Daily Dawg Tags: Dreaming of a better Browns future
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have been bad for so long that it seems as if it will never end. But the team may be just around the corner from the light of day.
The Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999 and the ensuing years have been filled with more disappointment than even the longest-tenured Cleveland fan could have imagined.
As the seasons have rolled along, the losses and bad play have all started to blend together into a seemingly never-ending loop of awfulness.
The team’s fortunes may be changing, however, as the duo of executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson have received mostly favorable reviews for the work they have done over the past year-and-a-half.
If all that hard work starts to pay off, the Browns will be winners not only in the offseason, but they will be successful when it actually counts come the fall.
That success will also bring about more recognition for the players, who will start to populate the various “best of” lists that have grown in popularity in recent years.
That is just one of the topics we touch on in today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Tags.
Cleveland Browns news:
5 Browns players who are future Top 100 candidates
The Cleveland Browns aren’t usually well-represented on NFL Network’s Top 100 list, but that may change with the young talent currently on the team.
Isaiah Crowell returns in time for OTAs
Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell was at the start of OTAs on Tuesday, a good sign for the running back and the club.
Christian Kirksey moving to outside linebacker in new defensive system
Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey will make a return to his college roots as the team is planning to move him to outside linebacker in 2017.
A look at what lessons OTAs should provide (ohio.com)
"The Browns held their first practice of organized team activities Tuesday, and Wednesday’s session will be the first one open to reporters. So even though there’s only so much that can be gleaned from spring practices, OTAs should still provide some lessons about the state of the team."
Shon Coleman has a chance to win the right tackle job (clevelandbrowns.com)
"Shon Coleman spent the offseason working out in Berea in hopes of securing a starting spot on the Browns’ new-look offensive line. The second-year right tackle will get his shot as Cleveland opens OTAs this week."
NFL news:
Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy dies at 48 (USA Today)
"Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy was found dead Tuesday in Orlando, according to police. Orlando Police spokeswoman Wanda Miglio told USA TODAY Sports there was nothing suspicious about Kennedy’s death but that the department was conducting an investigation."
NFL will reportedly relax celebration rules (CBS Sports)
"Antonio Brown still can’t tweak, but he will have more touchdown celebration options for the 2017 season. According to Tom Pelissero, the NFL will allow group celebrations for the 2017 season. The league will also allow celebrations that include using the ball as a prop."
Teddy Bridgewater throws at Vikings OTAs (NFL.com)
"The Minnesota Vikings posted a video Tuesday afternoon that showed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater making progress in his ongoing recovery from a devastating knee injury."
The NFL’s 5 best slot receivers (Pro Football Focus)
"The slot receiver position has never been a bigger part of the game than it is in today’s NFL. Gone are the days of strictly two-receiver sets with a tight end who was there to block more than to catch passes. While some teams are clearly looking for the next great slot receiver, other teams already have their favorite slot targets in place. This list takes a look at the top five slot receivers in the NFL today, focusing solely on their production when lined up in the slot."