Category: Reaction

Browns assistant GM Catherine Hickman talked Browns and NFL career on The Playcallers

Cleveland Browns assistant general manager Catherine Hickman (nee Raîche) went on The Playcallers podcast. She discussed her journey from the CFL to the NFL.

Cleveland Browns assistant general manager Catherine Hickman (nee Raîche) went on The Playcallers podcast earlier this month. The podcast, hosted by Jordan Rodrigue, had a widely applauded first season, deep-diving into the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree. This season, Rodrigue is interviewing rising front-office stars. 

Hickman has been with the Browns for the past two seasons. She is the highest-ranking woman in a front office. Hickman is a popular General Manager candidate and will eventually get a shot at running an organization.

Hickman and Rodrigue spent the episode recapping Hickman’s unorthodox career to the NFL. After a career in law, Hickman started her journey to the NFL through interning with the Canadian Football League. She would go on to work for the Philadelphia Eagles with Andrew Berry. 

She’s well-trained media-wise as a Browns front office member. When asked about the team she kept information close to the chest. Hickman mentioned that the Browns changed their player performance department this year. The Browns will use more data-driven approaches for injury prevention. The Browns have spent all year collecting various data points to determine a player’s health.

The Browns have struggled with injuries to start the year, especially with players returning from rehab. Hopefully, the team can smooth out the issues that plagued them earlier this year. Football is a war of attrition and health is the most important factor for a team’s success. 

The interview showcased why Hickman is such a popular candidate for the general manager job. 

ESPN host rips into ‘arrogant’ Deshaun Watson after he scoffed at running more

ESPN host Elle Duncan ripped into Deshaun Watson on First Take after the quarterback scoffed a question about running the ball more

ESPN host Elle Duncan ripped into Deshaun Watson on First Take. Duncan told harsh truths about the entitled quarterback following one of his bizarre press conferences earlier this week. The quarterback told reporters earlier this week that he was not looking to run the ball when asked about changing the offense. Watson emphasized to the media that he is a throwing quarterback, and Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t want him to run the ball. 

According to most metrics, the Browns’ offense is one of the league’s worst offenses, and the blame largely falls on the quarterback. Watson’s ranking among the quarterbacks mirrors the offense as a whole.

Duncan channeled her inner Stephen A. Smith when lambasting the maligned quarterback. She laughed at the idea that Watson should limit his game. She even said, “For that amount of money if they ask you become a kicker, you better start…”  

Duncan delivered some harsh truths about the Browns’ franchise quarterback. Watson cannot operate the passing offense the Browns built around him this offseason. The team will eventually rely on Watson’s legs if his arm can’t finish the job.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Browns have a major weakness on offense heading into the season

The Cleveland Browns have a major weakness behind David Njoku heading into the 2024 NFL season

The Cleveland Browns have one major weakness heading out of the second OTA session.

After re-inventing the offense this offseason, the Browns are fragile at the tight end position. The team failed to grow their passing offense since acquiring Deshaun Watson and needed to shake their system up.
The organization addressed their problems in the passing game with every offensive coaching hire, trade, free agent signing, and draft pick. The team is embracing a modern offensive approach, they’ll rely on three wide receiver sets out of shotgun this season.

Shedding their offensive identity of heavier personnel packages has exposed a weakness in the tight end room. Former Browns’ tight end Harrison Bryant joined the Raiders on a 1-year $3.25 million contract. The Cleveland Browns have five tight ends on the roster; David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Zaire Mitchell-Paden, newcomers Giovanni Ricci, and Treyton Welch.

Njoku is one of the best tight ends in the league. He is a good blocker and a threat in the receiving game. He proved his toughness last season after playing through multiple injuries, including serious burns. The Browns are relying heavily on him playing the entire season. None of the tight ends on the roster can echo his skill set. The room is composed of specialists, who play their roles very well. However, they lack the comprehensive skills to play on the line of scrimmage for all three downs.

Akins is a 6-foot-4-inch receiving threat as he uses his large frame to box out smaller defenders. After six years in the league, he hasn’t become a capable blocker. The Browns brought in Ricci, on a 1 year $1.1 million deal, to be their blocking specialist. The Ohio native was primarily used as a fullback or blocking tight end during his time with the Carolina Panthers. He has shown limited upside as a receiver.

Mitchell-Paden hasn’t played a snap for the Browns during the regular season in the two years he’s been around the team. Hopefully, the former undrafted free agent makes the 53-man roster this season. Welch is an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming and will be battling for a position on the practice squad this summer. The room lacks the adaptability needed to back up Njoku.

Njoku is a versatile weapon and a special tool for Kevin Stefanski. Njoku can line up on the line of scrimmage as a blocker or be flexed out into the slot as a receiver. The Browns cannot find a player to mimic Njoku. The problem is, if Njoku misses time, the Browns lack a complete tight end that can fill in for him in an emergency. Akins cannot play inline as he’s a vulnerability in the running game. Ricci cannot operate as a receiver on the line of scrimmage. The two are talented players who excel in their specific roles. However, the Browns are missing an adequate tight end that can contribute to the passing and the run game. The Browns must find a competent backup for Njoku before the season begins.

Browns fans divided after reported desire for dome in Cleveland

Open-air or dome?

Fans of the Cleveland Browns are up in arms and divided over the potential dome that could be coming to Northeast Ohio. Just another offseason in Cleveland, yeah?

Many make the argument that playing in the elements is what makes football in Northeast Ohio different and special. Others argue that it is a more enjoyable experience for fans, and creates the opportunity for the city of Cleveland to host other major sporting events. This is what The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd argues as he reports the Browns are serious about adding a roofed facility.

But let’s be honest, playing outside amongst the winds of Lake Erie has provided the Browns no competitive advantage. Even further, an open-air stadium has cut off the Browns and the city from outside revenue for 50 percent of the year as concerts, conference championship games, and more cannot be hosted in their current stadium.

Regardless of one’s stance, it has caused quite an uproar on social media. Here are the best of the best reactions from the new report that the Browns want a dome in Cleveland.

Steelers fans burst into tears after Browns DE Myles Garrett beats out T.J. Watt for DPOY

Myles Garrett beat out T.J. Watt for Defensive Player of the Year, and Steelers fans took the opportunity to whine about it.

The Cleveland Browns saw many of their personnel take home awards at the NFL Honors, including defensive end Myles Garrett who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. And those who root for the Pittsburgh Steelers made sure everyone heard them cry that T.J. Watt did not win the award.

Apparently, those who follow the Steelers think voters should look at box scores instead of the actual film when casting their votes for who should win the award. Watt had more sacks than Garrett, but Garrett was quite evidently a more prevalent player that opposing teams had to identify, double-team, triple-team, and make a point of emphasis on Sundays.

Even Watt himself took to social media to take a victim mentality after receiving the news that he would not win the award over Garrett.

Here are the best, most cringe-worthy reactions from Steelers fans after their beloved Watt finished runner-up to Garrett for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Browns fans rejoice on as Myles Garrett wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year

What a year for the Browns star pass rusher

Cleveland Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett was absolutely dominant this year and it paid off with his first Defensive Player of the Year award. He was the best player on one of the league’s best defenses and found a way to impact every game in ways that didn’t always show up in the stat sheet.

When you look at the Indianapolis Colts game where he forced two fumbles, one of which was recovered for a touchdown, and blocked a field goal you see how dominant he was. The attention that Garrett garnered from opposing offenses helped his teammates make massive impacts as well with favorable matchups hoping to neutralize Garrett.

Browns fans have been defending their superstar all season saying that he was the most deserving player for the award. Here is a look at how fans reacted to another award going to a member of the Cleveland Browns winning a season award.

Browns fans go nuts as Jim Schwartz wins Assistant Coach of the Year

The Browns DC turned Cleveland into one of the leagues best defenses

One of the best moves of the 2023 Cleveland Browns offseason was hiring veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to replace Joe Woods.

They rebuilt the defensive line and Schwartz made the most of the talent he had moving players around and playing to their strengths resulting in one of the best starts to a season a defense has ever had.

Fans were excited to move on from Woods and add Schwartz and now he has one the highest honor an assistant coach can get for the 2023 season. What a year Schwartz had as he crafted the Browns defense in his aggressive image and boy did the fans love watching his guys attack opposing offenses.

The award was announced a little early but the fans took to social media to celebrate their defensive coach winning the award he so deserved. Here are some of the reactions from fans on Twitter/X after the award was announced.

Browns fans react to the news that Bill Callahan is leaving to join his son with Titans

The Browns are in the market as Bill Callahan heads to the Titans to coach with his son. Here is how Browns fans took the news…

The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a new offensive line coach after the news that Bill Callahan would be leaving to join his son with the Tennessee Titans.

The news did not come as a shock though, as Brian Callahan was named the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. The rumors had been lingering for a while that Bill would like to coach with his son one day. It was good business on the Browns to let him take advantage of this unique opportunity, and good on the Titans for landing the legendary coach.

Finding his replacement will not be easy, but the Browns made the right business move for every party involved. No position coach has ever been traded in NFL history. It does not matter if he was under contract, the Browns would have been doing him a disservice to force him to remain in Cleveland.

Here is how Browns fans took the news of one of the best offensive line coaches in the business walking out the door.

Browns fans are all over the map after the hiring of Ken Dorsey

The Browns have their new offensive coordinator

The Cleveland Browns have officially found their new offensive coordinator after the team fired Alex Van Pelt. The Browns have now added former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to replace Van Pelt, someone who has ties to Cleveland during his time as a player.

Dorsey was the play-caller in Buffalo this past season before being fired by the Bills. Despite having the Buffalo offense in the top five of every major offensive category after 10 games, the team sat at 5-5 and needed a scapegoat. Despite the record the offense in Buffalo was statistically doing great, they were just turning the ball over, and not coming up with big plays in critical moments.

In the end, Dorsey brings to Cleveland something the team needed a new voice and fresh perspective to help the Browns offense grow. The question will be back to whether Stefanski will call plays or not after hiring a guy in Dorsey who has called plays, unlike Alex Van Pelt.

Browns fans took to social media as you would expect, to react to the news of Dorsey’s hiring.

Social media reacts as the Browns add Duce Staley as new RBs coach

Fans celebrated the hire on social media

The Cleveland Browns have another hire as Duce Staley joins the team as their new running backs coach.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to rebuild his offensive staff after cleaning house after the season. The Browns had some serious competition, especially from the New York Jets but they were able to lure Staley to Cleveland in the end. Staley comes to town from Carolina where he was the running backs coach and assistant head coach.

Staley is not a stranger to the AFC North after playing for the Steelers from 2004-2006. He comes to Cleveland after spending the year with Frank Reich and an offense built around a mobile quarterback in Bryce Young last year’s number-one pick.

After looking at Browns Twitter, it is easy to say that fans are mostly excited about the addition of Staley. Looking at the offenses Staley has been around you realize he is a fresh voice with different offensive philosophies than the rest of the staff under Stefanski. A great hire bringing in a respected and talented coach that will help the Browns offense improve in 2024.

Here are some reactions fans had to the announcement of the new running backs coach’s hiring.