THE DAILY BLOVIATION
Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
I'm fed up with this Cleveland weather, which teased us with Spring just a week ago and has now drifted back into 30-degree temps with occasional snow and rain. It's part of the price we pay to live in Northeast Ohio, but it's confusing the hell out of all the local botanical life forms. That's what they get for being all organic and stuff. I'm relatively isolated from that since I only eat highly processed foods with the richest and most refined chemicals.
Other "advantages" of The Land Lifestyle include being inundated with radio, podcast, and Youtube-ish sportsyap shows about the Browns seemingly around the clock. This creates an enormous amount of clutter for your friends at the OBR to try to cut through to be heard, to the extent that I want to tell everyone to STFU while I'm talking. They don't listen. It's just part of the price of living the dream.
Another part of the price for living the dream is getting up before dawn to corral the daily stories about the Browns for consumption by literally dozens of people, all of whom I am endlessly grateful to have read my nonsense.
If you remember yesterday's adventure, I automated creating a vast swath of Newswire by tying together some Mac apps. Well, at about 4AM today, I came up with a better idea for how to do it that will allow me to use better toolkits, and I had to wake up to pursue the idea because I'm an idiot. If you need me later, I'll be immersed in code and occasionally yelling at the dog to stop barking.
Here are today's LINKS OF MODERATE INTEREST...
5. EVERYONE IS STILL OBSESSED WITH WR IN ROUND 2
Cleveland Browns 5-round mock draft: Texas’ Xavier Worthy brings speed in Round 2 - (PFF)
The trade for Jerry Jeudy and two consecutive years of Day 2 draft picks at wide receiver have not convinced anyone that the Browns wide receiver room is full of talent and developmental prospects, and have the Browns drafting for need with another wide receiver. Pro Football Focus is no exception. However, As time passes, I'm increasingly intrigued that Andrew Berry can go in whatever direction he pleases, taking the best player available almost regardless of position. Mock me in the comments if you will; I can take it, but I'm not convinced that it will be a WR in the second round.
4. RATBIRDS TAKE ANOTHER BODY BLOW
Lions and Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler agree on 1-year deal, AP source says - (Associated Press)
— Kevin Cole (@KevinCole___) March 19, 2024Updated @Unexpected_Pts Offseason Improvement Index.
Big movement down for the Ravens with the official loss of Kevin Zeitler, and a bump up for the Lionshttps://t.co/48SeBGcsIt pic.twitter.com/sSckqMHL1B
The Rats have lost a bit of talent this off-season, and losing Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler doesn't help. Sure, they'll restock during the draft, but we all know what a crapshoot that can be when one is drafting for need. While we can still expect them to be very competitive and annoying to deal with, I'm encouraged by the above chart and am really enjoying this trend.
3. WATSON TO START THROWING SOON
Deshaun Watson may begin throwing as soon as Tuesday - (NBC Sports)
Reports emerged yesterday that Deshaun Watson will potentially start throwing as soon as this week, but I'm not sure exactly how to take that. There's "throwing", you know, and there's throwing. I'm sure, as the current staffing in the Browns quarterback room suggests that the Browns will take it very carefully with Watson so as not to overstrain that recovering shoulder.
2. SOME SMALL SIGNINGS
Notes: James Proche II re-signs on one-year deal - (Chronicle-Telegram)
James Proche II returns to Cleveland Browns on 1-year deal - (Akron Beacon Journal)
Browns sign CB Tony Brown - (Cleveland Browns)
Former Alabama defensive back joins Cleveland Browns - (al.com)
The Browns re-signed wide receiver / returner James Proche II to a one-year deal, creating some competition for the returner role alongside running back Nyheim Hines. Competition is good, other than in the Cleveland Browns sports reporting niche that I occupy, where it's annoying. We need an OBR monopoly there. Be that as it may, I believe in competition, and Proche did well in his ten-game stint with the Browns last season.
The team also officially announced the signings of Quinton Jefferson and cornerback (read: special teamer(Tony Brown). Brown previously played for Browns Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone with the Colts.
1. ONE REALLY BIG (TOO BIG?) SIGNING
Here's some stories about Jerry Jeudy's new contract with the Cleveland Browns:
Browns sign WR Jeudy to 3-year, $58M extension - (ESPN)
Jerry Jeudy quickly gets 3-year extension to remain in Cleveland -(Chronicle-Telegram)
Here's what we ran about it:
#Browns Sign Newest WR to three-year extension. Why it's important to wait for the details.https://t.co/qT7YdCipRf
— Orange and Brown Rpt (@TheOBR) March 19, 2024
Here are a bunch of people who didn't wait for details:
NFL World Stunned by Jerry Jeudy’s New $58,000,000 Browns Contract — ‘Holy Overpay’ - (Pro Football Network)
Jack was otherwise engaged last night. We'll cut through the agent spin today and tell you over the course of the next 12 hours whether it was a dramatic overpay or not. As usual, what looks generous now might not look that way after the next batch of signings.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Yesterday's Lift was tied to an article in Crain's Cleveland Business about Bernie Kosar's rejuvenation from a 320-pound physical mess to the trim and healthy 220-pound 60-year-old he is today. It's inspiring. Today, we've got a free article in the Canton Rep that you can dive into about Kosar's comeback, and how he's managed it.
Proud of you, Bernie. That's today's Lift.
Still a Browns QB favorite, Bernie Kosar speaks at Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club - (The Repository)
YOUR MORNING NEWSWIRE SOUNDTRACK
Jake and Andrew are here for an important episode as the Browns agreed to terms with Jerry Jeudy on a new three-year extension that will pay the wide receiver $41 million guaranteed at signing with a chance to reach $58 million over the course of the entire deal. The two break down the details of the contract as they know them before anything official is released on the specific terms, if this was the right time to invest in Jeudy, the alternative paths they could have selected, and what Jeudy needs to do to reward the Browns for their faith in his ability to thrive in Cleveland.
OBR VIDEO
LAST NIGHT'S OBR REACT
TONIGHT AT 7PM: OBR Weekly with Barry and Fred
OBR ARTICLES FROM YESTERDAY
What Will The Cleveland Browns Do In The 2024 NFL Draft? (Jack)
Cleveland Browns News 3/19: Mo Hurst Has Secrets, Gregg Speaks, and the Most Boring Free Agency Ever - (Barry)
Browns Keep Defensive Line Loaded as AFC North Opponents Search for Offensive Line Answers - (Pete)
Reports: Browns Re-Signing WR/PR James Proche - (Pete)
Browns Signing WR Jerry Jeudy to Three-Year Extension - (Pete)
- (Jack)
FROM THE FORUMS
NEW! OBR VIP Discord Coming Soon!
Meanwhile, here are some new threads in the OBR’s discussion forums:
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
QBs
DTR Trade Market
Jeudy contract vs Cooper
Options with Player Drafted in 1st Rd
Offensive scheme and Watson making plays with his legs.
INSIDER CENTRAL (VIP)
Predicted Jeudy Contract Structure
This is….interesting….
Some Thoughts on The Huntley Signing (opinion)
THE WATERCOOLER
LiveWire Thread for 3/19 - Twitter, Articles, Videos-OPEN THREAD
Browns in Brazil Week 1?
Burning Browns Question of the Day
The Newsome Move I would make
Browns Keep Defensive Line Loaded as AFC North Opponents Search for Offensive Line Answers
Reports: Browns Re-Signing WR/PR James Proche
Browns extend Jeudy
Browns Sign Jerry Jeudy to Contract Extension
Browns Signing WR Jerry Jeudy to Three-Year Extension
O.T. how to handle a potential over charge by a lawyer
OT: Have your childhood punishments become your adult goals?
Does Huntley signing mean Watson will miss games?
WRAPPING UP
When not avoiding real work by screwing around with software, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
CONTACT Barry to sponsor the OBR. We have plans for nearly any budget!
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