First came the news earlier in the week that the Browns offered Jadeveon Clowney a one year deal worth 15 million. Please stop. STOP. If Clowney wanted to play in Cleveland, he would’ve signed the multi year deal that the Browns offered in the early days of free agency. He’s been offered the most money by the Browns with every contract offer. Not going to happen. Next on our list of craziness for the week, should the Browns sign QB Cam Newton? Are you freaking kidding me? Look, I know that ESPN, NFL Network and sports talk radio is running out of content, but Cam Newton? The Browns already have a franchise QB and built an offense best suited for Baker Mayfield.
Finally, Jets Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams has again requested a trade. Of course Browns twitter wants the Browns to trade several first round draft picks for Adams. Safety is not a concern for the Browns. They already have J.T Hassell and Sheldon Redwine from last year and signed Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph in free agency. The gem of the safety room is second round draft pick Grant Delpit. He’s a first round talent and will be a force in this defense. Remember, DC Joe Woods last coached the secondary for the San Fransico 49ers. Besides, Adams doesn’t seem like the type of player the Browns want. He’s going to cost too much both in draft capital and salary.
Remember the 2020 salary cap of 198.2 million is based on the revenue to be made in 2020. With the pandemic, this years NFL revenues will be down and the 2021 cap may stay the same or go up very little. The Browns are currently trying to lock up Myles Garrett to a large contract extension and still have the fifth year options for both Mayfield and Ward. Plus the team has to deal with weather to sign Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to future contracts.
The good news of the week came out of the news conference with WR coach Chad O’Shea. O’Shea confirmed that Beckham and Landry are on schedule with their rehabs. He also said the both are more interested in wining than personal statistics. That’s the kind of news I like to hear. O’Shea also said the RB Kareem Hunt might be used as a third wide receiver. What? I love this idea. Imagine a formation with Mayfield under center, Chubb in the backfield, Hooper as the TE, Landry in the slot and OBJ and Hunt lined up wide. Go ahead NFL defense coordinators try and stop it. I can’t wait to see all the different formations this wide zone offense will produce.
As for the other pro leagues, the MLS and NHL are still on schedule and MLB is arguing over 60 or 76 games. In the NBA, the players are starting to question the league’s plans. Kyrie Irving even proposed the players starting their own league. The most shocking thing I learned about the NBA was that Irving is the VP of the players association. Who in gods name voted him VP of the players association? He’s a member of the flat earth society.
The bad news is more and more college and pro players and coaches are testing positive for Covid-19. Besides the NFLPA calling for only two pre season games, some NFL owners are pushing for a delay to the start of the season. Because this country didn’t take this pandemic seriously and a lot of states opened way too early, the possibility of no sports this summer and fall is realistic. I hope I’m wrong, because I think we could all use the distraction. All I can say is if you have to go out, social distance and wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and please wash your hands. Stay safe and Go Browns.