For your Browns Monday morning reading

[syd]

@calfoxwc said:

That trade down was brilliant. Especially since that is the only thing I got right in my stupid mock draft. Graham has the makings of a star. Can't wait. I hope we didn't miss out bigtime on not getting Jack Sawyer. and Judkins is going to be awesome to watch. Great trade, I'd be giving credit to our OC and Berry.

the only thing I  got right was that we draft 2 RB'S I just picked the wrong one's.

[Flugel]

@syd said:

the only thing I  got right was that we draft 2 RB'S I just picked the wrong one's.

You're not alone.  I liked the 2 we got (and actually wanted us to draft Sampson per that less talked about faves list I put together). I was actually thinking TreVeyon Henderson would be the RB they wanted. Here's his numbers for the Buckeyes showcasing 7.1 yards per carry last year.

Having said that, Judkins is comparable eye candy. He's a bigger back that scores a lot of TDs as we can see below.  

[syd]

interesting very interesting

 

NFL Insider Says Browns Could Potentially Use Surprising Roster Trick 

[Orion]

@syd said:

interesting very interesting

NFL Insider Says Browns Could Potentially Use Surprising Roster Trick 

I saw that earlier today somewhere.  The only thing is, when you put him on the PS he can be taken by another team.  Flacco, of course, is the guy that you don't have any draft picks invested in.  And he's quite old.  Things, however, could get quite interesting if Flacco wound up being the starter for some reason, and we were winning games with him....and maybe even in a playoff hunt.  (stranger things have happened)

And then what happens if later in the season Watson is medically cleared to practice / play?  There is the possibility of a really 'interesting', evolving QB environment this season.  

[ballpeen]

@orion said:

Quite true.  Still though, it has to seem like he gets the same shot at  making the team / being the starter  that everybody else gets.

He does, but he doesn't really need to play himself on to the team, the others do.  Joe won't play himself off the team, but the other might play him off the team.

[Dutch Oven]

@ballpeen said:

He does, but he doesn't really need to play himself on to the team, the others do.  Joe won't play himself off the team, but the other might play him off the team.

For what it's worth, there's some local Browns media guys who still think Kenny Pickett might end up the starter over Flacco... I don't understand it, hell one of the guys saying it doesn't either (Jason Lloyd) but I guess we'll see. 

[Flugel]

@dutch-oven said:

For what it's worth, there's some local Browns media guys who still think Kenny Pickett might end up the starter over Flacco... I don't understand it, hell one of the guys saying it doesn't either (Jason Lloyd) but I guess we'll see. 

Believe it or not, I've seen 1st round QBs like Jim Plunkett, Steve Young, Doug Williams, and others play well on their 2nd or 3rd NFL teams (all 3 were SB Champs).  All 3 went to significantly better Coaches with good surrounding talent to become the QBs they were supposed to be.  

I'm not sold Pittsburgh had the right Offensive Coaching in tact for the development of Pickett. He didn't have great stats but he looked better in Philly. It'll be interesting if the Browns do have the right blend of talent and coaching.  I'm pretty high on new OC Tommy Rees while anyone reading this might be thinking that's not the only thing I'm high on. 

[SdBacker80]

@flugel said:

Believe it or not, I've seen 1st round QBs like Jim Plunkett, Steve Young, Doug Williams, and others play well on their 2nd or 3rd NFL teams (all 3 were SB Champs).  All 3 went to significantly better Coaches with good surrounding talent to become the QBs they were supposed to be.  

I'm not sold Pittsburgh had the right Offensive Coaching in tact for the development of Pickett. He didn't have great stats but he looked better in Philly. It'll be interesting if the Browns do have the right blend of talent and coaching.  I'm pretty high on new OC Tommy Rees while anyone reading this might be thinking that's not the only thing I'm high on. 

In regard to Picketts play I feel like the training wheels have never been taken off.  Is it because he’s limited in what he can do or was the Steelers staff just void of knowing how to develop him? 

The cost was worth finding out.

I watched the Commanders game last season when he came in relief. Again it was about making him comfortable instead letting him rip it. 

I’m just happy Rees didn’t influence Browns Brass into taking Milroe 

[syd]

@flugel said:

I'm not sold Pittsburgh had the right Offensive Coaching in tact for the development of Picket

not his exact words, But he did say he learned alot more in his time in philly (did i tell you he played with broken ribs ?) than in his time in pit

[syd]

Joe Flacco is the Browns' clear winner from offseason workouts

dawgpounddaily.com

Browns players think coaches families are treated better than theirs, Bengals cheapness noted again in scathing piece

www.dawgsbynature.com

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2025: QB Preview, Part 1 - The experience factor

www.dawgsbynature.com

Myles Garrett gave the only response that made sense after Haliburton's injury

dawgpounddaily.com

[ballpeen]

@dutch-oven said:

For what it's worth, there's some local Browns media guys who still think Kenny Pickett might end up the starter over Flacco... I don't understand it, hell one of the guys saying it doesn't either (Jason Lloyd) but I guess we'll see. 

I don't know man.

I see it like this.  Some honest question;

Do you think Joe will be the long term starter for this team?  I don't think so.

All the others you can say at minimum, maybe.

I do know Pickett gets some Pittsburgh bias against, but i don't hold that against him. I am not saying he will be the guy, but he in my mind is in the maybe category like Gabe and Sanders.

[Dutch Oven]

@ballpeen said:

I don't know man.

I see it like this.  Some honest question;

Do you think Joe will be the long term starter for this team?  I don't think so.

All the others you can say at minimum, maybe.

I do know Pickett gets some Pittsburgh bias against, but i don't hold that against him. I am not saying he will be the guy, but he in my mind is in the maybe category like Gabe and Sanders.

I think the Browns set themselves up to get their franchise QB next draft, unless one of the three young guys somehow changes their minds. 

But I would still start the season with Flacco as the starter. I can't see any vets on the team excited about Pickett/Gabriel/Sanders starting from the opener. 

[Flugel]

@ballpeen said:

I don't know man.

I see it like this.  Some honest question;

Do you think Joe will be the long term starter for this team?  I don't think so.

All the others you can say at minimum, maybe.

I do know Pickett gets some Pittsburgh bias against, but i don't hold that against him. I am not saying he will be the guy, but he in my mind is in the maybe category like Gabe and Sanders.

Interesting question you backed pretty well.

My thought on that is I'm hoping Flacco is only here with the same idea/thought process the Browns once had with Gary Danielson.  He was here so Kosar didn't have to start until week 7 in the rookie year.  It also didn't hurt that both Mack and Byner rushed for over 1000 yards apiece to take even more pressure off the young QB.  After that year, the Browns signed vets like Mike Pagel and Don Strock to back up Kosar and both played well when needed (unless I drank too much beer that day).

Pickett was a 1st round draft pick and he's young enough to warrant the opportunity to be here.  I like what you said on that.  Between him, Sanders and Gabriel - he's the only one somebody drafted in round 1.  He also has experience and he did play for 1 smart offensive team in PA.  Seems like that's a good enough competition to the extent 1 of them can replace Flacco some time this season and hopefully at least 1 of the other 2 impresses the Browns enough to stay.

Nothing about 3-14 was fun last year; and that didn't even get us the pick of the litter.  More specifically, the Browns have to play even uglier football than that if you want the pick of the litter next year.  Fair or not, a lot of the offensive coaching staff will get fired in the process and how has this worked for us since 1999? Or, since Jimmy bought the team? All that being the case, what guarantee is there that this QB class holds the answers to all our prayers? 

[Orion]

@dutch-oven said:

I can't see any vets on the team excited about Pickett/Gabriel/Sanders starting from the opener. 

Dionte Johnson said he thinks they'll roll with Picket.

Here's how I see it:  Picket was brought in first.  They traded DTR and a 5th round pick for him.  That's not nothing.

Next Flacco was added because, well, he was hangin' around in the ether...they planned on drafting somebody like Gabriel, so...bring him in to round out the room.

THEN...the draft happened.  And Sanders fell out of the ceiling and into the shopping cart.  (...and that's why you go to his Pro-Day...because you never know what's going to happen)

They were only planning on 3 QB's.  Pickett, Flacco and somebody like Gabriel.  

So, if they keep 4, I see the batting order as:  Pickett, Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders

If they keep 3, I see:  Pickett, Gabriel, Sanders

[Flugel]

@orion said:

Dionte Johnson said he thinks they'll roll with Picket.

Here's how I see it:  Picket was brought in first.  They traded DTR and a 5th round pick for him.  That's not nothing.

Next Flacco was added because, well, he was hangin' around in the ether...they planned on drafting somebody like Gabriel, so...bring him in to round out the room.

THEN...the draft happened.  And Sanders fell out of the ceiling and into the shopping cart.  (...and that's why you go to his Pro-Day...because you never know what's going to happen)

They were only planning on 3 QB's.  Pickett, Flacco and somebody like Gabriel.  

So, if they keep 4, I see the batting order as:  Pickett, Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders

If they keep 3, I see:  Pickett, Gabriel, Sanders

Ironically, or just coincidentally, it is a double negative. I see what you're saying and why you're saying it though.

Here's the thing, the only 1st round draft picks at the position here are Pickett and Flacco.  One of those guys recently came here and earned himself the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award; while his age (today) is at the other end of the tug-o-war rope.  Pickett didn't get his 1st good offensive coaching in the NFL until he played for the real team in PA; so I see his battle with the 2 younger QBs.  Doesn't mean I'm right.  AND, I still go back to Andrew Berry snapping back at someone at a press conference with the following clarification "I DIDN'T DRAFT BAKER MAYFIELD."  Why that?  Ego is involved here which is why he holds onto a lot of his choices/picks longer than necessary.  How much longer did he need to see Anthony Schwartz assuring us all that he wasn't ever going to be able to catch the ball any better than Edward Scissorhands?  Somebody in our FO felt Dillon Gabriel was a much bigger priority than other QBs that were anywhere from 3-6" taller than him including: Shedeur Sanders 6'2", Tyler Shough 6'5", Will Howard 6'4", Kyle McCord 6'3", Kurtis Rourke 6'5", Riley Leonard 6'4", etc.  If I had to guess, knowing what I know in a photo finish with ignorance, somebody is going to want to prove he is right about Gabriel.  I'm not saying he's going to start immediately; but he's going to get excuses they won't be willing to give to Sanders in my best guess.  

Speaking of guess, I think Flacco gives all decision makers a trust/comfort zone he's earned here to start the year off as the next Gary Danielson as the starting QB (until they feel it's time for 1 of their younger QBs to take over the starting job for the rest of the season).  The question is will they need to wait as long as our 7th game to make the change?  Or, would they prefer to do it after the Browns have played each of their AFC North opponents once? Because the Browns have two 1st round picks next year - I wouldn't be shocked if they went to one of the 3 younger QBs in within the 1st 4 games. 

Last, but not least, I wouldn't be surprised if Pickett was here just for trade bait when the 1st QB of 32 games suffers a serious injury.  Between now and then, I also wouldn't be shocked if he shows the Browns why he was a 1st round QB that finally found a more compatible offense, staff and group of receivers to work well with his skillset.  We shall see...

[Orion]

@flugel said:

it is a double negative

...which equals a positive.  Turning DTR into Pickett is an upgrade.  (though I'm not much of a Pickett fan)

[Orion]

@orion said:

Dionte Johnson said he thinks they'll roll with Picket.

...and here's something else he said regarding not liking the cold:

“It was cold. So I’m on the sideline, just standing there, just going to the heater, back and forth, just waiting to hear my name called. So end of third [quarter], going into the fourth over there, they’re like, ‘Tae, we need you.’ I’m like, ‘Nah.’ To me, I’m thinking, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ because I was thinking about, like, my legs. I don’t want to go out there and put bad stuff on film.”

[Flugel]

@orion said:

...which equals a positive.  Turning DTR into Pickett is an upgrade.  (though I'm not much of a Pickett fan)

Good points! Although I'm willing to become a Pickett fan if this is the place he starts to show people why he was a 1st round talent. 

[Orion]

@flugel said:

I'm willing to become a Pickett if this is the place he starts to show people why he was a 1st round talent. 

Back at that draft, he was not thought of as much of a 1st round pick QB.  It was a weak QB year.  Which was why we made the Watson deal in order to move off of Baker.

Pickett did say that his move to Philly taught him what a good organization was.  Top to bottom.  Indicating that Pittsburgh was not of that caliber.  

[Flugel]

@orion said:

Back at that draft, he was not thought of as much of a 1st round pick QB.  It was a weak QB year.  Which was why we made the Watson deal in order to move off of Baker.

Pickett did say that his move to Philly taught him what a good organization was.  Top to bottom.  Indicating that Pittsburgh was not of that caliber.  

True.  Here's a pretty damn good senior year at Pitt though fwiw: