Good morning to Cleveland Browns fans!
I hope you are having a fantastic weekend. Mine is moving along nicely, and we’ve reached an agreement to add another new contributor to the OBR. However, you will have to wait to find out who is joining since I want to announce everyone’s names at once. This is because I am despicable. It’s early June, yet I’m going crazy with everything we need to do before the season begins.
One thing I’d like to think about is whether there might be interest in an OBR get-together over one of the early weekends at a camp near the Berea facilities. We’re hampered because we don’t know when the squad will return from Greenbrier or what the camp schedule is. If I receive enough notice, I can plan something and attempt to find a small place near Berea that will make room for us. Please let me know in the comments if you are interested in attending.
I’m not thinking of anything fancy—I don’t have time to plan anything complicated—but rather something casual where those of us who want to meet in person and those who want to go out to practice at some point can do so. If there is sufficient demand, we could pursue it.
In terms of today’s news, everything is paywalled or recycled from pieces that were in the Newswire a few days ago.
I dug out what I could, but with a few exceptions, like the ABJ and ESPN pieces, it’s bottom-of-the-barrel news time.
So, after that dismal note, here are some LINKS OF MODERATE INTEREST:
3. WHY DOES THIS STORY EXIST?
10 worst NFL contracts in 2024, lead by Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson (sportsnaut.com).
Someone at “Sportsnaut” felt the need to write a “ten worst contracts” listicle, with Deshaun Watson at the top. I can’t really argue with that yet, and relying on Watson is a “go-to” for geographically uninvolved writers with a half-hour of research time to create a listicle.
After reading this, I pondered what Sportsnaut was and why it exists. Does it serve a higher purpose? Is it just a side hustle for folks who think it’s vital to write? A cynical attempt to profit from SEO while recycling legitimate journalistic work? According to their About page, their mission is to “cover the big and little stories in sports without agenda or bias.” Focusing on common sense and facts.
Fine. But I believe individuals are already doing it at the local level, and your services are unnecessary given that your NFL stories are primarily rewrites of local beat work, but, you know, free nation and all that. Carry on.
2. Bubba tries to get ahead of the curve.
Browns keen to test new kickoff rule once pads are on during training camp (profootballtalk.com)
Browns special teams coach Bubba Ventrone discusses the NFL kickoff rule – (beaconjournal.com).
When the Browns hired Bubba Ventrone to lead their special teams a year ago, much was said about Ventrone’s previous success and his potential as a head coach. With a newly designed NFL kickoff, Ventrone can demonstrate his ability to anticipate changes and innovate in the space. This is Ventrone’s turn to shine.
The Browns special teams coordinator is eager to “get the pads on” his guys and begin experimenting, including figuring out how to incorporate kickers into tackling (gulp). How about “not”?
1. COULD BROWNS’ DEFENSE GET BETTER?
Why the Browns defense could be even better in 2024 – ESPN (espn.com).
According to this piece by new ESPN Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi, the Browns defense could improve because they are in their second year of Schwartz’s system. Za’Darius Smith explains what this means to him:
“Going into Year 2 under Schwartz’s defense, everyone can relax a little more. Coming from a 3-4 system, I was always a guy who had to stand up, so sitting down in the three-point stance and not looking at formations was foreign to me. But I’m beginning to get the hang of it, man. And, as you can see this year, you see a better ‘Z.’ I can assure you.”
Perhaps. I recall many analyses indicating that teams who return the same individuals in successive years do not tend to improve much, so I’m delaying my opinion for now. I’ve been on a long journey with the Browns over the last 25 years, and I’ve discovered that lowering my expectations is probably best for my sanity.
Have a good one! Go Browns!
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