It will be Joe Flacco v. Joe Burrow in the Browns September 7 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. But after that, who knows? (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
In a rare off-day announcement for them, the Browns informed everybody via their official Website that Joe Flacco will be their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7.
The wording, however, cast a bit of doubt on how long Flacco would hold the position. It was intentionally vague.
There was no statement from coach Kevin Stefanski to say whether the starting QB job would be game-to-game or beyond.
Stefanski will be available on Tuesday when the team returns to practice for the start of the last week of the preseason. Perhaps the coach will clarify that Flacco is the starting quarterback “until further notice.” Based on his history, Stefanski will shrug and say, “I’m only worried about Week 1.”
On the surface, the Browns’ announcement keeps the door ajar for Kenny Pickett to make a belated run at the starting job when his hamstring issue permits a return to full participation in practice. More so Pickett than one of the rookies.
Stefanski and Pickett were hopeful Pickett could return to full practice after being limited for four weeks. If so, he could see his first action in the preseason finale Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Either the Browns feel they owe Pickett the courtesy of another shot when he gets healthy, or they truly believe he is better than Flacco.
In any case, their deliberately vague announcement merely prolongs the divisive quarterback conversation another week.
New man on campus
On the other hand, the Browns were anything but vague in professing their love for wide receiver Isaiah Bond. On Monday, Bond signed a fully-guaranteed three-year deal for a reported $3.108 million, which may be a bargain if he performs like GM Andrew Berry believes.
Berry, it turns out, probably would have drafted Bond in the second or third round, but Bond was arrested two weeks before the draft on a sexual arrest charge. On Friday, the charge was “no-billed,” or dropped.
The Browns gave a detailed explanation from Berry in announcing his signing.
The statement from Berry said:
“We’ve spent much of the last calendar year getting to know Isaiah as a player and professional and much of the last four months gaining a full understanding of his legal situation.
“On the legal side, we have done extensive research that includes but is not limited to hearing from both sides of the case and receiving the results of an independently administered polygraph test.
“Before the allegations, we also spent a great deal of time with Isaiah during the draft process on campus, at the Combine and at our facilities. His time at Alabama with Tommy Rees also weighed heavily on our assessment of his ability to operate successfully in a professional environment if brought into our organization.
“It is these touchpoints and more that gave us the necessary insights to make this decision. With his legal matter resolved through a no bill by a grand jury, Isaiah is focused on learning from this experience while moving forward with his life and career.”
Bond has not had the benefit of attending Browns OTAs, minicamps or training camp. He is expected to participate in his first practice on Tuesday and will wear No. 81.
Not so fast, my friend
Meanwhile, the imminent arrival of second-round pick Quinshon Judkins remains on ice.
Two issues may be at play here: 1. The Browns are waiting for some clue if Judkins will receive a suspension for violations of the personal conduct policy, even though his charge of domestic battery was dismissed, and 2. The Browns have not come to a contract agreement with Judkins.
Prior to his allegation of domestic battery, Judkins was holding out for a fully-guaranteed four-year contract, which is what linebacker Carson Schwesinger received at the top of the second round (33rd overall), as did other players selected after Judkins’ No. 36 slot.
Unlike Bond, Judkins did participate in the Browns’ offseason, OTA and minicamp seasons.