1 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:14,120 Speaker 1: Welcome into a bonus Free Agency Frenzy edition of the 2 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:18,600 Speaker 1: best podcast available, presented by Key Private Bank. Key Private 3 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: Bank is at the forefront of helping affluent families take 4 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: a comprehensive approach to building, managing, and protecting their wealth 5 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: in any market environment through objective advice and personalized solutions. 6 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: Joining me as always on the b p A, Sir 7 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: Andrew Gribble and Gribbs, you already did a deep dive 8 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,519 Speaker 1: into the free agents coming to the Browns. Some new members, 9 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: but we're having some guys come back, and obviously the 10 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: top of the list. Hollywood Higgins, you can roll that 11 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: red carpet out once again for the Browns coming off 12 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: of that great two thousand and twenty season. He is back, 13 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: as is linebacker Malcolm Smith. Yeah. I mean it's two 14 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: guys that if you're looking at the list of Brown's 15 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 1: free agents, neither of them are maybe too big of surprises, 16 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: but it shows what what happens when you both have 17 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 1: great seasons. I mean, I think Richard Higgins, you can 18 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: argue this was his best season as a Cleveland Brown. 19 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: I mean he had thirty seven receptions foven yards, four 20 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: touchdowns and really I don't know if the Browns get 21 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: as far as they do if he doesn't step up 22 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 1: the way he did during the second half of the 23 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: season without Odell Beckham. And then I guess if you 24 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: if you thought it might be a surprise earlier in 25 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: the year, maybe not as much of a surprise later 26 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: in the year. But Malcolm Smith was one of his 27 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: team's most consistent defensive players on the entire team, a leader, 28 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: uh and kind of a bounce back season for him. 29 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: I think he had a couple of tough years after 30 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 1: his time with the Raiders and was bouncing between teams, 31 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: and really it's amazing we think how quickly he picked 32 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: up the defense when he joined during training camp and 33 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: really the second most snaps out of any linebacker on 34 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,279 Speaker 1: the team, and kind of a veteran that group needed 35 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: with being otherwise really young. Yes, seventy two tackles, one interception, 36 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: and you dive into his Pro Football Focus grades twelfth 37 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 1: overall at linebacker, seventh in coverage. And I think whenever 38 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: Andrew Berry is gonna make an investment deposition, it's gonna 39 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 1: be a guy who he thinks can cover. And Malcolm 40 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: smiths still providing some veteran kind of leadership and stability 41 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: for that group that's still young, Jacob Phillips and Taki 42 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: Taki and Mack Wilson. But I think the main event 43 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: here it is Hollywood Higgins and late, you know, late yesterday, 44 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: we saw that tweet from Baker Mayfield Higg, what are 45 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: we doing? And then Hollywood Higgins saying, let's run it back, 46 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, Brown's Twitter worked into a frenzy, 47 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: and you think about Hollywood Higgins and and his story 48 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: of perseverance. He was inactive to start the season. And 49 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: then you pointed out, I think, very Stutelly, we couldn't 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: have done you know what we did without a career 51 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: high six team point to yards per catch, a guy 52 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,959 Speaker 1: who averaged over twelve yards per target, over two yards 53 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: per route run. He caught thirty eight of the thirty 54 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,119 Speaker 1: nine catchable passes thrown his way. I mean, you talk 55 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:55,119 Speaker 1: about an efficient wide receiver. He was as efficient as 56 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: it got. And and that chemistry he has with Baker 57 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: I think probably a big reason, and he wanted to 58 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: come back. I think he loves this city, loves this team. 59 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: But also one of the reasons that the Brown said Okay, 60 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 1: let's get Hollywood Higgins back here, back in the fold, 61 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: because you know exactly what you're gonna get, and it's 62 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: pretty good. Yeah, And it's interesting with what Higgins has 63 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: overcome here. And now what's crazy is this is gonna 64 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 1: be a sixth season with the Browns. I mean, it's 65 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: just it's crazy to think about that. But you look 66 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: back all the way to when he was drafted. He 67 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 1: probably went later in the draft and he ever could 68 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: have expected. I mean, this was a guy that was 69 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: competing for the bolitnic Coff Award at Colorado State and 70 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: he goes late in the fifth round in a draft 71 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: where the Browns drafted four wide receivers. Believe he was 72 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 1: the last one of the four. He's the only member 73 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: of that draft class still with the team. Uh. And 74 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: then there's been multiple training camps here where he's entered 75 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: it where he didn't know if he was making the team. 76 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: There was one training camp where he didn't make the 77 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: team and then came back as as part of a 78 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: practice squad player. So just been hanging around, hanging around 79 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: and finding his way onto onto the roster. And even 80 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: last year wasn't a guarantee that he was going to 81 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: make the team, but had a really good training camp 82 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: and then just kind of stuck with it, had a 83 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: good attitude when he was an active for for early 84 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 1: in the season, and then just delivered the way he 85 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: we were used to seeing him deliver. I think that 86 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: touchdown catch was against the Colts kind of got him 87 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: jump started, and really from there on, I mean, he 88 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: was just so reliable, uh and just such a big 89 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: playmaker for this offense. And you just get excited when 90 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: you think about The thing for me with Higgins is 91 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 1: how do you work him in better than we've seen 92 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: in the past when he has maybe the number three 93 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: receiver on this team, because it seems like he's thrived 94 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: as like a number two target. But I want to 95 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: see what they can do to get him to step 96 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: up in a way to be this team's number three 97 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: wide receiver. And I think that's the that's the thing 98 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,479 Speaker 1: I'll be watching for him going into a season where 99 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 1: I think finally he answers training camp. I think there 100 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: there's no doubt. I think he's He's going to be 101 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: a Partner's team. Yeah, And I think it's great and 102 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 1: it's great for him, and you think about you know, 103 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 1: the downs of two thousand and nine team for everybody 104 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: in the organization, but especially Hollywood and new coaching staff 105 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: comes in and you know, I talked to wide receiver 106 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: coach chat O'Shea in and they gave him a clean slate, 107 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: and they were just impressed with his work ethic, the 108 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 1: way that he worked, even with the early season setbacks, 109 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: being active, the way that he went about his job 110 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: each and every day made a real impression. And not 111 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 1: only was he great at running routes and now it 112 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 1: was he great at getting open and being where Baker 113 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: knew he was gonna be. And that's something the thing 114 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: they talked about, the reliability to be where your quarterback 115 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:22,720 Speaker 1: expects when he expects you to be there. And Hollywood 116 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 1: always does it. He catches everything he blocks into play. 117 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,480 Speaker 1: In this offense, you need to block. I think you're right, 118 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 1: and I think over the second half of the season 119 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: we saw a little bit of an evolution of this 120 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 1: offense to the point where you could support three receivers 121 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: because Donovan People's jones was darn impressive over the second 122 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: half of the season. And I think, you know, with 123 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 1: O'Dell coming back, the idea of O'Dell stretching the defense 124 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: going vertical, and you got Jarvis, who is just I mean, 125 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: what the quintessential Cleveland Brown such a stud in my opinion. 126 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 1: And now Hollywood, I it's pretty exciting. We're gonna be 127 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: able to mix up those three receiver looks with some 128 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 1: of our two tight end looks and be very as 129 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: we call multiple on offense, which is something Kevin Stefanski 130 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: really wants, and I think Hollywood gives them that without 131 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: having to even introduce anybody to this offense, without having 132 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: to introduce anybody to how we do things here. You 133 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: know exactly what you're gonna get, and he knows exactly 134 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: what the expectations are. Yeah, And it's interesting because when 135 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 1: you shift your focus to what the Bronze could do 136 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: next month in the draft, it's almost like with both 137 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: of these signings, I take a step back and thinking 138 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: about what this team needs, uh and where they might 139 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: address it and when they might address it in the draft. 140 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 1: I mean, you add on the fact that the Bronze 141 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 1: tendered Cadarrel Hodge, meaning he's likely coming back as well, 142 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: you bring it back your top five receivers from last year, 143 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: and and now I mean, what else do you need 144 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: to add to that group? So that becomes a position 145 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:44,800 Speaker 1: where maybe it doesn't seem like as big of a 146 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: need is maybe it did a month ago. And now 147 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: linebacker you bring back Malcolm Smith, you have that young 148 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 1: core with Tackie Tackie macwils and Jacob Phillips. You can 149 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: obviously add more to that room, but does it become 150 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: a first round need like some people have thought it 151 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 1: could be. So that's that's what free agency does. It 152 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 1: kind of helps you go into the draft and really 153 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: so you can get that best player at that number 154 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: twenty six spot, or if you want to make a 155 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: move up in the draft, you can go get uh 156 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: maybe another pass rusher, or you can get some more corners. 157 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: I think those are the two positions that we're looking 158 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: at now. But that's what makes us Malcolm Smith signing 159 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: a little bit more significantly important, And in my mind 160 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: maybe just that it's it's it's kind of an under 161 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: the radar move that isn't getting a ton of attention, 162 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: But I mean, this is a guy you're probably bringing 163 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: back and and it is probably gonna be a part 164 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: of the main party rotation next year. You're right, and 165 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: you think about that training camp. You know you lose 166 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: on Grant Delpit. That allows Ronnie Harrison to come into 167 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: the mix, and now he's a huge part of what 168 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: you're planning on doing. It wasn't until Mack Wilson suffered 169 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: that injury and training camp as well that the team 170 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: brought in Malcolm Smith and he goes and ends up 171 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: playing great for you and now he is back, so 172 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 1: too little kind of missteps obviously, and you would have 173 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: wished that both had stayed healthy. Brought in guys who 174 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: are now gonna be two years significant contributors, and I 175 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: would say, in the case of Ronnie Harrison, potentially many 176 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: molt a full year significant contributors to the Cleveland Browns. 177 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 1: And you brought up Smith. And it is our pleasure 178 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: now on the best podcast available to welcome in the 179 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: former Super Bowl m v P who makes his return 180 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: to the Cleveland Browns for another go at a super 181 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: Bowl in very happy now to be joined by Brown's 182 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: linebacker Malcolm Smith, who just re upped for another year 183 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 1: with the Browns. And Malcolm take us through kind of 184 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: your thought process. Had a great season, you had an 185 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: opportunity to explore free agency, you decided to come back 186 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: here to the Cleveland Browns. Um, I think just the familiarity, 187 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 1: you know, the to to kind of add to the 188 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: success we had last season build on it. Obviously, the 189 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: city of Cleveland was awesome to me, Um, and I'm 190 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: just looking forward to be back. You know, I really 191 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: appreciate the coach and staff, and I feel like we 192 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 1: had a good group of guys and looking forward to 193 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: see where we add to it. And Malcolm kind of 194 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: going back, I mean, you joined this team midway through 195 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: training camp and found a way to make kind of 196 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 1: an immediate impact. Was it about that time that really 197 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: kind of got you in the swing of things, really 198 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: in a hurry for a team that needed you out there. 199 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: I think I had a leg up, a little bit 200 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 1: of understanding on the defensive side of the ball, Um, 201 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: and obviously just experiences, uh, you know, veteran players played 202 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: a while, I know how to get myself ready, and 203 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: we all the COVID stuff going on, it wasn't too 204 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: much of a reach for me, Um, So I feel 205 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: like there was a little bit of an advantage. They're 206 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: understanding and hopefully, you know, we can build on it. Yeah, 207 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: and how important was it for you to be playing 208 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: with Joe Woods again and in this defense and obviously 209 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: last year, you know, great grades from Pro Football Focus 210 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: top seven in terms of coverage among all linebackers. You 211 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:42,439 Speaker 1: had that interception, so many two tackles. I mean it 212 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 1: was it was a great year for you and and 213 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,839 Speaker 1: kind of a rebirth of rejuvenation here with Joe. What's 214 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: how important was it? And what conversations did you guys 215 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 1: have in this recruitment period that made you say, yeah, 216 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 1: I'm definitely coming back for you, Joe. I just I 217 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: just knew kind of what the foundation was, um, and 218 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: I like it. I liked what I saw when I 219 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 1: got here last year almost immediately. Um, I was really 220 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 1: impressed and it stayed good. Um. And I feel like 221 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: I just tried to be myself and bring bring some 222 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 1: energy to the team and and and enjoy enjoy playing ball. 223 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: You know a lot of times there's so much stuff 224 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: going on as a player, you can get caught, uh 225 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 1: thinking about the wrong things and playing ball as a game. 226 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:23,959 Speaker 1: Let's let's try to enjoy as much as you can 227 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,319 Speaker 1: and save the tough stuff for everyone else. So that's 228 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 1: what I tried to do. And I felt like, uh, 229 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:31,959 Speaker 1: Coach Woods allowed that, you know, it was about us 230 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: falling as part of the for the Browns defense. To me, 231 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 1: do you guys look back on last year as thinking 232 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: you guys maybe left something on the table because you 233 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 1: guys got through COVID, you got through so many injuries 234 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,719 Speaker 1: and got yourself to the to the second round of 235 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs. I mean, how much better do you guys 236 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: think it can be if maybe the season is maybe 237 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: slightly more normal for you guys. I mean, I feel 238 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: like we did pretty good. Everybody was on the same 239 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: playing field, so you know, I don't want to say 240 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 1: that was the difference, but um, I feel like we 241 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: left a little bit out there. Just watching the last 242 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: game a few times, um, you know, we have some 243 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 1: really good opportunities there at the end of the game, 244 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: and UM, you know, those are the type of things 245 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 1: you remember the next year when you're preparing and they 246 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: add to your just just your awareness, your your your 247 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: attention to details, your um, you know, you don't want 248 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 1: to get burned on the same things again. So we're 249 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: looking forward to building. I know I'm looking forward to building. 250 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: On top of that, the guys that I talked to 251 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: almost every day, they're they're they're hitching to get back 252 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,319 Speaker 1: and show themselves. You're a Super Bowl m v P. 253 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:37,959 Speaker 1: So you know what it's like to be on a 254 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: championship football team and obviously wanting to come back. I 255 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: think that says a lot about where you think this 256 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: team is going. You know, when when did you see 257 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: the guys around your room with a lot of youngsters. 258 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: We'll talk about that in a second, but when did 259 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: you see this team start to have that belief that 260 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 1: you have to have on those championship teams. You know 261 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,080 Speaker 1: that we're gonna win these close games. When we in 262 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: these tight situations, we're gonna pull it out. When did 263 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: you see that kind of click for this young Browns 264 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: team last year? I mean there was a few moments, um, 265 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: you know when we we went in uh, we went 266 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: to Cincinnati and we won that game. H DPJ caught 267 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: that ball. That was like, you know, that was a 268 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: pretty big moment. And then we had the outbreak and 269 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: you know, we practiced like three times in three weeks 270 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: or something like that, um, and we got I feel 271 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: like we got better playing the games. We go to 272 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,439 Speaker 1: the Jets and we lose, but we literally just like 273 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: scrapped together some stuff and rolled it out there, and 274 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: you know, nobody batter and I, Um, nobody was complaining. 275 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: It was about going out competing, having a good attitude. 276 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: And I said, I think this is a lot about 277 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:48,160 Speaker 1: the way coach the Fansky approaches things. Um, he's just 278 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: so poise and committing to the goal and getting everybody 279 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: to move in the same direction. And UM, I'm gonna 280 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: do my best to come out and have a similar 281 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 1: attitude to him and just keep working in that way. 282 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 1: I know it's early in the off season and there's 283 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 1: still moves to be made, but but you're joining the 284 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 1: linebackers room that brings back three young guys in Mac 285 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: Takie Taki and Jacob Phillips. What what have you liked 286 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: about what you've seen from them? And how much better 287 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: do you think they can be next year? They can? 288 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: They can? They can? The guy's the limit for them 289 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: in this league, especially in this defense. I think if 290 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: you watch a little bit of UM the Super Bowl, 291 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: you saw the kind of fury and fight that Tampa 292 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 1: play with UM with their backers on the field. This 293 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,079 Speaker 1: we have a similar level of talent in the room. 294 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: I feel UM so that's something to look forward to 295 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: to see how we build, see how we come back. Um, 296 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: not batting and eye I think that would be the 297 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:43,839 Speaker 1: biggest thing for us to to have that focus, to 298 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: know how far we can go, see see where we've 299 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: come from. And um, they all had moments in the 300 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 1: last season where they battled through some stuff individually and 301 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,320 Speaker 1: at the end of the day emerged pretty well towards 302 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: the end of the year. So I feel pretty good 303 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: about those guys. I know from talking to them that 304 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: they looked up to, they love playing in with you have. 305 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: Have you got a chance to talk with them since 306 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: the news has come out that you'll be back, and 307 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: kind of I know they were excited about it. Yeah, 308 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: then then the old man's coming back, so there's jokes, 309 00:14:11,679 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 1: little jokes are back and play. But you know, yeah, 310 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to game with those guys and just 311 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,320 Speaker 1: seeing where their games go from here. I mean, you know, 312 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 1: second and third years when things really started to click 313 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: for you, you know, if you're gonna be something in 314 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 1: this league. So I'm looking forward to it. Malcolm, you 315 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 1: kind of thrived in a lot of areas last year, 316 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: but you were particularly really good in coverage and I'm 317 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: just wondering what what makes a good coverage linebacker and 318 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: how important is that skill gotten more and more as 319 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 1: the league has kind of changed since you've been in 320 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: the league now for ten years. Uh man, it really 321 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: helps when you have awesome pass rush, that's for sure, 322 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: and you've got great coverage on the outside. Um, guys 323 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 1: locking up so you can do your job and you 324 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: know somebody's gonna get home. UM. So really it's about 325 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: understanding where you are, where you fit your leverage and stuff. 326 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, UM, we all 327 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: rely on pass rush to get home and get that 328 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: ball out, but make people make uncomfortable throws. UM. So 329 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: thanks to the past rush, that's the difference. Honestly. You know, 330 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned that at the beginning of this interview that 331 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: you were able to come in because you're familiar with 332 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: the defense and that enabled you to play fast. You know, 333 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: a lot of these guys this was their first year 334 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: in this defense. We know what kind of an off 335 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 1: season or lack of off season it was. Having this 336 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: season on the belt, having hopefully it looks like we're 337 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: getting there with vaccines, et cetera, that maybe we'll have 338 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: a chance to have a semi normal off season for 339 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: you guys. How much faster do you think that allows 340 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: guys to play, especially young guys who you mentioned making 341 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: that big leap in the second or third year. Yeah, 342 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: I mean that's that's what you expect. Um, It's just 343 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: the thinking goes out the window. You're not focusing on 344 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: what as much on your left foot versus your right 345 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: foot here, and you know you're not doing the dance 346 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: as much as you're just feeling it. You can play fast, 347 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: you can feel the things that are happening around you. 348 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: And I think I think you start to see it 349 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: towards the end of the year last year. And alcome, 350 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: I was asking your former seventh round draft pick and 351 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: you made it out of your your tent NFL season, 352 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 1: what is what has gotten you to this point? And 353 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: and kind of the perseverance you editor show to get 354 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 1: to this point. Um. I think I try to leave 355 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: my ego out of a lot of things. I think 356 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: that that goes a long way. Um. I try to, 357 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: you know, be a sponge. I try to learn as 358 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: much as I can, and I try to take care 359 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: of my body, try to learn from the guys that 360 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: are older than me UM. You know, I have my 361 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 1: older brother played UM, and a lot of the guys 362 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: that I went to school with in college or played 363 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: there were older players. When I was a young player, 364 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: I depended on them for their and their knowledge, their leadership, 365 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 1: UM and their information. So it's allowed me to kind 366 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: of see the pitfalls along the way and where you know, 367 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: your career can go one one or another way. So 368 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: I try to be receptive to those things. And it 369 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: just went down so far. You guys were such a 370 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: close group last year, and I think you really saw that, 371 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: especially through the playoff run, the celebrations you guys would 372 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 1: all have together. You can see you guys really love 373 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: each other. And as you know, going into your ten season, 374 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: you know the NFL's business, things change every single year. 375 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,199 Speaker 1: How do you, as as a veteran leader, kind of 376 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 1: help maintain in your room for the most part, at 377 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: least you're gonna have some level of continuity. You know, 378 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: at least four of you will be back. You know, 379 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: how do you guys kind of maintain that camaraderie or 380 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 1: kind of restarted you know, every season, even with all 381 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:28,040 Speaker 1: the change that happens on an NFL roster. I think 382 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 1: you make fun of each other. You have you know, 383 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 1: you you text each other, You're setting each other funny stuff. 384 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: You share what's going on each other's lives. You you know, 385 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 1: you get concerned when things are going wrong or um, 386 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: you can reach out, help somebody out, just you know, 387 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: be a good person. I feel like that goes a 388 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: long way. And when you approach ball, you do it 389 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: in a in a way with love, um and passion 390 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: and enthusiasm, and usually that helps get over the I 391 00:17:55,320 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: don't know any anxiety or jealousy or whatever could be 392 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:03,200 Speaker 1: in the way. Um, you approach the game I love 393 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 1: and usually you know it loves you back if you 394 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: do it right. I know you've you've obviously heard the 395 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: news of John Johnson the third joining this defense, and 396 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 1: I'm just wondering he's he comes after a plan at 397 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,199 Speaker 1: a pretty high level last year with the Rams. What 398 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,159 Speaker 1: does it mean to a defense to have kind of 399 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 1: that commanding presence in the back there and a leader 400 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,639 Speaker 1: like like he is. It's important. I mean, you know, 401 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 1: great teams I played on have great safeties who were 402 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: loud and um, you know, really really new their assignments 403 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 1: and and and uh, how the offensive was attacking us. 404 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: So I'm looking forward to seeing, uh, you know what, 405 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 1: what has made him such a good player so far. 406 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 1: I remember watching him when I was in Saying Fran 407 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,479 Speaker 1: for a little bit and just being in the NFC 408 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:48,640 Speaker 1: West before watching playoffs and the rams and stuff. So um, 409 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:50,440 Speaker 1: you know, he's a really good player and I'm looking 410 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 1: forward to, you know, seeing him in action. All right, Malcolm, 411 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: we appreciate the time today and again, congratulations. So happy 412 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,160 Speaker 1: to have you back with the brown So I'll leave 413 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:01,880 Speaker 1: you with this one. You saw I got a taste 414 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: of Browns fans. I know you felt it in the city, 415 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:05,639 Speaker 1: but it was such we know what was going on 416 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 1: with COVID. The most we ever got were twelve thousand 417 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,800 Speaker 1: in that week's seventeen game. It really felt special. But 418 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: you know, how excited are you to maybe have the 419 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: chance to be in front of First Energy Stadium packed 420 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 1: with the Browns fans with all the excitement around this 421 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: team and they love that this city has for it. 422 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to it, honestly. I feel like that 423 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: was the big piece that I missed um last year 424 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: being in Cleveland, and I'm looking forward to seeing the 425 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: fans and just the way they enjoy the game. This 426 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 1: is the city I know the passion for football is 427 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 1: is being in northeast Ohio and I'm looking forward to it. Well, 428 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 1: we're looking forward to to it, to having you back here, 429 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: seeing to get out on the field. Welcome back, Enjoy 430 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 1: the rest of your off season, and look forward to 431 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: see you in Buria soon. Well, it's great to have 432 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 1: Malcolm Smith back in that locker room for the Browns. 433 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: A good veteran presence and a great coverage linebacker for 434 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:57,159 Speaker 1: Joe woods Is defense as always for Andrew Gribble. I'm 435 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:00,359 Speaker 1: Nathan Segura saying thanks for watching this special edition of 436 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: the best podcasts available, presented by Key Private Bank,