The Opening Drive 2/16: Opportunities Will Arrive in Roster Cuts, and Creative Short Yardage Concepts
Names to watch for the Browns' decisions and the market they will be shopping closely.
The Miami Dolphins have started the process of cleaning house under their new regime. It serves as a reminder of the opportunity that comes from this time of year where bloated contracts from other organizations can turn into bargain bin options for the Browns in a year they could badly need them — especially along the offensive line.
The Dolphins made their biggest news releasing Tyreek Hill, who is battling back from a gruesome knee dislocation and ACL tear, but they also shipped out several others on the veteran side. Veteran EDGE Bradley Chubb, offensive guard James Daniels, and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. They are attempting to find a trade partner for Tua Tagovailoa but that seems like a roster cut just waiting to happen.
The Browns will have to sort through the bargain bin in their free agency process and they will be dialed in on these decisions around the league. As for their own decisions, it comes down to three players. David Njoku, while not formally announced by the team, he will be their first Post-June1 release in order to split the cap hit. Then the other two names are along the offensive line. Jack Conklin feels like a simple decision and one the Browns could decide to label as their second Post-June1 cut but it comes down to whether or not they want to release Wyatt Teller.
It feels like Teller will be cut loose as the team reshapes the offensive line, and if the Browns go that route it turns into using that Post-June1 on Teller and then just outright releasing Conklin now. The added “dummy” year in the Browns contract structures gives them the necessary flexibility for decisions like these and we should expect them into the future.
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Over the weekend I stumbled upon this 2019 clip from the Browns horrendous trip on MNF out West to face the 49ers. The creativity here by using Odell Beckham in the backfield to then turn around for the inside trap was a reminder of how adept at finding short yardage solutions Todd Monken can be.
The motion into the backfield, the bunch alignment on the right side to sell the toss, the offset running back to do even more selling. Only to come back with a trap out the opposite side. Really beautiful design.
Monken will play on tendencies quite hard. If you recall his Mark Andrews fake sneak play that sealed the Ravens win over the Browns.
This is something I am very much looking forward to in the Browns future offense.
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Yeah a lot of expected turnover on offense. My question is what's your preference to bring in an experienced o-linemen? Guard or Tackle? Personally I'd rather an experienced Guard. Someone who has grown into their man-body and can get out in space and be a mauler. Although I can see the merit in getting a true anchor to solidify the blindside.