Author: admin

Not with the Browns, as for now, but in my life. To do podcasts and write this blog, I have to watch the Browns. Besides I’m a Browns fans and always will be. I won’t give up on this team. No, my new life decision is to turn off Cleveland sports talk. They have no knowledge of what’s going on in the building in Berea. They’re not journalists. They have no sources telling them inside information. They present to the loyalist fanbase in the league, garbage. On Monday they were convinced Kevin Stefanski was going to be fired that day. So they yelled and screamed. When he wasn’t, they yelled and screamed. Today, they’re yelling and screaming about fictional conspiracy theories as to why Shedeur Sanders isn’t playing. Too much yelling and screaming. If I wanted someone to yell and scream at me, I’d call my ex-wife. But I’m not stupid, so I won’t. The same goes for Cleveland sports talk, gone out of my life. I turned it off last week when some idiot suggested the Browns should hire Lane Kiffin. Sure, let’s hire someone who quit on an NFL team when he was a coach. Makes perfect sense.

I still have contact with the people who’ve been giving me information since 2002. They are people who actually know what they are talking about and actually have sources in the building. They still have sources because they are very careful and don’t whore out their information for clicks and fame. Since Andrew Berry was hired as the GM, no information is leaked out of the Browns front office. None. If you hear someone say or write, “sources tell me”, they’re giving you an opinion or just out right lying to you. I’ve nurtured this relationship because if he tells me something and tells me not to repeat it, I don’t. And he knows this.

So let’s talk about Kevin Stefanski. The owner was not happy after the game Sunday, but then again neither was I. If, and I still think this is a big if, any move away from Stefanski happens it will happen after the season. I still don’t see it happening only because of the owner’s involvement in the Watson trade. Berry, Stefanski and Haslam all agreed the trade should happen, but it was Haslam agreement of the draft capital and his decision to guarantee the contract. Both Berry & Stefanski will be given one more year to fix the problems. The only way the head coach gets fired any earlier is if he loses the locker room and he hasn’t.

I don’t understand the media’s obsession with playing Deshaun Watson. He’s not going to play this year. He won’t be activated and will stay on the PUP list in 2025. As for 2026, he’ll either be the third string QB and not be activated each week or be on the roster and not activated. Either way, he’s not going to play for the Browns again and he’s agreed to this plan.

Finally, the Stefanski haters for sharing a video of the owner saying three wins weren’t going to cut it in 2025. First of all, he said this early in training camp. At that time, Kenny Pickett was going to be the starter. I argue if he started, the Browns would have won the Bengals game and the Vikings game. He probably would have given the team a better shot at the Jets game despite the two returns for touchdowns by New York. You have to look at things in the situation they were given and the context they were applied. At the beginning of training camp, six to seven wins was a realistic goal with Pickett starting. Maybe better because no one knew how good the defense was going to be. The blame for the Jets game falls squarely on the special teams. The only coaching change I see right now after the season is over is a new special team’s coach. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The Cleveland media started yesterday speculating on a Myles Garrett trade which wasn’t going to happen. Then they were clutching their pearls about the reports the Browns were going to be buyers at today’s trade deadline. Now they’re back to firing everyone in the building at Berea. I’m glad they all had a restful bye week. Later in the day, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced he was going to have offensive coordinator Tommy Rees start calling plays. The local media’s knee jerk reaction was expected. He’s trying to save his job; he’s throwing Rees under the bus or ownership told him he had to do something. Let’s talk.

First of all, I’ve told you from the beginning Garrett wasn’t going to be traded. If they did, because of the way his contract is structured, the Browns would have zero spending power over the next three years. Enjoy being the New Orleans Saints. Next, if there’s a young player who has a friendly contract that another team doesn’t want, like a wide receiver, then the Browns, if it’s a team friendly deal, would be buyers. A prime example is the trade they made for Tyson Campbell. Two years left on his contract and a perfect fit for Jim Schwartz’s defense. I’m still thinking a wide receiver, but it takes two teams to make a trade. It won’t be Garrett Wilson because of the contract extension he recently signed doesn’t fit for the Browns. It won’t be Chris Olave because he’s a piece a team builds around, and his contract is friendly for the Saints. The only way the Browns trade pieces away is if, and this is a big if, another team overwhelms them. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Browns don’t do anything.

As for the play calling duties, it’s not a desperation move. Stefanski is not being fired. Let’s look at this logically, something the local media has no concept of, if you knew you were going to be fired why in god’s name would you put your future employment in the hands of someone else. If you thought you were being fired, you would do all you could to keep your job, not hand it over to a coworker. People who hate Stefanski will twist logic into what they want to see, it’s human nature. Because the owner of the Browns knows the swing and a miss (his words) on the Watson trade was partially his fault, both Berry and Stefanski are safe.

Finally, two first round picks for the Jets Sauce Gardner? Talk about desperation by the Colts. I bet the line moves in the Browns favor prior to Sunday. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I haven’t been this excited about a bye week in my life. Writing, podcasting and watching the Browns is exhausting. But I haven’t given up. Yes, the AFC North is a joke. Because of quarterback play and defense. The other three teams in the division, (Pittsburg, Baltimore and Cincinnati) all have terrible defenses. The Steelers are rated 28th, the Ravens are rated 30th and the Bengals are rated 31st. according to Fox Sports. The Browns are rated number one. Baltimore and Cincinnati have QBs who can’t stay healthy. Lamar Jackson has been hurt three out of the last five years and Joe Burrow always seems to be hurt. I think his last healthy season was when they went to the Super Bowl. In Pittsburg they have a 41-year-old quarterback probably in his last season. The Browns on the other hand, don’t have a QB. I honestly think if Kenny Picket had not been hurt, he would have been the starter in 2025, and the Browns right now would be in better shape.

So let’s talk about the stupidity that’s circulating in the local media and on social media.

1. Deshaun Watson is going to play another game for the Browns. This is the dumbest take I’ve ever heard. First, he needs to be activated from the PUP list, he was eligible after week four. If that happens, which it won’t, then the Browns would have five weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster. If none of this happens, then he stays on the PUP list for the 2025 season. He might be the third string QB in 2026, or the Browns will do what the Texans did in 2022, keep him on the roster and never play him. He’ll be gone when the league years starts in 2027. They’ll designate him as a June 2 cut and spread his cap hit over 2027 and 2028.
2. Salary Cap. Right now, according to Over The Cap, the Browns have over $23 million in cap space. Do a few salary restructures, carryover the unused 2025 salary, have salary added back because Joel Bitonio retires, (about $13 million) a big increase in the 2026 cap (it will always get bigger) and the Browns should have around $50 million in cap space in 2026. That includes Watson’s contract. So to say the Browns don’t have cap space is a statement made by someone who is clueless about the salary cap.
3. Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski. They’re safe only because the owner (and he’s said this) approved the Watson trade. In 2026 the Browns need to concentrate on the offense. It will start in free agency, with a starting tackle and possibly a starting wide receiver. If the team needs to resign Teven Jenkins and Cam Robinson for depth, great. I would even consider resigning Wyatt Teller on a one-year deal. Draft a tackle and a wide receiver in the first round. So far, I’m not impressed with the current 2026 quarterback class with the exception of Fernando Mendoza, but I’m going to wait to see if Indiana plays Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game.
4. As for the trading deadline, Mayles Garrett isn’t going anywhere because of his contract. The Browns recently signed a couple of tight ends and now the media is convinced the team is going to trade Njoku. I think they signed them for their blocking ability not to trade Njoku. The Browns don’t want to trade him, but if a team offers up a deal you can’t refuse, then you have to do it. This team needs to fix the offense in one off-season and high draft picks are the answer.
5. Could there be a change in the starting quarterback after the bye? Sure, if Sanders is healthy and ready why not? Right now, the plays are on the field, but Dillon Gabriel is not seeing them. Get Sanders ready and give him a shot. Is he the answer in the future? The Browns won’t know until he plays.
6. Are there still winnable games on the schedule? Yes. The next game against the Jets, depending on Jackson, the next home game against the Ravens, at the Raiders, a home against the Titans, possibly at the Bears, at home against the Steelers and possibly at the Bengals. If the offense can be average, the home games against the 49ers and the Bills might be interesting. Stay safe and Go Browns.

But it didn’t. All last week everyone in the Browns organization was supposed to be fired. Everyone. Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski, Jimmy Haslam (really?) and Paul DePodesta. To be honest with you I don’t think of DePodesta until some paranoid Browns fan brings up his name. The facility in Berea would have empty offices, the fans and the media were going to run the team, because after all they know best. It’s simple, I’ll just run it like a fantasy football team. Forget that NFL teams are billion-dollar businesses. Forget how complicated contracts and the salary cap are. Forget you can’t fire an owner. What fans saw on Sunday was one team playing for their head coach and another team who’s given up on their head coach. Can you guess which one was which? If you’re honest with yourself you can.

Let’s start with Andrew Berry. Prior to this year he’s been average, but that’s right where the league is. The success rate of GMs in the NFL is about 48%, based on a study from 2020 to 2024. But this year, with a full complement of draft picks, Berry has been top tier. He’s also added undrafted rookies who are contributing. In free agency, signing Malik Collins was genius. To top it off, he’s made the Jaguar’s GM look foolish in two trades. Before you try and based your argument on individual draft picks from the past to try and prove your point. Jedrick Wills was drafted because Bill Callahan wanted him, Sika Ika was drafted because Jim Schwartz wanted him and David Bell was drafted because Stefanski wanted him. As I said earlier, Berry’s been average prior to this year.

Kevin Stefanski still has the locker room. Yes, sometimes he calls plays that make up scratch your head. Against Miami there were a few. I wish he would get rid of the tight screen for a while, it isn’t working. He did get creative with the wildcat close to the goal line and it worked. But I’ve seen other so called great coaches call bad games. Explain to me how Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur thought it was smart to snap the ball on third and one with time running out in the third quarter only to have his quarterback sacked forcing a punt. Or how Mike Tomlin is 2-9 on Thursday night with an eight-game losing streak to divisional rivals. He’s lost four of those games to the Browns. When the Browns are leading at halftime at home, Kevin Stefanski is 32-5. This team has beaten teams by 25 points four times since 1999, three of those were under Stefanski.

As for Jimmy Haslam and Paul Depodesta, like I said you can’t fire the owner. He’s let Berry do his thing. He’s also given Berry and Stefanski a pass on the Watson deal because of his own involvement. He’s said so himself. As for DePodesta, he collects data, that’s all he does. He makes no discissions and he’s not a puppet master pulling strings in the background. Who knows, he may have provided data telling the team NOT to trade for Watson. Basically, if you don’t know what someone’s jobs is, why bring them up. Besides, for the last five years his main concern has been the new stadium.

Finally, I really don’t see Dillion Gabriel being benched anytime soon, despite what a certain radio host says. And he’s a radio host, not an insider. Gabriel’s first three games were quite difficult, and he wasn’t the reason the Browns lost two. As he gets more comfortable, he’ll get better. All he needed to do Sunday was not be the reason the Browns lost, mission accomplished. I’m still hoping the only one fired after the season will be Bubba Ventrone, way too many yards on returns by the Dolphins. Stay safe and GO Browns.

Yep, that goes without saying. The team is 1-5, the offense is terrible, the special teams are a mess, and the defense is oh so close to making vacation plans. Maybe the fans should have listened to the experts prior to the season who pointed out this team was going to be bad. Every sports fan goes into their favorite’s teams’ season with expectations and high hopes. I’m included in that list. But this is truly bad. The offensive line can’t block; the receivers can’t catch and the blunders on special teams are insurmountable. Pittsburg heard all week how their run defense is below average and running back Quinshon Judkins was the next Nick Chubb. So they loaded the box and dared the rookie quarterback to beat them. Well, Dillon Gabriel was sacked six times and pressured thirteen times, so the Steelers plan worked.

Penalties are unforgivable but can be overcome. Well, some penalties. The Browns had six penalties, while the Steelers had ten, but their penalties were easier to overcome. Wednesday’s practice should be all about lining up correctly and learning not to hold. I’d have a whole day of practice for just special teams. Of course, they bail out the Steelers by running into the punter. After that mistake Pittsburg went down the field and scored a touchdown.

Last week I heard Kevin Stefanski was safe. Now I’m hearing if this continues, the offensive offense, he might be in trouble. And by trouble, fired. I think Andrew Berry is safe mainly because of the great draft he had. It’s amazing what you can do with all your draft picks. This Sunday, the Browns play Miami in only their third home game. After that they go to Foxboro and play the Patriots. Both of these games are winnable. Then they have their bye. After that they play teams like the Jets, the Raiders, the Titans and the Bears. Add to this they could play the Ravens without Lamar Jackson and the Bengals without Joe Burrow.

This team was never going to make the playoffs, and I never thought that, but I thought the Browns would be watchable. Right now, they aren’t. If they had made one kick against the Bengals and one more first down against the Vikings, we wouldn’t be having this drama. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Before I start my rant, a little breaking news, the Browns have traded QB Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the Bengals for a fifth-round pick. This is the first ever trade between the Browns and the Bengals. Before you ask, no Deshaun Watson will not be activated to the roster and I’m going to assume Bradley Zappe will be the backup and Sanders will still be QB3. But tomorrow’s practice will help make that decision. If Sanders seizes the moment, then he’ll be QB2. Hear that Sanders fans he’s going to have to earn it just like any other job in the NFL. I’m also sure there will be some on Browns twitter who will hate the trade, only because they hate Andrew Berry.

I understand people are tired of seeing the Browns lose, but what the hell did you expect this year? They’re coming off a three-win season where the quarterback position sucked. Did you expect a winning season? Or the playoffs? Let’s fire the coach because a certain section of the fanbase have unrealistic expectations. I’m tired of the losing, but I also tired of the endless rebuilding where the front office and the coaching staff wouldn’t work together and be at each other’s throats. The back biting and the stupidity. The team actually had a GM who texted the coaching staff during a game to tell them to play his preferred quarterback. Or a power-hungry GM who kept a coach who went 1-31 and replaced him with a guy who he knew he could control. The ” what have done for me lately” crowd doesn’t remember and they won’t bring it up because it goes against their preferred narrative.

Both Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski have gotten a free pass because of the owner’s involvement in the Watson trade. The owner admitted it and took responsibility for it. His statement also tells you Watson will never play another snap for the Cleveland Browns. But of course, there will be those on social media and in the local media who will try and tell you different for the clicks. Now if Stefanski loses the locker room, then that’s a different story. And he has NOT lost the locker room. Let me repeat that for the Stefanski haters, He’s Not Lost The Locker Room.

Right now, anti-Stefanski fans are flooding the zone with all relative and unrelative talking points. Points to justify their means. They’re screaming for the head coach to take responsibility for the play calling at the end of the game. I hate to spoil your fun, but he did. But that won’t satisfy the pitchfork crowd because he didn’t beg for their unjustified forgiveness. As for Andrew Berry, he’s had three good drafts and this year’s is excellent.

Yes, the play calling was conservative, but remember, they had a rookie QB making his first start on a short week of practices. It was a short week because the team had to take a day to travel overseas. Could things get better against the Steelers? Sure, right now the entire league is playing bad football. Did you see the Cardinals/Titans game. Pittsburg lost a game because the rookie running back didn’t know the kickoff rules. Last night the Chiefs had a penalty on every kickoff, and they’re supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. The vaunted Baltimore defense looks like a college team.

Finally hating a coach and GM because they’re smart is the laziest argument I’ve ever heard. I don’t know about you, but I want smart people running my favorite pro football team. And just one more thing to point out, analytics have been around since Paul Brown, and he used them to full advantage. So get used to it because it’s used by every team in the league. Stay safe and Go Browns.

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.