CLEVELAND, Ohio – In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay, I answer questions about JJ Watt, Jarvis Landry and more.
Hey, Mary Kay: What are the chances of the Browns signing JJ Watt? – Brice Collins, Carrollton, Ohio
Hey, Brice: I think Watt’s first choice would be to play with his brothers, TJ and Derek Watt, in Pittsburgh. I think he would probably even accept a family discount to do that. But if the Steelers, who currently have a maximum deficit of almost $ 30 million, fail to resolve the money, I think the Browns will be right to hire him. They check several boxes on the Watt list for their new team. There will be many teams competing for services, and he has strong connections with some of them, including the Titans and Packers, but the ability to fight, the adjustment of the scheme and the culture will all be factors. I think the Browns would be a good option, and they have the money to close a deal (currently 11th place in the NFL in cap space, with almost $ 22 million).
Hey, Mary Kay: Is there any merit in the idea that Jarvis will not be on the team next year? – Daniel Denti, Columbus, Ohio
Hey, Daniel: I don’t think there is any merit in that. I think Landry is a valuable member of the receiving corporation that moves forward, despite his $ 14.753 million limit reached in 2021 and $ 16.553 million in 2022. The notion of Landry possibly being expendable stems from the fact that he has already received the greatest part of their guaranteed money, and Browns would only have $ 3 million in dead money if they parted ways with him this season. But I don’t understand what’s going on. They think they see Landry as the undisputed leader of the receiver’s room and a fundamental foundation of what they believe to be a candidate for the Super Bowl in 2021.
Hey, Mary Kay: JJ Watt? Are you kidding? Old, often wounded and overrated. The Browns are not going to touch him. – Tom McNally, Cleveland, Ohio
Hey, Tom: Well, it’s a little late for that because the Browns were one of the first teams to pick up the phone and call to talk about Watt on Friday afternoon after he was officially released by the Texans. He suffered a rupture in pec in 2019 that cost him eight games, but he played all 16 games in 2020, and also in 2018 when he finished second in the NFL with 16 sacks. Playing against Myles Garrett here, Watt would not have to face all the double teams, and would be released to reach the quarterback more often. I think he would flourish in Joe Woods’ attack scheme and possibly double the five bags he had in 2020.
Hey, Mary Kay: I watched JJ on several occasions this year and he looked older than he really was. I’m sure he doesn’t have the strength and aggressiveness brought by Olivier Vernon. Then again, I am also aware that Vernon may never be what he was, but he was better than JJ this year. Just the opinion of who is paying attention. – Guy, Cleveland, Ohio
Hey man: Watt is coming out of a demoralizing season in Houston, in which Bill O’Brien’s head coach was fired and even Deshaun Watson’s starting quarterback wants to leave. I think a change of scenery will do him good. It’s hard to play at the top of the game when the team is losing and you don’t like the culture. Watt was frustrated during the last season and wants to win. I think you will see a rejuvenated Watt in 2021. As for Vernon, a rupture in the Achilles tendon is usually a 9 to 12 month injury, so there is no guarantee that he will play this season. Too bad, because he played very well the second half of last season, with nine sacks in the last nine games.
Hey, Mary Kay: Without matching at Indy this year, how will the Browns conduct their preparations for the draft? – Tom Haley, Strongsville, Ohio
Hey, Tom: Because of COVID-19 restrictions, NFL teams can only participate in the college’s official Pro Days and then conduct their player interviews virtually. Players will undergo physical examinations close to their homes with results distributed to all teams, and follow-up with the medical staff of each team present will be done in April, if necessary. In addition, the Browns will continue to study the tape and do due diligence on potential clients, talking to contacts at their schools. In place of the harvester, the EXOS training company will host an event similar to a two-day harvester on February 26th and 27th in Florida, Texas and Arizona with exercises similar to those that occurred in Indy. EXOS will distribute the training film to all 32 teams. The Browns are confident that they will be fully prepared for the draft, which runs from April 29 to May 1 in Cleveland.
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