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[Cleveland Browns]

DBN exclusive interview with new Browns S Damontae Kazee who talks role in CLE, getting suspended for big hit, more

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

25 questions with one of GM Andrew Berry’s key signings

After the 2024 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns had a few personnel issues with the defense. There were one or two concerns regarding a small group of players who were injured, such as linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, among others.

RELATED: BROWNS SIGN STEELERS VETERAN TO FILL SAFETY NEED

While the offensive structure had lots of problems and question marks, the defense was returning most of its starters. Their list of free agents was assumed to be destined to be re-signed as both starters and quality depth.

But the safety room took several hits. For one, their coach on the field, Rodney McLeod, retired after 13 seasons. Developmental player D’Anthony Bell up and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. And then Juan Thornhill was released with a year left on his contract. That left Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman as the only safeties on the roster.

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Derrick Henry #22 of the Ravens is tackled by Steelers safety Damontae Kazee #23

It was assumed that Browns GM Andrew Berry would select a safety early in the college draft, but not only did the first three rounds come and go without new safety help, so did the entire draft. Berry then signed three free agent players and one undrafted rookie to the safety room: veterans Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins, cornerback/safety Nik Needham, and undrafted rookies Donovan McMillan and Chris Edmonds.

Kazee (5’-11”, 190 pounds) is a seven-year veteran who has led the league in interceptions. He is a fine tackler and has no problems sticking his neck out to stop the run. He wasn’t hired by the Browns to come in and help the special teams unit or be a mentor to the younger players. Kazee has arrived to be on the field and produce. It’s what he does best. He can socialize after the game.

He grew up in San Bernardino, California, and played running back and cornerback, plus basketball, and ran track at Cajon High School. He was named All-Conference in football three consecutive seasons.

One of five children, his brother Walter played running back for San Diego State, which is what Kazee aspired to be just as successful. He chose a scholarship at the University of Washington, but later changed his college choice to San Diego State where they switched him from cornerback to safety.

Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images
Damontae Kazee #23 of the San Diego State Aztecs

In college, he was named First Team All-Mountain West Conference his final two seasons after being selected Second Team All-MWC his sophomore year. In all, Kazee had 238 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 30 batted passes, five forced fumbles, and a whooping 17 interceptions. Yes, not a typo.

His eight interceptions in 2015 led the conference and were ranked second in the nation, one off the leader. In 2016, Kazee’s seven picks also led the conference and were tied for the third most in the nation.

RELATED: 2015 COLLEGE FOOTBALL LEADERS

The Mountain West Conference issues five awards annually at the conclusion of each college football season. In Kazee’s junior year, one of those awards came his way with being named the conference’s “Defensive Player of the Year.” The following year, he won that award again.

After a stellar college career, he was taken in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who had just played in Super Bowl LI the season before. In just his second season, Kazee became the starter and collected a league-high seven interceptions. With that distinction, he was named the “NFL Interceptions Co-Leader” along with Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard and Kyle Fuller of the Chicago Bears.

Safeties with 10+ INTs since 2018...

• Tyrann Mathieu (12)
• Justin Simmons (12)
• Quandre Diggs (11)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick (11)
• Harrison Smith (11)
• Kevin Byard (10)
• Damontae Kazee (10)

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) August 27, 2021​

Kazee played with the Falcons for four seasons and finished his career with Atlanta with 199 tackles, 10 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 5 forced fumbles.

From there, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys for a single year, and then settled in with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2022 to 2024.

His career total stats: 107 NFL games played with 63 starts, 363 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles, 24 batted passes, and has allowed just 14 touchdown passes over seven seasons.

The #Steelers have downgraded S Damontae Kazee (ankle) to questionable for Sunday's game vs. the NYJ. We have also upgraded DT Montravius Adams (knee) to have no injury status designation.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) October 19, 2024​

While with Pittsburgh last year, he rolled his ankle in warmups while preparing for the team’s Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys, although he did play through the injury and went on to play 21 snaps. Kazee’s ankle got pretty bad in the days after the Cowboys game, as his ankle swelled up considerably. He ended up with only one start and had just 289 defensive snaps, or 30% of plays, but missed just two games.

When healthy, he is known as a ball hawk.

Dawgs by Nature’s Barry Shuck was able to talk to Kazee, a father of two, one of this year’s top free agent signings, about a position of great need for experienced veteran help.

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DBN: A lot of guys in high school play several positions and end up at one position when they get into college. But you were a defensive back at Cajon High School, and knew that was your calling, and you’ve played it ever since. You were young when this decision was made. When did you stop playing running back and receiver, then dedicate your focus to defensive back?​

Kazee: I played corner and running back going back to Pop Warner. But in my whole high school career, I played receiver and cornerback. I was pretty good at corner. I did play a little running back in my senior year in some packages.

DBN: You made All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) three consecutive seasons. Was that strictly at cornerback?​

Kazee: Yes, that was at cornerback. The first time I was named All-CIF was at a banquet, and they made the announcement. I was in the 10th grade. They announced my name and brought me up on stage with the other players.

DBN: You committed to Washington and then ended up at San Diego State. What made you change your mind? ​

Kazee: I committed to U-W in my sophomore year in high school. Grade-wise, I was doing okay, but I had a few “D’s” and they thought I wasn’t going to make it academically and make all of the credits. They asked me to de-commit so they could use the offer somewhere else. My older brother went to San Diego State, and I felt at home when I visited the campus. Plus, it was just over two hours to drive from home. Later, when I was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, the offensive coordinator was Steve Sarkisian, who was the one who offered the scholarship at Washington and then pulled it away.

Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images
Damontae Kazee #23 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs with the ball after intercepting a pass

DBN: Normally, freshmen don’t play much, but you saw action in 12 games with 41 tackles. How was the college game different than high school? ​

Kazee: The college game was more about learning the technique. I had an awesome coach, Tony White. He broke the field down for me, playing corner. He taught me to be the guy I am today. Coach White taught me all of it. I was an off-the-ball kind of guy. He taught me how to read the quarterback, read the routes, and how to use the field. In college, there are wide sides and short sides. In college ball, the speed, the competition, and you are no longer the star because most of the team are all-stars from their high school team.

DBN: In your junior year, you had eight interceptions, which led the conference. The next year, you had another seven picks, which also led the conference, plus a pick-six in both seasons. What was your secret?​

Kazee: There wasn’t a secret, just using techniques my coach drilled into me. Making some mistakes early on and learning from those plays. I have had good ball skills since high school and learned a lot from playing wide receiver all those years. In my senior year of high school, I had 12 interceptions, so I am used to going after the ball and being aggressive.

DBN: After your junior season, you were named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Where were you when you heard the news, and who was the first person you told?​

Kazee: I was at school, I know that. When I was told, I didn’t know how big a deal it was because I was just out playing football and not a big fan of trophies. My head coach told me, and I called my dad.

DBN: You were sent an invitation to the Senior Bowl as a cornerback, which was coached by former Browns head coach Hue Jackson. What was he like?​

Kazee: The entire coaching staff of the Browns was coaching. Coach Jackson was intense and worked us. It woke me up for the next level. He was confident, and as far as offense, he knew what he was doing. He was not afraid to push players to their limits.

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) makes an interception

DBN: You were drafted by the Falcons. What was your first NFL training camp like?​

Kazee: I enjoyed it. I am always full of energy, so I was ready to go to each practice. I couldn’t wait to get back out there. I can tell you this: I had some of the best competition. Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Taylor Gabriel were there and had just played in the Super Bowl. Marvin Hall. They brought me in and showed me the NFL side of the game. The veteran defensive backs treated me well. I was the only DB drafted that year. My DC that year, Marquand Manuel, made me follow the veterans around. Every player at practice, I couldn’t go anywhere by myself. It wasn’t like I was there to take their spot. But it was. I was just doing my job. And back then, players were cut almost every week.

RELATED: THE LEGEND OF JULIO JONES

DBN: With your very first large check, what was the first big thing you bought? ​

Kazee: A 2017 black Dodge Charger with a Hemi. I still have it. With black rims. I needed a car to get to work and my 2012 Chevy Impala which was decent to me.

Damontae Kazee followed up his 11 tackle game with an INT vs the Chiefs.

But could he steal a starting spot if he continues to shine?

@MatthewTabeek answers - https://t.co/MXIVzW9HAg

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 21, 2018​

DBN: With the Falcons, they had you competing for the nickel role. Is this when you were moved to safety? ​

Kazee: Not at first. I had played corner all my life, but my weight and size they wanted me to play safety. I was considered a ball hawk, so my playing the middle of the field made more sense. So, they moved me to free safety, and they were trying to find a way to get me on the field because both Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen had just gotten new contracts. One year I played nickel, another year I played free safety.

DBN: What was it like having to deal with Julio Jones every day at practice?​

Kazee: The good part was, if I was going to stick on somebody, it was in the slot. I really didn’t have to deal with Julio like that. He different. Just different.

DBN: In just your second training camp, you still didn’t win the starting safety job. But Neal got hurt in Week 1, which put you as the starter. You then started the remaining 15 games, and because of that, you had 82 tackles and seven interceptions and were the NFL interception co-leader. Did Falcons head coach Dan Quinn ever come over to you and apologize for not making you the starter coming out of training camp?​

Kazee: He wouldn’t do that. Dan Quinn is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had and will always have my respect. Everybody is on a contract and is competing for a job. It’s hard for him to switch out a role like that with your starters. Especially bumping them for a younger guy. In my rookie year, I was on special teams a lot. Neal was one of our best defensive players and just got injured. That happens.

DBN: For being the NFL interceptions leader, did you get a bonus check from the league, a trophy, or some sort of award?​

Kazee: A high five. I didn’t get anything. I guess I got named that.

Two games, two takeaways for Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee. He had a forced fumble in Week 1. This interception late in the third quarter on Sunday increased the Cowboys’ win probability from 33% to 46%, according to @NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/ge3ZrHSlU7

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 21, 2021​

DBN: In the COVID year of 2020, you signed with the Dallas Cowboys and were reunited with Coach Quinn. He played you more at free safety. You started 15 games, starting the playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, in which you had nine tackles. Yet, during the off-season, the Cowboys didn’t re-sign you. What do you think the issue was? ​

Kazee: Me looking on the outside in, I didn’t have a great season. I had just come off an Achilles injury the year before and was tentative with it. That is not an excuse, and I did work hard to get back to playing and be ready to play. After the season, neither my agent nor I ever heard from them. That was just the end of it, and no hard feelings. It’s business.

Editor’s note: Kazee’s Cowboys stats - 17 games played, 15 starts, 52 total tackles, two interceptions, four batted passes, two forced fumbles

DBN: In the spring of 2022, you signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. How many teams had contacted you, and what was it about the Steelers that interested you?​

Kazee: It was a lot of teams. I don’t remember who, but I did take a trip to Detroit and Seattle, then made my choice with Pittsburgh. I liked the logo and playing for Mike (Tomlin). He is a really good coach and gives it straight to you with no lies. They told me my role, which may not be a starting job, but there was a brotherhood and a good culture there. I enjoyed my time there.

DBN: Do you mind if we talk about the hit on Michael Pittman? In your second season in Pittsburgh, in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, Pittman is wide open, and as he has the ball in his hands, you gave him a pretty good whack, and he dropped the ball. Your team got an unsportsmanlike penalty, and you were ejected. Your job is to dislodge the ball and tackle guys who catch passes. Isn’t that what happened? ​

Kazee: Yes, and I do understand both sides. When the ball is up for grabs, it’s hard to react. It’s hard for me to stop when I have already committed and let you catch the ball, knowing my job is up for grabs. There are a lot of things that go with it. I understand both sides, as me being injury-free from the play. I can’t complain about. It happened. Later, I went to New York and wanted to get my face-to-face with Commissioner Roger Goodell and everybody else in their offices. I just wanted to explain my reasoning. It went well. But I took it on the chin and went about it. We talked for about two hours and had a good conversation. But it came from the middle of the field where there are a lot more wide-open zones, and everyone had a running start. I just play hard. My fine was $300,000, and they suspended me for the rest of the season.

Tom Brady on Damontae Kazee’s suspension:

“To put the blame on the defensive player all the time is just flat out wrong. … It’s not OK QBs to get your WRs hit because of your bad decisions!” https://t.co/1NS5iExWZ8 pic.twitter.com/xz20vUwB2u

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 18, 2023​

DBN: Tom Brady came out and said this: “Nobody likes seeing players get hurt. But hard hits happen. QBs should be throwing the ball in areas where they are not exposing their own teammates to these types of hits. QBs need to read coverages and throw the ball to the right places. To put the blame on the defensive player all the time is just flat out wrong.” Now, that comes from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Your thoughts?​

Kazee: I believe him when he talks about ball placement. I thought it was tremendous that Tom Brady stuck up for me. I think he was right, honestly. It was not a try to get out to get another player. It was just playing football and being in motion, trying to stop a guy from catching the ball. It’s all right to talk about it now.

DBN: Where were you when you heard the league had suspended you?​

Kazee: I was in Pittsburgh and was told I couldn’t go to the facility. General manager Omar (Khan) told me. I had a good relationship with him, and went into his office, and he explained everything. During that time, you feel disconnected from your team.

RELATED: HOW THE SAFETY POSITION WENT FROM A WEAKNESS TO A POTENTIAL STRENGTH

DBN: How did you end up with the Browns?​

Kazee: It was kinda crazy. Everybody in the division was calling. Browns situation made more sense. They were honest and told me what role I was going to play. The Browns have a safety need. I am coming in with a different mindset of whoop some butt and take names later even if I’m not the starter. I’m just ready to play football.

DBN: Cleveland has one of the best defensive coordinators in the league under Jim Schwartz. What are you expecting from him?​

Kazee: I can tell the way he is pushing everybody that he is ready to get the defense back to that Number One in defense, they got back in what? 2023? He is looking at work ethic and players who will give him production. I expect him to run a tight camp and expect the best from me. He knows where I play best, and hopefully, he can place me there in games where I can be around the ball. I am more of a ‘try to go get the ball’ type of player and be the back guy. He seems to be a pretty good coach. I’m excited to be on a good defense.

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

DBN: The Browns lost three safeties from last year. They don’t need you to play special teams and get some defensive snaps. What edge do you have with all your years of experience?​

Kazee: Just knowing situations in the game. Being out there in the moments that count, from the last seconds to everything else. I want to be around the ball. I have good anticipation. They say I am ball-hawking, and if that means being where the ball ends up, then I say okay to that.

DBN: After dealing with an ankle injury from last year that seemed to nag you, how do you feel physically?​

Kazee: I feel really good. All of the medical issues were dealt with before I came to Cleveland when I came out in early March. With the Achilles injury, I just wasn’t sure each week and thought about it. But an ankle injury is nothing to be concerned about. It’s not like it had anything to do with the knee. The Steelers didn’t play me much last year, even though the ankle got better and felt good and was ready. But I feel good. Ready to get out there.

DBN: The Browns will play some 4-2-5 with one of the linebackers a safety who can hit. You are a very good tackler. Do you think your playmaking abilities will help you come down into that second level and give run support?​

Kazee: I talked to the coaches, and I know my role. I don’t think I will be down in that situation. I will be playing the post. Post safety.

DBN: Although you are one of the best centerfielders in the league, you are a top-notch contributor in the slot. Which position would be your preference? ​

Kazee: It doesn’t really matter. When I am out on the field, I play football. Whether I am in the box or playing in the back, or at post, there is just one football. That’s where I am going.

DBN: What should Cleveland Browns fans expect from you this year? ​

Kazee: Full energy from sideline to sideline.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...in-cle-getting-suspended-for-big-hit-and-more

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns Minicamp: Notes from the 2nd mandatory practice session

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There were signs to be encouraged from during the second session of mandatory minicamp.

The Cleveland Browns hit the practice field for their second session of mandatory minicamp earlier today. The team will practice one more time tomorrow before everyone heads out of town for a break until training camp begins in late July.

You will find a quick recap of some of the most noteworthy things that happened or were said below.

• Both rookie quarterbacks appeared to have productive days.

For the second day in a row, Dillon Gabriel got reps with the first team in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 action. He appeared sharper today than he has recently, according to most who were in attendance, and threw a pair of touchdowns in redzone work.

#Browns Dillon Gabriel to Jalen Gill in 7 on 7 pic.twitter.com/LLD2lGPyi0

— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) June 11, 2025​

Shedeur Sanders continues to take advantage of the opportunities that he is given, which include some reps with the second team on offense. If Sanders continues to progress, it will be hard for the Browns not to provide him with reps with the first team early in camp.

#Browns Shedeur Sanders in modified 7/7 red zone, TD pass to TE Brendan Bates. pic.twitter.com/FU8ryn0KTm

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 11, 2025​

• Diontae Johnson is getting up to speed

After missing the first few weeks of voluntary OTAs, Johnson was one of the last receivers in the rotation yesterday. Today, he was more involved and looked more fluid in his movement skills than he did on tape last year.

#Browns Shedeur Sanders first play in 11 on 11 is completed to Diontae Johnson pic.twitter.com/xF7FdfrazR

— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) June 11, 2025​

The first impression of him is about what we could hope for, but let’s hold off until pads come on in camp before we give him that third wide receiver role. Some of the younger receivers have been taking advantage of their opportunities with Cedric Tillman, David Bell, and Mike Woods sidelined. It will be interesting to see if one of them can separate themselves and make a case for the team in August.

Everyone will have one more chance to impress on Thursday before Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski take a step back to evaluate their feelings about the roster before training camp. We can expect a few moves to shore up a few position groups over the next several weeks, with wide receivers getting healthy, look for a third center to be brought into the fold.

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Has anything stood out to you over the past few days? What position do you think the Browns still need to address? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...hedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel-diontae-johnson

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Losing Nick Chubb feels bad for Browns fans, but was logical for the Browns

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Nick Chubb’s Browns career ended poorly but was ready to end

Life is filled with making tough decisions. We all make them. Is it always the right thing to do in the moment? No, but it’s sometimes the best decision in the long run.

When Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry was noncommittal about bringing back running back Nick Chubb, it was a foreshadowing of what everyone should’ve seen coming. Chubb is Texas-bound, having signed with the Houston Texans. Browns fans everywhere are devastated (as they should be), but it shouldn’t be considered a surprise.

In fact, it was obvious and logical, especially since Chubb wanted to play for a contender:

What I know on Nick Chubb free agency, some of which reported on @SportsCenter this AM:

-#Texans considered leader among several teams
-#Saints and #Browns also have been involved to some degree (CLE unlikely)
-Chubb plans to sign as soon as Monday.
-Going to a contender…

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 8, 2025​

GM Andrew Berry was transparent about Chubb’s future​

Berry has been the poster boy of criticism, but the Chubb situation has been full of clear communication. Back in February at the Scouting Combine, Berry told reporters that he expected Chubb to test the open market before free agency began. Throughout the process, Chubb’s market didn’t materialize the way many thought it would, but considering how he was coming off a devastating knee injury two years ago and broke his foot last season, you could see why not many teams were willing to sign him.

There is no doubt that Cleveland and Chubb talked throughout the free agency period, but it got to a point where the sides couldn’t come to an agreement when it came to the money aspect.

The NFL is a business, and sometimes it can be cruel.

Drafting two RB’s and a pay cut made things complicated​

It was clear that the Browns were looking for upgrades to the running back room, considering how non-productive the room was last season. With the running back free agent market being lackluster, Cleveland had little to no options there.

Fast forward to the NFL Draft, Browns decided to draft two running backs in Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson. Young and cheap.

Then, enter Jerome Ford.

Ford agreeing to a pay cut closed the door shut on any chance that Chubb returned. Ford is likely going to be relegated to special teams duty, and Chubb isn’t someone who is a special teams player. Chubb is more of a rotational back in his career at this time, and it wouldn’t be possible for him to get carries with two rookies ahead of him.

While it does hurt that Chubb won’t be in Cleveland this year, we shouldn’t be surprised that it was trending towards that all offseason. Now, the Browns and their former star back both get to pursue their goals, just separate from each other.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...or-browns-fans-but-was-logical-for-the-browns

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Caddix cleats set to alter the athletic shoe landscape, our exclusive interview with CEO Jack Rasmussen

Caddix Company Images

25 questions with the inventor of new cleats, which are designed to reduce non-contact injuries

Every sport has its own equipment.

Players can substitute a Buick for first base, but there is still a bat that is needed to whack the ball with. A couple of chairs or a pair of two-liter bottles work well for a makeshift goal, but while playing hockey, the athlete requires a stick to maneuver the puck.

RELATED: WHAT ARE GUARDIAN CAPS?

And every outdoor sport that participants compete on grass or dirt needs their shoes to be able to grip the turf for cutting, stops-and-starts, and planting their feet.

That’s why God invented cleats. Or, maybe the Roman Empire invented these.

With the advent of artificial surfaces in outdoor sports, there is a huge rise in non-contact injuries that occur when the foot gets planted as the athlete begins to turn his or her body and go in a different direction. The foot doesn’t release its position, something on the body doesn’t give, and then an injury occurs. This can be a knee sprain, tendons that pop inside the knee, or various hip issues.

A company called “Caddix” has invented cleats that contain studs that actually give depending on the movement of the athlete and help get rid of non-contact injuries.

A cleat that flexes? Really?

The Caddix Company refers to their athletic shoes as “cleats for your knees” because the cleat studs have a degree of rotation installed into their technology that gives a bit instead of becoming stationary.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco wears Caddix cleats.

Origin of cleats​

Cleats have been around since the early days of “Association Football,” or as the game is called in North America: soccer.

It is said that the Romans invented soccer as a means to keep their soldiers in shape. But the rules were different from town to borough to village to different soldier camps as ideas were passed along.

Some permanent rules were needed so that no matter where your team’s travels happen to be, the game would be played in the same manner and would be organized. The English came up with a set of rules in 1886 entitled “Laws of the Game” that every country still follows today.

The game is called “football” internationally because it has always been called this since the rules of the game are listed under “Association Football.” Every sport that came after it has also named itself “football”: Gaelic Football, Rugby Football, American Football, Australian Rules Football, Arena Football, and Canadian Football.

They all sprang from soccer. The word “soccer” became a shortened version of “Association,” which converted to “assoccer” and then condensed again to “soccer.”

Photo by A. Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

The origins of cleats, or football boots as the English call them, were again a Roman invention out of the necessity of war.

Roman soldiers wore thick-soled sandals called “caligae,” which had rough bottoms ideal for various terrains, grass, and dirt surfaces. Sometimes, when a lot more traction was needed, the soldiers drove into their caligae “hobnails,” which were short nails with a thick head that would protrude out of the bottom for grip in extreme topography and snow. Then a layer of leather was sewn on top of the hobnails to protect the bottom of the foot from irritation.

After all, Roman soldiers ended up in countries and surroundings they had never seen before. Hobnail sandals were not worn on slick surfaces such as marble, river beds, or ice.

This type of altered footwear eventually found itself on the playing field as soldiers discovered that the hobnails were perfect for planting their feet and changing directions while playing soccer, which gave them an advantage.

Around the 1500s, cleats were worn by every athlete. King Henry VIII’s inventory of his wardrobe in 1526 mentions “football boots,” which is the first written documentation of “cleats.”

For centuries, cleats were made of various layers of leather with spikes embedded between the layers. “Vulcanization” was invented in 1844, which became a method to harden rubber. At first, this new technology was only used in automobile tires, but soon spread to other applications, such as shoes, and was especially beneficial in the production of cleats.

The concept of spiked and studded shoes for other sports, such as track and field, began to emerge as well in the late 19th century. The first studded track shoes were invented in 1895 by Joseph Foster, who founded “J.W. Foster and Sons,” which decades later was renamed “Reebok.”

For an athletic shoe to be categorized as a cleat, it must have some sort of protrusion on the bottom of the soles. And different sports use a divergent type of cleat.

Baseball cleats have “spikes” underneath, which are usually made of metal with a flat tip. The reason is that all of the baseball infield positions, plus all base running, are performed on hardened clay. The normally rounded plastic cleat bumps don’t penetrate the clay, so good traction is never achieved. The metal flat apex does.

Photo by Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

On natural grass, round bumps on the bottom of the shoe are located. Their length depends on the ground surface. Back in the 1970s, screw-in protrusions were common, which gave the athlete options of how deep he or she wanted the grip to be, or would fight certain conditions such as wet grass. Usually, about 10-12 studs on each shoe are prevalent.

With artificial surfaces, the entire shoe bottom is aligned with “nubs,” which are a series of short bumps or studs lined up in a pattern and can be as many as 30-50 on each shoe.

But in each of these instances, the bumps on the cleat bottom are stationary.

Even the screw-in variety uses a special wrench to tighten each stud into place no matter what length is desired. The fact that when planted, the cleat does not “give” at all can injure an athlete – especially on the modern artificial grass surfaces.

The issue with non-contact injuries​

Non-contact injuries occur without direct contact between players or with an external object, such as sidewalls in hockey, running into the goal post in football, the hoop stanchion in basketball, sliding into a base in baseball, running into the side of a lacrosse goal, or hitting the platform in performing the pole vault.

The damage occurs when the knee bends inward and twists. The end result is various degrees of injury, including tearing the ACL, the PCL, knee twists, hip issues, and MCL sprains.

Every year, there is a long list of athletes who will twist their knee or pop their PCL because the shoe planted and became rigid in one location, and did not give at all while the player was in the act of turning his or her body. The statistics are staggering: 1.5 million athletes suffer a non-contact ACL injury every year.

In the NFL each season, knee damage led the league in injuries at 20%, followed by ankle (12.4%), hamstring (8.7%), shoulder (8.4%), and head-related (7%).

When the cleat gets stuck in the ground and the athlete attempts to turn, something has to give. Unfortunately, increasingly it has become the player’s knee.

The act of cleat bottoms becoming a rigid hang-up in the turf can be a problem.

Until now.

The Caddix Company has invented cleats that contain studs that actually give depending on the movement of the athlete and help get rid of non-contact injuries. The end result is cleats with studs that flex.

What are Caddix SmartStuds?​

Back to that “cleats for your knees.”

Non-contact knee injuries are becoming more and more increasingly common every day in a variety of organized sports. Teenagers, children, and young men and women are progressing by being much stronger, which leads to becoming faster. More time is spent enjoying their sport on the field in practices and games.

Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Jamaal Charles #25 of the Chiefs was injured without being touched on this play against the Bears in 2015

Jack Rasmussen and his father, Jeff, were watching the Kansas City Chiefs against the Chicago Bears in a Week 5 game on TV during the 2015 season. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles took a handoff near the 10-yard line and went down without contact while making a cut during the second half. The end result was a torn ACL in his right knee.

The two men began talking about how Charles went down without being tackled or touched by a defender and how non-contact injuries were a lot more common than most folks knew. At the time, Jeff was in advertising, and his son Jack was a college dropout. The discussion ended with the two men on a mission to figure out a method together to change the effects of this injury.

The goal was to develop a new product to reduce the risk of injury for athletes. But first, it began in another “product that changed the world by first appearing in a garage” story.

Courtesy Caddix Company
Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen

Jack quit his job as a housekeeper in Utah, moved in with his parents in Maryland, and spent years studying engineering, biomechanics, and physics. The problem was that neither Jack nor Jeff knew anything about how to design cleats, much less were part of a $200 billion industry.

Jack’s first attempts at a phototype were made with quick hardening caulk and blue dish soap, which created a transparent yet very manipulative rubbery substance. This concoction was placed in a mold he made, which created a transparent object that could be trimmed and shaped into a cleat sole. He spent four years making various prototypes in Jeff’s garage.

Ideas came and went, and finally it was decided to focus on the cleat sole. The first ideas were centered on having the entire cleat sole flex. But there were several issues, including at the manufacturing level.

Then Jack spent the $62,000 required to test his first prototype and file his first patent.

After years of trials and tribulations, Jack finally had a product that worked. But he needed money to test his new prototype and raised $300,000 from friends and family. Before he accepted their funds, Jack made them watch the play where Charles took the handoff and then attempted to cut to his left as a hole opened up. Instead, his knee buckled without being touched. Jack wanted investors who understood the mission. He even turned away offers if the source didn’t get what he was attempting to accomplish.

In March of 2020, he approached I-Generator footwear out of Portland, Oregon, which is known for being innovators in footwear, offering qualitative research, market segmentation, competitive benchmarking, and trend and color forecasting. I-Generator took Jack’s working prototype and the money he raised to transform his flexible stud shoe into a wearable cleat.

I-Generator works with some of the largest shoe brands on the planet. They were skeptical about Jack’s design and about Jack’s new shoe company. Jack had zero experience not only in making cleats, but zero experience in being in the shoe business. I-Generator told Jack that they would take his money and perform tests, but that his idea would not work.

LINK: I-GENERATOR WEBSITE

Next, testing began at one of the nation’s best facilities at the Bowerman Sports Science Center at the University of Oregon. Their tests focused on stress over strain and force return.

The concept was simple in nature, but difficult in application: injury prevention.

The patented Caddix SmartStuds release faster from the turf because of their ability to flex up to 12 degrees in any direction. Their release coefficients and anything flexible between the foot and the playing surface would reduce the rotational force that causes these injuries. Essentially, there is less of a chance for an athlete’s foot to get stuck as they try to cut and turn, which would reduce the risk of non-contact lower body injuries.

Nine patents were applied for, and after four years, every patent submitted was approved.

The “Caddix SmartStud” is a process that reduces rotational force on the knee and lower extremities. How this is achieved is that each cleat stud has the ability to flex on its own without being detected by the athlete.

Jack was approached by Todd Heap, the former two-time Pro Bowl tight end of the Baltimore Ravens, who Jack had a poster of in his room growing up. Heap’s career was altered by injury. Jack set up a meeting with Heap and explained his concept and design. Heap and former Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta ended up investing $1.2 million into the business and $5 million over the next three years.

This allowed the manufacturing process to begin. Flacco came into the picture and even went on the “Pat McAfee Show” discussing the new cleats. In December 2024, the cleats were finally available for sale.

Essentially, Caddix has invented the Gatorade of athletic shoes. What this means is a product that nobody thought about that will change every pair of cleats at every level.

As far as the cleats are designed as a finished product, there are studs in the front and rear of the shoe. The back ones are stationary, which makes sense because as an athlete pivots, the heel action is not affected. All of the front studs, however, have movable studs. The width of the toe box is a bit larger than standard cleats with more padding and arch support.

With this much technology involved, obviously, the cleats aren’t cheap. Products backed by science rarely are. But what is the cost of a torn ACL, the subsequent rehab, lost wages, and a full year of not competing?

The company’s X handle, as well as their Instagram icon, is @caddixcleats.

Editor’s note: Joe Flacco discussing cleats starts at the 11:45 mark

In professional sports, once in a generation, there are inventions that alter the course of that sport and then become part of the fabric of the game.

The 1955 BT-5 football helmet facemask, a 1925 baseball pitcher’s rosin bag, 1917 Converse non-skid high top basketball sneakers, Montreal Canadiens Jacques Plante’s 1959 goalie mask, Sam Widdowson’s soccer shin guards in 1874, the Wilson T2000 tennis racket which was the first steel model, Gatorade, the 1905 William Taylor patent for dimples on a golf ball, the 1980 HANS neck restraint device for auto racing, the TYR Wrinkle-Free Silicone Swim Cap for competitive swimming, and the 1928 Cascade bucket lacrosse helmet.

And just recently, Guardian Caps for football and now Caddix cleats.

Interview with Caddix Company CEO Jack Rasmussen​

Jack Rasmussen and his father Jeff, are the company co-founders. Jeff has 30-plus years of advertising experience, so a new product and promoting it fits nicely in his toolbox. Jack played college football.

Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Kayla Sharples (27) battles for the ball

Also, on staff at Caddix is Dr. Kirk McCullough, who is listed as their medical advisor. Anytime a company has a product that makes claims regarding injuries, a board-certified doctor better be on board. Dr. McCullough specializes in orthopedic sports medicine, is a foot and ankle surgeon, and has current ties to teams in MLS, the NWSL, and was once the team physician for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Three professional athletes are company advisors and investors: Tight ends Todd Heap and Dennis Pita, formerly with the Baltimore Ravens, and Kayla Sharples, who plays defender with the KC Current of the NWSL.

Caddix is currently marketed toward football players, soccer athletes, and Lacrosse players. It is continuously looking to innovate and help keep players on the field for longer.

Courtesy Caddix Company
Missouri Western State University punter Jack Rasmussen

A former high school and junior college basketball player, Rasmussen began his college football career as a punter for Missouri Western State University from 2018-2021. In his final season, he transferred to Western New Mexico University, where he was named an All-American at the D-II level with an average of 43.4 yards per kick and a long of 66 yards against Central Washington.

The company is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The company name has its own story.

Summertime is synonymous with fly fishing and caddisflies. These are aquatic insects that are an important part of freshwater ecosystems. Their larvae, known as caddisworms or caddisfly larvae, are often found in rivers and streams. The adult caddisflies have moth-like wings and a hairy body, and just happen to be a favorite meal for many fish species.

Rasmussen just happened to be fly fishing in a river in Colorado. His thoughts were still engaged on what his new company should be called. As he was fishing and dealing with his caddis artificial lures, it hit him to simply take out the “S” in caddis and replace it with an “X”. That’s it. That’s the whole story.

Dawgs by Nature’s Barry Shuck was able to catch the busy Rasmussen to discuss the technology in these new cleats, and what to expect as it changes the dynamics of the athletic shoe universe.

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DBN: You are a former athlete. How did this background help you in your new field? ​

Rasmussen: That is really part of the motivation. Because in college football, you always see injuries that derail these careers that were so promising. So much potential and then injury occurs and it’s gone. The connections I built in college were invaluable. This web of interconnectedness that helped build this field of outreach portion of the company kept us going.

Courtesy Caddix Company
Jeff (left) and Jack Rasmussen

DBN: So, the beginning of this journey is that you were watching a football game with your dad, and somebody in the game got hurt?​

Rasmussen: Jamaal Charles went down with the Chiefs. My dad and I were thinking we could fix it. My dad was in advertising, and I was just a nobody. I was living in Utah and was working as a housekeeper at a National Park. I quit my job, moved back to my parents’ house in Maryland, and studied biomechanics for a year. My dad and I actually wrote our first patent when I was just 19 years old.

DBN: What was the timeline of the final idea? ​

Rasmussen: Nothing is straightforward as to a path. The idea came, and then I took a year off. I came back and went as heavy as I could for a year. And waiting for the patent award was the most arduous process because you have to re-file and re-claim things and pay extra. It’s like a four-year hiatus. I was just a 20-year-old kid claiming all these ideas and all this science-based data with nothing tangible. Without a patent, we couldn’t do anything. So, I was dead in the water for four years. The patent got awarded in August 2019, and that’s when I started raising money to go out west to prove my theory at a university. After that, I got in touch with I-Generator and went back and forth with them. They helped with the design, got me in touch with factories in China, and kept this thing together.

DBN: How have President Donald Trump’s tariffs affected your process with China?​

Rasmussen: It hasn’t affected us yet because they suspended it for 90 days. We got in a production order during that window, which is so nice. But ultimately, what is going to happen is we are going to have to go overseas and maybe find somebody else. But at the same time, we don’t know how this is actually going to end.

DBN: At what point did the words “make the cleat studs able to flex” come out of somebody’s mouth, and after how many beers?​

Rasmussen: No beer involved, just a couple of guys who are crazy. The original idea was conceptualized around the shoe sole itself. We didn’t think about studs right away. The original specs were that the shoe sole was comprised of certain layers that had certain jobs to make it rotate and flex. One layer moves left, one moves right, one moves laterally front and back, with an amalgamation of movement within a shoe sole. Fast forward to 2020, and the practicality of the manufacturing standpoint wasn’t feasible. So, we focused on the technology and the functionality of the studs rather than the shoe itself.

DBN: To finance this, you were either rich, engaged to somebody rich, went on “Shark Tank” and got funded, or you went the “beg, borrow, or steal” approach. Where did the money come from to get this thing going? ​

Rasmussen: My dad and I bootstrapped it for the first couple of years for the first patent. And in 2018, I raised a very small amount from family and friends just to fund the study out west. Last year, when we decided to make cleats, I raised money from professional athletes, including Joe Flacco. We denied Shark Tank twice. They called, and we didn’t want to go. The language in their contract wasn’t favorable. It was geared towards the sharks and the show itself. Plus, I think the show is more of a “look at me” approach instead of being a good business model. We already had investors. It just didn’t make sense at all.

DBN: What are the cleat stubs made of?​

Rasmussen: Within every stud, there is a post. And around that post is a rubber washer that allows it to freely move in any direction. And around that is encased in plastic. Nothing out of the ordinary except that washer.

@NFL stars checking out Caddix cleats!

SmartStuds™ “give a little” to reduce the rotational force responsible for knee and ankle injuries. Without compromising your performance! pic.twitter.com/Euwi6ivfLR

— Caddix (@caddixcleats) February 7, 2025​

DBN: Cleat stubs are designed to catch and grip either grass, the Earth, or a synthetic surface. Your cleat nubs aren’t designed to catch, but at the same time, they don’t slip. Why?​

Rasmussen: It is designed to optimize traction. Traction equates to performance. But when there is too much traction, there is inefficient traction to the point where it’s injurious. So, if you go to plant and cut, and your cleats do exactly what they’re designed to do, you will have the traction. Now, depending on the playing surface, how you train, your muscle features, all of these variable factors go into this equation that either goes well or goes badly. Our whole concept, yeah, we need traction to perform, but if there is too much traction, our cleats can realize it. They can flex and reduce that injurious load while still maintaining the performance load. After lots of testing, we found a really sweet spot that tested well.

DBN: How does the technology help to avoid non-contact injuries? ​

Rasmussen: If you get stuck in the ground and your foot is locked to the playing surface, your knee tries to compensate for that lack of motion. But if your stud will flex, it kills the force of the ground level before it propagates up the kinetic chain to your ankle, your knee, and all the way up to your hip.

DBN: Is the reduction of the rotational force from the ground up the goal? ​

Rasmussen: That is correct.

DBN: Overall, how much time was spent to come up with a working prototype that was approved as the right one?​

Rasmussen: Probably three years. And during that time, we were constantly looking for money under every couch cushion and rock.

DBN: How many prototypes did you go through until you perfected the idea, and where is the original prototype? ​

Rasmussen: Close to 10. Under 10. There were so many obstacles. The stud wouldn’t lock into place. Sometimes it would fall off. There would be a manufacturing error. We were constantly fine-tuning our efforts, and then finally last year, we figured it all out. The original my dad threw it away. I had made it with dish soap and quick-hardening caulk. It was a transparent, rubbery substance that could easily be worked with. It’s long gone.

DBN: What has your medical data stated?​

Rasmussen: There have been decades of data that support this plan. I want you to know this. There was a dude in his garage in the 1970s who tried to figure it out. Each shoe weighed four pounds, which isn’t going to work. But it did support the theory that it would work. Our cleats have a faster relief coefficient. That’s how fast you get out of the playing surface, whether it’s turf or grass. That enhances the amount of time you need to get out of the surface, which equates to a reduced force reduction. We put our SmartStuds on the worst-performing cleats that the NFL had last year. And we increased the score by 17%.

DBN: Is your technology a retrofit or just on your shoes?​

Rasmussen: Just on our shoes.

So he took it to multiple universities across the country where they tested the cleat design on machines and athletes, and they all found the same thing:

Jack’s idea worked.

5/9 pic.twitter.com/ZGaeNUrNXx

— Tyler Webb (@tylermwebb) September 18, 2024​

DBN: Do athletes feel the cleat bottom taking some of the force out, and does it take anything away from their performance? ​

Rasmussen: While you don’t feel the studs actually move, you do feel the reduction in your ligaments and joints. You do feel that you get out of your breaks faster because the force is reduced. And our shoes were tested on all possible surfaces and works the same.

DBN: So, you invent the bottom portion of the cleat and change the entire dynamic, and everyone is happy and ecstatic about what you have invented. But now you have to make the application work. And it’s not like what you developed can be retrofitted to every pair of cleats out there in the world. Which means, all of a sudden, you have to attach your invention to a new set of cleats. Which also means you have to become a shoe designer and a shoe manufacturer. Your grandfather wasn’t Geppetto, and y’all didn’t grow up making shoes. How did you go about solving this?​

Rasmussen: I was a basketball player and didn’t belong on the football field, but I was an All-American. We were set with this task, and we either choose to do them or not. I chose to do this to the best of my ability. Whether that is hiring an organization that knows what they are doing, or sitting at my house and learn biomechanics. We feel we are going to figure it out. Always. Every job is to figure it out. Making shoes is a task we had no business solving, and we hired the right team, and they had the answers to it. We are a team of doers. And nobody on our team isn’t up for a serious challenge. I know it’s not a great answer, but we figure it out.

DBN: What does your patent cover? ​

Rasmussen: We actually have nine patents for the different design iterations and a similar functionality to the one we are selling now.

And while @JoeFlacco has already been wearing a pair for every practice and game so far this season, the NFL says it needs to do its own testing before allowing every player in the league to wear a pair.

9/9 pic.twitter.com/fIbkOafyyy

— Tyler Webb (@tylermwebb) September 18, 2024​

DBN: Browns quarterback Joe Flacco wears your cleats. How did you get him into the process? ​

Rasmussen: Ravens tight end Todd Heap called me, and I wanted to make it a Baltimore thing. I told Todd I would love to get some former Ravens involved. He told me he was still friends with Flacco, and I told him to call. I got on the phone with Flacco, and made a pitch. I didn’t think it went well, but he invested and we sent Joe a pair for Colts’ training camp, and he loved them. It just blew up from there.

DBN: The standard cleat comes in teal, which is a great look. But many leagues, such as the NFL, have a lot of color stipulations with uniform contracts. How do you get around that? ​

Rasmussen: We actually made Joe (Flacco) a blue pair for the Colts last year. We are making him a different color for the Browns this year. We set aside a few hundred blank plates in our manufacturer’s warehouse. We have them painted for different NFL players. This year, we are going to release a black pair and a white pair for all athletes because that doesn’t interfere with anyone’s apparel contract. We will have more standardized color options.

DBN: The number of outdoor sports leagues is staggering in a ton of sports such as football, lacrosse, softball, field hockey, soccer, rugby, baseball, flag football, cricket, not to mention the explosion of women’s sports. The way female bodies are designed, they are more susceptible to tearing up their knees, hips, and lower body injuries. Will these cleats help women? ​

Rasmussen: Yes, but the same way it helps men - it is just at a different rate. The problem with women is that their hip, as it relates to their knee angle, is more dramatic because of their ability to reproduce. Their menstrual cycle is a huge factor. Women have been wearing men’s cleats since the inception of sports. It is not cost-effective to offer women their own cleats because that market didn’t exist until a few years ago. These companies don’t care until they publicly have to. The Achilles structure is different because it is so narrow. No one has addressed this until recently. We are one of the few that do, and I am proud of that. It’s what everyone should be focused on, regardless. Other companies haven’t wanted to try things that are new because women have been using the same cleat for two decades.

DBN: The shoe market is a crazy industry. What demanding encounters are you facing as a new shoe company? ​

Rasmussen: There are uphill battles that we’ve had come with experience. These companies lock up these schools with apparel and shoe contracts.

DBN: Professional athletes who have shoe contracts are an elite class. Not only is it monetary, but there is a lot of status. Here you have a cleat that would help their career by preventing injury, yet how do you get athletes to switch? ​

Rasmussen: Players who wear name brands and have contracts can’t wear our cleats. I ask them how much they are making in a year. They tell me. It is never a small number. How they are the most valuable is when they stay on the field. If you go down with an ACL tear, you are going to miss the rest of that season and half of the next. There is a lot of pride in being a Nike athlete. That’s a very elite room to be in. I get that. These large companies have not properly innovated their footwear in decades. I didn’t start this company to make millions. I started this to help athletes because they are afraid of their sport and is incredibly wrong on every conceivable level in my opinion.

DBN: Are you strictly selling online on your website, or do you also have a retail presence? ​

Rasmussen: We sell online and in a few small lacrosse stores along the East Coast. The scale of this thing is I am looking to branch out to a bunch of retail stores.

DBN: Every sports shoe company out there is going to want this technology for their own products. What is your assessment of what it is worth? ​

Rasmussen: In the right hands, this is worth billions of dollars. It’s incontrovertible evidence that it works. If the evidence is that strong and that sound, it might become mandated from the top down. And whoever has this may own the whole market.

DBN: Where do you see your company in five years?​

Rasmussen: I see it mandated, or I see it merge with a larger company that has a bigger reach. More funding, more resources, and a reputation that is attached to a name that already exists. Or blow it up, which we can do easily.

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Caddix Company ​

LINK: COMPANY WEBSITE

LINK: FACEBOOK HOME PAGE

LINK: X HOME PAGE

LINK: INSTAGRAM HOME PAGE

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Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/6/12/24443376/caddix-cleats-nfl

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns season: Given 1 simple reason for optimism in 2025

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns roster has a lot of questions but if 2025 goes well there will be one reason

Closing the book on Cleveland Browns minicamp means the summer is officially here (despite a lot of rain expected in Ohio for the next... forever?). Training camp is a little way away, which leaves time to grieve Nick Chubb’s departure, talk more about Shedeur Sanders and the QB competition and everything in between.

Our Barry Shuck, with an exclusive interview, even gave you a chance to learn about a revolutionary cleat that could alter the athletic shoe landscape.

Soon, the summer of lists will hit the national airwaves and websites en masse. Predictions will shortly follow as the countdown to training camp ticks toward zero. For the Browns, most predictions and lists have a single positive: Myles Garrett. That was true in Pro Football Focus’ reason for optimism list:

The Browns are staring at a relatively bleak outlook, particularly offensively, in 2025, but they managed to extend Myles Garrett, who is arguably the NFL’s best defensive player. Among all players who played at least 300 snaps in 2024, Garrett led the way with an elite 92.3 PFF overall grade. It was his fourth consecutive season with at least a 90.0 PFF overall grade.

Garrett and the Browns’ defense should be able to at least keep the team competitive while the offense figures things out.

GM Andrew Berry continued to build the talent and depth around Garrett on the defensive line, which should be the strength of the team in 2025. While the comparison to the Philadelphia Eagles might stop there, copying from the Super Bowl champs is generally a smart way to build a team.

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Do you think Garrett is the only reason for optimism for the Browns this year? What are the other reasons to be hopeful in Cleveland in 2025?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/6/13/24448805/browns-season-2025-optimism-myles-garrett-roster

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns trivia: Your in-5 daily game, Saturday edition

Think you can figure out which Browns player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey, Cleveland Browns fans! We’re back for another day of the Dawgs By Nature in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Dawgs By Nature in-5 game​

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous Games​

Friday, June 13, 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Dawgs By Nature in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Browns player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS this week. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. The game appears in slot #3 of the DBN layout each day this week and as noted above, will appear in this article exclusively. Additionally, there is a more general version of this at SBNation.com, which features a variety of random players that do not necessarily have Eagles history.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/6/14/24449071/sb-nation-browns-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns QB competition: The chance to start will require extra work from the rookies

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Browns coaches will look for signs of progress when training camp begins.

The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their offseason program earlier in the week, and now everyone will get a chance to get away before the season grind begins in late July with training camp. It’s a time for most players to clear their minds and get a little relaxation, except when you are a rookie quarterback trying to learn your first NFL playbook.

For Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, these next five weeks are important for their development. They have had some experience in the foundation of the offense from their time on the field at OTAs and have a better understanding of what the coaches want to see.

Kevin Stefanski and the staff have a good understanding of where the young signal callers were in their development when they left Berea. They will certainly be looking for signs of progress when the team returns for training camp and the pads are put on.

The truth is, all players will put in work over the break to stay in shape and be ready for camp. The rookie QBs, however, should be working overtime if either would like the chance to win the starting job.

In a recent article written by NFL insider Charles Robinson of Yahoo, he claims that Sanders can win the starting job according to his sources from within the Browns:

Physically, Sanders can start in the NFL right now. Despite all the talk about Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur utilizing a pro-style scheme that supposedly made Sanders more “pro-ready” than some other quarterbacks, I don’t think that has proven to be the case. Not only is Sanders going to be mentally swimming with the complexity of an NFL offense, there is a lot of work to do with the basic terminology and verbiage utilized by Stefanski’s scheme.

Gabriel isn't being left out of the conversation, according to Robinson. One source compared him to a computer when it comes to his ability to process information.

The former Oregon standout also appeared to take a step forward in recent practices, according to those in attendance. The highlight clips floating on social media were more evenly distributed between the two rookie passers, despite all of the buzz for Sanders.

Both players will have a plan to stay sharp with on-field work privately. The focus will be on their mechanics with an emphasis on footwork and taking snaps from under center. Off the field, their grip on an iPad should rival that of children on a long road trip with spurts of focused study.

It’s unknown if either will get any of their teammates together for throwing sessions, but that could be very beneficial as well. The Browns’ offensive coaches won't see them again for a while, and when they do, the difference should stand out.

It’s similar to being a parent, and when you're with your kids every day for two months. It’s difficult to notice the growth, but when you pick them up from a week with grandma, suddenly they seem to have grown an entire foot.

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What do you think? Can either rookie make a push for the starting gig? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...wns-rookie-qbs-shedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel

 

[Cleveland Browns]

The Verdict: How fans locally and nationally feel about Nick Chubb exiting the Browns

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Also, should Cleveland have been featured on Hard Knocks?

During the offseason, Cleveland Browns fans vote in SB Nation Reacts to express their confidence level in the team or their thoughts on other topics.

As I stated when we conducted the poll, after a week of coverage saying goodbye to running back Nick Chubb, this poll represented us wrapping a bow on his exit. The first poll question, which was only asked locally to the Browns audience, asked how Cleveland fans felt about him leaving the team.

50% of fans said that even after drafting two running backs, Cleveland still should’ve re-signed him. 22% said that it was a bad decision, and Cleveland will regret it. 17% of fans said they were on the fence, but were ok with the decision. Lastly, 11% felt Chubb may never be the same, and the Browns got younger — so we didn’t need him back. It’s still a wide range of support for Chubb. It’s tough because I still wanted the team to re-sign him, but after drafting two running backs high, it wouldn’t have really done anyone any favors at that point to retain him.

On a national level, 65% of fans think that Chubb made a mistake by signing with the Texans. That result seems odd — I mean, if Cleveland didn’t want Chubb back at this point, what’s he supposed to do, just retire?

Lastly, also on a national vote, 81% of fans wish the Browns would have been on the canceled offseason Hard Knocks TV show. A big factor in that surely would have been the drama (or lackthereof) that QB Shedeur Sanders bring to an NFL franchise and the team’s quarterback competition. We have a recap of how Sanders’ first minicamp went down here.

Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can currently bet on whether the Browns will have over/under 3.5 wins, 5.5 wins, or 7.5 wins.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...ally-feel-about-nick-chubb-exiting-the-browns

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns: 1 quote about each 2025 draft pick

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Here is what Cleveland’s coaching staff has to say about this year’s rookie draft class.

It is a well-known fact that every NFL team loves its incoming rookie draft class.

Starting with the Tennessee Titans and the No. 1 overall selection in quarterback Cam Ward to the New England Patriots and Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor at No. 257, every team selected the exact player they wanted at the exact right pick over the three days of the draft.

Related: Browns QB competition: The chance to start will require extra work from the rookies

The Cleveland Browns are no exception, as every member of their seven-man draft class has a legitimate opportunity to make an impact on a roster that is slowly being rebuilt following the disaster of the 3-14 season in 2024.

Related: Browns Minicamp Recap - Which players shined?

Defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger will feature heavily on the defensive side of the ball. The running game will go as far as Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson can carry it. The second tight end spot is wide open for Harold Fannin Jr., and all eyes will continue to be on quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders throughout training camp and the preseason.

With the conclusion of the mandatory minicamp last week in Berea, the Browns are done with their offseason program, which also means the coaching staff has now had several opportunities to see what the rookies can bring to the field under a controlled environment and in the meeting room.

While everyone gets prepared for the summer break, let’s take a look at what the coaching staff has to say about the rookie class, with one quote for each player. (Quotes from team-provided transcripts).

Mason Graham has fast, violent hands and a tremendous “get off”. Works hard on his craft #Browns pic.twitter.com/RI2Q0IGS6B

— Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) June 10, 2025​

Defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire on Mason Graham:​

“But here’s a kid that every day he got better. Every day he came out here, he’s running to the ball as fast as he could. You see his rush game developing, you see him launching with his hands. It’s going to be hard obviously coming from a read scheme, going to an attack scheme. But he’s done a really good job and he’s great in the room, an extremely smart individual, hardworking. So I can’t wait to see him come out and play.”

Linebackers coach Jason Tarver on Carson Schwesinger:​

“Carson really does a really good job of being able to focus on each play and making the next play his best play... that’s usually where a rookie will struggle, where he’s worried about what he just did or hangs on to it. He figures it out, asks great questions, runs to the ball. Really impressed with how he goes to the next play and how conscious he is within the play. That’s the learning curve that can really help a young man play fast in this league.”

This cut by Quinshon Judkins just made me LOL.

Look how smooth he is flipping his hips and changing direction. #Browns #DawgPound #NFL
pic.twitter.com/5R9xHFe1Qx

— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) June 4, 2025​

Running backs coach Duce Staley on Quinshon Judkins:​

“Every day as a skill group, we work on quick feet, that’s one of our things. No matter what the drill is, we’re going to work on bend and burst, getting out of breaks, planting that foot and going north. (Quinshon) came straight from college already knowing some of these drills, and he’s done well.”

Tight ends coach Christian Jones on Harold Fannin Jr.:​

“He’s got really strong hands. He tracks the ball well. You see it on tape every time. When we were getting ready to see what he would be for us, the guy catches everything, tracks the ball well, and really adjusts to the ball in the air. He’s decisive and he’s balanced. He has a lot of balance in his play … and tends to keep his feet running when somebody’s coming at him. He does a really good job of knowing whether to split or make one miss and being really efficient in how he runs the ball.”

Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is rifling touchdowns all over the field
pic.twitter.com/X79tjy6mJn

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) June 10, 2025​

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on Dillon Gabriel:​

“Quarterbacks, especially, we want to be as process-driven as possible as opposed to results. As long as our process is in the right place, and our decision-making is in the right place, we’ll continue to coach the fundamentals and get the physical to follow it. But we want to focus on, ‘OK, is he processing at the high level? Is he making the right decisions? Is he making the right reads?’ And as that happens, now you see growth and continue to push him fundamentally to make sure that we’re executing.”

Running backs coach Duce Staley on Dylan Sampson:​

“It all starts in the building first, having good meetings with him and being able to show him as a running back and a receiver. Also, meeting with [wide receivers coach] Chad O’Shea, going in there and going over some of the receiver splits and routes, and just being able to expand his game. Dylan is able to go play in the slot, and also he’s able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down. … We’re looking at what we can do with Dylan as far as a receiver.”

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on Shedeur Sanders:​

“Yeah, he’s worked his tail off. You know, he’s really putting in a lot of work like all those guys are. But you could tell on the mental side of the game and learning the system and calling it and having that rhythm to it. He’s put a lot of work and time and effort into that, and then when you do that, the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions. And he’s done a nice job of that as camps progressed.”

The Browns are still in the honeymoon phase with their draft picks as they head into the summer break.

But once everyone returns to town for the start of training camp, we’ll start to see what they really think and how well the players can live up to the expectations and pressures of making an NFL roster.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...e-shedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel-mason-graham

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Cuyahoga County Council: Browns are going to Brook Park

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

County officials call on County Executive Chris Ronayne to give up the fight to keep the Browns in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have spent the past year making it clear where they expect to be playing home games beginning in 2029.

In a $2.4 billion domed stadium located in the Cleveland suburb of Brook Park.

Ever since the news broke in February 2024 that the Haslams were ready to join other NFL owners with a new stadium and adjacent entertainment and business complex, they have worked to secure the appropriate land and line up the required funding.

Half the amount for the stadium is coming from the private sector, but the remaining $1.2 billion is coming from a mix of local, county, and state dollars.

Brook Park has given little to no opposition to the idea of providing $422 million for the project, with the money coming from financed bonds. Ohio legislators approved $600 million last week for the project and are just waiting for Governor Mike DeWine to sign the state budget to make it official.

The lone holdout has been Cuyahoga County, where County Executive Chris Ronayne has been steadfast in his opposition to providing $178 million for the Browns to leave downtown Cleveland, the team’s home since 1946.

While Ronayne has fought the good fight, he may be on his last legs after County Council members injected a dose of reality into the conversation during this week’s Economic Development and Planning Committee meeting.

That message? The Browns are moving, and it would be best for the county to get on board.

That is according to Councilwoman Sunny Simon, vice chair of the County Planning Commission, who is ready for the county to start focusing on what the project will mean to the county, according to cleveland.com:

“Whether we like it or not, it’s happening. I understand the position of the executive is he only wants it downtown, but here we are; they’re going to Brook Park. I want to see how that’s going to impact the county financially and if it makes sense for council to consider any kind of participation because we give out loans, we do all kinds of things for projects, why not this?”

Simon is not ready to cut the check just yet, but is advocating for the county to conduct its own review to determine how the move will impact the county’s bottom line, create jobs, and spur additional development, all of which the Browns have claimed in their own commissioned study.

Every day, the Browns get closer to breaking ground on the new stadium, and as soon as DeWine signs the state budget, it will be almost a lock to happen.

He may not like it, but it is time for Ronayne to listen to his colleagues, get on board, and start focusing on how the project can help the entire region, rather than just on how it might impact downtown Cleveland.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...oga-county-council-jimmy-haslam-chris-ronayne

 

[Cleveland Browns]

NFL salary cap likely to boom even more due to change in Nielsen ratings process

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NFL’s salary cap is dependent on a lot of factors including Nielsen ratings

For most, the details surrounding the NFL salary cap are just boring noise. Similarly, many fans couldn't care less about television deals and streaming platforms, until it impacts how they watch specific games, especially in the NFL playoffs.

The two are very much intertwined.

In simple terms, the NFL salary cap number is decided each year based on the previous year’s league income. Combining media rights, local team revenue and league-wide event revenue (like Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, etc), the owners get a certain percentage, with the rest, generally a little less than half, going to the players in the form of the yearly salary cap number.

The salary cap has risen by over $53 million in the last two seasons alone, including a jump of $23.8 million in 2025 to $279.2 million. In 2012, that number was less than half of that and only jumped above $200 million in 2022.

It is likely we will see our first $300 million salary cap number in 2026, and it could rise well above that as soon as 2028 due to how Nielsen ratings will be calculated starting this year:

The salary cap is going to explode again, and it’s all because of this change in how Nielsen measures ratings. Starting this year, they are leaning into using data directly from Smart TV manufacturers to measure viewing habits in addition to the traditional at-home panel method.

— Brett Kollmann (@brettkollmann.bsky.social) 2025-02-18T18:13:28.678Z

Why 2028 for the next big spike? That is when the new television deals could be in place and, with more accurate and higher ratings, the NFL will be able to secure much higher rates. Kollmann notes how that could impact decisions made this upcoming offseason:

If I’m a GM, that means next year…or maybe even this year…I can sign some truly outrageously back-loaded deals with a ton of funny money that all slams home in 2030 and not even care about the math.

— Brett Kollmann (@brettkollmann.bsky.social) 2025-02-18T18:13:28.681Z

Under GM Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have been making decisions seemingly based on an ever-rising salary cap. The use of void years, accepting huge dead cap and willing to make post-June 1st releases, the Browns have spent as if cap space, and Jimmy Haslam’s money, will never be an issue.

Given the new Nielsen rating process, that is one bet that seems to be correct by Berry and the organization.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/6/19/24452089/nfl-salary-cap-boom-nielsen-ratings-streaming

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns reportedly add UFL tight end

Photo by Alex Slitz/UFL/Getty Images

Sal Cannella will look to turn his UFL production into a roster spot in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Browns made a move on Thursday to bolster the tight end position with the addition of Sal Cannella.

The six-foot-4 and 230-pound Cannella spent the spring with the Arlington Renegades of the UFL, earning a spot on the All-UFL Team after finishing the campaign with 44 receptions (second most in the league), 474 receiving yards (sixth best), and one receiving touchdown.

To make room for Cannella on the roster, the Browns released tight end Tre’ McKitty, who has 16 career receptions for 117 yards with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021 to 2023.

Related: 3 UFL players the Browns should consider

We've signed TE Sal Cannella and waived TE Tre’ McKitty

» https://t.co/XIDX2jiy81 pic.twitter.com/AvkkYyCHSL

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 19, 2025​

Cannella spent three seasons with the Renegades, pulling in 139 receptions for 1,386 yards and seven touchdowns.

Not drafted after a college career that began at Scottsdale Community College, followed by three seasons at Auburn, Cannella has spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game.

In Cleveland, Cannella will have an opportunity to claim the third tight end spot behind veteran David Njoku and rookie Harold Fannin Jr.

The competition for the spot is not exactly fierce as Cannella will be vying for playing time with Brenden Bates (no career stats after spending time with the New York Jets and Browns in 2024), and Blake Whiteheart (six career receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown while spending time with the Arizona Cardinals and Browns between 2023 and 2024).

Cannella has demonstrated his determination to make an NFL roster, and if he can replicate some of the production he showed in the UFL, he may finally achieve that goal with the Browns this fall.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...wns-reportedly-add-ufl-tight-end-sal-cannella

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns: Where does the wide receiver group rank on PFF’s Top 32 list?

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland’s pass catchers may not be a robust group, but are they really as bad as PFF’s ranking?

The Cleveland Browns rebuilt the quarterback room during the offseason, making a clean sweep of what was one of the worst groups of passers the league has seen in a long time.

But if the quartet of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders has a chance at even playing at an acceptable level, they will need help from their wide receivers.

Related: Browns roster: Besides QB, just 4 starting spots have competition

That could be a problem, however, if the group plays as poorly as projected by Pro Football Focus. The analytics site ranked the league’s receiving groups from No. 1 to No. 32, and the Browns came in dead last:

The Browns’ team-wide 65.3 PFF receiving grade last season ranked second-worst in the NFL, and they did little to fix that heading into 2025. Jerry Jeudy led the way with a 74.9 PFF receiving grade, and tight end David Njoku added a passable 65.3 mark. Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash will have to really step up, and perhaps rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson can help from the backfield, too.

Yikes!

While they may not be the second coming of Webster Slaughter, Reggie Langhorne, and Brian Brennan, the situation may not be as bad as PFF is projecting.

Related: Projecting Cleveland’s Week 1 wide receiver room

Last season, his first with the Browns, Jeudy posted the first 1,000-yard season of his five-year NFL career. And he did it while catching passes from that aforementioned horrible quarterback group.

Tillman’s career has gotten off to a slow start, but he was starting to find his groove last season before missing the final six games with a concussion. In a three-game stretch from Week 7 to Week 9, Tillman has 21 receptions for 255 yards and three touchdowns, so if he can stay healthy, Tillman has an opportunity to be a productive No. 2 wide receiver.

Wide receivers are not the only players who catch the ball, of course, and credit PFF for recognizing that tight end David Njoku is on the roster. Much like Tillman, if Njoku can stay healthy, he should be able to replicate his 2023 season, in which he had 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns.

It will also be interesting to see how much the running backs are involved in the passing game this fall, with rookies Dylan Sampson (40 receptions for 342 yards during his three seasons at Tennessee) and Quinshon Judkins (59 receptions for 442 yards during his three seasons split between Mississippi and Ohio State).

During the team’s recent minicamp, running backs coach Duce Staley talked about Sampson’s ability to play in the slot as the coaching staff is looking at “what we can do with Dylan as far as a receiver.”

Having a reliable pair of hands out of the backfield can be a quarterback’s best friend and can make a passing attack that much more effective.

There is a lot of projection about what the receivers can or can’t do on the Browns. And if you look at just the wide receivers, there is a pause for concern. But taking a bigger picture view, Cleveland’s passing attack may be better than people are giving it credit for.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...eceiver-pff-top-32-jerry-jeudy-cedric-tillman

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns trivia: Your in-5 daily game, Saturday edition

Think you can figure out which Browns player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey, Cleveland Browns fans! We’re back for another day of the Dawgs By Nature in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Dawgs By Nature in-5 game​

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous Games​

Friday, June 20, 2025
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Dawgs By Nature in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Browns player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS this week. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. The game appears in slot #3 of the DBN layout each day this week and as noted above, will appear in this article exclusively. Additionally, there is a more general version of this at SBNation.com, which features a variety of random players that do not necessarily have Eagles history.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/6/21/24453126/sb-nation-browns-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Browns: Where does the running back group rank on PFF’s Top 32 list?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Cleveland has long enjoyed a powerful running attack. But questions surround this year’s group.

The Cleveland Browns are a franchise renowned for their strong running attack.

From their very first season in 1946, when Marion Motley was terrorizing defenses, through Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Greg Pruitt and his tearaway jersey, Kevin Mack, Earnest Byner, and finally Nick Chubb, when anyone thought of the running game in the NFL, they thought of the Browns.

Related: Should the Browns turn back the clock on offense?

That all changed in Week 2 of the 2022 season when an unnecessary shot to the knee ended Chubb’s season. Since then, the ground game has been functional at best, with 1,000-yard seasons, breakaway touchdown runs, and soul-crushing fourth-quarter drives a thing of the past.

General manager Andrew Berry went to work in the offseason to remedy the situation. Some of his moves were popular as he selected Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in this year’s NFL Draft. Some were mundane, as the team restructured Jerome Ford’s contract. Some, while not unexpected, were still hard to take as Chubb is now with the Houston Texans after signing a one-year contract as a free agent.

Cleveland will be relying on its running game, along with an offensive line that is getting back to its roots under line coach Mike Bloomgren, to take some of the pressure off whoever is at quarterback and get the offense back on track after a disastrous 2024 campaign.

Evaluating every RB unit 4-deep

Ranking all 32 running back rooms from top to bottom in the NFLhttps://t.co/sqySKp0gXD

— PFF (@PFF) June 21, 2025​

While the rookie tandem of Judkins and Sampson is promising after combining to rush for 2,551 and 36 touchdowns last season in college, they are still unproven at the NFL level. This can help explain why Cleveland’s running back group landed at No. 29 on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of the league’s running back groups:

The Browns overhauled their backfield in this year’s draft by selecting Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson. Judkins earned an elite 95.2 PFF rushing grade during his three college seasons while breaking 197 tackles. Sampson was outstanding as the Volunteers’ starter last season, posting a 90.9 PFF rushing grade.

Those two will be competing with veteran Jerome Ford for playing time. Ford earned a solid 80.3 PFF rushing grade last season, though it was spread across just 104 carries.

Being ranked that low may not be what the Browns are accustomed to, but it is probably fair at the moment. Until they have the opportunity to turn their potential into production, Judkins and Sampson are still unknown quantities.

And while the offensive line is getting back to its strength, the unit has dealt with injuries the past few seasons, and it could take just one injury this fall to derail the line’s effectiveness.

But if the line can stay healthy and Judkins and Sampson are productive, the Browns should have no trouble moving up the rankings as the season goes along this fall.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...oup-pff-top-32-quinshon-judkins-dylan-sampson

 

[Cleveland Browns]

NFL draft: ESPN’s top 2026 prospects give Browns fans more to look forward to

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Browns QB competition will decide how the 2026 NFL draft will go

So much can change between now (the lull in the 2025 offseason) and the 2026 NFL draft, but that is part of what makes football so much fun to follow and cover. The NFL has become the constant “What if?” conversation. Whether it is about “What if Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders or Kenny Pickett prove to be the next breakout quarterback, fixing the Cleveland Browns?” or “What if Arch Manning is the most athletic, best Manning to come out of college?”

For the Browns, those two questions are linked together with the next draft. If Gabriel, Sanders or Pickett prove to be quality starters, Cleveland’s two first-round picks can be used in a myriad of ways (including trading down with a QB desperate team).

While Browns fans hope their team finds a way to win games on the field this season, the 2026 NFL draft gives those fans something else to be excited about and look forward to. “What if (insert college prospect name) was in Cleveland next year?” should be asked a lot during the college season.

ESPN put out lists of top 5 players at every position next year, with Matt Miller and Jordan Reid each providing theirs. Interestingly, neither included Manning in their quarterback list, but both had Cade Klubnik as the top passer heading into the college season.

At wide receiver, with Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams not eligible next year, there are some interesting names in their very early rankings:

Miller’s top five

1. Antonio Williams, Clemson

2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

3. Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn

4. Denzel Boston, Washington

5. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Reid’s top five

1. Ja’Kobi Lane, USC

2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

3. Antonio Williams, Clemson

4. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

5. Denzel Boston, Washington

At offensive tackle, another position Cleveland fans will likely spend a lot of energy on, Miller and Reid had a couple of guys who will need attention this year:

Toughest player to rank: (Kayden) Proctor, (Alabama). There are mixed feelings about the 6-7, 360-pound junior. On one hand, he’s a massive tackle prospect with otherworldly blocking strength. But his moments of brilliance are countered by plenty of disappointing stretches. He tends to float against lesser competition, losing attention to detail and not using his power advantage. Scouts want to see more consistency from Proctor in 2025, and many believe he can be a top-15 pick if he shows it. — Reid

Player outside of the top five to watch: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame. I had a pretty tough time keeping Wagner out of my top five after he played a very strong 16 games in 2024. The 6-6, 293-pound junior right tackle flourished as a run blocker, with awesome agility and awareness in space. He has the chance to shoot up draft boards if his second season as a full-time starter is as good as his first. — Miller

As training camp gets rolling next month, college practices will start to ramp up. We will attempt to provide 2026 NFL draft prep throughout the college season while also seeing how the Browns are doing on the field.

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Are you excited for both the Browns season and to see who is coming up in the next NFL draft or do you just wait until the NFL season is over before switching your attention to the draft? Are there players, listed above or not, that you want us to try to focus on during the college season and/or are excited about possibly seeing in Cleveland next year?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below as Ohio prepares for some high heat days

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...bnik-arch-manning-drew-allar-sellers-lanorris

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Joe Flacco addition already paying off for Browns

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

Browns QB competition will be a big focus of training camp with Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel

When the Cleveland Browns traded for QB Kenny Pickett, many were concerned that he was the only veteran option the team would add this offseason. Then, shortly before the 2025 NFL draft, the Browns brought back the fans’ 2023 hero, QB Joe Flacco, on a one year deal. Flacco has been vocal about his expectations to win the job, what leadership is really about and reiterated his thoughts on being a mentor (or not) as a part of his job.

The mentor comments received blowback from a lot of places including Flacco’s former teammate despite current teammate Shedeur Sanders having nothing but praise for the elder quarterback.

While age might be a “myth,” Flacco will have to have some trust in Cleveland HC Kevin Stefanski based on how OTAs and minicamps went.

Zak Jackson, who made waves for saying Dillon Gabriel didn’t look like an NFL quarterback, noted that Flacco’s addition this offseason is already paying off ($, subscriber):

Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it’s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense.

The Browns and Flacco are both walking a bit of a fine line with his role. The veteran quarterback obviously wants to win the job and Cleveland’s brass want to develop the young quarterbacks as much as possible. Both can happen but can create some tension in the room down the road if the goals become conflicting.

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How do you think Flacco has handled his role so far? Do you think he is far and a way the leader in the clubhouse to start this season?

Share your QB related thoughts in our comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...-shedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel-kenny-pickett

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Can AI help the Browns be successful?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Cleveland has embraced the analytics movement. Now, the next step could be using artificial intelligence to find an edge.

The Cleveland Browns fully embraced the analytics movement when they hired Sashi Brown as general manager in 2013.

Never mind that the team had been using a form of analytics, even if it was not called that, as far back as head coach Paul Brown, who used intelligence tests, film study, the 40-yard dash, and other methods to help give his team an edge. Or that the Dallas Cowboys were using computers to help build their rosters in the 1970s. Or that the New England Patriots were stacking Super Bowl titles while doing deep dives into analytics.

As far as some fans and media members were concerned, the Browns were performing voodoo.

That narrative was built off a media-created image of Paul DePodesta, the team’s chief strategy officer, studying Excel spreadsheets (can you imagine!) deep in a bunker in Southern California as he called all the shots for the team.

Things did not work out for Brown, due in large part to being saddled with the worst head coach in NFL history, and the team took a two-year detour with dinosaur “football guy” John Dorsey running the show.

Analytics may have taken a backseat during Dorsey’s tenure, but the idea of using data-based evaluations as a tool to make better decisions resurfaced under general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Since then, the Browns have made two playoff appearances, and their analytics department has a league-high 10 members.

There are still those who fear change and prefer an outdated brand of football populated with “real players” and led by coaches who sport a strong jaw and spit when they talk.

But that is not the modern NFL, and a new tool is coming to the league in the form of artificial intelligence.

AI is coming to the NFL, and it could transform the game https://t.co/samdhjPpqO

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) June 24, 2025​

In March, the Las Vegas Raiders hired Ryan Paganetti as a head coach research specialist, which in plain English means Paganetti will be the team’s AI coordinator. One example of how AI can help teams, according to a paywalled article in The Athletic, is by reviewing game film from two teams and then creating a game plan complete with call sheets for offensive and defensive coordinators.

That was the idea behind this year’s winning team at the NFL’s annual Big Data Bowl. Vishakh Sandwar and Smit Bajaj developed an algorithm to identify coverages based on the computer’s analysis of the defenders. It can adjust in real-time as defensive players move, can spot which ones are giving away the coverage, and is accurate 89 percent of the time, according to the developers

And that is only the beginning of what could be coming in the next few years, as John Guttag, the Dugald C. Jackson Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at MIT, told The Athletic:

“Over time, it will get better and better. And what you’ll do is say, ‘Here are all the series that led to first downs. Here are all the series that didn’t lead to first downs. What are the important differences?’ — without hypothesizing before. You’ll just let the AI machine learning look at all that data and say, ‘Here are some interesting differences.’ One of the great things about machine learning is it finds things you didn’t know were there.”

There is no way of knowing if or how much the Browns are currently using AI, but Thomas Dimitroff, a former executive with the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, told The Athletic that around 75 percent of the league’s teams are using some form of AI to prepare each week.

To get an idea of how the Browns could use AI, we asked ChatGPT to list ways that the club can incorporate AI to be more successful. The suggestions included:

• Game strategy and play calling to predict opponent tendencies.
• Personalized training regimens based on each player’s performance trends and recovery needs.
• Evaluating college prospects based on play style, metrics, and long-term projections.
• Identifying inefficiencies in execution and suggesting corrections.
• Analyzing joint angles, gait, and impact forces during drills and games to spot signs of strain and prevent injuries.
• Benchmarking player value against the market using performance analytics and economic modeling during contract negotiations.

That is all pretty basic stuff, but you get the idea. And it is easy to see how a team with the right people in place working on this full-time could find an edge, which in turn could be the difference between an eight-win season and a playoff run.

Dread it. Run from it. But AI is here, and the NFL is embracing it.

And that most likely includes the Cleveland Browns.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...d-browns-can-ai-help-the-browns-be-successful

 

[Cleveland Browns]

Kevin Stefanski’s spot in PFF’s 2025 returning HC rankings

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Taking a look at where PFF ranks Stefanski amongst his coaching peers

PFF’s 2025 returning head coach rankings came out recently, and it might be surprising for some to see where Kevin Stefanski is ranked.

According to PFF’s Dalton Wasserman, the Cleveland Browns’ HC slides in at No.10 heading into the 2025 season, right behind Detroit’s Dan Campbell at No.9.

Stefanski has always had his fair share of “haters” throughout his tenure in Northeast Ohio, but his overall success in Cleveland compared to his recent predecessors is unmatched. His ability to will this team to victories when they had no business doing so in some games is a big reason why he’s ranked in the top 10.

The top 10 returning head coaches in the NFL today pic.twitter.com/eCEDHdKXjF

— PFF (@PFF) June 25, 2025​

“Stefanski has dealt with a cascade of issues in Cleveland, particularly surrounding the Deshaun Watson trade and subsequent contract extension. However, the two-time NFL Coach of the Year deserves respect as someone who gets his team to compete regardless of the circumstances.” Wasserman said.

“Stefanski broke the Browns’ long playoff drought in 2020 and picked up the franchise’s first playoff win since reentering the league in 1999. He also led a surge to the postseason in 2023 with Joe Flacco as his quarterback from Week 14 onward. Stefanski has proven he can succeed if given even adequate offensive tools. The team just needs to provide him with that to complement its excellent defense.”

This isn't the first time that Cleveland’s head coach has been praised or complimented by the national media recently. Let’s hope that he can maintain the same degree of respect throughout a pivotal 2025 season.

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Do you agree with PFF’s ranking of Kevin Stefanski? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...25-returning-head-coach-rankings-dan-campbell

 

[Cleveland Browns]

The Browns training camp 2025 schedule is out, and it has several changes this year

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

When can fans start attending practice? Find out!

The Cleveland Browns unveiled their 2025 training camp schedule today, and it looks quite different from the past few seasons. Over the past several years, the number of practices available to fans has been dwindling, as things such as the Greenbrier sessions in West Virginia have eaten into fan access. Additionally, we’re used to the first practice for fans coming right at the end of July, and concluding in mid- to late-August. Not this year.

This year, the Browns’ first practice available to fans begins on Friday, July 25. There are no Greenbrier sessions, breaking a trend that head coach Kevin Stefanski had implemented for the past few years. The final practice open to fans is on Monday, August 4. In total, there will be eight practices that fans can attend, an uptick from the six that were open last year. It’s still lower than the 12 open practices they had in 2021 and 11 open practices in 2022.

Cleveland will also have joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on August 6, and the Philadelphia Eagles from August 13-14. Those sessions will not be open to the public.

Here is the full schedule (note: an “Off Day” could either mean that there is no practice, or that practice is closed entirely from the media):

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Sessions Open to the Public​

Tickets will be available to the public on Thursday, July 3 at 10 AM ET. Browns Season Ticket Members will have an advanced 24-hour window to reserve their tickets to training camp practices, starting on Tuesday, July 2. Each account can register up to four tickets to an individual session.

Scheduled themes for the open practices in Berea include:

• Dawg Pound XL – Friday, July 25
• Back Together Weekend – Saturday, July 26
• University Hospitals Rainbow Day – Monday, July 28
• Military Appreciation – Tuesday, July 29
• Stay in the Game! Attendance Network – Wednesday, July 30
• Youth Football – Friday, August 1
• Browns Backers– Saturday, August 2
• Orange and Brown – Monday, August 4

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...e-is-out-and-it-has-several-changes-this-year