Well, here we are for better or for worse. Who know what this crazy world will bring a week from now, but for the moment - the necessary raring of the roster has begun. I made an executive decision to give this subject its own thread, as it will be relevant long after training camp is finished.
The Browns announced these moves yesterday to get down to 80 players.
LB Jermaine Grace
DE Justin Zimmer
WR Tony Brown
DE George Obinnia
https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/20200731/browns-cut-four-players-reducing-their-roster-to-80
Still nobody of impact has opted out for us, so that's good.
Looks like the players only have a few days left to opt out. It's August 2nd and Schefty says it'll likely be August 4th or 5th.
I like this, as if you wait until next week, then players will start doing it for non-CoVid reasons. Like they don't feel they'll make the team, etc etc. But, there's a quantity of players we need to get through camp.
Good point, Ocon. On that note. I would have dearly loved to have had Drew Forbes in camp. Even though he is a paid professional- he is still a young man who his whole life ahead of him. A ton of family memories to make and cherish.
If he chooses to protect that by opting out amid the COVID crisis, nothing but respect for him and we will see him in 2021.
Yeah, and I’ve also seen some stuff that some are opting out because the CoVid rules are going to limit family time too much for their liking. If you have a newborn, do you really want to limit seeing them for the first 5-6 months of their life?
It wasn’t Forbes, but there’s a player out there who implied it.
I can respect Forbes' decision... but it's still a bit of a headscratcher he might rethink down the line. It's a pretty big potential turning point year in his career, where he could show off even if he didn't win the starting job, elevate to the point that he's on the cusp.
10 years of NFL paychecks versus 3... that's 25m after taxes sitting there earning a couple mill in interest a year for the rest of your life. Which makes it (potentially) a 100m decision.
Jmon and Jarvis to the PUP, but it sounds more like a shrewd move, in regard to Jarvis. More reps to figure out WR's 4-6, and Trotter says his rehab is on course. No use pounding him through August unless he's 100%.
https://twitter.com/chadp71/status/1290011097735389185?s=21
as good of thread as any to put that.
Seems like August 17th has been the target for a while now. I loved that quote: It could be June, July, August, September, but we all know it's August (!).
Cleveland Browns@Browns
We've activated RB Dontrell Hilliard and S Jovante Moffatt » brow.nz/daaae
Mike Silver reporting the Seahawks have moved on from Jadeveon Clowney, and are now targeting a duo of Clay Matthews and Everson Griffen to join recent acquisition Jamal Adams. Seattle are also expected to re-sign Josh Gordon as soon as he is cleared for reinstatement. They are also said to have interest in Antonio Brown following his eight game suspension.
I wonder what this means for Clowney. Again, the only other teams he has been tied to are Cleveland and Tennessee. I just don't see how he joins the Titans. They have already signed Vic Beasley to a one-year prove it deal, although he has yet to report. Hpwever, Titans have said they are in communication with him and he is expected to report in the near future. They also have Harold Landry, who was one of their better players last year after recording 9 sacks in his sophomore season.
Clowney could be interested in Tennessee due to their likelihood of success, but it wouldn't be a great environment for him to really thrive. If you want production, playing opposite Myles Garrett would be a better move than being a rotational piece in Tennesse which likely relegates you to the interior rush consistently.
Of course, the Browns offered Clowney more money than anyone else has thus far, which could also be a factor. We still have the cap room to sign him, whereas Tennessee have no cap room.
If it is true that Seattle is truly out of the picture, I wonder if Berry's patience and initial push for Clowney has built some goodwill which he could use in a second approach with Clowney's options more limited than ever.
MJ Stewart picked up from Tampa, via waiver wire
2nd round pick in 2018, 53rd overall.
UNC player
PFF grades are typical young player stuff. He's has some great games in pass defense, tackling, and run defense, but then a blown play here and there sinks his grade.
PFF grade is 61.1 in 2019
Last year, compared to other current Browns DB's, he grades better than TJ Carrie and Greedy, and about the same as T-Mitch.
Had a game vs the Steelers where he had 9 solo tackles
Lost his starting job due to a foot injury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lodp_rhrZNc
Bucs fans, saying good riddance lol https://www.pewterreport.com/forums/topic/mj-stewart-cut/
So, they're upset a 2nd rounder didn't work out, but or us, it's an easy flier, and no big if he gets cut in the end (which he prob will).
Safety maybe?https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2020/8/9/21360703/cleveland-browns-what-are-browns-getting-mj-stewart
Such an early cut and his play doesn't seem disastrous. Wonder what's up there, seems to be some more to the story.
Similar to J'Mon Moore, a 4th round pick who's like 24. Why not?
Sometimes, Shep, a change of scenery is all it takes and is best for all concerned.
Other key moves:
Activated from Active/PUP (3):
WR Jarvis Landry
S Karl Joseph
TE Pharaoh Brown
Activated from Active/Non-Football Injury (1):
WR J'Mon Moore
All four activated players may participate in all team activities.
The Browns' active roster is currently at 80 players.
This is good news, especially Landry coming off PUP. There was some speculation that the 'ahead of schedule' talk was just that...talk. Now it looks to be legit and the Browns will start the season with a full compliment of skill players for Baker.
I’ve been kind of worried there wasn’t enough “ahead of schedule” talk on Juice. Also no videos like OBJ was posting months ago.
Very nice he’s back.
Karl Joseph getting slept on is gonna be a story this year when we extend him. I love that guy but safeties can get devalued.
S's are not devalued in this D...they are key players.
Agree, DF. I mean league wide, been rough on some below superstar status, but guys with serious bonafides, like that one cover guy who has to sit and wait every offseason. Real bargains this time, like Joseph.
There’s our new guard 🤷🏼♂️
Michael Dunn is 6-5, 315-pounds and is officially in his first NFL season out of Maryland. Originally signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Dunn has spent time on the Rams (2017) and Jaguars (2018) practice squads. He also spent time with the Dolphins during the 2019 preseason and was a member of the Birmingham Iron (AAF) in 2019 and Seattle Dragons (XFL) in 2020.
Nice. 4 yr T in college, known as a technician. Also known for durability.
In three years Dunn allowed just 43 total QB pressures across 1,151 pass-blocking snaps and never graded below 80.0 in pass-blocking, per PFF while in college.
I'll take that as a reserve/developmental guy.
Seeing this morning that MJ Stewart may be for Prief to take a look at more than anyone else.