Bill Belichick selects three Browns stars on his midseason list

NFL Legend Bill Belichick selected LG Joel Bitonio, DE Myles Garrett, and CB Denzel Ward to his mid-season award list.

Bill Belichick selected his midseason All-Pro team on his podcast Thursday. The Coach’s Podcast is hosted by Belichick and former head coach Matt Patricia. The coaches were joined by former Browns’ front office executive Michael Lombardi to break down the best players this season. The group went over every offensive, defensive, and special teams position. 

Belichick selected three cornerstone pieces of the Browns’ franchise. Left guard Joel Bitonio, defensive end Myles Garrett, and cornerback Denzel Ward were at the top of the list. Unsurprisingly, no Browns players were selected for a Special Teams award. The three were brief in their complements.

Belichick admired Bitonio’s toughness this season when he kicked out to offensive tackle. The group acknowledged Garrett is the best defensive end in the NFL. Belichick believed Ward was the best cornerback before his injury. The group expressed their concern for Ward’s latest concussion.

The Browns have built up a talented team of stars. After a disastrous season start, fans hope those stars can lead the team to the playoffs. They probably need a few other players to leap to superstar during the season. Hopefully, Belichick’s end-of-season list will feature a few more Browns players.

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Browns considering moving All Pro G Joel Bitonio to LT

The Browns might kick Bitonio out to left tackle with a multitude of injuries at the position

The Cleveland Browns are looking for solutions at left tackle after a slew of injuries have battered their tackle room. The Browns called in reinforcements to the 53-man roster, signing Germain Ifedi from the practice squad and Sebastian Gutierrez, and Ricky Lee III to the practice squad. The move bolsters the end of the depth chart, but the Browns still have no answer at the starter position. The Browns are mulling starting Joel Bitonio at left tackle. 

Stefanski told reporters earlier this week that Bitonio could be an option at left tackle. Joel Bitonio should be the starting left tackle until Jedrick Wills Jr. returns from injury. Bitonio finished the Giants game at left tackle. He had an emergency start at left tackle in 2021. Bitonio has previously said he doesn’t want to play the position, but will if asked. 

Bitonio’s resistance to playing left tackle is well-founded. Bitonio is a model of consistency. He is the longest-tenured Browns player on the roster. He hasn’t played left tackle since his college years. He is a Pro Bowl guard and is paid like one. 

Bitonio should explore playing left tackle for the foreseeable future. He is likely the best option remaining. It may also help his legacy. Bitonio has been selected to six All-Pro teams in his ten seasons. Bitonio has been overshadowed by his fellow draft mate Zack Martin’s career.

Bitonio has an interesting way to differentiate his career from Martin’s if he succeeds at left tackle late into his career. It may give him the push he needs to enter the Hall of Fame. 

Browns overtake Eagles for NFL lead in players earning over $10M per year

Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns are tied with 13 players earning over $10M per year

Championship teams are built through the draft and shrewd free-agent acquisitions, and in this new day of the NFL, huge salaries are a prerequisite for overall franchise success.

Before Wednesday morning, Philadelphia and Cleveland led the NFL with 12 players earning $10+ million per season.  The Browns now have the top spot after the team agreed to a three-year extension with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, worth up to $39 million, including a $25 million guarantee.

Browns

– Deshaun Watson: $46M
– Myles Garrett: $25M
– Denzel Ward: $20.1M
– Amari Cooper: $20M
– Jerry Jeudy: $17.5M
– Joel Bitonio: $16M
– Jack Conklin: $15M
– Dalvin Tomlinson: $14.25M
– Wyatt Teller: $14.2M
– David Njoku: $13.687M
– Grant Delpit: $12M
– Za’Darius Smith: $11.5M
– Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: $13M (max)

Eagles

– Jalen Hurts: $52M
– Saquon Barkley: $12M.5
– A.J. Brown: $32M
– DeVonta Smith: $25M
– Dallas Goedert: $14.5M
– Jordan Mailata: $22M
– Landon Dickerson: $21M
– Lane Johnson: $20M
– Bryce Huff: $17M
– Josh Sweat: $10M
– Darius Slay: $13M
– James Bradberry: $12.5

The Browns have the NFL’s second-highest payroll at $244,730,743, behind the Atlanta Falcons, who are shelling out a league-high $249,538,227 in cap space.

Philadelphia is 30th in the league, paying out $182,873,638 in total cap space this season.

Browns Podcast: Cleveland’s interior O-line is one of the NFL’s best

Interior offensive line is a major strength of the Browns

Training camp is finally here, as the Cleveland Browns will report and head for The Greenbrier this week. One position that they don’t have to worry about at all is the interior offensive line. The trio of Ethan Pocic, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller is as good as it gets in the NFL.

However, it was a bit of a down year for Bitonio, who had a nagging back injury that seemed to limit him for much of the year. But it was probably the best year we have seen from Wyatt Teller since 2020, who was fantastic and back to mauling people in the run game.

The run game wasn’t great at times last year, and the team will need to lean on these big, strong interior guys if they want to fix it in 2024. You can hear more about this great group of guards and centers in the latest episode by clicking here.

Browns guard Joel Bitonio believes offseason schedule changes could have benefits

Bitonio believes there are some benefits to the NFLPA’s proposal

Last week, a proposal to potentially overhaul the offseason workout schedule, eliminating voluntary OTAs in favor of longer training camps with a ramp-up period in mid-June or early July. This would do away with the summer break that currently takes place after mandatory minicamp leading up to camp at the end of the month.

During the Browns’ annual golf event on Monday, guard Joel Bitonio discussed the proposal’s benefits for players’ bodies.

“I do think there is some science behind like a better ramp up period. I think science like in a ramp up period and training in the off season all those things seem like it’s a smart move.”

This is one of the first people I have heard speaking positively about this proposal and I totally get Bitonio’s point. He also talked about the change of schedules break wise might not be what many organizations want but it was nice to hear his perspective.

In the end, I still don’t think this proposal will ever get approved, but it is clear that some people do agree with some aspects of it.

Browns OG Joel Bitonio has no interest in an 18-game season

The vet has some thoughts…

The NFL added a 17th game to the regular season back in 2020, and there have been conversations about adding an 18th. Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, however, has some thoughts about it (or lack thereof).

The Browns are holding their annual golf outing for charity, and Bitonio stood in front of the media. When asked about the idea of an 18-game season and whether or not he’d see himself playing in one, Bitonio gave a quick three-word answer (via Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot):

“I hope not.”

It took the players a long time to come around to the idea of a 17-game season, let alone adding another just a half-decade later. Especially for Bitonio, who is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off of the most injury-hampered season of his career.

The NFLPA still holds cards to negotiate with the NFL, so it will be interesting to see how this unfolds and if the league will get its way with an additional regular season game.

Browns: Joel Bitonio named PFF’s most valuable left guard since 2021

Bitonio has been fantastic during his time in Cleveland

It has been long since the Cleveland Browns have worried about the left guard position. Since Joel Bitonio came to town, he has locked that position down and could eventually find himself in Canton if his great play continues for a few more seasons.

PFF has released their most valuable offensive line since 2021, and it was no surprise to see Bitonio as the best left guard during that period. Bitonio is a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro player.

He has battled some injuries the last couple of years, but his play hasn’t suffered much as he guts it out week in and week out. The Browns will begin looking for his replacement at some point, and whoever ends up being there should get the chance to learn behind him before he rides off into the sunset. Browns fans have watched one of the best left tackles and left guards over the past decade; hopefully, everyone appreciates that.

Joel Bitonio is a believer in the Browns under Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry

Things are changing in Cleveland

Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have the support from the longest-tenured member of the Cleveland Browns in offensive guard Joel Bitonio.

The 2023 season was not like previous ones in Cleveland as the team had every reason to give up several times and that just didn’t happen. Though the ending was tough to watch this team overcame ridiculous amounts of adversity this year and found a way to win 11 games and go to the playoffs.

All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio on Sunday talked about how he too believes that this isn’t the same old Browns.

“I think Coach Stefanski’s built a culture here. I think Andrew Berry’s built that with the guys he’s brought in. I do think we built something and I hope it’s the star of ‘hey, this is what we do.'”

Bitonio has been around a lot of false hope in Cleveland and has seen plenty of bad cultures so this is high praise from one of the league’s best. There are still roster holes to fix and improvements to be made but the future in Cleveland is very bright despite how this year ended.

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