It's becoming apparent that the NFL prefers a Philadelphia v. Green Bay matchup for the first-ever game staged in Brazil.
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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: Do you think the league did not want the Browns opening up in Brazil because they know if Watson will be healthy or that they just don't want Watson on prime time opening weekend with his past legal troubles?
-- Clark, Canonsburg, PA
Hey Clark: The NFL’s desire to feature the Packers in Brazil has less to do with Deshaun Watson and more to do with the Packers’ international appeal. The fact is the Packers initially did not want to participate. Futher, the Eagles preferred to keep the Packers’ game – a key NFC matchup – on their home schedule in Philadelphia. Part of the delay in the NFL making this game official, in my opinion, was the need to twist the arms of the Packers and Eagles to get them to buy in and sign off on it. The Browns let the NFL know from the start that they welcomed playing in Brazil. So if the NFL wanted a Browns-Eagles matchup, it would have been announced by now. Now that the Packers have bought in, per comments by Packers President Mark Murphy, expect an announcement of Philadelphia v. Green Bay in Brazil any day now. Personally, I’m relieved.
Hey Tony: Is the city invoking the Art Modell legislation mostly a moot point? If the Browns built a dome, wouldn’t it realistically be done about the same time as the lease was expiring, so the Modell restrictions on leaving wouldn’t have any effect?
-- AJ, Avon, OH
Hey Tony: How would moving to Brook Park violate the Modell rule? Brook Park was inside the taxing district funding the current stadium.
-- Sam, Lorain, OH
Hey AJ and Sam: Invoking “the Modell Law” in the conversation of a new Browns stadium is a grandstand ploy that amounts to petty politics, in my opinion. Moving the Browns’ home 10 miles south of downtown does not violate the intent of the law. The Brook Park location actually is close to falling within the city limits. I mean, Cleveland Hopkins Airport is on city land, right? It would not surprise me if a resolution involves the city annexing the land which the Haslams have an option to purchase. In that case, the city would realize the income tax and ticket tax revenue if would stand to lose by moving the Browns’ home out of downtown. This project will only take off when everyone realizes an indoor stadium in Brook Park would benefit Northeast Ohio infinitely more than an outdoor stadium on the lakefront. Then the city can proceed with lakefront development on the site of the present obsolete stadium.
Hey Tony: Is a retractable roof with grass field one of the options for new stadium?
-- Aaron, Toledo, OH
Hey Aaron: Forget about a retractable roof. It would add another $1 billion or so to the cost -- hundreds of millions, at least -- and is not practical in a northern climate. It simply is not worth the cost.
Hey Tony: Any truth to the rumor the Browns are asking for a 2nd round pick for DTR?
-- Dave, Bowling Green, OH
Hey Dave: I’m detecting sarcasm in your question. The underlying theme, though, is if the Browns are giving up on Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The answer is no.
Hey Tony: Do you expect the new kickoff rules to result in more yards after catch and special team points?
-- Mike, Smithville, OH
Hey Mike: I’m excited to see what the new hybrid kickoff rule brings. The only thing for sure is it will decrease touchbacks and increase kick returns. That is a very good thing.
Hey Tony: The talk of TE in the 2nd round, is this lumping in with the WRs as a pass catcher/playmaker?
-- Matt, Columbus, OH
Hey Matt: So NFL Media reported the Browns will host Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders for one of their “30 visits.” The Browns probably will draft a tight end, but I sincerely doubt they would choose a tight end at No. 54 over a wide receiver with a higher or equal draft grade.
Hey Tony: Is JK Dobbins done? Will anyone take a chance on him?
-- Jess, San Francisco, CA
Hey Jess: In 2021, Dobbins suffered a torn ACL in preseason and did not play all year. In 2022, Dobbins suffered another knee injury in Week 6 and did not play again. In 2023, Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles tendon and did not play again. I’m not going to say his career is over, but I don’t know if any team will take a chance on him.
Hey Tony: Any chance DTR has the dreaded Bo Jackson hip injury that ended his career?
-- Jeff, Medina, OH
Hey Jeff: I am not a doctor.
Hey Tony: Your top Masters memories: Jack '86, Mize's chip-in, Bubba's hook, Tiger '97 or '19..?
-- Mike, Las Vegas, NV
Hey Mike: The Jack Nicklaus victory in 1986 will never be topped. (Yes, sir!) In a class by themselves after that is every Tiger Woods victory, with his last one probably being No. 2 overall.