The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed defenseman Billy Sweezey to a two-year two-way deal. The deal will begin starting with the 2022-23 season.
Billy Sweezey has appeared in 45 games for the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus’ AHL affiliate. Sweezey has totaled 10 points on four goals and six assists. These are AHL-highs for Sweezey after spending the 2020-21 season in Wilkes-Barre/Scanton.
The Cleveland Browns have decided not to exercise the option for fullback Andy Janovich. Janovich will become a free agent after spending the last two seasons in Cleveland.
Andy Janovich will have suitors with more and more teams running some version of the offense utilized in Cleveland. Of course the Browns could bring Janovich back if they decide they do not want to begin the Johnny Stanton era at fullback or look for an option not currently on the roster.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned goaltender Jean-Francois Berube to the Cleveland Monsters. Columbus activated Jake Bean and Joonas Korpisalo off injured reserve and sent Berube to Cleveland in a corresponding move.
Jean-Francois Berube started four games for the Blue Jackets, allowing 13 goals across three wins. Berube has appeared in 17 games for Cleveland this season with a 3.37 GAA and 0.891 save percentage. Surprisingly Berube’s numbers were better in his four NHL starts (3.25 GAA, 0.924 save percentage).
David Njoku has received the franchise tag according to reports. Njoku is the first player to receive the tag this season and done just before the deadline to tag a player.
It was a bold move by the Cleveland Browns to place the franchise tag on David Njoku. Njoku has been incredibly underwhelming throughout his career, finishing with just 36 receptions for 475 yards and 4 touchdowns, ranking 24th, 22nd, and tied for 12th among tight ends in 2021. For reference, Njoku’s best season in 2018 with 56 receptions, 639 yards, and 4 touchdowns would be tied for the 13th, 12th, and tied for 12th respectively this season.
When looking at his career overall, David Njoku has eclipsed the 60-yard barrier just seven times, two of which came last season. The complete outlier 149 yard performance and what was his previous career-high of 76 yards in Week 1. Prior to that the last time Njoku reached 60 yards in a game was at the end of 2018. 49 of his 65 career games have seen Njoku total less than 40 yards receiving. In fact, he is more likely to have 0-20 yards (37 occurrences) than 21 or more (28 occurrences).
It was a much needed win for the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday night, but they did not come away unscathed. Jarrett Allen only played 10 minutes after leaving early with a quad injury. It was later reported that Allen has an additional injury, a fractured finger which will sideline him indefinitely.
This is a big blow for Cleveland as Jarrett Allen has been a key player for the Cavs this season. Allen is averaging 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in 56 games this season, both career-highs. The Cavs are teetering on the line between playoff and play-in, currently trying to correct the course of their recent skid. Being without Allen indefinitely will make the tough March schedule that much harder and could impact where they end up in the final standings.
Like every team in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have their fair share of impending free agents and must make decisions about who to keep and move on from. So the question is which players should Cleveland look to retain?
Jadeveon Clowney and David Njoku highlight the Browns free agent class and are sure to receive big deals in free agency. Other notable players include Chris Hubbard, D’Ernest Johnson, and Anthony Walker Jr.
Clowney played at a level that has not been seen for some time and unlikely to do so again. HIs 2021 performance will result in teams approaching the former first overall pick with large offers. Njoku has been a disappointment since being drafted in the first round in 2017 with underwhelming production spread across two rescinded trade requests. Too many overlook his lack of refinement in his skills due to his physical stature. Five years after being drafted Njoku has not developed into anything resembling a starting caliber tight end and only pure delusion would argue otherwise. Signing either player to big money deal could backfire big time.
Hubbard has been in Cleveland for some time now and has played admirably. His 2021 campaign was cut short due to injury. That being said, Hubbard has been incredibly expensive for a backup and the Browns do have to manage their costs in certain areas.
Johnson has shown the ability to be a productive back in this league, but with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt currently under contract they do need him at the moment. Unless the team moves on from Kareem Hunt, the Browns would be better off drafting a running back in the later rounds than signing Johnson to a deal.
Walker played adequately, but was not exactly what the Browns were hoping for. Totaling 113 tackles in 13 games which led the team by a considerable margin. While the accumulated tackles would be missed, there are other avenues to go to get something similar from a player who may even be more dynamic.
Backup offensive linemen such as Blake Hance and Michael Dunn would be wise to keep around. Both have stepped in to play in a pinch the past two seasons and having consistency with the backup group helps limit any drop off in play in case of injury. Especially if the Browns move on from Hubbard in addition to weathering the storm with the undetermined return date of Jack Conklin and uncertain future of J.C. Tretter.
Stephen Carlson is another option that Cleveland could retain from this group. Carlson has played sparingly during his Browns tenure, but does play a position of value in this offense. If Njoku signs elsewhere and the team cuts ties with Austin Hooper they will need to address the position one way or another. With Harrison Bryant taking on a larger role, the team will need to sign at least one veteran tight end on a short deal in addition to drafting a tight end as well. Keeping Carlson could help in the consistency department due to having experience working in this offense.
