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Mar 13, 2019 By Jim Wexell for The 5 min read

Just my opinion …

From the notebook of a sportswriter who’s been inspired to write by a morning football show that’s completely lasered in on the Cleveland Browns:

n That it’s not about the Steelers anymore made it so much more enjoyable to watch.

n Enjoyable’s actually a stretch. Let’s go with simply watchable.

n One of the hosts was wearing a Browns bathrobe and shouting about how sexy his team has become.

n Actually, I don’t know if the Browns were his team. They are now.

n I haven’t seen this much attention on the Browns since Johnny Manziel.

n My man in the bathrobe did turn and mock the Steelers for getting so much less for the diva WR they shipped than for what the Giants got for theirs. The guy said something like this: HA!

n My man did NOT applaud Le’Veon Bell for getting much less than what the Steelers had offered him a holdout and one wrecked team ago. I actually had tuned in to see him, anyone, admit they were wrong about that.

n Will anyone in the clickbait national football media stand up and admit they were wrong to blast the Steelers for not giving Bell what he wanted?

n I won’t blame Bell’s agent for this fiasco. That was all Le’Veon.

n He’s not as rich as he expected, but Bell IS in the Big Apple. Helluva place to be a star.

n Helluva place to be a flop, too.

n As for those comparisons of the Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham trades, Brown will turn 31 in June and wanted a new contract. He’s been an emotional mess the past year, with his actions spilling off the field. The collection of third- and fifth-round picks from the Raiders is similar to two other reported offers to the Steelers.

n Beckham is 26, has four years left on a contract he does not want changed, and, while a diva on the field, Beckham’s conduct hasn’t been as disruptive to his teammates, nor has it spilled into his community. The Browns gave the Giants the 17th overall pick, the last pick of the third round, and Jabrill Peppers. Much more for much more.

n Brown’s value is commensurate with the trades of the last couple of 30-year-old superstar receivers. Brandon Marshall, facing a $7.5 million bonus in mid-March and with three years left on his contract, was traded along with a seventh-round pick for a fifth-rounder.

n The Raiders waited until just before draft weekend to trade Randy Moss, 30, to New England for a fourth-rounder. Moss had two years left on his deal but Oakland wanted to excise his $9.75 million salary.

n Waiting longer to trade Brown (in the hope of getting more after paying his roster bonus) would have courted disaster. They would’ve regretted paying Brown $2.5 million and getting shut out of any trade as the WR-rich draft approached. That could’ve happened. And then what? You’ve paid this jester more money.

n I just re-watched the tape of new cornerback Steven Nelson against the Steelers. That loss to the Chiefs showed Brown at his worst. Histrionics, sideline eruptions — even when things were going well for the team.

n Good. Bye.

n Nelson is a solid press-man cover-two cornerback, and he’s only 26 and he only costs $8-plus million per year. That fits right into the team pay scale as a young No. 2 corner who stood up well under heavy fire last season. He’ll get beat, but he’s solid — quick and tough. This new secondary is interesting. Maybe one piece away.

n The Steelers also have legitimate ammo for the draft with three extra picks. I assume they’ll push hard to trade up for one of those elite middle linebackers. They should also find an outstanding WR candidate for a strong 1-2 punch at the top of the draft.

n Bud Dupree has survived the deadline and will make $9.2 million this season. The Steelers also re-signed Anthony Chickillo at two seasons for $8 million. Too much to pay for a combined 60 tackles, 7 sacks, 16 pressures, 5 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery?

n Yeah, probably.

n Chickillo is a solid reserve, so let’s start there. He’s being paid commensurate with a backup at two positions and core special-teamer, but he’s not good enough to start for a champion. Dupree has the speed and athleticism to start for a champion. He also has flaws in his game, but will suffice for a coach looking to upgrade/uphold unit speed. You don’t like him enough to give him a long-term deal in an attempt to cut that $9.2 million cap hit; you do like him enough to keep him and not open a gaping hole at the position entering the draft. It’s the Max Starks effect.

n Starks was given the transition tag in 2008. In 2009 he was given a ring.

n The tolling of Ryan Shazier’s contract — to make minimum wage while working through another year of rehab — was more smart than kind. Keeping Shazier tethered to the team will pay off whether he returns to the playing field or not. He’ll give them years of intelligence, enthusiasm, vision, inspiration — years of Ryan Shazier — in the front office or coaching staff.

n So, I hear Clevland is now the favorite in the AFC North. Good. Good to hear. I’m all excited for them and their fans and their darling status.

n Just remember, Browns, it’s more difficult being a favorite. That cuddly stuff fades as quickly as Johnny Manziel.

n Ben Roethlisberger’s been awfully quiet while the national media takes their final collective howls at him. Mike Tomlin is too, for that matter.

n Yeah, it’s gonna be nice covering an underdog this year. Real nice.