gets speculative. Will the league end their investigation prior to cases being settled monetarily or in court? I just can’t see that happening. Upon completion, the investigative report will be presented to former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson an impartial arbitrator agreed on by both the league and the players union. She will determine if there is a suspension and its length. If the NFL suspends Watson now and further incriminating evidence comes out at a later date, the league will not be able to suspend Watson a second time. I know Mike Florio has been pushing this notion, but it won’t happen. Running back Ray Rice was suspended for assaulting his girlfriend. TMZ later released the video of the attack, and the league gave Rice a harsher penalty. Rice sued the league and won based on the legal premise of “Double Jeopardy.” The NFL won’t let that happen again. Florio is a lawyer, but I think he’s let his Steeler fandom cloud his legal judgement.

Would the league like for Watson to settle? Sure. They probably want to deal with their other problems. Like one owner who wanted to pay his head coach to throw games and another owner who was pimping out cheer leaders and skimming revenue from the other owners, allegedly. As much as the media would like for this to be over, I just can’t see it happening unless Watson settles. If he’s innocent and that’s a big assumption, then why would he settle. “Baker Bros” will say he doesn’t want to settle because of the money. I’ll counter with this argument, if he’s guilty and more evidence comes out, then the $35 to $55 million previously stated will look like pocket change.

Finally, the Browns have to have general knowledge of if there will be a suspension and its length. The current front office is too smart not to have a general idea. This statement will send the “Baker Bros” into the Andrew Berry is clueless rant because their favorite quarterback hasn’t been traded yet. Tough. Mayfield will be traded, and he won’t play another snap for the Cleveland Browns. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Happy NFL schedule release day. After a week of leaks, rumors and the drip, drip, drip of the NFL releasing key games, the day is here for all NFL fans and media to start playing the NFL schedule game of wins and losses. The Browns opponents for 2022 are, Home: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Patriots, Jets, Chargers, Saints, Buccaneers. Away: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Bills, Dolphins, Texans, Falcons, Panthers, Commanders. So far, the rumors, and they’re just rumors, I’ve heard are the Browns playing their first two games at home against the Steelers week one and the Ravens week two, and the Browns hosting the Jets week 11. The Browns current strength of schedule according to CBS Sports is tied for 17th at .495. My hope is for a winnable first game, I’m tired of 1-20-1 in openers and a reasonable bye week.

Right now, the Cleveland media is trying to figure out if the NFL will make the Browns schedule with a Deshaun Watson suspension in mind. First of all, the NFL doesn’t care. Second of all, I’m of the opinion Watson will not be suspended for 2022. A judge and both attorneys have agreed no cases will go to court till after April 1, 2023. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already said that due to no criminal charges Watson won’t go the the exempt list and the NFL isn’t going to suspend Watson until a case is settled or decided. If the NFL did suspend Watson prior to a case being settled or decided, the plaintiffs could use this against Watson as a presumption of guilt. The NFL won’t let that happen so it’s not going to happen.

Finally, on the Baker Mayfield front, he’s not being held hostage. The Browns are just showing the patience they always show in player deals. GM Andrew Berry has a number and compensation in mind. He’ll do the job, he’s being paid to do, make the Browns better. NFL media and kitchen table GMs can bitch and complain, but the last time I looked they never ran an NFL front office. And the former GMs who are now members of the media, the reason they are former GMs is because they weren’t successful. Andrew Berry will take care of it; I have no worries.

I’m going to sit back tonight try and enjoy the schedule release show. I don’t know why it’s going to take two hours, but I hope I don’t hear two names, Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson. Especially Baker Mayfield. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

With the draft complete here are my day two, https://clesportstalk.com/day-two-recap/ and day three, https://clesportstalk.com/day-three-recap/ recaps for the Browns. As for the players drafted CB Martin Emerson is a scheme fit, he played mostly cover 2 and cover 3 at Mississippi State. Defensive linemen Alex Wright, Perrion Winfrey and Isaiah Thomas were for depth. I could see Winfrey starting and Wright and Thomas as key rotational players. WR David Bell will take over in the slot and excel. He catches everything, a 4.7% career drop rate. Kicker Cade York was the best kicker in the draft and he’s now the Browns starting kicker. RB Jerome Ford is a future pick because Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson are not signed past 2022. Johnson might not make the team. WR Micheal Woods and C Dawson Deaton are practice squad players.

Looking over the rookie undrafted free agents, three players stand out, DT Glen Logan, WR Isaiah Weston and CB Shaun Jolly. Browns GM Andrew Berry has been successful in the past finding UDFAs. I don’t put much stock in draft grades. The Browns pre-draft roster was very talented to start with, so the Browns were drafting for the depth and the future. That’s what consistently good teams try to achieve. Some Browns fans were complaining about no star players added and the drafting of a kicker. As for the star players, there were none in this draft and as for the kicker, last year the Browns kicker missed seven of his last eleven field goals in 2021. I’m glad to see the Browns addressing the glaring need to improve one of the worst special teams in the NFL. I still think the Browns will resign DE Jadeveon Clowney, a veteran defensive tackle and possibly a veteran wide receiver.

The other news from the draft was the trade of CB Troy Hill and the possible trade of QB Baker Mayfield. The Rams inquired as to his availability and the Browns pulled the trigger. Hill now feels he’s been disrespected because he was traded for a fifth-round pick. WR Amari Cooper was in essence traded for a fifth-round pick and I don’t hear him complaining. I’m told the Mayfield trade never got as serious as had been reported. Carolina tried to make it sound like the Browns didn’t want to pay any of Mayfield’s contract. No one knows what was asked for and what was offered. If Carolina asked for $16.5 million of the $18.9 million to be paid by the Browns, I wouldn’t do that trade either. I would do anywhere between $ 8 to $12 million and a 2023 conditional draft pick. My hair isn’t on fire like most the fanbase and the local media about Mayfield. Andrew Berry has a number and compensation in mind, and he’ll stick to that plan. He won’t be released, and he won’t be kept on the roster to start for Watson if he is suspended. I still don’t think there will be a suspension in 2022 if no cases go to court and he doesn’t settle.

The Browns now have eight picks in the 2023 draft due to two trades this weekend. One second, one third, two fourths, two fifths, one sixth and one seventh. Teams that want make the playoff’s every year try to go into a draft with nine to twelve picks. Pick up a 2023 for Mayfield and they’re there. I was happy with Andrew Berry’s third draft because I consider QB Deshaun Watson as their first-round pick. I’ll take a top five QB for the next five years every day of the week. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

The NFL Draft is one week away, and this has to be the quietest draft I’ve ever seen. I can understand Browns fans not talking about it due to the lack of a first-round pick, but it’s still an important draft. It’s true the Browns are better at this point this year than they were last year when it comes to talent, but this draft will fill holes on the roster for the future. Good teams play for the playoffs every year and draft for the future.

The biggest news this week was the Denzel Ward extension. If you look at the contract, GM Andrew Berry while extending Ward, saved about $5 million on the 2022 salary cap. Ninja GM. The Browns are currently around $27 million under the cap. Quite a few Browns fans are worried the Browns will end up in cap hell after all the money the team spent this year. Nope. I do expect the Browns to restructure QB Deshaun Watson’s deal a couple of times before it expires. Just remember the 2023 salary cap will go up to around $220 million due to the new television deal. More money, more money, more money. The five most important positions on an NFL team are QB, WR, LT, Edge and CB. The Browns have all four locked up with Watson, Cooper, Wills, Garrett and Ward.

Other signings this week were, DT Sheldon Day, DE Stephen Weatherly, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, OG Michael Dunn, WR Javon Wims and DE Issac Rochell. Day, Bradley and Dunn were on the roster last year and the rest are veteran backups. Weatherly and Rochell were not signed to replace Jadeveon Clowney, I still expect Clowney to resign with the Browns. But if I’m Curtis Weaver, I’d be worried. Time to show your talent more consistently young man. These types of moves allow Andrew Berry to let the draft come to him and draft for talent not need.

The first voluntary workouts started this week, and I was glad to see Watson, Brissett, Dobbs, Cooper and Winovich show up. Have you noticed the Browns quarterback room is taller? Watson is 6’2″, Brissett is 6’4″ and Dobbs is 6’3″. My only knock-on Baker Mayfield was he was short. Speaking of Mayfield, after he was on the “Dog Package” podcast, Seattle signed QB Gino Smith. However according to the experts, both Seattle and Carolina are the favorites to land him. Is Mayfield better then Drew Lock or Sam Darnold? Yes. Carolina is interesting because their first draft pick is number six and then they wait till pick 137 (fourth round) for their second pick. While many mock drafts have them taking a QB at six, I think their greater need is edge because of the loss of Hasson Riddick in free agency. Mayfield would be the perfect bridge till the 2023 draft where the draftable quarterbacks will be far superior. As for Seattle, they have the draft capital to make a trade. It will come down to how much of Mayfield’s salary the Browns will pay to trade him. My guess would be $8 to $10 million for one of Seattle’s 2022 fifth round picks or a conditional 2023 pick from Carolina.

As I mentioned earlier, the NFL Draft is one week away. I expect a wide receiver at pick number 44. Followed in no peculiar order by defensive line, offensive line, cornerback and possibly linebacker. I don’t expect a quarterback or a running back to be drafted. A kicker is possible, but I expect an UDFA to be signed after the draft. Andrew Berry loves him some rookie UDFAs. I’ve done three mock drafts for https://clesportstalk.com/ and this weekend I’ll complete my final mock. Be sure to look for it. It’s starting to feel like football season again. Players in the building in Berea, NFL Draft next week and then the schedule comes out. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

When I heard the taped “I Love You Bro” podcast with Baker Mayfield had dropped, I was curious as to what he said. I knew he wouldn’t go scorched earth on the Browns. As I mentioned in last week’s blog, the Browns can void all guarantees in Mayfield’s contract if he does or says anything detrimental to the team. He did have some interesting and self-serving comments. This guy is more passive-aggressive than my ex-wife. Some highlights.

He feels 100% disrespected by the Browns because they told him one thing and did another. First of all, the team didn’t sign you to an extension last summer or early in the 2021 season, there’s your first clue. Yes, the Browns started looking for a replacement six months ago, but did you expect them to tell you then? I was fired from a job once, they told me that day and escorted me out of the building. Mayfield and his representatives were told at the NFL combine that if a top tier quarterback became available, the Browns were going to pursue that quarterback. It’s not the Browns fault Mayfield and his representatives didn’t believe what the team told them.

His play last year didn’t help him now. Okay, I understand you’re a warrior playing through all the injuries, but a true leader knows when he’s a liability to the team. The back-ups went 2-1 and if not for one busted defensive play late in the Raiders game, should’ve been 3-0. The AFC North favorites, Baltimore, didn’t win a game with their back-up QB. Are the Browns absolved of blame for this situation? Hell no. Head coach Kevin Stefanski should have made a head coach’s decision and sat Mayfield. However, the medical staff can only go on what the player tells them concerning their pain index and the coaches goes by the medical evaluations. When this subject comes up, I always think of the time during the season when Mayfield was asked by the local media who makes the decision if he plays in a game, he said, “that’s my decision.” Okay, live with it and take responsibility for it, that’s what true team leaders do.

He also burned the bridge to the current locker room by saying there were some players who weren’t playing to win and only playing for their pensions. What? I’m sure Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Jarvis Landry, Anthony Walker, Denzel Ward, Troy Hill and John Johnson, III would like to have a word with you. Has anyone noticed that no current Browns player has commented on the podcast? Telling.

Finally, you can come to my office and boo me anytime you want. I’ve been a self-employed accountant for thirty years and had to deal with the Internal Revenue Service and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. All I’ll say is, when you’re done booing, go get me another cup of coffee while you’re up.

On to real Browns news. The list of players visiting the team prior to the draft is growing. Added to the list I gave you last week are, Mississippi LB Mark Robinson, Mississippi Edge Tariquious Tisdale, Arizona State CB Chas Lukas, Arizona State RB Rachaad White, San Diego State K/P Matt Araiza and Georgia RB James Cook. Araiza and Cook are very interesting. Matt Araiza could be signed as a rookie UDFA and give Chase McLaughlin training camp competition. James Cook could be a possible replacement for Kareem Hunt after this year. Both could be stashed on the opening day practice squad. Players report next Monday for the first off-season workouts, if Clowney is going to resign with the Browns, you would think it would happen before then. Finally, I have a feeling a Mayfield trade will happen during the draft or shortly afterward. Let’s hope so, because as a Browns fan who really wanted him to succeed with my favorite football team, I feel 100% disrespected after listening to the “Bro Crush” podcast. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Browns news keeps trickling in at a slow pace right now, so I thought I would provide an update in between preparing tax returns. So far in free agency, the Browns have traded for WR Amari Cooper, DE Chase Winovich and QB Deshaun Watson. They have signed DT Taven Bryan, KR/WR Jakeem Grant, C Ethan Pocic, QB Jacoby Brissett, P Cory Bojorquez, TE Hayden Hurst and QB Josh Dobbs. The team has resigned LB Anthony Walker, OT Chris Hubbard, K Chase McLaughlin and S Ronnie Harrison. Positions still needing to be filled in free agency are DE, DT and WR. The two defensive line positions should be filled by Jadaveon Clowney and maybe Sheldon Day or Akiem Hicks prior to off-season workouts beginning on April 18. Last year Clowney and Day waited until April 14 to sign. As for wide receiver, who knows. I believe the sticking point with Jarvis Landry is money. He wants more than the Browns are offering. The other WR mentioned with the Browns is Will Fuller. He’s younger than Landry but has an injury history.

On the Baker Mayfield front, the Browns are in no hurry to trade him, and they have time on their side. First let me reiterate, the Browns are not going to release him. There are $18.8 million reasons not to release him. The team isn’t going to carry that much dead money on their cap for one player. That’s not how this front office works. With the signing of third string quarterback Josh Dobbs, Mayfield isn’t going on the roster when training camp starts. Some fans and media have speculated Mayfield will remain on the roster to start if Watson is suspended. Not. Going. To. Happen. Besides owner Jimmy Haslem already said goodbye to him. When the man who signs the checks wishes you well in the future, you’re gone. The reason the Browns can be patient is because they have the new CBA working for them. Yes, Mayfield’s contract is guaranteed, but there are provisions in the CBA that can void those guarantees. As Jason Fitzgerald said in an article for https://overthecap.com/, “While I do not have the particulars of Mayfield’s contract language, standard blanket language would generally void guarantees include refusing to practice and suspension for conduct detrimental.  Many often have clauses related to being publicly critical of a team that can void a guarantee. In addition, Mayfield can rack up hefty fines were he to not show up to camp this year- $40,000 per day missed and $1.048 million for every preseason game missed.”

Mayfield recently taped a podcast that will air this week and I hope he was very careful in what he said about the Browns. The Browns have the cap space ($20 million) to keep him on the roster a while longer. Like I said, there’s no hurry. As for Watson, two of the civil suits have been expanded which means they won’t be heard until 2023. With the NFL Commissioner saying Watson won’t be put on the exempt list because of no criminal charges being brought, the new speculation is Watson won’t be suspended in 2022. The NFL will wait until all civil cases run their course before issuing a suspension if any. Watson and his lawyer are adamant in saying they aren’t going to settle any suit.

As for the NFL draft, the Browns have picks 44, 78, 99, 118, 202, 223 and 246. Currently the Browns have visits scheduled with UCLA TE Greg Dulich, Tulsa OT Tyler Smith, Arkansas WR Treyon Burks, North Dakota WR Christian Watson and Oregon WR Trevon Bradford. Burks and Watson are interesting because they might be first round picks. Could GM Andrew Berry be considering trading back in the first round or is trying to convince other teams he’s thinking about it? He might have a certain player he’s looking at to draft at 44 and trying force other teams in drafting Burks or Watson. I do know the Browns are very interested in Burks. Maybe they’re hoping for a draft day fall. Bradford is considered a UDFA signing, but it never hurts to show off the facilities in Berea to convince a player you want to sign after the draft.

Finally, as I write this, it’s being reported that former Buckey’s QB Dwayne Haskins was hit by a car this morning in south Florida and killed. RIP to a Buckeye legend. Everyone stay say and Go Browns.

As the national media rakes the Browns over the coals for their news conference on Friday, let’s remember it’s football and it’s a billion-dollar a year industry. A quick couple of comments about the presser on Friday. It was appropriately serious and somber. The Cleveland media asked the right questions, and the Browns did answer to the best of their abilities. I found Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson very genuine. But I’ll let the process work its course. I still have reservations about Deshaun Watson the person, but not about Deshaun Watson the player. He’s a top five, maybe a top ten quarterback in this league. He chose Cleveland before he knew about the giant contract, he knew this was a talented roster. I consider him the best quarterback in the AFC North. But now what?

The Browns protected themselves in case of a Watson suspension by signing Jacoby Brissett. It sounds like Watson will not settle any cases against him any time soon. He wants to prove his innocence. This could take a while. His case has been brought before two grand juries for criminal charges. The first took a couple of days, the second took a couple of hours. It’s a he said, she said situation, and unfortunately the she said gets run over by the talent of the player. As for the reporting the Browns structured Watson’s contract to protect him from losing money if suspended, that’s a load of crap. Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, Tyreek Hill and Aaron Rogers all have the same structure. Last year the Titans did the same thing with Ryan Tannehill’s contract restructure to sign WR Julio Jones. It’s common in the NFL.

As for Baker Mayfield, his agent is working with the Browns to find him a new home. The Browns are going to have to pay the team trading for Mayfield part of his salary because right now Mayfield is seen as a backup, unless Seattle changes its mind about Drew Lock. You have to think Tampa would take him as a backup to Brady. Look what happened to Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota last year. They both sat behind two pretty good quarterbacks and worked their way into starting positions with two new teams. Wash, rinse, repeat. The biggest Mayfield news over this weekend was reported by ESPN and Joe Thomas that he turned down a $30 million dollar a year extension last year. Put the shovel down Baker. Right now, the man can’t get out of his own way. All this will come to a head before April 18 when the Browns have a training camp session. If Mayfield doesn’t show up, (he’s still on the roster), he’ll be fined $50K a day. This penalty is written in the new CBA and is mandatory. Money talks and you know what walks.

As for more free agency news, I hear it’s coming. Trust in the man who I consider a Ninja GM, Andrew Berry. All I know is I don’t have to watch the first day of the draft for the next three years, or do I? Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.