Cleveland, OH

What Browns rookie Mason Graham is chasing this week against the Raiders

Published

3 months ago

November 22, 2025

What Browns rookie Mason Graham is chasing this week against the Raiders

BEREA, Ohio — There’s one big milestone Browns No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham is still chasing.

The good news is he has a chance to reach it on Sunday as the Browns take on the Las Vegas Raiders, going against one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

“You’re always chasing, you don’t want to be chasing after the sack, but it’s always cool to have the stats to go with it, how you’re playing,” Graham said on Friday.

Graham is still chasing his first solo NFL sack.

His lone half sack came in Week 3 against the Packers, off a perfectly executed twist stunt — but he split the takedown of Packers QB Jordan Love with veteran teammate Maliek Collins.

Graham has shown bursts of disruptiveness.

Pro Football Focus has him with 21 total pressures this season, including five last week against the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson.

One of those pressures came on Garrett’s third sack in his four-sack monster game, in which Graham forced Jackson to step back into the pocket, giving Garrett enough time to recover even though he got behind the Ravens QB.

Those are the kinds of plays Graham is perfectly happy to keep making. He’s also most certainly had an impact on Garrett reaching 15.0 sacks already this season, leading the league and on pace to break the league single-season sack record at 22.5.

“I’m just worried about getting to the quarterback, whether that means getting the sack or not,” he said. “I just want to be a factor. And if it leads to a pick and I don’t get the sack, if he throws the ball last second, alright, cool, I just want to have some good tape that helps our team.”

But defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has kept insisting there is still “meat on the bone” when it comes to Graham as a pass rusher.

A big reason is that while at Michigan, Graham still showed off impressive pass rush traits despite spending a lot of time eating up blocks. In an attack-first defense, it’s been an adjustment.

But the Browns have been happy with what they’ve seen so far.

“I don’t know that anybody is only looking at sacks,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said last week when asked about Graham. “If they are, they’re not looking at the whole picture when it comes to defensive line play. I know around the league, the importance is placed on pressures and is placed on their ability to affect the quarterback.

“And obviously when they result in sacks, that’s ideal. But the ability to affect the quarterback is the most important thing that defensive linemen can do.”

Against the Raiders, Graham should have a chance at his first solo sack, especially as he’s been ramping up the pressure in recent weeks with eight pressures and two hits over his last two games.

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith has been sacked 31 times this season (the fourth-worst mark in the league) for 214 yards.

Graham should be able to win some one-on-one matchups, especially if the Raiders devote more to Garrett.

But for now, the rookie is worried about playing his role in one of the league’s best units.

“I come up here every week and say I just want to progress every week,” he said. “So whatever that looks like. But I feel like we all help each other. We’re all complementary to each other. We all do things well that everyone’s different. Maliek does something different than I do, Mike (Hall Jr.), Myles, Zay (Isaiah McGuire), Alex (Wright), we’re all different players, but when we find a way to work together, we all complement each other.”

If he keeps that attitude, that sack won’t be far off.

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Cleveland, OH

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Liberation Center and nearly 100 other organizations rallied in Cleveland Sunday to protest the U.S. strikes on Iran, demonstrating significant grassroots opposition to the military action.

The recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have ignited passionate discussions across the nation, and Northeast Ohio is no exception.

While state political leaders express support for President Donald Trump’s actions, local activists are raising urgent questions about the impact on American communities.

Dallas Eckman, a public school teacher and volunteer coordinator with the Cleveland Liberation Center, is taking a clear stance against the recent attacks.

“We need to step up as Americans and say violence is not going to be the way we solve out world’s problems,” Eckman said.

The frustration runs deeper for Eckman, who sees a disconnect between military spending and domestic priorities.

“It’s absurd that for me as a public-school teacher I am struggling to get funding for chrome books and books. I can wake up one morning and see we have spent millions and millions of dollars to bomb another country,” he explained.

Eckman questions whether these military actions actually benefit working people in Cleveland.

“Which does nothing for the working people here in Cleveland. It does nothing to make my schools safer. It does nothing to improve the road right outside the liberation center,” Eckman said.

Eckman’s concerns are shared by many in the region.

Despite local opposition, several Ohio’s political leaders are backing the Trump administration’s decision.

Senator Bernie Moreno released a statement expressing his support, stating, “President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision.”

Secretary of State John Husted also voiced his approval.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community — instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies,” Husted said.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

17 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.