THE DAILY BLOVIATION
Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
One of the many ways I can tell that I'm getting older is that I'm completely oblivious to major events in pop culture. Entire genres of music can pop up and fade away as I barely notice, or there can be eagerly awaited album drops that I didn't even know (or care) about. Such it is with today's release of the new Taylor Swift album, certain to send shock waves across generations other than my own. I have a niece who worships the ground Taylor Swift walks on. I don't think I could name one song she does. And I'm OK with that.
I've got my obsessions, which I list here frequently. I'm good with my bourbon, my ancient rock music with its origins in the 1970s-2000s, and my Cleveland Browns, which I've been lucky enough to spend my days prattling on about. Hopefully, I've got a decade or more left where I can slap together a coherent sentence, and it's possible my muse could change over time. Still, I'm happy to chatter about something as incomprehensible to my niece as her Taylor Swift obsession is to me.
Speaking of which, I sorted through a lot of nonsense today to come up with the stories or social media posts that I actually found interesting. (Note: No journalistic mock drafts made this list.) Your mileage may vary, but then again, the Cooler is your oyster if you want to write your very own list of top five stories every morning with a connective tissue of irrelevant meandering tangents. I can take the competition. I dare you.
Let's get to June 14 and see who can still slap together a couple of LINKS OF MODERATE INTEREST, OK? It's on!
5. SO FRESH, SO CLEAN
— Wreck This League (@wreckthisleague) April 18, 2024I was curious how the #Browns white facemask would look with the throwback uniform.
What do you think #Dawgpound? pic.twitter.com/LMkaMBT2lm
I may have cynically shrugged off the monumental impact of those new white facemasks, but I have to admit that Wreck's mock-up here looks damn good. It's very clean with that white helmet and throwback uniform.
I just wanted to throw this up there because Wreck is generally awesome and truly the OBR's secret weapon.
4. BROWNS FINISH UP VISITS
Virginia Tech @HokiesFB
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 18, 2024
defensive tackle Norell Pollard met virtually today with #Browns per source. Heavy interest, calls from #Rams #Titans.
Third highest pass rush win rate at his position #NFLDraft2024 drawing Ed Oliver comps as disruptive interior DL excelled at Pro Day:…
West Virginia @WVUfootball consensus All-American and All-Big-12 corner Beanie Bishop visited #Steelers #Commanders #Browns, per sources, ran 4.39, fastest at Big 12 Pro Day, 4.15 short shuttle, 10-foot broad jump, 23.49 miles MPH @ZebraTechnology led nation with 24 passes…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 18, 2024
If I'm not mistaken (I usually am), Thursday was the last day that NFL teams could accept Top Thirty visits. This means that our list should be complete unless there's been one or two in the last couple of days.
The Browns continue to look at defenders, this time a defensive tackle and cornerback who bring intriguing qualities and look like guys who could be snagged late in the draft, per the Brugler and Ourlads draft guides I have at my ready disposal.
3. CAMP BODY JOINS TEAM
Browns sign OL Germain Ifedi - NBC Sports - (nbcsports.com)
At nearly thirty years old, we've probably seen what we'll see from former first-round pick Germain Ifedi, who the Seahawks acquired with the 31st selection in 2016. The Seahawks, despite starting him in all 16 games in 2019, were disappointed enough in him that they didn't exercise his option, and Ifedi began a nomadic existence, migrating to the Bears, Falcons, Lions, Bills, and now the Browns in short order. His last real game action was in 2022, but mostly on special teams. Whether he might have a role to play with the new kickoff scheme remains to be seen, but it might be his best hope to latch on with the Browns.
2. WATSON THROWING 40 YARDS
Browns general manager Andrew Berry: Deshaun Watson 'throwing up to 40 yards' in rehab - (beaconjournal.com)
Andrew Berry feels ‘really good’ about Deshaun Watson being ready for Week 1 - BrownsZone with Scott Petrak - (brownszone.com)
Browns GM expects Deshaun Watson to be ready for opener - ESPN - (espn.com)
The good news - sans any definitive promises - continues to roll in for Deshaun Watson's rehab, with Andrew Berry sharing that he's throwing up to 40 yards as he returns from the broken glenoid bone.
The reference to Watson's shoulder issue always reminds me of Butch Davis talking about Kelly Holcomb's "small fracture" of a "tiny bone" in his foot or ankle a long time ago, as if he was trying to minimize the impact of the injury to the then-starting Browns quarterback. The current Browns administration takes the opposite approach, maximizing the concern and care they show for Watson's injury and emphasizing the need for caution.
1. ANDREW BERRY SPEAKS
Andrew Berry: "This is one of my favorite weeks of the year" | Press Conference - (clevelandbrowns.com)
How Browns GM Andrew Berry's NFL Draft history could give a clue what he'll do this year - (beaconjournal.com)
Brownie Bites: Andrew Berry’s draft approach remains unchanged as Browns prepare for third straight year without a first rounder - (audacy.com)
Browns without 1st rounder for third consecutive year - (tribtoday.com)
Andrew Berry talked yesterday, and yet I feel myself uninspired to write much about it. Per usual, Berry said little to give away any plans or strategies he might have the draft, leaving journalists to state obvious things like "The Browns don't have a first-round draft pick" or "He's doing what he always does" as headlines in their stories.
Clearly, Berry fine-tunes his remarks to give me absolutely nothing to riff on, which is fine because if I'm riffing on what someone said, it probably means they said something I find silly. Andrew Berry rarely says anything silly, which is sort of what we want in a GM but have rarely had before.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Wisdom, World's Oldest Wild Bird, Seen Courting Again After Losing Mate Of 60 Years (IFLScience)
It's never too late for humans or, apparently, a 73-year-old albatross named "Wisdom," which is assumed to be the oldest known living bird in the wild. Three years after losing her mate, "Akeakamai," Wisdom is back in action, participating in courtship dances and looking to get down. A couple of years in mourning is enough, right? Particularly for an albatross? I guess it's this morning's Lift to know that it's never too late for love, regardless of struggles in life, age, or species. If she can bounce back from losing her long-time mate, I can bounce back from whatever I ate that kept me up all night.
YOUR MORNING NEWSWIRE SOUNDTRACK
Jake is back with Andrew for a midday update. They spend the first portion of the show discussing the helmet changes the Browns made for the primary uniforms and if they're here to stay for the long haul. Then they discuss the Browns' desire to correct any concerns about OL depth and make sure they have all the pieces needed for their summer work and camp structure by today's signing of Germain Ifedi.
OBR VIDEO
LAST NIGHT'S ALL EYEZ ON CLEVELAND
OBR ARTICLES FROM YESTERDAY
Predicting The Cleveland Browns 53 Man Roster Pre Draft - (Jack)
Cleveland Browns Andrew Berry on Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb, Greg Newsome Status, Top Three Tackles, More - (Fred)
Cleveland Browns 2024 NFL Draft Top Options at Pick 54 - (Cody)
EXCLUSIVE Browns Tight End Zaire Mitchell-Padens Opportunity in 2024 - (Noah)
Cleveland Browns Approach to RB in NFL Draft Two Potential Sleepers - (Pete)
Cleveland Browns Sign Offensive Lineman Germain Ifedi - (Jake)
Cleveland Browns Andrew Berry Remains Flexible with Regards to Trading Up or Down or Keeping Pick in NFL Draft - (Fred)
Cleveland Browns News 4/18: Helmet Excitement, Berry to Speak, and Dismissive Waves - (Barry)
FROM THE FORUMS
NEW! OBR VIP Discord Coming Soon!
Meanwhile, here are some new threads in the OBR’s discussion forums:
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
diagnosis of the defense
Ladd?
INSIDER CENTRAL (VIP)
Jerry Jeudy
THE WATERCOOLER
Remaining needs…
OT: Transformers One - Official Trailer (2024)
Burning Browns Question April 18 - Watson or Williams?
OT Dickie Betts RIP
LiveWire Thread for 4/18 - Twitter, Articles, Videos-OPEN THREAD
WRAPPING UP
When not pondering the love lives of large seabirds, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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