Could the Browns separate from Amari Cooper this year? NOT!
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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: Can the Browns afford to let Amari Cooper go? Would Jerry Jeudy assume the No. 1 wide receiver role?
-- Mike, Smithville, OH
Hey Mike: There is NO chance of letting Cooper go. He is under contract. Cooper is the Browns. No. 1 wide receiver. And, no, Jerry Jeudy is NOT a No. 1 wide receiver.
Hey Tony: What do you think will be the biggest story of training camp this year?
-- APJ, Cleveland, OH
Hey APJ: Deshaun Watson and the Ken Dorsey offense is the No. 1 story of camp.
Hey Tony: Do you believe that there was any chance the Browns and Baker Mayfield could have continued to coexist after the Browns began talking to Deshaun Watson, as some have recently suggested?
-- AJ, Avon, OH
Hey AJ: Whomever suggested that has absolutely no clue. No clue.
Hey Tony: Besides Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford, your prediction for most rushing attempts this season?
-- Dave, Fairlawn, OH
Hey Dave: The Browns’ running game will not be the same as we’ve seen in the previous Kevin Stefanski years as coach. The Ken Dorsey shotgun spread offensive system will render the running game an afterthought. D’Onta Foreman might have the third-most rushing attempts because he will be the short-yardage back.
Hey Tony: Is this the last year for Watson to prove himself before the Browns accept that they messed up? This team is really good. It will come down to QB play.
-- Ron, Magnolia, OH
Hey Ron: Yes, of course, Watson has to prove himself in Year 3 of his contract. He will have two years and $92 million GUARANTEED left on his contract after 2024 season. In addition, there would be about $137 million in dead cap charges if the Browns moved on from him. So … the team, and its fans, should hope for Watson to be the quarterback they expected. There is no reasonable early exit.
Hey Tony: What in the Sam Hill is going on with all the land obtained in Berea and the construction the Browns have well underway there? New indoor field? Weight room for sure.
-- Will, Brook Park, OH
Hey Will: The new construction underway across the street from the Browns’ facility will include a Berea recreation center, some commercial development, and some residential development, I understand. It is not an enlargement of the Browns’ facility. At the same time, the Browns are adding on to their facility to construct a new weight room and an indoor walk-through room, plus a VIP viewing tower. Overall, the Browns are re-investing in Berea and entrenching their base there.
Hey Tony: What is unique about Cleveland’s stadium situation, versus Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh? No talk in those places about needing a new stadium.
-- Dave, Fairlawn, OH
Hey Dave: The lakefront stadium location has enormous – yes, enormous -- accessibility problems. Further, the Browns derive little parking revenue from the present stadium. Their division rivals don’t have those issues. I am totally in favor of the proposed Brook Park location as stadium alternative.
Hey Tony: Do you think teams will show much in the new kickoff, or just kick it into the end zone for the preseason?
-- Josh, Denver, CO
Hey Josh: Kicking it into the end zone is no longer an option. You will see the innovations of the new hybrid kickoff format in preseason. But you will see more variations in the regular season.
Hey Tony: Who do you think will have a breakout season from the wide receiver room on the Browns?
-- Alfonso, Rochester, NY
Hey Alfonso: Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman are possibilities to have ‘breakout’ seasons.
Hey Tony: Once the preseason is complete, what veterans are in danger of being cut this summer?
-- Ken, Medina, OH
Hey Ken: I hate this question. I hate predicting veterans ‘in danger of being cut.’ Let’s let training camp play out.