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2024 Cleveland Browns - 3-9, Winston Throws 6 TDs in Denver (4 Viewers)

Lot of optimism here considering Winston could have easily thrown 3 INTs, and the Ravens WRs also had several really bad drops.
We were awfully lucky to win.
But hey, maybe the Winston effect is real!!!
 
Lot of optimism here considering Winston could have easily thrown 3 INTs, and the Ravens WRs also had several really bad drops.
We were awfully lucky to win.
But hey, maybe the Winston effect is real!!!
Love your optimism. don't change, don't ever change.

This team is **** every time DW steps on the field. We have one bright spot because the Gods of Football shined on us a week ago and we are enjoying our short lived success. We all know it's not going to last and yes, we got lucky but we also got a victory against a hated rival. How's about we enjoy that for a few days before the **** wagon rolls through town again and we're back to being the Browns?
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
But did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express? That is the benchmark of calling yourself an expert...or so I'm told.
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
But did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express? That is the benchmark of calling yourself an expert...or so I'm told.
SONOFA....
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
i don't doubt your expertise.

i was making fun of the Browns, who kept running Watson out at starting QB cause they just had to know, FOR SURE, that he wasn't the answer.

i think the locker room knew before the season even started.
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
also, i think there's part of the coaches and GMs brain that just wishes at some point the light bulb is magically going to go on, and they just need to give them a few games for that to happen?
 
Stefanski announces Winston is the starter moving forward.

until they're mathematically eliminated of course, at which point they will want to evaluate DTR.
I keep seeing this "evaluate DTR" thing, last year, this year. We know what DTR is and he ain't it or else he'd be the guy, there is no need to evaluate him. These guys see him everyday in practice, they know what he can and can't do.
but they gotta, like, know for sure, you know?
I can help out here. After 45ish years of following the team, playing the game up to and including college, scouting the game for roughly 5 fives and playing fantasy football for over a decade I can, with the plethora of knowledge my proceeding resume represents, unequivocally say, for sure, DTR ain't the guy.

Follow me for more NFL starting QB advice :thumbup:
i don't doubt your expertise.

i was making fun of the Browns, who kept running Watson out at starting QB cause they just had to know, FOR SURE, that he wasn't the answer.

i think the locker room knew before the season even started.
1 decillion % true

Everyone knew, that's why the team looked like they did, knowing full well DW wasn't ever going to rise to the level of an NFL QB let alone the one that threw for 5000+ yards.
 
I'm ready for DTR and a veteran sell off

What do you do with that Watson contract? Just roll him out next year?

The problem is you can't really turn this team over with his contract hanging over his head. It eats up too much cap room to do a proper restructure/rebuild. Unless you eat it in one season and spend a couple more rebuilding from cap-restricted roster construction.
 
I'm ready for DTR and a veteran sell off

What do you do with that Watson contract? Just roll him out next year?

The problem is you can't really turn this team over with his contract hanging over his head. It eats up too much cap room to do a proper restructure/rebuild. Unless you eat it in one season and spend a couple more rebuilding from cap-restricted roster construction.
Watson is done as a starter here. The only question in my mind is if he's told to stay home or wallows on the sideline as the emergency 3rd QB. Whether they rip the bandaid off and deal with the cap hit in '26 or let it expire as scheduled probably depends on how next year goes. Plenty of pieces potentially in place to bounce back next season...if they get QB right, which is obviously a very big if. We'll see how many of these young guys can play as they get more run after the bye.
 
I'm ready for DTR and a veteran sell off

What do you do with that Watson contract? Just roll him out next year?

The problem is you can't really turn this team over with his contract hanging over his head. It eats up too much cap room to do a proper restructure/rebuild. Unless you eat it in one season and spend a couple more rebuilding from cap-restricted roster construction.
Watson is done as a starter here. The only question in my mind is if he's told to stay home or wallows on the sideline as the emergency 3rd QB. Whether they rip the bandaid off and deal with the cap hit in '26 or let it expire as scheduled probably depends on how next year goes. Plenty of pieces potentially in place to bounce back next season...if they get QB right, which is obviously a very big if. We'll see how many of these young guys can play as they get more run after the bye.

You can't cut him in 2025, even with a post-June 1 designation you're looking at $118.9M in dead money. Makes a little more sense in 2026, where a post-June 1 designation leaves you with a $72.9M dead hit. At this point, the Browns might be smart to put Garret on the market and see if they can get 2 1sts (I think they can).
 
Garrett is NOT going anywhere.
Watson's contract is undeniably the millstone weighing down the team for the next two years, so the easy solution is to draft a rookie and roll with that contract and hope for the best.
Problem, 20 NFL teams currently have 4 or less wins and there 'might' be two or three viable QBs in next year's draft. We play the Saints Sunday, and we'll probably win to screw any chance at a high pick so we can't project landing a rookie QB to provide cap relief.
It looks like we are stuck with Watson and his contract.
The good news is that Dwand is looking fantastic at left tackle, Ced Tillman is developing into a #1WR, and Mike Hall looks like a find on the D-Line. Incredible.
If all three of those young'uns work out it is like getting the value of 3-1st round draft picks since those are key positions that typically require high 1st-round draft picks to fill.
I just can't 'assume' or project that we will be in position to draft a decent QB prospect. Just too many mediocre teams in need of a QB.
We get nothing out of starting Winston.
Only 8 games left so let DTR get a shot.
 
Browns might be smart to put Garret on the market and see if they can get 2 1sts (I think they can).
I don't think moving Garrett is a consideration before this time next year. Doing so signals no interest in trying to compete in 2025. Should they anyway? Maybe, but I don't think the brain trust is there yet. If next year doesn't go any better, then a different story may play out for 2026. Most of the veteran core either expires after 2025 or has outs in their contract. If this group isn't going to get over the hump, then rip off the bandaid.
 
Browns might be smart to put Garret on the market and see if they can get 2 1sts (I think they can).
I don't think moving Garrett is a consideration before this time next year. Doing so signals no interest in trying to compete in 2025. Should they anyway? Maybe, but I don't think the brain trust is there yet. If next year doesn't go any better, then a different story may play out for 2026. Most of the veteran core either expires after 2025 or has outs in their contract. If this group isn't going to get over the hump, then rip off the bandaid.

They're not competing in 2025. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
 
They're not competing in XXXX. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
Doctored it up a bit to reflect my current mood. Caller mentioned it last week but they are pretty well ****ed until 2030. Might catch lightening in a bottle between 2027 & 2030 but you're going to be in full on rebuild those years as all your horses now are going to be well into the downside of their careers if they are even still playing by then.
 
In Jameis's defense, at least he throws the ball instead of running around til he's tackled like Watson was doing.
 
In Jameis's defense, at least he throws the ball instead of running around til he's tackled like Watson was doing.
Just to the wrong team. Pretty sure if DB's could catch, he would have thrown about 7 INT's yesterday. I was actually kinda shocked at how many balls he threw to the defender yesterday. I mean I expect a couple but it seemed like every series he was chucking it to Charger.
 
In Jameis's defense, at least he throws the ball instead of running around til he's tackled like Watson was doing.
Just to the wrong team. Pretty sure if DB's could catch, he would have thrown about 7 INT's yesterday. I was actually kinda shocked at how many balls he threw to the defender yesterday. I mean I expect a couple but it seemed like every series he was chucking it to Charger.
yeah, some of them kind of made sense, and then some of them it was like he was throwing it straight to the defender on purpose.
 
They're not competing in XXXX. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
Doctored it up a bit to reflect my current mood. Caller mentioned it last week but they are pretty well ****ed until 2030. Might catch lightening in a bottle between 2027 & 2030 but you're going to be in full on rebuild those years as all your horses now are going to be well into the downside of their careers if they are even still playing by then.

3 years is all it will take if the Browns draft well and make the right moves.
 
They're not competing in XXXX. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
Doctored it up a bit to reflect my current mood. Caller mentioned it last week but they are pretty well ****ed until 2030. Might catch lightening in a bottle between 2027 & 2030 but you're going to be in full on rebuild those years as all your horses now are going to be well into the downside of their careers if they are even still playing by then.

3 years is all it will take if the Browns draft well and make the right moves.
Draft Brady or Purdy and have them on a tiny deal and sure, we have a good team.
 
They're not competing in XXXX. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
Doctored it up a bit to reflect my current mood. Caller mentioned it last week but they are pretty well ****ed until 2030. Might catch lightening in a bottle between 2027 & 2030 but you're going to be in full on rebuild those years as all your horses now are going to be well into the downside of their careers if they are even still playing by then.

3 years is all it will take if the Browns draft well and make the right moves.
Draft Brady or Purdy and have them on a tiny deal and sure, we have a good team.

Yes, you need to hit on the QB.
 
Browns might be smart to put Garret on the market and see if they can get 2 1sts (I think they can).
I don't think moving Garrett is a consideration before this time next year. Doing so signals no interest in trying to compete in 2025. Should they anyway? Maybe, but I don't think the brain trust is there yet. If next year doesn't go any better, then a different story may play out for 2026. Most of the veteran core either expires after 2025 or has outs in their contract. If this group isn't going to get over the hump, then rip off the bandaid.

They're not competing in 2025. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
I don't disagree, but I'm not convinced the front office is there and I can see why.

If Dawand Jones sticks at LT, 4 of the 5 line pieces are in place, need to address RT. Another WR is needed, but it doesn't need to be an alpha if Tillman keeps doing what he's been doing recently. Bringing Chubb back won't cost much. They have full control over what to do in the secondary and get to evaluate Cam Mitchell. They have full control over the LB corps and get to evaluate Diamonte. They have full control over the DL (for now) and get to evaluate Hall / McGuire.

There may just be one problem with this roster. One very, very big problem.
 
They're not competing in XXXX. It's damn near impossible with the cap anchor that is Watson.
Doctored it up a bit to reflect my current mood. Caller mentioned it last week but they are pretty well ****ed until 2030. Might catch lightening in a bottle between 2027 & 2030 but you're going to be in full on rebuild those years as all your horses now are going to be well into the downside of their careers if they are even still playing by then.

3 years is all it will take if the Browns draft well and make the right moves.
I'm sorry, you must think you're in a different thread, this is the Cleveland Browns thread. We are pretty incapable of 1. drafting well and 2. making right moves.
 
Za'Darius Smith traded to Detroit...not a surprising move here. Browns reportedly getting a 2025 5th and 2026 6th for Smith and a 2026 7th.
doesn't seem like they got much.

how much cap relief does this get the Browns?
Yep, not much, but he is an aging player. If this site is accurate (and I am reading it right), it looks like he would have been a 5.4 M cap hit for 2026

ETA...not sure that I am reading it right...I see an accrued dead cap of 16.1 M for 2025 towards the bottom of that page.
 
Za'Darius Smith traded to Detroit...not a surprising move here. Browns reportedly getting a 2025 5th and 2026 6th for Smith and a 2026 7th.
doesn't seem like they got much.

how much cap relief does this get the Browns?
Yep, not much, but he is an aging player. If this site is accurate (and I am reading it right), it looks like he would have been a 5.4 M cap hit for 2026

ETA...not sure that I am reading it right...I see an accrued dead cap of 16.1 M for 2025 towards the bottom of that page.

That's accrued dead cap is from the void years.


2025
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $5.408M

2026 (Void)
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $11.775M

2027 (Void)
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $0

2028 (Void)
Dead: $2.158M
Cap Savings: $0
 
Za'Darius Smith traded to Detroit...not a surprising move here. Browns reportedly getting a 2025 5th and 2026 6th for Smith and a 2026 7th.
doesn't seem like they got much.

how much cap relief does this get the Browns?
Yep, not much, but he is an aging player. If this site is accurate (and I am reading it right), it looks like he would have been a 5.4 M cap hit for 2026

ETA...not sure that I am reading it right...I see an accrued dead cap of 16.1 M for 2025 towards the bottom of that page.

That's accrued dead cap is from the void years.


2025
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $5.408M

2026 (Void)
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $11.775M

2027 (Void)
Dead: $4.025M
Cap Savings: $0

2028 (Void)
Dead: $2.158M
Cap Savings: $0
Yep- this the same cap savings in 2025 and beyond as had he been a post June 1 cut next year. Only cap savings is current year, which given his salary isn't gonna be much. This is doing a vet that wasn't a part of the long term plan a solid and getting a sprinkle back in return.
 
He was present on the sidelines with coaches today. Don't remember ever seeing him out there during previous games. I wouldn't hate it if he was our next coach. But no coach is gonna do well with this QB room.
Schwartz might be expecting a chance if it's given
Only the Browns, ONLY THE BROWNS will be letting go of the reigning Coach of the Year (X2 btw). Hate this ****ing team #GoLions
 
He was present on the sidelines with coaches today. Don't remember ever seeing him out there during previous games. I wouldn't hate it if he was our next coach. But no coach is gonna do well with this QB room.
Schwartz might be expecting a chance if it's given
Only the Browns, ONLY THE BROWNS will be letting go of the reigning Coach of the Year (X2 btw). Hate this ****ing team #GoLions
There's an embarrassment of riches to it too though. Vrabel was coach of the year. Schwartz has been a top DC before. (Not to mention Bill Callahan leaving prior)

There will most likely be an after the fact story that the three disagreed on something but I've never really read that there's any strife.

The almost predictable madness of coaching hires is often times the offense struggles so teams hire a defensive head coach or vice versa.

I think Schwartz is a better hire for them if they want continuity. He had an awful horrible situation in Detroit and got awful players added and that was his only chance? Schwartz did such a fantastic job building culture that Dan Campbell was saying recently how Schwartz started some program and ...cut off static...they had to make it mandatory for players to make public appearances because they wouldn't. The host asked if it was some plants closing or the famous water issue and idk Detroit's hard times chronology and lost track of the conversation. My point is, he was in an awful situation that looking back, no one would have succeeded with and somehow Dan Campbell is mentioning him in a positive light.
During the years in PFR when he isn't listed as coaching, Schwartz had some health issues and worked out of the Titans offices for the NFL. He was a defensive consultant with the Titans and really helped Vrabel as a sounding board until Vrabel stopped listening to anyone n everyone.
Schwartz has a great pedigree and rings and ...he's always not the main character when fans share memories.

Vrabel is a BIG character. Sometimes he's a bit much but he's very likable. His tenure is especially questionable and many in the NFL either love him or don't. There's no middle ground. He worked for and hired buddies but he also fired some and this is either viewed as loyal or disloyal.
During the last interviews he reportedly didn't make sense when discussing Lafleur not being a good OC in Tennessee and one team interviewed Jon Robinson for GM but Vrabel threw his BFF and neighbor under the bus. Vrabel went on the radio saying he didn't, they didn't understand...whatever. My point is- he has this big ego and gets very uncomfortable explaining himself.
His ego's low point was with Tim Kelly. The most predictable bad hire in recent memory. The passing game literally got worse when he arrived and then he promoted him to OC and defended him time and again as they plummeted to one of the worst teams. When Kelly foolishly used Henry minimally, Vrabel was absolutely stuck trying to reply. Laughing it off like of course Henry is a big part of this offense.
In Vrabel's memory it seems Kelly was great in Houston. Reality is they took the passing offense away from him and gave it to Pep Hamilton.
As long as Deshaun Watson is there, you have to fear a Kelly hire along with Vrabel. Then you'll say there's no way the GM gets replaced but his buddy JRob will probably join him anyway.
The Texans were a bad team a losing team. The Titans regularly signed their players and it puzzled us fans like umm they were bad and each have a horrible pff rating and why'd we add that guy? It's not just that either. The Texans added Titans free agents that we liked. They totally took Vrabel to the woodshed while he thought he knew best. Just this past off-season, they took a few more too even.

Vrabel can absolutely step back and rethink oh I messed this up and could have done that better BUT he must convey that in an interview. The genius finished as a tool and he's gotta own it. IDK that that big ego will and Cleveland has had their share of former gem coaches that won't change and claim to know best.

Sooo long post but, I revert back to Schwartz might simply be better AND a smoother hire. Ya still get the smart label and the Belichick lineage but not this huge presence
 
He was present on the sidelines with coaches today. Don't remember ever seeing him out there during previous games. I wouldn't hate it if he was our next coach. But no coach is gonna do well with this QB room.
Schwartz might be expecting a chance if it's given
After taking the DC role in CLE, he's said that he isn't interested in pursuing a HC job. That he would prefer to run a defense. That could be coach speak, but every report out of CLE had the same message (local reports and national from what I recall).
 
He was present on the sidelines with coaches today. Don't remember ever seeing him out there during previous games. I wouldn't hate it if he was our next coach. But no coach is gonna do well with this QB room.
Schwartz might be expecting a chance if it's given
After taking the DC role in CLE, he's said that he isn't interested in pursuing a HC job. That he would prefer to run a defense. That could be coach speak, but every report out of CLE had the same message (local reports and national from what I recall).
That seems proper to say.
I wonder if it's true
 
I know they didn't win, but are we back to thinking Berry and Stefanski know what they're doing outside of one player that they may or may not have wanted?

Berry's drafting is still sort of suspect.

for example, this morning I looked it up and he's drafted 9 defensive linemen.

I'll let you guess how many are on the current depth chart.
 

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