Orange and Brown Talk: Cleveland Browns Podcast

Browns mandatory minicamp is in the rearview mirror and our Football Insiders have questions. So we did a late-week Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe answer and discuss questions from our subscribers out of mandatory minicamp as preparations begin for training camp. Can the Browns hit the ground running with all their new talent? How did the rookies look mixed in with the veterans? What's different about Deshaun Watson? How will the Browns do in the AFC North this season? Is Dorian Thompson-Robinson the quarterback of the future? They answer those questions and more. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minicamp is over for the Browns and the next stop is training camp. First, however, let's pick some winners from the team's offseason program and, specifically, their mandatory minicamp. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe picked winners from the practices they watched -- two OTA practices and three minicamp practices. They start with Deshaun Watson and discuss why so much is different for the team's franchise quarterback in Year 2 with the team. Then they throw out a couple receivers before they turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball and pick two winners from Jim Schwartz's group. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Texans and Cardinals wide receiver -- and former teammate of Deshaun Watson -- DeAndre Hopkins is still in the news. Hopkins is visiting with the Titans first and the Browns currently don’t have a visit scheduled with Hopkins. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe begin Wednesday’s Orange and Brown Talk Podcast by making the case for why the Browns should have Hopkins for a visit and try to court him to reunite with Watson in Cleveland. Then they break down more of what they heard on Day 2 of Browns minicamp, including the amount of talent on the roster, the defensive line and playing for Jim Schwartz and Deshaun Watson discussing the new offense. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns opened mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, the first of three open practices this week and we were there to see and here everything that happened. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe recapped the day in Berea with their takeaways from practice and press conferences on Tuesday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. They started by discussing Myles Garrett's comments about the recent vehicle robberies that have victimized Browns players. Then they turn their attention to what happened on the field. They talk Amari Cooper and what it means to have him back and healthy. They also get into the importance of Rodney McLeod as a veteran presence on Jim Schwartz's defense. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns will hold three practices open to the media this week and the full squad is expected to be in attendance at mandatory minicamp, the last chance to see the team before training camp opens in July. Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe discussed what they're watching at Browns mandatory minicamp on Monday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. They also discuss other areas of the defense, including what they're looking for at linebacker. On the offensive side, they talk running backs, receivers and tight ends and who they're watching in those spots. Lastly, they discuss Cade York and the kicking game. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take you into your weekend on Friday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast with a Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the podcast before we talk a little "Succession." Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe answer questions from our Football Insider subscribers, starting with which area of the team we think is most improved. We also answer questions about which Andrew Berry draft picks could be on the bubble, who is most impacted by a potential DeAndre Hopkins addition and more. Ashley Bastock joins in the last part of the podcast and we recap the series finale of "Succession." What did we think of how it ended? Where do we think some of the characters are in five years? What was our favorite moment from the finale? Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns are wrapping up OTAs this week. Next up is mandatory minicamp next week but before we move onto minicamp, let’s take a minute and discuss what we saw and heard during the two OTA weeks in this shortened offseason program. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe threw out the things they’ve learned during OTAs. From what they saw on the practice field to what they heard in press conferences from players and coaches, they go through the lessons they learned over the last two weeks. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns were back on the practice field on Wednesday for another practice open to the media. We got a chance to see Deshaun Watson and his receivers connect in the deep passing game. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe discussed what they saw and what it means when the offense plays like it did in practice. They also discuss the importance of Marquise Goodwin and why his presence matters. Then, Mary Kay and Dan talk about what defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone had to say. They wrap up the podcast by offering their thoughts to Jim Donovan, who announced on Wednesday he is again battling leukemia. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson took time on Tuesday at the Browns charity golf outing in Rocky River to lobby for his former teammate, DeAndre Hopkins to come to Cleveland. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe discussed Watson’s comments on Tuesday’s Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. Does Hopkins make sense for the Browns and could it happen? Is there such a thing as too many receivers? Is there any concern about his age? Then they get into what Watson had to say about re-establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league and whether he could do it in 2023. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins on Friday and Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe started our weekend edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast by discussing whether the Browns should try to bring Hopkins to Cleveland reunite him with Deshaun Watson. Then they answer fill-in-the-blank questions from Football Insider subscribers. What freshman or sophomore player will make an impact? Which "Browns cold case" would they love to solve? Which coaching position would they sign up for? Then they look ahead to Sunday's series finale of "Succession" and talk about their preferred outcome, the outcome they'd be most disappointed by and more. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many games will the Browns win this season if Deshaun Watson is a Top 10 quarterback? How many will they win if he isn't? Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe answered fill-in-the-blank questions from our Football Insider subscribers on Thursday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast., starting with one about Watson's performance and how many wins it will lead to if he returns to form. They also discuss what the defense needs to do for the Browns to win the division and return to the playoffs, which players aren't getting talked about enough and they get into the thought -- or, in Dan's case, lack of thought -- that goes into choosing their wardrobes for videos. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday was the second Browns practice of OTAs and the first practice open to the media, giving our Browns crew their first opportunity to see the team and some of its new additions on both sides of the ball. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe recapped the day in Berea on Wednesday's Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. They discuss the arrival of pass rusher Za'Darius Smith and what he had to say during his press conference. They also discussed what Elijah Moore had to say when he met with the media as well as safety Juan Thornhill. Then they got into some of the players who were absent on Wednesday and whether or not they should attend. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns kicked off OTAs on Tuesday and we will get our first look at them on Wednesday when they have their first session open to the media. Before they get to watch them in action, Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastocck and Dan Labbe discussed what they will be watching when they get eyeballs on the team over the coming weeks. From how the defensive line looks to how Deshaun Watson and his new receivers look, they dig into all the things they're watching. Where does Greg Newsome II line up? How are the safeties deployed? There won't be answers to everything, but a few secrets will be revealed. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns lost a legend last week when Jim Brown, the team’s all-time leading rusher, the greatest Browns player of all-time and arguably the greatest running back of all-time, died on Thursday night. Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe start the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast on Monday by remembering Brown and their interactions with him and how the Browns might honor him. Then they get into some Hey, Mary Kay! questions from our Football Insider subscribers. How would Joe Woods have done with the talent the Browns have added this offseason? What factors go most into the Browns having success this season -- excluding quarterback and injuries? Is the AFC North as tough as it’s ever been? Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Browns legend Jim Brown died on Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles. Brown leaves a complicated legacy behind as a football player, as an activist and as a man who faced multiple accusations of violence against women. Dave Zirin, author of the book 'Jim Brown: Last Man Standing,' joined Dan Labbe on the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast on Saturday to discuss his book. He talks about Brown the football player and athlete and why he believes Brown is the greatest athlete of the 20th century. He discusses Browns' activism and why he feels descriptions of it are inadequate. He also discusses the accusations Brown faced. Dave talks about his conversations with Brown and answers the question, "Who was Jim Brown?" You can buy Dave's book here. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns have rebuilt their roster on both sides of the ball to varying degrees, adding weapons for Deshaun Watson on offense and revamping their defense for new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. After all the moves, where does their roster rank in the AFC North? Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe offer up three questions about the Browns and answer them on Thursday’s Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. How many 1,000-yard receivers could the Browns have in 2023? Which not-so-obvious defensive player will benefit most from playing for Schwartz? They get into all of those questions and even do a preseason schedule draft. Because why not? Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns have added 13 new players to their defense for new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. It’s a major defensive overhaul and represents an opportunity for the Browns to put their struggles from last season behind them. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe started off by discussing the new additions to the roster and a draft broke out because that’s what they do. They draft the acquisitions made by GM Andrew Berry on the defensive side of the ball, including free agent additions and draft picks. The No. 1 pick was pretty obvious, but see the order they put the acquisitions in and why they’re choosing them on Wednesday’s Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expectations are sky high for the Browns heading into their first full season with Deshaun Watson at quarterback and with new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz taking over the other side of the ball. What happens, then, if the Browns manage to have a good record but miss the playoffs? It’s one of the questions our Football Insider subscribers had for Mary Kay Cabot on another Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk podcast. Mary Kay Cabot joins Dan Labbe to discuss how the Browns will manage expectations, if Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry are joined at the hip if the team falls short of expectations, if there’s a position group on the roster that has gotten worse and more. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns made big addition to their pass rush over the weekend, agreeing to acquire Za'Darius Smith from the Vikings. How will Smith fit alongside Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo once he's in the fold? It's one of the questions our Football Insiders had for Mary Kay Cabot as she joins Dan Labbe for a Hey, Mary Kay! edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. They also discuss what new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz could do with the pass rush as well as how the linebackers fit in the mix. They answer a question about which position groups where the Browns might rank No. 1 in the NFL and discuss which quarterback they would pick if they were a GM and could choose anyone for the next five years. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Browns agreed to acquire edge rusher Za’Darius Smith on Friday, a deal that gives new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz another weapon to get after the quarterback. Smith has double digit sacks in three of the last four seasons. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe reacted to the trade in a special emergency edition of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. They discuss why the Browns made the trade to get Smith and what it means for the defensive line and the rest of the Browns pass rushers, including Myles Garrett and some of the young pass rushers. Want to get involved in Football Insider? Click here for more info and to sign up. Music credit: Ice Flow by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3898-ice-flow License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices