Tag: JC Tretter

Report: JC Tretter will remain as the NFLPA president

Browns center JC Tretter will remain as the NFLPA president for another 2-year term

Browns center JC Tretter is going to get another term as the president of the NFL Players Association. According to a report from NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, Tretter will serve another two-year term as the NFLPA president.

Per Pelissero, Tretter will earn the second term without any opposition from any other player. He has guided the NFL and NFLPA through some interesting times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and all the associated protocols that were not universally popular within the player’s union. Tretter has a degree in labor relations from Cornell.

Tretter has started at center every game but one over the last five seasons. He missed the Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers on the COVID-19 reserve list. He is entering the final year of his contract with the Browns and has been the subject of speculation that he could be released in a maneuver that would save Cleveland over $8 million in cap room for 2022.

3 Browns moves could save team $30 million in cap space in 2022

Three quick cuts and the Browns can almost double their salary cap space. Are they worth it? Depends on how you value the players that would be involved:

Earlier, we noted that the Cleveland Browns rolled over $10 million in salary-cap space from 2021 to 2022. That rollover boosted the team’s available cap space to $37 million but gave them only the 13th most cap space going into the 2022 season. The Miami Dolphins are currently set to lead the lead in space with a whopping $73 million.

The Browns have work to do on their roster for next year. They have stated they expect Baker Mayfield to have a bounce-back year but will need talent around him to do it. Given the struggles in 2021, it is possible that the team also shakes up the roster some.

There are three moves Cleveland could make to quickly add about $30 million in cap space. All three of the moves would come on the offensive side of the ball but Andrew Berry and company still could decide to make.

The biggest move, both in terms of cap space and name value, is cutting WR Jarvis Landry. Landry has one year left on his contract and is coming off the worst performance, and health, of his career. While the Browns need help at receiver, it is possible that Landry and the team decide it is best for them to part ways.

Releasing Landry frees up $15.1 million in cap space while only counting $1.5 million in dead cap.

Continuing on with older veterans with some health issues, OL J.C. Tretter could also be cut by the team. Nick Harris looked good in his place late in the season and Tretter’s departure would save the team over $8 million in cap space while only counting $1.625 million against the cap. Tretter has been an important leader for the offensive line but his knee has limited him for a few seasons.

Tretter’s role as NFLPA president has also placed extra attention on his role as a player in Cleveland.

Finally, the third release is backup QB Case Keenum. While many are calling for more competition for Mayfield, not less, the team played their injured quarterback over their backup most of the year. They showed how they feel about Keenum and can save $6.5 million in releasing him while only counting $1.33 against the salary cap.

Combined, those three moves would save the team $29.85 million in salary-cap space. That would jump their available space up to $67 million and slot them at third in the league, based on current expectations from Over the Cap.

TE Austin Hooper could be released post-June 1st to save the team $9.5 million but cost them $3.75 million in dead cap space.

OL Jack Conklin is another name that could save the team cap space in the last year of his deal but his dead cap hit is higher than the team’s savings ($9 million to $6 million). The only other player whose departure could save Cleveland significant cap space is RB Kareem Hunt, $6.25 million, but that seems highly unlikely.

Browns COVID list: Lose Tretter, Gain Hudson and Delpit

Two return, one is lost. The Browns COVID list and roster are in a state of flux once again:

The Cleveland Browns have a roster in flux for the second week in a row. In Week 16, thankfully, the team has been getting more players back than they are losing. It isn’t all good news, however.

Yesterday, the team got Austin Hooper, Jacob Phillips, JoJo Natson and head coach Kevin Stefanski back but lost Greg Newsome II to the list.

Thursday the story stays the same as the team got Grant Delpit and James Hudson III back from the list but lost J.C. Tretter. Both Delpit and Hudson tested negative and were able to return before the 10 day period required.

Tretter announced on Twitter that he wasn’t feeling well and decided to get tested:

The Browns will have some interesting decisions to make on the offensive line. Joel Bitonio fared well at left tackle in Week 15 with Michael Dunn at left guard. Dunn could step in at center but Nick Harris is listed as the backup.

Delpit’s return could be even more beneficial as John Johnson III suffered an injury late against Las Vegas and could miss the Christmas Day game against Green Bay.

The Browns are expected to activate more players over the next 24 hours or so. We will update the roster news as it arrives.

Report: NFLPA ‘aggressively’ pushing for Browns, Raiders game postponement

According to a report, the NFLPA is pushing to have Browns, Raiders game postponed:

The Cleveland Browns list of players currently on or reportedly going to be added to the reserve/COVID-19 list is a majority of their depth chart at this point:

  • QB: Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum
  • OL: Jedrick Wills, Wyatt Teller, Drew Forbes
  • TE: Austin Hooper
  • WR: Jarvis Landry
  • DE: Takk McKinley, Ifeadi ODenigbo
  • DT: Malik McDowell
  • LB: Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips
  • CB: Troy Hill, A.J. Green
  • S: John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison
  • P: Jamie Gillan

Add to those the injured players which have ruled out:

  • RB: Kareem Hunt
  • WR: Anthony Schwartz
  • CB: Greg Newsome II

This has led fans and players, especially Mayfield, to be frustrated by the league at this point.

According to Pro Football Talk, the NFLPA, led by their president, Cleveland center J.C. Tretter, want the game to be postponed for safety and integrity purposes:

Earlier this week, Roger Goodell stated that there were no talks about postponing games this week but that was prior to a number of other positive tests.

Can the Browns field a team that can keep each other and the Las Vegas Raiders safe on Saturday? What would the product on the field do to the “integrity” of the game as noted in the above tweet?

J.C. Tretter’s role in the NFLPA could factor into Browns, Beckham situation

If the Browns don’t waive Beckham or let him return to the team, the NFLPA could get involved which would involve Cleveland’s starting center, JC Tretter, as the NFLPA president:

The Cleveland Browns and Odell Beckham Jr. seemed destined for separation. A day after social media drama surrounding Beckham’s father reposting a video and LeBron James tweeting #FreeOBJ, the Browns had the receiver stay home from practice as the front office and his agents “discussed the next steps,” according to Kevin Stefanski.

Earlier today, our own Jeff Risdon reviewed what could be next for the Browns and Beckham. Jeff did a great job of breaking down the options including a few that could end up bringing the NFLPA into the discussion.

  • The Browns could attempt to place Beckham on the injured reserve list.

If the Browns attempt to place Beckham on IR, the NFLPA could make the case that he has played the last few weeks and hasn’t reinjured his shoulder therefore should not be eligible for the list.

  • Remain on the roster but stay inactive

While this one seems simple, the current comparison case with Deshaun Watson does not work. Watson is at the team facility and around the team. If the Browns tried to do this but keep the receiver away from the facility without the player’s consent, the NFLPA would likely fight them denying him access to training and medical staff with Watson as the current reference point.

  • Waive for conduct detrimental to the team

As Jeff notes, “The NFLPA would absolutely fight this if the Browns tried it, barring any provable circumstance that is currently not known.”

Involving the NFLPA involves another Browns player, J.C. Tretter. As the president of the association, Tretter is involved in issues involving player concerns. All offseason, we have heard from Tretter involving offseason participation, vaccine and other COVID-19 related policies.

Tretter could excuse himself from anything related to the Beckham case due to what could be considered a conflict of interest but that is far from certain. His role is about the entire membership of the NFLPA and protecting them now and in the future.

The NFLPA, like most organizations, is concerned with allowing precedents to be set. Allowing Cleveland to do any of the things listed above without fighting could set up future players for similar treatment. As the NFLPA president, Tretter’s job is not to allow that to happen. As the team’s center, he has a job to do during the week and on Sundays.

If the Beckham situation is to resolve itself with the receiver not returning to the field, it is very likely that his teammate Tretter and the NFLPA would end up involved with the process. That could make things complicated in Berea.

JC Tretter still believes daily COVID-19 testing needed

In a follow up to his article posted on the NFLPA website, Tretter reiterated his/the PA’s stance to Cleveland media:

The Cleveland Browns and JC Tretter have a unique relationship. As their starting center and one of the team leaders, Tretter is vital to the team’s on-the-field success. As the NFLPA President, Tretter represents all of the NFL’s unionized players opposite the NFL and their teams.

With that in mind, Tretter spent time with the media Monday following the Browns loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was asked questions about the game, as appropriate, but was also asked about his stance on COVID-19 protocols, specifically testing.

Tretter has been a proponent of daily testing for every player. Currently, only unvaccinated players are tested on a daily basis. On the NFLPA’s website, Tretter wrote about their belief that daily testing “is the key to a full NFL season.”

Cleveland media followed up with the team’s center on that on Monday. Tretter reiterated this belief:

“We think that’s the safest way to go about it,” Tretter said. “We haven’t had any problems through the first week. We have the means to make sure we don’t have any problems and our two pillars [are] to make sure we keep everybody as healthy as possible and make sure we get all of the games played, and we think we should be doing everything possible to ensure that.”

Currently, vaccinated players are tested every seven days while unvaccinated are tested daily. With the spread of the delta variant, the NFLPA’s goal is to protect their players from illness with daily testing. So far, the NFL has not shown interest in making that adjustment to their COVID-19 protocols.

Report: Browns Odell Beckham Jr. to play Week 1; Tretter, Clowney too

According to a report, OBJ will be playing Week 1. The Browns want to be cautious but OBJ wants to play:

The Cleveland Browns 2021 season kicks off at 4:25 PM today in Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 2020 Browns season returned hope to a franchise that had been lacking in it for a long time. Last year wasn’t perfect including losing to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs and losing Odell Beckham Jr. to injury in the middle of the season.

The team is hoping to right both of those wrongs in Week 1. While revenge in a regular-season game can’t make up for the playoff loss, Cleveland gets an immediate chance at the foes that vanquished them last year.

According to Ian Rapoport, Beckham will also be on the field for the game:

 

While many assumed this, Adam Schefter and Brad Stainbrook have both noted that the team is being cautious with Beckham’s return. The electric receiver has been pushing the team to get to play, believing he is ready and the caution is not warranted.

With Rapoport also noting that Clowney and Tretter should be playing, Cleveland will be close to full strength for the game. Will it be enough against the defending AFC champions? We find out later this afternoon.

J.C. Tretter knocks NFL’s wristband vaccination rule

As NFLPA president and Browns starting center, JC Tretter keeps getting asked questions and keeps answering them bluntly. The lastest includes knocking the NFL’s wristband policy.

As discussed over the offseason, the Cleveland Browns and J.C. Tretter are in a unique position due to his position as the NFLPA’s president. In that role, Tretter has the responsibility to speak for all NFL players. In his role as the Browns starting center, he has responsibilities as a teammate and contracted employee of the team.

With negotiations surrounding COVID-19 policies, including vaccinations, Tretter has been vocal this offseason in his presidential role. During those communications, whether interviews or columns written on the NFLPA’s website, the Browns center has not hesitated to speak against the NFL when he deemed appropriate.

That continued today in his training camp interview with the media. Tretter spoke out about the NFL’s wristband vaccination policy:

 

Rarely one to mince word, but always appropriate, Tretter’s use of “nonsensical” ties to his belief that players are identified in other ways. First, the mask mandates clearly delineate the vaccinated players from the unvaccinated players. Second, the team has a list of who has been vaccinated and can use that list to help them track players’ movements.

While the wristbands may make the teams’ jobs easier in making sure procedures are followed, Tretter believes they have another motive: Shame. He also notes that the Browns are not using the wristband system:

 

As Tretter continues to get asked these questions due to his NFLPA position, he seems willing to answer them very directly.

Browns players, team working on OTA resolution

Cleveland Browns players and the team are working towards a deal on attending OTAs

The first week of Cleveland Browns post-draft organized team activities, or OTAs, took place virtually. No players attended the team facilities in Berea at the behest of the NFLPA, which has recommended that players not participate due to long-term injury concerns.

It’s a tricky issue for both the players and the team. Cleveland could have as many as nine new starters on defense, with a mix of free agent veterans and rookies who haven’t even met yet. But the union’s advice keeps them from working out together under the watchful eye of the team. Even though it would be heavily restricted in terms of contact and activity level, it’s still done together and with coaches and trainers present.

The situation takes extra imperative with the Browns because center JC Tretter is the NFLPA president and one of the most outspoken advocates for veterans not participating in the OTAs. But the Browns players are still getting work in and some are doing it together on their own.

Witness a tidbit from Albert Breer’s latest edition of the Monday Morning Quarterback at Sports Illustrated,

The Browns’ players were working toward a deal with their coaches over the weekend after staying away—and part of the reason they were O.K. with being absent until now is that quarterback Baker Mayfield had held a passing camp in Austin already.

Many groups of players around the league are convening to work out together this offseason. And it is nice to see the Browns players and the team are trying to work out a deal to possibly get the full team together before training camp begins in late July.

Panthers donating dirt from Bank of America Stadium to local parks

This news comes in light of the team switching to FieldTurf starting at the beginning of the 2021 season.

Have you ever wanted to run on the same soil that your favorite Carolina Panthers have? Well, if you’re local to Bank of America Stadium, your chance could be coming soon!

As noted on Thursday by Mecklenburg County, the Panthers are set to donate 300 truckloads’ worth of turf millings and root zone sand to six parks in the nearby area. The initiative, headed by the county and Tepper Sports & Entertainment, will see through that the departing gridiron soil of Bank of America Stadium does not go to waste.

This news comes in light of the team switching to FieldTurf starting at the beginning of the 2021 season. The announcement, which came on April 28, declares that the increased activity at the stadium, most notably with the addition of the Charlotte Football Club MLS franchise, calls for a the consistent turf playing surface.

Carolina’s move to turf is not particularly favorable to its own players, however, as it’s proven to cause more non-contact injuries than natural grass. Last season, Cleveland Browns center and NFLPA union president JC Tretter called for all teams to move to grass, writing that players have “a 28 percent higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf.”

Turf will be cheaper for team owner David Tepper to maintain, though – and that’s ultimately why the switch is being made.

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