Author: admin

It’s Victory Friday. VICTORY FRIDAY. The Browns were in “must win” territory last night and came through. No QB1, no RB1, no RB2, no RT 1, no WR3 and no potential defensive rookie of the year. No problem. Well not quite. I know all Browns fans were sweating a river after the last Bronco touchdown, I was. But at 4-3, I’m feeling much better this morning. So, lets get to it.

Positives. QB Case Keenum, RB D’Ernest Johnson, RT (right tackle?) Blake Hance, LT Jedrick Wills, LB Mack Wilson, CB Troy Hill, LB Anthony Walker, S John Johnson, III, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and running back coach Stump Mitchell. Good teams have backups who can step-up and coaches who know how to coach. That game felt like the score should’ve been 28-14 Browns. Keenum doesn’t have the arm he used to have, but did what was needed to win the game. The offensive line was great and opened wholes for D’Ernest Johnson all night. Speaking of Johnson, there are a lot of GM’s in the NFL looking at their third string running backs and are scratching their heads. On defense, even though the Broncos had two touchdown drives, they were long, time consuming drives. The Browns defense made them earn every yard. Good to see LB Mack Wilson have his best game both on defense and special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the fifth rated defender and number one rated special teamer. Both CB Troy Hill and S John Johnson, III had good games. Glad to see the Browns line Johnson closer to the line of scrimmage on certain plays. The special teams coverage units are fantastic and the punt return unit came real close to a blocked punt. Final positive, the crowed. I had forgotten how that crowd buzz sounded on television.

Negatives. I had a few small problems with the play calling early in the game. If your QB doesn’t have the arm to throw long passes, don’t have him throw long passes. Early in the game, Keenum tried to force the ball to OBJ on a long pass that could have been intercepted. TE David Njoku was open and I mean open in the middle of the field. In the second half, the play calling really improved. Nice half-time adjustments. On defense, the Browns are going to need to be more consistent. In the first half, they did a great job of making up for the loss of LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. In the second half, you saw how important JOK is to this defense. Yes the officiating was bad, again, however the players need to stop criticizing the referees. NFL referees have long memories. If it’s October, then Denzel Ward has a hamstring injury. Incredibly kicker Chase McLaughlin missed a field goal. It wasn’t his fault the kick got blocked, but DT Andrew Billings has to do a better job of protecting the rush lanes. Missed Shelby Harris by a mile. On the positive side, McLaughlin made his next kick, an extra point attempt. In the past a Browns kicker would miss that because they were still thinking about the block.

This was an important team win. Now the players can take some time off and rest up. The coaches can do some self scouting to improve schemes on both side of the ball. It’s time to get some more players back from injury. As for QB Baker Mayfield, he can play with his injury and he wants to start against the Steelers. If it was serious, the team would ‘ve already put him on IR and scheduled his surgery. I expect him to play. Enjoy the break, everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Because of the short game week, I’m waiving my 48 hour rule for better or worse. The Browns are currently 3-3 and are tied with the Steelers for last place in the AFC North. Personally, I had them at 4-2 at this point. First of all, the season isn’t over. No one is getting traded or fired. There’s still eleven games left and time to simplify and fix the problems. All I know is the Browns need to beat the brakes off of the Broncos on Thursday night and go into the mini bye to heal up and self scout. My main problem with yesterday was how flat the team was. No fire, no anger that they let one get away in Los Angles, flat. Note to head coach Kevin Stefanski, either kick the field goal on fourth and four or draw up a better play. Four sacks on four fourth down plays. Really? The Cardinals loaded the line of scrimmage to stop the run. Why not run a bubble screen? Or a jet sweep? Wear the defense down early by having them go east and west, then start to pound them up the middle in the third quarter. Makes sense to me.

As for the defense, safety John Johnson, III told the local media he’s playing a position he’s not used to playing. How about playing him closer to the line of scrimmage and not in coverage? That’s how the Rams used him. Arizona had a new center and during the game he had trouble snapping the ball. I saw one pressure up the middle by DT Malik McDowell and it turned into a sack. The Browns have the talent to rush the quarterback up the middle. You don’t have to blitz, just pressure up the middle. I know the players are learning a new system, but the Cardinals put the ball on the ground four times Sunday, three from bad snaps.

The only thing I’ll say about the officiating, does anyone know when QB Kyler Murray was released for the hospital after that devastating roughing the passer call? Thoughts and prayers. Note to Denzel Ward, stop using your hands so much, the referees are going to call it every time. Every damn time.

The injuries are starting to pile up. RB Kareem Hunt will probably by put on IR this week because of a calf injury. LB Jeramiah Owusu-Koramoah will more than likely join him, with a high ankle sprain. Four to six weeks recovery time on both injuries. As for any players returning for the Broncos game, possibly RT Jack Conklin, but don’t bet the house. Hopefully they’ll get WR Jarvis Landry back.

Now the Denver game becomes a must win. Denver started fast by beating up on bad teams. Since then, the good teams have been boat racing them. They have a great run defense and a terrible offense. The Browns defense will be without JOK but will have everyone else. I know the Browns defense have allowed 84 points in the last two games, but the Broncos are a team this defense can feast on.

Thanks for letting me rant, I feel much better now. Not really, but it’s time to move on to the next game. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

After that game I had to wait 48 hours to talk about it. Between the injuries, the terrible officiating and the play calling late in the game, that really sucked. According to Elias, the Browns are the first team in NFL history, including the playoffs, to lose a game when scoring 40 plus points, with over 500 yards of offense and no turnovers. So the Browns made history? Usually the Browns are involved in exploring the dark corners of the NFL rulebook. Let’s look at the positives and the negatives.

Positives. After hearing all the so called experts tell me that QB Baker Mayfield had regressed as a NFL QB, he goes 23 of 32 for 305 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. That’s 72% completion rate and a QBR of 122. The highest graded players according to Pro Football Focus were TE David Njoku (92.5), RG Wyatt Teller (88.8), LT Joel Bitonio (82.9), DE Myles Garrett (79.8) and CB Greedy Williams (78.5). The Browns are the only NFL team ranked in top five in both total offense (fifth) and total defense (fourth). The defensive ranking shows you how good the defense played against the Bears and the Vikings, at full strength. In the first five games, the Browns have rushed for 150 yards or more in every game. Last year it happened in six games and the Browns finished third in rushing in the NFL. The Browns have a kicker and the tackling on the returns was outstanding.

Negatives. For three quarters, the Chargers double teamed WR Odell Beckham, Jr. Late in the fourth quarter, they didn’t even cover him. What happened? QB Baker Mayfield stopped looking his direction and I have no idea why. The play calling on the second to last drive was terrible. With 3:08 left in the game and a one point lead, all the Browns needed to do was get two first downs and the game is over. Head coach Kevin Stefanski implied he didn’t trust the Browns back-up offensive tackles to run better plays. WTH. Over the last two years, GM Andrew Berry has shown me he knows how to sign and draft offensive linemen. If they’re on the roster, they’re good enough to play. I can’t really blame the defense when your starting corners in the fourth quarter were Troy Hill and A.J. Green. Number one cornerback Denzel Ward only played nine snaps before getting hurt. What I will complain about is the lack of adjustments at halftime. Late in the game, the Chargers knew exactly what the Browns defense was doing. Punter Jamie Gillam is having problems. I would suggest they try and find a new punter, however he’s the holder on extra points and field goals and the Browns kicker is perfect so far, so let’s not mess with that situation. As for the officiating, it’s always been bad against the Browns. This team needs to overcome bad officiating, good teams do.

Injuries. Nothing to report so far. Because the team returned late from the west coast, MRI’s were being done late Monday or today. I’ll retweet anything I hear. Cross your fingers and hold your breath Browns fans, hopefully we’ll hear good news on several key players.

Next up for the Browns, the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. The Browns are a good team, they just haven’t played a complete game yet. This is a good time to start. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Who still wants to fire Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods? Talk about a dominating defensive performance, wow. The Browns held the Bears to 47 total yards, one passing yard and six first downs. What makes the 47 yards of total offense even more impressive is the Bears had 24 yards on their first three plays. The defensive line did it’s job yesterday, pressuring a rookie QB and getting nine sacks. They seem to have finally gotten used to playing with each other. So what are the positives and negatives from the game.

Positives. According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns are currently the number one offensive team in the NFL (84.6). As a team, they’re the second highest graded team (87.9) in the NFL behind the Rams. RB Kareem Hunt was the highest graded offensive player with a 90.6 grade. QB Baker Mayfield is currently fifth in completion rate ( 76.5%) and fourth in yards per attempt (8.9). Through three weeks Arizona and Cleveland are the only two teams ranked in the top seven in both offense and defense. The Browns are seventh offensively and third defensively. The highest graded defensive players were Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (93.9), Myles Garrett (90.0), Troy Hill (83.8), Malcolm Smith (80.0), Ronnie Harrison (79.8), Jadeveon Clowney (77.8), Mack Wilson (76.5) and Takk McKinley (70.9).As for the special teams, RB Demetric Felton has 129 yards in punt returns, the most in the NFL after three weeks. Kicker Chase McLaughlin was four for four on field goals including a 57 yarder.

Negatives. The offense had a very slow start and the play calling on the first two fourth down conversions was strange. I know the Bears have a top five run defense and they love to blitz, but a quick pass or a running play might have worked better. Seven penalties for 98 yards and the penalties on special teams didn’t help the offense. The offensive line gave up five sacks, 2 to Khalil Mack and 1.5 to Robert Quinn.

Injuries. CB Greg Newsome, II left the game with a calf injury and had a MRI today. The extent of the injury is not known. LT Jedrick Wills, Jr. left the game briefly because of his ankle injury. And WR Odell Beckham, Jr. looked great catching five passes for 77 yards.

It was a good team win. When the offense scored right before halftime, this game was over. Next week the Browns travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings at Noon CST. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Usually I wait 48 hours after a Browns loss to write about it, but this game was different. If you still think QB Baker Mayfield is overrated or just a game manager, go away. He was 21 of 28 for 321 yards against the best team in the AFC in their home stadium. That’s a 75 % completion rate and 11.5 yards per pass attempt. From ESPN Stats & Info., Mayfield was 5 of 5 for 101 yards against the blitz, 5 of 5 for 94 yards on play action, 4 of 4 for 61 yards and three first downs on third and fourth down and 3 of 5 for 103 yards on passes 15+ yards downfield. The Browns had five drives of 75 yards or more. So far the Browns are number one in the NFL in total offense (457 yards) in offensive success rate (55.9%), in yards per play (8.2 yards) and the sixth highest graded team (80.0) in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.

The highest PFF rated player on offense was LG Joel Bitonio at 93.5 and the highest on defense was DT Malik McDowell at 82.9. Rookie WR Anthony Schwartz had a PFF grade of 82.2. WR Jarvis Landry was targeted five times and caught all five passes. That’s his 111th straight game with multiple catches. The Browns defense pressured Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on 44% of his drop backs, the fifth highest rate in the NFL in week one. According to BrownsDailyMockDraft @BrownsMockDraft DE Myles Garrett had 8 pressures (five hurries, 2 QB hits and 1 sack). DE Jadeveon Clowney had 4 pressures (three hurries and 1 sack). DT Malik Jackson and DT Malik McDowell had 5 pressures (four hurries and one QB hit). As a group, the starting defensive line had 11 tackles and 11 stops.

Bottom line, the Browns have an elite offense and a developing defense. If you had told me the Browns defense would hold the Kansas City Chiefs to ten first half points, I would have made you pee in a cup. Yes, against a team like the Chiefs, you can’t let up and you can’t make mistakes like turning ball over three times. No, the Browns are not going to fire defensive coordinator Joe Woods or cut punter Jamie Gillan. If you want those two things to happen, then why aren’t you calling for RB Nick Chubb to be benched because he fumbled? Relax. The defense will get better the more they play together. I have complete faith in the Browns coaching staff to fix any problems this week in practice. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked today whether he feels better about his team, that they were in position to win if they fixed things that went wrong. He said “No.” Next up the AFC South division leading (weird right?)Houston Texans. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

It’s been a busy time in Berea. Let’s start with pre-season game number two on Sunday. First the positives. On offense, RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton is going to be a valuable weapon in this offense. Rookie OT James Hudson played better at right tackle then he did at left tackle. Blake Hance will make the first 53, he played very well as an emergency center. It’s going to be very difficult to sneak RB John Kelly onto the practice squad. FB Johnny Stanton is going to be tight end number four. On defense, DT Jordan Elliot had a very good game, as did LB Elijah Lee. CB A.J. Green, S Javonte Moffatt and S Richard LeCounte, III will make the first 53. DT Malik McDowell is a force. I know he was playing against guys on the Giants who will be selling insurance this time next week, but you have to remember McDowell hasn’t played football in over four years. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Giants were running plays away from were McDowell was lined up on the field. The biggest negative was during the fourth quarter the game turned into a pre-season game. It got a little ugly. Finally, I’m a little worried about the defensive tackle position.

On Monday the Browns made moves to get down to 80 players. They waived CB Robert Jackson, WR Alexander Hollins and OT Alex Taylor with an injury designation. The Browns placed LB Montrel Meander (Achilles), TE Connor Davis (Shoulder) and K Cody Parkey (Quad) on injured reserve. Since then they waived Parkey and signed LB Tegray Scales. Players placed on the IR prior to the final cut have to sit out for the entire year, so it sounds like Parkey thinks he can come back this year. The Browns might try and put Taylor on the practice squad and the release of Jackson is no surprise, the Jags and the Giants exposed him as a liability to the secondary depth. Better talent in front of him.

On Tuesday it was learned DE Takk McKinley is back with the team after being out three weeks with an illness. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told the local media McKinley’s head is in the right place and he’s ready to start practicing again. This is very good news. Now defensive coordinator Joe Woods can implement the defense he wants to implement. This allows DL Jadeveon Clowney to move inside on passing downs and also help slow down the run. McKinley is a very important piece to the Browns 2021 defense.

Next up pre-season game number three on Sunday night August 29 in Atlanta. The big question, will any starters play in the game? Stefanski said he would talk to the players, which means the team leaders. Part of me, a small part, wants to see the starters, but now I’m thinking hell no. Let’s keep players like Mayfield, Chubb, Hunt, OBJ, Landry, Tretter, Bitonio, Wills, Conklin, Teller, Clowney, Garrett, Jackson, Ward, Hill and Johnson III in bubble wrap. Give JOK limited snaps like you did against the Giants and let the young players take the majority of the snaps. Some, like DE Curtis Weaver, DT Marvin Wilson and OT James Hudson need all the snaps they can get. Players I want to see more of are, of course, Felton & McDowell, DE Joe Jackson, DT Jordan Elliot, DT Sheldon Day and WR JoJo Natson.

There are going to be some tough cuts to the roster next week. Remember it’s not the final 53, it’s the first 53. GM Andrew Berry will be busy finalizing the roster after the first cuts. A player like LB Jacob Phillips will make the first 53 and then be placed on IR designated to return, because the Browns feel he can come back from his injury this year. That’s why he hasn’t been placed on IR for his biceps injury. Everyone stay safe, enjoy the game and Go Browns.

I know it’s only the first pre-season game, but last year at this time there were no pre-season games, so lets go. First observation, the Browns number twos are way better than the Jaguar’s number ones. I know that’s not big time analysis, but actually seeing it is shocking. The Browns were business like and prepared the entire game. This team is scary deep. Who impressed me the most? On offense it’s RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton and on defense it’s LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Other young players who had good moments were WR Davion Davis, DT Tommy Togiai and S Richard LeCounte. Against the Jags, a lot of players had good moments. I don’t think Urban Meyer really knew what he was getting himself into. Another thing I noticed Saturday night, the Browns second team offensive line is better than about ten other teams number one offensive lines. Finally, the Browns quarterback room is well stocked and head coach Kevin Stefanski loves him some fullbacks.

The Browns only committed two penalties Saturday night, which is great. On the bad side there were three injuries, LB Mack Wilson, TE Stephen Carlson and WR Ryan Switzer. Mack should be back in less then a week while Carlson and Switzer were placed on injured reserve to help the Browns go from 90 to 85 for today’s first cut down day. Both are done for the year. The other three players who were released were LB Montrel Meander, OL Cordel Iwuagwu and CB Kiondre Thomas. The next cut down will be an additional five players on Tuesday, August 24.

This week the Browns will scrimmage the New York Football Giants on Thursday and Friday and play them on Sunday at noon(CST). What a nice time to watch an NFL Game, noon on Sunday. I expect the Browns to have their starters participate in the practices and rest them on Sunday. It’s looks like game three will be when the starters play, probably for about a quarter. Finally, keep an eye on the Takk McKinley situation. So far the team expects him to be back and he was having a great camp. But if GM Andrew Berry brings in another defensive end, that might be it for McKinley. Hopefully everything is alright, like I said, when he practiced he showed speed and great hustle. He is defiantly part of the plan this year. Everyone enjoy your week, stay safe and Go Browns.

Yes I know it’s only a pre-season game and in the past I’ve called these games glorified practices, but hey, it’s still a Browns game. Yesterday, head coach Kevin Stefanski said QB Baker Mayfield would not play Saturday night. This seems like a league wide idea, letting your veteran QB rest in the first game. Who else plays Saturday night might be an easy decision because of a rash of minor injuries. Right now because of all the players on stationary bikes, the Browns could play a game and enter a bike race.

So who’s playing Saturday night? Kevin Stefanski just got done talking to the local media and said the majority of the starters will not play. Stefanski said this is an opportunity for the younger players. The whole team will travel to Jacksonville and participate in practices. QB Case Keenum will start and then QB Kyle Lauletta will take over. I bet Keenum only plays a couple of series. The head coach also said he’s looking forward to seeing the second year guys play. Me too, especially LB Jacob Phillips and DT Jordan Elliot. Both kickers Cody Parkey and Chase McLaughlin will alternate. I still think the kicking job is Parky’s to lose. Finally, Stefanski said both CB Greedy Williams And OL Chris Hubbard will play. Both are coming off of injuries from last year.

Who am I looking forward seeing play? CB Greg Newsome, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton, DT Tommy Togiai, DE Curtis Weaver and all the second year players. I also want to see the progression of LB Mack Wilson, he came to camp with a chip on his shoulder and has been tearing it up. I originally thought he might be a cut candidate, however now I’m not so sure. Who are you looking forward to see play?

It’s going to be nice watching the game live Saturday night and not having to wait till mid week early afternoon to watch a replay. Everyone enjoy the practice, I mean game and Go Browns.

Browns training camp started this week and no players where placed on the PUP list and only one was on the Covid-19 list, second round pick Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. This doesn’t hurt the team, because the Browns don’t have to count on their draft picks to start. It does hurt JOK, missing the start of training camp. The Browns are taking a cautious approach with OL Chris Hubbard, WR Odell Beckham, Jr. and S Grant Delpit which is good. The best news today is fans will be a training camp. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is finally going to get a feeling for what a Browns training camp is all about. I fully expect him to do something special for the fans.

So far I’ve enjoyed all the videos and the player meetings with the local media. From what I’ve heard, all the players are saying the right things and are echoing the attitude of their head coach. “Last year was great, but we’re concentrating on getting better this year.” I Love It. Everyone is on the same page. After two days of training camp the biggest news was new Browns LB Anthony Walker is going to call the defensive plays. It was thought that new safety John Johnson, III would be the play caller based on him calling the plays for the Rams last year. This tells me Walker will be on the field as a three down linebacker. While being a great run stopper and a tackling machine, Walker is not known for his pass coverage skills. This allows DC Joe Woods to use more nickel and dime packages. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns use three safeties in a nickel package.

The other big news came today when GM Andrew Berry announced the Browns are at 90% vaccination rate for players and 100% for the coaching staff. The teams who are serious about winning have to be at these vaccination rates. QB Baker Mayfield is right, it’s a competitive advantage. HC Kevin Stefanski just announced the team will be at full strength today at practice. Let’s Go. Finally don’t forget the latest episode of “Building The Browns” will air Sunday August 1. at 10:30 am on YouTube. Everyone enjoy the twitter videos, the crowd should be loud, stay safe and Go Browns.