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Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
With the Browns essentially on hiatus for six weeks, we're in the tumbleweed period of real Browns news and analysis, i.e., that coming from people who were at camp, or who have sources, or are respected for original analysis. There's a tremendous amount of dreck out there, of course, but the OBR Daily Newswire writes for enlightened consumers of Browns information who know to ignore the nonsense.
Whatever you may think of them, Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot fit into the group of writers whom this webdork generally reads, and both of them tackled the question of whether the Browns can afford to carry four quarterbacks on their roster this season. The answer from both is a qualified yes, with Cabot saying that four quarterbacks may work for the team in the early part of the season and Grossi claiming that the current 16-man size of the practice squad makes it possible.
Of course, Andrew Berry has already answered this question, telling Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports that it's absolutely possible "If they all play well enough." The Epstein article is worth a read if you're interested.
Regarding the controversial allocation of reps to each quarterback (clearly the most over-analyzed element so far this off-season), Berry understands that the Browns are breaking from the norm: “Oftentimes the thought in the NFL is like, ‘OK, well your starter gets 70% of the reps, your backup gets 25% of the reps and your third guy gets 5% of the reps,” Berry told Epstein. “And the job of the backups is to be ready to play with no reps. It doesn't have to be that way — especially in the spring when we have some flexibility.”
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks
Cleveland Browns quarterback room, circa 6/25 (Photo: Getty)
Cabot's article is full of questions about whether the allocation is fair or makes sense. Her responses to the questions are similar to what we've been saying on the OBR about the lengths the team is going to to make sure that there are enough reps for everyone, and focusing on the players who need them (i.e., not giving 75% to Flacco).
This approach will be questioned if Flacco looks rusty should he eventually be named the starter, but, after a couple of decades of playing the game and demonstrating an ability to play at a decent level after coming off the couch in 2023, it's a safe bet that getting fewer reps in practice isn't going to change the result once bullets start flying.
THE DAILY SHEDEUR: There's a whole lot of nonsense on Shedeur clickquest beat right now.
ROCKS AND GARBAGE, PART 491: The brickbats continue to fly between the City of Cleveland the Brook Park-bound Browns, as they head to federal court. Meanwhile, what happens if the state gives away my unclaimed funds after the giveaway to the Haslam Sports Group? I hope I don't find out:
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! Slim pickings on the Browns news front:
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
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