With the Browns returning to Berea on Monday for the start of voluntary workouts, we're going to go ahead and consider this the last official week of the offseason.
Let's celebrate with five of your questions on this soggy Friday.
There's been a lot of buzz about the Browns 2019 schedule potentially including multiple prime-time games. And given that the NFL will be celebrating its 100th season, it would seem natural that the NFL would want to highlight some historical matchups, like the Browns vs. Jets to commemorate the first-ever Monday night game. But what about the Browns vs. Rams? The Rams are once again a dominant team, and they were originally the Cleveland Rams. So it will likely be a really good game and there's a strong historical connection to these two franchises. Has there been any talk of the NFL exploiting this angle, or do you think the league and TV networks have any interest in it? -- Pete F., Tunisia
These types of discussions involve very important people who are on a need-to-know basis and, unfortunately, I don't fit into that category. Regardless, I can safely tell you the Browns, no matter what you read or hear, are viewed as one of the hottest commodities in the NFL this season and are certainly prepared to play in a handful of primetime games this season. It could start as early as Week 1, whether it be against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football or a part of one of the two Monday Night Football slots. We'll find out for sure soon enough.
With that in mind, here are our top five candidates for Browns primetime games in 2019.
- Browns-Patriots: The NFL already paired up Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady for their NFL100 Super Bowl commercial, so it only makes sense for this matchup to get some primetime exposure.
- Rams-Browns: The aforementioned history angle is great, but this would get people excited based on how these teams are expected to look on the field in the here and now.
- Browns-Steelers: This does not require an explanation.
- Browns-Ravens: The Week 17 finale had a national audience watching in CBS' premium window, and the teams didn't disappoint. Mayfield vs. Lamar Jackson could turn into quite a rivalry over the years.
- Browns-Cardinals/49ers: One of these games has to get the primetime treatment, right? Storylines abound for either of these cross-country trips, especially if Arizona uses the No. 1 pick on Kyler Murray.
Take a look back at the team's appearance from its inception in 1946 all the way through 2019.
The 1946 Browns entered the brand-new All-America Football Conference with white uniforms, featuring white helmets, brown and orange stripes on the sleeves and socks, and brown block numbers with an orange drop shadow. The Browns wouldn't wear a drop shadow on their uniforms again until 2002.
Paul Brown (center right) observes with a group of his players on the sideline during a 1946 game.
(Left to right) Otto Graham, Dante Lavelli, Paul Brown and Mac Speedie pose for a locker room photo during the 1946 season.
Marion Motley carries the ball during a game.
Players collide near the goal line during the 1948 AAFC Championship Game played between the Browns and the Buffalo Bills.
The Browns exclusively wore a white helmet during their run of dominance in the AAFC from 1946-1949 before incorporating an orange helmet. They switched to the orange helmet permanently in 1952.
The Browns first wore this orange helmet with a single white stripe down the middle starting in 1952. Also during that season, the NFL standardized its number system, requiring players such as quarterback Otto Graham to drastically change their jersey numbers. Graham switched from wearing No. 60 to No. 14.
This unique photo shows Otto Graham with his new number, changed to fit newly implemented NFL numbering standards, but wearing the white helmet the Browns left behind in 1951.
Otto Graham in game action, wearing the team's new orange helmet with a single white stripe.
Lou Groza (76) runs upfield looking for an opponent to block during a game.
Lou Groza (76) watches in the distance as Darrel "Pete" Brewster falls near the goal line during a game.
The Browns added brown numbers to both sides of their helmets starting in the 1957 season.
Browns running back Jim Brown (left) carries the ball during a game.
Jim Brown avoids a would-be tackler in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns added brown numbers to both sides of their helmets starting in the 1957 season. Here, Jim Brown carries the ball while wearing No. 32 on both his jersey and helmet.
The Browns added two brown stripes on each side of the white center stripe in 1960, and ditched the helmet numbers in 1961.
The Browns added two brown stripes on each side of the white center stripe in 1960, and ditched the helmet numbers in 1961.
Jim Brown carries the ball during a game against the Washington Redskins.
Jim Brown stands on the sideline during a Browns game.
Jim Brown attempts to evade a defender during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jim Brown runs through the New York defense during a game against the Giants.
Jim Brown carries the ball in a 1965 game against the New York Giants.
Eventual Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly runs with the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lou Groza attempts a kick during a game.
Leroy Kelly carries the ball during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Lou Groza (76) attempts a kick during a game.
The Browns began tinkering with the spacing of their sleeve stripes in 1968, first with the brown jersey. In 1969, they added thin white stripes between the brown and orange stripes, a look that lasted until 1984.
The Browns began tinkering with the spacing of their sleeve stripes in 1968, first with the brown jersey. In 1969, they added thin white stripes between the brown and orange stripes, a look that lasted until 1984. Here, Leroy Kelly runs with the ball during a game.
The Browns began tinkering with the spacing of their sleeve stripes in 1968, first with the brown jersey. In 1969, they added thin white stripes between the brown and orange stripes, a look that lasted until 1984. Here, Leroy Kelly runs with the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns began tinkering with the spacing of their sleeve stripes in 1968, first with the brown jersey. In 1969, they added thin white stripes between the brown and orange stripes, a look that lasted until 1984. Here, quarterback Mike Phipps hands the ball to running back Leroy Kelly.
Hello, orange. The Browns debuted orange pants in 1975, wearing them exclusively until 1984. In this image, quarterback Brian Sipe throws a pass while protected by tackle Cody Risien during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy on September 25, 1983 in San Diego, California. The Browns won 30-24 in overtime. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe (17) calls a play in the huddle during a game against the Houston Oilers on Dec. 3, 1981 at the Astrodome in Houston. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe (17) hands the ball to running back Cleo Miller (30) during an NFL game against the Houston Oilers Sept. 13, 1981, in Cleveland. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
The Browns debuted orange pants in 1975, wearing them exclusively until 1984. In this photo, Mike Pruitt (43) runs with the ball during a game against the Colts.
The Browns debuted orange pants in 1975, wearing them exclusively until 1984. In this photo, Mike Pruitt (43) runs with the ball during a game against the Seahawks.
The Browns debuted orange pants in 1975, wearing them exclusively until 1984. In this photo, Mike Pruitt (43) runs with the ball during a game against the Bengals.
Mike Pruitt (43) runs with the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
1984 brings radical change to Cleveland, starting with a new brown jersey with orange numbers, worn here by quarterback Paul McDonald during a preseason game against the Steelers.
The new, orange-numbered top was so unpopular, the team switched to white numbers with an orange outline in time for the regular season. Also different in the uniforms: white facemasks, a different stripe set on the sleeves and wider, reversed stripes on the pants.
The new, orange-numbered top was so unpopular, the team switched to white numbers with an orange outline in time for the regular season. Also different in the uniforms: white facemasks, a different stripe set on the sleeves and wider, reversed stripes on the pants.
The new road uniform included orange socks, an orange outline on the brown numbers and a new triple-striped sleeve following an orange-brown-orange pattern that, oddly enough, was the reverse of the new pants stripe.
The new road uniform included orange socks, an orange outline on the brown numbers and a new triple-striped sleeve following an orange-brown-orange pattern that, oddly enough, was the reverse of the new pants stripe.
The new road uniform included orange socks, an orange outline on the brown numbers and a new triple-striped sleeve following an orange-brown-orange pattern that, oddly enough, was the reverse of the new pants stripe.
The new road uniform included orange socks, an orange outline on the brown numbers and a new triple-striped sleeve following an orange-brown-orange pattern that, oddly enough, was the reverse of the new pants stripe.
The new road uniform included orange socks, an orange outline on the brown numbers and a new triple-striped sleeve following an orange-brown-orange pattern that, oddly enough, was the reverse of the new pants stripe.
The 1984 change lasted just one season before the Browns returned to their more traditional look, bringing the white facemask along with them. Orange receded into a secondary role for the next 15 years, as the team relied more on a white-dominant look that harkened back to the club's earliest days.
Browns receivers Reggie Langhorne (88) and Webster Slaughter (84) celebrate during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ozzie Newsome (82) of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball upfield during the game against the San Diego Chargers on September 14,1990. (Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome (82) hauls in a five yard touchdown pass as New York Jets George Radachowsky in this Sept. 17, 1989 photo in Cleveland. Newsome was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 30, 1999. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
While many teams opted to wear throwbacks for the NFL's 75-year anniversary in 1994, the Browns stuck to their current sets with the 75th anniversary patch added to the left chest.
When the Browns returned to the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1999, they commemorated their rebirth with a special patch and moved the uniform's television numbers from the sleeve to the shoulder.
When the Browns returned to the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1999, they commemorated their rebirth with a special patch and moved the uniform's television numbers from the sleeve to the shoulder.
When the Browns returned to the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1999, they commemorated their rebirth with a special patch and moved the uniform's television numbers from the sleeve to the shoulder.
Orange returned with authority as the team's alternate jersey in 2002 as the NFL encouraged teams to adopt a third top. The brown drop shadow on the white numbers served as an informal nod to the team's first uniform in its history. The jersey was also a callback to the orange tops with which the Browns experimented during preseason games in the mid-1950s.
Orange returned with authority as the team's alternate jersey in 2002 as the NFL encouraged teams to adopt a third top.
The team's embracing of orange grew during the following season, when the franchise welcomed back the orange pants made popular from 1975-1983. The Browns wore these pants during a Sunday night game against the Steelers in 2003, which they won 33-13 in front of a national television audience.
The orange pants weren't as successful when paired with the brown home jerseys in 2003. The Browns fell to the St. Louis Rams 26-20 in a Monday night contest in Cleveland.
The Browns mixed in another slight change in 2003, adding a thin white stripe between the brown and orange stripes on the pants worn with the brown jerseys at home. These alternate white pants made occasional appearances in the mid-2000s. They also had a set without the thin white stripe that were worn on the road (and sometimes at home, too).
The orange jerseys lasted just three seasons and the orange pants merely two campaigns before the Browns went back to the white pants exclusive look in 2005. That set up bigger changes in 2006 as the team celebrated its 60th anniversary of its inception.
In a very emphatic nod to the Browns' roots, the team went back to gray facemasks, orange-brown-orange striping on the pants, a slightly darker brown jersey and the original sleeve striping worn by the team from 1946-1968. These uniforms would eventually expand to include solid brown pants worn intermittently near the start of the 2010s.
In a very emphatic nod to the Browns' roots, the team went back to gray facemasks, orange-brown-orange striping on the pants, a slightly darker brown jersey and the original sleeve striping worn by the team from 1946-1968. These uniforms would eventually expand to include solid brown pants worn intermittently near the start of the 2010s.
In a very emphatic nod to the Browns' roots, the team went back to gray facemasks, orange-brown-orange striping on the pants, a slightly darker brown jersey and the original sleeve striping worn by the team from 1946-1968. These uniforms would eventually expand to include solid brown pants worn intermittently near the start of the 2010s.
The Browns broke out the all-brown look for the first time in franchise history for a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills in 2013.
The Browns broke out the all-brown look for the first time in franchise history for a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills in 2013.
The Browns also broke out a throwback uniform honoring the 1957-1959 teams
The Browns also broke out a throwback uniform honoring the 1957-1959 teams
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Radical change arrived in 2015 in the form of significantly different uniforms manufactured and designed by Nike. The sets included three jerseys (brown, orange, white), three sets of pants (brown, orange, white) and two pairs of socks (brown, orange), as well as a more vibrant orange, a matte finish to the helmet, a graphic print inside the brown helmet stripes, a brown facemask, the city name of Cleveland across the chest and the team nickname of Browns down the side of the pants. The new duds were revealed at an orange-carpet event at the Cleveland Convention Center in April of 2015.
Could the Browns pick up Ndamukong Suh before the draft? Suh would make a great addition to an already improved defensive front. Even if it's for a 1-year deal. -- Alan S., Barrington, New Hampshire
Suh is still available and the Browns still have some salary cap room to work with, so it's impossible to rule anything out at this point -- I'm done ruling out Dorsey with any hypothetical after what he was able to swing to land Odell Beckham Jr. It should just be noted what Dorsey said earlier this week at the NFL's Annual Meeting. The Browns are now in a different phase of what's been a major facelift over the last year. The finances are different and will continue to be now that there's a lot of players Cleveland would like to keep around for a while.
"I think you're at a point right now in terms of this free agency period where you have to very selective and you've gotta make it a club-friendly deal moving forward," Dorsey said. "By no means do you want to diminish the skill set, you still want good football players. But you also have to be cognizant of '20 and '21."
Now that we know Kareem Hunt will miss only eight games, which running back could get shipped and how many do you think we will keep on the 53 -- Marcus R., Chula Vista, California
This has been a common storyline since the Hunt acquisition, but it's not one Freddie Kitchens was all too interested in discussing earlier this week. The answer was in response to speculation regarding Duke Johnson, but it could basically apply to any segment of the roster.
"I don't know why we would ever want to, like, just voluntarily give up a good football player," Kitchens said. "Duke Johnson is a good football player. Duke Johnson will have a role on our football team. All these guys that are here will have a role. I don't when it just became a necessity to trade Duke Johnson because we signed Kareem Hunt. And I know I've heard that a lot. I just don't respond to it until somebody asks me. I don't know why we would voluntarily do that."
Said Dorsey: "I've told you all along, I think Duke Johnson is a very talented football player. I envision him doing really nice things for the Cleveland Browns."
As for how many the Browns keep on the 53-man roster, the usual allotment is either three or four, depending on whether the team keeps a fullback. Remember, Hunt's suspension means he won't be eligible to be a part of the 53-man roster until Week 9, so that group of three or four won't count him until he's cleared to play.
Dorsey has good history of drafting local Ohio players like Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, Denzel Ward. For the upcoming draft, which local kid is worthy of being selected with the 49th pick? -- Gurjit S., Rocklin, California
Two come to mind right away. Cornerback Justin Layne, who played his high school ball at Benedictine and starred at Michigan State, should come off the board right around the midpoint of the second round. Ohio State's Dre'Mont Jones, a defensive tackle who played at Cleveland's Saint Ignatius High School, is more of a polarizing prospect -- he's been mocked anywhere from late first round to the third -- would make a lot of sense for the Browns at that point of the draft, too.
What are some quarterbacks names in late rounds Browns could be looking for? 5th round? -- Jim K., Medina
I'll throw out a few, and that's as far as I'll go because I've spent nearly my entire tenure at ClevelandBrowns.com writing about college quarterbacks, and I'm going to relish a draft where it's not a top priority.
Brett Rypien - Boise State
Gardner Minshew - Washington State
Trace McSorely - Penn State
Tyree Jackson - Buffalo
Clayton Thorson - Northwestern
