First, how did you get started covering the Browns?
In college I was on Twitter a lot and looked to read the Browns stuff there. I got familiar with people in the community – they were fans like me. I didn’t think I could talk as much about the Browns – I didn’t think I could do that until I started talking to people on Twitter. I joined the conversation – I talk about the Browns every day anyways, so why not talk about them on Twitter! I don’t think people around me would want to talk about the Browns all day, but Twitter sure does!
What’s the mindset right now – are the Watson saga and injuries a pall over the team or do you think it acts more as a bonding situation for the Browns?
That’s a great question and I’m curious about that myself. I’m at camp every day and I have seen how the players interact. The vibe seems good. A lot of the players sort of hang out in pairs. Ward and Newsome kid around a lot. Chubb and Hunt, Garrett and Clowney. They all seem to have bonded well.
I’ve seen different regimes of coaches in Cleveland. This just looks more more free-flowing. Guys seem to know what the plan is and are engaged. I was there when Kinchen was having guys run gassers – that was certainly something. One player wouldn’t have it and fans booed him. He flipped them the bird. That’s a stark contrast to what I’m seeing in this camp. We haven’t had a long-standing coach in Cleveland in a long time. I think we’re seeing the system and methods having an effect now.
From your viewpoint, are fans more upset at Watson or do they feel he’s unfairly treated? For those that are upset at the signing, do you think they come back as fans once they start winning?
I’ve never seen anything like this before. When Browns fans struggled before we all shared in that. Now, it’s different. It’s hard to know – it’s all new. The team found ways to be bad but the fans all went through it together. I remember 0-16, 1-31… This is by far the most difficult offseason as a fan to talk about.
I’m not sure where things go now with fans. There’s no shortage of fans at camp that are excited – but fans going to camp are the most fanatical – I don’t want to get trapped in that bubble. It’s hard to say where this all goes. I will say observing the team, Watson and his teammates are in sync. He’s liked and respected by his teammates – but that’s just an outside perspective – I don’t know what’s going on in their minds.
How upset will the fanbase be if Mayfield wins week one versus the Browns?
The season has so many layers -I’m so glad this game is week one and out of the way afterwards. I see Cleveland fans with Carolina Baker Mayfield jerseys on. I turn 32 today, and the best seasons I’ve ever seen were with Mayfield. That’s lost on some people. He made a real impact on Cleveland – we didn’t have success in years before him. I do think the defense will be a special unit and can overcome the Panthers, but if not it’s going to be some rough times!
How confident are you in the other quarterbacks should Watson get suspended? Can you make the playoffs with them and a suspended Watson?
Brissett looks like he’s the starter. He didn’t play last week and Stefanski doesn’t play his starting quarterbacks in the first preseason game.
Brissett has had an up and down camp. Initially when the suspension was six games, that felt like a on-field victory for the Browns. They had just one division game those first six games – against Pittsburgh. But if it goes eight games, then that means not having him for the Bengals and Ravens games. Having Deshaun for five of the six division games felt like a good road to the playoffs. It’s a loaded AFC so winning the division feels like the way they’d need to get in.
But if Deshaun Watson is suspended eight games, that’s a tough road. Brissett was solid in 2019 but struggled in Miami. I do think Cleveland has an upper-end roster – and they did win eight games with near bottom quarterback play last season. But it won’t be easy with Brissett starting eight or more games.
Who are some of the young guys/rookies that excite you on the team and that will take that big next step that people should watch out for?
Ward has been in bubble wrap all camp and that has given Newsome a chance to line top as cornerback one. He had a really promising rookie year and going up against Amari Cooper every day in camp – those battles have been great. As they say, iron sharpens iron. Emerson’s pick-six last week was a great sign as well – the cornerback room looks like a great one in Cleveland.
Running back is also stacked. Hunt – I know he wants to be traded but I think they keep him – and Ford looked fantastic. And York has just missed two field goals all camp – his kickoff went through the uprights – he has an amazing leg.
What’s the biggest concern for the team heading into the season?
Defensive tackle is a really weird position. Elliott was a third-round pick a few years ago and has shown some potential but hasn’t put it all together yet. There are some questions there at tackle. None of those guys have been very consistent – the run defense is concerning. Najee had a big game against them last year.
The Steelers-Browns rivalry has heated up obviously over the past few years again. How important is that rivalry to the franchise and why?
That playoff game was huge. Ben’s record against the Browns – I don’t even want to recite it – it’s been abysmal for Cleveland. But after the playoff game – now at least the Browns have something. They finally turned it around some – I remember how awful the feeling was after that Halloween game and Freiermuth’s touchdown catch.
Now, the fire is ignited. As an Ohio State fan, we’ve really owned Michigan, but they beat us last year. I think as a fan I was kind of waiting for that. I think Pittsburgh just beating up on Cleveland every year is fun for Steelers fans, but after a while, is it really that exciting? I think Cleveland winning added fire back to the rivalry and it was good for both teams and fans.
It seems fans feel less heat for the Bengals and Ravens – why is that?
The rivalry with the Ravens is second to Pittsburgh but it’s still a game we circle on our calendars as well. It’s weird with the Bengals – when they went to the Super Bowl we had Cleveland fans wanting them to win because they are from Ohio as well. I never understood that. Stefanski has never lost to Cincinnati – for whatever reason he has had their number. I think it’s starting to bud into a rivalry.
And Cincinnati wasn’t consistently good like the Steelers and Ravens were too. So I think there was less animosity because of that. They weren’t on the same level.
How well-positioned is this team cap-wise for next season once Watson’s cap hit kicks in?
Andrew Berry is very good at the cap thing. The Browns have the most cap space of any team in the NFL right now. And they can roll that over into next season and use that excess money to essentially pay for Watson next year. There may be some camp casualties but that’s the impact you have when paying quarterbacks.
It’s interesting though. My understanding is that if Watson doesn’t play more than four games this season due to the suspension, this year doesn’t accrue – then the cap hit tolls to next year instead. So they would be in a really good situation next year. There’s some argument as to whether it’s better to have him suspended the full season rather than have him play six or so games, so they can kick the contract can to next season and his giant cap hit wouldn’t then take place until 2024.
I know you have fun going at it with Pittsburgh fans on social media. What’s your expectation for both teams this season?
In recent years I’ve actually made some good friends who are Steelers fans too. I love the back-and-forth but also love the conversations about the Steelers as well – it’s interesting to hear about their thoughts as well – especially now because it’s the first time in my adult life seeing Pittsburgh go through their own quarterback search and hearing fans’ thoughts on that.
As for Pittsburgh this season – Watt is just unstoppable. And adding Flores as a coach – I was sad as a Browns fan to see them get him. He’s a fantastic coach.
The defense can keep Pittsburgh in games. The quarterback question is the obvious big one. Tomlin has never had a losing seasons – how is that even possible? I keep trying to write them off – I tried last year and talked trash and look what that did to me! So, I’ll put them at 10 wins this year. They are well-coached and have lots of talent. They are a wide receiver factory there – there’s a lot of talent on offense – it just depends on their quarterback play.
For Cleveland, the suspension is looming. The over-under right now is at 10 wins and I feel that’s close to accurate. With bottom-level quarterback play last year they won 10 games. If Watson is suspended for six games I think they win 11 games this year and go to the playoffs. If it’s eight or more I think eight wins is likely.
It’s interesting with Pittsburgh again. It’s a talented roster but I’ve never seen Pittsburgh with these questions at quarterback before. I’m excited to see how it plays out!
This was always my favourite rivalry but then I’m an older fan who enjoys the teams’ history.