Browns Plainly Podcast

The Browns offseason, like many NFL teams, comes with annual rumors of players being shipped away, coaches being fired, and stars joining the roster to turn the team around and help push Cleveland to the ever-elusive Super Bowl. This year has been no different, and while there are some rumors circulating the fan base that do hold some weight, others are as far-fetched and not-happening as they come. First, addressing the rumors that have found their way to Twitter and subsequently other sites: Nick Chubb being on the trade block and the team shifting away from running the ball frequently. The rumor took off after reports from the NFL Combine suggested the Browns intend to shift their offensive mentality and go pass-heavy with quarterback Deshaun Watson, whom they hope to get back to his elite form this season after a rust-shaking return in 2022 

League sources have indicated the Browns do have a desire to pass more — at least more efficiently, with Watson this season. If Watson can bounce back this year, it would not only be the goal of the Browns, it would behoove them to allow Watson to rip on a daily basis. But part of what makes any offense so dangerous, as head coach Kevin Stefanski outlined way back at his arrival in Cleveland in 2020, is a marriage of a strong pass and run game, and there have been discussions on how to evolve the run game further, mixing up runs out of the gun with other methods to keep defenses on their toes. Trading Chubb takes you out of that picture completely. Sure, you have running back Jerome Ford who showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, but Chubb is one of one—and the Browns know it. Chubb is a valued member of the team and one they plan to keep around this season. His contract sets him up to become a free agent in 2025, and trading him this year would only give the Browns at most a $10 million cap savings while likely not getting enough of a return in terms of draft picks for a 27-year-old running back (yes, even one-of-one Chubb).The central theme around the Chubb trade rumor is clearing cap space for the Browns to be more aggressive in free agency. With the Browns currently $13 million over the cap, general manager Andrew Berry will need to do that, but the contract savant has other methods of getting that done.First, restructuring Watson's mega contract will be top of mind. The restructure doesn't say they regret the $230 million guaranteed deal they penned. It's a numbers game to make the most of the money available to spend to set the roster up for success. During the NFL Combine, Berry spoke to the possibility of restructuring Watson's contract this season.

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The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson on Tuesday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe start Tuesday's podcast by reacting to the news and what it means for the Ravens and Browns.

Then they get into some Hey, Mary Kay! questions about Deshaun Watson's contract and whether it was a foregone conclusion it would have to be restructured when it was signed. They discuss Andrew Berry's approach to free agency this year and which Browns free agents they would want back. They also get into what went wrong with the John Johnson III signing.

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Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

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The NFL news cycle is winding back up and Monday was just the tip of the iceberg with the franchise tag deadline on Tuesday and the new league year getting started next week.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe discussed four Browns questions to get up to speed on the latest as they prepare to get working in free agency and the trade market.

Dan has four "Are we sure?" questions for Mary Kay.

Are we sure signing Bates wouldn't be akin to John Johnson III last year?

Are we sure moving on from Ethan Pocic is the smart move?

Are we sure the Browns won't at least consider trading Nick Chubb?

Are we sure Kevin Stefanski calling plays is what's best for the Browns?

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Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow

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The pass catchers and the Quarterbacks took to the center stage at the NFL Combine Saturday. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith_Njigba who's had a really rough last six months reintroduced himself to the draft world with a knock-out workout and a record type Three cone drill. Sports Illustrated's Pete Smith joins to talk about other wide receivers who should be Browns targets. Anthony Richardson was impressive but CJ Stroud showed how special he can be. This tight end class is very well regarded but will it actually hit the expectations?

#Browns

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Former Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young has begun testing at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and his numbers have been top-tier. In the all-important 40-yard dash, Young ran a 4.48, putting him second among all edge rushers and defensive ends thus far, trailing just Georgia’s Nolan Smith, who ran a 4.44. Young’s 10-yard split of 1.62 seconds puts him in fourth place in the position. Young’s vertical was measured at 38 inches, again putting him second behind Smith so far. In the last of his completed tests so far, Byron Young measured an 11-foot broad jump, putting him atop the edge and defensive end leaderboard. Young still needs to do his three-cone drill, shuttle, and bench press, but his numbers so far, especially when put up against others at the position who have tested, are very encouraging. Byron Young is a projected mid-round pick, but his combine results could help to move that projection in a positive direction. Wednesday at his combine press conference, Young shouted out the Tennessee program, especially Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garner. In two years at Tennessee, Young racked up 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles-for-loss, earning an All-SEC First Team coaches’ selection in 2022.

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Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will move back into the role of coaching quarterbacks as part of his job, a role he had his first two years in Cleveland before giving way to Drew Petzing for a season.

Is he the right style of coach for Deshaun Watson? It's one of the questions from our Football Insider subscribers on today's Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe also discuss the Lamar Jackson situation in Baltimore and what it means for the Browns before answering questions about their experiences in Indianapolis this week.

Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up.

Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow

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University of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was booked and released Wednesday night on reckless driving and racing charges, returned to Indianapolis on Thursday to finish his interviews, measurements and other activities at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source.

Carter did not take the field to work out for NFL scouts on Thursday, but he was seen on the sidelines in support of the defensive lineman showcasing themselves at Lucas Oil Stadium.

One of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, Carter was the subject of arrest warrants in Athens, Georgia, as a result of an ongoing investigation into a fatal crash on Jan. 15, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced on Wednesday.

Carter, 21, was booked at 11:33 p.m. ET and released at 11:49 p.m. Wednesday night after paying a $4,000 bond for the two misdemeanor charges.

Carter released a statement on Wednesday before turning himself in, saying that he intended to return to Athens "to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented." 

"This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing," Carter said. "Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning concerning the tragic events of Jan. 15, 2023."

The news of the arrest warrants secured for Carter came hours after a report published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that Carter was present at the scene of the crash, left the scene before officers arrived and then gave "shifting accounts of the wreck as an Athens police officer questioned him about whether he had been racing the car that crashed."

Carter, who declared for the NFL draft on Jan. 10, was not present for his scheduled news conference on Wednesday morning at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. NFL senior vice president of football and international communications Michael Signora told media assembled at Carter's assigned podium that Carter would not be speaking at the event on Wednesday. 

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The Browns are about to venture into another free agency and draft period as the NFL Scouting Combine wraps up this weekend in Indianapolis and the start of the new league year is about to begin.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe answered questions from our Football Insider subscribers in this Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast.

What is more important? Offense or defense? They start by answering that question.

Then they get into questions about restructuring Deshaun Watson's contract, how the Browns will free up the money they need for free agency and more.

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Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and assistant GM Catherine Raîche both spoke on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe talked about all things combine and all things Browns in our Wednesday combine podcast.

They start by discussing Alex Van Pelt and what Stefanski had to say about his offensive coordinator and the impact he will have on Deshaun Watson. Then they discuss the other two coordinators, Jim Schwartz and Bubba Ventrone, and why they were winners this week.

Lastly, they discuss Raîche and their impressions of her from her meeting with the media.

Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up.

Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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On the latest episode news broke from the Combine early Tuesday that the Cleveland Browns will be releasing John Johnson III. Johnson in just two years in the land failed to meet expectations as Joe Woods tried using him in roles he was not comfortable with.

The Browns will indeed play in the Hall of Fame game versus the Jets in what should be an incredible weekend for all the Cleveland faithful.

Sports Illustrated's Pete Smith joins host Jeff Lloyd to try to pick through free agent safties to see who can be a fit in new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense.

The Browns have many holes on defense and Jeff and Pete give some guys at defensive tackle, defensive end, and the safety position who Browns fans should be watching out for this week as the workouts commence in Indianapolis.

Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.

FanDuel

Make Every Moment More. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet to get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Free Bets – win or lose! Visit Fanduel.com/LockedOn today to get started

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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