Cam Newton credited Ken Dorsey for helping him have his best NFL season in 2015. (Getty Images)
#HeyTony: How will Deshaun Watson and Ken Dorsey mesh?
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
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: How do you think the match with Ken Dorsey and Deshaun Watson will go? I’m personally cautiously optimistic.
-- Ellet, Saint Peter, MN
Hey Ellet: I think they’ll be fine. Watson is friendly with Cam Newton. Newton raved about Dorsey when the Bills promoted Dorsey to offensive coordinator in 2022. Dorsey was Carolina QB coach in Newton’s best season in the NFL in 2015. Newton said, “I credit a lot of my success to Ken Dorsey. He is an extremely hard and efficient worker. He made my life as easy as possible. Not only is he a hard worker, but he has a vibrant killer instinct. He’s a known proven winner over the years.” I’m told that Watson was pleased with the hire when informed by Kevin Stefanski.
Hey Tony: What do you make of Watson begging WR Tee Higgins to join him in Cleveland?
-- Ben, Doversville, OH
Hey Ben: Better than stumping for DeAndre Hopkins.
Hey Tony: Ken Dorsey loves to use his tight ends. Any chance the Browns trade for Kelce?
-- Jeff, Fremont, OH
Hey Jeff: No. None.
Hey Tony: Any truth to Dorsey having gone into anger management after his fall from grace in Buffalo? If so, how has he changed as a man?
-- Randy, Conneaut, OH
Hey Randy: Fall from grace? There’s no stigma in being fired, anymore. Coaches are hired to be fired. Now, Dorsey lost it in the coaches booth when time ran out in a game in 2022 when his players failed to rush to the line of scrimmage to spike the ball and stop the clock at the end of a 21-19 Buffalo loss to the Dolphins. CBS cameras captured Dorsey ripping off his headset and slamming it on a table and smashing his electronic tablet in disgust. The video of the temper tantrum went viral. Afterwards, Dorsey received support from his players, including Bills quarterback Josh Allen, but also much criticism on social media. At the time, Bills coach Sean McDermott said, “I think it's something that a) we've got to keep our poise and he's well aware of that and knows that and b) I love the fact that he cares that much about doing his job and putting his players in a position to be successful. I think that says a lot about him as a coach and how hard he works at it and how important it is to him. But again, that said, it's important that we as leaders keep our poise and that we model that to our players." The next day, Dorsey said, “It's frustrating that I reacted that way, and obviously that's something that I'm definitely going to learn from.”
Hey Tony: Looking at the cap situation, we can probably sign one of these two: Z. Smith or G. Newsome. Which one should be of higher priority and why?
-- Ewing, Erie, PA
Hey Ewing: Smith is the team’s No. 2 edge rusher. Newsome is the No. 3 cornerback. Smith would need a new contract and Newsome is set to make about $2.4 million in salary in 2024 with a cap number of $4.05 million. So that would factor in. Also, Browns have a May 2 deadline to pick up Newsome’s fifth-year option for 2025 for a guaranteed $12.16 million. Considering all those factors, I’d probably choose Smith.
Hey Tony: As a thought exercise, what could the Browns get if they traded Myles Garrett for draft picks or ascending star players? And assuming it's a large enough haul of draft picks and salary cap savings, would you make the trade?
-- Terry, Sarasota, FL
Hey Terry: Let’s simplify your question by asking: Would you trade Garrett for two No. 1s? That’s been the market price in the past for an elite edge rusher in his prime. My answer would be, ‘Hell no.’
Hey Tony: Can you give us some more insight on how the Browns defense got manhandled by the Texans? I get it was a “bad day to have a bad day.” But it was more than that — the Texans figured something out and exploited it. What do you think it was?
-- AJ, Avon, OH
Hey AJ: I thought Stump Mitchell touched on something when he questioned how the team practiced leading up to the Cincinnati game. He said the team was a bit slow in Houston after essentially a 17-day layoff for most of the regulars.
Hey Tony: Why is there such a strong outcry for Stefanski to stop calling plays? He seems to be very good at it, and the Browns were top ten in yards per game. It was execution (turnovers) and injuries that kept the scoring down.
-- Stan, West Des Moines, IA
Hey Stan: I agree with you. In the past, my argument for handing off play-calling was to maximize Stefanski’s game management as a CEO sideline coach, unencumbered by play-calling. The plays themselves are the product of weekly collaboration of the offensive coaches, anyway. So I’m not sure anyone would notice a difference. But Stefanski’s game management, which did improve in 2023, could get better if he removes that play sheet from in front of his eyes.
Hey Tony: Who is your favorite choice for Browns to sign as backup QB for next season?
-- Steve, Westerville, OH
Hey Steve: I’d be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than Joe Flacco.
Hey Tony: Did Nick Chubb actually tear his ACL? I never saw any confirmation on that.
-- Josh, Galena, OH
Hey Josh: According to the Browns, Chubb's first surgery on September 29 repaired damage to "the medial capsule, meniscus, and medial collateral ligament.” The second surgery on November 14 was to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. After the second surgery, the Browns quoted team physician Dr. James Voos, who performed both surgeries, as saying, “The estimated recovery time from these surgeries indicates that Nick would be able to return to play during the 2024 season.”
Hey Tony: What’s the inside scoop on why the Browns moved on from Stump Mitchell?
-- Leonard, Troy, OH
Hey Leonard: The Browns replaced Mitchell, 64, with veteran RB coach Duce Staley, 48. I believe the Browns wanted to get younger there. Also, Staley is a little more fiery on the practice field than Mitchell.
Hey Tony: With Belichick not getting a job any chance the Browns bring him in as a special consultant?
-- Jim, Wooster, OH
Hey Jim: Better chance of Gregg Williams getting that gig.
Hey Tony: Should the NFL eliminate the coin toss and give the Home team choice of possession?
-- Paul, Ripley, NY
Hey Paul: I don't know. The coin toss is a ceremonial tradition, like the flyover.
