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Who will make up the final roster? Here’s my predictions barring injuries.

Quarterback (2). Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Running Back (2). Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Free Agent.

Wide Receiver (7). Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Jakeem Grant, Jr., Austin Watkins.

Tight End (3). David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Jordan Akins.

Offensive Line (10). Jedrick Wills, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, James Hudson, III, Luke Wypler, Nick Harris, Michael Dunn, Dawand Jones.

Defensive Line (9). Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Shelby Harris, Jordan Elliott, Sika Ika, Isaiah McGuire, Maurice Hurst.

Linebacker (6). Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Kunaszyk, Matthew Adams, Tony Fields, II, Mohamoud Diabate.

Cornerback (6) Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Martin Emerson, Jr., Cameron Mitchell, A.J. Green, Mike Ford.

Safety (4). Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, Rodney McLeod, D’Anthony Bell.

Special Teams (3). Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charlie Hughlett.

In a shocking move, the Browns traded QB Josh Dobbs, making Dorian Thompson-Robinson the number two QB. At running back, a veteran free agent will be signed. WR Marquise Goodwin will be place on the non-Football injury list to start the season, allowing Austin Watkins to be the seventh wide receiver. WR Jakeem Grant, Jr. will be the kick returner. Luke Wypler slides into a backup guard position. On defense, DE Alex Wright will be placed on injured reserve after the cutdown, so as to return in six weeks and Maurice Hurst take his place. At linebacker, Sione Takitaki will be placed on the PUP list and Mohamoud Diabate will take his place. The cornerbacks and safeties are set and have been for a while. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I know that sounds like a crazy statement, but after playing the reining NFC champions to a draw for two scrimmages and a preseason game, it feels like a win to me. Monday’s scrimmage was won by the Browns by virtue of their defense. Tuesday’s scrimmage was won by the Eagles, again by virtue of their defense. In the game, the Browns number two offense beat an Eagles defense with some starters and the Browns number two defense manhandled the Eagles number two offense. Another safety, I can’t even remember the last time the Browns had a safety in the regular season. In the second half, it was pretty much even. The only difference was the kicker. The fate or non-fate of Cade York is now front and center on the minds of Browns nation.

On offense, the Browns have a future starter in Dorian Thompson-Robinson. I’ll repeat this again, the Browns will have carry three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster. Josh Dobbs is still the number two quarterback because he has NFL experience. There is a problem at the wide receiver position. A good problem. If Marguise Goodwin can’t make the season opener, then the Browns will place him on the non-football injury list. That creates an opening at wide receiver and Austin Watkins is definitely making a case to take that spot. I still worry the team won’t have a true kick returner, but the longer Jakeem Grant and Jaelon Darden don’t play, the more Watkins inches closer to a roster spot. Running back Jerome Ford and DPJ handled return duties in 2022. As for the backup running back spot, Demetric Felton has played well, I just wish he could pass block better. He gives up too soon. The offensive line was solid. RT Dawand Jones looks like a steal. Nick Harris is making a case to be on a roster, whether it’s with the Browns or another team. Luke Wypler again played at guard and center. Michael Dunn is so underrated. Tyrone Wheatley continues to shine. Of the two veteran guards, Colby Gossett and Wes Martin, Martin is playing better with the more game time he gets. At tight end, no one impressed, thank goodness Harrison Bryant is returning to practice this week.

On defense, DT Maurice Hurst is passing DT Jordan Elliott and it’s not even close. But can the Browns rely on him staying healthy? DT Shelby Harris is all that and more. He’s big, strong and see’s thing so quickly. Great signing. At DE, Isaiah Mcguire played better, but it’s still a position of need until Alex Wright returns. The August 29 roster cutdown date will be interesting. LB Mohamoud Diabate is a name to watch. He’s not the best is space, but he’s already playing at NFL speed. If Jordan Kunaszyk doesn’t improve his game. Diabate will take his roster spot. Hopefully safety Ronnie Hickman’s concussion isn’t too serious. He’s earned a roster spot over D’Anthony Bell. CB Cameron Mitchell is playing very well in the slot. Greg Newsome might not get an extension if Mitchell keeps this up. CB Caleb Biggers and S Tanner McCalister have played themselves onto the practice squad.

The coverage units on kick returns played very well. After an eleven-yard return by the Eagles on the first punt, they really stepped up and shut down the Eagles. Kickoff coverage was also better. As for kicker Cade York, time to bring in some competition, even if it’s a street free agent. If the competition kicks well, place them on the practice squad as an emergency and to push York. I doubt the Browns are going to cut York unless he really regresses or asks to be cut. He has the talent, but the mental block showed on his face before the next to last field goal attempt. Wide eyes and a heavy sigh. Yikes.

Now it’s onto a Saturday afternoon game in Kansas City. Word is the starters will play, probably not the entire first half, but more than a series. I don’t expect to see RB Nick Chubb or DE Myles Garrett until the opener against the Bengals. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Last night turned out to be a typical Browns preseason game. It started with a weather delay, then fans complaining the team needs a dome and ended with fans complaining the team needs a kicker. Good times. I wasn’t surprised QB Deshaun Watson played well. During the last few months, I’ve gone back and watched his games from 2018 and 2019. What you saw last night was the same Deshaun Watson, except with better talent around him and Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio and Amari Cooper didn’t play last night. His decision making was quick and decisive. My only complaint is, he needs to slide more after he runs, because watching QB Joshua Dobbs play didn’t make me feel any better if Watson gets hurt. Hopefully Dobbs will get better with some reps, which he should get against the Eagles in preseason game three. He’ll more than likely start.

Besides the number one offense playing well, so did the number one defense. Dalvin Tomlinson and Za’Darius Smith are as good as advertised. Imagine adding Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Anthony Walker, Sione Takitaki, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Greg Newsome to what we saw last night. Scary. As for the number two defense, yikes. Fromer Browns QB Jacoby Brissett carved them up. The number threes and the number fours looked much better, but they’re hungrier. After Dobbs, both Dorian Thompson-Roberson and Kellen Mond played well. DTR brings a spark to the team. I still think Dobbs will be the number two QB, but DTR is making a solid case. As I’ve said before, the Browns are going to have to have three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster.

I absolutely love WR Austin Watkins on offense and LB Charlie Thomas and S Ronnie Hickman on defense. Excellent UDRFA’s. As for the draft picks, Cedric Tillman looked a little flat, Dawand Jones, Sika Ika, Luke Wypler and Cameron Mitchell all played well. When Nick Harris came in to play center, I noticed Wypler playing guard next to him. Something to keep an eye on. The Browns love to have their backup linemen play several positions. On the downside, I just can’t see how Anthony Schwartz makes the roster. Last night also made it clear the Browns need to bring in a veteran running back to help backup Nick Chubb. They might also want to look at backup left tackles. James Hudson did nothing to help his case. I still think Jedrick Wills will get better; however, he was schooled by Washington’s DE Chase Young a couple of times.

On the injury front, WR Elijah Moore (ribs), CB A.J. Green (shoulder), S Bubba Bolden (shoulder) and LB Jacob Phillips (shoulder) left the game last night. Moore’s x-rays came back negative so he should be fine. Coach Stefanski says he’s day-to-day, but then again aren’t we all. Phillips suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is out for the year. I personally didn’t think he was going to make the roster. He’ll probably be waived with an injury designation. I had high hopes he would become a good player. The special team’s coverage units played better until the end of the game when they gave up a big return, but those players won’t be on the team. Finally, kicker Cade York. I’m sure you’ve seen a ton of articles about who is available. Not a very good list. I know fans want to bring in competition, but any kicker who agrees to that will want guaranteed money. Competition will take away repetitions from York and further damage his mental outlook. Let special teams coach Bubba Ventrone work with him. For decades the Browns had crappy quarterbacks and good kickers, now it’s the other way around.

Next week the Browns will scrimmage in Philadelphia against the Eagles Monday and Tuesday then play preseason game number three Thursday. I expect the Eagles to be a great barometer in the scrimmages. I don’t expect any starters to play in the game. Ever since the scrimmages against the Colts a few years ago and too many fights broke out, head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t like to play his starters in the game. Wise move. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Happy victory Friday. I know it’s only a pre-season game, but still seeing those uniforms and helmets on the field for the first time always gives me chills. For the most part the Browns 2023 draft class played well. Right tackle Dawand Jones played the whole game and played well, so the out-of-shape narrative can be put to rest. Some Pro Football Focus ratings for the offense are, G Colby Gossett 90.1, G Wes Martin 87.1, G Michael Dunn 84.2, T James Hudson 83.3, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson 81.7 and WR Austin Watkins 80.8. On defense, S Budda Bolden 93.2, CB Caleb Biggers 80.0, CB A.J. Green 79.7, CB Cameron Mitchell 79.4 and DE Alex Wright 77.4.

As I’ve said before, the Browns are going to have to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and Dorian Thompson Robinson is the reason. There’s no way the team can sneak him on the practice squad. Kellen Mond on the other hand showed why he’ll be headed to the practice squad. RB John Kelly is the king of pre-season games. You have to figure some team will pluck of the Browns roster one of these days. As for the defense, the Jets were two of twelve on third down conversions. At one point they were zero for ten. They only had nine first downs. If I had to compare the Jets backups and the Browns backups, the Browns have a distinct edge.

The negatives were the two turnovers and the special teams. WR Anthony Schwartz is not long for this team. K Cade York missed his first field goal attempt and you had to be thinking about it when the Jets had the ball at the end of the game. If he misses another one during the next game, then it’s time to bring some competition into camp. Coach Bubba Ventrone can’t be happy with the kick coverage team. Thank goodness they have three more pre-season games to fix it.

It was curious that DT Jordan Elliott started this game. Coach Jim Schwartz must not be happy with the state of the defensive tackle position behind Dalvin Tomlinson. DT Sika Ika showed some flashes, but he’s a rookie, so a veteran is definitely needed. The Browns did sign an offensive lineman today, Derrick Kelly. He can play both tackle positions.

The next game is at home against the Commanders. I expect more starters to play, especially QB Deshaun Watson. Hopefully he gets more than a couple series, a full quarter would be nice. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Training camp in West Virginia is complete and the team will be headed back to Berea later today. So why not do an early final 53-man roster, right? Here goes.

Quarterback (3). Watson*, Dobbs*, Thompson Robinson*.

Running Back (3). Chubb*, Ford*, Felton/free agent.

Wide Receiver (6). Cooper*, Peoples-Jones*, Moore*, Bell*, Tillman*, Goodwin.

Tight End. (3). Njoku*, Bryant*, Akins*.

Offensive Tackle. (4). Conklin*, Wills*, Hudson*, Jones*.

Offensive Guard (4). Bitonio*, Teller*, Dunn, Forbes.

Center (2). Pocic*, Wypler*

Defensive Tackle (4). Tomlinson*, Elliott*, Ika*, Free agent.

Defensive End (5). Garrett*, Smith*, Okoronkwo*, Wright*, McGuire*.

Linebacker (6). Walker*, Takitaki*, JOK*, Adams*, Kunaszyk*, Fields.

Cornerback (6). Ward*, Emerson*, Newsome*, Green*, Ford*, Mitchell.

Safety (4). Thornhill*, Delpit*, McLeod*, Bell.

Special Teams (3). York*, Hughlett*, Bojorquez*.

The (*) denotes a roster lock either due to salary structure, 2023 draft pick or starter from last year. I’ve got 25 on offense, 25 one defense and three specialists. On some of the position groups, I’m basing the number of players on what was done in previous years. For example, the last two years the Browns have kept ten offensive linemen, three tight ends, five defensive ends, four defensive tackles and six linebackers. This year, the offense will carry three quarterbacks, three running backs and six wide receivers. At quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson must make the final 53, because he won’t clear waivers and make it to the practice squad. The last two years the Browns have carried two quarterbacks, five running backs/fullbacks and five wide receivers. Not this year.

On defense, the only difference is previous years is the secondary. The last two years the Browns have carried five cornerbacks and five safeties. This year it’s six and four because the wealth of talent at the cornerback position and number three safety Rodney McLeod is extremely versatile. He can play free safety, strong safety and slot corner.

Now we head to a game week for the first time in 2023. The starters will mostly be backups and young players, as it should be this early in the preseason. Tomorrow, look for my podcast, The Cleveland Browns Dawg Pound South Podcast, part of the http://@ELfzNetwork as I give my analysis of the trip to West Virginia. Stay safe and Go Browns.

It’s been six weeks since my last Browns blog and I’ve been busy. As most of you know I’m now a contributor to the Fanatical Elfz Network podcasts, (http://@ElfzNetwork) and have started my own podcast through the network called “The Dawg Pound South Podcast.” Catchy name, right? I’m still writing articles for https://clesportstalk.com/ once a week but missed expressing my opinion through my blog. So for better or worse, here’s goes.

Today the team flies to West Virginia and has a walk thorough at 3:45pm EST. Coach Stefanski and selected players will be available afterword’s to meet the media. Plan your social media time appropriately. I really like this out-of-town trip not only for team unity, but also to limit distractions. And speaking of distractions, raise your hand if you actually thought DT Perrion Winfrey was going to make this team. I’ve done three early final 53-man rosters so far and in each one, he didn’t make the team. I at least thought he would make it through the West Virginia trip. I hope the young man gets the help he needs. I also hope in the future, Browns GM Andrew Berry stays away from drafting anymore players from Oklahoma.

The first injury reports were announced yesterday. On the non-football injury list were, G Colby Gossett, WR Anthony Schwartz and WR Mike Woods. On the non-football illness list was WR Marquise Goodwin with blood clots in his legs and lungs. Goodwin was going to be a key contributor in the passing game, but blood clots are extremely serious, especially for someone his age. He plans on staying with the team as he works at getting better, but due to the seriousness, I really can’t see him playing in 2023. This opens a roster spot for either Jaelon Darden or Jakeem Grant. My money is on Grant, he’s a pro bowl caliber punt returner. The good news neither Anthony Walker nor Sione Takitaki appeared on the injured list. We’ll know sometime today if they are healthy enough for training camp. Both would make a big difference in the linebacker room.

Today a couple of players announced jersey number changes. CB Greg Newsome will now wear number “0” and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will change to his college number “6.” Plan your jersey purchases accordingly. With the departure of Winfrey, I think it would be in the best interest of the Browns to sign another veteran defensive tackle. Names to watch, Matt Ioannidis, Chris Wormley, Linval Joseph and Akiem Hicks. Ndamukong Suh would be great, but he’s not signing with a team until later in the season. He doesn’t need training camp and would want to pick the best opportunity to win a ring. The only other position I can see that needs attention is the running back position. I’m not comfortable with Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton as Nick Chubb’s backups. The Browns need a veteran running back who can take over when Chubb needs a rest. Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt make the most sense, but both would have take a reduced role and reduced price. We’ll have to wait and see.

That’s it for this week. I’ll be back on my usual schedule of posting a weekly blog and will have my podcast broadcast on Mondays. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Mandatory OTA’s start today and I’m here for it. More access to the local media means more pictures and video on social media. It also means more player and coaches interviews. The complete defensive line will be at practice for the first time this year. Again, I’m here for all the videos. This will be the last time the team is together until July 22, when the team heads to West Virginia for the start of training camp. No media will be allowed there. Enjoy the next three days of OTA porn.

After watching the images from the voluntary OTA’s, it appears quarterback Deshaun Watson is throwing the ball very well, but right now it’s against air. New defensive end Za’Darius Smith is a very, very big man. He and Ogbo Okoronkwo will allow new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to give Myles Garrett needed rest during games to keep him fresh later in games. Wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Elijah Moore look like they’re ready to go and on the same wavelength as Watson.

Speaking of wide receivers, Deandre Hopkins is still unsigned which is no surprise. If the reports are true, he wants OBJ money, he’ll stay unsigned for a while. All the teams who are interested, don’t have the salary cap space right now. Could the Browns sign him? Sure, if they want to. According to https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space the Browns currently have $14.8 million in cap space. The longer he goes unsigned, the better the probability the Browns could sign him. It would be an incentive loaded one year deal. Personally, I think he’s a luxury for this team. Browns GM Andrew Berry usually keeps six wide receivers on the final roster, right now there’s no room.

Finally, there was a rash of Browns players getting robbed over the weekend. Two are known, Greg Newsome and Demetric Felton and a third player is unknown. Felton had his car stolen and Newsome was car jacked at gun point. This is very concerning, especially with team events ending after the mandatory OTA’s. Hopefully, the Browns head of security will have a conversation with the team about knowing their surroundings and keeping their heads on a swivel. Sounds like the players are being targeted. Here’s hoping the players will be smart prior to the start of training camp. Stay safe and Go Browns.

To say this has been a good off-season by Browns GM Andrew Berry is an understatement. He’s been bold and aggressive. If you don’t think the Browns are “all in” you’re not paying attention. The latest trade for three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith proves that. Smith provides the veteran player opposite of Myles Garrett this team needed. Yes, he’s 31 years old coming off a knee injury, but he’s on a one-year contract playing for a paycheck next year. Smith also allows defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to rest Garrett during games while not weakening the defense. It was announced today that the Browns redid Smith’s contract. The Vikings will pick up $1.177 million in the form of a signing bonus. Smith’s cap hit for the Browns is $3.032 million. His contract is worth $13 million, so I would think there’s a signing bonus of over $9 million and three or four voidable years. The details will probably be out later this week.

So what do the Browns need next? I would say a running back and a veteran defensive tackle. As for the tackle, no one knows how Schwartz feels about the players on the current roster like Tommy Togiai, Jordan Elliott or Perion Winfrey. If’s he’s good with them, then so am I. As for running back, a social media account I’ve never heard of floated the notion that Ezekiel Elliott is down to two teams to choose from, the Browns and the Chargers. If he’s willing to be the RB2 and is cheap, why the hell not. I will note he’s declined in production every year since 2019. It was also announced the Browns signed cornerback Chris Westry. He’s a big corner who plays his best on special teams and probably headed for the practice squad when the season starts.

After last year I promised myself, I wouldn’t get too excited about the off-season. But of the three years prior, Andrew Berry has never been this aggressive. He continues to try to add talent and has still done a brilliant job at maintaining the salary cap. I know the season opener against the Bengals is a long way off, I’ll continue to curb my enthusiasm, but you have to admit this off season has been pretty, pretty good. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Thursday night Browns fans find out where and when the team is playing. The who is already known. Home opponents are Baltimore Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Arizona, Chicago, Jacksonville, New York Jets, San Fransico and Tennessee. The road opponents are Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle. Already known is the Browns won’t play in England or Germany. Wait till next year, because they will then. So what are my thoughts, pre-release?

The first game will tell me one of two things, if the NFL is still going to punish the Browns for signing Deshaun Watson or they’re back to just caring about ratings and money. If they’re still in punishment mode, it’ll be an away game in Houston. If it’s ratings and money, they’ll open at home against the Jaguars. Watson Vs. Lawrence, or at Denver, Watson Vs. Wilson, both are money makers. My bet is ratings and money, the NFL is all about the Benjamins. I’m hoping if it’s an away game it will be at Indianapolis and if it’s a home game be against Arizona or Tennessee.

One game I am very certain of is week three, the Browns hosting the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. That week is the 53rd anniversary of the first Monday Night game. The NFL will promote the crap out of that one and it’s Watson Vs. Rogers. Again, money maker. The Browns have three west coast trips. Hopefully they either space them out, one a month or like head coach Kevin Stefanski wants, have the Seattle and the Los Angeles games in back-to-back weeks. Then the team can just stay on the west coast between games. I think the Bengals and Browns will be a Thursday night game, always a big ratings game. This might be the first year a Browns game is flexed.

Hopefully the bye week will be somewhere in between week seven and week ten. That would be ideal. The league will stack divisional games at the end of the season. Probably ending the season at Pittsburg, because that’s what they always like to do. Maybe the NFL will change it up and have the Browns play at Baltimore.

Overall, it’s a good schedule, but I’ll wait to see the full schedule to make judgements. Thursday night, I’ll be live on The Fanatical Elfz Network, http://@ElfzNetwork, starting around 6:30 pm (CST), with my fellow Fanatics as we watch & react to the schedule as it happens live starting at 7:00 pm (CST). Please tune in and enjoy. Stay safe and Go Browns.