Daily Dawg Tags: Cleveland Browns still have to ‘take’ the AFC North
By Dan Justik
The Daily Dawg Tags brings you all the Cleveland Browns news you need to know, including the Ravens saying the Browns have to ‘take’ the AFC North.
There is a lot of hype surrounding the Cleveland Browns for the 2019 season, especially after the addition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Even though the 2019 NFL Draft is still over a month away, the Browns are seen as the favorites to win the AFC North and have the third best odds to win the AFC Championship.
Led by Baker Mayfield, the Browns are expected to have an explosive offense that has the potential to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs offense. But the Browns also have built a solid defense that has shown the potential of being a shutdown unit.
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However, in today’s featured article, Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson is not buying into the Browns hype and says Cleveland will have to “take” the AFC North crown from the Ravens.
Cleveland Browns News
Tony Jefferson: Browns still have to come take the AFC North from us – Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk
"One holdover on the Ravens defense thinks that may be putting the cart before the horse. Safety Tony Jefferson acknowledges that the Beckham trade is “humongous” given the presence of quarterback Baker Mayfield and other offensive pieces, but notes that other teams have gotten plenty of preseason attention before fizzling out once the lights come on."
Although there is a lot of excitement surrounding the Browns roster, there is reason to believe the team will have some growing pains in 2019. Especially because Cleveland will have a first-time head coach and a new defensive staff. But with the talent Cleveland has, there is little doubt they will be competing for the AFC North crown next season.
Olivier Vernon is key to the Cleveland Browns defense’s success
The first big move the Cleveland Browns made before the new league year opened was to trade for defensive end Olivier Vernon. Martin McConnell believes Vernon is the key to the Browns defense having a successful season or not.
"The day the Giants traded him, he had mixed emotions about it when reached by phone in Paris by NFL Network’s Kim Jones, whom he considers a good friend.He told her leaving New York was “bittersweet” and the trade “is what it is….At this point I have no idea what to think. I’m trying to process it right now.”"
After spending the first five years of his career in New York and signing a long-term extension with the New York Giants, it is understandable for Beckham to be uneasy about the move to Cleveland. But with a bunch of familiar faces in Cleveland, there should be no reason for the Browns to be concerned.
Next. Peter King sings the praises of John Dorsey. dark
Do the Cleveland Browns have the best wide receiver core in the AFC North?
With the addition of Beckham and pairing him with Jarvis Landry, the Browns have a star-studded wide receiver corps. John Hillbery discusses if the Browns now have the best group of wide receivers in the AFC North.