Andy Varejao, Take a Bow
January 2, 2009While We’re Waiting…the Where’s Scott Edition
January 5, 2009I am sure most of you are either watching the NFL playoffs or the Cavs’ battle in Washington against the Wiz. Meanwhile, we haven’t been talking a lot about the Browns since the season ended, and with good reason. What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Well, now with a little time and with the coaching / GM situation pending, I finally have some thoughts. No worries though. It isn’t like I have a cohesive narrative or anything like that, so I give you the writer’s version of Cliff’s Notes with bullets.
- Bud Shaw may have beaten me to the punch, but it needs to be stated again. What is the Browns’ hurry? Maybe it is because I am a little baffled at the thought that the Browns are so in love with Eric Mangini, but why is it that a two week vacation for Mike Shanahan has eliminated him as a candidate for a job that should be on a contract for at least two whole years?
- Speaking of Eric Mangini, what is it that he could have said to impress Lerner so much? I mean, I don’t know Mangini all that well, and he might end up being a great NFL coach, but I don’t know what proof is provided of this by looking at his career or listening to him answer the question, “What would you say is your biggest weakness?”
- On top of that doesn’t it seem a bit out of order? Shouldn’t the Browns hire the GM who is going to provide all the guidance and identity for this franchise going forward? You know the guy who chooses all the talented players to fulfill the identity that is chosen, whether it be smash mouth offense, or overwhelming defense? Shouldn’t he choose the coach so that you don’t have a mismatch between coaching philosophy and talent acquisition?
- And the media with their rumors need to slow down too. I don’t know how much real analysis we can do when half the time it feels as if we are analyzing the brain farts of some bored east coast sportswriter who has been fed a load of bunk by some agent.
- Speaking of the media, I was listening to Jason Whitlock fill in for Jim Rome and he had some interesting points about character and how it relates to success in the NFL. It led me to a conclusion about two of the Browns’ most controversial talents, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards. According to Whitlock’s philosophies there can be a striking difference drawn between the two players. They both are distractions at times and both appear to be me-first types of players. There is one big difference. Kellen Winslow lives and breathes football 1000%. Yes he hurt himself on a motorcycle, but that wasn’t a hobby that he got into because of his fame.Braylon Edwards on the other hand wants to be an actor. He wants to be a philanthropist and talk about it. He couldn’t wait to talk to the national media after the MNF victory over the Giants. Football provides an avenue to other things for Braylon. Winslow only cares about playing his butt off in the games week in and week out. So, my conclusion is that they both might have to go, but in terms of their hierarchy of chemistry potential to the team, Winslow should always be considered a bigger asset to the team because he is football first, while Braylon probably fits into that category occupied by Tiki Barber. (Wow, that was a long bullet point.)
- You remember Derek Anderson? Stupid question, I know. I would like to introduce you to the next Derek Anderson. His name is Matt Cassell. Derek Anderson was the beneficiary of about the easiest schedule in the history of professional football when he passed the Browns to 10 victories. Well, look at the road that Cassell had to drive the Patriots down this season on his way to 11 wins. The Pats only played two real games this year against the Colts and Steelers. They lost them both. The story out of New England today is that the Pats will franchise Matt Cassell this year in hopes of either trading him or using him in case Tom Brady doesn’t really recover. Just watch out, all those who have designs of having Cassell recreate his 11 wins in some other NFL town next year. First of all, Cassell had the Patriots and Randy Moss. Second of all, they had seemingly the easiest schedule in the league this year. Sounds a lot like DA, doesn’t it?
- The Browns are in a bad place right now, but don’t you all feel just a little bit lucky? I do. The Detroit Lions are the most historically horrendous team in the history of the game of football right now. For all the complaining about Lerner and his ownership of the Browns, it would be much worse in cities like Oakland or Cincy. Just ask our friends at the Who Dey Revolution. Anyway, I don’t truly expect it to make you feel better, but at least we can get change when we hit rock bottom. Try getting any kind of change in Cincy or Oakland.
- One school of thought will tell us that the Browns got lucky that Bill Cowher wasn’t interested in the Browns’ coaching vacancy. According to KC Joyner and his research, NFL head coaches have a 10-year lifespan on average. The stats indicate that most head coaches from year 11 on are wildly less successful than the first 10. Of course statistics are only as successful as their lack of ouliers. Only time will tell if Cowher can buck the trend.
Well, that’s it for now. Hopefully 2009 will prove to be a better year for the Browns.
20 Comments
looks like the browns essentially have kokinis and Mangini.
[Cleveland.com]
That pesky difficulty-of-schedule thing is always remembered the year after an unexpected success when a team, like water, finds its own level. The same writers who are throwing roses at Miami and Atlanta this year were anointing Savage and Romeo exactly a year ago. If the Browns go 9-7 next year it doesn’t necessarily indicate that the right people are in place. To me, we’ll know it’s right when we can compete to win the division on a yearly basis, regardless of schedule, injuries, etc.
The hastiness of this search is a bit inexplicable — Lerner continues to create discomfort with his conduct. How about we be thorough, consider every and all candidates and get it right this time? From my admittedly limited perspective as a fan, it just seems as if Lerner wants to get this hire done and then get out of dodge again. I don’t understand that guy – probably never will….
“…but at least we can get change when we hit rock bottom.”
We just ditched one former NE defensive coordinator and one former Baltimore personnel director, and Randolph’s top choices now are another former NE defensive coordinator and a Baltimore personnel director…
Don’t worry, we’re not far from seeing Randolph lumped in with the likes of Al Davis and Mike Brown.
The Browns will play these teams next year:
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Oakland, San Diego, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Minnesota
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kansas City, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit
Certainly doesn’t seem impossible, but you never know from year to year who’s going to improve/regress. I say 10-6. Why not:)
@MJ… I have been thinking a lot about this and I am not ready to jump to conclusions on the entire Bill Belichick tree just because Romeo didn’t work. I think that it is simplistic of us to come to that conclusion. Each person is completely different, obviously. Eric Mangini, while not someone I am excited about this second, might very well be the next great NFL coach. There is certainly a track record for some guys who have done really well in their second jobs. And come to think of it, Mangini didn’t exactly have a horrible record considering he was with an oft-injured Chad Pennington, and the steaming corpse that is Brett Favre for the past three seasons.
So, I think we can be critical of the perceived speed of this process, but I don’t think we can just sit on high and say that Mangini would be a failure here because like Romeo, he came from the Bill Belichick camp. It is an argument that seemingly makes sense on paper, but realistically, it doesn’t hold water.
Look at your classmates or coworkers and think if they go onto other jobs if they are going to be as good at it as you are yourself. They came from the same company or school, but that doesn’t mean that they are qualified to the same degree that you are.
That argument makes sense, Craig. I, however, extend it a bit further and say that no one from Belichick’s tree will ever be successful on his own… without Bill. Belichick has a very distinct, very unique style, and it works for him because of his insanely meticulous, detail-oriented, sweat-the-minutae style. Those guys can thrive as part of that, but they will never be able to re-create it. For my money, if Pioli is so imporant, why aren’t the Pats promoting him to keep him? Why did they let Dimitroff walk? Romeo? Weiss? Mangini? And yet, after losing ALL OF THOSE GUYS, they’re still successful. Why is that?
Obviously, if they don’t talk to Shanahan, I will be livid beyond belief with this team. He’s the guy I want (in a vacuum, of course).
I will be unhappy with Mangini, for two reasons: 1) lump together everything I said above. 2) Tell me how he’s different that Crennel. Stoic, teams fade, teams don’t seem focused. Yeah, I want four more years of that, please.
I agree with everything DP just said. I just havent seen evidence that anyone from the Belichick tree will be a successful head coach. To Mangini’s credit, he did the best so far, his 2 winning seasons were against relatively easy schedules. I just dont see the harm in broadening the horizons at this stage. It also seems strange that Mangini hasnt gotten any looks from other teams. Maybe that should be a hint to the browns.
agree – Randy slow down and hire a GM to hire your coach
disagree – Winslow must stay … we need his drive to win and competitiveness
agree – Cassell might not get 11 wins next year
disagree – Cassell has touch and is a passer … DA is just a thrower with no vision
I really dont know who would be the best coach for our Brownies but like many of you I feel very skeptical of Mangini. I would much prefer Shanahan or even Schwarts from the Titans. Heck, I think it wouldnt be bad for Randy to call up Cowher with a large offer.
As for the schedule, I will be disappointed if we dont come close to 10 wins next season. We are playing the AFC West for crying out loud! San Diego is the only team that has a decent defense. Granted this could chage after free agency and the draft.
Unfortunately, I see no difference between us and Oak/Cincy. This is why I’m 98% done with this “franchise”.
I sometimes sit and think how great it would be if the Browns never came back and I became a Steeler fan. I believe I would be MUCH happier.
Hey Craig,
Excellent point. I don’t rule out Mangini (or anyone, for that matter) just because they come from the Belichick tree, although I am admittedly very skeptical seeing how far from the tree the fruit has fallen to this point.
I just thought your line about change was ironic, since hiring this particular tandem strikes me as more of the same. Fire Romeo & Savage and hire the two guys that replaced them in their respective organizations… it’s Groundhog Day to me. There is the chance that together they could achieve Belichick/Pioli-like success… but it comes to Lerner’s track record, I’m from Missouri. His next good decision as owner will be his first, and I have no faith the Browns will turn it around short of a drastic organizational upheaval….
I’m with Humboldt (comment #3)… it seems clear that Randolph just wants to get this hire over with as quickly as possible so he can get out of dodge and go back to saying “I hire the people, what else do you want me to do?”
Good stuff, Craig.
In regard to 2009, we already have Miami, Baltimore and Atlanta setting the bar for turn-around stories. While I can’t see three of them next year, whomever is appointed GM/HC already has their work cut out for them thanks to the rookie head coaches on other squads…
Is it just me or does anyone else feel this way. Mangini is a bum. Lerner wants someone with HC experience, Shanahan is there. Make it too enticing for Cowher to say NO. McKay developed TB into a Super Bowl winner with the hiring of the right coach they went out and got him. I feel I can be GM. Hire Shanahan, draft Mauluga at #5, draft Derrick Williams from PSU in the 2nd and a RB in the 3rd, run a 4-3 because we don’t have the personnel for a 3-4. Trade Edwards, we don’t need him.
(WFNY Note: This Rick is not the “Rick” that edits WFNY)
Why doesn’t Jeff Fisher have a tree? I would like to see Floyd Reese interviewed along with Jim Schwartz. I would also like to see Rex Ryan interviewed as well. I have no idea if these guys would be the answer but at least give them an interview.
Rick… we have no pick in the third round this year. also, drafting Rey at #5 is way earlier then any thing ive seen, and even though its really extremely early, people dont jump into the top 5, when they arent projected top 10 right now. Cowher isnt coaching the browns in 2009.
After hearing Cowher saying he won’t coach in 2009, it kind of makes you wonder if Lerner jumped the gun. He would have pissed people off, but keeping Savage and promoting Chud would have been questioned, but how good would he have looked if he pulled Cowher out from behind the curtain in 2010. Now, we the fans would have been pissed if nothing happened, but grow a pair Randy, get a clue… fill in your own cliche.
Also, I don’t see what the rush is either. There seem to be a number of “qualified” candidates for coach, but not one seems to be a lock so why rush. Interview 10 or 15 and then get a list of 5 that you want to see back after you hire McKay away from Atlanta.
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I really don’t care where Rey is projected. We need a MLB and he is the man to get there. Trade down if needed. Have you watched that boy play. He is a beast… He can cover, run, tackle, blitz, the total package. Merriman wasn’t regarded as that high of a pick and look what he has done. I don’t want to hear people mention Laurenitis or Wells. Both are extremely overrated. Laurentitis makes tackles, but they are 10 yards down field for the most part. His positives are pass coverage and blitzing. I think he should shed a few lbs and become a SS in the NFL. Wells come on, Chris Beanie Wells? Should be Chris I get tackled and hurt Wells. Can this guy stay healthy? NO! Proved it again last night. What happens when Ray Lewis and James Harrison put a lick on him, can you say Mendenhall. If we don’t go with Rey then Jenkins is the only other option. I like Maybin but he has not proved himself. 1 good year against a weak schedule doesn’t do it for me.