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Agreed with the most likely direction forward and why, but I don't think 'A LOT' needs to go right for them to competitive. It's all on one position. It's 'just' the most important / difficult position in sports that needs filled and the list of options this year leaves a lot to be desired. I hate being a defeatest, but I guess after all these years, that's where I am. I hope they get it right, but don't expect them to.
I think there’s a lot of players that need to come back healthy and play well for them to have a chance. I’m not saying it’s a long shot, but there is quite a list.
Didn't realize I called the exact win total in September. When many didn't understand the situation and fired off at the hip that it was either Stefanski or Watson... Come on. It began before the season started with:
I'm gonna push back on the drafting criticism. With what they've had to work with I think they've generally done a good job. Too early to say about last year, but they did use picks to acquire Jeudy. The year before net Tillman, Jones, McGuire, and Mitchell. 2022- Emerson, Wright, Ford, and Cooper. 2021- Newsome and JOK. And oh what coulda been had we not been sniped on Nico Collins. Those appear like mediocre hauls because of the Watson trade. The draft capital we're working with this year is something that's not been seen since 2020. Reasonable to think we should get more from it because of that and there are ample reasons to expect it to happen.
While true they also scored 27 points on offense before KC got 1.
Mahomes had 33 passing yards at halftime and had thrown a pick-six.
I agree, re the D. The blowout loss v Tampa played out similarly. It's not a 1 sided game though.
It is. It is not Eagles level awesome, no one is, but lest we forget how dominant this unit was just a year ago.
If we have to credit one specific thing, I'd say the overall talent on that team. Highest praise to the GM!
Berry has made some good FA and trade moves, but his drafts have been subpar, just look at the D linemen he's taken.I'm gonna push back on the drafting criticism. With what they've had to work with I think they've generally done a good job. Too early to say about last year, but they did use picks to acquire Jeudy. The year before net Tillman, Jones, McGuire, and Mitchell. 2022- Emerson, Wright, Ford, and Cooper. 2021- Newsome and JOK. And oh what coulda been had we not been sniped on Nico Collins. Those appear like mediocre hauls because of the Watson trade. The draft capital we're working with this year is something that's not been seen since 2020. Reasonable to think we should get more from it because of that and there are ample reasons to expect it to happen.
Last year went sideways because of decisions made at this time with AVP then as a result Callahan. Watson can't play, AVP said as much, as a result was shown the door, then a different offensive identity / blocking scheme was brought in that aligned with what Watson wanted, not Stefanski. Stuff happened that made the inevitable early season struggles worse, but this was a car always destined to going over the cliff. The people that led last year's offense are now gone and a return to 2023 and prior is in the works. Is there someone available that's good enough to run it though?
He's 2 outta 6 on mid round DL, which is at least on par with expectations, if not exceeding. These aren't top 40-50 guys in which it's fair to expect a hit. Michael Hall was the first pick he's used inside rd 3 since the trade and it was just 54. 2 of his 4 top 2 rd picks have been given 2nd contracts and while Newsome may not get one here, he's going to get one somewhere.
We have to base a draft hit on actual numbers of the NFL draft.
I would think Abdul Carter if available, especially if they decide to move Garrett. I think they would be smart to move Myles if they can get a decent offer as this team is not in a position to win a Super Bowl this year or next imo.
Juan? Buh bye.
By keeping a worthless bum around that can only result in negative outcomes in the locker room.
It probably would be smart to move Garrett but there is a chance they don't because of stubbornness or whatever. On a related note, his staying in Cleveland is now the favorite of where he will be playing next year. A few days ago it was Washington that was favored.
Uh, no. He was gone last year when he gave up on a play.
Are they going to keep dumping guys and take a hard cap hit this year because this move was expected. No surprise. I can never read the big picture of the FO. I was against changing OC's and moving on from Flacco last year.
The team doesn't have a cap space problem, they're going to get ~$45m in insurance relief from Watson alone next year.
Ok, but what happens with Watsons contract after that (assuming they do get that relief)?
He'll be a post June 1 cut - cap hit is the same for '26 whether his contract remains unchanged (which won't happen) or if they give him this designation.
That’s certain?
So you're saying after this year, none of Watsons contract will affect the cap moving forward in 2026 and beyond??
No, but I'm confident in assuming it since both sides only have reasons to milk it all season. When they do, this happens
He has no leverage, this was him realizing it, happily surprised it happened now and not later like I expected.
Bitonio is back, the OC and O-Line coaches are gone, Amari is gone, we have Jeudy, we will revamp the entire QB room, we not only have a 1st round pick since Greg Newsome in 2021 we have a HIGH first round pick and most importantly of all we kept Myles.
He had leverage >>> Browns Reveal Financial Plan for New $2.4 Billion Stadium in Brook Park
MYLES and have to hand it to him. He played his hand perfectly. 
He's got Bruce Gradkowski Week 18 Special written all over himKenny flippin Pickett??? I hope they don't view this guy as a contender for the starting gig.
I'm not seeing starting caliber numbers. He has one game where he's thrown more than 2 TDs and one game where he's thrown for over 300 yards in his entire NFL career.Kenny flippin Pickett??? I hope they don't view this guy as a contender for the starting gig.
He will sure make it easy to go to the rookie week 1 (if we take one at 2)I'm not seeing starting caliber numbers. He has one game where he's thrown more than 2 TDs and one game where he's thrown for over 300 yards in his entire NFL career.Kenny flippin Pickett??? I hope they don't view this guy as a contender for the starting gig.
Don't worry about it, he's not the starter.
I think Pickett was a shrewd move. He's still young, has starting experience, and was pretty cheap, which was necessary because of Watson's deal. I think its a solid backup plan if Cam Ward doesn't make it to them.
I write this without doing any recon on this OT class, but unless we're trading down (with who?) from 2 or up from 34, it'd be unfair to expect a rookie tackle to be starting caliber. Dawand's the starter, Cornelius is the backup, and I expect developmental pieces to be added in April at both G and T for life after Bitonio and Conklin.
True. Back in 2016 Joe Thomas got injured. In 2017 we replaced him with Spencer Drango. Coincidentally we finished 0-16 in 2017 with Spencer Drago as our left tackle. In 2018 and 2019 we had Greg Robinson before drafting Jed. If we go with Dwand we've seen him on IR for the majority of the past two seasons which means we'd 'likely' have Cornelius as the starter. Not ideal especially if peeps think we're going with a rookie QB.
