Does the promise of Deshaun Watson returning to form outweigh the loss of anticipation of a first-round draft pick?
#HeyTony: Do you feel cheated without the anticipation of a first-round draft pick?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Hey Tony: The draft was always our Super Bowl. Do you feel a bit cheated this year.
-- Philip, Leland, NC
Hey Philip: I don’t know. I’m so tired of anticipating some savior in the draft to come in and make a difference. At least now there is no expectation of that, for at least the next two drafts. But the dividends of the mega-deal for Deshaun Watson have to start showing up this year.
Hey Tony: This season, by what week do you start panicking if Deshaun Watson isn’t playing well?
-- Mike, Parma, OH
Hey Mike: I’m in “no excuses” mode. So if we don’t see something in the first four games to get real excited about, I would expect a breakout of hives and shingles.
Hey Tony: If we didn't trade for Deshaun Watson, what does this team look like now? Would we trade for Tyreek Hill? Would our record last year improve? Would Jacoby Brissett beat out Baker Mayfield? Would we have tanked for C.J. Stroud?
-- Jay, LaGrange, OH
Hey Jay: The “what if?” starts with the Browns using the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Oh, scratch that. They’d probably have traded down. I assume Brissett would have replaced Mayfield, who wanted out and the feeling was mutual, regardless of what was said publicly. So with Brissett starting 17 games, the Browns might have gone – I don’t know -- 7-10? Same as last year. But they would have their No. 1 picks in this year’s and next year’s drafts. And their cap situation would have been much more manageable. Bottom line is they’d be middle-of-the-pack, as they are now, but would still be searching for their quarterback savior. To some, having Watson in hand is a lot more comforting.
Hey Tony: How much money can we expect from naming rights for the stadium? Will it be enough to help the Haslam Group push for a new stadium or will I be stuck driving to Bad Mojo Field for another 25 years?
-- Steve, Titusville, PA
Hey Steve: The Browns received an average of $6.29 million a year in the naming rights deal with FirstEnergy Corp. I’d expect the next one to approach $10 million a year. Owners can use their stadium revenue however they want. I’m not sure how it would affect the future lakefront development project.
Hey Tony: Is ticket price increase directly related to the stadium naming rights ending?
-- Aaron, Toledo, OH
Hey Aaron: I would think they are totally unrelated. In fairness, Browns fans have been spoiled since 1999 by the league’s lowest-tiered tickets prices. Of course, the product on the field has been lowest-tiered, also.
Hey Tony: Which of the Browns projected starters would not be starters on other AFC Central teams?
-- PJ, Miami, FL
Hey PJ: You meant AFC North, old-timer. In general, I would say 2/4 of the defensive line, all the linebackers, one of the safeties, one wide receiver and possibly the tight end.
Hey Tony: If Jerome Ford were to have a breakout year is there a chance we would not see Nick Chubb back?
-- Cade, Cleveland, OH
Hey Cade: I hate this question because I don’t want to ponder life without Chubb. The reality is Chubb’s cap number increases to $16.2 million in 2024, the last year of his current contract. The only active contracts among running backs projected with higher 2024 cap numbers belong to Alvin Kamara ($18.877 million) and Aaron Jones ($17.717 million). Now, a new short-term deal for Chubb would reduce his cap liability in 2024. And Ford only would be entering his third season in 2024. Right now, the Browns do consider Ford an heir to Chubb as feature back. But that baton doesn’t necessarily have to be passed in 2024.
Hey Tony: Greg Newsome, is he worth the social media drama? Is it time to move on from him?
-- Rocky, North Olmsted, OH
Hey Rocky: If you think Newsome has been embroiled in “social media drama” I would suggest quit following him. Entering the third year of his rookie contract, Newsome still is a bargain for the Browns. That said, Year 3 is a biggie for any first-round draft pick. After Year 3, the team must make a decision on picking up the fifth-year option. As it relates to Newsome, a good year makes the decision a no-brainer. Another so-so year makes it a tougher call.
Hey Tony: Do the Browns have scouts at XFL and USFL games looking for that diamond in the rough?
-- Larry, Hubbard, OH
Hey Larry: Any NFL pro personnel department worth a darn should have complete data bases and scouting reports on every player in the XFL and USFL.
