The Browns Nation Station

Mark Bergin, Pat Opperman and Steven Kubitza discuss how the 2021 offseason is different as the NFL teams deal with whether to hold OTAs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guys discuss the workouts Baker Mayfield has held in Texas versus attending OTAs at the team’s training facility in Berea, Ohio.  They also talk about which players the Browns should prioritize and whether to give extensions to Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller and Denzel Ward. Bergin,  Opperman and Kubitza also discuss the Browns’ position battles headed into the 2021 season.

Mark Bergin, Steven Kubitza and Pat Opperman make their game-by-game predictions after the release of the Cleveland Browns’ 2021 regular-season schedule.

The guys discuss the expectations for the Browns coming off last season’s playoff appearance in the AFC Divisional Round.Spoiler alert: Each host of “The Browns Nation Station” likes the Browns to have double-digit wins in the 2021 season.

The guys react to the Cleveland Browns second draft under the regime of general manager Andrew Berry. They discuss what Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II brings to a Browns secondary with depth. Co-host Mark Bergin explains why he likes Newsome as a better fit than Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, whom the Tennessee Titans drafted and enters the NFL having undergone two back surgeries.  It seems the Browns might have gotten a steal in the second round with Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Third-round Auburn receiver Anthony Schwartz might be a bit of a project, but he was the fastest player in the draft. The guys also discuss the rest of the Browns draft pick, including some of the undrafted free agents who have also signed. Berry must decide whether the Browns will look to bring back defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson with the selection of Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and the signing of Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. Bergin says he liked the tape he saw of Wilson matched up against former Louisville and current New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton. Co-host Pat Opperman explains why UCLA running back Demetric Felton is his 2021 NFL Draft sleeper for the Browns. Co-host Steven Kubitiza makes his case for the undrafted free agent signing of Charlotte running back Tre Harbison. Opperman thinks Browns defensive end Myles Garrett looked like the incredible Hulk in his green suit while presenting at the 2021 NFL Draft.

We discuss the best moves Browns general manager Andrew Berry and front office made in the 2021 offseason. Safety John Johnson III is among the NFL’s best free-agent signings.
Hosts Mark Bergin and Pat Opperman differ on whether the Browns should sign free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. While Takk McKinley has tremendous upside for the Browns, they probably need to either sign Clowney, another free agent defensive end or look to add a pass rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft. The guys also discuss several other moves the Browns made, including the signing of cornerback Troy Hill, linebacker Anthony Walker and defensive tackle Malik Jackson. They also talk about the decision to re-sign wide receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins and kicker Cody Parkey. The Browns will look to fill some of their voids during the 2021 NFL Draft from April 29-May 1. Looming over the Browns’ offseason is the May 3 deadline to pick up the fifth-year options of quarterback Baker Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward. Plus, running back Nick Chubb is due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

“The Browns Nation Station” hosts Mark Bergin, Steven Kubitza and Pat Opperman discuss which 2021 NFL free agents would be the best fit for the Cleveland Browns.— Why it would be a good fit for all parties if the Cleveland Browns signed J.J. Watt.
— There are several high-level edge rushers the Browns could also pursue in free agency, including Shaq Barrett, Bud Dupree, Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney and Yannick Ngakoue.
—  The guys also discuss how else the Browns can improve their front seven, including potential upgrades at the linebacker position.
— Explaining why Richard Sherman is not a good fit for the Browns despite his Hall of Fame career.
— The Browns could also make signings to improve their secondary even though the team is expected to get back safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams.
— Will the Browns bring back wide receiver Rashard Higgins?
— Kubitza laments on his memories from the 2016 Browns.
— Bergin makes his case for why the Browns should find a kicker to replace Cody Parkey.

— Dawgs of War podcast co-host Kevin Tuleta described how he and his podcast co-host Rawley Davis helped get lifelong Browns fan Tom Seipel to see the Browns-Steelers Week 17 game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. Seipel has battled kidney cancer since his diagnosis in November 2017, when he was working as a missionary in Nicaragua. The Browns win over the Steelers sealed their first playoff birth since the 2002 season. Tuleta described what it was like watching the playoff-clinching game with Seipel, Seipel’s dad, Davis, Szabo Apparel Co. owner Brian Szabo,  Emily Mayfield and company.
— Tuleta described how Davis started the hilarious @angrybrownsfans Instagram account.
— Bergin and Tuleta discussed what the Browns need to do in the offseason. It includes getting players with speed on the defensive side of the ball.
— They also talk about how the Browns need to find a stud defensive end to line up across from Myles Garrett.
— The Browns must decide what to do with the 26th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
— In the offseason, the Browns must also decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on Baker Mayfield’s rookie contract.
— The guys also give their thoughts on what the Browns should do with Odell Beckham Jr., how stacked the AFC North is headed into the 2021 season and they make their picks for Super Bowl 55.

— The Cleveland Browns couldn’t take advantage of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes getting concussed and leaving Sunday’s game.
— Late in the fourth quarter, Chad Henne’s 13-yard scramble on 3rd and 14 was incredible. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy made a gutsy decision to run a play with a backup quarterback on 4th and inches to seal the game.
— Around the end of the first half, Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins’ fumble near the goal line changed the course of Sunday’s game. While Higgins did appear to fumble short of the end zone, Kansas City Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen led with his head. He should have been penalized for targeting. The Chiefs got the ball back on a touchback. Could the NFL decide in the offseason to allow referees to review such a play in future seasons? It reminded the group of when the Los Angeles Rams had a no-call on what should have been a defensive pass interference penalty against the New Orleans Saints during the 2019 NFC Championship game.
— Higgins’ fumble has some eerie similarities to Earnest Byner’s fumble in a Browns playoff game on Jan. 17, 1988.
— In the fourth quarter down 22-10, tight end Austin Hooper made a diving catch on 4th and 3. The catch kept the Browns alive and in the game. It led to Kareem Hunt’s three-yard rushing touchdown.
—Should Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski have gone for it on 4th and 9 from Cleveland’s 32 yard line with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter?
— Henne’s interception to Karl Joseph was the equivalent of an arm punt.
— The Browns struggled to run the ball in the first half: They had only 18 rushing yards at halftime. They averaged 148.4 rushing yards per game in the regular season. The Browns finished with 112 rushing yards.
— David Njoku played his best game as a member of the Browns.
— The Browns had too many dropped passes against the Chiefs.
— Head coach Kevin Stefanski deserves to win NFL Coach of the Year in what was the best Browns’ season since at least 1994. The Browns kept it a one-score game against the defending Super Bowl champions. That says a lot about what the Browns accomplished in the 2020 season.
— The Browns offensive line did well protecting Baker Mayfield considering the injuries to Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kendall Lamm.
— Will the Browns pick up the fifth-year option on Mayfield’s rookie deal?
— What will the Browns do with Odell Beckham Jr.?
— How can the Browns improve their defense headed into the 2021 season?
— Can the Browns win the AFC North in 2021?

Host Mark Bergin is joined by fellow BrownsNation.com writer Pat Opperman and Wendi Oliveros. 


— Winning the turnover battle (5-0) helped the Browns’ beat the Steelers 48-37.
— The Browns got their first playoff win since Jan. 1, 1995. It marked the Browns’ first road playoff win since Dec. 4, 1969.
— Oct. 5, 2003, marked the last time the Browns beat the Steelers at Heinz Field.
— Sunday night’s game marked a changing of the guard in the AFC North, especially considering the young quarterback talent in division: Baker Mayfield (25), Lamar Jackson (24), Joe Burrow (24) and Ben Roethlisberger (38).
— The Browns played perhaps the best first quarter of football in team history. They led 28-0 after the first quarter.
— Baker Mayfield’s decision making and avoiding turnovers were key in the Browns’ victory. — — Credit the Browns offensive line: Down Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio (COVID-19) for the entire game and All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring) for much of it, Mayfield was not sacked on Sunday night. The Steelers led the NFL in sacks (56) during the 2020 regular season.
— Also, credit the Browns coaching staff — acting head coach Mike Priefer, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator Joe Woods — for filling in for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns coaches out on Sunday night due to COVID-19. The Browns couldn’t practice for most of the week either.
— T.J. Watt, a leading candidate to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was a non-factor in Sunday night’s game. Jack Conklin and Kendall Lamm did a good job matching up against Watt.
— The turning point came on Mike Tomlin’s decision to punt on the Steelers’ 39-yard line down 35-23 at the start of the fourth quarter. Tomlin probably should have gone for it on 4th and 1.
— Should Van Pelt call plays for the Browns moving forward?
— The Browns open as an 8-point underdog on the road during next weekend’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
— NFL Wild Card weekend was fantastic. Give us back-to-back tripleheaders in subsequent NFL Wild Card Weekends!

Host Mark Bergin is joined by fellow BrownsNation.com writer Pat Opperman.

— The Browns’ playoff drought is over. The Browns have made the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season.
— The Browns will play the Steelers next weekend again in the playoffs.
— Right guard Wyatt Teller is the unsung hero for the Browns this season.
— Establish Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt if the playoff game against the Steelers.
— Did Kevin Stefanski keep the Week 17 play calling somewhat vanilla because he knew the Browns would have to play the Steelers again in the playoffs?
— Why is Myles Garrett dropping back into pass coverage? Garrett hasn’t been the same player since he had COVID-19.
— Garrett’s ability to make plays in the playoffs is especially important if Olivier Vernon is out with an ankle injury.
— M.J. Stewart’s interception of Mason Rudolph helped the Browns win the turnover battle (1-0) against the Steelers. It appeared Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. might have gotten away with hitting Rudolph in the head on the interception.
— Kevin Stefanski opted to go for it on 4th and 7 late in the fourth quarter instead of having kicker Cody Parkey attempt a 53-yard field goal.
— Stefanski might have won NFL Coach of the Year with the Week 17 win over the Steelers, and getting the Browns into the playoffs. Brian Flores and the Dolphins got walloped by the Bills in Week 17.
— Browns’ rollout scramble by Baker Mayfield on 3rd and 2 late in the fourth quarter helped the Browns secure the win and clinch a playoff birth.
— The Steelers won’t have linebackers Bud Dupree and Devin Bush in the playoff game like they did in the Week 6 blowout.
— This season the Mason Rudolph vs. Myles Garrett storyline was overblown.
— Can Denzel Ward return for the Browns in time for the playoffs?

Host Mark Bergin is joined by fellow BrownsNation.com writer Pat Opperman.

— Browns lose 23-16 to the Jets. Had the Browns won, they would have made the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season since the Steelers came back to beat the Colts.
— Explaining the Browns’ playoff scenarios: Beat the Steelers or a Colts’ loss to the Jaguars in Week 17. The Browns could also get in should the Titans lose their final two games.
— Baker Mayfield’s fumble on fourth and 1 cost the Browns the game. Should Kevin Stefanski have called a running play to Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt instead?
— Why did the Browns pass it 53 times and run it only 18 times when they were down their top four receivers (five if you count Odell Beckham Jr.)?
— If the Browns miss the playoffs this year, is the 2020 season a failure?
— Now that the Steelers have won the AFC North, will they rest their starters against the Browns in Week 17?
— What happens if a playoff team is without several key players because of COVID-19 like the Browns were in Week 16 or like the Broncos in Week 12?
— Cody Parkey’s kicking woes continue.
— Mayfield gave the Browns a chance at the end of the game. While the Browns will probably pick up his fifth-year option on his rookie deal for the 2022 season, he needs a larger sample size to determine if he’s worth a long-term contract extension. The Browns won’t have as much cap room to improve the offense if they decide Mayfield is worth a contract extension, which will likely be worth more than $100 million.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars have won the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes, securing the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.