Browns Plainly Podcast

Thursday night we will find out if Joe Thomas will be going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe discuss Thomas' legacy and what it would mean for the Browns for Thomas to earn the game's highest honor.

Before they get to Thomas, Mary Kay updates us on what's happening in Arizona and what she has been working on. Ashley also tells us about her story on the Kelce brothers. The three then discuss the storylines of the Super Bowl and what a win could mean for Patrick Mahomes' legacy.

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Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

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

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Should the Browns pick up Jedrick Wills 5th year option?

Should the Browns Address the WR position in Free Agency or the draft?

Which WR's should the Browns target or avoid in Free Agency or trade market?

Should the NFL get rid of the Pro Bowl?

All of the above and more on this week's episode!

The Dawgs Table is a Cleveland Browns roundtable discussion show brought to you by SB Nation and Vox Media via Dawgs By Nature.

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Creator/Host - Craig Fountain:

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Ethan Pocic played well for the Browns in a pinch and then fought back from injury in an attempt to finish the season.

Now he's hoping to stay in Cleveland despite his one-year contract being scheduled to expire in March.

“That would be a dream come true, man. That would be awesome,” Pocic told the Beacon Journal on Thursday. “So we'll see what happens. That would be a dream come true, though.”

When the Browns signed Pocic in March, they secured a contingency plan they wound up needing. Nick Harris served as the first-string center in the offseason, yet Pocic became the man in the middle after Harris suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Aug. 12 preseason opener.

ProFootballFocus.com has Pocic ranked third among the 39 qualifying centers it has graded this season, and the Browns think highly of him, too. A fifth-round draft pick in 2020 with just two regular-season starts, Harris remains unproven at the NFL level.

“What a great job [Pocic] has done really stepping in when Nick got hurt right away and never really missed a beat with him,” Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. “A great job of the guys upstairs [in the front office] getting him into the building.”

Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett celebrates with center Ethan Pocic (55) after a second-half TD by Amari Cooper against the Bengals, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Cleveland.

A former Seattle Seahawks starter, Pocic is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m., March 15.

“I would think we would [want to re-sign him],” Van Pelt said. “I don’t make those decisions, but I don’t think there is anything in his play this year that we would say we wouldn’t want to see him again next year.” Pocic, 27, explained earlier this season once he realized free agency would not yield a lucrative contract for him this past spring, he wanted to sign with the Browns because of their coaching staff and roster. His one-year deal is worth a veteran minimum base salary of $1.035 million, according to an NFL Players Association database, plus a $152,500 signing bonus, per spotrac.com. He believes highly respected offensive line coach Bill Callahan has helped him improve as a technician in the trenches.

“I just feel like this is where God called me to be,” Pocic said. “This is what God wanted. Just coming in here, working with Bill and [assistant O-line coach] Scott [Peters] and then everything around them, whether it be the O-linemen, the weight room, the training room, everyone's on point, so you've got a lot of good help around you.

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Mary Kay Cabot's week at the Super Bowl continues on Tuesday and she starts off Tuesday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast by recapping Opening night and more with Dan Labbe. What was the environment like and what stories is she chasing?

Then, Mary Kay and Dan go through questions from Football Insider subscribers. Why do national writers and analysts mostly ignore Deshaun Watson when they discuss the league's best quarterbacks? Does Kevin Stefanski need to show more personality? Which Browns players could play on one of these Super Bowl rosters?

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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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When you look at the offensive line, it’s far easier to find a good interior guy than it is an exterior player. At least if you’re the Cleveland Browns. Playing between Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller makes everyone’s job easier. Jack Conklin, when healthy, is one of the best tackles in the league. He usually got a little help though as well with the occasional blocking from Harrison Bryant and Pharaoh Brown. Yet, the left tackle spot is usually on its own, meaning you don’t get as much help. So you have to be the most competent player on the line of scrimmage, as you won’t likely get much help. You’re not supposed to, you’re supposed to be the best guy on the field. So when we look at Jedrick Wills, it’s very easy to see that he’s just not that guy. The Browns need to upgrade the left tackle spot on the team because Wills has proven he’s not able to handle the better pass rushers in the league, and he’s too slow of foot to be a dominant run-blocker from that spot on the field. But the Browns can’t afford to replace Wills. The team just doesn’t have the cap space needed. Especially with the need to fill in a few key backup roles on the team and a looming decision on what to do with Ethan Pocic. It seems like the Browns can easily move on from Pocic with this system being very beneficial to centers, especially with the two All-Pros surrounding the spot. Moving on from Pocic will help them in their quest to cut salary, so that seems likely. But, is there a way the Browns can continue to save money on the offensive line without having to trade or cut Wills, and get a new player at his position? There’s a simple solution to the issue at hand, move Wills to right tackle and Conklin to left. When healthy, Conklin is a great pass blocker. While Wills isn’t bad, he’s not as good as Conklin, well at least not when Conklin is healthy. Conklin has really proven himself as an elite-level offensive lineman with the Browns and may be able to fill the need at left tackle that Wills isn’t filling. If Conklin is healthy, he’s powerful enough to open up gaps on his own and quick enough to seal the edge from pass rushers. Wills has the size and can stand a guy upright. Maybe he’s just not quick enough on his own. If the Browns can pair him with a tight end who has some power, the team may be able to get the most out of Wills for the first time in his career. Especially as a run-blocker.

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In this video, we'll update you on the latest news and rumors surrounding the Cleveland Browns' star defensive player, Myles Garrett. Although Garrett is months away from playing in a regular season game for the Browns, there's still a chance the injury slow his offseason workouts due to injury. Don't panic, but be prepared for any possible developments involving Garrett during the season. Subscribe to the locked on browns podcast to stay updated on the latest news and rumors surrounding the Cleveland Browns!

We also talk about the Cleveland Browns Free Agency targets in 2023. According to Locked On Bengals James Rapien the Browns could be in the mix to land Cincinnati Bengals Jessi Bates. Finally we discuss rumours out of Baltimore that Franchise QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens organization are miles apart in their negotiation. What does this mean for the balance of the AFC North if Jackson and the Ravens split. Its all next on this episode of the Locked On Browns Podcast!

Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett is believed to have suffered a dislocated toe during Sunday's Pro Bowl Games, according to NFL Media. Garrett's X-rays came back negative after he left the field in obvious discomfort.

Garrett had participated in the gridiron gauntlet skills challenge prior to sustaining the injury. A four-time Pro Bowler, Garrett is coming off a 2022 season that saw him record 16 sacks for a second straight year. The former No. 1 overall pick has recorded 74.5 sacks in 81 career regular-season games. The NFL altered the Pro Bowl this year after while getting rid of the traditional game format. In lieu of a traditional football game, the Pro Bowl Games is comprised of eight skills challenges and three flag football games between the two conferences.

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Mary Kay Cabot is in Arizona for Super Bowl week and she checks in for the Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast, starting off by laying out what her week will look like and what she's looking forward to.

Then, Mary Kay and Dan Labbe get into questions from our Football Insider subscribers. How long will it take the Browns to pick up Jim Schwartz's scheme? What changes with Schwartz as the coordinator if many of the pieces are the same? Are we sure pass catcher is the Browns biggest need?

Lastly, Mary Kay shares some of her Super Bowl week memories and tells us what it's like to work Radio Row each year.

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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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The Browns were well-represented in the Pro Bowl games on Thursday night, including in dodgeball, where Myles Garrett was one of the last players eliminated.

It got us thinking: if you could draft the perfect Browns dodgeball team, who would you take? So we did it.

Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe each draft a team of Browns players for a 5-man dodgeball team. How will each drafter prioritize players? Will they favor athleticism over power? Will they look for the most strategic players or the most all-out players?

They go through a five-round draft to put together the perfect teams. Our Football Insider text subscribers will get the opportunity to vote on whose team will win.

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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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The Cleveland Browns are targeting Byron Young and Keeanu Benton as possible draft picks in this year's NFL Draft. In this news update, we discuss the Browns' plans for the two players and update you on all the latest news from the Cleveland Browns.

Don't miss our latest episode of the Locked on Browns podcast, where we discuss the Cleveland Browns' plans for Byron Young and Keeanu Benton and update you on all the latest news from the team! Subscribe now to stay up-to-date on all the latest Cleveland Browns news.

The Cleveland Browns need major upgrades upfront to the defensive line. Most of the Browns rumors have revolved around targeting top Defensive Lineman during the NFL 2023 Free Agency period. The Browns also will target young talent in the trenches in the NFL 2023 Draft. Below are a list of Defensive Lineman The Cleveland Browns Are Targeting At The Senior Bowl.

Top 2023 Senior Bowl Interior Defensive Linemen NFL Draft Prospects

1) Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Keeanu Benton is already one of the highest-rated defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl, but even he has plenty to prove in Mobile. He’s a dense 6’4″, 315-pound lineman with nose tackle capabilities who was dominant down the stretch for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2022. Benton’s run defense is phenomenal. He’s a stack-and-shed master with outrageous strength. What evaluators will watch in Mobile, however, is his pass-rushing ability in one-on-ones. Benton has violent hands and the necessary burst, but consistency will be key.

2) Byron Young, Alabama

Alabama will be well-represented in the trenches at the Senior Bowl this year. On the offensive side, tackle Tyler Steen and interior lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. will be present. And on the defensive line, veterans Byron Young and DJ Dale will hold down the fort. Dale is an intriguing prospect in his own right, but Young has a higher ranking on the 2023 NFL Draft board. Already, Young is a high-level run defender. His stay at the Senior Bowl will allow him to showcase his pass-rushing upside, something he gave bright flashes of in college with his athleticism and torque.

3) Keion White, Georgia Tech

One of the biggest riser candidates heading into the 2023 Senior Bowl is Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White. He’s still a sleeper in the context of his counterparts. But he has perhaps the most to gain from getting his talents in front of NFL evaluators in Mobile. White is a 6’4″, 286-pound wrecking ball with explosiveness, lateral agility, and awesome power across alignments on the defensive front. He can play at 3-tech or move outside the tackle, and his athleticism and motor make him a menace in pursuit, as evidenced by his two seasons with 14 or more TFLs.

4) Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

The 2023 NFL Draft class is flush with hybrid defensive linemen who can play from both interior and EDGE alignments. Adetomiwa Adebawore falls within that category. But of that group, he has one of the most compelling combinations of explosiveness, proportional length, and functional strength. Adebawore put up five sacks and nine tackles for loss this past season. But each week, it felt like the box score didn’t do his impact justice. He’s a constant disruptor on the line, whose high-end traits allow him to consistently generate pressure downhill. One-on-ones will be big for him.

5) Karl Brooks, Bowling Green

Just as the Senior Bowl is a place where big names converge and clash, it’s also a place where lesser-known small-school prospects can prove themselves against top-tier competition. That’s the opportunity that Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks will have. Brooks is quietly one of the most intriguing defensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s a 6’4″, 300-pound defender who can rush from 3-tech or on the edge. And he was insanely productive with the Falcons, tallying 27.5 sacks and 46 tackles for loss across five seasons.

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We have been rolling out core player posts the last two weeks and, on Thursday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast, Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe are talking through some of the core players.

Are Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jedrick Wills core players? Who are some young receivers who could step up? What young player on the defensive line most intrigues them? Is Jerome Ford the next kick returner -- and the next Kareem Hunt?

They go through receiver, both lines, the backfield and even touch on special teams.

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Music credit:

Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod

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

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices