Tag: Cleveland Browns

Browns DE Za’Darius Smith will look a bit different in 2024

The veteran defensive end makes a massive change.

The Cleveland Browns re-signed defensive end Za’Darius Smith this offseason, and when he puts the helmet back on as OTAs are getting set to begin, there will be something missing.

Showing off a new look on his Instagram, Smith did something drastic. He has had dreadlocks his entire NFL career, but they are no more as the veteran pass rusher has chopped off the locks and instead will put a clean cut on display this season.

In the video, it even looks like Smith is a bit stunned to see his locks laying on the table. But hey, maybe it will help him play faster!

This is going to take some time to get used to.

Browns Injury Updates: Flurry of injured starters ready to roll for OTAs

Key injury updates for several Browns players like, Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb, have been provided with OTAs next up on the schedule.

The Cleveland Browns saw several starters, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, suffer season-ending injuries in 2023. However, as they get set to begin Organized Team Activities (OTAs), they have gotten great feedback on the status of plenty of returning players.

As the Browns look to get back to the playoffs again in 2023, they will need to get healthy and stay healthy. Browns’ insider Mary Kay Cabot gave a glimpse inside the building and into the recovery process of a plethora of players who saw their seasons derailed by injuries a year ago.

Here are the updates provided by Cabot as the players are beginning to shuffle back into Berea for OTAs:

“Watson is throwing with his normal velocity and range coming off the fractured socket and partially torn labrum, and everyone is optimistic about his on-schedule recovery. But his comprehensive medical team, including his surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, have outlined a protocol that will ramp him up during OTAs with the goal of him throwing in 7-on-7s and team drills towards the end of the nine sessions and into minicamp... The program will likely include some days off from throwing and some tossing off to the side.”

“Chubb wonā€™t be participating in OTAs or the minicamp from a team drills standpoint, but heā€™s been around all offseason rehabbing the knee and providing inspiration to his teammates… But heā€™s been running for several weeks, and looks good. If all goes as planned, heā€™ll test the twice-reconstructed left knee during training camp, and work toward a return to the field as soon as possible.”

“The good news for the Browns is that their two other starting tackles, Jones and Wills, have recovered well from surgery to repair their torn MCLs, and will participate in OTAs.”

“The o-line hasnā€™t been intact since Wills was carted off Nov. 5th against the Cardinals, and it will be good for them to have the band back together.”

“Conklin, who turns 30 in August, is progressing well from his surgery in September, but will need more time to recover. Heā€™ll mostly work off to the side during OTAs or inside with the trainers, with the goal of ramping up during camp towards the season.”

“Coming off of his hip injury from December,Ā Thompson-Robinson will be limited in OTAs and minicampĀ and will possibly work his way up to 7-on-7s in the spring. But the goal for DTR coming off the subluxation is to be ready for training camp, and the Browns will proceed with caution between now and then… Recent exams have been encouraging, and the Browns expect him to participate more fully in training camp.”

“Okoronkwo and Hurst are both coming off torn pecs but will participate fully or close to it in OTAs. Hurst recently toldĀ cleveland.comĀ he canā€™t wait to mentor No. 54 pick Mike Hall Jr. and help bring him up the learning curve.”

“Okoronkwo, who returned for the season finale and wild card game, said at an event over the weekend that heā€™s aiming for double-digit sacks this season. He had 4.5 in his 14 games, but is confident heā€™s capable of more. Heā€™ll also have a new position coach this season in former Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire.”

“Bitonio, 32, hasnā€™t attended voluntary OTAs the past few years, which will give young guards Michael Dunn and 2024 third-round pick Zak Zinter more reps with the first team.

An 11th-year pro, Bitonio doesnā€™t need OTAs, and must save the wear and tear on his body. Dunn and Zinter need more reps, itā€™s the perfect storm.”

“Delpit worked overtime to try to return for the playoffs from the groin injury he suffered Dec. 10 against the Jaguars, but it wasnā€™t to be. A tireless worker, Delpit is ready to roll in OTAs and pick up where he left off last season…”

Browns waive QB Jacob Sirmon, sign K Lucas Havrisik

The Browns make a minor roster move that may signal at the health of two different quarterbacks.

Just over a week ago, the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Jacob Sirmon after his time at rookie minicamp and waived their third kicker Lucas Havrisik. Now, they have done the reverse.

Havrisik is back with the Browns and Sirmon has been waived to make room for him. While this may seem unusual, this is a great sign for the health of the Browns’ quarterback room as Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are set to begin in Berea.

Leading up to this week, there were still health questions about quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as offseason activities get underway. However, the waiving of Sirmon indicates both players could be set to see more reps this offseason than initially thought.

Watson is still recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his season, while Thompson-Robinson is fighting back from a hip injury that ended his. Both will likely be on a pitch count this offseason leading up to training camp, but it is promising they will be getting some work in during OTAs.

Browns Insider gives update on Deshaun Watsonā€™s recovery

The Browns quarterback is on track in his recovery

The biggest question and cloud hanging over the Cleveland Browns this offseason is the health of quarterback Deshaun Watson. The 2023 season ended early for Watson, who had surgery on his throwing shoulder in November.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot provided an update on Watson with voluntary minicamp workouts kicking off on Tuesday.

ā€œWatson is throwing with his normal velocity and range coming off the fractured socket and partially torn labrum, and everyone is optimistic about his on-schedule recovery. The encouraging thing for the Browns and for Watson is that he feels great and the ball is coming out well. The bottom line is that heā€™s still 100% on track to start the season Sept. 8 against the Cowboys.ā€

Itā€™s great to hear that Watson is throwing with velocity and that there havenā€™t been any setbacks in his recovery so far. This Browns roster is loaded and one of the best in the NFL, and they need Watson to have his best season in Cleveland if they want to take another step toward a championship.

Browns hire former Commanders personnel executive Chris Polian as special advisor

The Browns are hiring a former Commanders executive, Chris Polian, as a special advisor.

As the Cleveland Browns look to continue to get better off of their 11-win season a year ago, they have added another name to their front office, hiring Chris Polian away from the Washington Commanders as a special advisor. Polian served as the Director of Pro Personnel for Washington before coming to Cleveland.

As one could have guessed from the last name, Chris is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian. He is also familiar with the Cleveland area, playing football for and graduating from John Carroll University in 1993.

Before becoming the Director of Pro Personnel for the Commanders, Polian also served in the same role with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013-2019. He has also served as an executive scout with the Atlanta Falcons, and spent a great deal of time with his father’s old team, the Indianapolis Colts, under various roles (1998-2011).

Browns TE David Njoku shows off flashy new helmet

Njoku gives the fans a shot of his new helmet

The Cleveland Browns are set to bring back the white facemasks full-time in 2024, and tight end David Njoku is a huge fan of his new helmet.

Taking to Instagram to show off his new helmet, there is no doubt the Browns made a serious upgrade to their lids. Not only did the Browns bring back the white facemasks, but they also changed the finish of their helmets back to gloss from the matte finish they have had since 2015.

The Browns had worn the white facemasks as an alternate look over the past two seasons, and they were always a fan favorite. The ownership group has listened to the fans and brought back the fresh look on an every-week basis starting this season. What a great time to be alive.

You can see Njoku’s video he posted to Instagram below:

Browns Podcast: What does the film say about WR Jamari Thrash?

More play-making in the wide receiver room

After adding to the defensive line on day two of the draft, the Browns added more playmaking in the fifth round, selecting Lousiville wide receiver Jamari Thrash. It surprised me that he was still on the board at pick 156 and could turn into great value for Cleveland.

Thrash is a natural separator with great body control and route running. He understands how to trick defensive backs into thinking he is going one way before changing direction and going another. Wide receivers who can win at every level, including as a deep threat, can be a quarterback’s best friend.

Thrash is undersized and struggles against press-man coverage against more physical corners. But he is elusive with the ball in his hands with great short-area quickness and can truck guys when he gets going at times.

You can hear more about the fifth-round pick in this week’s film review podcast by clicking here.

Browns top draft picks throw out first pitch for Guardians game on Friday

The Browns top picks do the honors on Friday night

On Friday night, the top two picks in the 2024 NFL draft of the Cleveland Browns were in town to throw out the first pitch for the Guardians against the Twins. The rookies had their minicamp a couple of weeks back as they prepare to jump to the NFL this fall. The Guardians wore their City Connect jerseys as the rookies kicked off the festivities on Friday.

Michael Hall Jr. showed during the rookie minicamp that his explosion off the line and athletic ability is the real deal. You can’t put a lot of stock in non-padded practices in the month of May but it is very exciting what caliber of player he could develop into.

Zak Zinter remains Cleveland’s safest draft pick. Though he likely won’t play much as a rookie, he has a high ceiling for the future. Next up for the Browns is the voluntary minicamp on May 21st.

Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo has big goals in 2024

Is there a career year coming in 2024?

The 2023 season was productive for first-year Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo despite missing time with a torn pectoral to end the season. Okoronkwo finished with 33 quarterback pressures and 4.5 sacks during his first season in Cleveland.

While speaking at a panel about mental health awareness, the defensive end said he has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to go for 2024. He also set a lofty goal for this year, saying that he plans to get double-digit sacks.

Considering all the other firepower gathering attention, he might have a shot at that number, though hitting that number would still be challenging. Okoronkwo has had 9.5 sacks combined over the past two years, but he showed that he was a great match in the Jim Schwartz scheme, so you canā€™t say itā€™s impossible.

Either way it is good news to know that the talented pass rusher is healthy for off-season workouts as the 2024 season gets closer.

Browns are near the bottom of the league in miles traveled during the 2024 season

Cleveland will travel less than a majority of the league

The Cleveland Browns have a tough schedule this year, including a brutal stretch of games to end the 2024 season. In total, the team will play four primetime games in the back half of the year, including playing on Thursday night football twice in a month.

However, the team won’t have to travel as many miles as some other teams in the league. Cleveland will travel 13,988 miles and play in 12 different time zones, ranking 25th in miles traveled.

Though they are in the lower part of the league overall, they will travel the second most miles of AFC North teams. Only the Baltimore Ravens will travel more in the division, and it isn’t by many miles. Of course, some of these numbers are skewed by the teams that play on the West Coast traveling a lot to get to games on the East Coast.

The Browns are back in action this week as voluntary minicamp kicks off on May 21st.