Sheldon Richardson won the Good Guy Award from Cleveland media in 2019, but their hankering for his return hasn't been effective since he was released by the Browns. (Associated Press)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Is it just me or are there finally mixed signals coming out of Berea re: Sheldon Richardson possibly re-signing. AB says they love the guy and would welcome him back with open arms. An hour later they sign a veteran DT that is NOT Richardson.
-- Rob, Brooklyn Hts., OH
Hey Rob: Actions always speak louder than words. Since they released Sheldon Richardson, the Browns have added four defensive tackles. They drafted Tommy Togiai in the fourth round; reportedly won a bidding war for undrafted free agent Marvin Wilson by giving him $192,000 in guaranteed bonus and salary; signed Malik McDowell, a 2017 Seattle draft pick who has never played in the NFL because of numerous law infractions and an 11-month prison sentence; and signed nine-year veteran Damion Square, who is 32. The Browns now have eight defensive tackles on the roster and none is named Sheldon Richardson. The next time somebody asks, “Would you like to bring back Sheldon Richardson?” my head will explode.
Hey Tony: Considering how often the o-line had to be pieced together last season, wouldn’t it have been a better idea to build some serious depth there?
-- John, Brook Park, OH
Hey John: Actually, they have built depth on the O-line. The following players will compete for maybe four backup positions: Chris Hubbard, James Hudson, Greg Senat, Nick Harris, Anthony Fabiano, Blake Hance, Michael Dunn, Alex Taylor, Javon Patterson, Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett and Corbel Iwuagwu.
Hey Tony: Lots of pressure on Joe Woods. But with 11-13 new players, it'll take some time to gel. How many games into the season you think?
-- Tom, Santa Monica, CA
Hey Tom: Naturally, the defense should improve the more reps everyone gets. Depending on health, it should be better in the second half of the season – when it matters more. But I would also expect Woods to have all his players up to speed if the pandemic allows for a normal preseason.
Hey Tony: How worried do we need to be about the Ratbirds this year? With a 17-game season, it definitely feels like the path to the playoffs, and hopefully Super Bowl, is through the AFC North.
-- Brad, Tucson, AZ
Hey Brad: Here’s my way-too-early May AFC power rankings: 1. Kansas City, 2. Baltimore, 3. Cleveland, 4. Buffalo, 5. Tennessee, 6. Indianapolis, 7. Pittsburgh, 8. L.A. Chargers. I would amend your final comment to say: The path to the AFC North title runs through Baltimore.
Hey Tony: Finish this: I haven’t felt this good after a Browns draft since …
-- Mel, Fort Myers, FL
Hey Mel: 2007 (Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn).
Hey Tony: Contract extension for Nick Chubb this offseason?
-- Eric, Hayward, CA
Hey Eric: I’m all for it. I would expect Baker Mayfield to be first in line, with Chubb on deck, followed by Denzel Ward and Wyatt Teller fourth. I suspect a couple may have to wait until 2022.
Hey Tony: Since the Browns and Cleveland did such a fine job with the draft in these still abnormal times, do you think Cleveland will get another opportunity sooner rather than later?
-- Tim, Bowling Green, KY
Hey Tim: The city certainly deserves a full-scale draft party. However, here’s what I see happening: When the pandemic lifts, more cities will bid to host future drafts. The NFL has successfully created another major event that will attract competing bids and raise the ante to host future drafts – much like how cities give up their souls to host Super Bowls for the expected economic impact. I don’t see the NFL giving Cleveland preferential treatment, but it will welcome the city’s next bid, I’m sure.
Hey Tony: A lot of talk about players skipping OTAs and rookie minicamp. Think the players are trying to take advantage of what happened last year? Will it affect the rookie class development?
-- Howie, Wadsworth, OH
Hey Howie: I don’t disagree with you. JC Tretter is leading the union’s charge to eliminate all offseason field work based on the one-year sample size of reduced injuries. Tretter makes the point that the pandemic is still in effect, but the fact is veteran players have been hating on offseason programs for decades. Tretter and DeMaurice Smith see it as the opportune time to wipe out offseason programs entirely. I expect some sort of compromise before teams schedule mandatory minicamps in June.
Hey Tony: How will opposing defenses play differently against Baker this upcoming season? Seems to me they TRY to slow the run in order to keep Baker in the pocket where he’s struggled at times.
-- Bruce, Mentor, OH
Hey Bruce: Yes, I think defenses prefer to keep Mayfield in the pocket, where they can disrupt his vision of the field and force him to throw outside the numbers. The running game helps Kevin Stefanski to get Mayfield outside the pocket with play-action rollouts and bootlegs. One of the changes the Browns made after the bye was putting Mayfield more in the shotgun, where he appears more comfortable. But the running game does suffer in that formation, so the balance of shotgun v. under center must be closely monitored for the Browns to run all aspects of their offense.
Hey Tony: Do you see any cuts coming based on the draft or recent free agent signings?
-- Paul, Toledo, OH
Hey Paul: The roster is at the 90-player limit right now. I must admit the influx of defensive tackle signings has me wondering if something is amiss at the front of the depth chart. Otherwise, I wouldn’t expect anything until the training camp competitions unfold.