Locked On Browns - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Browns

The Browns finished the 2022 season with one of the worst interior defensive line groups in all of football. Much of the blame for the struggling defensive line could be on the scheme that now former DC Joe Woods ran in Cleveland, however, the Browns just never had the talent at the position anyways.

The two starting defensive lineman for the Browns were Jordan Elliot and Taven Bryan, who ranked at 118 and 66 respectively at their position, according to Pro Football Focus. Against the run, the Browns defense allowed 135 rushing yards per game and 1.3 rushing touchdowns per game, both statistics near dead last in the NFL. Elliott played in around at least half of the Browns snaps on the defensive line every game last season. He finished the year with 36 combined tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3 quarterback hits and 2 sacks.

In addition to Elliott, Bryan was a big part of that room this past season. He was signed to the team last off-season on a one-year contract. Bryan, a former first-round pick by the Jaguars in 2018, was brought to Cleveland last off-season in an attempt to bolster the team up-front. However, the starting duo of Bryan and Elliott simply wasn't effective enough. Perrion Winfrey was another guy in the rotation for the Browns this past season. Winfrey was a fourth-round selection by the team in the 2022 NFL draft. Winfrey showed flashes throughout the season but is still not viewed as a starting caliber defensive tackle in the near future.

In order to make a push towards the postseason next year, the Browns will need to aggressively add talent to their roster through free agency, the draft and test out the trade market. Cleveland is expected to be heavily involved in the defensive tackle market this off-season. In Schwartz's past, he's almost always had a dominant force on the interior defensive line when he found success. One player who would certainly fit the bill is Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Payne, a 5-year veteran and former first-round selection by Washington, was recently named to the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl roster and led the Commanders dominate front four in sacks last season. Over the course of his career, Payne has played in at least 15 games every season. Payne will come at a great cost, however, after finishing out the last year of his rookie deal. If Washington elects not to re-sign him and he hits the open market, Payne will likely draw interest from almost every NFL organization. A 25-year-old Pro Bowl caliber player doesn't hit the open market very often, especially at the defensive tackle position.

Defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox, unless they re-sign with the Eagles, will be unrestricted free agents in March and are both extremely talented tackles who could be on the Browns radar. Cox, a six-time All-Pro, is a 32-year-old veteran who has produced at high level for a long time in the league. Cox would likely be signed to a shorter-term deal and could be significantly cheaper than other players at the top of the market. Cox played under Schwartz in Philadelphia where the two won a Super Bowl together.

Hargrave, on the other hand, is a player who is expected to receive a big-time contract this off-season. Whether that is from Philadelphia or not, a team will be interested in giving the 29-year-old interior lineman a nice pay-day. Hargrave finished the 2022 regular season with several career best marks, including sacks and tackles for a loss. He tallied 11 sacks, 60 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 16 quarterback hits during the 2022 campaign. Hargrave would be an ideal fit for the Browns and Schwartz as a player they can rely on to wreck havoc up the middle.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this video, Watson and Stefanski both confirm they will run a "totally different" offense in 2023. This news comes as a relief to Browns fans, who had been worried about the direction of the team under Watson and Stefanski. The Browns struggled with transitioning from a power running team with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to a vertical Passing attack with Deshaun Watson. The Browns offense struggled under Watson and Stefanski the last 6 games of the season. Fans were worried that the offense they used in 2022 would be continued in 2023 and beyond. However, it seems as though Watson and Stefanski have decided to switch things up and use a more wide open offense passing offense. This news is sure to make Browns fans happy and relieve some of the pressure they've been under. Thanks for watching!

The Cleveland Browns were hoping to get a major boost to their offensive attack when quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to the field. In the first 11 games with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, the Browns averaged about 25 points per game. When Watson took over, the offense averaged about 13 points per game. The most points the offense scored was against the Commanders in his fifth game when the Browns scored 24 points and Watson threw second half touchdowns and had a rating of 122.5. Kevin Stefanski was asked by The OBR in the season-ending press conference what gives him hope the offense can be more explosive, in both the running and passing game.

“I think that is part of this offseason is making sure that we are putting all of those things together," Stefanski said. "Obviously, having the true offseason with Deshaun and starting the season with him is I think will be obviously, a big deal as it relates to that. We want to make sure that we are scoring points in any which way we can. We want to give our guys a chance to play fast. "I thought there were really moments with Deshaun in there that were some high-level football," he said. "I thought guys were playing really well. It was the run game, and it was the passing game. Those really exciting parts of this offseason, just tapping into those things even more and drilling down specifically into what Deshaun does really well and put together and offense around it.”

Watson said it was important to him to get to work on the 2023 season and he wants to give his input as to what he thinks can help the offense.

"Met with (Stefanski) today," he said. "We are going to have a man to man conversation. Nothing negative or anything like that, but just what can we do to be better offensively and as a team." Watson said after he meets with the coaches the next couple of days, he will then take a break, but then get back to work.

"Being able to relax a little bit and decompress," he said. "Once all of that pretty much settles down, then get back to work, watching the tape, watching the film and mastering this offense. Like I said before, mentioned meeting with Kevin and AVP (Alex Van Pelt) and (quarterbacks coach) Drew (Petzing) and being able to figure out what we need to do better and then mastering those before we come back for OTAs.” Stefanski was asked if he expected the offense to be drastically different in 2023 than it was in the six games to finish the season.

“I hope year to year you are different – different being better," he said. "How drastic that is depends so much year to year. Ultimately, we do want to maximize Deshaun’s talents, maximize Nick Chubb, David Njoku and Amari (Cooper). We want to make sure that we are putting all of those guys in a good spot. Yes, there are things that yes we want to get to this spring and summer that we haven’t gotten into just yet.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Browns have a lot of questions regarding their wide receiver room, the biggest one is regarding if they are ready to commit long term money to Donovan Peoples Jones. If Jones is not in the long term plans then Andrew Berry and company need to add to the room through free agency or the draft. Several young wideouts are in the mix but none have stood out to this point. Adding a vet receiver seems rational until you look at the market of what is underwhelming free agent class. The draft offers a few solid names but none that should be available when the Cleveland brass will be on the clock. #Browns

LinkedIn

LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL

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.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

Ultimate Football GM

To download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.

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) 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Chubb is a tremendous running back, but major changes are coming to that room due to QB play and underachieving talent with in that room.

As the #Browns transition to throwing the ball more, overpaid and underperforming talent in the RB room will be moved on from creating 8.5 million in cap savings.

Andrew Berry will rely on Jerome Ford to step up, and look to add in a rookie through the draft. Host Jeff Lloyd gives three potential fits at the RB position that should fit the needs.

The Running Back room in Cleveland will change a ton in 2023 and even though some former big time players are leaving the room as a hole should be better off.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL

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.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

Ultimate Football GM

To download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.

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) 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Cleveland Browns have the worst defensive tackle room in the NFL. It was apparent during training camp, and it derailed their season as teams routinely gutted the Browns on the ground. And now as the offseason is underway in Cleveland, rookie Perrion Winfrey may be the only name to return to the room in 2023. This means they will have to spend some money in free agency to re-tool this room before the 2023 NFL Draft. Not every signing will be a big name, but given the urgency in the defensive trenches for the Browns, defensive tackle may be a position they will splurge on. If they do, here are four names that sit at the top of the market for the Browns to highlight.

Daron Payne 

Payne is the white whale of the trenches in the 2023 Free Agency class. And with another Crimson Tide alum in the locker room in Cleveland already, maybe Amari Cooper can persuade Payne in the right direction. And that direction is in the Northwest direction from Washington D.C. His production took a massive leap in 2022, racking up 11.5 sacks from his defensive tackle post, adding 18 tackles for loss and another 20 hits on opposing quarterbacks. It is anticipated that Washington utilizes their franchise tag on him, but if they let him walk expect the Browns to be top competitors for his services.

Javon Hargrave

A big reason for the defensive success of the Philadelphia Eagles can be attributed to defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. As they capture the top seed in the NFC and look to make a run at a Super Bowl, Hargrave is experiencing a massive breakout campaign of his own. After setting a career mark with 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss a year ago with the Eagles, Hargrave further topped those numbers this year with 11 sacks and 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Entering free agency at the age of 30, Hargrave is going to cash in again. And it might just be the Browns who get him. Their competition, however? General manager Andrew Berry’s mentor Howie Roseman, who has proven extremely capable of manipulating the cap to keep his significant contributors.

Dre'Mont Jones

A former Ohio State Buckeye, the Browns could try to lure Dre’Mont Jones back to the state of Ohio this offseason. As the Broncos go through a weird transition where they have the guy they presume to be a franchise quarterback, but are about to hire their second head coach in as many years, they could be willing to let some valuable players walk. A former third rounder in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones has stacked up three consecutive and consistent seasons of at least 5.5 sacks from the interior, seven tackles for loss, 40 pressures (in the last two seasons), and 10 hits on the quarterback. Just 26 years old, Jones would give an instant boost to the defensive line in Cleveland.

Dalvin Tomlinson

While he is not as much of a pass rusher as the three who came before him on the list, he is a plug that the Browns are desperately missing. Dalvin Tomlinson provides so much relief for his linebackers in Minnesota due to his ability to consistently take on double teams along the defensive interior. The linebackers in Cleveland are not as bad as the public perceives them to be, but they get no help from their defensive tackles to keep them clean. We truly have no idea what these linebackers would look like with a stout nose tackle like Tomlinson because they have never had one in three years under Joe Woods.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is returning to Cleveland. The Browns plan to hire Schwartz as their new dc, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per a source informed of the situation.Schwartz got his NFL start with the Browns under Bill Belichick as a personnel scout from 1993-1995. Schwartz rose to prominence as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator (2001-2008), which helped him land the Detroit Lions head coaching gig. Schwartz helped the Lions return to the postseason for the first time in over a decade but bottomed out, going 29-51 in five seasons. After his stint as a head coach, the fiery Schwartz returned to defensive coordinator duties. He spent one season as DC in Buffalo in 2014. He then moved to Philadelphia, where he spent the next five seasons as the coordinator, helping the Eagles win their first Lombardi Trophy in 2017. Schwartz left Eagles following the 2020 season, returning to Tennessee as a senior defensive assistant for the past two campaigns. Now he's back in Cleveland to help turn around an underperforming defense under former DC Joe Woods. Schwartz's scheme meshes well with Pro Bowl edge rusher Miles Garrett, but the Browns must spend the offseason upgrading a unit with holes at every level.

Schwartz replaces Joe Woods, who was fired last week after the Browns ranked 19th in defensive efficiency, finished with a record of 7-10 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Schwartz was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013, going just 29-51 over that stretch but leading the Lions to the playoffs in 2011. He won a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Schwartz, 56, spent the past two years as a defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans.Schwartz also had defensive coordinator stints with the Titans (2001-08) and Buffalo Bills (2014). He was a personnel scout for the Browns from 1993-95 under then-Cleveland head coach Bill Belichick.The Browns also interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator.job, as well as Seattle Seahawks assistant Sean Desai and Philadelphia assistant Dennard Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this video, the Cleveland Browns have been named to the NFL All- Pro Team! Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, and Joel Bitonio have all been named to the NFL All- Pro Team, which is an incredible achievement for the trio. The three players have been dominant throughout the NFL this season. We discuss their success in the latest episode of the locked On Browns Podcast. Thanks for watching!

For the third straight season, the Browns are represented on the Associated Press' All-Pro first team.

G Joel Bitonio, the Browns' longest tenured player who just keeps getting better, earned the top honor for a second consecutive season. DE Myles Garrett and RB Nick Chubb earned second-team honors.

Bitonio continued to be a key blocker in every facet of the Browns' offensive attack and was one reason why Cleveland finished sixth in the league in rushing, which marked the third straight season the Browns' run game has ranked in the top 6. Bitonio was the second-highest graded defender by Pro Football Focus with an 87.6 overall grade for the season and played every snap for the sixth consecutive season. He was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl last month. For his career, Bitonio has made the AP's first-team twice and also has three second-team honors.

Garrett, who was selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl last month, tied his own single-season franchise record with 16 sacks, his same total from 2021. He played in 16 games and tallied 60 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and four pass deflections — all those stats were career-bests for Garrett. He also added two forced fumbles, and he recorded at least one sack in all but five of his games this season. He's the only player in the NFL to record at least 10 sacks in each of the past five seasons. Garrett now has four All-Pro honors for his career, including two first-team selections.

Chubb was bested by the Raiders' Josh Jacobs for a role on the first team but still built a career-best season with 1,525 rushing yards, his highest ever in his fifth NFL season, and 12 touchdowns, which tied his career high from 2020. Chubb joined Jim Brown as the only two Browns players to eclipse 1,500 rushing yards in a season, and he was also named a Pro Bowler for the fourth consecutive year. This is Chubb's first-ever All-Pro selection.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Cleveland Browns interviewed Jim Schwartz for their opening at defensive coordinator yesterday, and now they are bringing in former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores today. And according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, “People I’ve talked to think Flores has a real good shot at Browns’ DC job.”

The Browns still have to interview Jerod Mayo and Sean Desai, who are both tantalizing candidates as well, but Breer also added in his mailbag that he has heard owner Jimmy Haslam is a fan of his. The Browns have wasted no time, and perhaps their best candidate is in the building today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Browns To Interview Veteran DC Jim Schwartz | What To Expect From His Scheme?

Get To Know Jim Schwartz

Age: 56

Position: Senior defensive assistant

NFL coaching experience: Cleveland Browns, personnel scout, 1993-95; Baltimore Ravens, outside linebackers coach, 1996-98; Tennessee Titans, defensive assistant, 1999; Titans, linebackers coach, 2000; Titans, defensive coordinator, 2001-08; Detroit Lions, head coach, 2009-13; Buffalo Bills, defensive coordinator, 2014; Philadelphia Eagles, defensive coordinator, 2016-20; Titans, senior defensive assistant, 2021-present.

About Schwartz: The unquestioned graybeard of the group of known targets. Roots in the NFL date back to the original Browns, when he was one of Bill Belichick's famed "slappies" that also included the likes of Eric Mangini, Phil Savage, Kirk Ferentz, Scott Pioli and Thomas Dimitroff. … A proponent of the 4-3 defensive scheme Woods also ran, and which best fits the talents of Browns All-Pro end Myles Garrett. … Believer in man-to-man coverage in secondary. That could play to strengths of Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward and rising-star cornerback Greg Newsome II, who just finished his second season with the Browns. … Was a defensive assistant on Titans' 1999 AFC championship team. … Called a "mastermind" by Titans' All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for his schemes while running the Titans' defense from 2001-08. … Went 29-52 as the Detroit Lions' head coach. … Did reach the NFC playoffs in his third season as the Lions coach, losing to the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round. … Turned around an Eagles defense that ranked in the 30s before his arrival as defensive coordinator, with the unit ranking fourth by his second season in 2017. That season, Philadelphia won the Super Bowl, defeating the Patriots 41-33. … Has spent the last two seasons helping with the Titans' defensive staff, essentially serving as a sounding board for the coaches in the meeting room.

What they're saying about Schwartz: Titans coach Mike Vrabel, via TennesseeTitans.com: "I think what his role is, it's just like everybody else: To help the team, to help us win. No job is too small for any of us, and I am confident that is what he'll do. As he works his way into what we are doing, it has been good to see him meeting with different guys and meeting with the defense and meeting with me. I would imagine that maybe he would look at players for the draft, as we get down here and we get a different set of eyes, a guy that has been around the league for a lot of years and has been successful."

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deshaun Watson going to have ‘man-to-man’ talk with Kevin Stefanski about future of offense, welcomes high expectations for 2023. Deshaun Watson quickly slammed the book shut on the 2022 season. Less than 24 hours after a 28-14 loss in the finale in Pittsburgh, his focus had shifted to the changes necessary for him and the Browns to finally meet expectations next season after going 7-10. The process started Monday with a discussion with coach Kevin Stefanski and will continue Tuesday with another meeting about an offense Watson expects to look “totally different” in 2023. “We’re going to have a man-to-man conversation, nothing negative or anything like that,” he said as players cleared out their lockers. “Just what can we do to be better offensively.”

Watson felt he couldn’t fully establish himself as a player or leader in his first year with the Browns because he was suspended for 11 games to open the season after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. He was banned from Browns headquarters for six weeks and didn’t play until Dec. 4. “My next step in taking that leadership role is really stepping up there and really taking this whole locker room under my wings,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that. This year was kind of tough with being in the building, being outside the building, all the different changes and all the unknowns.”

Stefanski said he was undeterred despite going 15-19 over the last two seasons. “I am in no way discouraged for the future of this football team,” he said. “We are determined to put in the work this offseason to shape this team and make sure that we really are just playing good football come next September.” Watson is the key. The Browns gave up a net of five draft picks to acquire him from the Texans, then gave him a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract because they believe he can be among the elite quarterbacks in an AFC loaded with them. Watson went to the Pro Bowl in 2018-20 and led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards in 2020. This year he completed 58.2 percent — well below his career average of 67 percent — for 1,102 yards, 6.5 per attempt, seven touchdowns, five interceptions, 20 sacks and a 79.1 rating. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.