Terry’s Talkin’

Highlights: The Browns fan base is divided, with some calling for Kevin Stefanski's firing while others blame owner Jimmy Haslam and the "sabotage" of the Deshaun Watson trade. GM Andrew Berry's draft history is under scrutiny, with notable misses like Jedrick Wills but also successful trades, showcasing a mixed but promising record. Stefanski faces criticism for poor in-game management, clock-management issues and consistently failing special teams. Terry says there's a critical need for the Browns to acquire veteran players in the offseason to bring stability to the roster, especially on special teams and the offensive line. WR Jerry Jeudy has been a major disappointment, criticized for inconsistent play and a casual attitude toward crucial mistakes, labeling him a "liability." Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders shows potential and maturity under difficult circumstances but needs to improve on holding the ball too long, which has led to excessive sacks. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt has emerged as a bright spot and a reliable long-term solution, hitting 18 of his last 20 field goals, including a clutch 50-yarder in harsh conditions. The Cavaliers are "stuck on the spin cycle" due to a plague of injuries to key players like Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, preventing team consistency. Donovan Mitchell's "Superman" role is considered unsustainable, with concerns that his heavy offensive workload will lead to burnout before the playoffs. A listener says that expectations for Evan Mobley may be too high; developing into a consistent 19-point, 10-rebound, NBA All-Defensive Team player should be viewed as a major success. The Cavaliers' offense is inefficiently reliant on three-pointers, ranking near the top in attempts but in the bottom third for percentage, failing to leverage their frontcourt strength. Terry says a deep playoff run for the Cavaliers is now considered a "long shot" due to significant injuries, an overworked Donovan Mitchell, and a flawed offensive strategy. The Guardians are remaining quiet this offseason, with significant roster additions expected to come via trade rather than through free agent signings. Former Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie is experiencing a concerning career decline due to a severe case of "the yips," which has derailed his control and command. Terry recommends the book "1861" by Jay Winick for its compelling, character-driven narrative of the weeks leading up to the U.S. Civil War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highlights: Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes has won the BBWAA Career Excellence Award, the highest honor for baseball writers, securing his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Terry Pluto praised Hoynes' "utterly remarkable" work ethic and elite writing talent, noting his longevity in the demanding field is highly impressive. The Browns' special teams fell down on the job again, with a blocked punt and a long return vs. the Titans. Coach Kevin Stefanski's uncharacteristically public criticism of the run defense is seen as a sign of significant internal frustration. An analytics-driven, late-game two-point conversion strategy was undone by poor execution, including a fumbled snap and a mistimed trick play. An argument that the Browns should use high draft picks on offensive linemen and receivers instead of a QB, as top rookie QBs often fail without a strong supporting cast. QB Shedeur Sanders benefited from not playing early in the season, as it allowed him to go to "pro football school" and learn the NFL system, similar to Patrick Mahomes's development, Terry says. Sanders's impressive performance has revived optimism for the Browns, leading Stefanski to name him the starter for the remainder of the season to evaluate his potential. Terry says Stefanski appears "mentally worn out," and while his job is precarious, a strong finish to the season led by Sanders could potentially save his position. The Cavs' 14-11 start is a major disappointment, with the team looking "discombobulated" due to player injuries and a flawed, three-point-heavy "lazy offense." Darius Garland's poor shooting and defensive struggles raise serious concerns that he is not fully recovered from foot surgery, prompting suggestions that he should rest. A Guardians fan writes to question why the team re-signed catcher Austin Hedges for $4 million, and cites his low batting average. Outfielder Chase DeLauter is identified as the Guardians' true top prospect, possessing a rare combination of size, power, and skill, with only his injury history being a concern. A funny listener email about trying to cancel NFL Sunday Ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highlights: The Browns' 3-9 record mirrors last season's, showing a lack of progress and ranking them among the worst teams since the 2024 season opener. The Browns' special teams unit was labeled a "total embarrassment," having surrendered five punt or kickoff return touchdowns in the last two seasons, the most in the NFL. Terry Pluto blames the coaching staff for the special teams' consistent failures in coverage schemes and player development. A major issue with the special teams is the absence of a player who "captains" the units, as performance hasn't improved even with safety Grant Delpit volunteering. Despite being hired to elevate the special teams, coach Bubba Ventrone's unit has regressed to being "awful," failing to replicate the top-10 success he had in Indianapolis. Following a listener's email, the hosts agreed that with the season lost, the Browns should continue playing rookie QB Shedeur Sanders to fully evaluate his potential. While Sanders has shown progress operating from under center, a major concern is his tendency to hold onto the ball and take sacks, a habit that often carries over from college to the NFL. Terry expresses declining confidence in head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose job security is in question due to the team's stagnant 3-9 record and low-ranked offense. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz: Head coaching candidate?. The two possible futures for the Browns: a leadership change due to a lack of progress, or ownership giving the current regime a two-year window to rebuild. The Cavs' 13-9 start is described as "clunky" and unsettled due to injuries that have forced them to use 12 different starting lineups. There is an ongoing debate about Evan Mobley's inconsistent role, questioning whether he is better suited as an elite all-around defender and rebounder rather than a primary scorer. Donovan Mitchell's heavy workload is a concern, with his minutes climbing over 34 per game, risking burnout before the playoffs. Second-year player Jaylon Tyson is emerging as a leader, earning enough respect from veterans to publicly state the team needed to play harder after a recent loss. The central debate among Guardians fans is whether to accept playoff contention on a small budget or demand the team spend on free-agent hitters to pursue a World Series. Analysis shows the Guardians have the financial flexibility and desperate need to create a "batting factory" to complement their successful "pitching factory." Listener Ed Cohen emails and asks: Why not use MLB's new automated ball-strike system on every pitch? Tennis uses technology to great advantage, he says. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highlights: Thanks to you, our listeners! Without you we wouldn't be here. Shedeur Sanders' starting debut was "intriguing," marked by poise and a crucial avoidance of mistakes. Sanders' performance demonstrated clear evidence of his discipline to avoid negative plays. Myles Garrett: The best Browns defensive player Terry has ever seen? Coach Kevin Stefanski offered rare, high praise for a Sanders pass, signaling genuine excitement in his own Stefanski way. The disruptive play of interior defensive linemen Mason Graham and Maliek Collins is a key factor in the defense's overall dominance. The upcoming game against the 49ers will be a different kind of challenge for Sanders. A primary goal for the remainder of the season is to thoroughly evaluate the young quarterbacks to inform future roster decisions. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson earned a positive grade for navigating numerous injuries and successfully developing young players. A debate is ongoing about whether Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley can evolve into the MVP-caliber offensive star the team envisions. Terry Pluto argues that Mobley's value lies in his elite defense and unselfish play, and he should not be forced into a primary scorer role. Josh Naylor’s new contract with the Mariners includes a rare full no-trade clause, granting him significant leverage. A listener emails about the gambling investigation involving Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. The Ohio State-Michigan game's importance for legacy persists, with Coach Ryan Day attempting a new, calmer approach to preparation. Terry Pluto recommends the book Ernie Pyle's War for its vivid and powerful portrayal of the experiences of soldiers in World War II. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highlights: Bernie Kosar's Successful Liver Transplant: Following a successful liver transplant, Bernie Kosar tells Terry he is in "great shape" and good spirits, with the initial critical 48 hours passing without signs of infection or rejection. The Haslams' Financial Support for Kosar: The Haslam family has been paying for Kosar's health insurance for many years, a gesture that has saved him "millions of dollars" in medical expenses accumulated from numerous hospitalizations. Myles Garrett's Historic Performance: Myles Garrett is having an "epic" season, continuing to dominate with multiple sacks against the Ravens and showcasing extraordinary athleticism, putting him on pace to challenge the single-season sack record. The Impact of the Upgraded Defensive Line: The addition of quality interior linemen like Mason Graham and Maliek Collins has been a key factor in Myles Garrett's success, as it prevents quarterbacks from stepping up and forces offenses to account for multiple threats. The Challenging Road for Shedeur Sanders: Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is facing the tough reality of an NFL fifth-round pick, receiving very few first-team practice reps and adjusting to being a developmental player on a struggling team. Rushing Young Quarterbacks: There is significant concern that the Browns are repeating a historical mistake of rushing an unprepared rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, into a difficult situation, similar to past failures with players like Tim Couch and DeShone Kizer. The Browns' Flawed Quarterback Room Construction: The front office is criticized for trading away veteran Kenny Pickett, leaving the team without a seasoned backup and creating an inexperienced quarterback room similar to the flawed strategy of the 2017 winless season. The Draft Pedigree of Top NFL Quarterbacks: Terry finds data showing that 18 of the top 20 NFL quarterbacks were first-round picks, highlighting the long odds against a fifth-round rookie like Shedeur Sanders becoming a franchise-altering starter. Cavs' Winning Record Masks Underlying Issues: Despite a 10-5 record, the Cavs' performance is described as a "slog," with an over-reliance on Donovan Mitchell due to injuries, a formula considered unsustainable for long-term success. Evan Mobley's game: How should Evan Mobley adjust after an up-and-down start? He appears to be struggling to find his offensive identity and go-to moves. Jarrett Allen's Uncertain Role with the Cavs: Allen's future as part of the team's "core four" is being questioned after being benched in the fourth quarter of multiple games, sparking debate about his long-term fit. Steven Kwan's Future in Cleveland: Can the Guardians afford to re-sign Gold Glover Steven Kwan? Or is a trade a strong possibility? Why the Guardians Released Pitcher John Means: The decision to decline John Means' $6 million option was likely due to poor performance, evidenced by his alarming 7.97 ERA and seven home runs allowed in a short AAA stint. The Mechanics of Blocking Field Goals: A reader punches holes in the theory about moving the holder and kicker further back from 7 to 10 yards. He says it's impractical as the longer snap time and wider angle would give edge rushers a significant advantage in blocking the kick. Andre Szmyt's Quietly Effective Season: After a disastrous first game, Browns kicker Andre Szmyt has stabilized the position, proving reliable by making 15 of his last 17 field goals and all extra points. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices