Game Day: Cleveland Calling

Edition #547

Good morning!

And just like that, we’re down to our final two games. After our trip to Cleveland, we’ll travel up to New England for the final game of the year. When Aaron Rodgers signed on the dotted line, many of us expected to be playing well into January with the hope of making an appearance in February. Alas, it didn’t go to plan.

As soon as this season is officially in the books, we’ll start previewing 2024. A season where the playoffs are an absolute minimum requirement. Failure to hit the post-season will result in a lot of people losing their jobs and that will cause more upheaval. But we do have two games to look forward to…if it’s possible to look forward to a Trevor Siemian-led offence.

Nick Bawden who was cut to allow Aaron Rodgers to practice this year was asked about that and here's what he had to say: “Everybody says it's a business and, yeah, (Rodgers) did call me. It wasn't surprising because that's the kind of guy Aaron is. I see him every day and he's full of love and full of being a great leader.” - Again, more is being made of this than it should.

Duane Brown was placed on IR yesterday, the veteran tackle played just 111 snaps this season and Joe Douglas betting on a 38-year-old returning from a major injury backfired in a big way. Some moves just don’t work, but as long as they are based on sound logic then you can live with it. Betting on Brown to be your LT was not sound logic.

Zack Kuntz was signed off the practice squad after Jeremy Ruckert was ruled out tonight with a concussion. When we drafted Kuntz, I thought he was a great athlete who had very little feel for football. We’re going to find out tonight if he has anything to him.

In terms of the player’s final status. Zach Wilson, Duane Brown, Aaron Rodgers, and Jeremy Ruckert have all been ruled out. Israel Abanikanda, Allen Lazard and Greg Zuerlein are all questionable. If Zuerlein can’t go then Austin Seibert will kick, interestingly Seibert was a draft pick of the Browns back in 2019.

Here’s how the Browns are shaping up ahead of tonight’s game

I was working Red Zone on Christmas Eve, so was treated to the Amari Cooper show. It’s hard to believe that Cleveland got Cooper for a 5th-round pick and a swap of 6th-round picks with Dallas. Since that trade, Cooper has put up 150 receptions for 2410 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 32 games. Like Garrett Wilson, he’s had to do it despite several changes at the QB position. Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and now Joe Flacco this year, and you can add Jacoby Brissett last year. I’m a huge fan of Amari Cooper and if he plays tonight, the Jets will have their hands full.