GM Andrew Berry's second transaction season was productive, so he's off the hook for the disappointing 8-9 setback in 2021. (USA Today)
#HeyTony: How much blame should Andrew Berry receive for the 8-9 Browns season?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Andrew Berry seems to be exempt from criticism this year. Does he get a pass again next year if the Browns miss the playoffs?
-- Paul, North Olmsted, OH
Hey Paul: I thought Berry had a much better year than the head coach. Berry rebuilt the defense in one offseason, and had a productive top end of the draft (Greg Newsome, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah). He signed Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller to contract extensions and proved wise in not rushing to an extension for Baker Mayfield. I thought Berry could have done better to head off the Odell Beckham Jr. divorce, but generally was not responsible for the fall-off to 8-9. Berry’s job is tougher in his third year, with his biggest decision being how to improve the quarterback position.
Hey Tony: Even if Baker comes back healthy and is lighting it up early, hasn’t he clearly demonstrated that getting hurt destroys his mechanics? I’m concerned that will be a major issue throughout his career and may close the Browns’ window to contend.
-- Mark, Sevierville, TN
Hey Mark: Until this season, Mayfield had not missed a game because of injury. We’ll see if 2021 was an anomaly or the beginning of recurrent health problems. I think Mayfield’s mechanics have been inconsistent when healthy as well as when playing with injuries.
Hey Tony: Is it unrealistic to think Anthony Schwartz and DPJ could be starting wideouts next year? And will Jack Conklin be healthy for training camp?
-- Dave, Fairlawn, OH
Hey Dave: Donovan Peoples-Jones, yes. Schwartz, no. I think the Browns expect Conklin to be healthy for training camp.
Hey Tony: Honest opinion Tony, if we started Case Keenum for the rest of the season after Baker got hurt, how many more games (if any) would we have won and would we have made the playoffs?
-- A.J., Avon, OH
Hey A.J.: The Browns were two wins from playing for the division title in Game 17 against the Bengals. Keenum beat the Broncos and the Bengals’ subs in the last game. I would have liked their chances with him against Pittsburgh and Baltimore (first meeting). So, I guess I’m saying, yes, they could have made the playoffs with Keenum playing those games.
Hey Tony: Is Baker Mayfield the Browns’ starting QB in the first game of the 2023 season?
-- Don, Columbus OH
Hey Don: I couldn’t even answer definitively if he’s the starting QB in the first game in 2022.
Hey Tony: Could the Browns really have made a Super Bowl with [Bill] Belichick in the 90’s? Old QB, aging defense?
-- Jack, Maplewood, NJ
Hey Jack: So, this question first assumes the Browns would never have moved after the 1995 season. Before the move even became known, Belichick was losing faith in Vinny Testaverde and had turned to Eric Zeier as his quarterback. That wasn’t going anywhere. Plus, his defense was aging and in need of replenishing. So there was much roster rebuilding needing to be done. I think the key to the Browns making a Super Bowl run would have been in Belichick replacing Mike Lombardi, his top personnel executive, with Ozzie Newsome. Now that would have been a Dream Team – Belichick as coach and Newsome as GM – that I believe would have built Super Bowl teams.
Hey Tony: Are there any other front office staff we can trade for draft picks?
-- Bernie, San Diego, OH
Hey Bernie: The compensatory third-round picks are awarded only if a minority leaves a team for a prominent role with another organization. The rule was made to encourage teams to promote the development of minorities in positions of responsibility. That said, Glenn Cook was another high-ranking minority with the Browns who received interviews for general manager positions with the Vikings and Bears. Cook didn’t get either job and remains Browns vice president of player personnel.
Hey Tony: Should we look at drafting a RT? Jack Conklin had a pretty bad knee injury last year.
-- Brad, Richmond, VA
Hey Brad: James Hudson was drafted in the fourth round last year as a potential starting tackle in 2-3 years. He had a rocky rookie year in spot duty, but I’d have faith in line coach Bill Callahan developing him to compete as a dependable starter in a couple years. I would expect the Browns to draft a tackle most every year as a developmental prospect, but I wouldn’t expect using a pick higher than the fourth round anytime soon.
Hey Tony: Should we bring Josh Gordon back to solve our WR problem?
-- Josh, Galena, OH
Hey Josh: Gordon was active for 12 games for the Chiefs and had 5 receptions for 32 yards and 1 touchdown in 14 targets. He’s 30 years old and not the same talent he was in 2013 when he led the NFL with 1,646 yards on 87 receptions for the Browns. I’d say his ship left the Cleveland port long ago.
Hey Tony: What are the percentage chances for each, of getting [Aaron] Rodgers, [Russell] Wilson, or [Kirk] Cousins as our new QB in the offseason?
-- DJ, Charlotte, NC
Hey DJ: Forget about Rodgers and Wilson. Cousins could be in the conversation if the Browns seek to make a change, but will be in demand with other teams.
Hey Tony: You mentioned that you didn’t feel that D’Ernest Johnson was as good a receiving back as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. If that’s so, why do you think Stefanski opted to use him on 3rd down and end of game situations rather than a healthy Nick Chubb?
-- Adam, Valley City, OH
Hey Adam: Honestly, I have no idea. Just another of the great mysteries of the 2021 season.
Hey Tony: What's the contract situation with Case Keenum? We bringing him back next year or finding a cheap replacement in the draft?
-- Joe, Seattle, WA
Hey Joe: In the last year of his Browns’ contract, Keenum is due a $5.5 million salary and would carry a salary cap figure of $7.83 million. If the Browns seek a cheaper replacement, I would first consider re-signing Nick Mullens, who will be a free agent. I don’t think the Browns would draft a quarterback to serve as the primary backup quarterback.
