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Carson Schwesinger earns AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/carson-schwesinger-earns-ap-defensive-rookie-of-the-year

Carson Schwesinger earned the highest accolade to represent his dominant rookie season in the NFL.

Schwesinger was voted Thursday the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors. He is the second Browns rookie in team history to win the award, joining LB Chip Banks who was voted the winner in 1982.

"Carson, he came in and all he said, and all he lived, is that he was going to earn it," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said. "And that's the biggest thing that he did. He just came in and worked. His ability to, no matter what, run to the ball and get it on the ground and play with that great effort is what has earned him all these opportunities and Defensive Rookie of the Year. So really proud of how he approaches each and every day, trying to be his best. And further than that, it goes to every moment of the meeting, every play, his whole mindset is, 'I'm going to do this as good as I can. Make the play, finish in the pile, help my teammates up, and then go do it again.'"

His rise from a preferred walk-on at UCLA in 2021 to being drafted as the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was a feat alone, demonstrating his work ethic and skillset as a linebacker. Schwesinger worked on the scout team before he earned a scholarship in his sophomore season and eventually became the full-time starter in his redshirt junior season – a successful season that caught the attention of NFL scouts, including the Browns.

Well deserved.

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/myles-garrett-earns-ap-2025-defensive-player-of-the-year

Myles Garrett culminated his historic 2025 season with the highest accolade.

Garrett was unanimously named Thursday the AP Defensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors. It is the second time in his career that he has won the award, following his third consecutive nomination as a finalist.

"(Garrett is) the most dominant defensive lineman I've ever coached," defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. "A competitive leader. A guy that can literally do whatever he wants out there. He started the year with a purpose, and winning this (is) the ultimate culmination of all the hard work that he's put in since the offseason, preseason and regular season. Even though the year didn't end the way we wanted it to, obviously, he never wavered. He never showed any signs of slowing down, and he just kept one singular focus on 'I'm going to do my job to try and help this team win.'"

Garrett made history throughout the season, crowning his ninth NFL season with setting the NFL single-season sack record in Week 18 with his 23rd sack. He also broke the Browns single-season sack record that he set in 2021 and tied in 2022.

He broke other records throughout the 2025 season as well, as Garrett became the first player since 1982 to record 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons when he recorded his 12th sack in Week 11. He set the record for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30, surpassing Reggie White. He is also the first player in NFL history to record at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons.

"There are no words to describe when you go on a journey with a young man. I mean, that's what football is about," Cesaire said. "He won on just the most normal call that we have and of course, he did it his fashion with probably the fastest get off I've ever seen in my whole entire life. it was awesome. It was completely awesome. Nobody knows it, but Jim (Schwartz) had told us to hoist him up. So, I just grabbed his tree trunk leg, put it on top of my shoulder and lifted him up. And it was just such a great feeling just to see his teammates and just everybody rush him. And so, I'm happy for him."

Garrett had three games during the 2025 season with at least three sacks, with his best game of the season against the Patriots in Week 8 with five sacks. He not only set a season-high with five sacks, but also broke his own Browns' record for the most sacks in a game.

Garrett's five sacks in Week 8 were also the most sacks by an NFL player in a game this season. He recorded at least a half of a sack in nine straight games, the longest streak of his career, and 12 total games.

In addition to his 23 sacks, Garrett led the league with 33 tackles for loss during the regular season – setting a career high in tackles for loss. His 33 tackles for loss are also the second-most by a player in a single season since 2000, trailing only J.J. Watt who totaled 39 tackles for loss in 2012. Garrett added 60 tackles and 39 quarterback hits, as well as one pass defensed and three forced fumbles.

His individual accomplishments led to overall success for the Browns' defense during the 2025 season. Cleveland allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game, giving up just 167.2 yards per game, as well as the fourth-fewest total yards allowed per game at 283.6. The Browns had the third-most team sacks in 2025 with 53 total sacks – the most by a Browns team in a season – and ranked first in tackles for loss with a total of 117.

"To be on the field and watch it and see it and for him to do the things he does at his size against a great Hall of Fame player, of course you're in awe, 100 percent," safeties coach Ephraim Banda said in December 2025. "Just the situations, you just can't believe what you see. And we'll watch it in the safety room and replay it like 10, 15 times. […] It's truly special. It's God-given. He does a great job. And also, I'll say about Myles, man, you want to talk about a guy who's came in here and worked hard from day one, he's done that and he's reaping the benefits from that."

Garrett earned a number of accolades following the 2025 season in recognition of his performance on the field. He was voted the PFWA 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, as well as named to the PFWA All-NFL team and All-AFC Team. He was voted the Sporting News' Defensive Player of the Year, as well as AP First Team All-Pro honors for the fifth time in his nine-year career.

As Cesaire reflected on the season Garrett produced on the field and his achievements as a player, he also looked toward the future – sharing how he encouraged Garrett to make the NFL single-season sack record unbreakable as well as set the new single-game record.

"Me and him talk about the Japanese culture, and I said, 'This is the way – Samurais sharpen their sword with precision.' And he does just that," Cesaire said. "He is very, very meticulous and intentional with the way he trains and gets ready for a full season. And my hope one day is that he leads us to a playoff victory, deep into a playoff run. So, everybody in the world can see just what type of a great player he truly is."

I understand what you are saying and wouldn't disagree

But to the contrary, many people are suggesting the malugoia, and proctor, and dunker may be better at OG than OT in the NFL

better watch out the dems are going to get control of the house and congress then trans you!

I think extending Watson might just finish me off. Not joking. Not hyperbole. I think I would have to walk

He’s super tall for a guard, which is not ideal. You want your guards to be squat, lower center of gravity, to dig in, punch out and not get knocked backwards, to get leverage under the DLinemen and hold ground, like a plug. Which is pretty different than the tackle skill set, where lateral movement and wide wingspan and movement in space matter much more, to act more like a net. I mean, in a pinch he could probably do it but inside DL would be getting under him and knocking him off balance, which might be pretty easy for them since guards more or less need to stand in one spot and his center of gravity is relatively high. Plus, you want your interior OL to be on the shorter side so the QB has a good view of the middle of the field.

Since this has turned into an o-line thread, let me ask this question here:

What are people's thoughts on moving D'wand Jones inside to guard?

Not suggesting that
Asking for education

Trial coming up in May; we're starting to get more details...


Guardians' Clase allegedly rigged pitches in 48 games, document says

David Purdum
Feb 5, 2026, 06:47 PM ET


Indicted Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is accused of throwing suspicious pitches to benefit bettors in at least 48 games over two years, significantly more than was initially revealed by federal prosecutors, according to a court document filed Thursday.

Federal prosecutors listed nine games in which Clase allegedly threw rigged pitches in the indictment unsealed in November, but teammate and alleged co-conspirator Luis Ortiz's attorney wrote in a filing that the government is accusing Clase of manipulating his performance in dozens of games.

ESPN has reached out to attorneys for Clase and Ortiz, as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, which is prosecuting the case. Major League Baseball referred ESPN to its initial statement in which it said it was cooperating with federal prosecutors and declined further comment.

Ortiz's attorney, Christos N. Georgalis, asked in the filing for his client's case to be severed from Clase's, arguing that Ortiz and Clase have "markedly different levels of culpability" and his client could not receive a fair trial otherwise.

Federal prosecutors accused Ortiz of rigging pitches in two games in June 2025, while Clase allegedly conspired with bettors from 2023 to 2025, according to the indictment. In Thursday's filing, Ortiz's attorney pointed to this difference in scale and emphasized that the indictment did not contain evidence of Ortiz communicating directly with bettors.

Georgalis argued that a jury presented "with 26 months of alleged criminal conduct by Mr. Clase -- including suspect pitches during 48 games, dozens of communications with [a bettor], cash transfers and coordination of illegal wagers" could find Ortiz guilty by association.

Clase appeared in 197 regular-season games from 2023 to July 2025, when he was put on non-disciplinary leave by MLB over the gambling inquiry. If the allegations are true, Clase would have manipulated his performance in a quarter of those games.

A separate court record shows that a judge asked the government to provide Clase's attorneys with evidence regarding suspicious pitches so they can prepare for trial.

A record of the court proceeding states that Clase "has identified at least 250 pitches on which bets were placed, so the Court encouraged the government to disclose discovery to [Clase] as to any additional pitches that it alleges were included in the conspiracy."

Clase and Ortiz both pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery. The top charges carry a potential punishment of up to 20 years in prison.

According to prosecutors, the two accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to help two unnamed gamblers in their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of their pitches.

Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, was on the fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract. Ortiz played three seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the Guardians in 2025, where he appeared in 16 games. MLB also placed him on non-disciplinary leave in July.

The case is scheduled for trial on May 4, though Ortiz's attorney has asked for additional time.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ly-rigged-pitches-48-games-document-says

j/c...

This doesn’t magically fix everything, and it doesn’t undo all the other pieces of “gender‑affirming” care, but it’s a serious course correction on the most irreversible step. It says that caution, evidence, and long‑term consequences are finally being allowed back into the conversation.

On top of that, California - the poster child for “parents don’t need to know” — is getting real legal pushback. You’ve got documented cases where schools ran “gender support plans” behind parents’ backs, districts paying out settlements after hiding social transitions from families, and a federal judge outright slapping down “parental exclusion” policies that forced teachers to lie to moms and dads. Read that again and try to wrap your mind around it. Whatever your politics, that’s a line too far, and the courts are starting to say so.

Finally, it's starting to feel a little less like we’re on an unstoppable ideological freight train and more like the brakes are finally being tested. The medical establishment is at least admitting that we shouldn’t be rushing minors into permanent surgeries, and the legal system is starting to recognize that parents have a right to know what’s happening with their own kids.

That bodes well towards moving back toward a society where parents have a role in their own children's emotional well-being. It seems strange to even type that; and even stranger to think that some people depict that sentiment as "turning things into a side show" as that's all parents have been fighting for.

It’s not victory, and it’s not over — but for the first time in a while, it looks like common sense hasn’t completely left the building.

Sounds good to me.

If Watson regains his Houston form, he should be the best QB on this rosters (as it sits today)

If that turns out to be true, does Monken start him? Should Monken Start him?

I have had and continue to have a problem with him, but without that,,, what do they do?

Overall, I think your layout was good. However, there are some caveats to what you said regarding the line.

I highly doubt Pocic will be back (I do want to point out you replied with the reason why a few posts up). Conklin is a free agent. He has a dummy year for this upcoming year, but I would be surprised if they try to resign him as he has been so unreliable b/c of injuries. I would rather they take a cheap flier on someone than bring him back. Teller is a FA. There is a chance but, I don't see it as they were platooning him at the end of the year. If they bring back anyone, I can see Jenkins coming back as he is still "young".

They do have the money to bring in two high profile lineman. They could drop 20 mil (each) for Linderbaum and Rasheed Walker. Will they? I don't know. I would love to see Wyler see the opportunity. Though, it is hard to pass up Linderbaum being a (deserved) pro bower and being young. Walker would be an above average LT and still young at 25-26 years old.

Draft one of the top OTs, Walker at LT, the rookie at the other, fighting with Jones for RT. Linderbaum at center (or Wypler). Jenkins at one guard spot with a cheaper FA at the other. You draft a guard in the 2nd (if someone falls) or the proceeding rounds for depth and/or possible starter or future starter.

[quote=PrplPplEater]

Then we have 3rd round onward. We can definitely get solid OG's and #2 and Slot WR's in that area. Between that and Free Agency we could do well enough.
p/quote]


I agree round 3 "can" get you a solid player (in your case OG & #2 WR) but using the term "definitely" I am not so sure. We have hit with 3rd in the past with guys like MJ Emerson, Alex Wright, & Fannon. But also, we have missed recently on some 3rd round picks, for instance, Zinter, Ced Tillman (he could still work out, but thus far has been average), Siaki Ika, and David Bell.

All rounds can produce disappointing players, but I prefer to keep higher round picks, unless you also have high cap money to fill other holes. WE have to many holes on OL & at WR. Just my opinion.

When it comes to Njoku and Bitonio, I think re-signing them has major benefits for the salary cap. I could easily see Njoku come back and spread out some of that dead cap into future years. I just don't know what that deadline is.. Not sure if he can spend time testing free agency, or if that dead cap can no longer be touched as of I.E. day 1 or 2 of the new league year?

Bitonio, it could easily come down to him hanging up the cleats. He has stated in the past, and almost did last season, he is looking at the next chapter of his life, which is out of football. I could see him retiring this year. If he doesn't retire, it will be because Berry and Monken talk him into another year. He has also stated that he wants to end his career playing for one team, which leads to the coming back to the Browns or retiring. I love Bitonio, but honestly, there are some reasons to push towards retirement the past couple of years, especially 2025. He had next to nothing around him in 2025 after so many injuries decimated an already middling roster.

Right now we are looking at this as the Browns O-line roster:
Jack Conklin still has 2 years on his contract. It is a team friendly deal and no reason to cut/trade him. Health will dictate what he does with the team in 2026. If healthy, a really good RT
RT is wide open, Wyatt Teller is a free agent and we haven't seen anyone step up after his injury filled 2025.
C Ethan Pocic is a free agent and Luke Wypler is on the last year of his rookie deal, but has not shown signs of elevating to a starter level.
LG, we already discussed Bitonio and there isn't anyone in line to replace the possible future HOF.
LT, Cam Robinson was a terrible trade last year, so I would be shocked if he doesn't stay in free agency and end up somewhere else.

The only outlier... Dawand Jones is on the last year of his rookie deal and has shown no signs that he can stay healthy.

So, IF CONKLIN can stay healthy.. you might have one position set for 2026, the other 4 positions are up for grabs.

My suggestion, since there aren't really any big opportunities to improve the WR room in free agency... Go full press on signing Rasheed Walker away from the Packers. He could finally fill the LT vacancy we have had since Joe T left. He is going to be expensive, probably looking at $26-27M/yr, but he is only 25, so it would be a smart signing, if they can get him away from GB.

Packers actually have a worse cap situation than the Browns. The Browns have some offseason work to do, which is what Berry does best and gets little credit for. They are looking at a $20M deficit on the cap right now on the surface, but the mechanisms that Berry has in place (and probably the biggest reason he still has a job that people don't know about) should bring the Browns back to having close to $50-60M in cap space to work with when it is all said and done. Between restructure and insurance from his injury, Watson should garner about $30M in relief on his own. Re-signing Njoku will give them another $10M in cap relief, after paying him to play in 2026. Ironically the same is true for Bitonio, however, as already stated, he might be heading to retirement.

If they could sign Walker, then they could concentrate on interior linemen in the draft, which is where the gold is.

I would love to see them draft two WRs, ideally Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson at #6 and Denzel Boston or at #24, then come back at #39 and get a highly touted guard like Emmanuel Pragnon or Gennings Dunker. Then at #70 draft a stud center in either Connor Lew or Jake Slaughter. 4 immediate starters in the top 70 picks. It could transform the offense, like Schwesinger and Mason Graham shored up the defense in 2025. The defense was already well on their way, but these two pushed them into top 5 caliber.

This offense is FOUR linemen away from being a solid unit. It is so bad right now that I don't know if it is possible to get high enough to matter. But, there are interior linemen in this draft that have skillsets to succeed at a high level in the NFL. Tackles, not so much, LT is void of talent altogether. There are many drafts pushing Mauigoa to us at #6, but he is a true RT and I don't know anyone that thinks he is going to transition to the left side at the next level. RT is the only line position we actually have warm bodies for in Conklin and Jones.

We need linemen and WRs a plenty in this draft. If we can find a Njoku replacement for 2027, I wouldn't be opposed.

Free agency is going to be one big name and done. There just isn't the meat in this free agent class to transform a team.

Big difference between hormone blockers and surgery. Your attempt at making a point has no point.

I fully expect Bitonio to retire and Teller to be back.
I didn't know about Pocic's injury potentially being an issue (just looked it up, Achilles... yeah, he's not coming back). Welp, Wypler it is.... Linderbaum from BAL is a free agent as well, so that's something to watch for.

He tore his right patellar tendon in '21.
He dislocated his left elbow in '21.
He tore his left ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus in '23.
He finished '25 with two documented concussions in Wk 6 and Wk 13 and then went on IR.
He had a right elbow injury just before Wk2 that made him miss three games and was week-to-week on the elbow after that.


Dude has been through it and went through it even harder this year. I think that to get an idea of what Conklin still has, wed have to look at the Week 1 Cinci game because that right elbow injury may have affected him greatly after that.
If you can't punch or control the rusher, you're kinda hosed.

In 6 out of 10 polls it shows Newsom leading. But that's not the narrative they wish to portray.

https://www.270towin.com/2028-democratic-nomination/

Let's put things in order for the sake of context. Some democrats have been in favor of it. From there it was turned into a side show.

Let's not pretend that it wasn't the right wing that turned this thing into a side show. Let's not pretend it wasn't them who portrayed this as something that was going on everywhere and created the mirage that it was wide spread.

People can state their disagreement on issues and their reasoning as to why they disagree without making things up and exaggerating it for the very purpose of turning it into a sideshow. Those are not the same thing.

As for myself I agree that someone should be an adult before making life altering decisions that will greatly impact their future. But then I'm also not going to portray it as something that is blanketing the country like an epidemic. That's because I'm not willing to add to the sideshow.

Polls this early are meaningless.
Nothing more than name recognition

But you are right
What a horriblele list

Hopefully whatever we do for the OL it’ll be an improvement over last season. We really can’t be any worse and without significant improvement it will be another long season.

If true, the GOP should be doing cartwheels.

Biden admin and democrats, in general, have generally been in favor of opening up access for gender-affirming care for minors. That includes more than just surgery (hormone blockers and stuff).


The trans issue has been turned into such a twisted political sideshow, and dems aren't innocent.

My assumption is that we get our starting LT in the draft (and live through the growing pains), which leaves us with Conklin and Jones as 2 halves of 1 healthy starter-caliber RT.

I thought Pocic's injury pretty much nixed the already-small chance we were going to bring him back. I think we're locked in on Wypler for at least next year. That leaves either Bitonio or Teller... and with them being guards (relatively easy to grab on the cheap in FA as well as already having Zinter) I see a MAX of 1 of those guys coming back.

If he has another year left on his contract we can always use him as a backup albeit an expensive one.