Browns 2021 Off-Season Thread

[adam81king]

If the players don't want to put extra wear and tear on their bodies in May, im fully on board. They're getting the playbook, they're working out individually and in groups. Now, skipping training camp or other non-voluntary stuff is different, but I hope dudes get as much rest and rehab as possible coming into this season.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I don't think people truly understand what OTAs are. They're typically very basic workouts and early playbook installations. They're meant to get players back into football shape from the long break and build some relationships within the team (players and coaches).

They're just not that critical for vets and returning players who have their own established workout routines at this time of year. OTAs aren't gonna be the reason Baker and OBJ suddenly build this masterful rapport - they're only practicing handoffs, 3 step drops, simple route concepts, and other basic techniques. Stefanski confirmed (in interview) that OTAs involve all of the aforementioned elementary stuff along with the same playbook, and that the evolutionary elements of the playbook won't be delivered until later.

It's absolutely beneficial for rookies to learn that early install, get a taste of what NFL workout programs and practices are like, and build relationships with the coaches and players. For the vets? Sure, as a fan, if given the choice I'd say I'd prefer they're around but it's really not a big deal at all.

 

[Vee-Rex]

Give it up for AB!

 

[prf100]

Give it up for AB!

Extensions are coming due - glad he’s planning for it as best as possible. I think there will be one very painful choice to be made between Ward and Chubb - and not because of any mismanagement.

 

[JDailey23]

Extensions are coming due - glad he’s planning for it as best as possible. I think there will be one very painful choice to be made between Ward and Chubb - and not because of any mismanagement.

Easy. Chubb

 

[Surge]

If the offense remains run-centric / play-action, it's Chubb. 99% of the time I'm part of the "don't pay RB's" crowd, but Chubb is different.

Could that choice already be in the process with the drafting of Newsome? If he turns out to be as good as many think, the choice will be even easier.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I'll gladly fight anyone who thinks that Chubb and Ward is an either/or situation.

The answer is both. I'm still predicting that interior offensive line is the first cap casualty on this team. Whether it's Teller moving on, or a cut/restructure of Bitonio or Tretter--we're not going to just let possibly the best cover corner in football walk out the door for nothing while paying over 60 million a year for our starting three interior offensive linemen and our top two wide receivers.

 

[Lee]

Extensions are coming due - glad he’s planning for it as best as possible. I think there will be one very painful choice to be made between Ward and Chubb - and not because of any mismanagement.

I dont agree, with the 20 million savings rolling over, cap getting bigger and Wards injury history hurting his value a bit, i dont think we will have to pick. OBJ will be gone because of the extensions as I think this is Odell's last year as a Brown. Sheldon and Odell were the tough choices.

We also might see one of our expensive linemen gone as we are drafting linemen to replace and coaching them up.

 

[Cement]

Extensions are coming due - glad he’s planning for it as best as possible. I think there will be one very painful choice to be made between Ward and Chubb - and not because of any mismanagement.

Ward will get the money and Chubb is expendable.

It doesn't matter what you or anyone on this forum would do - it only matters what Berry will do. And I seriously doubt Berry, a believer in analytics, will not give big money to a running back, no matter how good that running back is.

Chubb will turn 26 in December and I just don't see Berry pulling the trigger on a huge extension for him, as much as I like him.

 

[bob2the2nd]

Ward will get the money and Chubb is expendable.

It doesn't matter what you or anyone on this forum would do - it only matters what Berry will do. And I seriously doubt Berry, a believer in analytics, will not give big money to a running back, no matter how good that running back is.

Chubb will turn 26 in December and I just don't see Berry pulling the trigger on a huge extension for him, as much as I like him.

Yeah but paying a lot of money to a CB who has missed 25% of all games since joining the NFL...

 

[adam81king]

I'll gladly fight anyone who thinks that Chubb and Ward is an either/or situation.

The answer is both. I'm still predicting that interior offensive line is the first cap casualty on this team. Whether it's Teller moving on, or a cut/restructure of Bitonio or Tretter--we're not going to just let possibly the best cover corner in football walk out the door for nothing while paying over 60 million a year for our starting three interior offensive linemen and our top two wide receivers.

I agree with this. Isn't there already talk of Conklin being replaced, too? Tretter's replacement is, supposedly, already on the roster.

With Bezos bucks coming in, and the other TV deals, plus fans back in seats, it seems Berry may actually have combined some luck and excellent cap management like the Warriors did in '16 to add Durant. Could the Browns keep Ward, Chubb and Teller for a few years, while seeing Conklin, Tretter and Hooper roll off in that time-frame? Could make good sense.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Ward will get the money and Chubb is expendable.

It doesn't matter what you or anyone on this forum would do - it only matters what Berry will do. And I seriously doubt Berry, a believer in analytics, will not give big money to a running back, no matter how good that running back is.

Chubb will turn 26 in December and I just don't see Berry pulling the trigger on a huge extension for him, as much as I like him.

Here's the thing: reasons I hear not to give big money to Chubb are the same reasons other teams would be hesitant to give him a crazy contract.

Similarly, injury concerns being raised about Ward are the same concerns a stable franchise would be hesitant to give too much cap space to him in free agency.

So here we are, looking at a process that is complex with the most forward-thinking front office Berea has ever employed.

If another team makes a mistake, much like Jacksonville did with Schobert, this group will have a plan.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Here's the thing: reasons I hear not to give big money to Chubb are the same reasons other teams would be hesitant to give him a crazy contract.

Similarly, injury concerns being raised about Ward are the same concerns a stable franchise would be hesitant to give too much cap space to him in free agency.

So here we are, looking at a process that is complex with the most forward-thinking front office Barea has ever employed.

If another team makes a mistake, much like Jacksonville did with Schoebert, this group will have a plan.

I had no idea this guy was the owner of the Browns

(I think I agree with the premise of your post, but I'm not sure the line is as low as it feels you insinuate here)

 

[Lee]

Ward will get the money and Chubb is expendable.

It doesn't matter what you or anyone on this forum would do - it only matters what Berry will do. And I seriously doubt Berry, a believer in analytics, will not give big money to a running back, no matter how good that running back is.

Chubb will turn 26 in December and I just don't see Berry pulling the trigger on a huge extension for him, as much as I like him.

Running backs cliff is usually 30, but lately they can be extended to 32. Chubb is pretty special, I think they give him his money. The elite running backs get extended and Chubb is in that group. You will see a contract that is basically a 2 or 3 year contract that they can get away from with very little dead money after 3, but it will be extended.

Henry just got 4 years 50 million, 12 mill in bonus, guaranteed the first 2 years, easy to get out of for 6 mill dead cap after 2 or 3 mill of dead cap after 3.

25.5 of the 50 fully guaranteed, I think Chubb will get something similar, maybe a bit more like 4/56 because its a newer contract, but Chubb isnt worth more than Henry, but about the same.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I had no idea this guy was the owner of the Browns

(I think I agree with the premise of your post, but I'm not sure the line is as low as it feels you insinuate here)

Fixed the auto-correct. I remember calling Barea a draft sleeper before the 2006 draft. I still think it would have been fun watching him play off LeBron.

Anyways, I learned a lot about this front office in the Schobert negotiations. They have a hard pass amount on each player. They will also pivot into a new plan quickly if another team overvalues a Browns free agent.