2020 Cleveland Browns

[farmer]

Mayfield I believe will be like QB Kirk Cousins. Have a few great games. Then some SUUUUUUUUUUUUCCKKK games. Last some in the middle games. As long as they have a very good running game he can win some but not enough to bet a lot of money on.

[VetteMan]

Tight End David Njoku has reportedly changed his mind about a trade again. Njoku requested a trade away from the Browns back in July, but then rescinded that request in early August after the team opened up training camp. There are reports out of Cleveland that Njoku is again looking for a move to another team. The trade deadline is Nov.3rd. I said back in August after the Browns signed Austin Hooper as a free agent, and Njoku hired a bright new shiny agent, even though he rescinded his earlier request, I thought that he would eventually ask for a trade again. I guess I can see that if he feels as if he is stuck behind an All-Pro tight end, that he would want to move on to another team.

[farmer]

Njoku has never lived up to expectations. Now is time to get rid of him. If the Browns lose against the Bengals this week the turmoil on and off the field will heat up. Having a player who does not want to be there with turmoil building will just add to the fire.

Mayfield is being talked more in more as not the answer at QB. Now that he was not the pick of the head coach or GM. That could mean they can move on easier from Mayfield and his commercials. The Browns could decide to make a bold move and move on now before the trade deadline. Is Daniels good enough to help them this year or maybe a trade for a QB like Matt of the Falcons. As well as what QB's maybe available next year in free agency or draft.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns announced on Tuesday that the team has added cornerback Prince Smith to the practice squad, effective immediately. Smith fills the one vacancy on the practice squad held over from last week. Smith is a 5'10" (no weight) rookie from New Hampshire. He originally signed as a undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles, plus he was on the New York Giants practice squad. At New Hampshire Smith was known for his positional versatility and his competitiveness. He comes from a press-man coverage background and has played both outside and in the slot.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns will be without dependable tight end Austin Hooper for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after he underwent an appendectomy. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Hooper, who signed a four-year $42 million contract with the Browns this year as a free agent, is having the operation Friday. Stefanski said it's expected to be a standard procedure, and that the 25 year old Hooper will not miss significant time. If Hooper has to be placed on injured reserve, he will automatically miss three games.

[farmer]

Losing OBJ maybe for the season. Now the WR group needs to step up. Hooper maybe out at TE for a few weeks. Baker had one of his big games but against a bad defense in the Bengals. So it is just one game. Will have to see how the offense adapts the next few games.

[countywide35]

I still don’t understand how in the world OBJ got hurt

[cbolt]

It looked like he twisted his ankle right when he caught up to the defender who made the int but then they said it was his knee, so his knee must have gave out at that point making it look like an ankle. Who knows with him . Anyway what an entertaining game this was but both defenses looked bad! Hunt is really a hard runner and good backup to Chubb. Baker finally came out of his slump, now can he keep it up? Baker and the receivers played great and they seemed to play better after Beckham left the game.

[VetteMan]

It looked like he twisted his ankle right when he caught up to the defender who made the int but then they said it was his knee, so his knee must have gave out at that point making it look like an ankle. Who knows with him . Anyway what an entertaining game this was but both defenses looked bad! Hunt is really a hard runner and good backup to Chubb. Baker finally came out of his slump, now can he keep it up? Baker and the receivers played great and they seemed to play better after Beckham left the game.

Apparently from reports, Odell Beckham Jr. has been lost for the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals this past weekend.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns got back to protecting the full allotment of four players on the teams practice squad in advance of Week-8. After losing a couple of players who were previously protected in prior weeks, keeping any players from getting poached off the practice squad is a good idea for the Browns. This week the Browns protected two familiar names and two new ones. The four players are as follows: Running Back-John Kelly, QB-Kyle Lauletta, Defensive End-Cameron Malveaux and PK-Matthew McCrane.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns have designated wide receiver Khadarel Hodge for return from injured reserve. The timing is good for Hodge's return with Odell Beckham having gone on season ending injured reserve earlier this week. Hodge appeared in the first three games this season and had three receptions for 51 yards. He injured his hamstring during pregame warmups at dallas, and was placed on injured reserve on October 6th. The Browns claimed Hodge off waivers from the Los Angles Rams last year. He has become a core special teams player and helps as a run blocker on offense.

[VetteMan]

With wide receiver Odell Beckham out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, wide receiver Rashard Higgins says that he will be taking Beckham's place in the Browns starting offense. After Beckham got hurt this past Sunday, Higgins stepped up in a big way, finishing the game with six catches for 110 yards, including a big 30-yard catch on the Browns game-winning drive that he called his best catch in the NFL. Higgins is catching 92% of the passes thrown to him, and is averaging 13.6 yards per catch this season. Higgins has also been the most efficient receiver in the league among all receivers who have had at least five passes thrown to them this year. The Browns just might be able to replace Beckham in the starting lineup without missing a beat.

[cbolt]

A lot of people say well Beckham is so important out there that he demands the defense to work harder to account for him leaving other people open. I counter without him Mayfield will feel much more free to run the offense and not feel pressure to force the ball to him to keep him happy. They will be fine without him, maybe not a super bowl contender but not the end of the world.

[VetteMan]

A lot of people say well Beckham is so important out there that he demands the defense to work harder to account for him leaving other people open. I counter without him Mayfield will feel much more free to run the offense and not feel pressure to force the ball to him to keep him happy. They will be fine without him, maybe not a super bowl contender but not the end of the world.

In the couple times that I have seen Higgins play, he has really impressed me. It has seemed at times that Mayfield maybe has felt indebted to keep throwing to Beckham and forcing the throws to him. To me Joe Burrow in Cincinnati has more or less done the same thing with A.J. Green, even though I think that Beckham still has a lot more left in the tank than what Green does.

[farmer]

This will allow more WR's to get involved. This only happens if Mayfield does not get happy feet. Being able to read and find the right option. They have some talent if they can utilize them.

[VetteMan]

Cleveland Browns Defensive end Myles Garrett has a knee injury that could alter the rest of Cleveland's season. The NFL sacks leader injured his knee in the first quarter Sunday and was ineffective the rest of the way as the Browns were beaten 16-6 by the Las Vegas Raiders, who did a far superior job handling the blustery weather than the home team. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday, and the Browns (5-3) are hoping it shows nothing serious.

[farmer]

Browns ride the waves on Lake Erie. So up and down. Browns use to play well in bad weather years ago. Oh well next week will the Browns play or just show up?

[VetteMan]

The Browns will have a decision to make on Baker Mayfield's future after the season. Do they attempt to sign the QB to a long term extension ? Do they pick up his 5th year option for 2022 ? General Manager Andrew Berry wasn't inclined to share his thoughts on the subject Wednesday. Berry said he thought that Mayfield had played well and done a good job in the first eight weeks. He also said he expected him to keep doing that over the second half of the season. Knowing the Browns, they will sign him to an extension, remember we're talking about the Browns. Myself, I still don't think he should be the future.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns announced on Sunday that they have placed QB Baker Mayfield on the reserve/Covid-19 list. The reserve/Covid-19 list is not just for those who have tested positive, but also for those who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. Mayfield was in close contact with a Browns staff member who tested positive, so he's being put on the list. Mayfield will need five days of negative tests before he can be reinstated from the list.

[VetteMan]

The Cleveland Browns lost receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a knee injury a short time ago, but hopefully some help for the offense is on the way. Running back Nick Chubb was designated to return from injured reserve by the Browns. Chubb can practice this week and indications are that the Browns expect him to play on Sunday. Chubb's return will allow the offense to get back to it's preferred identity, which is built around their two star tailbacks. Kareem Hunt did well in Chubb's absence, but the Browns are better when they have both backs at their disposal.