‘first season’” (Canton Rep) - “The man with two first names gladly represents the Browns’ tale of two seasons ... and what everyone pulling for Cleveland hopes Season No. 2 will become.”“Browns designate Terrance Mitchell to return from injured reserve” (PFT) - “Mitchell was placed on injured reserve after four games due to a broken wrist https://www.brownsfanshop.com , but will have a chance to make it back to the active roster.”“Former Cleveland Browns LB Clay Matthews named 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist” (WKYC) - “Clay Matthews has been named as one of the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019.”“Stadium raffle under way for TeamCribbs Foundation” (cleveland.com) - “Raffle drawing date for a mini FirstEnergy Stadium by architectural student David Resnik is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.”NFL:“Injuries: Joe Flacco (hip) sits out Ravens practice” (NFL.com) - “Will Joe Flacco be ready to return by this Sunday? The Ravens quarterback did not practice Wednesday after missing last Sunday’s game with a hip injury.”“Raiders’ Derek Carr says he doesn’t want first pick in the draft” (ESPN) - “While the Oakland Raiders are in the running for the top pick of next April’s NFL draft, quarterback Derek Carr has other plans.”“Chiefs’ odds climb over Rams despite loss in Monday night’s classic” (CBS) - “Week 11 gave us an instant classic, with the Rams emerging victorious against the Chiefs in a 54-51 shootout that saw more than 1,000 yards of offense.”“Seahawks WRs lead league in TD celebration creativity” (AP) - “The conversation takes place throughout the week inside the Seattle Seahawks training facility. A group of four or five throwing out suggestions and discussing whether their idea can actually be executed.” General manager John Dorsey should take his time and let the situation play itself out in due time." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteDawgs EDTShareTweetShareShareNo need for the Browns to rush the decision on Duke JohnsonPhoto by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesThe Cleveland Browns have several items to check off this summer during training camp and the preseason.At the top of the list is filling the open position at right guard. They also need to round out the second unit on the defensive line and work on the configuration of the defensive secondary. General manager John Dorsey may also have to do something about running back Duke Johnson, who is entering his fifth season with the team and is currently seeking a trade. Johnson has been a bit of an enigma since joining the Browns as a third-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. On the one hand he always seems to make something happen when he has the ball, and he set a franchise record for receptions by a running back with 74 in 2017. But he has also seen his opportunities decline each year Browns Customized Color Rush Jerseys , from 104 rushing opportunities his rookie year to just 40 last season, as the Browns have worked to improve the running game. And after being targeted an average of 80 times a year in the passing game his first three seasons, Johnson only had 62 passes thrown his way last year and that number will likely decrease this year with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. now on the roster.Johnson has shown up every week — never missing a game so far in his NFL career — and signed a contract extension with the Browns last summer despite experiencing firsthand the 1-31 nonsense of former head coach Hue Jackson.Now, with the emergence of running back Nick Chubb in the rushing game, the eventual return of running back Kareem Hunt from an eight-game suspension, and the elevation of the wide receiver group, Johnson is looking for a new opportunity somewhere other than Cleveland.Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsSo what is Dorsey to do?Befitting a player that three head coaches (two full time and one interim) could never figure out what to do with Cleveland Browns T-Shirts , exactly, the options are all over the board regarding Johnson’s future. There is the measured approach, as championed by Scott Petrak at The Chronicle-Telegram:There is the “let’s move on already” approach, presented by Mary Kay Cabot at cleveland.com:Bonus points for letting Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew help fuel your opinion:Finally, there is the unhinged argument of cutting Johnson and getting nothing in return to … send a message? … as presented by Nate Davis at USA Today:So back to the original question: what should the Browns do with Johnson?Releasing him is absurd and should be a complete non-starter if anyone within the halls of Browns HQ were to ever bring it up. Johnson may no longer have a role on the Browns, but it is silly to try and argue that he is not a viable NFL player. He’s tough, reliable and is an asset in the passing game. Saying the Browns should trade him for whatever they can get to eliminate a “distraction” is a bit disingenuous. Johnson’s trade request is only a distraction if the media continues to bring it up to the coaches and players which https://www.brownsfanshop.com/hats , when you think about it, makes the media the distraction. Johnson has said he will not cause trouble and there is nothing in his time with the Browns to indicate that he is being dishonest. It’s true that his time in Cleveland may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean that Dorsey should not maximize his value. Which brings us to option three, which is to keep Johnson on the roster — at least for now. It is likely that a team will find itself in need of a running back near the end of the preseason due to an injury or an unexpected turn of events with a player. When that day comes, Dorsey can then look to make a deal on even ground. Waiting will also give the Browns more opportunities to see what second-year running back Dontrell Hilliard can bring to the field. The coaching staff seems pretty high on Hilliard’s ability, but he only had nine receptions and zero rushing attempts last season, so maybe it would be prudent to see a bit more of what he can do before reaching any conclusions. If nothing materializes before the start of the regular season Cleveland Browns Hoodie , the Browns can simply keep Johnson on the roster and make the best of the situation. Hunt will not return until the second half of the season, and even though it will be the Chubb and Hunt show from that point forward, the Browns could use a player like Johnson in the early part of the season.
