As the Cleveland Browns prepare to eliminate the Steelers from the playoffs, let’s look at three questionable decisions from Andrew Berry.
As we head into Week 18, the Cleveland Browns don’t have a ton to play for as they have been eliminated from the playoffs after a couple of difficult losses to start the season. However, there is plenty of pride to play for.
With a win, the Browns can eliminate the Steelers from having a shot at the playoffs (which isn’t extremely far-fetched if they win), and they can secure a third-place finish in the AFC North vs. a last-place.
I’m the guy who would typically say a fourth-place schedule for a team who should be a contender with Deshaun Watson as their quarterback could be of value. But this one is important to the franchise in my opinion. One, this team needs to end the season on a high note, there has been a ton of drama and an 8-9 finish would honestly feel great. Two, it’s the Steelers, keeping these guys out of the playoffs and handing Mike Tomlin a losing record would be great as well.
Even with one more game, fans have started looking to the offseason already. Who will stay, and who will no longer be on this roster? But before we get too far down the rabbit hole, let’s look at three Andrew Berry decisions that are somewhat puzzling.
Questionable moves by Browns GM Andrew Berry
Questionable decision No. 3 – Overlooking Defensive Tackle
I get it, in today’s NFL game it’s all about passing, but the Cleveland Browns continue to get the ball ran down their throat and I am tired of watching it. I thought for sure after the defense looked like Swiss cheese in 2021, Berry would fix the issue in 2022.
Instead, he doubled down with another pass-rushing defensive tackle (Taven Bryan) and refused to sign a big body who can plug up gaps. Fans are extremely frustrated with Joe Woods but let me assure you, he isn’t the problem.
The qualification to be a starting defensive tackle (lack of talent) or linebacker (so many injuries), is a warm body with a pulse. That’s obviously an exaggeration, but it’s tough to make lemonade with a handful of ketchup-flavored popsicles. Hopefully, 2023 is the year, defensive backs are great, but when a team averages five yards per carry or more, it’s tough to win games.
Questionable decision No. 2 – Reaching on Greg Newsome
I don’t want to blow this out of proportion because Greg Newsome II has been a decent player for the Cleveland Browns in his first two seasons, but the pick is still a bit puzzling. Joe Woods loves to run zone coverage, Newsome thrives in man-to-man (like Denzel Ward), and Woods wants a corner who can step up in run support, and Newsome is almost as bad at tackling as Ward is.
My biggest issue with the pick is the injury history that has carried into the NFL. At the time the Browns had Ward and Greedy Williams who miss at least a full season of games between the two of them. I guess the strategy was that at least two of them should be healthy each week.
Again, not saying that Newsome isn’t a good player, but he doesn’t really fit this system at all, and his injuries taking him where they did at pick No. 26 in round one was shocking to me.
Newsome isn’t the only one either. Jedrick Wills appears to be overvalued, Jordan Elliot has not turned out, Anthony Schwartz is a disaster, Harrison Bryant has disappeared, and Demetric Felton can’t even make the active roster. Fans tend to fall back on the Donovan Peoples-Jones pick in round six that makes him a top-five general manager in the NFL.
Questionable decision No. 1 – Jack Conklin Extension
The biggest issue I have with Berry thus far would be the extensions he has finalized for the Cleveland Browns. The one that really has me gasping for air is Jack Conklin, but there are plenty of other question marks over the last two years as well.
Conklin has been in the league for seven years and of the last five he’s only been able to play one complete season. Not only that, but he also suffered a serious knee injury at the end of the 2021 season that some thought could be career-ending.
Don’t mistake this as saying Conklin is a bad player, because he’s a solid right tackle in the NFL. He’s above average at run blocking and pass protection, which is great for the Browns, but he’s now the sixth highest-paid right tackle in the league.
Guys like Mike McGlinchey and Tristan Wirfs are making pennies on the dollar compared to Conklin. With the struggles shown by Wills, I would have liked to see Berry bring in someone with more potential than Conklin to sure up this line for Deshaun Watson.
In true Berry fashion, the void years once again are in the Conklin contract. That means he has no obligation to play for this team past 2026 but will be on the cap through the 2028 season. Berry has done this with multiple deals, and it eventually will catch up to this team. I know, teams function this way, but those teams are the ones that always end up in a complete rebuild as soon as they lose one guy.
Please don’t take this as “Fire Berry Now”! But it is worth mentioning that this guy hasn’t just walked on water as some tend to believe.
5 defensive possibilities for Browns in 2023 NFL Draft
If the Cleveland Browns want to focus on the defensive side of the ball early in the 2023 NFL Draft, these 5 players could be possible targets