#HeyTony: Will Jim Schwartz's defense exceed expectations in Year 2?

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 expect to see improvements on the defense based on the comments made by Jim Schwartz?

-- Mike; Smithville, OH

Hey Mike: I expect to see improvements in the defense simply because it will be the second year of the Jim Schwartz system. The Browns made a quantum improvement in the first year under Schwartz. His history suggests the second year will be better. He will add wrinkles that didn't exist in the first year, and players in their second year will be naturally better. The obvious point of emphasis will be in red-zone defense, where the Browns finished 32^nd last year.

Hey Tony: After seeing Nick Chubb at the Browns golf outing, do you feel better about his chances to be a real contributor to our backfield this season and the progress on his recovery? 

-- AJ, Avon, OH

Hey AJ: Chubb didn’t participate in the golf outing other than to mingle with VIP sponsors. He hasn't made any public comments since the injury, so I don't know his mindset about the gruelling recovery is attempting. I would caution everybody to lower expectations of Chubb in 2024. My guess is that he might be able to participate after the Week 10 bye week. That would give him eight games to be active. I’d be good with that considering the severity of his injury.

Hey Tony: Are the Browns holding off on a contract extension for Amari Cooper due to some of the crazy WR contracts? Or will there even be an extension?

-- Brock, Piqua, OH

Hey Brock: I believe a short-term extension for Cooper is in play. It would be good for the Browns and for Cooper.

Hey Tony: I’m concerned about Browns’ roster. Is this a Super Bowl caliber contender roster? Or do we have to wait another year?

-- Pablos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hey Pablos: The overall Browns’ roster has never been better in the expansion era. Inevitably, it comes down to the play of the quarterback position. Last year they caught lightning in the bottle with Joe Flacco. This year they need Watson to stay active and perform to his circa 2019 form.

Hey Tony: With reps being split during OTAs, if the Browns have success with splitting reps at the QB position now, any chance they do it during the regular season?

-- Jim, Wooster, OH

Hey Jim: The only reason Jameis Winston is getting reps with the No. 1 offense in OTAs is because Deshaun Watson is throwing on alternate days. Eventually, Watson will be cleared to throw every day. There is no chance of sharing QB reps during the season if Watson returns to full health.

Hey Tony: Excluding  the QB room, which position group concerns you the most and why? 

-- Kevin, Plano, TX

Hey Kevin: I actually have no concerns with any position group.

Hey Tony: What’s the chance that Deshaun Watson doesn’t start the season as Browns QB?

-- Jim, Maumee, OH

Hey Jim: The company line is that Watson will be ready to start the season. If there is a setback in training camp, that could change. But I don’t foresee it.

Hey Tony: How does the NFL determine the non-division home and away opponents for each team?  For example, it seems like we always play at Denver and they never come here.

-- David, Irvine, CA 

Hey David: The NFL schedule formula is rather ingenious. Each year, the teams in the AFC North play all teams in a pre-determined AFC division and NFC division. Those divisions rotate from year to year. The league tries to schedule opponents outside the division home and away on an alternate basis. For example, four years ago the Browns played Dallas and the Giants on the road and Washington and Philadelphia at home. This season, they play Dallas and the Giants at home, and are at Washington and Philadelphia. In addition to the annual games in the AFC North division, that leaves three games to round out to 17. Those three games are determined by the Browns’ standing in their division. If they finish, say, second, they play the second-place team in the other AFC divisions and the second-place team in a pre-determined NFC division. There are always schedule nuances, as you allude to.

Hey Tony: Why don’t we work on the run game a little more? Seems to me it would help take some of the pressure off of Watson?

-- Chris, Brunswick, OH

Hey Chris: I’m on record as expressing concern about the future of the Browns’ running game, particularly as it relates to the departure of line coach Bill Callahan, who had a big hand in devising the Browns’ running game system. The Browns are shifting to a shotgun, spread pass offense, which will totally change the running game scheme. The running backs may line up more on the line of scrimmage as pass targets rather than in the backfield.

Hey Tony: Is it normal to feel less optimistic about the team this year considering the Browns haven't had two consecutive winning seasons since they rejoined the league back in 1999?  Or am I just being pessimistic?

-- Eric, Columbus, OH

Hey Eric: Be optimistic. It's better for your health.

Hey Tony: if you had to bet money, who will be the two return men on the kickoff return?

-- Rod, Athens, OH

Hey Rod: I think Bubba Ventrone will employ a stable of four capable kick returners and rotate them depending on opponent. Until further notice, I believe these four will be: James Proche, Pierre Strong, Nyheim Hines and Elijah Moore. Ventrone said he has repped all "skill" players as potential returners,  however.