CLEVELAND, Ohio (TheOBR.com) Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
The OBR, having started as an anti-move protest site in 1996, has spanned 30 years from the dawn of the internet to the present day of ubiquitous digital access and artificial intelligence. I’ve been here the whole time, trying to adapt my beloved site to ever-changing times.
Being involved in something for so long can make you cynical and jaded. I have to remember that we exist to celebrate the Cleveland Browns and their fans.
I found myself sort of shrugging off the news that Myles Garrett unanimously won Defensive Player of the Year, and Carson Schwesinger won (handily) Defensive Rookie of the Year. I don’t take post-season awards all that seriously, and they pale in comparison to the team rewarding fans with success on the field. I feel strongly that it’s the team’s fans who deserve the real kudos for their loyalty and support, and sprinkling awards among players on a 5-12 team doesn’t really do much to help them.
But don’t get me wrong: Having two Browns players win these awards is attention-grabbing, and it’s a sign of just how good the Browns defense is, and how well-coached it must have been. The lion’s share of the credit goes to Jim Schwartz, but it’s defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire and linebacker coach Jason Tarver who deserve a lot of credit for the success of their charges. Cesaire must utilize Garrett’s freakish athleticism in a way that acknowledges that every opponent is game-planning against him. Getting the most out of Schwesinger’s rookie season where the UCLA product was not only a great player, but a leader in his rookie year, is a testament to Tarver’s work.
Which brings us to the subject of Jim Schwartz’s work with the Browns. His attacking style of defense is partially responsible for these awards, but the idea that it’s “all him” does a disservice to the rest of the staff. With Ephraim Banda getting defensive coordinator interviews and the team’s success at all levels of the defense, it’s clear that Schwartz had a lot of help.
This is why, to me, the biggest news item from the Todd Monken press conference was the team’s confidence that it can retain much of its defensive staff regardless of whether Schwartz stays or goes. While many defensive players have expressed their allegiance to Schwartz, it’s the position coaches staying that could make Schwartz expendable.
And that time is coming. The Browns need to move forward with replacing Schwartz unless he comes around in the next few days (movement is slow, per Mike Garafolo), as their patient process suggests that it may take a bit to name a successor. That successor needs to be in place relatively soon, as off-season planning needs to move forward with the Combine nearer and free agency following shortly thereafter.
Let’s go. It’s time for Schwartz to say whether he’s in or out. Jason Lloyd argues today that the Browns should just let him go. Either way, the Browns are so loaded on defensive talent that they will continue to perform at a high level as the team tries to gather a competitive offensive unit. Let’s go.
DON’T SLEEP ON “THIS SIDE UP”: Last night, the OBR debuted a new video series called “This Side Up”, the brainchild of one Parke Fisler, who has handled the OBR’s branding and marketing for the last few years. This is a completely different approach to a Browns show that we expect our audience to enjoy and our competitors to try to copy. It’s sort of a fun-oriented variety show, with OBR contributors each getting a turn to talk about different Browns topics. Plus, there are cartoons.
Maxaldogo wrote: “Wow! Great variety show, guys! More, please! Parke is a great host, and everyone else, Pete, Mike, Barry, Laine, Jack, Zac, and Sam did their parts in rapid-fire segments. Love it. Go Browns!”
Watch our attempt to do something different in the Browns video space right here on YouTube:
IN OTHER NEWS: Shedeur Sanders discussed the influence that Michael Vick has had on his career in this clip from Up and Adams… On that same show, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward expressed confidence that Sanders will become a “good player in this league.“… CBS Sports is advocating OT Rasheed Walker as a Browns free agent target… Myles Garrett gets some fame from the normies by appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s show as fans outside of Cleveland finally recognize his greatness… Charles Woodson chose booze over the Browns, a decision that I’ve never really had to make…
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
OBR GOODIES
OBR VIDEO
This Side Up – (youtube.com)
OBR ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns Carson Schwesinger Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year – Fred
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 2/5/2026 SchwartzWatch Continues – Barry
FROM THE FORUMS
What is an NFL Chief of Staff do?
Does having the easiest schedule on paper
What are the details of Jim Schwartzs contract?
Zegura Breaks Down Monken Running Play
Re-visit Mac Jones or another.
It is interesting how many messages about Browns hiring a Head C
Browns connections in the Superbowl
Zegura Breaks Down Monken’s Plays
8PM: Watch the Premiere of This Side Up
What are the thoughts on this new Pro bowl format
Happy 60th Birthday Todd Monken!
17 days into Browns 120 day plan
LiveWire Thread for 25 – Twitter, Video, Articles
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond…
Dream Engineering Could Help You Solve Problems in Your Sleep (Nautilus, $)
You can get the gist from this premium article from Nautilus. I’ve read about and tried this technique before, but convincing myself before I go to sleep that I’m going to dream up a great bloviation for the morning always seems to turn into a dream about endlessly walking around, trying to find something (likely a bathroom), while alien monsters are somehow involved. Perhaps that’s why the bloviation is frequently rushing about and getting nowhere. Whatever, maybe you’ll have better luck
WRAPPING UP
When not suddenly realizing he has go to the bathroom at 2AM, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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