Six Step Plan (For Dummies) To Fix a Football Team: Cleveland Browns Edition

So the Cleveland Browns are bad, real bad, bad like the last 10 years since they came back never happened and all of Cleveland has just been transported back to 1999 and the expansion year.

So the question that every keeps asking is, what to do now?

Sad to say this, but whatever we (as fans) want to see, will most likely not happen at all, but here is a list that I put together as a Six Step Dummies Guide to help fix the Browns right now.

 

Step one: Fire Eric Mangini.

This is one that is a no-brainer because first and foremost look at the New York Jets right now. Some of those players played for Mangini and then there are a bunch of new guys that head coach Rex Ryan brought on board with him and they are now 3-0.

Ryan obviously was more than willing to trade away all of Mangini’s dead weight, and fortunately for Ryan, Mangini wanted all of that dead weight, so all those players got traded here to Cleveland.

This should have been a clue when Mangini keep bringing on all of his average and mediocre talent from the Jets, but we as fans were too caught up in the “bringing his guys to help teach his ways” thing that was being preached to us.

I hate being preached to and I even bought into it.

 

Step two: Promote Assistant Head Coach Brad Seely to Head Coach.

Seely has been a Special Teams Guru for many years and it is unfortunate that he just came from the Patriots, because I’m not really a fan of the Patriots coaching tree anymore, but Seely is a little bit different than most that have come out of New England.

He has been coaching in the NFL for 20 years now for teams besides the Patroits including: the Colts, Panthers, and Jets.

Seely was with the Patriots most recently and since 1999, but the fact that he has held other positions with other teams makes him a viable option.

Either the Browns give Seely his shot right now or another team will and since he has been in the NFL for so long he may actually be successful as a head coach.

 

Step three: Trade away Derek Anderson before the trading deadline.

So Quinn may not be much better, but at least Quinn protects that ball and doesn’t throw three interceptions in one half of a game.

Anderson may not have much value at all, but the Browns should still be able to get at least a fifth round pick for him, which is better than nothing.

 

Step four: Bench cornerback Brandon McDonald.

McDonald is just a below average corner that was grandfathered into a starting role somehow.

If you take a look at the Ravens game again, you will see that almost every single pass that Joe Flacco threw was to the receiver that McDonald was covering (or attempting to cover).

He is no more than a nickel or dime back at most, and it is time to move up rookie cornerback Coye Francies into the starting spot to see what he is made of.

Yes, opposing offenses will throw at Francies a lot, but his aggressiveness may also produce better results than what McDonald is doing.

 

Step five: Play the rookies and younger players immediately.

So the Browns do not like to play most of their rookies for some insane reason, but then you see every other NFL team playing their rookies and getting production out of them.

What a concept!

Now is the time to to start Mohamed Massaquoi at wide receiver and bring in Brian Robiskie as the No. 3 and slot receiver.

Also, it is time to bench linebacker David Bowens for David Veikune and Alex Hall. Bowens is washed up and with two young players waiting in the wings, your time is up Bowens.

And please get Brodney Pool out of the starting lineup and keep Mike Adams in the game at safety. Sorry Pool, but you just don’t have what it takes to be a starter at the NFL level (Elam gets a pass, but he is only a little better than Pool).

Eric Barton may be teaching D’Qwell Jackson how to be a leader on the defense, but Barton needs to move out of the way at and Kaluka Maiava get some reps, because Maiava is a berserker (Veikune is a berserker too) and he needs to be in the lineup making plays like he is back home hunting wild boar with his bare hands.

Get cornerback Gerard Lawson into the game and bury Hank Poteat into the deepest depths of the depth chart. Lawson may be raw, but he has talent, speed, and he plays aggressive defense too. The Browns need all the aggressive play they can get right now because in the second half of the Ravens game the whole team looked flat.

 

Step six: Loosen up on these players a bit.

Perfect example of this is look at head coach Tom Coughlin before the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Coughlin was a disciplined, hard-nosed, my way or the highway coach and that only brought drama and peril to that team.

Then Coughlin loosened up the next year, partly because he had to or he probably would have been fired, and look what happened…they won a Super Bowl.

Sometimes being a hard-nosed disciplinarian can be a bad thing and the Browns do not need an a-hole, they need someone who will tell them when they are wrong and discipline them, but they also need a guy who will tell them when they have done good things too (something I don’t think Mangini does at all).

 

In the end, this may or may not happen, but what do you think the Browns should do to get better? Sound it off.

 

(Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper)

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Walker Sports College Football Poll: There’s Plenty of Upsets

There were plenty of upsets this weekend across the college football landscape. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there is plenty of movement in this week’s edition of the Walker Sports College Football Poll, so let’s not waste any more time and go right to the poll.

1. Florida Gators

Tim Tebow had the flu, but the Kentucky Wildcats were no match. A great first half and an average second half equals out to be another Florida win.

2. Texas Longhorns

UTEP never stood a chance. Colt McCoy and the Longhorns are on a mission that does not end until January.

3. Boise State Broncos

Yes you read this correctly, Boise State is in the top five in the country. The Broncos are legit and they will be in a BCS game. Just watch.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Hanging around, and they now have the blueprint to knock off Florida in the SEC Championship game should they get there.

5. LSU Tigers

See Bama.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes

Yet again the Buckeyes seem to be emerging as the cream of the crop in the Big 10. Expect another lost in a BCS game to the Big 12.

7. Virginia Tech Hokies

Jumping up a few spots after a very impressive win against the Miami Hurricanes.

8. Oklahoma Sooners

Next week’s game against Miami could very well tell the story for the Sooners 2009 season.

9. TCU Horned Frogs

Great win in a hostile environment. The Horned Frogs proved they may be best team in the Mountain West and ready to contend on the national scene.

 

10. USC Trojans

Matt Barkley is back and the Trojans got themselves back on track just in time.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Still need to find a way to get some defense or else this season will be a total loss.

12. Cincinnati Bearcats

At least someone is representing the Big East. Good luck in that rematch with Va. Tech.

13. Penn State Nittany Lions

Yet again Iowa comes in to ruin the perfect season. Man that’s trippy.

14. Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are better than I thought but still don’t see much of a future in the SEC East.

15. Houston Cougars

This team is really taking off. Knocking off Texas Tech last week was impressive.

 

16. Iowa Hawkeyes

Two years in a row the Hawkeyes have had what it takes to beat Penn State. This time they did it in front of 90,000.

17. Cal Bears

Talk about choking. Nothing about Saturday’s game was good.

18. Kansas Jayhawks

Still hanging around in the Big 12 North, this will be an interesting journey for the Jayhawks.

19. BYU Cougars

It will be great to see the game when the Cougars and the Horned Frogs match up.

20. Mississippi Rebels

Ole Miss may be the one team that the Cal Bears can look at and say, “I’m glad I’m not them.”

21. Michigan Wolverines

Rich Rod is putting the pieces together. Give him a few seasons and something big will happen.

22. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Great win over the Tar Heels has Paul Johnson’s crew back into the mix in the ACC.

23. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Rebounding after a heart breaker on the road last week. All the Cornhuskers have to do is focus and worry about beating out Kansas.

24. Oregon Ducks

Chip Kelly has his team back on track. It took a while to install his ideals, but now his players are responding.

25. Miami Hurricanes

This is still a good team. They just played a better and more experienced team on Saturday.

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Panthers-Cowboys Preview

NFL Football Betting Preview by Jay of BangTheBook.com
Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Monday, September 28^th, 8:35PM Eastern

Online Sportsbook betting line – Dallas -9.5, 47.5 O/U

The Dallas Cowboys fell to the New York Giants, 33-31, in the regular season debut at the new Cowboys Stadium in Week 2.

The Cowboys must put the tough loss behind them and focus on Week 3, when they host the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football. In 2008, Carolina shared the best record with the Giants with a 12-4 mark.

However, the Panthers have taken a different path early in 2009 dropping by their first two games.

The Panthers have glaring holes on both sides of the ball heading into Monday night. Linebacker Na’il Diggs, strong safety Chris Harris, fullback Brad Hoover, and rookie defensive end Everette Brown are all not expected to play due to injury.

The Panthers—who were considered by some to be the best team in the NFC South—cannot afford to drop to 0-3.

They have a tough mountain to climb without some key starters and a struggling offense that has yet to play well.

QB Jake Delhomme threw four interceptions in the Panthers opening blowout loss to Philadelphia. Delhomme has been under the microscope since throwing five picks in the 2008 NFC Divisional Round against Arizona.

Delhomme bounced back somewhat last week, completing 61 percent of his passes for 308 yards.

However, Delhomme was only able to throw one touchdown and tossed another interception. The Panthers quarterback has now thrown 10 picks in his last three games dating back to 2008.

However, hopefully Delhomme can shake early season troubles against a defense that produced just eight interceptions all of last season (third worst in the NFL).

If the Panthers offense is to establish success, it will likely happen on the ground. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart may be the best duo in the NFL, combining for over 2,300 yards in 2008.

Williams is the most explosive of the two and will get the most touches. However, that is not to downplay Stewart, who is averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 20 attempts this season. Carolina needs both to have a big game and to take pressure off of the passing game.

Still, when Delhomme does drop back, he will be looking to get the ball in the hands of Steve Smith. Smith is an electric playmaker who has carried the passing game on his back for some years.

Smith has reached the 1,000-yard plateau in four straight seasons and knows how to find the end zone. Expect the Panthers to try to get him the ball to create an offensive boost. 

The Cowboys on the other hand have to be careful given their condition.

They are coming off a last-second loss to the division rival Giants and are now taking on a struggling 0-2 team. However, the Panthers are still a solid bunch who cannot be taken lightly.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the defense has been their inability to get into the backfield. The Cowboys led the NFL with 59 sacks in 2008 and OLB DeMarcus Ware also led the league with 20 solo sacks.

However, Dallas is the only team in the NFL yet to record a sack. It is imperative they get into the Panthers backfield and force Delhomme to make mistakes.

The Cowboys have been less than stellar on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 438 ypg in just two outings as well. Early season statistics can be misleading, but the Dallas defensive front has not lived up to its potential. 

One of the big concerns in Dallas was who would provide the big play at the wide receiver position.

The question still may have not been answered. However, the Cowboys have gotten solid production from Patrick Crayton, Roy Williams, and always reliable TE Jason Witten.

Witten leads the team with 10 catches, but Crayton, Williams, and Miles Austin are all averaging 20-plus yards per catch.

Romo has been scrutinized for not being the superstar that media has perceived him to be. Romo threw three picks in last week’s loss.

The Dallas quarterback has not thrown an interception in just six games, dating back to the end of the 2006 season. Romo needs to limit his habit of throwing dangerous passes and give the Cowboys offense a bit more ball control.

Also, keep an eye on the Cowboys rushing game. Marion Barber may sit out due to a quadriceps injury, which would give the workload to Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

Jones has just 13 carries on the year, but has amassed 113 yards. The loss should not hurt the Cowboys unless Jones wears down late in the game when Barber is known for playing his best football.

BTB’s NFL Pick – Dallas owns the series, winning the last seven regular season meetings. However, given the letdown effect, the game will be closer than expected. Cowboys should win, but likely they do not cover the points. Take Carolina +9.5.

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Inside the Huddle: Week Three: Forte, Slaton, Jones-Drew and More

Matt Forte and Steve Slaton continue to disappoint owners. Maurice Jones-Drew was the offensive player of the week. Terrell Owens was held without a catch. Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Detroit 19, Washington 14

• Jason Campbell, one of the sleeper selections for this week (click here to view), had a huge week. He went 27-for-41 for 340 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT, hooking up with Santana Moss (10 catches for 178 yards and 1 TD) early and often. It’s tough to base anything off of this one game, but this may have been the medicine Moss needed to get himself going. With their next game coming against Tampa Bay, it’s likely that they keep things rolling another week, so now is not the time to sell high.
• Clinton Portis could be a different story, though they aren’t really selling high. He carried the ball 12 times for 42 yards, while adding one catch for six yards. He was questionable heading into the game, with bone spurs in both of his ankles. That’s not an injury that’s just going to go away, making him a risky option moving forward.
• Matthew Stafford was solid, going 21-for-36 for 241 yards and 1 TD, but it was Kevin Smith who was the big start, rushing the ball 16 times for 101 yards, as well as adding three catches for 18 yards. Considering he entered the game with just 103 yards on the ground, it’s a great sign.

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After Feasting on Cupcake, What Best Serves the Eagles’ Future?

While the national media’s focus was on the return of quarterback Michael Vick, other Eagles with less experience fueled the Philadelphia Eagles 34-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The win moved the Eagles to 2-1 heading into the bye week, with a lot decisions to make.

Vick was a pedestrian 0-2 passing and one seven-yard run near the Eagles’ red zone in the second quarter.

Vick, as he was on the field, is the Eagles’ ultimate smoke screen.

While the media focus is on Vick, the Eagles face several questions.

When Donovan McNabb returns, maybe as soon as Oct. 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, what will happen to the Eagles roster, especially at quarterback?

If I were the Eagles, I would sit McNabb down until the Monday game Oct. 26 at Washington. After playing at home against the Bucs, the Eagles travel to Oakland on Oct. 18.

The odd man out when McNabb returns could be Jeff Garcia, who is a valuable commodity in tutoring present starter Kevin Kolb.

Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 300 yards in his first two games, as he completed 24/34 passes for 327 yards, no interceptions and two touchdowns.

The Eagles have not had this many offense weapons since, um, er, Terrell Owens and a healthy McNabb and Brian Westbrook.

Speaking of Westbrook, LeSean “Shady” McCoy filled in quite nicely with 84 yards on 20 carries including his first NFL touchdown.

DeSean Jackson continued to establish himself as a star NFL wide receiver with six catches for 149 yards, including an electrifying 64-yard catch and run in the second quarter, emphasized with a cartwheel and split.

All on a sore groin? His maturing process will continue after coaches and teammates talk to him, but it is entertaining.

The real keeper in this bunch, however, is Brent Celek. Celek, who had eight catches for 104 yards and a 26-yard touchdown catch where he split two Chief defenders. Celek gains the tough yards and is an essential piece of any West Coast offense.

Westbrook will probably play against the Bucs following the buy and will split time with McCoy.

Vick will continue to get near 10 plays a game. The tricky thing is to keep him satisfied with his playing time.

He was criticized by a fan on the radio for his “Superman” comment earlier in the week, but as usual, the quote was taken out of context. He was making light of the situation when he said he would not be “Superman” in his first game back to the NFL.

The real meat of the Eagles’ schedule comes in November, when they have home games against the Giants, Cowboys, and travel to San Diego. That is a tough stretch.

What would I like to see in the Eagles quarterback situation?

Somehow, keep Garcia on the roster and if they have to, ask him to voluntarily retire and become the quarterbacks coach.

That is not likely to happen and when McNabb returns, Garcia leaves.

Thanks, Jeff.

Go Eagles! Let the youth be served.

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Get ’em or Don’t Sweat ’em: Week 3

There were some unusual heroes on Sunday. There always are. Let’s take a look at them and see if they are worthy of your fantasy rosters.

 

Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins 

Campbell had a monster game against Detroit with 340 yards, two TDs, and 21 rushing yards. Every now and again Campbell has an outburst like this and then he disappears.  Couple that with the fact that they lost to the Lions. 

Heads could roll in D.C., leaving this situation too risky. It’s one I’d rather avoid.

Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

 

Glen Coffee, RB, San Francisco 49ers

He only managed 54 yards on 25 carries (2.2 yards per carry), but it was against the Minnesota Vikings tough run D. Frank Gore (ankle) is going to be on the shelf for a couple of weeks. You have to pick him up.

Ruling: Get ’em

 

Bryant Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions 

He had a nice game (four catches, 73 yards TD, 11 targets) against Washington, but there is no telling when his next good game will come. Too risky.

Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

 

Kelley Washington, WR, Baltimore Ravens 

Washington put up another solid effort with five catches for 66 yards.  He has outproduced Mark Clayton the past two weeks now. Plus, the Ravens have averaged 34.3 points per game so far this year. 

With the bye weeks coming, Washington is worth grabbing.

Ruling: Get ‘em.

 

Mike Siims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

If you didn’t grab him last week, and he’s still available, you better do so soon. He is the go-to guy for the Jaguars. He had six catches (10 targets) for 81 yards as the Jags beat Houston.

Ruling: Get ‘em.

 

Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

I like Wallace as a player, but I don’t see him being a fantasy force on a regular basis despite his seven catch (eight target), 102 yard effort.

Santonio Holmes was held to one catch. That’s not likely to happen again. Unless Holmes or Hines Ward goes down, you can leave Wallace on the wire.

Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

 

Andre Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati Bengals 

How about those Bengals? Caldwell had his second nice game with six catches (nine targets) for 52 yards and a score. Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry aren’t meeting expectations. 

If Carson Palmer’s trust in Caldwell continues to build, he could be worth a roster spot.  Right now, I’d probably hold off though.

Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

 

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.

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Redskins Media Watch

So, we know this might be the most volatile day in the history of Washington sports talk media. On the radio and on the web, Redskins fans are going to be chiming in on their despair in record numbers.

So consider this just another resource to deposit your angst. If you’re on hold for radio, typing on forums, or just banging out a letter of dismay to Daniel Snyder, feel free to write in here. If you’re listening to local or national radio and television and want to be the first to post the same insane comments analysts will make later, do it here.

Consider this your safe place. It’s the least I can do on this, one of the lowest points in Washington’s football history.

 

Technorati Tags: Washington Redskins

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Albert Haynesworth Watch 2009: Week Three

Finally we get some action from the big guy.

Big Al appeared to have awakened, at least for a few plays, as he was able to wrangle a sack and two solo tackles against the hapless Detroit Lions.

Um, wait a minute….

Did I say “Hapless?” I meant to say HAPPY.

Yes, folks, despite the efforts of Big Al in the trenches this week, Detroit, led by rookie quarterback Matt Stafford, prevailed over the Washington Redskins, putting last year’s O-fer behind them.

If only…

Nah, won’t go there. Stafford and company played well, even though Haynesworth appeared ready to justify his bloated contract.

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, I’m being a little hard on the guy. After all, one man can’t singlehandedly win a football game, can he?

I will say this: one man can most assuredly influence whether or not his team wins. And in Big Al’s defense he is, after all….on defense, and not responsible for scoring points.

I’m sure that for ‘Skins fans, just keeping the other team from scoring would be enough.

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Albert Haynesworth Watch 2009: Week Three

Finally we get some action from the big guy.

Big Al appeared to have awakened, at least for a few plays, as he was able to wrangle a sack and two solo tackles against the hapless Detroit Lions.

Um, wait a minute….

Did I say “Hapless?” I meant to say HAPPY.

Yes, folks, despite the efforts of Big Al in the trenches this week, Detroit, led by rookie quarterback Matt Stafford, prevailed over the Washington Redskins, putting last year’s O-fer behind them.

If only…

Nah, won’t go there. Stafford and company played well, even though Haynesworth appeared ready to justify his bloated contract.

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, I’m being a little hard on the guy. After all, one man can’t singlehandedly win a football game, can he?

I will say this: one man can most assuredly influence whether or not his team wins. And in Big Al’s defense he is, after all….on defense, and not responsible for scoring points.

I’m sure that for ‘Skins fans, just keeping the other team from scoring would be enough.

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Moral Victories Suck…

Yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers missed out on an opportunity to go 3-0 after a powerful defensive performance against Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson. That performance went for naught on a desperation Hail Mary pass with two seconds to go. It should have never gone that far. With under 2:00 minutes remaining on the clock, the Niners shut down the Vikings and took over possession.

Unfortunately, Jimmy Raye choked and called three running plays in a row, allowing enough time for the Vikings to get the ball again and end the 49er hopes. How much does Shaun Hill have to do for the OC to trust him? He could just as easily installed Michael Robinson, his best pass receiver out of the backfield, to catch a swing pass or a fullback delay—ANYTHING, but three straight runs!

THOUGHTS:

~ Vernon Davis officially became a star today with his tremendous pass catching and great blocking.

~ Kudos to the front three on the defensive line of Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin and Justin Smith. Opponents are not going to enjoy trying to run the ball against this group.

~ It’s time to get Jason Hill out of the doghouse and back onto the field. The 49ers can use his ability to step up late in games when neededcould it

~ I don’t know about anyone else, but it was obvious to me (and my wife) that Frank Gore was limping BEFORE the game. He is suffering from a high ankle sprain, which is a nasty form of ankle injury that lingers a lot longer than the predicted two weeks they say he will be out.

~ It’s time to activate Kory Sheets and add some speed and the ability to get outside to the running game. Sheets is a liability as a blocker so he’ll have to be used tactfully.

~ It’s also time to use some of Michael Robinson’s athletic ability. Now in his fourth season, he has thrown ZERO passes, and has not been allowed to run the option. Come on guys, this kid is talented. Mix it up a bit. Vanilla is too bland.

Gary Mialocq
The SF 49er Observer

Copyright @ 2009
All Rights Reserved

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