BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns will be without key players as safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion) were ruled out Friday for Sunday’s crucial AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Thornhill left last week’s game in the win over the Ravens due to his injury and did not return, and Goodwin missed last week’s game after suffering a concussion in the Browns’ win against the Cardinals.
They are the only two players who did not practice Friday.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (neck) returned to practice Wednesday and practiced all three days.
Right tackle Dawand Jones (knee) returned to practice Thursday, as did guard Wyatt Teller (ankle). Jones and Teller finished the week with a workout. Teller did not achieve player status.
Jones was given questionable playing status, but all other players except limited-availability offensive lineman Michael Dunn were not granted playing status and are considered fit to play.
On Friday, Kevin Stefanski said Geron Christian would start at left tackle for the second straight season.
When asked if Christian would start as a left winger, Stefanski replied “yes.”
If Jones plays, he will likely do so at right tackle and if he doesn’t, James Hudson will start again at right tackle. Hudson and Christian were the two starters in last week’s win over the Ravens.
Ward left last week’s game with a neck injury after being blinded by a hit from Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley.
Ward was evaluated for a concussion and did not return. Jones missed last week’s game with shoulder and knee injuries. He missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. Teller missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Players who had limited practice during the week but practiced included WR David Bell (knee), WR Greg Newsome (groin), DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (groin) and DE Alex Wright (knee).
Bringing Jones and Teller back to practice to close out the week is a positive sign that both are back on the field to prepare for the Steelers, where rookie Thompson-Robinson starts.
Michael Dunn could be added to the team after being designated to return following a calf injury that placed him on injured reserve. Dunn had a full workout this week.
Reaction to GM Rankings: Why Andrew Berry is Considered a Tier 2 GM
Reaction to GM Rankings: Why Andrew Berry is Considered a Tier 2 GM
Let’s look at why PFF placed Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry in the second tier of general managers.
Most people in the NFL think highly of Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry. His aggressive approach to improving the team whenever possible has helped him build one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus recently released its tiered rankings of NFL general managers. It’s an interesting topic because there are different schools of thought on how to evaluate this critical position in any franchise. Interpret the five categories by which GMs are evaluated
How does a drafted player compare to where he was selected in the draft?
Does the CEO consider the value of the position when making his selection? For example, drafting a running back high is considered a poor use of positional value. Quarterbacks, edge rushers, wide receivers, tackles and cornerbacks are now considered higher value positions; Therefore, they should be written at a higher level than other positions.
If the GM makes trades on draft day, does he get the correct value? When acquiring a player or pick, will they get good value in the trade and not have to overpay for future draft assets? When determining the value of a selection, several trade value tables are considered when compensating for other selections.
Do the GM’s free agent signings match the amount spent on the player?
Does the general manager identify players he wants to keep beyond his rookie contract and extend that player early in the process? In most cases, the sooner a player signs a contract extension, the more the team will benefit from that long-term deal. The market for each position is fluid and constantly changing. This means that the sooner a team can sign one of its own players, the better, as the market will likely change significantly when the player’s new contract begins.
Step definitions
PFF Level 1 Definition: “Clear vision, solid process, balance between short and long term goals”
Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles (since 2010)
Brett Veach, Kansas City Chiefs (since 2018)
Duke Tobin, Cincinnati Bengals (since 1999)
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys (since 1994)
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots (since 2000)
PFF Level 2 Definition: “CLEAR SIGHT, MOSTLY SOUND PROCESS, SOMETIMES FOCUSED ON “WINDOWS””
“This cluster is difficult to distinguish from week to week and can fluctuate.”
PFF level 3 definition: “QUESTIONAL PROCESS, VARIOUS RESULTS”
Andrew Berry landed in the second tier based on PFF grades. Our OBR carpologist, Jack Duffin, explained why it ended up there.
Jack Duffin on Andrew Berry’s ranking and performance
Let’s look at the five categories Brad Spielberger uses to evaluate general managers and see how Andrew Berry performed.
Draft pick production versus expectations
Andrew Berry needs to get the most out of his draft picks, but it’s also difficult to evaluate many of them without picking in the first two rounds.
The rookies who joined the team also receive an expanded squad. If they joined teams Sashi or Dorsey, they could easily start, but given the quality and depth of the team, we will see the freshmen contribute in years two and three.
I’m going to give it an average rating here.
Taking position value into account
I’m focusing on the first two days of the draft because that’s where the value really matters; Lineup choices at the end of the third period will not receive the same attention.
Tackle, Safety, Cornerback, Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Cornerback, Edge, Wide Receiver, Defensive Tackle
There were some mistakes, as low-value positions like safety, linebacker and a fourth-round kicker are unforgivable. So I would say: above average.
Business Value Project
He has been phenomenal here and is one of the best in the league. The pick trading philosophy of not losing picks when they go up and not gaining picks when they go down is elite.
Free agent signing value versus expectations
Overall, his efforts in free agency have been really good. Some weren’t as successful as John Johnson and Andrew Billings, but the process went very well and they weren’t willing to overpay. Andrew Berry is one of the best here.
First expansions
Andrew Berry, like Howie Roseman of the Eagles, wasn’t afraid to pay early.
Given how quickly contract costs are increasing, this is crucial and he gets elite marks here. Andrew Berry isn’t quite at that level yet, but to me he’s in Group 1-B behind Howie Roseman.
Better draft returns that weren’t bad would get him to 1-A. Draft relies on luck to some extent, so the idea of adding more dart throws remains key.
An important part of a GM that this study does not address is that the owner has to spend more. The Browns lead the league in spending, averaging $50.5 million more per year.
It is impossible to know where the driver came from. Did Jimmy tell Andrew to do it or did he convince Jimmy? Regardless, Andrew Berry deserves a lot of credit for this, as he leads the league in this area.
