Browns Fans: Calm TF Down. The 2019 Browns are Contenders. NOW.

Since losing to merely just the New England Patriots in Foxboro, all the gloves came off and the 2019 Browns became a piniatta once again.

I don't care much that Baker got into it with Tony Grossi and ended his press conference early, but need to point a few things out:

Mayfield never answered any of Grossi's questions.  Grossi was actually asking why the Browns were so methodical and deliberate with time running out (ie no hurry-up, or even quick huddles).

Baker was stuck on the penalty, as if that explained why the offense was acting like it had all the time in the world.

Now partly, this is Baker catching spears aimed at Freddie Kitchens, and his loyalty is commendable.

But when Grossi asked if he felt good about that whole speaming pile, Baker had a great excuse to storm off the stage.  It WAS an idiotic question.

You'll see: Tony Grossi won't take this personally and turn into Cowturd or anything, and he'll probably even admit that he wishes he could take that question back.

I like both these guys.  I don't think this is a big deal.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports wrote a borderline brilliant article about Baker Mayfield and the Browns.  (Most of it will sound familiar to my readers, naturally--but I'm pretty sure Dan reached his conclusions on his own, instead of ripping ME off).

Dan thinks the Browns should be "alarmed" by this situation, as he senses an imminant collapse.

I hear him, but disagree:

These players know who just beat them.  They GET that.  And next up are the newly Flaccoless Denver Broncos.

If the Browns find some way to lose this game, they should be alarmed...but not after losing to the Patriots.  Not yet.

The Ben Gals just benched Dalton.  They know they're out of it, and need to test-drive their rookie QB.

The Steelers are still in the fight, but diminished. They had to rally to beat the Dolphins.  The perennially-overrated Ravens are kicking ass, but (mark my words) they'll lose the rematch with the Browns in Cleveland.

Being a Browns fan, I instinctively expect disaster (like most of you).  Here we go again, right?

But do you think Baker Mayfield will fail?  Where do you rank this defense?  If Nick Chubb loses a wheel or something, ever heard of Kareem Hunt?

Speaking of which, kiddies, in days if yore, there used to be this thing they called a "2-back offense", with which Freddie Kitchens is familiar (see 2018).

OBJ has been contained so far, and that's partly why Callaway is doing damage and Chubb is wreaking havoc.

The Browns' defense is still coming together, and showed significant growth vs Brady and company.  They stifled the run and harrassed Brady; forced several punts and field goals; gave up just 20 points, despite a turnover at point-blank range.

The Broncos' defense is no joke, of course, and tailor-made to exploit the Browns' soft Offensive Tackles (vs the pass anyway), but Nick Chubb is the monkey-wrench:

Can any of you guys remember any Browns running back like Nick Chubb since Mack and Byner?  Can any of you name a team that has shut this guy down?

Verily, more zone-blocking has helped a lot, but Chubb is still a league leader in yards-after-contact; he's done most of this on his own; Nick Chubb is a STUD.

I haven't checked this out yet (I couldn't watch the last 3 games), but I think that Nick Chubb did the majority of his damage vs 7-8 man fronts.

After Chubb trampled the Patriots, count on the Broncos to prioritize HIM.

The Browns are pairing Chubb with Mayfield in every set, including the (imo too prevalent) shotgun.

Opposing defenses have to respect play-action, even from here.  Chubb is also a really good bodyguard who stones blitzers.  After play-fakes, Mayfield throws to him too.

Nick Chubb messes defenses up.  They can't "sell out" on the edge; they have to treat Mayfield like a running quarterback and stay in their lanes; they can't "sell out" because Chubb is always right there next to the Quarterback...

But I digress: The Browns' defense should stifle the Broncos' offense, and be the main reason why the Browns win.

I suspect that OBJ will make his jailbreak in this game, because if they don't stack to stifle Chubb, they're DOA, and they can't hold that FS deep...

Sorry 

Cleveland Browns: They Lost to the Patriots: Fire Kitchens! We're All Gonna Die!!!

Some of you people are going overboard with the doom and gloom (and you just couldn't wait to bring that big word "dysfunction" out of the closet, could you?)

Yes, I agree that Freddie Kitchens has screwed up sometimes, Mayfield looks shook up, the Offensive Line has sucked (passblocking), and well...the Browns have massively underperformed so far in 2019.

But most of you get some of this: New Coaches new players new systems lots of baby faces etc: 2-4 was disappointing, but not all that shocking, and the team did show signs of life; dominating the perennially overrated Ravens etc.

Ok so along come the Patriots in Foxboro and help the Browns beat themselves 27-13 and now you're jumping ship!?

Wake tf up!

1: Until Nick Chubb came along, the Patriots Defense ranked in the top 3 in (I believe) EVERY defensive category.  Points allowed, points scored, turnovers, vs pass, vs run, on third downs, opposing QBR etc etc etc.

No defense in history, including the Superbowl Steelers, Bears, or Ravens matches what this Patriots Defense has done so far in 2019.

Did you really expect the Browns to come in and roll these guys at home?  Really?  

Hell, Nick Chubb damn near scored from mid-field (awesome strip by that defender though)...

2:  That Defense scored one of the Pats touchdowns and gave their offense point-blank range on another turnover; the strip of Chubb saved the Pats 7 points against.

The Browns' Offensive stats were ok; certainly better than most of the Pats' victims.

Of all people, Joel Bitonio screwed up (badly) and caused Nick Chubb's first fumble.  Then the guy who intercepted Mayfield's pass had blown right by Bitonio too!

First, that's an outlier.  It won't happen again.  Second, some have suggested that Bitonio was going out of his way to protect new Left Tackle Justin McCray, and got himself in trouble doing so.

Definitely possible.  While we can worry about McCray, Bitonio will be fine.

I now know why the Browns were set up to punt, then went for it on 4th down after a penalty:  Kitchens was determined to go for it in any such situation, but didn't tell anybody else in advance, so when the situation came up, the punting team went onto the field by default (it's normally an obvious punting situation).

Yeah it's still stupid and embarrassing, but just one of the little things any new Head Coach has to learn.

Matthew McFatridge takes John Dorsey to task for the Browns' current problems.  While a lot of this is 20/20 hindsight, Matt does make some legit points.

The thing is, I'd like to know how Matt felt about Jabrill Peppers, Reiter, and a first round pick for OBJ and Olivier Vernon when the trade was made.

And Genard Avery was a Gregg Williams guy.  Clearly, he doesn't fit in Steve Wilks' system nearly as well.  

Calling Austin Corbett a swing and a miss is fair, but Avery is different.  Genard Avery will kick ass, and Dorsey is who drafted him in the 5th round.

...and now we're bashing Dorsey for trading his FIFTH round picks away?

Matt himself admits that the 2018 Browns Offensive Line looked pretty good with Robinson (and Kitchens in charge), then proceeds to pick on him for his failure to address the Offensive Line in the offseason.

Well, was Matt calling Corbett a bust before this draft?  Then Dorsey found FOUR veteran guards and tackles with starting experience and above average PFF grades in pass protection, and drafted Rodney Forbesfield in the 6th round.

AT THE TIME, I said this was pretty good.  And I explained how Freddie had protected his Tackles with Tight Ends, short drops, quick-hitters, and zone runs (then came Monken...)

...Anyway it's easy to sit there and wait for the next play.  If the running back gets stuffed or the QB throws an interception, you say "I wouldn't have called that". If it's a big play or touchdown, you say "exactly what I would have called!"

Hindsight is 20/20 (and aptly named).

John Dorsey's 2019 Draft Class (without a 1st round pick) has so far yielded 3 starters in Seibert, Greedy Williams, and Mack Wilson.

Takitaki and Redwine show great promise too...or are we overdue to be declaring them 3rd and 4th round busts 7 games into their rookie seasons?

Those of you who thought that John Dorsey would land Trent Williams were delusional.  He will be 32, is often injured, is EXPENSIVE as hell, and the Skins apparently wanted too much for him.

Screw it see my earlier posts, but come ON you guys they're 2-5 and young and you want Dorsey to blow payroll and first round pick(s)---I'm sorry but somebody needs to slap you awake.

PS Trent's holdout is over.

I need to mention Paul DePodesta again here:

It's possible that the Chief Strategy Officer nixed a trade Dorsey wanted to make (not including a first round pick for Williams--even Dorsey would never consider that).

"Strategy" is the operative word here:  The 2019 Browns are now in their contender/building phase, see?

Despite their crappy record, they still have a shot at winning the Division or a wildcard slot, but (hyperbole aside) aren't ready for primetime yet.

Moreover, DePodesta is here to build a dynasty.  You don't build dynasties by spending big chunks of cap space and first round draft picks on 32 year old oft-injured Offensive Tackles who wouldn't even help too much so...

Last call okbye

Looking Ahead Past Patriots vs Browns. Browns go from Overhyped to underrated.

Ok so Greg Robinson (according to Greg Robinson) has indeed been benched, and his replacement looks like Justin McCray.

Not only was McCray undrafted, but I can't find anything on the guy prior to his 2018 appearance with the Packers as an undrafted free agent.

Well, the Packers re-signed McCray, and he has started a number of games for them, so he's not a bumb.

John Dorsey came out of the Packers' organization, and his top two front office assistants know McCray from the ground up.

Obviously, they think Justin McCray is better than Greg Robinson.

This might also be a bandaid, pending a trade (for Vaitai, which is the only Left Tackle who makes sense...for anybody with a brain.)

On to the Patriots:

Freddie Kitchens needs to keep the pedal to the metal if he should get a lead.  Pats opponents tend to get conservative way too early vs the Patriots, and then in less than 3 minutes the well-oiled offense racks up 14-17 points.

Also, they need to pressure Tom Brady up the gut and in his face.  Edge-pressure doesn't bother Tom Brady much, as he expertly steps here and there in the pocket and delivers quickly.

That's on Ogunjobi and Richardson obstensibly, but Garrett and Vernon are great stunters, and Steve Wilks doesn't need to sweat containment on Mount Tom.

Stunts open up gaps that the Patriots have the people to exploit, but inside pressure is simply the best chance any defense has against this offense.

Blitzing is not the way.  Tom Brady burns blitzes in his sleep.  With 7 guys in coverage, he's mortal.  The exception is an occasional inside blitze that goes unblocked and reaches him almost immediately.

The good news here is that these are "run-blitzes" and have a chance at blowing up handoffs between the tackles as well.

The Pats have a really good Offensive Line, unfortunately.  They're veterans too: They're ready for twists and stunts.

I don't understand why Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson have been mediocre so far, but gdammit this front 4 should defeat ANY offensive line, including this one...

It's maddening.

Oh by the way most of this isn't me.  I'm channeling Charlie Weis, who nursed Tom Brady into starterhood and built the offense the Patriots still use.

Charlie expects the Browns to lose, but not get massacred...unless they keep deflecting passes to defenders, use 7-step drops and vertical patterns, rely on power/man blocking...

Ok Charlie didn't say all that, but to my regulars it's pretty obvious.  (Feel free to "fact-check" with Charlie Weis if you dare).

Charlie expects the Browns' defense to give the Pats offense trouble, but expects the Pats defense to stifle the Browns' offense.

Sadly, so do I.

Hope for the Browns' defense to act as talented as is, for once.  If it does, it can hold the Pats under 20 points, and possibly score.

Hope for the Browns' Special Teams to at least break even.  

Hope (most of all) that Freddie Kitchens is running the offense, because:

Nick Chubb is critical here.  The Patriots defense is awesome vs both the pass and the run, so it's pick your poison time, k?

Well, in 2018 Freddie used lots of 21, 12, and even 22 sets, and short and intermediate receivers (ie checkdown options): 

Clearly, Baker Mayfield has been "holding the ball" and "seeing ghosts" in 2019, but most of that hasn't been his fault.  And (listen carefully) it isn't Freddie Kitchens' fault either.

Freddie didn't trade for OBJ.  And no fkng way did he tell Mayfield to favor him over anybody else.  And (why isn't this obvious to you cretins?) these 11 and zero sets and vertical routes are all Monken.

I REPEAT:  Freddie Kitchens is NOT the problem here.  His lack of ambition, ego, and assertiveness is.

If FREDDIE is in charge vs the Patriots, we'll see what we saw in 2018:

3-wides only when the third guy is a Tight End or a Running Back.  Play-action, pistol or short drops;

Mayfield had an immediate outlet, crossing or slanting or drifting, but also that deep flyer.

Do you get this?  

Of course not.  Anyhoo the Browns' only chance to upset the Patriots involves Freddie Kitchens (and not Todd Monken) running the Offense.

Do you get any of this?

The 2019 Pats get tons of sacks and interceptions, and OBVIOUSLY the 7-step shotgun 3/4-wide Monken stuff hasn't worked, right?

Sentient beings stick with what works.  Ask Darwin (but I digress):

The Browns have a "puncher's chance" to upset the Patriots, if they don't keep dropping passes, throwing innacurate passes, missing tackles, blowing routes and blocks and...

Well you get it, right?  The Browns have the talent to beat the Patriots, but won't.

(Even if the Bowns did win, the referees would snuff that out).

...but you never know...

Browns vs Patriots Silliness, Dumbass Punditry, Defining "Talent"...and Idiocracy

Steve Wilks knows what he's doing better than we do, but as Jeff Risdon points out, he really didn't explain why he seems to like two Defensive Ends and two linebackers more than Avery.

I really wish he had, since Jeff called Avery "athleticly limited".

Exibit A:  At 255 lbs, Avery is a freak athlete, and proved it at the combine.  He's also a powerlifting state champ. 

I think that Steve Wilks's 4-2 sets, coverage priorities, and preference for prototypical defensive ends all factor in here, but Avery's athleticism has zero to do with it, Jeff, because, you know: He has the best combine scores of all the Browns' linebackers, ok?

Jarvis Landry shouldn't have said "we're going to win", but I think the question was "how do you think the Browns will do after the bye week?", right?

This turned into a Joe Namath-style guarantee that the Browns would beat the Patriots in New England this sunday (ps thanks for the assist Mary Kay!)

Obviously, Jarvis meant that the Browns would win the majority of their post-bye games.  He was answering a general question.  He wasn't talking about the next game.

But I do like how Jarvis talks about the upcoming game:

This team does have the talent to give Lord Insideous and co a hard time, but they have to execute perfectly.

PS: Terry Pluto the Seahawks were not the more talented team.  That might be the dumbest statement you ever made.  I bet you think the Patriots roster is more talented than the Browns' as well.

Terry: It's called "Stockholm Syndrome", and you need therapy.

There are legit questions about 3/5ths of the Offensive Line, but the rest of this roster is as good as any in the NFL.

The Browns might get out-coached.  Mayfield might get outsmarted.  Receivers might screw up routes and deflect catchable passes into the air etc., but that has nothing to do with talent.

The 2019 Browns are more talented than the 2019 Patriots, Terry Pluto.

I herebye predict that the Browns will win.  Eventually.  Take that to the bank!

...okbye

Trade for Eagles Lineman Whatshisname Vaitai Makes Sense. How REFRESHING.

Nate Solder?  Really?  You people!  WHY would the Giants make that trade?  Because they're bored?  Come on people!  Who would play Left Tackle for them?  THINK!

Nick Dudukovich offers some realistic trade options ahead of the deadline, starting with Eagles utility guy Vaitai (not even trying that first name).

Since the Eagles would apparantly want an immediate impact cornerback rather than some late round draft pick, this looks like a deal, assuming the Browns could lock Vatai up beyond this season (his contract expires).

Vaitai is a pretty good all-around player, and was the starting Left Tackle for the Eagles during their Superbowl run.

If they don't trade him, they're likely to lose him for nothing in return.

Short-term, Vaitai looks like an upgrade at Left Tackle in 2019.  Longer-term, he's excellent depth and a probable starter at guard or RT.

Yeah this one makes sense for both teams.  I wish I could bet on it.

Sans this trade, listen: They won't bench Greg Robinson unless they think Lamm or somebody else is actually better than he is.

Idiocracy, see?  Here I am explaining this...just kill me.

Cleveland Browns Dumb Analysis, Hysteria, and a Pinch of Real Analysis (rare in Idiocracy)

Could Ricky Seales-Jones make Njoku expendable?  Duhh...uh-huh!

Njoku is in the third year of a 4-year rookie contract with a club option for a 5th year.  This plus his experience and talent makes him very attractive to other teams; worth a high draft pick.

Ricky Seales Jones is "nobody", but is pretty much simulating Njoku during his absence.  Jones could be extended for a lot less money (if Dorsey acts fast).

Even if John Dorsey isn't already considering this, Paul Dodesta is.  Dorsey knows more about how well Jones can block and stuff, but DePodesta is better at math.

Elliot Kennel brings us some bad news about several players on the Browns' defense not earning their salaries.

Don't click this link if you're not fully awake, or don't like math.  Elliot gets kinda technical (even worse than me), but I can translate:

John Dorsey is (so far) not getting much bang for his bucks, as NONE of his high-profile veteran free agents are performing as expected.

In general, the Browns are overpaying on defense by over 10 mil/year!

Elliot keeps stressing so far, and he's right there: Denzel Ward is one of those guys, and Richardson and Vernon are new.  

I also need to point out Devaroe Lawrence,  Equale, Avery, et al who are ascending players on cheap contracts.

Also, all first-year salaries are overinflated by the market, and Dorsey added Richardson and Vernon at the same time.  I suspect that most high profile players in the first year of new contracts are not "earning" their salaries yet.  

In years 2 and 3, inflation brings this back to earth.

Kennel gets this, I can tell, but didn't articulate in in his article.

You're welcome.

Steve Patsco film studies every single Mayfield interception of 2019 in an attempt to objectively find out what is wrong here.

Steve stays in his lane.  He admits when he's not sure who did what wrong, or even who was the intended target.

As a result, we get a fuzzy picture, but can generally conclude that slightly more than half the interceptions were on Mayfield.  Sorta.  I guess.

But then Steve ends the article quoting Freddie Kitchens: "I have to put him in a better situation".

Yes, Freddie.  You DO.

The Offensive Line skakeup rumors persist.

Mary Kay, what does a "league source" have to say about this?  Let's assume Roger Goodell is Rhona Barrett's Mary Kay's "source"...why can't anybody else see how this is bullshit!?!

Don't get me wrong here: It wouldn't surprise me if RG Eric Kush got replaced, and maybe Justin McCray looks great (?) but -snap-snap- here on this planet, you don't replace an Offensive Lineman in the middle of a season unless his replacement is BETTER than he is, ok?

I try not to pick on girls, but Rhona Mary Kay is getting silly here trying to get clicks or whatever.

More Idiocracy: "Tom Brady is overrated."  No kidding!  Because he played with deflated footballs.

Lord Insideous is overrated because he had Brady.  And, of course, cheats.  And of course all the referees rig all the Pats games (and Kraft colludes with Russians why tf not?)

Anyway good luck Browns vs the Pats in Foxboro, because that might just be THE best Patriots team I have ever seen.

Best overall, but mainly because of their defense this time.  You can't run OR pass on them.  Seriously I'm 63 (I think) and I saw the Steel Curtain and da Bearss Superbowl defensse and the Ravens and stuff and the 2019 Patriots defense is at least right there with all of those.

God help Baker and company.

On the other hand, Baker Mayfield is looking forward to this game.  And so is Myles Garrett.  

They stomped the Ravens, right?  The Patriots offense aint all that right?

Brownss 63...

Nah I can't even kid about it, but I tell you this much:

Freddie Kitchens needs to run HIS offense (not Monkens') and try to overpower the Patriots' defense with Nick Chubb and extra blockers, see?

Does anybody else get this?  The Pats' defense sacks and intercepts and loves inexperienced Quarterbacks, and Lord Insidious is a genius, BUT:

If you can load up and just plain OVERPOWER somebody, that works, ok?

Did anybody else notice what the Pats did to the Jets one week after the Jets annihilated the Cowboys?  I guess so but did you also notice all those shotgun formations and empty backfields the Jets tried?

FREDDIE!  Go BIG!  You can't outsmart the Sith Lord, but he has NO ADVANTAGE over you in a slugfest!  Play smashmouth (then of course play action etc).  

The Pats Offense aint that great this year and the Browns' D gets both starting cornerbacks back...

Anyhoo the Browns have a puncher's chance if Freddie "steps into" that Pats front 7 instead of trying to play chess with these guys.

Does anybody else get this?

You Want Scary? The 2019 Browns Got FREDDIE! ...I hope.

I'm watching the New England Patriots dominate and dismantle the New York Jets (who last week annihilated the Cowboys), and am scared.

But I'm more scared of the Pats' Defense than I am of their Offense.

I believe the Browns' (healthy) Defense is better than the crew Gregg Williams has to work with.  They can get more heat on Brady (without blitzing), and the Pats' version of Nick Chubb is his former teammate Sony Michell.

But that defense...I'm in my safe space, in a fetal position, sucking my thumb.

I do know that Baker Mayfield is (and will remain) better than Sam Darnold, and Nick Chubb is better than Ebineezer Bell, and---

What?  Nah just look at current stats ok?  Bell doesn't have perhaps the best Offensive Line in the NFL in front of him anymore, while Chubb...well just think with your brain, ok?

(PS Booger McFarland please stop gushing about Bell!  There are 7-10 running backs that are kicking his ass get over it, Booger!)

But I digress:  I am hardwired to do my best (and take as many of them with me as I can if I can't win), so I think the Browns' Offense should:

1: Play smashmouth.  Nothing cute; don't try to outsmart them.  It's a Belichick defense.  Just try to overpower and bully them.

You know, Freddie: Like 2 Tight Ends or running backs?  Like YOU did in 2018?  Tap-tap is this thing on?

More to follow okbye

Idiocracy: It's Real. It's Here. I Have Proof: Cleveland Browns Punditry Unfettered

"Redskins will not trade Trent Williams to Cleveland Browns" probably should read "Browns did not offer enough to Redskins for Trent Williams duh."

Stick a fork in it, people.

Cory Kinnon, however, lists some real Oline trade options for the Browns.  No huge upgrades here, but Cory has a head for business, plus lives here on this planet, and has some good suggestions.

Mary Kay Cabbot's Olympic conclusion leap aside, Greg Robinson will not be replaced by a player who is not as good as he is, and nobody on this roster is.

Dan Justik gets a bit more comprehensive and deeper as he guesstimates how this team will look after the bye week.

I'm pretty sure that Dan reads this blog and pretends I don't exist as he writes articles built on this foundation, but we are correct:

In the last couple games before the bye, Freddie Kitchens ran more of his 2018 defense and less of this (I think Monkencentric) deep drop/vertical route 3+-wide pass-first stuff that was destroying Baker Mayfield...

Like me (or just copying me), Dan expects the coaching staff to review the first 6 games and draw the obvious conclusion:

The Freddie Kitchens offense wasn't broke, and they shouldn't have tried to fix it.

Obviously, expecting a win in New England is unrealistic, but the Browns have the talent to beat every team on their remaining schedule after that.

Now then:  Robinson and Hubbard were the starting Tackles while Baker Mayfield broke several NFL rookie records......is any of this sinking in yet?

I can't believe some of the stuff I'm reading.  Of course Dorsey couldn't trade Bitonio for Marcus Peters!  Look at the trouble they're having with the offensive line as-is!  And they don't need a safety!!! What do you people expect!?!

And what do we do with JC Tretter?  Prior to the Corbett trade my own answer might be different, but as-is I think the only choice is to re-sign him.

I'm not sure about the current CBA, but if negotiations look contentious, a tender offer could be made which would require the team that wants to massively overpay the player to cough up a first or second round pick if Dorsey doesn't want to blow 10% of his cap on a center.

This is how the Browns retained Alex Mack a few years ago for a couple years.  Then the Falcons massively overpaid him and everybody bashed Sashi Brown for not being that dumb but I digress:

Tretter is in a somewhat better situation than Mack was, however, with a strong and ascending defense and a real franchise quarterback...and studs at the offensive skill positions.

Mack wanted out at least partly because his Browns' outlook wasn't nearly as rosy (and of course partly because he is greedy).

Tretter should be easier to deal with (especially since Dorsey didn't trade Bitonio for Peters).

Plus he doesn't have as much leverage as Alex Mack did.  He's got an injury history, is older than Mack was, and (although very good) isn't as good as Mack was, so some idiot is less likely to set a new record for center salaries.

Note: the contract will front-load the guarantees to make Tretter more tradeable after the first season, protect the team from his potential loss to injury, and minimize his dead-cap hits in the out-years, should Dorsey find a younger guy to replace him.

I haven't even read this article, but only needed to see it's title to link to it: NFL fines Baker Mayfield for stating the obvious (in reference to the horrible calls by the referees).  GOOD FOR YOU, KID!  The Truth will set us free, and this code of silence in the NFL is unamerican.

Seriously, these officials really are just ruining the majority of games I've seen in 2019, including some of the prime-time ones.

The next Commisioner should be Vince McMahon.  I meet more and more younger (ex)-fans across the country who think it's all rigged.

And who can blame them, when the scumbags in New York look right at flagrant and obvious fouls (or non-fouls) and give the rest of us the finger!?

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain (or what you just saw in slow motion from several angles). We are right and all of you are wrong, because we said so 🖕".

Oh excuse me, I forgot Marty Schottenheimer's deep and profound revelation:  "The referees cannot influence the outcome of a game".

The Browns are not "finally" prioritizing replacing Joe Thomas.

1: Elite pass-protecting Left Tackles (let alone Hall of Famers) don't grow on trees.  Every season, more than half the teams in the NFL don't have an adequate Left Tackle, and are trying to salvage a Greg Robinson or turn an extra-big Tight End into a Tackle.

2: Substantially due to the rarity of these Left Tackles, modern quarterbacks are more athletic and mobile, RPOs are prevalent, the running game is coming back strong, along with West Coast passing principles.

...Blocking Tight Ends, fullbacks, chips, stretch-plays and rollouts...

The Browns can't afford Gramps Williams and (Permabashers' delusions aside) won't draft high enough to get a top Left Tackle.

They'll have to "make do" like the majority of other teams...

It's late for me tonight, but I dare you guys to check out the last 6 Superbowl teams (over the last 3 years) and the Division champs, and see where their Left Tackles ranked.

Zinng and check out the rest of it:  What kind of Quarterbacks and Offensive schemes have succeeded?

The reason why Arnold-like Defensive Tackles are at a premium now is because offenses (perhaps with the exception of Todd Monken's) have figured out how to neutralize the edge-rush without Hall of Fame Tackles, and part of that is shallow pockets duh...

Like I said, I can't believe some of the dumbassitude I'm reading, and am glad I'm a geezer, because these people are allowed to vote (along with non-citezens and stuff but I digress):

Please watch the movie "Idiocracy".

It was written and produced as a comedy a long time ago, but right now ranks right up there with George Orwell's "1984" as prophetic, in my opinion.

I'll get back to that later (it's late for me now), but for right now, the Cleveland Browns can't replace Joe Thomas (until they lose 13 or more games again, anyway), and the game has evolved...

You get this?  Quarterbacks standing tall 7 steps back, looking for their deep targets to uncover...what planet do you live on?!?

While Robinson and Hubbard are both mediocre, Dorsey is stuck with them, ok?

But (I repeat) they're the same tandem that made the rookie Baker Mayfield look so good in 2018...with Freddie Kitchens running the offense...?

Gee I can't believe John Dorsey didn't trade Bitonio for Peters killl meeeee...

Let's trade 2 first round picks and 13% of our cap on gramps Williams IDIOCRACY ok!?!

I give up okbye

Rumor Central: Kitchens Almost Fired, Mayfield a Pod-Person, Haslam Colluding with Putin, etc

Leon West's Bold Predictions for the post-bye Browns sound optimistic, but he backs them up with facts and logic.

Leon predicts that a pissed off Mayfield comes out of his corner for round 7 ready to rock, and ends up with over 35 TD passes.

Myles Garrett tops 30 sacks.  Here Leon points out that both starting cornerbacks return this season, the offense should establish leads in the majority of their remaining games, and that most of those teams rank in the bottom half in sacks allowed.

-sigh- John Dorsey will blow 15 mil or so/year and at least a first round pick on a frequently injured 32 year old Trent Williams.

If it was just Dorsey, maybe.  But Paul DePodesta is still here, and has Haslam's ear thank GOD.

The Browns will finish 11-5 and win the Division.  This is too optimistic for me, but Leon cites the healthy defense, pending addition of Hunt to the roster, and a few other factors.

Nick Chubb is one of those factors, and Leon thinks he'll win MVP.  Makes sense.

Jeff Risdon is still either playing pin the tail on the donkey or swinging at a piniatta as he proposes possible trades.

He restates a hypothetical Genard Avery trade (which makes zero sense), but it gets more interesting when he suggests trading with Tampa Bay for TE OJ Howard.

That's idiotic at first glance, but then Jeff suggests that Avery, Ricky Seales-Jones, or even Njoku himself could be part of this deal, and it makes sense:

OJ and Njoku are similar players, but OJ is healthy, and outproduced Njoku in college and outperformed him at the combine.

Jeff is more dismissive of Ricky Seales-Jones than I am, but Howard has the strongest resume of all these guys, and is ready to step right in.

If it's mostly a player-for-player deal, this is workable, as it would (probably) upgrade TE immediately without throwing away high draft picks or massive cap-space.

Antonio Callaway?  It's possible, since Dorsey might actually get a decent deal for him.  But Rashard Higgins would be the more expedient WR to trade.  

Callaway's upside is (see OBJ).  Well Jeff is just spitballin so...

Nick Dudukovich almost certainly reads this Blog, as he wonders who the "source" was for a report that Freddie Kitchens would be fired if the lowly Seattle Seahawks beat the Browns.

You guys know this, right?  I am a "source", and a few others like me.  I speculate and hypothesize, and guys like the one Nick cites steal our thoughts and pretend they "heard" it from a "team" (or "league") "source".

In this case, the blogger or poster or whoever was a lot dumber than me.

Nick as usual reasons this out:

Freddie Kitchens should have all of 2019 to sink or swim.

...DUH.

Browns Offensive Line is Unlikely to Change much, here on this Planet.

I can't comprehend how Mary Kay Cabbott can infer from John Dorsey's presser that Gregg Robinson is about to get benched.

She herself cites his statistical improvement in 2019 (he's almost average!)...then suggests that John Dorsey (who just vaguely said that he wants Williams and everybody else to be more consistent) was code-talking "he sucks and I'm going to replace him just because!"

Deedeedeedee....

I assume the guy that punched Myles Garrett in the face was either mentally disturbed or wanted Myles to retaliate so he could sue him.

I gotta admit that along with daydreaming about walking into my school and executing people who had picked on me, and robbing banks, I contemplated provoking a pro athlete into assaulting me so I could sue him.

I just couldn't do any of those things.

*I must mention this, however: I would only have shot assholes (no good guys), and targeted guys like Suh or Burfict for my assault and battery lawsuit, ok?  Myles Garrett is a good guy!

P.S. what an idiot this clown was!  Garrett is also intelligent.  He was never going to bother retaliating.  Duh!* but I digress:

Dorsey and the Coaches obviously rehearsed and coordinated, but the common themes are pretty solid (if predictable, common, and boring).

As Mary Kay pointed out, Offensive Line Coach Campen said that Robinson sucks and will be replaced said that the bullshit penalties don't matter because...well you just can't...put yourself in that position where a referee could manage to...well I guess make sure to make sure not to make it vaguely look like holding...

...ok I got nothing here.  What a bunch of bendoverific PC bullshit.  Nobody wants to get fined for telling the truth about these penalties, and they're going all-in here...

"We can't put ourselves in that position"?  What tf are you talking about!?!  Either you hold or you don't!  Either Robinson did it or didn't what thee fuck GROW A SET like Baker Mayfield!!!

"We can't put ourselves in that position" what the hell does this psychobabble mean!?!

With respect to Ryan Leaf, the media expert on draft busts, Baker Mayfield is not like Ryan.  

Leaf "projects" too much.  He sees "signs" of bustdom in Baker Mayfield; "like me".

He cites Mayfield's elephant-in-the-room referee-bashing as "shifting blame".

Out of context, and this might be part of why Ryan busted out:

Baker Mayfield wasn't making excuses.  He was standing up for Jarvis Landry in paritcular, and his teammates in general.  He was taking a stand, and taking one for the team (not to mention the rest of the NFL).

Ryan Leaf probably never had some of Baker Mayfield's personal traits: certainly he was never loved by his teammates like Baker is.

I think the whole "social interraction"/leadership thing was part of what Ryan Leaf lacked, because it's clear to me that he can't see it in Mayfield to this day.

I don't think Leaf's introspection wasn't as deep as it should have been, or else that he was missing something all along.

Unlike Ryan Leaf, Baker Mayfield does accept responsibility (to a rediculous extent) for bad playcalls, bad protection, bad routes, bad hands, etc.

Indeed, the Coaches have screwed him, repeatedly, with this 11-personnel shotgun deep-passing crap, and he's defended them, doggedly, and blamed himself.

I do love that (Offensive Line Coach) Campen said "screw the stopwatch!  You protect for as long as it takes for the Quarterback to throw the damn ball!"

...but of course, that's semi-bullshit too, when Robinson and Hubbard are your Tackles, etc.  He's talking about Robinson vs Garrett or Hubbard vs Von Miller.

Campen is no doubt a Vince Lombardi fan.  He sets his "bar" up in the stratosphere, and expects his Hubbards and Robinsons to "max out" reaching for the sky...

...but that won't happen, and he knows it.  Mayfield needs a "hot" receiver on each and every passing down, and an extra tight end or running back on most downs, because Hubbard, Robinson, and Kush are overmatched sometimes, period.

...and maybe Wiley was better than Vince Campen.

Another writer suggested some players that the Browns might trade ahead of the deadline.

It was pretty smart overall; Higgins is on a one-year deal and Callaway has great upside.  Njoku has great value, but Ricky Seales-Jones has excelled in his absence.

I disagree with the Genard Avery trade.  Steve Wilks is just a 4-3 guy, and has 8 actual defensive linemen.

My regulars know that Avery's best analog is James Harrison, except a lot faster, and you don't trade a guy that good for chump-change.

Color Saint Kirksey gone, as Wilson is (predictably) outplaying him.

Genard Avery is still on his rookie contract for 2 more years (so he's cheap), and he's a key special teamer.  

Naturally Takitaki (like Wilson) is a probable keeper, but I haven't yet listed 6 linebackers who are better than Genard Avery.

Now, while a bunch of you clowns are trying to throw draft picks and jillions of dollars at a geezer left tackle, Avery was a 5th-round pick, and has 2 years left on his rookie contract...you want to trade him?

Yeah I would trade Avery for a 3rd round pick or higher, but that aint happening, so this was a dumb idea.

I know!  Instead of Avery, let's trade Takitaki! I bet we could get at least a 7th-rounder for him!!!

Paul DePodesta John Dorsey is, by the way, on a different "plane".  He knows that Steve Wilks could be gone after this season, and a 3-4 guy could take over...

Let's trade Avery---brilliant!