1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,400 Speaker 1: And welcome back into Cleveland Browns Daily. Our pleasure to 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:04,520 Speaker 1: be joined by the great Andrew Barry, our general manager. 3 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 1: And maybe I think we'll start here is, how is 4 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:10,399 Speaker 1: this the most difficult interview you've ever done in the 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: face of these hoodies? Which I know the envy that 6 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: you have that you don't have one of these yet 7 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:17,319 Speaker 1: I am very, very jealous that I don't have a 8 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Cleveland Browns Daily radio show hoodie? Where can I get 9 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: one of those? Do you guys know a guy? Happen 10 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: to know a guy? These are the three? Okay, Okay, 11 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: I mean just saying so, I just want to get 12 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: that out of the way. I just want to get 13 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: that out of the way. I knew it was would 14 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: be tough. Here we are, man, away we go. This 15 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: is I think for a lot of us, it's like, okay, 16 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: here we go. Started the league. But you guys have 17 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: been doing this work forever. Now that this is when 18 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 1: this stuff really gets going for you. As you come 19 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: back to this thing, What's what's most important as you 20 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: walk in here? What's your agenda look like here over 21 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: the rest of the week. Yeah, so it's it's definitely 22 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: a very busy week. It actually starts off with a 23 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: number of I would say, non team affiliate business, more 24 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: league business, with different you know, committee meetings that we're 25 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: on spent most of the day actually in league committe meetings. 26 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: But then from there it's really two prong you know. 27 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: Number one, UM, you know, it's really the first time 28 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: that we have kind of our first look at the 29 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: upcoming draft class. We've done a lot of scouting and 30 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: research and and and obviously you know, hit the All 31 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: Star Game circuit. But it gives us an opportunity to um, 32 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: you know, really spend some time with these individuals face 33 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 1: to face in person UM, which is really good. And 34 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: then there's a fair amount of business that UM, you know, 35 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,199 Speaker 1: we have to take care of with our own roster 36 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: UM before the start of the league. Gear. So we'll 37 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: meet with UM a lot of the representation from from 38 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: guys on our own roster and and and and have 39 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 1: those um you know, crucial and important conversations. Speaking of 40 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 1: our own roster. You gotta get under the salary cap 41 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:41,560 Speaker 1: by the start of the league. Gear. Today, it was 42 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: reported the Browns would be releasing John Johnson. The third 43 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: I guess would be post June first designation to save 44 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: some of that money. What was kind of the decision 45 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: making there and how did we kind of come to 46 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: this point? Yeah, you know, I think at this point, UM, 47 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,639 Speaker 1: there's there's really no certainty in terms of UM how 48 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:59,559 Speaker 1: that that that resolution will be reached to be honest, Nate, UM, 49 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: But we did, UM, you know, have discussions with John 50 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: and his representation and UM really appreciative all the work 51 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: that he's done over the past two years for us 52 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: on the field and certainly in the locker room. But 53 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: as we think about twenty twenty three and moving forward, UM, 54 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: we just thought that, you know, that a party was 55 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: probably the best thing for the team. So that creates 56 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: a hole in the back end of this defense. Is 57 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: this something you know when you look at it with 58 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: you know, Jim Schwartz gonna play a little bit more 59 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: single high than perhaps we've seen in the past. Are 60 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: you looking for more of a true center fielder to 61 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: complement Grant? You know, really to to be determined to 62 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: be honest, like, you know, I think this was um, 63 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 1: you know, certainly partly in conjunction with scheme, but it 64 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: wasn't all necessarily all driven by that, And without going 65 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: into the particulars, I think how we look on that 66 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: side of the ball. Um, you know, could could take 67 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: a bunch of a different um. I guess appearances going 68 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three, depending on how things shake out 69 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: the next several weeks with again without the specifics, because 70 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 1: I know you're not gonna give him anyway we want 71 00:02:57,919 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: to ask of at this point did make a public 72 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: but just big pictures as what as you look at 73 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: at a let's say it's a wall, how many contingencies 74 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: are there for you at positions? What does that look like? Yeah, 75 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: you know, it's probably hard to give a firm number, 76 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 1: but I'll suffice it to say a fair amount. UM. 77 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 1: I think probably twenty twenty was maybe the only off 78 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: season where a lot of the called plan A or 79 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: original plan you know, came to fruition. UM. Oftentimes the 80 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: next six seven months they take a lot of different 81 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: twists and turns. So we certainly do have a preferred 82 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: approach as we you know, enter the month of March 83 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: and certainly the twenty twenty three league year, but oftentimes 84 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: it changes. So our big thing is we want to 85 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: make sure that we stay flexible and we stay opportunistic. 86 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: UM as opposed to so rigid that we can't adjust 87 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: to either unexpected opportunity, good opportunities, or um, you know, 88 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: perhaps unexpected things that we hope didn't occur. So we've 89 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: just got to be will stay loose, flexible. We talked 90 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: about the salary cap earlier and the kind of his 91 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: planning for that. You know, right now, some people, all 92 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: the Browns, don't have any money. Just explain people the 93 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: the mechanisms you guys have at your disposal between now 94 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: and the start of the league year to free up 95 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 1: space and then to be able to make some of 96 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 1: the moves that I'm sure you are hoping to make 97 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: when free agency opens. Well, how about this, I will 98 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: guarantee that we will be under the salary cap before 99 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: the start of the twenty twenty three league year. M 100 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: Quite honestly, I think, um that's that's oftentimes a maybe 101 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 1: a difficult thing to to fully u appreciate within you know, 102 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: within public spaces. I think number one, because um, you know, 103 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: most teams at this point there's a little bit of 104 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 1: a disassociation between how you manage the cap and how 105 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: you actually manage your cash going into the league year, 106 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: because the cap is really just an accounting mechanism for 107 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 1: how you're going to spend on the roster or spend 108 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 1: on the team. UM. Within you know, the cap accounting rules. 109 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: There are number of ways to create space, you know, 110 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 1: whether it's um, you know, a cut, releasing a player, 111 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: whether it's trading up player, whether it's restructuring a deal, 112 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: whether it's negotiating a you know, a real extension. So 113 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: there are a number of tools at UM you know, 114 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: at the disposal of NFL teams to create room. UM. 115 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: But you don't do any of these, any of these 116 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: moves in a vacuum. UM. You know, you think about 117 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: number one holistically with the roster in the present year, 118 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,160 Speaker 1: but then you know, secondarily it's it's really kind of 119 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: at least we look at it over you know, a 120 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: multi year, multi year spam when you know when we 121 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: plan and as I mentioned a little bit earlier, you know, 122 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: our big thing is maintaining flexibility UM from year to year, 123 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: and that'll that'll continue to be our approach. Maybe from 124 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 1: a if you think of the off season as a 125 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: as a pie chart, what percentage of that chart is 126 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: this week in Indie on a prospect level, and then 127 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 1: of that percentage. How do you weigh work out individual 128 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: meetings medicals. The importance there I'd say this week is 129 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:56,359 Speaker 1: like maybe maybe upwards of five percent, and um probably 130 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: in most prospects case maybe two to three percent. And 131 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: the one that maybe fall in the five percent category 132 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: are the ones that may have um, you know, significant 133 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: medical issues that need to be discussed or further or 134 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,839 Speaker 1: further vetted. Um. You know, really the work that we've 135 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: done for you know at this point the past call 136 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: it ten months on this draft class, it weighs more 137 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 1: heavily than anything that they would do here. UM. The 138 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: medical information is something that you don't get till till 139 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: you know, really this this week. UM. The you know, 140 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: interpersonal touch points are are important, but even then you 141 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: only get limited time um and will oftentimes wait people 142 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: who have been with them at their universities for three, 143 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: four or five years, um, outside of maybe a twenty 144 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: minute exposure that we get in Indianapolis. But those touchpoints 145 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: are important. They gear how much additional time we want 146 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: to spend throughout the spring process. And then it's always 147 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: good to see the you know, see their um, you know, 148 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: their physical characteristics in a in a a controlled environment um. 149 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, those are those 150 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: are very small pieces of the puzzle, and it's a 151 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: it's a puzzle that it involves for agency and it's 152 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: going to involve draft. In terms of the roster construction puzzle, 153 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:04,919 Speaker 1: we have a lot of free agence to take the 154 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 1: linebacker position, for example, a lot of guys who played 155 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: for you last year we had so many injuries, but 156 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: many of them are going to be free agents. Do 157 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: you expect to kind of shore up anything prior to 158 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: the start of the league year and solidify some people 159 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: that have been here bringing them back or is that 160 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 1: something that you're kind of We'll see how it all 161 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 1: unfolds once we get there. Yeah, Honestly, it's yet to 162 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: be determined. And that's not to say that you know, 163 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: there aren't a number of individuals that we'd like to 164 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: return to Cleveland, but the timing of that is really 165 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 1: individual specific. You know, I think we'll have a number 166 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: of of of our players, you know, that will hit 167 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: the free agent market, and the market dynamics will determine 168 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: whether they return or not. But you know, one thing, 169 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 1: one thing that I've learned over the past couple of 170 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:49,679 Speaker 1: years is it really is a bit of a marathon 171 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: in the offseason, not a sprint, like everything doesn't happen. 172 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: And sure the first couple of days of free agency, 173 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: whether it's retaining your own guys or signing other players 174 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: or filling different roster needs, one of the most helpful 175 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: things for this off season is you're gonna get a 176 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: full off season with Deshaun Watson. He's going to full 177 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 1: training camps, get a full season, all of those things. 178 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: As you look back on that, the chaos of all 179 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,239 Speaker 1: of that, of camp, going to eleven, all of that stuff, 180 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: and then the return, how where does your mind go? 181 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: Where's your perspective on what that process was like and 182 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,120 Speaker 1: how how we handled it as an organization. Yeah, I 183 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: mean it's it's certainly a lot. But I mean, look, 184 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: every organization is going to go through adversity. Every every 185 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,679 Speaker 1: organization is going to go through um, challenging times at 186 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: points in the year. Um. And really our job is 187 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: as professionals just to navigate them. Um And and and 188 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: obviously for us, like you know, really as we like 189 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: reflect on the entirety of the season. Um, you know, 190 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: our results weren't good enough. Um, but we're certainly you know, 191 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 1: energized by the challenges of you know, improving the team, 192 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 1: improving the organization, and making sure that you know, when 193 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 1: we're here a year from now, we're a lot happier 194 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,559 Speaker 1: with the results from the season. This is going to 195 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: be your fourth draft in this time with the Cleveland Browns, 196 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: your fourth offseason, fourth free agency period. You know, your 197 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: first class that you drafted is they're going to be 198 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: their seniors now, right they're going in the final year 199 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: of those rookie deals. What's kind of been the biggest 200 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 1: thing that you've learned or what's maybe changed the most 201 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: in your approach, if anything about you know that you've 202 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: gained from those past few years experiences. I think it's 203 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: really just astley patience. Patience and flexibility. Those would be 204 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: the two two biggest things, you know. I think early 205 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:31,679 Speaker 1: on I used to worry more about things that like 206 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: I couldn't control or we couldn't control as an organization. 207 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: And just the reality it is like whenever the league 208 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 1: year opens, it's really a seven seven and a half 209 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: month time frame until you get to the trade deadline 210 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,239 Speaker 1: and you can no longer make changes with your significant 211 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: changes with your roster and the number of you know, 212 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: doors that will open and Quinazi doors that may shut 213 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: that you don't expect that happened during that time period. 214 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: You can't predict, and you know, staying flexible's key. Speaking 215 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 1: of that flexibility, you guys have been I wouldn't say rigid, 216 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: but it's clear that you have an age preference for 217 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: people that you like to draft with. You know, guys 218 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 1: like Miles and Denzel and Nick and now you have 219 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: de Shaun kind of in their primes. And given that 220 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: the COVID year has caused this draft class to have 221 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: probably more older twenty three year olds in the top hundred, 222 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: does that change your approach and in thinking about that 223 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: age number at all, not in particular, And I think, 224 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: you know, maybe there's uh, maybe the age preferences are 225 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: a bit overstated. Um, look, well we'll deal with each 226 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 1: prospect or each individual based on their based on their 227 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: individual circumstances. You know, I don't know that. Um, you know, 228 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 1: age necessarily equals readiness coming into the NFL, just like 229 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: youth doesn't necessarily mean that the play potential, Yeah, potential. 230 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 1: So um, you know, we're really trying to address it 231 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: on a case by case basis. Maybe how do you 232 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 1: balance I mean Z mentioned like, you know, this is 233 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:02,959 Speaker 1: draft kids going into the final final, you're rookie contracts. 234 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: Everybody you draft you love, right, otherwise you wouldn't have 235 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: drafted him. How do you balance what you saw in 236 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: someone as a prospect and versus maybe some of the 237 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: difficulties they've had on the field. So this business has 238 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: been as we get it, but there's a personal side 239 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 1: of it too. How do you balance that personally? Yeah, 240 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: I think it's probably no different than any I mean, 241 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: it may sound silly, but it's no different than any 242 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 1: other UM position the organization. Obviously, when you bring someone in, 243 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: you'd like to be able to support them to have 244 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,079 Speaker 1: as much success as possible. But um, you know, the reality, 245 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: particularly with the draft. UM, you know on average that 246 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,440 Speaker 1: I think there are roughly maybe forty seven starters that 247 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: come out of you know, two hundred and fifty you 248 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 1: know person draft. So it's it's actually a very small 249 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 1: subset of the draft. And I think you kind of understand, 250 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: you know, doing it, you kind of understand what to 251 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: expect going in, UM and you realize that that that 252 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: not every not every player is going to reach his potential. 253 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: Je not every player is going to stay healthy, and 254 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: then sometimes not even every player will just reach his 255 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:07,559 Speaker 1: potential with you, And that's just kind of a reality 256 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:11,560 Speaker 1: of the reality business. And you do your best. At 257 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 1: the end of the day, you want to make decisions 258 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 1: that are best for the organization and you can do 259 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: that while steal, treating and managing people with you know, 260 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 1: level of empathy and support that is fair to the individual. 261 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: And that's what we try and do. As you're here 262 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: and you're not going to tell us, but everything I 263 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: think it's you know, from the outside, it's a somewhat 264 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 1: obvious some of the things that we need right going 265 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 1: into this offseason. How do you kind of divvy up 266 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 1: that focus in terms of on the defensive line and 267 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 1: working with a new defensive coordinator now and Jim Schwartz 268 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: and kind of figuring out and you guys have history together, 269 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,199 Speaker 1: but figuring out what that looks like, you know, because 270 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: it's a minor shift. Is the first time you had 271 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: a new defensive coordinator with a little bit of a 272 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: different defensive style. How do you kind of focus in 273 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: on honing in on what we want for this now 274 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:58,960 Speaker 1: and kind of to build this team where you know, 275 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: we've had veterans in the past. Now we're counting either 276 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: young guys to step up or step in, and then 277 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: we still have free agency to fill in some veterans. 278 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: But how does that that kind of new marriage work 279 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: and change kind of the outlook if at all? I 280 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: don't I don't think the process is that different. I mean, 281 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: you always want to make sure that you partner with 282 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: the coaching staff if you're if you're a front office, UM, 283 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: you know, for an office member. UM, I think having 284 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 1: familiarity with Jim and quite honestly being in UM similar 285 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: to systems to what Jim has done, you know, during 286 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 1: my time in Indianapolis, certainly helps. But you know, I 287 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: know I know Jim very well from you know, from 288 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 1: our time in Philly. UM. But even if even if 289 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: we didn't necessarily have a working history together, UM, you'll 290 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: you know, I've always kind of come up in the 291 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: model where the front office partners with the coaching staff, 292 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,200 Speaker 1: and UM, you ultimately try and marry players and skill 293 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 1: sets with the philosophy of the coordinators. You mentioned Jim 294 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: Bubba as well coming in and a bunch of a 295 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 1: bunch of changes to the staff. UM. What personnel. Were 296 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:56,559 Speaker 1: there certain traits that you guys were obviously it's Kevin 297 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,319 Speaker 1: staff and in terms it's the Brown staff. Certain traits 298 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: you were looking for killing those positions. Were there anythings 299 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: we need a little bit more of this? Yeah, I 300 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 1: think I think it's you know, I think number one, 301 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: it's probably more appropriate task you know Kevin about it. 302 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: But you know from from from my perspective. UM, you know, 303 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: we had the opportunity to to to add two very 304 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 1: talented coordinators UM and a number of other talented position coaches. UM. 305 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: I think that UM certainly like with Bubba in particular, 306 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: former player, perspective, proof and track record, really good teacher, UM, 307 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: you'll passionate, fiery personality. UM. I think those are all 308 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 1: think those are all positives. And UM. You know with 309 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: Jim UM, I think he's called over like four hundred 310 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: NFL games either as like a head coach or defensive coordinator, 311 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,560 Speaker 1: super smart, UM been a variety of places former head coach. 312 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: UM again another another experienced guy with a proven track record, 313 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: and I think both those individuals can make organization better. 314 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: One thing about his defense, it's always had a Pro 315 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: Bowl or All Pro defensive tackle. We've got guys here 316 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: that you've drafted Jordan Elliott Perry on show and I 317 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: think some flashes certainly over the second half of that season. 318 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: How important is it to find that real interior disruptor? 319 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: And you know, dron Payne was the guy we all 320 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 1: saw like, oh he'd be great. Will they franchised him today? Um? 321 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: How how important is that? Yeah? I think people oftentimes 322 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: want to put Jim in a box. Um, and I 323 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: wouldn't necessary that's say that that that's the case. Um, 324 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: you know, certainly everybody would love that player. Um, but 325 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: but Jim is perhaps not as um as rigid or 326 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: dogmatic as maybe people assume. All right, this one is 327 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: and this is a serious one. Are you finding it 328 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: this year harder to trade with people after what you 329 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: did in the Amari Cooper trade? Because I would imagine 330 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: that when you do something like that, people are like, oh, 331 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: he's into this. Maybe I'm not as into this. So 332 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 1: we run into this in fantasy football people, Yeah you're not. 333 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: They don't want to trade with you anymore. I don't 334 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: know about that. Well, we'll we'll see as as we 335 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: get into uh, you know, this week and uh, the 336 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: upcoming off season. But I think we're um fortunate to 337 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 1: be in a transactional league, UM where people are more 338 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 1: willing to be flexible with their with their rosters. So 339 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 1: we'll see. Well, you gotta be nimble, and I think 340 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: that's one thing you've done that's very you know, you, 341 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: when opportunity presents, you've got to be ready to act, 342 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 1: and it feels like you guys as a front office 343 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: are always ready for that. And that's got to be 344 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 1: such a huge part of the job. No, it's it's 345 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: it's it's needed. It's it's needed and um and particularly 346 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: in UM you know, the current environment that the NFL's 347 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: in with it being a more transactional sport. So UM, 348 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: it's certainly something we pride ourselves on and then hopefully 349 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: we can pounce on opportunities this year as well. Yeah, 350 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: that goes back to what he's saying about having the 351 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: flexibility with the cap but to be able to, oh 352 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: we want this guy, we can go get them. That's 353 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: exactly right. Is this a fun time of year for 354 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: you or is it stressful time or it's both. It's both, 355 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: but probably more fun than stressful. Yeah, you have to 356 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: go out there. We'll do some great things, get this 357 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 1: roster going and excited for another season here and hopefully 358 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: one is you said that meets the expectations of a 359 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: team that has a chance I think to be very 360 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: very good. Appreciate you guys. Hey, thanks for your time. 361 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 1: All right, thanks both, Thanks much more to comure. Listen 362 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: to the Browns Daily on eighth of d ESP in Cleveland.