The Browns have done everything to signal no return by Baker Mayfield except re-assign his jersey number. I don't think there is sentiment in the inner sanctum to bring Mayfield back as an emergency QB.
#HeyTony: Can Baker Mayfield see the field for the Browns in 2022?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Do you think the Browns quickly locked up 2nd and 3rd string QBs (Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs) and even brought in QB Felix Harper to make sure there was no doubt that Baker Mayfield would not be considered for any backup role, even if Deshaun Watson was suspended?
-- AJ, Avon, OH
Hey AJ: In a word, absolutely. Clearly … inarguably … Mayfield is a better option than Brissett, et al. to start games in case Watson is suspended. But clearly … inarguably … the Browns have no intention of playing Mayfield. Otherwise, they would not have stocked up with Brissett and Dobbs. Even the Harper signing after his rookie tryout points to this intention. Most teams carry four quarterbacks in camp. The Harper signing means the Browns don’t even want Mayfield hanging around as their No. 4. I believe the Browns will make the necessary step to move Mayfield before training camp. That step is eating a substantial portion of his $18.858 million guaranteed contract.
Hey Tony: Whose statue is missing down at the stadium?
-- Chad, Erie, PA
Hey Chad: Paul Brown. It should have been the first statue. No offense to Jim Brown, but the Browns were an NFL dynasty long before Jim Brown arrived in 1957. The Paul Brown statue and accompanying inscription would answer the question for generations of Browns fans to come: “Daddy, why do they call them the Browns?” This statue is so overdue it’s a sin.
Hey Tony: Although the OL seemed to be the team's main strength 2 seasons ago, a lot has changed. Nick Harris is unproven, [Jack] Conklin is coming off a major injury, [Joel] Bitonio will be 31, and [Jedrick] Wills has been underwhelming. Any reason for concern or just Browns PTSD on my part?
-- Ryan, Ashtabula, OH
Hey Ryan: Relax. Harris, in short time, will be an improvement over JC Tretter, who was a true warrior, to be sure, but was wrecked in a few games last year. Harris must prove he can play through injuries and stay on the field, however. Conklin’s injuries in two years in Cleveland are a concern. Bitonio is just reaching his peak. Wills must improve. The secret sauce to the Browns’ top three offensive line lies with their coaches – Bill Callahan and Scott Peters.
Hey Tony: After a heavy dose of 13 personnel in ‘21 do you see the Browns going away from that to more 11, or even 21, sets?
-- Ben, Greensburg, IN
Hey Ben: Yes. Yes. But everything is dependent on health and availability. 11 personnel is one back, one tight end and three receivers. No doubt Stefanski wants to get rookie David Bell on the field early in his career, and that’s why Bell will train initially as the slot receiver inside of Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. 21 is two backs, one tight end and two receivers. This is my dream formation with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt on the field together. In this format, Hunt could motion into the slot or to the outside as a pass target, or he could run routes out of the backfield. So could Chubb, conceivably. Stefanski is not as keen on this usage of Hunt because he does not want to overwork the two backs. I wish he would view some old film of the 1980s Browns with Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. If injuries hit the receivers, 21 is my preference over 13 – one back, three tights, one receiver – because the Browns don’t have three decent tight ends.
Hey Tony: What are the chances the Browns will sign both, [Jadeveon] Clowney and [Ndamukong] Suh?
-- Jason, Westerville, OH
Hey Jason: It’s intriguing but unlikely both would be signed. Clowney is a necessity. Suh would be a luxury. My gut feeling is the Browns believe they are OK to fine with the defensive tackle depth after the drafting of Perrion Winfrey. Without Clowney, though, left end is a problem.
Hey Tony: What are the chances Kareem Hunt becomes a Bengal or Bill?
-- Joe, Streetsboro, OH
Hey Joe: About the same as Mayfield playing a game for the Browns this year.
Hey Tony: I’ve read you think D’Ernest Johnson could be odd man out. I can’t see Demetric Felton over Johnson. As the season wore on he had little impact Do you think Felton stays over Johnson?
-- Sam, Lorain, OH
Hey Sam: I think the roster spots of both Johnson and Felton are in jeopardy as a result of the drafting of Jerome Ford. Let’s see who’s healthy in September before writing anything in ink.
Hey Tony: Best wide receiver in your coverage career?
-- Jack, Maplewood, NJ
Hey Jack: For one year, Josh Gordon. His 2013 season was crazy. For his Browns career, that’s a tough call among Webster Slaughter, Kevin Johnson, and Jarvis Landry. Truth is, the Browns have not had a star receiver who excelled for more than three seasons since Hall of Famer Paul Warfield in the 1960s.
Hey Tony: What have been the typical collective reaction in the press box to big plays (or gaffes) over the years? Any boisterous responses or is it business as usual reporting the game action?
-- Matt, Columbus, OH
Hey Matt: There is a decorum to follow in the press box. We are professionals and should not react to things like fans in the stands and in front of their TVs. But we are only human, too. Sometimes I can’t help myself. I’ll react with “oohs” and “ahs” to really good and really bad plays. I also use snark to keep my sanity. Try covering 1-15 and 0-16 seasons in back-to-back years and not reacting to the dumpster fire playing out in front of you. You just can’t be loud. Also, I pride myself in not over-reacting to a play that wins or loses a game at the end. I thought I was able to keep fairly composed after Tim Couch’s Hail Mary win in New Orleans (the expansion franchise’s first win in 1999) and in Jacksonville (a win that kept the Browns in playoff contention in 2002.)
