THE DAILY BLOVIATION
Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
I'm in a bit of a quandary here today. I looked through the articles from the credentialed sites, and they're pretty much all paywalled speculative draft articles of the type that we've been doing here for free for weeks and weeks. There's little point in talking about them or sending you to them. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel about it.
Of course, we can talk about some minor and silly news. Ex-Browns linebacker Jacob Phillips found a new team, which is nice, I guess, and it's sort of funny that there's yet another ex-Brown in Houston. The Browns met with Appalachian State LB Andrew Parker, but they met with many players. Then, of course, there's Jameis Winston interviewing a fish, which normally would dominate the Newswire. Scott Petrak did a story on OSU TE Cade Stover, who I would love to see in brown and orange but, alas, probably won't be unless he falls because of the age guardrails. Also, there's the news that Mel Kiper, Jr doesn't have a cell phone.
So, there's probably enough goofiness and pseudo-news there for a Newswire.
But I will take a different approach today because I want to discuss a lot of stuff going on here over the next few days, and we'll be short of time before it all happens. It's all going to be over and gone in a flash, and I want to ensure you're prepared for the avalanche of stuff we've got ready for you.
5. FREE SUBSCRIPTION AND GEAR CONTESTS
We're running two contests, one for people who aren't subscribers but who would like to be, and one for subscribers. Anyone who wins the former will get a free annual subscription, and winners of the latter will get a free OBR gear item from the new merch store (more on that below).
To win a free subscription, all you need to do is reply to this post we've put in the Cooler with your prediction of who the first two Browns draft picks will be (regardless of where they're picked). So, if you think it will be Kris Jenkins and Roger Rosengarten, slap that in there and if you're right, you win. It's as simple as that.
For subscribers, we're running a mock draft contest. We have instructions in the post about how to go to PFF, run your first-round mock draft, and upload the graphic as a reply to the post in Insider Central. Whoever gets the most picks will get free OBR merch from the new upcoming OBR merch store. And bragging rights, instant fame, and groupies, of course.
4. WEDNESDAY NIGHT 7PM: STUDIO 54
Since we'll be on air Thursday through Sunday, we're trying something a little different on Wednesday night: a 7PM Live Premiere of a pre-recorded program we call Studio 54.
During the program, each member of the OBR will confess to who they want the Browns to pick (and why) with their selections at #54 and #85. A number of us will be in the YouTube chat room to take live harassment over our selections. Twitch will not be open during the premiere as it doesn't support these events.
I promise to dance if a particular player is selected. Observant watchers of OBR Weekly will be able to guess who it is.
3. NEW OBR MERCH STORE COMING
Since our pal Filly stepped up to sponsor our broadcasts, people have asked where to get the "new OBR merch" we have been wearing on air. That day is rapidly approaching. Filly is working to get the store operational by draft weekend. It's not there yet, but we will let you know as soon as it's available.
2. 60% OFF SUBSCRIPTION SALE
We currently have a 60% off sale on OBR subscriptionsas we head into an off-season when we completely revamp the subscription product. Once you see what we're doing, you will want to have jumped at this opportunity to get in for cheap. I will save our plans for when we can implement them following the draft, but you'll get a unique subscription offering different from the "slap a paywall in front of the same old stuff" approach that everyone else is taking. What you have loved about the OBR subscription will remain - but we will add new features in 2024 and 2025.
1. THE OBR DRAFT CAVE 2024
The centerpiece of our draft weekend plans is live coverage of the NFL draft on each day and each pick. We'll be live Thursday through Saturday for each pick with a rotating group of hosts and guests in our virtual OBR Draft Cave, analyzing each selection, what our AFC North rivals are doing, and any other topics folks in the chat rooms want to discuss.
You know what to expect if you've been with us in prior years. It will be the live Browns-focused draft coverage from knowledgable analysts unlike anything else available on live streaming. We will be live on YouTube, Twitch and X throughout the draft.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Three Ohio breweries crack top 50 nationwide (axios cleveland)
For avid beer drinkers, the craft beer revolution has been a Godsend. There are so many varieties of beer to try that each trip to the store becomes an adventure. While the trend may be starting to ebb just a little bit, it's still strong, and three breweries, led by Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewery, are in the top fifty nationwide. Ohio is gifted with many fine breweries and wineries, and I hope this situation continues for as long as possible.
Overall, beer production declined 1% last year, but that's probably because I was on a diet for a while. New craft beer openings still exceed closings, so hopefully, the wide variety of choices is here to stay. From someone who remembers when it was either Budwieser, Stroh's or Pabst in the store cooler and that's it, we're living in a Golden Age.
YOUR MORNING NEWSWIRE SOUNDTRACK
Jake is joined by OBR colleague Pete Smith to pick apart his selections for his only 2024 Cleveland Browns mock draft. This is packed with scheme analysis, fits, and prospect data points for those who crave thought processes for the future and how these prospects will fit overall.
OBR VIDEO
OBR Film Breakdown - Draft Discourse
OBR ARTICLES FROM YESTERDAY
Cleveland Browns Top30 Visit Scouting Reports Offensive Line - (Ian V)
Top Cleveland Browns Draft Targets At Pick 156 - (Jack)
Top Cleveland Browns Draft Targets At Pick 85 - (Jack)
Cleveland Browns News 4/22: Draft Expectations, Browns Tendencies, and How Bernie Outwitted the NFL - (Barry)
Six Steps to put Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024: Do They Add Another QB in NFL Draft - (Fred)
Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs: Do They Draft a Linebacker - (Fred)
Cleveland Browns 2024 Mock Draft My One and Only for this Year - (Pete)
FROM THE FORUMS
NEW! OBR VIP Discord Coming Soon!
Meanwhile, here are some new threads in the OBR’s discussion forums:
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
Why not sign Tyler Boyd, WR?
INSIDER CENTRAL (VIP)
NEW OBR SUBSCRIBER NFL DRAFT CONTEST!
THE WATERCOOLER
any pipe tobacco experts here?
Myles Cavs fan
WIN A FREE OBR SUBSCRIPTION DURING THE NFL DRAFT!
JACK: Browns Don’t Have Many 2025 FAs, Who You Keeping?
OT + Rock Hall inductees
Jake Trotter is finally leaving Cleveland Media!
Zach Wilson on the move
The OBR Draft Cave 2024
WRAPPING UP
When not scanning the brewery draft list for a porter or stout, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
CONTACT Barry to sponsor the OBR. We have plans for nearly any budget!
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