Category Archives: Browns

Browns uniforms must be reminiscent of classic look

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The Cleveland Browns will be releasing their new uniforms in the near future and they must look like the uniforms of the past.

I really do not care about this “Nothing Fancy” tagline that the new Cleveland Browns uniforms somehow have gotten. They can dress it up all they want, but unless they actually follow through with this two-word nonsensical quasi-promise, it will be a complete failure on their part.

When it comes to what their new look should be? It’s really simple. Look back to what the Cleveland Browns used to look like and literally copy that. No new bullshit, do some version of what existed until the last new uniform disaster.

Simple and straightforward is what they need. When evaluating the best uniforms in the NFL they all share those qualities. Look at teams like the Raiders, Packers, Steelers, and Cowboys. They all share a certain simplicity to them which makes them great. These teams do make small tweaks and changes over time, but nothing as drastic as what the Browns undertook with their last uniform reveal. They must consider the successful looks of other teams and how they are universally liked when it comes to the design of their uniforms.

A common issue many people seem to have is that the team was unsuccessful in their previous look. This does not bother me. At some point any team is objectively terrible in any version of their uniform. The Cleveland Browns are no exception. At some point they will be completely awful in whatever their new look is. That is just the reality of the situation. All of the teams with classic and clean looks have been bad at some point in their uniform design. Raiders, Packers, Steelers, and Cowboys all have had periods of flat out terrible football in their classic look.

If teams were to prioritize success in a certain look most teams would change their uniform design as often as possible, resulting in a teams not being able to establish an identity on the field and with their fanbase. Constant turnover with their look combined with constant turnover on the field has resulted in teams simply wandering around with an identity crisis. If the Browns do not realize the mistakes they have made they will just be the latest to do so. Look at the successes and failures of not only themselves, but other teams in the National Football League.

Some version of what the Browns used to look like is what the end result must be. Those in charge of putting together the uniform should take design elements from the past. It could be the pictures in this post. Perhaps they look more like some of their designs from 1999 until the recent re-design. At the end of the day they cannot be some over designed piece of garbage that looks more like it belongs on a semi-professional field.

Isaiah Simmons to Browns at 10 in CBS mock draft

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The Cleveland Browns desperately need a linebacker and due to a series of events end up with Isaiah Simmons at 10th overall.

This is quite a bit different from the trade up scenario from USA Today’s Nate Davis. Kevin Hanson of CBS Sports has the Cleveland Browns staying at 10 and ending up with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

Three offensive tackles go in the Top 10 leading to Cleveland looking at other options. That option being Isaiah Simmons and bypassing Mekhi Becton who goes just one pick later. Jedrick Wills Jr., Tristan Wirfs, and Andrew Thomas all go before Cleveland has a chance to pick. If the draft actually works out like this taking Simmons is hardly a consolation prize. The Browns have a gaping hole at linebacker and ending up with Simmons could give them the playmaker they desperately need.

Other selections in this mock

For those who worry about the Browns not addressing the left tackle position, those worries are alleviated with their next pick. The Browns take Ezra Cleveland 41st overall to give Baker Mayfield the protection he needs. Will Cleveland be available at 41? Depends on who you ask. Some feel that the lineman will go quick at the top of the 1st round leading to some others hanging around. Others feel that they will all be taken very quickly. In this scenario Cleveland is available at 41 for the Browns.

Another area of need is safety, luckily the Browns address that area as well. With the 74th pick Cleveland selects Ashtyn Davis. Davis should be able to step in and help make something out of the hodgepodge collection of players at the safety position. Davis might not start right away, but with the inevitable departures of Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo after the year they need a longterm solution.

Their final pick in this mock is Davon Hamilton at 97th overall. This was the pick Cleveland got from Houston in the Duke Johnson trade. Adding an interior defensive lineman into the mix is a smart way to go considering their lack of depth in that particular area. The addition of Davon Hamilton could help make the impending decision about Sheldon Richardson just a bit easier.

MJD has Browns taking Tristan Wirfs 10th

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NFL Network’s Maurice Jone-Drew has the Cleveland Browns addressing their offensive line by taking Tristan Wirfs 10th overall.

In an absolutely crazy mock draft, Maurice Jones-Drew has the Cleveland Browns selecting Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. This is a different lineman than most expect and not as exciting as trading up for Isaiah Simmons. Let’s look at why Jones-Drew has Cleveland taking Wirfs before getting into the obvious issues with his mock.

The Browns dd the most athletic tackle in the draft and a versatile player who fits their outside-zone system.

Short and sweet. No need for over analysis or a long list of reasons. Cleveland needs a tackle to fit their system and Wirfs could do that.

Only one tackle goes ahead of Wirfs in this mock. Jedrick Wills Jr. is taken by Arizona 8th overall. Four tackles are taken after Wirfs at 10. Mekhi Becton is taken by the Jets 11th overall. Tampa Bay takes popular Browns pick Andrew Thomas at 14. Miami is mocked to take Austin Jackson just a few picks later at 18. The final tackle taken in the 1st Round is Joshua Jones at 27 by the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, let’s dive in to some of the craziness here. Jones-Drew has Justin Herbert going 1st overall and Joe Burrow 5th. This is a big time yikes. This is seems like a contrarian pick solely for attention. The contrarian pick at 1 should make most, if not all question the purpose of this mock. Not only is Burrow not going 1st overall crazy, falling all the way to 5 past two other teams who would certainly take him is pure insanity.

Adrian Clayborn agrees to two-year deal with Browns

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The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

One area of need for the Cleveland Browns was depth on the defensive line. Cleveland is now one step closer to having enough depth on their defensive line with the signing of Adrian Clayborn.

Adrian Clayborn is signing a two-year deal with Cleveland worth up to $7 million with incentives per reports. Clayborn was drafted by Tampa Bay with the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. After four years in Tampa, Clayborn spent three in Atlanta, followed by one in New England, and one final year with the Falcons last season. The 31-year old edge rusher had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017. Clayborn only managed 6.5 sacks in the last two seasons combined.

The last time Clayborn started in the majority of the games he appeared in was back in 2016 with Atlanta, starting seven of the 13 games he appeared in. Adrian Clayborn should slide in nicely with the Browns rotation on the defensive line. Working with Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon to put together a competent pass rush.

Ideally the signing of Clayborn does not impact the roster status of Olivier Vernon. Vernon is someone who has essentially had a target on his back for quite some time and many expected the Browns to go in a different direction. If Vernon stays this signing is great. If Vernon goes and Clayborn is expected to replace him as a starter, that would be a problem.

Browns trade up to take Isaiah Simmons in mock

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The Cleveland Browns are going in a different direction in the latest mock draft from USA Today, trading up for Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

This might not be the most popular selection for some, but the reality is the Cleveland Browns have a giant hole at the linebacker position. Trading up for Isaiah Simmons needs to be considered and that is just what Nate Davis of USA Today has the Browns doing in his latest mock draft.

Davis has Cleveland trading all the way up to 5th overall and taking the talented Clemson linebacker. Speculating that the 10 and 41 picks would be able to make the trade up possible. This trade is the result of a different trade that happened before it. The Chargers moving up to 3rd overall to take Tua Tagovailoa resulting in Miami looking to trade down for the right package.

Most mock drafts right now have Cleveland taking tackle prospect Andrew Thomas out of Georgia. While taking Isaiah Simmons does not address the vacancy at left tackle, taking a difference maker on defense can go a long way . The team has too many holes to limit their draft plans to just one position with their first pick. Right now Cleveland needs quality over quantity. High quality talents instead of a lot of average to good talents. If that means bypassing tackle at 10 and trading up in order to get what many view as a blue chip player in Simmons so be it.

There are other avenues to improve the offensive lines besides the 10th overall pick.

Cleveland does have other picks in the draft and maybe they could find a way to trade a player in order to move up with one of their 3rd rounders to get back into Round 2. Free agency and the trade market are also options for Cleveland, but they may not be all that realistic at this point in time. Cleveland already spent heavy in free agency and the potential lineman available via trade seem to have a steep asking price.

If the Browns somehow comes away with a player like Isaiah Simmons that would be a huge win. Cleveland needs help on the defensive side of the ball in the worst way and this would certainly address that. Some longterm stability on defense besides Myles Garrett is desperately needed and Isaiah Simmons could certainly provide it.

Colin Cowherd thinks Browns have Top 8 roster

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Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports believes that the Cleveland Browns have one of the best rosters in the NFL ranking them sixth overall.

This came completely out of left field. Colin Cowherd believes that the Cleveland Browns have the sixth best roster in the NFL.

Yes, the same Colin Cowherd who has gone back and forth with Baker Mayfield believes that this team has one of best rosters in the NFL. This is complete nonsense. There are a few players who are among the best at their position (OBJ, Landry, Chubb, Garrett), but there are plenty of question marks across the roster.

The team currently does not have a left tackle. They do not have a reliable safety or third cornerback at the moment. How about their linebackers? This is a group that appears to be the weakest on the entire roster. Finally the quarterback. What is Baker Mayfield? There comes a point in time that he needs to produce consistently, he has not done that yet and nobody is sure if he ever will. Did he have some stretches where he looked really good? Yes, but there were also stretches where he looked really bad. At some point he has to show what he truly is and whether or not he is actually a franchise quarterback.

Colin Cowherd did add that he believes the team will underachieve again and I have to agree.

There are lots of outside factors that will come into play. The coaching change, new offensive system, Beckham and Landry recovering from surgery and what is sure to be an abbreviated offseason. They really are set up for failure before they even have a chance and it could be too much for them to overcome to be successful next season.

Chris Hubbard and Browns agree to restructured deal

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The Cleveland Browns and former starting right tackle Chris Hubbard have agreed to terms on a restructured contract.

To the surprise of many Chris Hubbard will be in a Cleveland Browns uniform next season. Their former starting right tackle has agreed to a restricted deal that keeps him in town for the time being.

Chris Hubbard could have been on his way out if he did not agree to a new deal. Cleveland recently signed Jack Conklin who will replace Hubbard as the Browns starting right tackle.

When evaluating this deal it’s not about the dollar figure that matters. It is the details. If Hubbard plays 90% of the snaps he can void the 2021 portion of the contract. Well, barring a series of unfortunate events there is almost no chance he plays anywhere near that amount. Cleveland has three starting spots on their offensive line locked down. The Browns are almost certainly going to draft a left tackle and appear to be content with Wyatt Teller at right guard for the time being. There really is not a clear path barring injury for Hubbard to see anywhere near 90% of the snaps. So why would Hubbard agree to this deal? It’s simple, because he knows he would not get anywhere near this amount of money elsewhere.

Remember when Cleveland completely mismanaged the Joe Schobert and Christian Kirskey situations resulting in them going elsewhere? They knew that they had a market and other teams would pay them. Hubbard was so atrocious last season that nobody in their right mind would pay him anywhere near what Cleveland was willing to offer. This is the flip side of how things are working in Cleveland right now. They play games and push out players they really need in order to save some money on someone who should have been let go a long time ago.

Browns: Mock drafts having same pick is familiar

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The recent surge of most NFL mock drafts having the Cleveland Browns selecting Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas is quite familiar.

Josh Edwards, Charlie Casserly, R.J. White, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, and countless others have made the connection between the Cleveland Browns and Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. Even though the number of tackles taken ahead and after him change, Thomas to Cleveland remains a constant. This is something that feels quite familiar, almost like I’ve seen it before. Mock drafts connecting Cleveland to one specific player when they do not have the top pick in the draft. It was bugging me for awhile, then I remembered where I have seen this before.

The 2015 NFL Draft

Cleveland’s first pick was 12th overall and up to a certain point the opinions changed over who they would take. As the draft drew nearer, most mock drafts came down to one option, Danny Shelton. It was a very popular choice among those who put mock drafts together, Danny Shelton to the Browns was destined to happen.

SB Nation put together a consensus of the all the mock drafts and a staggering 60% had the Browns taking Danny Shelton. Shelton was tied with Trae Waynes to Minnesota as the third-highest consensus. These two were the only picks outside side of the first two selections to be this high. Only Jameis Winston to Tampa Bay (100%) and Marcus Mariota to Tennessee (65%) were higher. Shelton even got 10% to Cleveland at 19th overall, (the Browns ended up taking Cameron Erving with that selection who did not appear as an option).

Does this increased momentum toward the Cleveland Browns drafting Andrew Thomas really mean anything? Not really. This is just an interesting parallel that I observed with what is happening now and what happened five years ago. The fact that so many people are confident that Cleveland will take one specific player when nine other selections are ahead of them is quite interesting. Will history repeat itself? Only time will tell.

Browns take Andrew Thomas in Trapasso’s mock

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This is just the lastest mock draft that has the Cleveland Browns addressing their offensive line by taking Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports released his latest mock draft and is just the latest to have the Cleveland Browns selecting Andrew Thomas.

Trapasso explained his choice below.

This should be an easy pick for the Browns, as Thomas is a long, SEC-tested stud on the left side who’s a bulldozer in the run game and improved as a pass blocker in 2019.

Trapasso’s reasoning is a bit refreshing. Instead of focusing on where the Browns have issues, he describes Thomas’ abilities as a left tackle. Perhaps this is because everyone is very much aware that the Browns offensive line was awful last season. Cleveland already addressed the right tackle position by signing Jack Conklin, drafting Andrew Thomas hopefully fixed the left tackle position.

There are two other tackles taken ahead of Thomas in this mock. At fourth overall the New York Giants take Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa. Arizona provides Kyler Murray with some protection by selecting Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. Only two more tackles are taken in the first round. San Francisco drafting massive line prospect Mekhi Becton 13th overall. The other? Washington taking the hopeful repayment for Trent Williams in Ezra Cleveland at 26.

Other mock drafts with Andrew Thomas to Cleveland

Charlie Casserly’s mock

R.J. White’s mock

Ryan Wilson’s mock

Josh Edwards mock

Andrew Thomas to Browns in CBS mock draft

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R.J. White of CBS Sports released his latest mock draft and has the Cleveland Browns making a popular selection in Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

From a far away perspective it seems like this pick is sort of falling into place. As mock drafts continue to be released, more and more of them have the Cleveland Browns drafting Andrew Thomas out of Georgia. R.J. White of CBS Sports released his latest mock and has the Browns taking the talented tackle prospect.

R.J. White explains the pick.

The Browns land a left tackle to pair with big free-agent signing Jack Conklin and give the offensive line the upgrade it desperately needs.

White is exactly right. Cleveland needs to find someone opposite of Jack Conklin on the offensive line. Left tackle is the weakest position on the offensive line at this moment in time. Right guard is other the weak position, but left tackle is more of a pressing need.

White has three lineman going ahead of Thomas in his mock. Jedrick Wills Jr. going to the Giants fourth overall. Arizona gets projection for Kyler Murray in Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs eighth overall. Jacksonville opts to go with massive line prospect Mekhi Becton one pick before Cleveland at nine.

If the draft does see three lineman get drafted before Cleveland gets to pick they may trade down. It is about getting the best possible prospect for their draft position and if it happens to be the fourth-best tackle prospect at 10 it may have the Browns looking in a different direction.

Other mock drafts recently released that have the Browns drafting Andrew Thomas.

Charlie Cassserly’s mock
Josh Edwards’ mock
Ryan Wilson’s three-round mock