After watching the NFL games this past weekend, I’m reminded how important it is to find the right kicker. All I know is, I can’t take the Ravens winning another Super Bowl, so I’m rooting for Kansas City this weekend. I’m also rooting for San Fransico; I just can’t root for Detroit because that would mean another team besides the Browns made it to the big game. I know, I’m weird, but the next team to go to the Super Bowl for the first time should be Cleveland. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Now that the off-season has started, I thought I would remind my readers of the upcoming important dates on the NFL schedule.
February 20: Teams can designate Franchise and Transition players.
February 27 through March 4: NFL combine or as I call it, illegal tampering period.
March 5: Deadline for teams to designate Franchise and Transition players.
March 11 through March 13: The legal tampering period.
March 13: League year begins, 4:00 pm EST.
April 15: Off-season workout program begins for the Browns.
Today Browns GM Andrew Berry addressed the local media. The noteworthy information was his efforts in this off-season will be for the Browns to host a playoff game and make a deep run. That would mean the Browns would have to win the AFC North. Is it possible? Sure, anything is possible. The Browns won eleven games starting four different quarterbacks. The focus now is to hire a new offensive coordinator, running backs coach and tight end coach. They’re looking to hire someone who will maximize the talents of Deshaun Watson. If they don’t hire an OC before the AFC and NFC championship games, then they’re waiting for someone on one of those coaching staffs. Personally, I think hiring Duce Staley as the running backs coach would be a homerun. Berry also said the rehabs of Watson and Nick Chubb are progressing well.
The next question about the Browns involves what players they will attempt to resign for 2024. Some I would like to see are Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, Cory Bojorquez, Mike Ford, Rodney McLeod, Mathew Adams, Murice Hurst, Michael Dunn, James Proche and Nick Harris. The key decisions will be to restructure and bring back Amari Cooper and to restructure Chubb. Other key players who might be restructured are Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Myles Garrett. The Browns are currently about $16.9 million over estimated cap of $242 million. Finally, the most important position that needs an upgrade is backup quarterback. The Browns would love to have Joe Flacco as the backup QB and Flacco would love to come back. But if he’s offered a starting gig, you really can’t blame him for taking it. If he does come back to the Browns, it will be to backup Watson, nothing more. Stay Safe and Go Browns.