Odell Beckham Jr. didn't seem to have problems establishing chemistry mid-season with Rams QB Matthew Stafford.
#HeyTony: Did Odell Beckham Jr. run wrong routes purposely to get his release from the Browns?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Isn’t it possible that OBJ realized this was his last chance to get a big contract and he was actually coachable? No one mentions how he was often not where the quarterback expected him with the Browns for both Baker and [Case] Keenum.
-- Steve, Lewis Center, OH
Hey Steve: I never bought the narrative that Beckham was running wrong routes, either on purpose or by mistake. Just go back and watch the Minnesota and Chargers games. He was open a lot and the quarterback couldn’t get him the ball. Yes, there was one huge drop in the Chargers’ game. I’m not saying that Beckham was totally blameless for the repeated misconnections between the receiver and quarterback. I maintained from the beginning that the onus fell on the quarterback. Matthew Stafford didn’t have a lot of trouble establishing a chemistry with Beckham in the middle of the Rams’ season. And they had no history together.
Hey Tony: Do you think that the Browns organization is capable of making the right decision for the team (hard or easy) to allow them to ascend into championship capability (allowing AVP to call plays/trade for a quarterback/retain key free agents)?
-- Marlo, Cleveland, OH
Hey Marlo: In a word, yes. However, this third offseason under GM Andrew Berry’s stewardship will be the most challenging yet. The nature of his office is the job gets tougher each succeeding season.
Hey Tony: How awkward is it going to be for all, as Baker Mayfield joins Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston in playing out the fifth-year option? Seems like a dead man walking, doesn't it?
-- Jason, Kettering, OH
Hey Jason: Awkward? Uncomfortable? Non-ideal? All of the above. Your examples – the only ones similar to Mayfield under the current collective bargaining agreement – speak for themselves. Mariota was replaced after seven games by Ryan Tannehill. and Winston threw 30 interceptions in his “lame-duck” season. A lot will depend on whom the Browns bring in to back up or challenge Mayfield. I don’t expect it to be Case Keenum for a third season at his scheduled salary of $6.1 million. Maybe he agrees to a significant paycut. Ultimately, to pretend everything will work itself out for the best is a leap of faith.
Hey Tony: Trade down and get WR and edge [rusher]? What would analytics say?
-- SL, Dallas, TX
Hey SL: I can see your scenario. There are probably three wide receivers worthy of the Browns’ first overall pick. If they believe they can get one further down the round, then, yes, it would make some sense to acquire an additional pick to move down a few notches. But is the risk worth it for, what, a third-down pick? They’re not going to get an additional first-round pick moving down 3-5 spots. They better be sure they can wind up with Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks or Jameson Williams, in my opinion. Me, I’d just use the 13th pick on one of the three.
Hey Tony: Besides QB, what free agents do you think is the most important to go after, unrestricted or restricted?
-- Michael, Akron, OH
Hey Michael: I’ll wait for the available players to be made official before listing specific names. Until then, I would expect the Browns to shop for defensive linemen (ends and tackles), an offensive lineman capable of swinging from tackle to guard or guard to center, and a mid-level possession receiver (not a blue-chip No. 1).
Hey Tony: Defensive tackle doesn't get a lot of mention, but most playoff teams had great pressure from the middle of the line. The Browns had almost none. How do you see the Browns improving the D-line for next season?
-- Stan, West Des Moines, IA
Hey Stan: Last year, diamond-in-the-rough tackle Malik McDowell exceeded expectations and veteran free agent Malik Jackson produced less than hoped for. Neither likely will be back. That leaves only Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai under contract at the position. So the Browns have a lot of work to do there. Elliott should ascend to a starting role in his third season. I would expect the Browns to add two tackles – a free agent and a relatively high draft pick.
Hey Tony: Will our five starters on O-Line be back, and Nick Harris, Chris Hubbard, and James Hudson? Do you foresee drafting any reinforcements?
-- Dave, Fairlawn, OH
Hey Dave: I’m not positive that center JC Tretter returns, and I sure don’t expect Hubbard back. Harris would move into the starting role if Tretter becomes a salary casualty. That would mean a veteran interior swingman (guard-center) needs to be added and perhaps a tackle-guard swingman. Continuing the development of Michael Dunn and Blake Hance should be in the cards, too.
Hey Tony: Which one player in the NFL would you pick up to make a Super Bowl run?
-- Matt, Charlotte, NC
Hey Matt: I’m going to limit my answer to “somewhat realistic” acquisition. For instance, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Donald, Micah Parsons, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Tucker ain’t happen’, right? That said, I guess my answer would be Aaron Rodgers.
Hey Tony: If Aaron Rodgers signs a contract extension with the Packers, should the Browns look into a trade for Jordan Love?
-- Larry, Jacksonville, FL
Hey Larry: No.
Hey Tony: We speak about Baker detractors often, but do you have insight into supporters in the building? How do the coaches feel?
-- Eric, Yellow Springs, OH
Hey Eric: My answer may be construed as speculation, but it is based on my best available information: I am confident in saying that Mayfield’s support in the building has never been weaker. Everyone knows they have to get a lot better at quarterback. The question consuming that building right now is: How?
Hey Tony: Would Mitchell Trubisky be an upgrade over Baker Mayfield.
-- Tony, Huron, OH
Hey Tony: We may find out soon.
Hey Tony: Who do you see the Browns releasing in salary cap moves?
-- Bill, Alexandria, KY
Hey Bill: I usually shy from this question. But what the hay: Jarvis Landry, JC Tretter, Case Keenum. Austin Hooper can go either way.
Hey Tony: Straight-up swap of Baker for Kyler Murray?
-- Phil Denver, CO
Hey Phil: I don’t think the Cardinals would go along with that. Also, I wouldn’t replace a six-foot QB with and under six-foot QB. Sorry. That’s just me.
Hey Tony: If we sign D’Ernest Johnson, what would the market be for Kareem Hunt? Trading a surplus for a need seems like an analytics idea.
-- Jay, Lagrange, OH
Hey Jay: Hunt is entering the last year of his contract. As good as player as he is, I wouldn’t think there is much of a market for him at this time of year. Perhaps John Dorsey would convince the Lions to look into it acquiring Hunt. Otherwise, Hunt’s marketability probably would be higher in preseason (depending on injuries) and closer to the trade deadline in November. But I don’t think the Browns want to trade Hunt.
