Browns trade Cody Kessler to Jacksonville

Photo Credit:Ohio.com/Akron Beacon Journal

In a move that was destined to happen when the Browns signed Drew Stanton last week, Cleveland traded Cody Kessler to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft.
The condition is more than likely triggered, if Kessler either makes the roster out of camp or is on the roster at a certain point of the season.

The Browns were never going to bring four veteran quarterbacks to camp, especially when they are going to add one quarterback in the first round and might add another on day three.
There just aren't enough reps in camp to give all of those players what they need to be a fair competition and Kessler seemed to be the odd man out, even for the final camp spot against Kevin Hogan.

Kessler was badly overdrafted by former Browns personnel head Sashi Brown in the third round in 2016 and was the first player to be looked at as a pure "analytics" pick based on his college stats and perceived numbers more than his actual physical ability and chances to succeed in the NFL.
Kessler was forced into action as a rookie in 2016 and lost all eight starts but threw six touchdowns against two interceptions, which look decent enough for a rookie not turning the football over, unless you actually watched the games that Kessler played in.
Watching those games saw a quarterback that didn't have an arm to even considering going deep and was a checkdown specialist that went short on a constant basis not optionally, but because he didn't have a choice-he simply was unable to throw the ball well past twenty yards.
Kessler held the ball far too long to avoid interceptions and took 21 sacks in those starts.
Kessler played three games in 2017 as a backup to DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan, throwing one interception in 23 throws in his limited action.

Cody Kessler will likely, in the long run, be better remembered for being the poster player for the Sashi Brown "Analytics" regime and for the Hue Jackson quote "Trust me on this" after the press immediately questioned the selection on his draft night, far more than anything that he ever accomplished on the field.

Back in a few hours with something special..

Browns sign Drew Stanton

The Cleveland Browns added the veteran to the film room that the team lacked so badly last year as the Browns signed veteran Drew Stanton to a two-year contract Sunday night.

Stanton turns 34 before the 2018 season and spent the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, starting four games in 2017 and won three of his four starts with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Stanton's major issue has always been a low completion percentage and his 49.7 in Phoenix last season was worse than DeShone Kizer's with the Browns and we all know how unhappy fans, coaches, front office, Brownie the Elf etc were with Kizer's numbers.

The signing of the veteran makes it even more likely that the Browns draft a quarterback in the first round, in my opinion. as Stanton will be that "veteran in the film room" to tutor a rookie that we hear so much about being needed.
Well after last year's experiment with a rookie and two second-year players at quarterback, I think this is a good idea, even if it was learned by the Browns at the cost of losing every game and the person that needed to learn it (Sashi Brown) is no longer available to ride this train.
This also is likely to see the end of careers in Cleveland for at least one and likely both of Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan.
It's highly unlikely that the Browns are going to keep four quarterbacks, so I would likely say that the team will get rid of one of Kessler/Hogan before the draft and bring the other to camp to attempt to keep their job ahead of Drew Stanton, which is unlikely because of the previously noted intangibles possessed by the veteran.

If the Browns were bringing Drew Stanton to Cleveland to be their "bridge quarterback", I'd be very disappointed and wouldn't see much of an upgrade at quarterback, but to be either the backup or third-stringer and be the wise old sage in the quarterback room, I'm fine with adding Stanton.
I would say he would make the team unless Stanton is so bad in camp that the Kessler/Hogan survivor moves Stanton out, which I would have my doubts happening.

The wheels on the bus go...

The wheels on the bus go round and round as the kids song used to always chant.

Well,yesterday was a hectic and crazy with multiple races across town from end to end combining with decisions to be made then left little time for things like sports.
Yet,I was able to see some of the Indians game three win over Toronto (more below) and scramble home to do an hour plus of Fight Heads with Ramon Malpica.

In the end of a few day period that saw all the stress and movement of weddings,travel,rental cars,car repairs and car sales,we wound up with a new car...
Pretty happy with it,but it left me with little time for the world of sports or writing.
I still am not sure if I'll be able to hammer out a recap of the Browns loss to the Titans,I may decide to just pick up with whats new,which is tonight's Indians game as they go for the American League title against Toronto and the Devils home opener...

SO instead,I think I'll do a throwback to our old friend Bullpen Notes with a little of this and that...

1) How 'bout that Andrew Miller trade?
Miller retired the final four outs in devastating manner.
Miller is almost to the point of unhittable (although Toronto did have one hit off him) and the Wahoo's interesting use of him adds to the mystique...

2) Terry Francona continues to hodgepodge together a winning bullpen and show that he has to be in consideration for best manager in the game.
Francona used Andrew Miller to close,Cody Allen in the "fireman" role in the seventh, got mileage out of out of Jeff Manship,Zach McAllister and Dan Otero and grabbed a win in a game that Trevor Bauer finished after two-thirds of an inning.
I'm not sure if the Indians with all of their starting pitching injuries can approach defeating the Cubs in the world series (assuming they can get one more win vs Toronto),but if the Cleveland Indians can win the championship with all of this,Terry Francona deserves kudos for what could be the best managing job ever -and that is not hyperbole...

3) As for Trevor Bauer,that finger dripping and shooting blood was pretty nasty and I'm torn on the whole "Drone Gate" thing.
On one hand,should a player be messing around  with anything that could injure himself during postseason play?
On the other-doesn't a player have a need to get away from it all and relax?
I mean,it's a crazy injury and might really cost the Indians,but no one can be all about the job all the time,can they?

4) Was asked yesterday in a car office about Cody Kessler,who I thought played very well in Cleveland's loss to Tennessee.
Kessler threw for over 300 yards and showed toughness in moving the team down the field late in the game.
I see what Hue Jackson saw in him,but I still think of Kessler more as being a quality backup on a good team and far from the long term staple at quarterback in Cleveland..

5) Kessler will be lucky to make it through the season as he continues to take an unreal beating from the pass rush.
Already vulnerable,Kessler took another beating from the Titans.
As noted,I'm still not a huge believer in Kessler's physical ability,but he is one tough guy..

6) The Browns lost one of their best players in left guard Joel Bitonio for the season before the Tennessee game and took away the thing that they could count on-the terrific left side of the line.
I'd like to see new arrival Jonathan Cooper there soon....

7) Also want to see more of rookie receivers Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton.
I'm not against seeing another rookie in Ricardo Louis,but Louis has been on the field and dropping passes,which was a issue for him at Auburn..

8) Yes,I'm happy about the car,but get ready for more OT from work when I can-gotta pay for it and those summer baseball trips...

Browns In,Browns Out-

I wrote yesterday that the Cleveland Browns weren't finished tinkering with a rundown roster (and they still might not be) as they claimed five players off waivers and added quarterback Kevin Hogan to the practice squad.

The cuts were mostly journeymen except for fifth round cornerback Trey Caldwell,who missed much of pre-season to injury and the Browns hope that he clears waivers to add him to the practice squad.

The additions are interesting with George Atkinson Jr leading the pack.
The son of the former Raider led the Raiders in rushing in the preseason and his release surprised some observers.
The rap on Atkinson is a fumbling problem.
Not sure how quickly that he will play at running back,but he has real shot at being the kick returner for Sunday's opener...

Two cornerbacks were signed as former Seahawk veteran Marcus Burley and rookie Briean Boddy-Calhoun join the team.
Burley was the Seahawks nickel and dime back last season,so on this team might have a chance to help.
Calhoun was an undrafted free agent from Minnesota that I remember watching with the Gophers.
Dan Shonka (one of my three draft gurus) liked his ball skills,but thought he was more of a slot corner...

The player that I really like is Tyrone Holmes of Montana.
Holmes was the 1-AA defensive player of the year last season and was the sixth round pick of the Jaguars.
Holmes interests me as a edge rusher and did have a sack with Jacksonville in the preseason.
At 6'4 247,Holmes could at least be a situational pass rusher..

Corey Lemonier was the 3rd rounder of the 49ers in 2013,but was a disappointment in his three years there.
Lemonier had just one sack in the three years and might be a special teamer in Cleveland.

Two of the veterans that the Browns released quickly found jobs as wide receiver Taylor Gabriel was claimed by Atlanta and cornerback Pierre Desir was added by San Diego.
It'll be interesting to follow those two players and compare their play to the young players that beat them out in Cleveland.
It could be our first small sample on the Sashi Brown led front office's talent evaluating.

As for Kevin Hogan,many draft followers rated Hogan above the Browns third rounder Cody Kessler.
Kansas City picked Hogan in the fifth round and he didn't see a lot of preseason action.
Hogan doesn't possess a great arm,but his tools are better than those of Kessler and he was a heady player at Stanford.
The addition of Hogan makes me think that the Browns are already beginning to have questions about not only about taking Kessler in the third round,but taking him at all.
Adding Kevin Hogan certainly shows some doubt about Cody Kessler's long term viability in Cleveland.....

Browns in the third-Take three...

The Cleveland Browns used three third rounders and made one trade to add an extra fourth rounder tomorrow on the final day of the draft...

The Browns took another pass rusher in Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib with their first pick in the round.
Nassib only started one season for Penn State,but finished with 15 and a half sacks to set a new record in sacks there.
Nassib can rush the passer,but can also be a run stuffer as well.
Nassib is suited to the 3-4 more than a 4-3,which is a refreshing change for the Browns to pick players that fits their scheme and is the type of guy that may never make a pro bowl,but could be part of your defensive line rotation for ten years.
There were players on the board that I liked better,but I cannot argue with the pick especially if the plan is for Emmanuel Ogbah to be a standup rush off the end linebacker....


Cleveland had two picks back to back at 76 and 77,but would use only one with 76 used on Auburn tackle Shon Coleman,which along with their pick yesterday of Corey Coleman,makes me wonder if they bought stock in Coleman camping equipment or might pick Gary Coleman in the seventh.
Seriously,Coleman will be an older (25 ) rookie,but the left tackle at Auburn will be the early favorite to replace Mitchell Schwartz on the right side of the offensive line.
The 6'5 Coleman is agile enough to play left tackle,but is a better fit on the right side.
At over 300 pounds,Coleman has long arms and is solid in both pass protection and as a run blocker.
Coleman has beaten leukemia after 30 months of chemotherapy and looks to be an excellent pick at this point.
Coleman has an excellent chance of starting the season at right tackle and I liked this selection...


Cleveland traded down as they traded the 77th pick in round 3 along with their fifth round pick (141) to Carolina for three picks-Carolina's 3rd (93),4th ( 129) and 5th (168).
Cleveland now has four picks in the fourth round...

The most controversial pick came next as the Browns used the third rounder from Carolina to take a quarterback,but it was not either of the two passers that had been connected to the Browns via a local tag.
Many thought the Browns might like Michigan State's Connor Cook or Ohio State's Cardale Jones,but instead tabbed USC's Cody Kessler.
Kessler is a tough guy and a very accurate passer which Hue Jackson seems to like,but doesn't seem to have the type of talent (as in not a very strong arm) that makes him a viable quarterback to lead a team as a starter.
What I do think that Kessler has is the type of attitude and character to be an excellent backup and this could be the Browns getting the guy into the locker room as a backup and see then what happens.
Kessler reminds me of a player that gets overdrafted and might be overwhelmed if forced into a starting role.
Cleveland may have their eye on a top quarterback in next years draft and could have picked Kessler to be the mentor of sorts to that QB.
I think this was a bit of a reach on the Browns and they could have likely added Kessler on day three of the draft.

Back tomorrow night with the final days of the Browns draft...