Cleveland Browns 2022 off-season thread

[Bkerr02]

Might as well get this one started early. This will be the biggest off-season the browns will have since 99. So many question marks and upgrading at positions is much needed.

First things first, the QB position. Obviously the biggest decision AB will have this off-season. IMO there are only about 4 maybe 5 guys that would be truly available that I’d be willing to upgrade with. Rodgers, Watson, Wilson, Carr and possibly Cousins. I know there was a lot of talk on here about Trubisky, Bridgewater, Ryan. I think if they went that route we wouldn’t be very happy watching this team next year. I think in the end it will be tough to go get one of those 5 QB’s and the browns end up standing Pat at the QB position and roll with a healthy Baker.

Second, upgrading the WR position. As long as the Browns don’t trade away there first rounder for a QB, I would be shocked if a WR isn’t the pick. We have seen AB identify positions of weakness and attack it aggressively with draft picks/FA and I expect him to overhaul this receiving core this off-season.

Third, the DL. Depending on money wise I’d love to see Clowney back next year. I thought he played very well and was really good against the run. McDowell will definitely be a guy they will look to bring back possibly on a multi year deal. I fully expect Jackson to walk and expect AB to attack the interior DL with either a high draft pick and a few FA signings.

Forth, everything else. I expect some depth signings. Letting Harrison walk. I really thought MJ Stewart played excellent at safety and would feel comfortable having him as a 3rd safety. I would also look at possibly cutting Conklin loose and slide Wills over to RT and upgrading at LT. I could see AB letting Trettor go as well.

 

[wnorman51]

Is there any chance we can get a marquee free agent WR to come in to this offense given the bad look it has with Diggs and then OBJ not being happy in it? I think that the reputation is not well deserved because Diggs had over 1000 yards on less than 65 catches, and OBJ has not shown himself to be an all-pro or even an All AFC-North Wr anymore, but I think players may consider the offense bad for the big time WR even if it really isn't.

If we were to attack WR in FA, my pick would be Allen Robinson. Then use a #1 pick on either a tackle, or an edge, or another WR if you want to attack with numbers like AB did this year at positions of weakness.

Can we get Robinson here on his big FA deal or does the offense just scare someone like him off because he thinks he wont get his numbers?

 

[bob2the2nd]

All add to it

Stefanski is right behind Baker in the disappointment column this year. This team is extremely undisciplined, and both years he has been coach have been in the bottom 5 of penalties. He seems to know when to go for it on 4th, but the plays being dialed up are at best head scratches. If Berry ultimately decides to keep Stefanski, there should be an ultimatum to turn over the offense to a coordinator. This includes both scheme and play calling duties. It sounds like AVP maybe interviewing for other jobs anyway, so this would be a chance to bring in someone new.

Also Berry absolutely has to find a kicker. The browns have gone through 5 kickers in the last 2 years, and its cost them at least 2 if not 3 games this year.

 

[CBBI]

1. Acquire QB.
2. ???
3. ???
4. Profit!

 

[CBBI]

If Berry ultimately decides to keep Stefanski, there should be an ultimatum to turn over the offense to a coordinator. This includes both scheme and play calling duties. It sounds like AVP maybe interviewing for other jobs anyway, so this would be a chance to bring in someone new.

None of this is happening. Even if Van Pelt leaves, Stefanski's not changing the offensive scheme.

The only way I could fathom Stefanski's giving up play calling would be if Browns wanted to hire Klint Kubiak (since he's worked under Stefanski before) and he had another offer from another team to call plays, but even then it would be the same scheme.

 

[Bkerr02]

I don’t have an issue with the scheme, But I do question some route concepts at times. We don’t need a whole new scheme, it’s just needs a little tweaking with some different route concepts and I think KS knows that. We gotta remember KS is a young head coach so he’s still learning and he’s a pretty bright guy so I’m sure he will make some adjustments for next year

 

[DJTJ]

I don’t have an issue with the scheme, But I do question some route concepts at times. We don’t need a whole new scheme, it’s just needs a little tweaking with some different route concepts and I think KS knows that. We gotta remember KS is a young head coach so he’s still learning and he’s a pretty bright guy so I’m sure he will make some adjustments for next year

I think the route concepts work, because people are open.

I’d just like to see the concepts when the defense actually cares. We’ve had three different opponents openly say that the whole game plan is to make Baker throw against man over and over.

The easiest thing to throw against.

 

[Bkerr02]

I think the route concepts work, because people are open.

I’d just like to see the concepts when the defense actually cares. We’ve had three different opponents openly say that the whole game plan is to make Baker throw against man over and over.

The easiest thing to throw against.

I think some of the route concepts are fine, mainly some 3rd down concepts just leave me scratching my head at times. While yes I do agree teams have been doing that this year. Teams tried it last year as well and Baker burned them. Now can Baker do that again next year (if he’s still here) is the biggest question

 

[buzzdog]

KS needs to figure out how to instill discipline on this team. Aren't we at or near the top in most penalized? You can go on about how even slightly better QB play would have us in the playoffs. I can look back at all the mind numbing, crippling penalties that came at the worst moments, robbed first downs from us, gave first downs to opponents keeping our defense on the field. Over and over, game after game if you eliminated even a third of those penalties we'd be in the playoffs, shitty QB play or not.

Most people will say that ultimately falls on the head coach. KS is over his head, and he just needs to focus on being head coach.

 

[Urban]

Seen a lot of posts about the Browns FO needing to "figure out" the kicker position. I don't necessarily disagree, but worth noting:

Only 13 teams have had the same kicker dating back to 2019. I think teams are very quick to move on from kickers after a rough game or two in today's NFL. Especially now after the extra point has been moved back

1. Seahawks, Jason Myers, since 2019. Career 84.7%.

• Only 72.7% in 2021

2. Falcons- Younghoe Koo, since 2019- Career 89.8%
3. Raiders- Daniel Carson, since 2018- Career 86.7%
4. Dolphins- Jason Sanders, since 2018- Career 83.1%

• 2 seasons over 90%, 2 seasons under 80%. only 72.4% in 2021

5. 49ers- Robbie Gould, since 2017. Career 86.5%

• Only 23-31 (74.2%) back in 2019. 84% since

6. Texans- Ka'imi Fairbairn, since 2017. Career 83.7%

• Only 77.8% in 2021

7. Eagles- Jake Elliott, since 2017Career 84.1%.

• Only 73.7% in 2020. Bounced back with 90.3% in 2021

8. Chiefs- Harrison Butker, since 2017. Career 90%
9. Saints- Will Lutz, since 2020. Career 86.6%

• Missed 2021 with injury

10. Steelers- Chris Boswell, since 2015. Career 88.2%.

• Only 13-20 (65%) back in 2018. 92% since

11. Broncos- Brandon McManus, since 2014. Career 81.9%

• 91% career under 50

12. Ravens- Justin Tucker, since 2012. Career 91%
13. Packers- Mason Crosby, since 2007. Career 81.1%

• Under 80% 5 of his first 6 seasons

 

[cliffdawg]

I think if we all sit back and take a deep breath, we are 5 To 6 plays or bad ref calls from easily being a 11 to 12 win team…..

1, KC game I truly think if Chubb who never fumbles doesn’t fumble we win that game going away….
2, Many plays in the Charger game, bad PI call against us, or OBJ dropping a 4th down play in the red zone, etc etc
3, Chubb gets that first down late in the Raiders game we run the clock out from there,…..not to mention the miss FGs

Those are 3 games without a doubt I think we win if any of those calls or plays go our way,

Next I think the biggest one play that change our projectory for the season is when Baker threw the interception that cause his shoulder damage that affect his play the rest of the season, the 3 games we lost to Ravens/Steeler I think we win at least 1 or 2 of them with any type of Offense in those games….

So assume we win the 3 games I mention and maybe one of those other Ravens/ Steelers game were 11-5 going into the last game against the Bengals who are having there COVID breakout right now, with a bang up QB

So my point is we’re a lot closer then people will give us credit for , I’m not looking for a overhaul of no sort, give me Health first, improve the WR, DT, room…….Try to keep some of our key FA and run this shit back next year, most likely we’re going to have a last places scheduled, that’s how I feel…….

 

[Jack Brickman]

I think if we all sit back and take a deep breath, we are 5 To 6 plays or bad ref calls from easily being a 11 to 12 win team…..

The main difference between last year and this year is that last year we won the one score games. This year we didn't. That's the NFL. We'll likely positively regress in that area next year because of how unlucky we were last year, just as we regressed negatively this year after overperforming in close games last year.

Again, that's the NFL.

 

[CBBI]

KS needs to figure out how to instill discipline on this team. Aren't we at or near the top in most penalized? You can go on about how even slightly better QB play would have us in the playoffs. I can look back at all the mind numbing, crippling penalties that came at the worst moments, robbed first downs from us, gave first downs to opponents keeping our defense on the field. Over and over, game after game if you eliminated even a third of those penalties we'd be in the playoffs, shitty QB play or not.

Most people will say that ultimately falls on the head coach. KS is over his head, and he just needs to focus on being head coach.

Penalties are overrated IMO.

Dallas leads the league in penalties and they’re 11-5. Las Vegas is second and they're 9-8. Buffalo is 4th. Arizona is 6th.

The Giants and Falcons and Football Team and Broncos are four of the least penalized teams and they're all missing the playoffs.

 

[buzzdog]

Penalties are overrated IMO.

Dallas leads the league in penalties and they’re 11-5. Las Vegas is second and they're 9-8. Buffalo is 4th. Arizona is 6th.

The Giants and Falcons and Football Team and Broncos are four of the least penalized teams and they're all missing the playoffs.

Bengals, Packers, Colts, Rams are the least penalized and they're all in.

It's ridiculous to say that drive killing penalties, and penalties that keep the defense on the field instead of getting off the field against tough offenses don't matter. Especially in games that came down to a few points difference. Are you that much of a shill for KS?

 

[MGMT]

If a penalty doesn’t kill a drive, Baker gently pats the flag on the ref’s hip as he jogs to the huddle and kindly says “don’t worry my little yellow friend, I’ll take care of it.”