CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
As a full-fledged sportsdork who keeps to the shadows as much as possible, I've got it easy compared to people in the Cleveland Browns organization. They are actually in the spotlight and trying their best, but have their every foible dissected by the media.
For instance, new Browns head coach Todd Monken, who is finally getting his chance to run his own show at the age of 60, is undoubtedly desperate to prove he can do it. I can understand and relate. We're both just trying to prove our worth, but he has to deal with people writing stories about him when he gets a haircut at the wrong time. One had better be able to shrug off the silliness when you're in a position like Monken.
As an example of how carefully Monken has to tread, check out the hubbub when he said quarterback reps would be affected by the situation at the end of last year and other factors. This was interpreted as good news for Shedeur Sanders, who finished last season as the Browns' top quarterback. Bleacher Report ran with that take, noting Sanders appears to have gotten a significant boost in the race. Whether that changes as camp progresses remains to be seen, but it's the most concrete signal yet from the coaching staff on where things stand. But every word is over-analyzed when you're a new coach and mention quarterbacks.
Todd Monken
A well-coiffed Todd Monken (Photo: Getty)
There's also still a lot of murmuring about Ty Simpson, as the quarterback has arranged visits with the Browns, Cardinals, and Dolphins. I just don't want him getting the call at 6, 24, or even 39 (although he'll likely be gone by then). The Browns just have too many other holes to fill to spend a Day 1 or early Day 2 pick on a QB who has a good chance of being irrelevant by this time next year when the Browns gun for their franchise QB in the draft. By the time the Browns pick in the second round, logic dictates that they'll probably have a WR, OT, and perhaps even a DB in tow. Bringing on QB number four with those top picks seems like a luxury. My guess is that we're looking late Day 2 or early Day 3 for a QB like Drew Allar, Carson Beck, and Garrett Nussmeier. None of whom fill me with much enthusiasm, although Allar might benefit the most by moving on to NFL-level coaching.
On the financial front, the long-term picture is looking considerably brighter. The Browns project to have significant cap space in 2027 once the Deshaun Watson contract situation is fully resolved. That post-Watson financial flexibility gives the franchise some real runway to build around whoever emerges as the answer at quarterback. It's a light at the end of a very expensive tunnel.
In other news, the Browns would like to add a fullback and made a run at Patrick Ricard, the veteran who's been one of the best in the business at that position. They didn't land him, but the intent is clear — Monken wants a true fullback in his offense. I wrote about this more than a week ago, as I noted the Browns tried out a fullback and seemed to be fishing in the tight end pool, looking for extra bodies to use on offense in the running game.
The stadium situation remains stuck in neutral. Dee Haslam said there is "no Plan B" despite the $600 million state funding holdup. That's an interesting negotiating stance, though it makes you wonder how long they can maintain that position if Columbus doesn't move. The digging continues regardless.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
Newswire Bloviation Archive
OBR GOODIES
OBR VIDEO
- Pete and Joe: Monken Speaks, Haslam Spoke
OBR ARTICLES
- Browns Todd Monken Said Reps for Quarterbacks will not be Divided Equally; Tips Who Could Get First Reps
- How Much The Cleveland Browns Could Spend In 2027, Post Deshaun Watson
- Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 03/31/26: Not This Again
FROM THE FORUMS
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
- Why not Decker?
- Gap scheme?
THE WATERCOOLER
-OT - Coaching U10 Youth Flag Football
- Latest Off the Leash Monken on QB reps with the OBR and Ch 19
- Sports Fast vs Track Fast
- Berry Winter Meetings Presser...
- LiveWire Thread for 3/31 - Twitter, Video, Articles
- Browns new Org chart
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
- 'Forbidden Planet' at 70: Why the original sci-fi blockbuster is still out of this world
I once saw this movie at a college theatre that specialized in showing avant-garde or older films, looking to lure in that brainy nerd (and mostly male) college audience. That lasted a couple of years, then went belly up, and they were replaced by porn films, which targeted, let's face it, pretty much the same group of people. Forbidden Planet is a strange mix of Shakespearean conflicts, great-for-the-time visual effects, and a lot of weird noises on the soundtrack. I need to see it again to see if it still holds up aside from the 50s Leslie Nielsen acting and caveman-like sense of male/female relationships (Anne Francis made an impression on a much-younger me).
At any rate, I wrote about my beloved "Invader Zim" yesterday, so why not go even more nostalgic and recommend this movie in today's Lift? You should see it sometime if you missed it.
WRAPPING UP
When not gasping at the miracle of Robby the Robot, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIE
CONTACT Barry tosponsor the OBR. We have plans for nearly any budget!
OBR Across the Internet
OBR on BlueSky
OBR on Twitter
OBR on Threads
OBR on LinkedIN
OBR on Youtube
OBR on Twitch
OBR on Facebook
Handy Links
Sign up for our newsletter
Sign up for breaking news text alerts
OBR Unpublished RSS Feed
*If you have made it this far, you must subscribe to the OBR. Them's the rules.*