Tony Grossi, ESPN Cleveland 8y

#HeyTony: Will the Browns release or trade Josh McCown?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

Hey Tony: In your opinion, is Josh McCown released/traded by opening day and does RG3 start?

-- Kyle, Elyria, OH

Hey Kyle: This will depend on how Robert Griffin III and Cody Kessler perform in training camp and preseason. If they do as well as Hue Jackson expects, I believe McCown will not open the season on the Browns’ roster. And if all that happens, yes, RG3 will start. But, it’s still early and anything can happen.

Hey Tony: Can you tell us the details of Bernie [Kosar] being allowed back in the building again?

-- Mark, Brook Park, OH

Hey Mark: First, I don’t believe Kosar was ever not allowed in the Browns building. After he was fired as preseason TV analyst in 2014 by former President Alec Scheiner, Kosar simply chose to stay away. I was told that Kosar never returned calls by the Browns to discuss a nominal role on the team’s TV programming. A thaw occurred last month when the team was forced to assign rookie draft pick Corey Coleman Kosar’s No. 19 jersey number because they were out of numbers in the teens, which was Coleman’s preference. The team reached out to Kosar as a courtesy to inform him. It took Kosar a while to respond. When he did, the team set up a meeting with Coleman and other rookies and Kosar consented and addressed the team with other alums. The larger issue here is the Browns’ apparent desire to improve relations with their alumni, which became fractious under Scheiner’s reign. I’m told the Haslams were not even aware of the bad state of alumni relations until former linebacker Dick Ambrose authored a letter to Haslam on behalf of alumni.

Hey Tony: Who are our kick returner & punt returners likely to be?

-- Marty, Highland Heights, OH

Hey Marty: Special teams coach Chris Tabor said that Corey Coleman is being groomed as the punt returner. Kick returners include Justin Gilbert and Marlon Moore.

Hey Tony: Division opponent Q. Do you view the Bengals as dirty?

-- Donald, Cincinnati, OH

Hey Donald: They haven’t been dirty in games against the Browns.

Hey Tony: If the season started tomorrow, what does the starting secondary look like? Nickel D if possible.

-- Tommy, New Albany, OH

Hey Tommy: Since Joe Haden isn’t ready, the starting cornerbacks would be Tramon Williams and – get ready for this – Justin Gilbert. The safeties would be Ibraheim Campbell and Jordan Poyer. The nickel back would be K’Waun Williams.

Hey Tony: What receiver ends up with the most receiving yards? Also which running back has more rushing yards?

-- Cory, Preble County, OH

Hey Cory: Corey Coleman. Isaiah Crowell.

Hey Tony: Would it be wise to sit this season and maybe next out? Can't take the hypertension and disappointment.

-- Justin, Perrysburg, OH

Hey Justin: Hypertension and disappointment goes with the territory, bub. If you don’t want to ride the coaster, step aside.

Hey Tony: Your piece on Joe Thomas is well founded. It is why I would NOT trade him. Joe has been one of the only things (other than our world famous 1950's uniforms, oops) we can hang our hats on. Any time I hear Paul Warfield's name I think, "we blew that.” We need Joe Thomas and we need him in the Hall having only played for us! Your thoughts?

-- Craig, Atlanta, GA

Hey Craig: Thomas has three years left on his contract. I don’t believe he will last on the roster that long.

Hey Tony: I think Hue Jackson is the first NFL coach to really want RGIII. Shanahan didn't agree with the trade to acquire RGIII and Jay Gruden never seemed comfortable with his style. Do you think an NFL QB stands much of a chance if his coach doesn't really believe in him? I would think Gruden will be on the hot seat with Dan Snyder if Hue finds some magic in RGIII and if Cousins slips back to his old form. Do you think RGIII or Cousins will have a better year?

-- Rick, Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: I agree that coaches have to be partners with their quarterback in order for the team to compete for the Super Bowl. You are right about RG3 and Shanahan, and Gruden. Neither pairing was the right match. Gruden has bonded with Kirk Cousins and the Redskins are back in the playoff picture. That’s all Dan Snyder should care about. I think Cousins will have a better year because he and Gruden have something already going on and RG3 and Jackson are only embarking on their partnership.

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