Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has entrusted his organization's long-range image to MLP analytics guru Paul DePodesta. How's it going so far?
#HeyTony: What has been Jimmy Haslam’s biggest mistake as owner of the Browns?
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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: What has been Jimmy Haslam’s biggest mistake as an owner?
-- Cory, Columbus, OH
Hey Cory: Geez, the list is long, starting with the hiring of Mike Lombardi as GM in 2013. I wrote three columns trying to block it. Turned out, it was a done deal before my first column. As for Haslam’s biggest mistake, I would suggest entrusting Paul DePodesta to such a powerful role in the organization. I mean, this is a man with no background in the NFL and he has been the person who has set the strategy of the football franchise. Under DePodesta’s reign, the Browns have sought to reinvent the way teams are built. The results have been a cumulative record of 40-73-1 in seven seasons. Is that good?
Hey Tony: Who is more important to the 2023 season, Andrew Berry or Jim Schwartz?
-- Rich, Atlanta, GA
Hey Rich: I think Schwartz will be the most impactful new addition of the season, players or otherwise. However, Berry’s position as the major personnel decision-maker keeps him as the VIP of the 2023 season.
Hey Tony: In your opinion what was the best play/drive in the SB?
-- Pam, Parma, OH
Hey Pam: I thought it was imperative that Kansas City score on its first drive of the second half. The Chiefs did that to close the score to 24-21, and it set the tone for the entire second half.
Hey Tony: If Jacoby Brissett isn't coming back, who's the backup QB next year? Could it be Drew Lock? Why not Josh Dobbs again?
-- Tim, Indianapolis, OH
Hey Tim: Kellen Mond is the only other QB under contract at this time. The Browns would love for him to prove he’s capable of holding down the backup QB job. That’s a stretch. I would expect the Browns to add a veteran QB in training camp – Dobbs would be my first choice – and possibly add a rookie in the draft or one undrafted. Watson’s exorbitant contract prohibits a backup quarterback with a salary over $2 million or so. The main task of the backup QB should be the ability to enter a game if Deshaun Watson is injured and preserve, or produce, a win. If Watson is lost for two or more games, the season will be over for the Browns.
Hey Tony: Which is more likely, a significant draft day pick package trade to move up or significant pre-draft player trade?
-- Eric, Mount Sterling, KY
Hey Eric: I don’t think either is likely. I think the Browns sit tight and use their first pick, No. 42 overall in the second round, on a wide receiver. That is dependent on the Browns addressing their obvious needs at defensive tackle, end and linebacker in free agency.
Hey Tony: Has Myles Garrett ever made a game winning tackle or sack? I can't remember even one clutch play to finish off a team.
-- Steve, Willoughby, OH
Hey Steve: You’re being overly harsh. Google the game against Tampa Bay in 2022.
Hey Tony: Could Andrew Berry mortgage the Browns future salary cap to try to save his job? The team will still be paying against the salary cap for Jadeveon Clowney thru 2026. If more contracts are built this way, we could be in big trouble if Berry doesn’t work out and is gone.
-- Josh, Galena, OH
Hey Josh: Of all the reasons to criticize current Browns management, their decisions regarding the salary cap rank about 125. In other words, managing the cap just might be the best thing Berry and DePodesta do.
Hey Tony: Any analytics on general managers and draft picks? Do GM's improve or do three years tell the future? Berry's draft picks mediocre after three years. Any evidence he can get better?
-- Tom, Santa Monica, CA
Hey Tom: In three years, Berry hasn’t drafted a player who realistically will be a Pro Bowl-caliber player during his rookie contract. Many hits, many misses. No game-changing drafts, that’s for sure.
Hey Tony: What’s more likely, the Browns trading Denzel Ward for a 2nd or Greg Newsome for a 3/4. Doesn’t make sense to keep both if they believe MJ Emerson is a lock.
-- Roman, Charlotte, NC
Hey Roman: I think the Browns see Ward, Newsome and Emerson as a pretty good top three cornerbacks. I don’t see any transaction involving these three players.
Hey Tony: If you could build a team of all the best Browns players since 1999, would they be able to win a Super Bowl?
-- Nick, Akron, OH
Hey Nick: No. There isn’t a quarterback on the Browns since 1999 who could compete in a Super Bowl.
Hey Tony: What surprise cuts or restructures do you expect the Browns to make early this offseason?
-- Tim, Mayfield Heights, OH
Hey Tim: Honestly, I don’t foresee any surprises.
Hey Tony: While it probably isn’t fair to say Kevin Stefanski is on the hot seat, that seat has to be at least lukewarm, right? Too many “that’s on me” in the post game press conferences. What happens if we go 7-10 this year?
-- Andy, New Albany, OH
Hey Andy: If the Browns go 7-10 in 2023, there will be a major organization blowup. Stefanski, and perhaps Berry, will take the fall. The big question is whether Jimmy Haslsam will retain DePodesta as his main man to pick up the pieces or if he’ll seek a major football executive to bail him out.
Hey Tony: Are the Browns prepared for the backlash if they do not win double digit games next year & miss the playoffs? The schedule (on paper) is the easiest that I have seen in 30 years.
-- Rich, Cleveland, OH
Hey Rich: I think they know what's at stake in 2023.
