Cleveland Browns: Give Antonio Callaway a chance

Off Field Concerns

Antonio Callaway has a myriad of off field concerns. He was involved with a credit card scam, smoking marijuana and an alleged sexual assault. Teams were very aware of the concerns before heading into the draft. John Dorsey repeatedly states in his press conference that they did their homework.

John Dorsey Press Conference

Browns fans and some reporters are upset with the Browns taking a low character guy like Antonio Callaway. But there are a few things that should be remembered.

First, John Dorsey passed over Derrius Guice for Nick Chubb due to character concerns. Although it cannot be proven and nobody will talk about it, Derrius Guice was a better running back in the draft than Nick Chubb. Guice had the cleaner medical. But Chubb had one thing Guice did not, he had a cleaner off the field record and personality concerns. John Dorsey took Chubb over Guice when Guice was the better on field player. So the idea that Dorsey is out there picking players without regard to off field concerns is ridiculous.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

• Cleveland Browns critics continue to misplace their judgement
• 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
• How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
• Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
• 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not

Second, like Dorsey states, the fourth round is the place to take people with character concerns like this. Remember the Browns had to trade up to get Callaway. This means another team was willing to take him just like the Browns were. Other players over the years have been taking in this range with character concerns.

For example, Tyreek Hill in Kansas City fell in the draft due to character concerns. Another player that fell was linebacker Justin Houston. Oh, how Browns fans lament not drafting Justin Houston!

Cleveland’s very own Caleb Brantley fell in the draft last year. In fact, when he was taken, then executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown came out and stated they would cut him if certain allegations were true. Nobody is complaining about these players now (except to complain they are not on the Browns).

Third, the marijuana issue with the current make up of the wide receiver room is overblown. Some say the drug test at the combine is an intelligence test. The fact that Callaway failed it is a red flag and raises concerns about his commitment to football. But remember, Jabrill Peppers had a diluted sample at the combine as well. He failed the combine drug test.

There are programs and special considerations put in place to help players with issues like this. It must be working for the Browns because Jabrill Peppers has not failed another test, wide receiver Josh Gordon seems to be getting his life back together and there are players that the fans are unaware of that are succeeding in the program as well.