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John Sabol details why Browns are built to sustain success, young talented core for Todd Monken
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00:00We bring in the Fox 8 News award-winning TV sports anchor and reporter,
00:04also co-host of the Sable Brothers podcast, again, the homie John Sable.
00:09John, good morning.
00:11Earl, good morning. Spencer, how's it going, guys? Thanks for having me on.
00:14I cannot complain. Before we get to the Browns, how are you feeling about the Buckeyes game tonight?
00:18Yeah, you know, it's probably the first time in, I've got to say, probably at least 10 years
00:28where you feel like Ohio State's vulnerable.
00:30Yeah, I kind of feel the same way, if I'm being honest.
00:34But despite having a quarterback that is inexperienced, you've got weapons everywhere.
00:38You know, I still think they get the job done.
00:40What I think is interesting is that Vegas is pretty confident, too,
00:43because look at that spread. It hasn't moved one point when Julian Payne was there.
00:47Well, John, nobody trusts USC's defense. That's the thing.
00:50They can't tackle nobody.
00:51And, like, if there was going to be an injury to Julian Sayan, this was the time for it to
00:55happen
00:55because they had two weeks, basically, to prepare.
00:57It sounds like Fahey's going to start.
00:59Fahey for just, like, hey, let's spam Jeremiah Smith.
01:02And I also think, like, there'll be an element to him running the football
01:05that they didn't have with Sayan that maybe helped.
01:07So, I'm with you that, like, they feel more vulnerable than usual.
01:11But I also, like, weirdly, like, the last couple days, I've been like,
01:15I'm not really worried about this game.
01:16I'm going to tell John, I'm going to tell Spencer right now,
01:19this has got to be one of those games that Bo Jackson really is that doing.
01:23Oh, yeah, they've got to run the football, for sure.
01:24This has to be one of those games.
01:26You know, there's a couple points to this real quick.
01:28One, I totally agree with both of you.
01:30I still think Ohio State wins.
01:33Ryan Day doesn't just, you know, pick up quarterbacks just to pick up quarterbacks.
01:38He picks up quarterbacks and recruits them, whether it's in the portal
01:40or whether it's right at a high school, to fit whatever he needs.
01:44It doesn't matter the size.
01:45So, you know, Luke Fahey's coming in here.
01:47Yes, his body type's a lot smaller than Atavion St. Clair, who's still not proven,
01:51who is still, all reports show that he may be a little bit behind the development.
01:56May not have the arm, as Julian's saying, or the accuracy that he had even last year,
02:00despite him having struggles this year.
02:02But, you know, Ryan Day clearly sees something in that young man that we all don't know.
02:06And, yes, he was scared beyond belief.
02:09It looked like it appeared in the Indiana game.
02:12So, this kid's got something.
02:13You know, we'll see what he does.
02:15The second thing, the one trepidation that I have on this game is,
02:19even though USC, historically, under Lincoln Riley's defenses, have been awful,
02:23they were able to stop Wisconsin on the run game,
02:26where Wisconsin is a typical, you know, run-heavy, and that's their bread and butter.
02:29It's always been that way.
02:30And they had issues.
02:32Wisconsin had issues running the ball.
02:33And Ohio State's run games had issues.
02:35That's the only thing that really kind of gets you more nervous.
02:39And it's not so much in the quarterback.
02:40It's more in their offensive scheme and game playing.
02:43And I'm with you.
02:44You need a Bo Jackson-type game here.
02:46Ohio State has not had a run of more than 25 yards by a running back yet this season.
02:50That's a problem.
02:53And there's not elusive speed in the second stage there,
02:56once you get through, like, the, you know, 10, 15 yards past the line of scrimmage.
03:01We haven't had that yet.
03:02And I need to see Bo Jackson do it.
03:04I need to see Isaiah West.
03:05I expect Legend Bay to get involved today as well.
03:08You need to get some plays in for him.
03:10So, you know, they've had two weeks to prepare for this.
03:14And I've got confidence in the world that they're going to win.
03:17But, you know, this is just a – there's just too many weapons on this team
03:20with a coaching staff that is too experienced for them to fall short, in my opinion.
03:25John, going to the Browns, I know Tom Munkin has talked this week about not leaning too much into the
03:32history
03:32and all those things.
03:33And I understand why, like, you know, most of the members of this team haven't been here
03:37for the majority of that stretch of time.
03:39Like, what does it have to do with them?
03:40So I understand that.
03:41But still, like, what would this win – if they pull off a win in Pittsburgh tomorrow,
03:48what would it mean for the state of the franchise and what kind of statement would that make
03:54given what we know about the history there in Pittsburgh and some of these other things,
03:57like the fact that they've never swept Pittsburgh since 1988 and some of these other things?
04:03Yeah, Spencer, it's funny.
04:05It's, what, 10 players on the roster of the 53 that have been alive since then?
04:0910 that were born after the last time they won, yes.
04:13An 0-3.
04:14It's just mind-boggling, right?
04:16And then the last time they swept it with you, you said 88?
04:1888.
04:18It's nuts.
04:19It's nuts.
04:21It's going to happen eventually.
04:22Is it going to happen tomorrow?
04:23Hopefully.
04:23I think the Browns do win.
04:25But let's just go through this real quick.
04:27One, I think what it means to the franchise is it puts the monkey off your back
04:33because this has been something that everybody has been marking an L every single year
04:38when the Browns go there with the exception of the COVID playoff game in an empty stadium.
04:44So this can do wonders to – first and foremost, I think it does wonders to the fan base.
04:50It just energizes it.
04:50In a way, this is kind of like a mini Super Bowl.
04:53And I know Steelers fans will laugh at that, but that's just the case.
04:56I mean, this is something that, you know, if you win this game, oh, my gosh,
04:59like this is just going to give you more confidence going forward in your players,
05:05but also re-energizing your fan base.
05:08And then look at the back end of the schedule.
05:10It's easy and it's home-loaded.
05:12And one win like this could do wonders in terms of the energy inside of Huntington Bank Field.
05:17So I know players downplay that stuff just because they're not around during those troubled years
05:23or they take every game one game at a time and all the sports cliches and yada, yada, yada.
05:28But until you probably live it, until you probably see it, I think the viewpoint's a little bit differently.
05:35I think the one thing that probably gives me a little bit more hesitation on this game is, you know,
05:41they got Rico Dotto back.
05:43And, you know, he wasn't there for the game, the Thursday night game, earlier this month.
05:47That, granted, they use him more in the passing game with Jalen Warren, usually more on the ground and pound.
05:52That's adding a different level to it.
05:54But if there was ever a Browns game on paper and after seeing what they've done the last, you know,
06:00since that Steelers game to win and to have, you know, somewhat of a – have confidence,
06:06but also pick up on the Steelers team that is not that good.
06:09It's not that good.
06:10Is that why receivers' core is awful?
06:13They're beat up.
06:14And the defense isn't what it was.
06:16Aaron Rodgers is playing a lot better now than he was earlier in the season.
06:21It's a game that seems more winnable than I think probably than you've seen many times there in that stadium.
06:27And, boy, it gives you first place, your first place after seven games.
06:35That hasn't happened in forever.
06:37So, yeah, it's a big game.
06:39It's something that hasn't happened in a long time,
06:41and it's going to give you a boost in that second half of that season that this team desperately needs.
06:45And you're young and you've got some experienced players on both sides of the ball with the Browns.
06:51Confidence in the NFL and the professional sports in general can be a dangerous thing along with momentum.
06:56And that's what that can give you if they can do it tomorrow.
06:59Hey, real quick, you made me think about something.
07:01I've got to make this statement before I ask my next question.
07:03It's funny how, like, John is right.
07:04They can get got.
07:05They're really not that good.
07:07Everybody knows, like, they use EPA as a stat to kind of dissect the Browns all last year.
07:12Nobody wants to talk about how the Steelers have an EPA right now on offense that's in the bottom four
07:17of the NFL.
07:18Nobody wants to talk about that, though, John, right?
07:20Like, nobody wants to talk about the fact that Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 22 times
07:24and the Steelers is in the bottom four as far as pressure is allowed.
07:29Nobody wants to talk about any of that, you know?
07:32It's not the same dominant offensive line that we've seen in the past, you know?
07:37It's not.
07:38And that's not a knock on them.
07:39It's just the way it is.
07:40Because, I mean, Aaron Rodgers, you know, how great would it be, first off,
07:45if Jerry Burski had his first sack against Aaron Rodgers there this week?
07:47That would be beautiful.
07:49You know, I mean, side note, I don't think what he said was all that bad.
07:53I think Cam Hayward's statements were just as, you know, on the same level.
07:57And I think people making that a bigger deal than it is.
07:59And you know what?
08:00That's okay.
08:00Because we're trying to make it a bigger deal because we know what's at stake.
08:05We know the hype that goes into this game.
08:07In fact, I have no problem with either of those guys saying anything.
08:10There have been players that have said way worse.
08:12But, yeah, Earl, you're right.
08:13I mean, the advanced numbers on the metrics there can show the massive
08:18vulnerability on the Steelers for sure.
08:20Here was my question.
08:22Last week you get Dylan Sampson back.
08:24As a team, they ran the ball much better.
08:27Quenshawn Junkins was the best that he looked all season.
08:29The Browns ran the ball 21 times from under center.
08:32When you look at this Browns team as they enter week eight,
08:37in my eyes you see the offensive line playing better the last three weeks.
08:40You see the running game starting to come around.
08:42They finally was able to get Casey Concepcion consistently out in space.
08:46And then when they realized that he was killing the Titans,
08:49the Titans made adjustments, but he became a decoy to open it up for other people.
08:54I don't know if I'm wording this right,
08:55but are you seeing the Cleveland Browns offense slowly started putting together,
08:59slowly starting to evolve?
09:00Because a lot of people thought leaving training camp that every player on this
09:03team would know everything that Todd Munkin wanted to do in this system.
09:06And I think that was just an unfair expectation.
09:09I totally agree with you.
09:11I think you're finally getting an offense that's flowing together because you're
09:14missing those two backs, Judkins and Sampson, for so long.
09:17You finally are seeing what their vision was.
09:22You know, Quintra Judkins ran the ball like he ran last year before the injury
09:26against the Titans.
09:28I mean, the guy had 17 carries, you know, four yards shy of 100.
09:31You know, Dylan Sampson's still getting a good share of snaps and also being
09:36utilized in the passing game as well.
09:38The one thing that I think is a beautiful thing to see when you have those two
09:42backs in there is in the passing game, you see the confidence in Deshaun Watson.
09:47You see him feeling comfortable where he's spreading the ball around.
09:50I mean, Casey had that breakout game, obviously.
09:52But Harold Fannin still got nine targets.
09:54And I know Denzel Boston had a quiet game, but he was still targeted eight times.
09:58So, it's not to a point where his offense is leaning on one guy.
10:04You know, Deshaun has been spreading the ball around.
10:06And even you don't see it in the numbers in terms of receptions and yards.
10:10But, I mean, when you're spreading the ball around that much, that's going to throw
10:14some confusion and challenges on opposing defenses.
10:18You know, so I don't know if Judkins is, if the run game is going to be as
10:24consistent as what we saw last week.
10:27It would be awesome if it was.
10:29Every week is going to be different.
10:30But if you can get at least somewhat of a consistent run, establishing the run,
10:35and just trying to spread the ball around between him and Samson, I mean, that just
10:38opens up that passing game so much better than it has been in the past.
10:42It's amazing what these young guys can do when they've been healthy.
10:45And the core is definitely there.
10:47I think it was Daniel Jeremiah on the NFL Network was saying it earlier this week on a
10:53podcast, a clip I saw online that said, and he was dead on, he's like, you know, on the
10:57offensive side of the ball for the Browns, I mean, there's core players there that this
11:00team and organization has not had on there in a long time, probably since they came back
11:05in the league.
11:05And they're not going anywhere.
11:06And these aren't just, you know, run-of-the-mill, you know, late draft picks or undrafted free agents.
11:13These are early, young, high picks that are already producing.
11:18And it just goes to show that this team and the direction that they're going, the sky
11:23is definitely the limit, but they're going to be around a long time.
11:26And you want to see them build and win early, and especially against the Steelers like this
11:31week, guys, can do wonders for them as well.
11:34John, the elephant in the room with this team right now, obviously, it revolves around the
11:38quarterback position.
11:42Like, Deshaun, if you look at the advanced metrics, he isn't playing, you know,
11:48elite-level football, and I think the Browns certainly recognize that.
11:51But he is doing some good things.
11:55The fourth quarters, most notably, have been impressive, and he deserves a lot of credit
11:59for playing better than I think a lot of people expected he even could at this point in his
12:02career.
12:03But what is your sort of perspective, or how do you think this, if you're reading the
12:10situation right now, like, how do the Browns handle this in the offseason?
12:14Like, if he keeps winning, if the Browns make the playoffs, if, but he's playing at the
12:18level he's playing, like, is there a world where he's back next year, or do you think
12:21they're just completely pivoting to a new quarterback?
12:24Well, let me put it this way real quick.
12:25Put this in perspective, Spencer and Earl.
12:28Tomorrow will mark Deshaun's eighth game as a Cleveland Brown this season, right?
12:34It's week eight.
12:36Deshaun has never played eight games in a season in a Browns uniform.
12:39Yeah.
12:40You know, it's been seven was the highest that he had in 2024.
12:44So, you know, his body isn't the same as it was.
12:48I mean, the shoulder, the two Achilles, you know, even remember his knees in college.
12:53So, as of right now, through seven games, this has been, obviously, his best year in
12:57Cleveland, right?
12:58The numbers already show it, or he's already eclipsed the most yards he's ever thrown in
13:02Cleveland.
13:02You know, he's totaled his, I think his touchdown total is also at seven.
13:07His accuracy is better, his rating, QBR, blah, blah, blah, whatever.
13:10So, there are things there that are encouraging.
13:14Now, again, it's only been seven games so far.
13:17What's going to happen at the end of the year is anybody's guess.
13:21We still have a half a season to go.
13:23So, any talk of locking him up or letting him go, whatever side you are on, I think
13:29is still very premature.
13:30Just because we have a half a season left.
13:32There's so much that can happen.
13:33You know, we're all on cloud nine.
13:34They're playing well.
13:35He's leading the league in, you know, fourth quarter game-winning drives.
13:38All is great.
13:40But, you know, the Browns don't have a decision on that.
13:43I mean, they don't know what they're going to do.
13:44How could they?
13:45You have a whole half a season remaining.
13:48So, if you want to play the hypothetical game, Spencer, which we love to do, what are they
13:51going to do?
13:52If you win the division and you go to the playoffs and you maybe, like, get a playoff
13:58win, I could see them bringing him back, sure.
14:02But the price has to be right.
14:03And what does that mean?
14:05What does that show?
14:06What is the price?
14:07How long?
14:07What's the length of the contract?
14:08No one knows those answers yet because we're not even in the realm there.
14:14And the Browns aren't in a position now to look probably, you know, three months down
14:20the road when we have a half a season left and they don't know what they're going to
14:23do.
14:24You know what's funny?
14:25Think about this.
14:26Remember earlier this season, this summer, Spencer, you and I were talking at Browns camp
14:30about, like, oh, look at this, you know, this new crop of quarterbacks in college.
14:36Like, they're supposed to be really good.
14:37Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
14:38Well, that whole, that top, those top five picks that everyone predicted in August aren't
14:45there.
14:45They're not good.
14:46They're, you know, the same thing happened last year.
14:49So just when you think we know what's going to happen, you know, the football gods flip
14:54everything upside down.
14:55Just like we thought after week two, before the season started, well, okay, home opener,
15:01Shador's going to start.
15:02Well, that didn't happen either.
15:04So you can't, I mean, we can have fun conversations, which we're doing, but no one truly knows
15:08what's going to happen.
15:09Anybody that says they know what's going to happen is lying because so many things can
15:13happen.
15:13There's just too many variables.
15:14And that's the lot of time.
15:15That's the beauty of football.
15:17Every time we think we know something, it shows that it doesn't.
15:21But John, I got to ask you this, right?
15:2311 picks.
15:25That's how many picks the Cleveland Browns hold in the 2027 draft.
15:28I don't think anybody here believes that Andrew is going to make all 11 of those picks.
15:31The Browns should be buyers at the trade deadline.
15:34Have you heard anything?
15:36And if you haven't heard anything, is there any player or players that you would like
15:41and make sense for the Cleveland Browns to buy before the trade deadline comes and goes?
15:46Yeah, I think those 11 picks, I agree.
15:49But Andrew Barry is not one to hold and, you know, keep all those picks.
15:53Even if he doesn't make a trade at the deadline here, he'll make a trade probably in the draft,
15:57you know, to a couple of those picks to move up and move back in the future.
16:02I think one name that has been rumored around a while now, the last week, is Khalil Mack.
16:10And you can see what's happening there with the Chargers and other teams.
16:13Teams are in the fire.
16:14Say, look what the Colts just did.
16:15You know, they're still shopping, guys.
16:18I think you need another edge rusher to complement Jared Burst and, you know, Isaiah McGuire is the only guy
16:24that's had the sacks, I think, on the line, right?
16:27Or besides Mason Grant, but on the edge.
16:29I think with Jared Burst, he struggles in Mike Rutenberg's scheme that still hasn't clicked yet.
16:34He's been open about it.
16:35It's frustrating.
16:36And people are very frustrated with him.
16:37And he's frustrated with himself as well.
16:39I think you need another edge there.
16:41I think Khalil Mack would fit that role for sure.
16:44You know, to figure out what they can do and what the asking price would be tough.
16:50I think another guy like Josh Sweat, what are the Cardinals asking for him, you know, another defensive end?
16:57So those two guys I think would be perfect, but the price has to be right.
17:03If you look at someone like a Khalil Mack, I mean, that guy's had – I mean, look at his
17:09resume over the years.
17:10I mean, he's not probably the player that he once was just because of his age.
17:14But, I mean, if you're looking for a half-a-season rental, I think that would be a compliment of
17:21a player in terms of what that can happen,
17:24in terms of what would work with Mike Rutenberg's defense.
17:28Max Sweat, I think he's got three stacks so far this season.
17:30So that would be a guy's position I would definitely address.
17:34And, you know, there was smoke earlier about Jerry Judy being traded.
17:37I don't know if they moved him now.
17:39I think he's kind of bought into his position.
17:40I think he's happy with what he's doing.
17:42So I don't know if they moved him.
17:43There was a lot of, you know, rumors about him being the odd man out and maybe wanting to leave.
17:48But it seems like everything's okay there.
17:50So I would definitely address, you know, defensive – the line, the edge.
17:56And, you know, if they can maybe get another offensive lineman in there too,
17:59the depth there is always going to be warranted, especially you never know with injuries.
18:03John, we appreciate you for your time this morning, my brother.
18:06We look forward to talking to you in the near future.
18:08Thanks, John.
18:09Hey, thanks so much, guys, for having me on.
18:10And, hey, happy Halloween tonight.
18:12Happy Halloween.
18:12Hey, what do you – I'm assuming you're doing the trick-or-treating thing.
18:16You got a costume for yourself?
18:19So, you know, Spencer out as a kid.
18:21So my son is going – he's two years old.
18:24He's going as a lion.
18:25Okay.
18:26Is he Simba?
18:28My wife is going as Rafiki.
18:30I love that.
18:33And I made it – I made her the decision, just pick whatever you want.
18:36I thought she dosed him, but Earl, I think that's the most logical thing.
18:39John, how old are you?
18:4141.
18:42All right, so John is older than me.
18:43I'm 38.
18:44I'll be 39 in a couple weeks.
18:45Here's the crazy part.
18:46John knows this.
18:48Rafiki dropped the most life jewels in the Lion King of any character in that movie.
18:55Nobody pays attention to him.
18:57But he has all the best – he has all the best stuff.
19:00I'll go one step further.
19:01He might be one of the most underrated characters in the Disney lineup.
19:04How about that?
19:05I definitely agree with that.
19:06So what – so your wife's Rafiki and then who are you?
19:08So I gave her the option.
19:10I was like, okay, so just pick out whatever you want me to wear.
19:12Because my daughter is doing like a Disney princess or something.
19:14Okay.
19:15So I thought she'd go Simba or Scar.
19:18No.
19:19Do you know what she did?
19:20She didn't give me a character in the movie.
19:22She gave me an animal.
19:25Guys, I'm embarrassed to say this, but just for good laughs, feel free.
19:28This is good radio.
19:29I'm going to be a giraffe.
19:32That's like in the high school play where you're like, you're tree number three.
19:36So he's a giraffe that was standing there when Simba took pride rock.
19:40Got it.
19:41Exactly.
19:41He's walking out.
19:42The music's playing.
19:44You should have somebody playing that music as you walk through the neighborhood.
19:47The circle.
19:48You coming over to our neighborhood at all?
19:50You should.
19:51I should have that music on my phone as I'm walking by, right?
19:54I'll look for the giraffe tonight.
19:56I'll look for the giraffe.
19:56There you go.
19:57John, I appreciate you, my guy.
19:59We'll talk soon.
20:00Thanks, guys.
20:00See you.
20:01See you.