Saturday Dawg Chow: Even QBs can use a training buddy

Today brings one of the odder games that you will find on the sporting calendar in the World Cup third-place game between England and France.

The third-place game was first played in 1934, went on hiatus due to World War II, and became a regular part of the World Cup starting in 1954. It serves the dual purpose of helping FIFA determine its team rankings, while also lining the pockets of everyone involved thanks to extra ticket revenue, extra commercial time on TV, and the winning side takes home $29 million in prize money, while the losing team makes due with $27 million.

The NFL did its version in the 1960s with the Playoff Bowl, which featured the second-place team from the league’s two conferences from 1960 to 1966, then the losing side from the conference title games from 1967 through the final contest in 1970.

The Cleveland Browns appeared in three of the games and lost all three.

While there is obviously no harm in playing the game, it still feels odd because the loser of the game will finish up what was an otherwise positive World Cup experience by losing its final two games of the tournament.

Anyway, the game will be at 5 pm from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and will be broadcast by FOX, Telemundo, and Peacock.

Dawgs By Nature

• Former Browns starter joins AFC North rival late in NFL free agency (Jared Mueller) – “There may be no greater hatred than that of Cleveland Browns fans versus the whole Baltimore Ravens organization. While Ethan Pocic’s return to health and signing in Baltimore is nowhere near a big story, it still can bring up past wounds for Clevelanders.”
• Comparing Browns’ DE Jared Verse versus Myles Garrett in their first 2 seasons (Barry Shuck) – “When the Cleveland Browns traded away their face of the franchise, Myles Garrett, to the Los Angeles Rams, they received draft picks and a very good player. Jared Verse has only been in the league for two seasons, but he earned a Pro Bowl berth both years. That says something, right?”
• Browns QBs Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders preparing together before camp (Jared Mueller) – “The Cleveland Browns are just a week away from rookies reporting for training camp, with veterans arriving a few days after. Generally, the quarterbacks are first to arrive, along with the rookies, to set the stage for camp. For the Browns, the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be the primary focus, with HC Todd Monken still undecided about who will start and when he will make that decision.”
• Browns roster: Defensive end depth chart and expectations (Jared Mueller) – “Trading Myles Garrett while getting Jared Verse back made for an interesting one-for-one transaction, at least for this season. What about the defensive end room as a whole?”

The Feed

The Browns have had good luck with Kent State men in the past. Just saying.

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