The Closing Drive 11/14: Finishing Mailbag Questions and Friday Special Teams Analysis
It's late but full of great questions and details. Kickoff your weekend the right way.
Happy Friday, everyone! We’re back for the usual here at BFB where I finish up any leftover questions from the latest Mailbag Edition of the podcast — which you can listen to here.
Let’s get it rolling.
One of our fellow Founders (Artie) had an interesting post breaking down the NFL Offensives scheme/system and their variants. What would your ideal system be? What’s your bread and butter running scheme? What passing system are you using?
Bryen Cassidy
I think the further we get into the NFL the more diversity works. Being stuck to a rigid system isn’t the most healthy way to operate but I do want there to be consistency in attacking with players over plays. Finding smart ways to highlight your best talent week in week out and attack defensive weaknesses. I need a good gameplanner, not a good scheme designer.
If we end up in the top 3 and take Simpson or Mendoza. Then Tate, Lemon, and Bell are all gone by our next pick. Assuming the jags pick is 15-20 who is the next best WR to take or is there a LT in that range that’s worth taking?
Donnie Fillinger
Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu from Utah is right in that right and I would be more than happy with him. If going receiver then I would be more than happy with Jordyn Tyson if he is there. Also, I am very into Denzel Boston from Washington.
How does the lack of information from the Brown impact the media and fans during times like this? Would it be more beneficial for the team to be more transparent?
Also - is there anything you want me to tell Kevin on Sunday? I’m sure he will be able to hear us from the stands
Greg Jahnke
I would say there needs to be more. There is a line between robot responses and not giving too much away you are very allowed to flirt with. The Browns could use some understanding of where the fanbase is and finding a way to show them what you are trying to do. They walk a dangerous line here of losing waves of people based on their results of late and over the last 25 years. Also, tell Kevin to score points.
Numerous FO moves like the Watson trade and dumping Baker could be/have been argued as correct “process” moves but with very bad “results.” What do you believe is the correct philosophy to reconcile sound “process” decisions without a lack of accountability for horrible results?
Brian Benning
Tough to really know, Brian. I would say labeling Watson as correct process totally ignores the human element, though. All the baggage it brought for the player, team, coaches, and front office. That is the biggest mistake hurting the process now and I think hand-waving that away as just bad results ignores all the key reasons it failed. You just hope they learned from that but not sure I feel great about it.
If most of the top college QBs go back to school and then come out in 2027, and we are unable to get a Mendoza or a first-round graded QB (assuming Mendoza comes out), what would you do with our two first-round picks in 2026? Would you try to use both to get the top QB if the team ahead of them bites? Or would you use them to continue to build depth, say, with a WR (like Tate) and OL (like the Utah OT)?
Aaron D.
Do you think taking two drafted quarterbacks was the right move? I would have much rather seen Flacco than Pickett before seeing the rookie play. Next, based on the quarterback play we will see the end of the season would you play Watson, especially since we are financially committed for at least another year? Finally thanks to a drunken bar purchase I will be in Vegas to see Sanders first start against the Raiders. May god have mercy on my soul.
Tyson Dailey
I currently believe taking Shedeur Sanders makes very little sense right now at all. Unless they change the status quo in the next seven weeks. He was a player they moved up to select after already using a fringe Top-100 pick selecting a different rookie. Unless Sanders is given a fair chance to prove some sort of future value. The quickest way to losing is playing these two rookies this often so if that was the plan, then they are nailing it. I do think Watson has a chance to play late this year — more than people want to believe. As for Vegas, eat some good food, walk the strip, make some money. Not sure the game will bring you anything fun.
Hey fellas, loved the bit in the last show about Daboll trying to give Dart his brain. So one nonsensical question, one real question.
1. If you could take any current coach or assistant’s brain and place it in any current player’s body (was thinking quarterback but if there’s another combo you’d like to see, I’m all for it) what would be the best player conceivable you could create. And also, who is the abject worst player you could imagine.
2. I listen Nate Tice’s podcast in addition to yours and I keep hearing them talk about designer plays. Can you explain what they mean by this? Is this a play in which there basically isn’t a read, i.e. if this player isn’t open just turf the ball or is there some other meaning to what a ‘designer-ey’ play is.
Ryan L.
The first answer would probably be like Kyle Shanahan’s brain and putting it in Anthony Richardson’s body, right? Smartest football brain with the best physical tools. Something like that. Then the worst would have to be taking Hue Jackson’s brain and putting it in Cody Kessler’s body. I think I made a funny there. As for the second question, I believe they are talking about scheme’d open style of plays. Ones specifically gameplanned to pick on how coverage reacts to releases or how an opposition handles specific alignments. I will give those a listen and circle back. Remind me if you can.
I know I am jumping the gun here... but with how bad the offense is set up even going into next year, even if we were to get our hands on a Mendoza or Simpson in the draft, would you consider signing a bridge type QB just to start a handful of games instead of throwing the rook to the wolves? Or from your estimation right now, do you think either Mendoza/Simpson could handle it?
Also as a bonus, obviously still some ball left to be played, but would you lean Mendoza or Simpson as a prospect right now?
Bryan
I currently lean Mendoza right now and, yes, I would like to have a veteran around the young quarterback and one who could start the season.
Looking at the upcoming post-season (or offseason) calendar, what would you ask the Browns to prioritize in free-agency/trade rather than draft?
Leo1727
I think they are leaning heavily into the draft. They have a ton of capital and want to have as much as possible to move up for selections. I do think, though, they will use some of those picks to acquire cost-controlled veterans.
What are your overall thoughts on the spending philosophy of AB and co.? Do you think it’s something that the Browns should continue to do and take advantage of Haslam’s deep pockets, or would you rather see a change of philosophy in the front office without AB at the head? Seems like the only way to microwave a rebuild here is by keeping Berry and allowing him to dig himself out of this mess, or get someone with a similar philosophy to continue this approach with where we’re at in some contracts.
Connor
I would like to think if they replaced Andrew Berry the next general manager could handle the financial side, or bring someone with him who could. I don’t think judging Berry by thinking he is the only one who can handle the financials of it all is the best approach. I do, however, think there is a case for keeping him outside of that angle. As for the deep cash spending, I have no issue with it. Once some of that fat trims off in coming years it returns to be the insane advantage it can be.
I totally understand the recent sentiment of the offense and have been right there. From your perspective, are the current offensive issues tied more to Dillon Gabriel’s field vision and decision-making, or is this primarily a play-calling problem? Even in previous seasons before Kevin handed off the play calling, we’d seen instances where the design created open receivers, but the execution wasn’t there. Curious which factor you think is driving the inconsistency now.
I don’t think Kevin is a bad coach or a poor offensive mind; if anything, I wonder whether this season’s challenges stem from some complacency caused by the revolving door at quarterback.
And for some fun: who is your choice for head coach if they move on? Coordinators or unemployed, since we might not know who could be fired.
Matt
I would say what I have said for the most part — I don’t think Kevin has developed an evolving scheme that can take modern twists that are hurting defenses and propely apply them to his preferences. I also don’t think he designs concepts, or gets the most out of player who are not at that competent level yet. It is his job to have his guys prepared and to be playing guys who can best execute his schemes. It seems Flacco was that but then he was benched. Design, and then to a lesser extent execution, falls on the lap of the head coach. So, someone carries that blame but it depends on what the internal expectations are for the job.
As for a next coach, man I do not know. I want one of the marquee names who may lose a job due to impatience but that remains to be seen. Perhaps Klint Kubiak is the leader right now but this is all a total guess.
Realistically how do the Haslam’s sell a top candidate to choose coming to Cleveland? Is the history of failure keeping us from getting someone of meaning?
A fun exercise could be to look at others in contention over the years who we passed on. And who went on to be someone of consequence elsewhere. As HC or coordinator.
Lo Smoke
Money talks, man. Always will. They will have to overpay and give that coach whatever they want from a control standpoint. That is the only path. They can sell on the multiple big picks this year, Haslam’s deep pockets, and defensive talent in place, but you are right that the history will always linger here.
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Below you will find your weekly Special Teams update in the form of EPA. After a few stronger weeks this was a disaster. The Browns have now pushed down below the Giants and it is a two-team race for dead last with the Saints.
Punt Return
Gage Larvadain handled return duties again and of the five punts he only had one that did not end with a fair catch. He took it back for 15 yards and did well getting quickly up the sidelines.
Punt Coverage
For the day, Corey Bojorquez averaged 50.1 yards per punt but it is the out-kicking of coverage that can be a problem. The day had 351 air yards but only 205 net yards for a poor 29.2 average. The return was obviously crippling and the Browns have a massive issue spacing out the coverage and then throttling down to make sure the do not overrun the return man. Too many times they simply break down too late.
It happened again later in the game for another 20 yard return where they throttle too late in the open field and get shook. The lanes were better but the technique was poor on the end result.
Bojorquez is still among the worst in the league for EPA results and is not consistently helping out his coverage unit because of kicks that travel too deep without proper hang time or misses on the directional kicking.
Kickoff and Kickoff Return
This Browns didn’t have any real returns of significance but Dylan Sampson missed a cut on this return that could have sprung for a big gain. He returned four punts for a 26 yard average.
The Jets returned three kicks and the first one for a 99-yard touchdown was crippling. Four players clustered to the left of the returner and a poor job closing both sides to shut down the lane. Again, just players in the incorrect spot and struggling to understand the angle.
Field Goal and Field Goal Block
Andre Szmyt made both of his attempts on the day — one short and one from 45. His technique was clean. The shorter of the two attempts was almost blocked because the left tight end who is Cam Robinson (68) gets next to zero touch on the edge rush and almost costs this short kick.
The Browns best special teams play of the game was on the rushed field goal unit getting on the field and set up before half and draining the 45-yard kick before time expired. Clean work here.
Szmyt is among the bottom of the league in kick EPA, however, because of some timely missed kicks in the second half of games. It is improving but not where it needs to be.
Overall Special Teams Grade: (F) This doesn’t need much of an explanation as kick coverage this bad in a single game is so rare and absolutely crushes your chances. The Browns as the 31st unit overall checks out and has hurt the team in several games already across 2025. One of the worst performances you will see from any special teams units this season.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh All-22 weekend content.
The field goal at the end of half was very impressive. Truly incredible that a team that has all the trademarks of a poorly coached team pulled that off.