Four years on the job, Andrew Berry still is the NFL's youngest GM. (USA Today)
#HeyTony: What’s the confidence level in Browns GM Andrew Berry?
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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: Until about a year ago Browns fans thought we had one of the top GMs who would ensure a steady stream of great players to the team. Now many fans fear Andrew Berry is a liability. Which is it, and how confident are you that Berry will become a top-tier GM?
-- Terry, Portland, OR
Hey Terry: The Browns’ surprise postseason appearance in Berry’s first season in 2020 obscured the fact he was the youngest GM in the NFL at the time. Still is. Berry truly is learning on the job. At the same time, his job is getting tougher as big contracts to Myles Garrett, Deshaun Watson, Denzel Ward, Amari Cooper and Joel Bitonio eat up the salary cap and reduce the Browns’ margin for error. Berry’s three drafts have been unspectacular. He needs to do better in the second and third rounds for the Browns to make up ground on the Bengals and Ravens.
Hey Tony: How secure is Kevin Stefanski’s position for the upcoming season? Any chance of the Browns firing him if they get off to a poor start, say 2-5 or so?
-- Josh, Cleveland, OH
Hey Josh: After seasons of 8-9 and 7-10, Stefanski will enter the 2023 season on every “coaches on the hot seat” list. Stefanski did a good job of addressing issues on defense and special teams with the hirings of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. I can’t imagine a start of 2-5. That would not be good, obviously.
Hey Tony: We all know the obvious -- DL and WR. What are the chances of DB or other curveball in R2?
-- Ryan, Phoenix, AZ
Hey Ryan: If the Browns take a DB in Round 2 I will go scorched Earth and rip everybody. They have devoted enough resources to the secondary. It’s time to focus on the defensive line. I think the hiring of Schwartz was the first salvo of doing that. That said, I maintain that the defensive line will be fortified in free agency and wide receiver should be addressed in Round 2.
Hey Tony: How much will the Haslams raise ticket prices to watch the failed Deshaun Watson experiment this year?
-- Eric, Ohio City, OH
Hey Eric: We’ll find out soon. I don’t need to defend the Haslams, but the fact is Browns ticket prices are among the lowest third in the NFL. The product has not been good, I know.
Hey Tony: Do you think the team is willing to hand Nick Harris the starting center job in 2023 like they did last year?
-- Josh, Galena, OH
Hey Josh: If they don’t re-sign Ethan Pocic, that’s exactly what they’re doing. Now, maybe Michael Dunn or Hjalte Froholdt – if re-signed – compete with Harris and beat him out. But my gut says Harris will go into training camp as C1.
Hey Tony: Who from Browns management, including coaches, will be in attendance at the Combine?
-- Jeff, Hilton Head Island, SC
Hey Jeff: Berry and his staff will be there. Stefanski and assorted coaches will be there. The Rams started a trend of keeping their coaches at home in recent years. I don’t see the point of not attending.
Hey Tony: Is Anthony Walker in the team’s plans for 2023?
-- Drew, Huber Heights, OH
Hey Drew: At the right price, I would think so.
Hey Tony: Should the Brown still look to add a return specialist in free agency or the draft now that Jakeem Grant restructured his deal. I have questions if he’ll be the same after the injury last training camp.
-- Andy, Richmond, VA
Hey Andy: Grant’s contract restructuring saved the Browns a reported $1.765 million in salary cap space and assured Grant will be given every opportunity to reclaim the spot for which he was signed as a free agent in 2022. And why shouldn’t he be given the chance? He worked hard in rehab and is only 30. He was a Pro Bowl return specialist and his return could be a big lift to the start of the Ventrone era on special teams. Grant was determined to be an impact player on offense, too, before his injury.
Hey Tony: How would Bubba Ventrone the player be valued by this analytics group? Do you foresee some effort to devote roster spots to special teams leaders?
-- Matt, Columbus, OH
Hey Matt: The Browns have devoted resources to improve their talent on special teams. They drafted kicker Cade York, and signed punter Cory Bojorquez and return specialist Grant in free agency. As far as “core players” on special teams, the Browns were decimated last year at linebacker because of injuries, and those injuries moved core special teams players into mainstream defensive roles. I’m not blaming analytics for what happened on special teams last year.
Hey Tony: As the assistant head coach, do you feel Bubba will have any input in the offense or defense?
-- Dave, Coshocton, OH
Hey Dave: Don’t over-analyze the assistant head coach title. It has nothing to do with influencing offense or defense. It was a perk to lure Ventrone away from the Colts. It’s like the Miss America runner-up position. If Miss America for whatever reason can’t fulfill her duties, the runner-up takes over (whatever those duties are). In the case of Stefanski, he has missed two games in two years because of COVID. Ventrone likely would be the acting head coach if that happens again.
