With the exception of some classwork this week, the off-season programs are over. It’s time for summer break. Hopefully no Browns player will be in the news, unless there’s a signing or a trade. After this week, rookies will be sent home with a playbook and instructions on how they can be ready for training camp. The date for training camp hasn’t been announced, but I think the CBA states it’s to start 47 days prior to the team’s first game. That would put it around July 21.
All the rookies have signed except running back Quinshon Judkins. He was the first player drafted in the second round, so other second-round players are waiting. The money is slotted but there’s always language and incentives that slow things down. I’m not going to worry about it until training camp. If he’s not signed by then, it’s a problem. In other news, the Browns finally signed an offensive tackle. Jackson Barton is a six-year pro who’s played about 160 snaps in the league the vast majority at right tackle. He has played a handful of games at left tackle, so he joins Dawand Jones & Cornelius Lucas as players who have played both positions. He’s competing for the fourth tackle spot.
It seems things aren’t going well in Pittsburg and especially Cincinnati. T J Watt wants the Steelers to pay him Myles Garrett money. He’s 30 years old and is already making $20 million a year. Maybe if he lined over someone else besides the right tackle, he could get Myles Garrett money. The Steelers don’t play games with players who want a new contract, so Watt is going to have to settle. Speaking of playing games with players, Things in Cincinnati are not going well. All pro Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract, and he desires one. He and the team have started to talk, so maybe it will get done. Meanwhile the Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart bolted from camp last week. As with Judkins, the money is slotted so there has to be a problem with the guarantees and language. I’ve heard the Bengals want the option to void the contract if Stewart has any off-field problems, which he did in college. And people think the Browns are dysfunctional.
According to Over The Cap, the Browns have $18.1 million in salary cap space and that’s an up-to-date figure. If there are going to be any contract extensions, they’ll happen in July. That’s what history tells us about Browns GM Andrew Berry. The roster is pretty much set. Many Browns fans want another wide receiver added and that still might happen, but the Browns want to see what they have in Diontae Johnson and Cedric Tillman. Stability at the quarterback position would really be helpful. Because of the slow news period of the next six weeks, I might not be doing a blog every week, but if anything happens, I’ll keep writing. You can also follow me at Fans First Sports Network (http://@FFSN_NFL) and The Fanatical Elfz Network (http://@ElfzNetwork) with my articles and my podcast. Stay safe and Go Browns.