CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! Let's see what's happening as a mid-August week dawns with interest in the team at a fever pitch.
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
Among the news items catching the attention of Browns fans is the apparent availability of Bengals' top-flight edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The fact that the Browns have been mentioned as being interested in talking trade with the Bengals only stokes that fire a little bit more.
Now is the time to engage in the fantasy that the Bengals would deal off the NFL sack leader to their in-state rivals.
Or maybe Browns fans are smart enough to see that the team's "interest" is only their tendency to make a phone call anytime anyone is available, if only to gauge what their fellow NFL team thinks the player is worth. The fact that I had to create the Unrealistic Trey Hendrickson Trade Thread in the Watercooler is proof that our visitors are aware of the Browns' tendencies.
Our beloved Browns may have many faults, but a reluctance to add data to their spreadsheets isn't one of them.
Of course, a Browns pass rush featuring Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson would flatten the universe. It also goes without saying that the price for him would be extremely high, both in terms of assets in a trade and salary cap space expended to get him actually to play football.
None of these annoying facts will stop some in the mediablogosphere from hyping the possibility in the pursuit of clicks.
Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson (Photo: Getty)
A less-annoying fact is that the Browns have something cooking on their defensive line right now. Just ask the Philadelphia Eagles, who had to practice against Myles Garrett and crew last week and were overwhelmed at times. The addition of Mason Graham (and Mike Hall, eventually) on the defensive interior, along with the emergence of Isaiah McGuire - who raised havoc on minimal snaps against Philly - makes the Browns' defensive line the least of their concerns.
Suppose a player of Hendrickson's value were available at, say, cornerback or wide receiver. In that case, one might be intrigued to a greater extent, particularly if a fire sale were going on. But that's not the case here.
So, let's simplify our lives by making sure that fantasies of a Browns defensive line, including two of the best NFL edge rushers, don't intrude.
OTHER FANTASIES: Let's also get real about Kevin Stefanski's "quarterback announcement".
Kevin Stefanski is saying he'll name the starting quarterback (is there any doubt?) sooner rather than later. I'm guessing that it's going to be the guy who is perfectly healthy but is being treated like an easily breakable ceramic vase in the QB room. But you never know, right?
Well, I think we know, but there's always a chance for a surprise. And it would be quite a surprise. Kenny Pickett has been injured and unable to advance his candidacy. Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders both need further development, a point that might spark some debate, particularly in the latter case.
There's no doubt that the Browns will want to see what they have in both quarterbacks, but both will benefit from more time to learn, practice, and develop. The Browns' expectations for this season don't include the phrase "Super Bowl", and Stefanski has the apparent luxury of time where he doesn't have to rush things.
It pretty much has to be Flacco. You know it. I know it. Fantasies of a rookie quarterback coming in to save the day will likely have to wait. Let's enjoy the bungling of said Bengals in the hours ahead.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
Newswire Bloviation Archive
OBR STUFF
ARTICLES
Browns Kevin Stefanski Says He'll Name the Starting Quarterback Sooner than Later Expected This Week - Fred
Cleveland Browns Offensive Stock Up/Down: Philadelphia Eagles - Jack
Cleveland Browns Daily News Ticker 8/17 - Barry
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 8/17: Competition? What Competition? - Barry
VIDEOS
Browns 3D- Browns roster thoughts as we head to the final week of preseason - (youtube.com)
FORUM POSTS
Gabriel talking on the phone (VIP)
Little manipulation of the 53? (VIP)
Box or Field and why? (VIP)
89 Davis (VIP)
Box vs. Field Followup (VIP)
Whats the holdup with judkins (VIP)
Any update on lucas (VIP)
Defensive line - Who makes the cut? (VIP)
Starting QB (VIP)
Henderson rumors (VIP)
Judkins rb (VIP)
2026 draft qb position or Trenches? (VIP)
Any trades expected ? (VIP)
Sanders qb (VIP)
Pickett trade - Lane (VIP)
FU Jack: Could A Pickett Trade Work With The Bengals? (VIP)
Denzel Trade (VIP)
Hendrickson? (VIP)
Qb status? (VIP)
Offensive viewpoint? (VIP)
Whats the holdup with judkins (VIP)
Gabriel (VIP)
Signing bond before Q (VIP)
Cut down day
Past Browns QB Battles?
Asante Samuel Jr.?
Road Games this year
Why you dont automaticaly blame the QB
Grossi observation about kicking situation
LiveWire Thread for 8/17 - Twitter, Video, Articles
This is Howard Cosell
OT: I have great Dawg pound tickets at face value for 6 games
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
MIT Develops Iron-Iodine Particles, Could Be Used to Fortify Food and Beverages to Help Fight Malnutrition - (goodnewsnetwork.org)
A thousand people represent a large number of individuals, all with hopes and worries. A million people are almost an unfathomable number, and way too big for my living room. Two billion people stagger the imagination.
However, it is estimated that two billion people suffer from iron deficiency, as iron is primarily derived from eating meat, which is often unaffordable for many people.
Then there's this: "Attempting to grapple with the problem, MIT researchers have come up with a new way to fortify foods and beverages with iron using small crystalline particles. These particles, known as metal-organic frameworks, could be sprinkled on food, added to staple foods such as bread, or incorporated into drinks like coffee and tea."
I know that I naively think that technological progress will make human lives better, and am not as worried about Terminator robots demanding my clothing, but is there no doubt that an iron additive like this wouldn't help many people? Progress, folks. Progress.
WRAPPING UP
When not wondering if Pat Mahomes can be acquired for a fourth-round pick, 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.
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