Twitter Q&A: A dispatch from Cleveland on trade deadline, Eric Berry and Spencer Ware
With the interest in the Patrick Mahomes-Baker Mayfield rematch (surely you’ve heard about that 2016 Oklahoma-Texas Tech game by now) and the handful of Chiefs players from this area (Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce), I’ve spent the last four days in Cleveland.
It’s unusual for a newspaper beat writer to travel to an away game so many days ahead, but in this case, it made sense.
This week, I’ve had a chance to experience a little bit of everything football in Cleveland has to offer.
I started out at the Browns facility on Wednesday morning, where I ran into Moose, the organization’s chocolate lab, not once, but TWICE. I’ll admit it, I fangirled. I didn’t get to pet him, but I did do a little bit of cooing and baby-talking to the dog as I walked by. And then I remembered Gregg Williams could come around the corner at any minute and I really didn’t want him to run into him while I was acting like a dog-loving fool. To be fair, I don’t really want to run into Williams at any point, but especially not in that moment. So I hustled inside the media work room and set up shop.
As soon as I took my seat, a Browns beat writer leaned over and grumbled, “Welcome to the soap opera.”
A very Cleveland hello.
We went into the locker room shortly after that to talk with the few players who were brave enough, or apathetic enough, who dared stand near their lockers during the open media session. We talked with Mayfield, who stood in front of a backdrop in the middle of the locker room. It was a weird moment for me. After he was drafted and I left The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City, I didn’t think I’d be in a media scrum talking to Mayfield anymore. But clearly, I was wrong.
I asked a couple questions, recorded a little video, and then went back to get some work done in the media room before Williams’ news conference.
Let me just say that Williams says 10 times the words Andy Reid says in answering any given question. They also might be 10 times more delusional than any Reid answer (see: Williams says he turned down 11 head coaching offers). But it was entertaining nonetheless.
I’ve spent the rest of my time in Cleveland bouncing around area high schools. Wednesday night I was at Euclid High School to talk with Jeff Rotsky, Kelce’s high school coach during his senior season. Then, on Thursday, I went to Hunt’s alma mater in Willoughby, Ohio, for a couple hours before driving over to Beachwood and Cleveland Heights high schools for more interviews.
But perhaps the coolest place I went in Cleveland was Quintana’s Barber and Dream Spa. I’ll have more on that in coming days, but just a little tease for that future story: There’s a speakeasy on the second floor of the barbershop. And this speakeasy serves a drink that comes with a flaming cinnamon stick.
Wild, delicious stuff.
I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for a week-long trip to Cleveland, and after listening to the new season of the Serial podcast that details the Cleveland criminal justice system, I was a little nervous. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this city and its suburbs. It’s a rich, diverse area with really welcoming people and beautiful fall foliage. Not to mention, there are Starbucks-Chipotle combo buildings all over.
Heaven is a place on earth, and it’s Cleveland.
Anyway, you didn’t come here to read me waxing poetic about Cleveland. You came for answers to your questions about the Chiefs. So here ya go:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So no trades means tomorrow at the press conference, Berry comes storming out ready to play right?</p>— Ellen Tolsma (@ellen_tolsma) <a href="https://twitter.com/ellen_tolsma/status/1057391200133701632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Yes, exactly. WWE-entrance style.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When is Eric Berry expected to start practice? Anything at all? And don’t tell me he’s literally day to day and making progress!</p>— Paul Pflumm (@ppflumm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ppflumm/status/1057401749554843648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Sorry, Paul, I literally can’t tell you anything else.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do you think the Chiefs are spacing out their use of Spencer Ware so that, in addition to recovering from his ACL injury last year, he can be fresh for December/January to give the Chiefs a nice 1-2 punch in the run game with Kareem Hunt?</p>— L.A. Blerd (@shockjay) <a href="https://twitter.com/shockjay/status/1057392357824454656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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That wouldn’t surprise me at all. I think they’re testing his limits in some of these games. The offense is undoubtedly better when he’s in it, but it’s also humming along just fine without him. Because this kind of knee injury takes a ridiculously long time to heal, I’m sure they’re trying to work him back in without pushing him to overdo it. Above everything else, they don’t want him to have a setback, hence the cautious approach.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I understand it’s an “any given Sunday” type of league, but how do the Chiefs approach the next two opponents? Do they hold back Ty Hill if he’s 80% instead of 100%? Are they extra cautious when it comes to injuries?</p>— Andrew Brandt (@ABrandt42) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABrandt42/status/1057406195986763783?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I’d expect Hill to play this weekend. He practiced fully on Friday, and his injury doesn’t seem to be too concerning. But when it comes to guys like Anthony Hitchens and Justin Houston, I think they’ll be extra cautious with them, at least against the Browns. Cleveland could muster a little something and rally around Williams (I laughed even typing this phrase), but I think the Chiefs’ offense will be too overwhelming for the Browns. Maybe one of those guys comes back against the Cardinals, but I think the biggest thing is to have those guys healthy for the Rams game on Nov. 19. So they’ll make all decisions with that in mind.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why didn’t Lucas play more over Murray? Is it just a trust thing with Sutton?</p>— Mike Wilson (@LWOSmikewilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/LWOSmikewilson/status/1057401615194513409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Bob Sutton said on Thursday that Lucas wasn’t benched and it wasn’t a trust thing. He told reporters that his playing time was limited because of different personnel groupings the Chiefs were using. Per Sutton: “Some were personnel groups where we did things. Then, of course, Jordan (Lucas) is also one of our dime linebackers so sometimes he gets in that group as well. But nothing significant I don’t think there.” Still, after that game, I think the coaches feel better with Murray and Ron Parker as their starters in the base defense.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Will Sorenson replace parker or murray/lucas?</p>— Daniel Hosier (@HosierDaniel) <a href="https://twitter.com/HosierDaniel/status/1057396692553814016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I think he could end up rotating with either of those guys. He’s not a difference maker the way that Eric Berry is and likely won’t have an immediate impact coming off that injury. Unless he proves otherwise, I think he’ll be in a rotation back there.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi Brooke, new follow here, you sold me with the SNF list. Was wondering about Tyreek's injury. Also, do you see Sammy having a loud second half?</p>— Joey Lutz (@lutzanator) <a href="https://twitter.com/lutzanator/status/1057405285323616256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Woohoo, glad you were sold on Carrie Underwood! Aren’t we all. Given that Hill practiced every day this week, I think he’ll be fine to play on Sunday. It doesn’t seem that serious, although I’m sure the coaches and training staff are monitoring it because a groin injury can be really, really detrimental to a guy who relies on his speed and quick movements. As far as Watkins goes, I do think he’ll have a louder second half of the season. It might not be every game because Reid seems to rotate the hot hand on offense, but after this last week, I think he’ll be more involved in the offense than he was in the first half.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I assume that since no moves were made that the front office is confident in Berry coming back and being able to contribute. Am i being to optimistic or? Your thoughts?</p>— SHOWTIME MAHOMES (@kucmb_bray) <a href="https://twitter.com/kucmb_bray/status/1057394818551300099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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That’s what I took from the decision not to make a move. But given that they’ve been auditioning free agents this week, I think it could still be a little bit before he comes back. It seems like they’re just trying to put together a plan to get by as cheaply as possible until Berry can play.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would you take 75% Houston, or 75% Berry down the stretch?</p>— Alabaster (@yaboykstak) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaboykstak/status/1057391843950972930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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That’s tough. I’m going with 75 percent Eric Berry. Dee Ford has done a great job on the pass rush in the last month and Breeland Speaks is coming along. The area that’s the most inconsistent out of the two is the safety spot. Even a 75 percent Berry helps stabilize that.
Brooke Pryor
Brooke Pryor covers the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for The Star.
