December 02, 2025

What the Browns' 3-9 record means for 2026; Are the Guardians doing enough?

Listen Later

1 hour 11 minutes

Highlights:

The Browns' 3-9 record mirrors last season's, showing a lack of progress and ranking them among the worst teams since the 2024 season opener.

The Browns' special teams unit was labeled a "total embarrassment," having surrendered five punt or kickoff return touchdowns in the last two seasons, the most in the NFL.

Terry Pluto blames the coaching staff for the special teams' consistent failures in coverage schemes and player development.

A major issue with the special teams is the absence of a player who "captains" the units, as performance hasn't improved even with safety Grant Delpit volunteering.

Despite being hired to elevate the special teams, coach Bubba Ventrone's unit has regressed to being "awful," failing to replicate the top-10 success he had in Indianapolis.

Following a listener's email, the hosts agreed that with the season lost, the Browns should continue playing rookie QB Shedeur Sanders to fully evaluate his potential.

While Sanders has shown progress operating from under center, a major concern is his tendency to hold onto the ball and take sacks, a habit that often carries over from college to the NFL.

Terry expresses declining confidence in head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose job security is in question due to the team's stagnant 3-9 record and low-ranked offense.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz: Head coaching candidate?.

The two possible futures for the Browns: a leadership change due to a lack of progress, or ownership giving the current regime a two-year window to rebuild.

The Cavs' 13-9 start is described as "clunky" and unsettled due to injuries that have forced them to use 12 different starting lineups.

There is an ongoing debate about Evan Mobley's inconsistent role, questioning whether he is better suited as an elite all-around defender and rebounder rather than a primary scorer.

Donovan Mitchell's heavy workload is a concern, with his minutes climbing over 34 per game, risking burnout before the playoffs.

Second-year player Jaylon Tyson is emerging as a leader, earning enough respect from veterans to publicly state the team needed to play harder after a recent loss.

The central debate among Guardians fans is whether to accept playoff contention on a small budget or demand the team spend on free-agent hitters to pursue a World Series.

Analysis shows the Guardians have the financial flexibility and desperate need to create a "batting factory" to complement their successful "pitching factory."

Listener Ed Cohen emails and asks: Why not use MLB's new automated ball-strike system on every pitch? Tennis uses technology to great advantage, he says.

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

...more

View all episodes

View all episodes

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

Terry’s Talkin’

By Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com

4.9

6969 ratings

December 02, 2025

What the Browns' 3-9 record means for 2026; Are the Guardians doing enough?

Listen Later

1 hour 11 minutes

Highlights:

The Browns' 3-9 record mirrors last season's, showing a lack of progress and ranking them among the worst teams since the 2024 season opener.

The Browns' special teams unit was labeled a "total embarrassment," having surrendered five punt or kickoff return touchdowns in the last two seasons, the most in the NFL.

Terry Pluto blames the coaching staff for the special teams' consistent failures in coverage schemes and player development.

A major issue with the special teams is the absence of a player who "captains" the units, as performance hasn't improved even with safety Grant Delpit volunteering.

Despite being hired to elevate the special teams, coach Bubba Ventrone's unit has regressed to being "awful," failing to replicate the top-10 success he had in Indianapolis.

Following a listener's email, the hosts agreed that with the season lost, the Browns should continue playing rookie QB Shedeur Sanders to fully evaluate his potential.

While Sanders has shown progress operating from under center, a major concern is his tendency to hold onto the ball and take sacks, a habit that often carries over from college to the NFL.

Terry expresses declining confidence in head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose job security is in question due to the team's stagnant 3-9 record and low-ranked offense.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz: Head coaching candidate?.

The two possible futures for the Browns: a leadership change due to a lack of progress, or ownership giving the current regime a two-year window to rebuild.

The Cavs' 13-9 start is described as "clunky" and unsettled due to injuries that have forced them to use 12 different starting lineups.

There is an ongoing debate about Evan Mobley's inconsistent role, questioning whether he is better suited as an elite all-around defender and rebounder rather than a primary scorer.

Donovan Mitchell's heavy workload is a concern, with his minutes climbing over 34 per game, risking burnout before the playoffs.

Second-year player Jaylon Tyson is emerging as a leader, earning enough respect from veterans to publicly state the team needed to play harder after a recent loss.

The central debate among Guardians fans is whether to accept playoff contention on a small budget or demand the team spend on free-agent hitters to pursue a World Series.

Analysis shows the Guardians have the financial flexibility and desperate need to create a "batting factory" to complement their successful "pitching factory."

Listener Ed Cohen emails and asks: Why not use MLB's new automated ball-strike system on every pitch? Tennis uses technology to great advantage, he says.

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

...more

More shows like Terry’s Talkin’

Cleveland Browns Podcast Network by Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns Podcast Network

1,096 Listeners

Baskin & Phelps by Audacy

Baskin & Phelps

133 Listeners

Zac Jackson and Friends by Blue Wire

Zac Jackson and Friends

618 Listeners

Locked On Cavs - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Cavaliers by Locked On Podcast Network

Locked On Cavs - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Cavaliers

346 Listeners

Cleveland Guardians Podcast by MLB.com

Cleveland Guardians Podcast

107 Listeners

Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com by Cleveland.com - Advance Local

Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com

1,671 Listeners

Locked On Browns - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Browns by Locked On Podcast Network, Spencer German

Locked On Browns - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Browns

481 Listeners

The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima by Audacy

The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

332 Listeners

Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast by cleveland.com

Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast

145 Listeners

Orange and Brown Talk: Cleveland Browns Podcast by Cleveland.com - Advance Local

Orange and Brown Talk: Cleveland Browns Podcast

483 Listeners

Wine and Gold Talk Podcast by cleveland.com - Advance Local

Wine and Gold Talk Podcast

102 Listeners

Browns Film Breakdown by Bleav

Browns Film Breakdown

529 Listeners

Locked On Guardians - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Guardians by Jeff Ellis, Locked On Podcast Network

Locked On Guardians - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Guardians

273 Listeners

The Selby Is Godcast: A Cleveland Guardians podcast by Zack Meisel and T.J. Zuppe

The Selby Is Godcast: A Cleveland Guardians podcast

338 Listeners

Orange and Brown Report: A Cleveland Browns Podcast by 247Sports, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland, Football

Orange and Brown Report: A Cleveland Browns Podcast

14 Listeners