Tag: Cleveland Browns

Browns: Playoff loss to Texans still on the forefront of Myles Garrett’s mind

The loss to the Texans will continue to motivate the Browns star

What a year it was for Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns defense, as he finally got his first Defensive Player of the Year award. The Browns’ pass rush was downright fantastic last year, and it made several quarterbacks look terrible.

But things didn’t go well for the defense in the playoffs as the Houston Texans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud carved them up in a decisive blowout. That loss will motivate and drive Garrett, who talked about it after practice on Wednesday.

“It’s definitely at the forefront of my mind always. That’s the last taste of football that we all had. I plan to make that apparent to everyone and continue to keep it as motivation for myself. We stepped out. We didn’t get the job done. We didn’t execute, and we fell short of our goals”

Jim Schwartz’s defense has to be less predictable in 2024, or the better quarterbacks will continue to carve them up. He said all the right things earlier this offseason and agreed they need more changeups. Hopefully, he means it.

Browns CB Denzel Ward says the playbook has ‘new wrinkles’ vs. last year

The Browns’ star confirms changeups are coming

A couple of weeks ago, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about the team’s need to evolve as a defense. He talked about how good the team’s fastball is but also the need to develop “change-ups.” Now, Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is echoing that sentiment.

At times, the Browns’ defense was predictable, and the better offensive minds and quarterbacks were able to take advantage of it. On Wednesday, Ward confirmed those changes are on the way as the team looks to build off its success last season.

“We already got our playbook in from last year, but he added a few more wrinkles in there, a few more plays, and just playing off things that we already do out there. And I think it’s going to be some good additions to our team that I think is going to help us out there on the defensive side of the ball.”

Cleveland has the talent to be one of the league’s best, and a second year in a great system should yield good results. If Schwartz can mix things up coverage-wise, especially zone coverage and in the red zone, 2024 could be a lot of fun.

All 32 NFL teams (including Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and the Browns) ranked by their cornerbacks

The Browns have a dynamic trio of cornerbacks, but where do they rank among the rest of the league?

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz came in and transformed the defense of the Cleveland Browns into the top unit in the NFL in just one season. And a big reason for that is due to the trust he can put into Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and the rest of the secondary to line up and do their job.

The Browns run more cover-1 than any team in the NFL, and they can do that because Ward and Emerson are not afraid to line up at the line of scrimmage and punch the man across from them in the face. They even have another first round pick in Greg Newsome II patrolling the nickel, giving them a formidable alliance of cornerbacks to put their trust in. This allows for pass rushers to get home as well.

Where does ESPN’s Mike Clay have the Browns’ cornerback room ranked among the rest of the NFL, however? We take a deep look now:

Deonte Banks, Cordale Flott, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Andru Phillips

Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas, Elijah Jones

Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Jartavius Martin, Mike Sainristil, Michael Davis

Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson

A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Antonio Hamilton, Dee Alford

Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Josiah Scott, Darius Rush, Ryan Watts

Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still

Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr.

Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison

Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Antonio Johnson, Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones

Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, Mike Hilton, Jalen Davis, Josh Newton

Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Tavierre Thomas, Christian Izien, Bryce Hall

Kenny Moore II, Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr.

Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nic Jones, Ekow Boye-Doe

Derek Stingley Jr., Desmond King, Kamari Lassiter, Myles Bryant, Jeff Okudah

Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Quentin Lake, Decobie Durant, Derion Kendrick

Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, Damarri Mathis, Kris Abrams-Draine

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade

Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa

Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine

Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas, Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin

Devon Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Tre Brown, Artie Burns

Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean

Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy

Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugochukwu Amadi

Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Greg Stroman

Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Emmanuel Moseley, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, Chidobe Awuzie, Tre Avery, Eric Garror

Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, C.J. Goodwin

Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson, Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie

Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Cam Smith

Ahmad Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Brandin Echols

Titans sign former Browns OT Geron Christian

Another former Brown is off the market.

The Cleveland Browns turned to Geron Christian down the stretch of their season after the season-ending injuries to offensive tackles Jedrick Wills, Dawand Jones, and Jack Conklin. Now, Christian has signed with the Tennessee Titans.

While Christian had his struggles with the Browns, filling in as the starting left tackle, there are not many players or teams who can prepare for their fourth and fifth-string offensive tackles to fill in successfully.

This makes the second Browns offensive tackle from a year ago to land with former Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan and the Titans, joining LeRoy Watson (who was traded for a seventh round pick before the 2024 NFL draft).

Christian faces an uphill battle to make the final 53-man roster with the Titans, who just drafted Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham in the first round. However, the Titans do lack depth along their offensive line, so with a strong camp Christian could pull through.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson takes another step forward on Tuesday

Another step towards a week one return

The Cleveland Browns started their mandatory minicamp practices on Tuesday, and their quarterback took another step toward his return. So far this off-season, Deshaun Watson has done some light throwing but hasn’t participated in any team 7-on-7 periods as part of his rehab.

On Tuesday, however, he participated in that period and looked healthy with no noticeable issues, throwing with more velocity than the past couple of weeks. There is still a long way to go between non-padded practices in June and games in the fall, but seeing Watson taking more steps forward and not suffering setbacks is exactly what we need to see.

Cleveland has a lot riding on this season, and Watson’s return to form and being at least serviceable is necessary to take things to the next level in the postseason. Mandatory minicamp continues Wednesday and Thursday, and Amari Cooper has held out so far, likely looking for a new contract.

Browns WR Amari Cooper holding out of mandatory minicamp in final year of contract

One key member is not present at mandatory minicamp.

Entering the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver Amari Cooper is not in attendance at minicamp.

Starting today, the Browns enter the mandatory part of their offseason program. Cooper is the only player on the team who is not there as he and the team work out a new deal beyond the 2024 season. He is subject to fines for missing.

This is a common practice for players entering the last year of their deal without a resolution, and it usually leads to a new deal getting done. Even entering the regular season a year ago, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sat out their Week 1 game waiting on the team to get a deal done with his camp.

Cooper has been a key part of the offensive success in Cleveland through the air. He led the Browns in receiving in both 2023 and 2024, racking up 1,250 yards and five touchdowns on 72 catches a year ago.

Look for a compromise to be reached soon.

Former Browns WR/KR Jakeem Grant Sr. will try out for the New York Jets

Grant will get a shot with the Jets

Things didn’t go as planned for Jakeem Grant Sr. with the Cleveland Browns after signing with the team after the 2021 season. Andrew Berry has worked the past couple of years to get the special teams up to par, and signing Grant in 2022 was part of that plan.

However, injuries struck, starting in 2022, with a torn achilles during training camp, which saw his first year in Cleveland over before it began. Grant attacked his rehab and worked hard to get back on the field last year, and his first return in the preseason saw another devastating season-ending injury.

It was hard to watch Grant in pain after everything he went through in 2022 to get back. But he has a shot to make another roster for 2024, as he will participate in the Jets minicamp this week on a tryout basis. Hopefully, he can get back on a roster and show the great speed and athleticism that made him one of the league’s best returners.

Browns TE David Njoku named best 29th overall pick of the decade

Njoku gets more praise this off-season

2023 was a true breakout season for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, who showed all of the potential he has had since entering the league at such a young age. Njoku has had plenty of good stretches and moments in other years, but this year is the first one where he put it all together from start to finish.

DraftWire recently released a list of the best players picked at each pick in the first round over the last ten years, with Njoku being their pick for 29th overall. Njoku was asked about Ken Dorsey’s influence in the passing attack and the question seemed to excite him as though he will produce even more in 2024.

Last year, Njoku finished the season with 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns despite some terrible quarterback play at times. The most impressive aspect of last year was that 608 yards were after the catch, proving that he is a real weapon with the ball in his hands.

LOOK: Nick Chubb back in a Browns uniform for first time since injury

Chubb is back in the brown and orange.

The Cleveland Browns have been without their superstar running back Nick Chubb since Week 2 after suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, however, as the Browns perform their media day duties, Chubb is back in the brown and orange as they create hype videos around his presence. While there is no timetable on Chubb’s return to the field, it is hard not to assume he will be back and ready to roll with the way the team is marketing around him.

Chubb was sorely missed last season as the Browns struggled to find efficiency on the ground without him. His return into the lineup would spark the Browns not only on the field, but the fans in the stadium and at home watching on television as well.

Take a look here as the Browns share an inside look at the filming of Chubb’s hype video during their media day session:

David Njoku foreshadows Browns’ offensive evolution with Ken Dorsey

What changes is the tight end hinting to?

There has been plenty of speculation this offseason about what changes the Browns offense will undergo in 2024. It was clear that Kevin Stefanski believed that the side of the ball must evolve and grow by changing most of his offensive assistant coaches.

Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey will heavily influence the changes, which will likely result in a different passing offense and a more vertical one. During his charity softball game this weekend, star tight end David Njoku was asked for his initial impression of the Dorsey playbook, to which he simply replied, “It’s juicy, dawg.”

You can’t help but watch the Buffalo Bills the last few years with Dorsey and think you will be seeing something similar to that blended into what has worked so well for Stefanski. It won’t be a completely different offense, of course, but more a mix of strengths to take things to the next level as the team pushes for a championship.