BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns made a business decision to trade Amari Cooper but reinforcements appear on the way in the form of Nick Chubb and safety Juan Thornhill.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from Friday.
Full Chubb – Chubb was a full participant in practice all week and despite being listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, all signs point to Chubb’s return from injured reserve. “I expect him to play,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. That was music to defensive end Myles Garrett’s ears. “I feel like a fan whenever he's on the field,” defensive end Myles Garrett said. “He's as great as a running back as the league has seen in this modern era, whenever he's able to touch the ball and he can break through that line. So we're all looking forward to giving him a bit of our energy, watching him play and getting him back on the field however we can on defense and just trying to support him however we can. Don't want to put too much for load on him. He's only one man and make his return pretty simple, not make him work too hard, but of course we're excited for what he can do and what he can bring to this team and help us turn things around.” With the Browns offense sputtering hopelessly through six games, fans are clinging to the hop that it will be Chubb who will light a spark. His teammates might be too. “Obviously people know that's my guy,” tight end David Njoku said. “So seeing him back in the field is very exciting.”
Mission impossible – At 1-5, the Browns chances of recovering in time to climb back into the playoff picture appear slim to none to everyone except them. “The mission doesn't change. AFC North is still open,” Garrett said. “We got to win, we got to win out and we got to win one game at a time. So you can't be discouraged about what's happened before and you can't be looking at everyone around you as far as team wise thinking, wish we would've done this or wish we could have had that or none of that. None that helps the situation. The only thing that's going to help the situation is winning.” Only four teams in NFL history have started 1-5 and made the playoffs. “If you look at our record, a lot of people outside this building may think our season's over and I just wanted to bring positivity into this building, safety Juan Thornhill said. “Talking to the guys like listen, I mean we're one in five, no one wants to have a one in five record, but if you really take a step back and think to the good side, we're 1-1 in the AFC. We have 10 AFC games ahead of us, our whole season is still ahead of us. We have an easy opportunity to just go out each week and keep winning. We got a great opportunity to still make it to the playoffs. So I think guys in here, just, I think they're in a good head space.”
Ready to roll – Thornhill said he suffered a grade-2 calf strain in Week 1, similar to the injury he suffered last season that cost him --- games. “I was probably in a real low spot last year and it was tough on me, so that definitely helped me out this time,” Thornhill said. “I just found different ways to cope with that and just get over it. My daughter, she's probably the biggest factor in that, honestly, me staying positive, but last year definitely helped me for sure.” Thornhill hopes to get back on the field Sunday and help a defense that has struggled with allowing the big play this season. “I could try to eliminate maybe some mistakes that someone else would make or if there's an opportunity to get an interceprion, get the ball down on the ground, or even just communication, I feel like I'm great with that,” Thornhill said. “I feel like I'm like a quarterback out there. I get a whole lot of guys lined up, so I'm excited about that and I just feel like the communication and everything makes guys play so much better and I feel like I can definitely help with that.”
Rock on – With induction weekend happening in Cleveland, Sunday’s game against the Bengals will be dedicated to and themed for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. ““We are thrilled to partner with the Cleveland Browns to highlight the massive impact and influence of our Inductees on rock & roll, the music that connects us all,” Greg Harris, president & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, said. “The first ever Cleveland Browns Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Game will be an exciting feature of our 2024 Induction Week when the national spotlight shines on Cleveland.” The music from the class of 2024 will be featured during the game. The National Anthem will be performed by Zakk Wylde, the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and as the founder, lead guitarist, lead singer, songwriter and producer of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. 2024 Inductee and Youngstown, Ohio native Robert “Kool” Bell, Co-Founder and bass guitarist of Kool & the Gang, will serve as the coin toss captain for the game and Foreigner will perform at halftime.
Notable quotable – Garrett on the Browns planned covered stadium to be built in Brook Park and open in 2029: “I'm focused on this team winning where we play makes no difference to me. Cowboys are supposed to be the Dallas Cowboys and they play in Arlington, so I don't think it makes too much of a difference. If we move eight, 10 miles down the road, I think the fans will be here to support us regardless of where we play. We're going to bring everything we got regardless if we're on the lake or we're in Brook Park.”
Injury report – OUT: RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) S Ronnie Hickman (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: C Ethan Pocic (knee), LB Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps), Nyheim Hines (knee), S Juan Thornhill (calf), RB Nick Chubb (knee)
