Daily Dawg Tags: Looking toward 2017
By Thomas Moore
Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The Cleveland Browns are methodically working their way toward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Cleveland holds a slim one-game lead over the San Francisco 49ers, who currently hold the tie breaker if the two teams were to finish the season with the same record.
While it would be nice if the 49ers would pick up a second win before the season comes to a close, the Browns control their own destiny, if you will, in the race for the top spot.
If/when the Browns secure that top pick the speculation will ramp up about what to do with it – A game-changing player for the defense? A potential franchise quarterback? Work a trade for more picks to rebuild a roster woefully thin on talent?
Let’s start to answer some of those questions in today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Tags.
Cleveland Browns news:
"It is never too early to start thinking about the draft for the Cleveland Browns. That time has arrived after their 0-11 start to the 2016 NFL season."
Another stat revealing the Browns’ overall struggles since 1999
"The Cleveland Browns are officially at rock bottom and digging deeper as an 0-16 season is within sight. The latest installment in the winless season came this Sunday, with an embarrassing 24-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The loss itself was brutal, but a certain statistic from the game reminds fans just how bad things have been since 1999."
Cleveland Browns: Week 11 power rankings
"The Cleveland Browns remain the only team in the NFL without a win in 2016. That futility is reflected in this week’s NFL power rankings."
Myles Garrett’s fascinating persona (ESPN)
"Myles Garrett is one fascinating young man. He’s also a standout pass rusher at Texas A&M who very well could be the Cleveland Browns first pick in the draft."
How the Browns can compete in 2017 (PFF)
"It’s the start of Week 12 in the NFL, and the Cleveland Browns are officially eliminated from playoff contention—as if we needed the mathematical certainty. The NFL’s lone winless team, Cleveland is having a rough go in 2016, to say the least. While a big zero in the win column will bring out a lot of negativity around the franchise, and rightfully so, not all is bad at Browns headquarter."
Lou Groza Field in Berea now has a statue of the Browns legend (cleveland.com)
"Lou Groza Field, which is home to the Lou Groza Football youth league in Berea, now has a statue of its namesake at the facility. The statue of the Browns legend was unveiled on Saturday, with former Browns Dick Schafrath and Don Cockroft among those in attendance."
NFL news:
2017 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Round 1 is loaded with top-notch defensive talent (SI.com)
"One thing seems clear already: This is going to be a good spring for teams needing defensive help. Which players made the top 10 in our latest projection?"
Derek Carr for MVP? Raiders QB builds case but shares credit (USA Today)
"Derek Carr’s teammate Khalil Mack has no doubt. “MVP,” Mack said as the Oakland Raiders prepared to leave Mexico. “That dude? MVP.”"
DeAndre Hopkins was in-bounds, and so are demands for NFL to get calls right (Sporting News)
"This football-loving nation once again was witness to an apparent missed call by the officials, this time Monday night in the Texans-Raiders game in Mexico City. Bill O’Brien may have had a touchdown taken away from his team on the sixth play of the game … maybe, if DeAndre Hopkins was actually in bounds, and if it could have been corrected on replay."
Mike McCarthy, Marvin Lewis in trouble? (NFL.com)
"Barack Obama was President-elect the last time Mike McCarthy’s Packers missed the playoffs. That was the end of the 2008 season, Marvin Lewis’ sixth as Bengals head coach. Lewis’ five-year run of tournament appearances in Cincinnati started three seasons later. Both of those playoff streaks are set to end in January. It’s worth wondering if McCarthy and Lewis — two of the three coaches with the longest tenures in the NFL — could also be looking for work."