With Cavs on The Rise, Cleveland Is Slowly Losing The Browns Town Image

A couple years ago, ESPN.com’s Page 2 posted an article regarding sports cities in America.

The subject was both simple and intriguing, as the piece simply looked at various cities and asked which team each town would hate to lose.  Basically, the article established which teams represented the lifeblood of each metropolis.

Most of the results weren’t terribly shocking.  The Red Sox and Yankees topped Boston and New York, respectively.  The Red Wings were listed as the pride of Detroit, while the Lakers were obviously the biggest draw in Los Angeles.

When it came to Cleveland, Page 2 claimed the Browns were the kings of the town.  The reasons were obvious, as it was noted how no city has lost a team only to fight so hard to bring the franchise back home, with all of its history in tact.

However, one quote in this piece really caught my eye.  After discussing why the Browns were the most popular team in the city, noting the passion and attachment fans have with the team, the article stated, “If the Cavaliers were ever taken away from Cleveland, two janitors might look up.”

At the time, this statement may have been pretty true. 

NBA phenomenon LeBron James was a huge draw, but the Cavs weren’t really considered a legitimate threat in the league.  Back then, it was LeBron and friends—nothing more, nothing less.

Now, however, citizens of Cleveland might be witnessing a changing of the guard.

Last week, the Cavs traded for Shaquille O’Neal, one of the biggest names in the NBA.  At 37-years-old, Shaq may not be as dominant as he used to be.  However, he’s still one of the top centers in the league, and is a sure thing to bring more sellout crowds to Quicken Loans Arena.

This offseason, the Cavaliers are stating their goal loud and clear—they want a championship, and they want it now.

While the Cavs’ recent dominance is great news for any Cleveland fan waiting for the 45-year championship drought to end, it should be noted how the team’s recent upswing is affecting the Browns.

For multiple decades, the Browns were indeed the pulse of this city. 

Through good times and bad, football season always had the biggest effects on the citizens.  If the Browns won, Monday’s were practically holidays, whereas a loss can lead to the biggest collection of irritable and bad-tempered natives you’ll ever see.

Bottom line—for the longest time, the Browns were Cleveland.

But things are changing now.  On the south end of town, LeBron James is leading a revolution.

The Cavaliers have made the playoffs four straight years, never to be defeated in the first round.  Though the team was swept in the 2007 NBA Finals, it was the first time a local franchise advanced to a league championship since the ’97 Indians. 

Each time the Cavs run into shortcomings, the organization’s front office spends the offseason upgrading the squad, as seen with the recent Shaq deal.

With LeBron and Shaq playing together, the Cavaliers are now the first Cleveland team in what seems like forever to actually have two big-name superstars on the roster.

So, how does this affect the Browns?

For one, the Browns organization can no longer assume their team is the biggest draw in town.

This assumption was safe in the past. 

It took the Cavaliers forever to become a legitimate franchise.  Home crowds were a joke, as the Cavs were ridiculed in the NBA for years.  The team does have its heroes, but in the end, Mark Price and Brad Daugherty just weren’t as popular as Jim Brown or Bernie Kosar. 

The same can be said about the Indians, as well.  Sure they had a record of consecutive sellout games from ’95-’01, but it should be noted that the majority of this streak occurred while the Browns were removed from the city.

Even when looking at the city’s endless list of heartbreaks, those related to the Browns just seem to sting the most.  Replay Michael Jordan and “The Shot” or Jose Mesa’s blown save all you want, it’s just not as heart-wrenching as having a team uprooted from your town.

These days, however, it would be wise for GM George Kokinis and head coach Eric Mangini to take note that they may not be the big dogs in town anymore (no pun intended).

However, this isn’t meant to be seen as a high school popularity contest.  No, the Browns front office should see this as pressure to become competitive, and soon.

Let’s face it. When given the choice between which team you’d rather see, would you choose a franchise being labeled by multiple sports analysts as “championship caliber,” or one which never seems to leave the rebuilding years?

The economy certainly isn’t making matters any better. 

Now more than ever, fans in Cleveland are going to be keeping tighter budgets.  If the Browns continue to put on weekly displays of ineptitude and losing, you can bet people will second-guess the idea of spending money on tickets.

Think this is a problem the Cavs will be running into anytime soon?

Consider this; the economy took it’s first dive last October, the same month in which the NBA season begins.  However, while the stock market plummeted, LeBron and company drew sellout crowds at nearly every home game.  Fans certainly weren’t discouraged when the team went 39-2 at the Q.

At the same time, during the last game at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2008, the crowd was dismal.  The team was starting Ken Dorsey at quarterback and going for their fifth win in the sixteenth week of the season.

Again, who are you going to pay to see—a team who only lost at home twice, or one which only won at home once?

Its up to Mangini and Kokinis to make the Browns relevant again, because they’re finally facing some tough competition from another local franchise.  This organization hasn’t played second fiddle to a fellow Cleveland team in quite some time, but they certainly can’t sit back and watch the Cavs take over the city. 

Instead, they have to do their best to convince fans in Cleveland that the Browns are worth spending money on.  This will be no easy task, especially with a lack of credible talent and still no starting quarterback.

If they fail to do so, those same fans know they can find some quality sports entertainment by taking a ten minute walk down East 9th Street. 

With Contract Year Looming, What Can We Expect From Braylon Edwards?

The Cleveland Browns have quite a decorated history of wide receivers.  Dub Jones, Dante Lavelli, Marion Motley, Gary Collins, Paul Warfield, Dave Logan and Webster Slaughter are among some of the greatest to ever play in Cleveland.

However, the Browns have also had their fair share of problematic wideouts as well.  Who can forget Quincy Morgan, Kevin Johnson, Andre Rison, Dennis Northcutt and even Donte Stallworth?  Well, if you haven’t forgotten them, you’ve certainly spent the past few years trying your hardest.

Yet, through this mixed bag of gems and busts, no receiver has been as enigmatic and complicated as the Browns’ current No. 1 target.  Yes, when it comes to an overall inexplicable and thought provoking career path, it gets no better than Braylon Edwards.

If you’ve been following Cleveland football for the past few years, I don’t have to tell you what it is about “B-Easy” that makes him so perplexing. 

You probably saw his rookie season in 2005, where he showed quite a bit of potential before being sidelined due to injury.  In the years following, you watched Edwards blossom from a pretty good receiver on a terrible team to a breath taking, record breaking, highlight making touchdown machine.

Yes, after the breakthrough 2007 season, which ended at the Pro Bowl, hopes were high for Edwards coming into 2008.

And then, it happened.

On the first ball thrown to him, Edwards broke open for a long fade route against Dallas in the season opener.  It would’ve been a sure touchdown, a catch which could’ve changed the tune of the game.

Instead, it slipped through Edwards’ hands.

This sight, met with groans so loud you could hear them in Canada, became the broken record of the Browns ’08 season.  By the end of the year, Edwards was a marked man in Cleveland. 

Fans turned on him.  They let him hear it anytime he dropped a ball he undoubtedly would’ve hung onto in years previous.  By the end of the season, No. 17 jerseys were becoming an endangered species at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

He threw more gas on the fire when he claimed fans were only hard on him because he played at the University of Michigan.  As 2008 came to an end, Edwards had put together one of his worst seasons as a pro, both on the field and off.

Now, Edwards is embarking on what could be the most important season of his professional career.  In the final year of his current contract with Cleveland, 2009 will be the utter definition of “make or break.”

Every player in any sport knows the importance of a contract season.  Edwards’ will have one final year to prove to the Browns and the rest of the NFL that he is indeed a player who deserves top dollar.  A year full of impact plays and incredible stats will result in huge contract offers from around the league.  A poor season will lead to salary cuts, as the world will see how, more often than not, Edwards just doesn’t merit a blockbuster deal.

So, with this in mind, which Braylon Edwards will Browns fans be seeing this year?  Will he be breaking touchdown records again?  Or will he be trying to see just how many times a receiver can lead the league in drops and still retain his position as No. 1 wideout?

Its no secret how Browns fans feel about Edwards.  They’ve grown tired of his antics and wish he’d just shut up and catch the ball.  When trade rumors began to surface regarding a deal sending Edwards to New York, many people in Cleveland were ready to say good riddance.

Coming into this season, Edwards will no doubt still receive skepticism throughout Browns Town.  However, he could change this tune by simply showing off the skills fans came to love two years ago.

There are a few reasons to believe Edwards may break out of his current funk this year.

Let’s face it, nobody understands the importance of this season quite like Edwards.  He knows everyone in the NFL will be keeping tabs on his stats, deciding whether or not he’ll deserve big money as a free agent in 2010. 

Due to this fact, Edwards will undoubtedly try his hardest to show his critics how his stats in 2007 were not a mirage.  Knowing how no team will give millions of dollars to a wideout with a severe case of the “dropsies,” he may spend much of this offseason working on his hands so as to become a more reliable target.

If this is indeed the case, it seems as though he has a good coaching staff to dig him out of the hole he’s put himself in.

During the team’s OTAs and voluntary mini-camps, head coach Eric Mangini worked with his staff in attempting to solve another Browns mystery–linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.  In attempts to make him more effective, Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan moved Wimbley around on the field, testing his ability in different positions.  Where the previous regime seemed intent on waiting for Wimbley to figure out his own problems, the new personnel is seeing what they can do to unlock the talent hidden in a once-threatening linebacker.

I struggle to believe this staff won’t try the same thing with Edwards.

Say what you want about how awful last year was, but the idea of Edwards being a great receiver still isn’t terribly inconceivable.  I know this, and so does the Browns front office.

With this in mind, I think the coaches will do what they can to get their big-name receiver back to his productive ways.

The new bosses already seem to be effecting Edwards.  In his post-practice interviews, he just sounds like a different player.  His quotes aren’t laced with the “me first” attitude contained in each press conference from last year.  Heck, even after being forced to practice in the rain, Edwards came up with reasons as to how it could benefit the team as a whole.

Mangini’s discipline will most likely yield results for Edwards on the field, and it may also give him a different perspective mentally.  He won’t feel the need to run around barefoot at practice, and he’ll be spending a lot of time studying the new routes and plays being implemented by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, as the excuse of having a new coach certainly won’t earn him a pass for a terrible season.

However, while Edwards will certainly try his hardest to earn a big paycheck this year, there are more than a few factors playing against him.

The biggest enemy Edwards will face this year will be pressure.  Pressure to perform to the best of his capabilities, and pressure to do this on a weekly basis.

This will be quite a task, as I believe it was the same burden which became too heavy for him last year.

During the 2008 campaign, the Browns were expected to bust out of the AFC cellar, which lead to them being scheduled for five primetime games.  Of all the players on the roster, Edwards was the one who was supposed to anchor fantasy teams throughout the country.

Unfortunately, the spotlight became too bright for the Browns wideout.  He talked multiple times throughout the year about how he was putting too much weight on his own shoulders when it came to playing his best.  His stats continued to do anything but disprove this.

While the Browns won’t be gracing Monday Night Football as much as last year, his upcoming contract expiration may be even more of a task than performing for a huge TV audience.

He’ll also spend 2009 facing more defensive pressure than ever before. 

Regardless of his off-year last season, most defensive coordinators around the league aren’t going to sleep on Edwards.  They’ve seen what he can do when he’s on his game, and they won’t risk letting him find a rhythm on the field.

However, the biggest reason for the tough coverage he’ll receive has nothing to do with his ability to be an impact player.  Instead, it’ll be because there are no other legitimate receiving threats in Cleveland.

Rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi are untested, David Patten is on the wrong side of 30, and while tight end Steve Heiden can be reliable, he won’t give defensive coordinators nightmares. 

This being said, Edwards will be a prime target for coverage regardless of how many drops he accumulates.  Try as he may, he’ll never be able to convice opposing teams to yell, “TRIPLE COVERAGE ON MIKE FURREY!”

So, will Braylon Edwards put his best foot forward this year?  I’d like to believe so.

But, will his task of becoming an impact player be more difficult than ever before? Definitely.

Its his last chance to prove he’s not an overrated prima donna, and if he comes through on top, nobody benefits more than the Browns.

Why the Cleveland Browns’ Quarterback Competition May Have Ended Before It Began

There are more than a few quarterback competitions raging throughout the NFL, but none is gaining more attention than Brady Quinn vs. Derek Anderson in Cleveland.

Plenty of writers here at the Bleacher Report have given their opinions on why they feel the Golden Boy from Notre Dame or the Moose from Scappoose should be the man in charge of the Cleveland Browns offense. 

Some feel it’s fate that Quinn leads the team he grew up rooting for, while others believe Anderson’s long ball and Pro Bowl resume is more than enough reason to make him the starter.

Regardless of who’s supporting who, coach Eric Mangini has already stated he is waiting until deep into the preseason to make an official decision on his starting quarterback.

However, while Mangini is notorious for holding his cards close to his chest, there are plenty of signs and indications leaving me to question whether there ever really was a quarterback competition to begin with.

As of now, Mangini claims the race between his two quarterbacks is dead even (yes, I said two quarterbacks, Brett Ratliff will not start for Cleveland). 

Honestly, though, I believe he’s known the identity of his starter for quite some time now—Brady Quinn.

First off, let me state this will not be an article filled with Quinn praising and Anderson bashing.  There will be no “Quinn should start because he’s awesome and DA is dumb” arguments.

Instead, I’m basing my stance on the fact that there are just too many factors with the Browns which do nothing but complement Quinn’s style, while also highlighting Anderson’s weaknesses.

The first thing to look at is what Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are saying about their plans for the Browns offense.

Throughout the offseason, the coaching staff has claimed they are building a short-yardage, game-managing and run-first offense. The addition of bulk to the offensive line, along with Mangini’s praise of backup running backs Jerome Harrison and James Davis, further solidifies this.

So, with the offensive coaches placing the running attack as top priority, it would seem as though Derek Anderson’s flame-throwing ability will go underused if he’s the starter.

Furthermore, Anderson has shown his struggles with short throws in the past. Many times in the last couple seasons, he’s managed to be accurate with throws downfield, but oddly unreliable throwing screens or quick slant routes. 

In order to be an effective quarterback in a short-yardage game plan, these passes must be completed.

With Quinn, however, these routes are among his specialties. During his three games last year, he proved to be precise in hitting receivers and halfbacks running these patterns, even when he was flushed out of the pocket.

Another factor which leads me to believe Quinn may have already won the job is the criteria Mangini and crew are using to evaluate the signal-callers.

Mangini talked in a recent press conference about how he’s looking for someone with huddle presence and command. He also wants a quarterback who can effectively run the two-minute drill and can keep his cool during these and other high pressure situations.

Again, the past has shown how Quinn comes out as the favorite in this category.

There were more than a few instances in the past two years where Anderson’s helmet radio went faulty, causing him to have trouble hearing the call.  This, of course, is by no fault of his own. 

The problem was the fact that, instead of improvising and coming up with his own play, he instead wasted a valuable timeout so he could run to the sideline and get the correct call.

This is the NFL. Things go wrong at the most unexpected moments, and a quarterback has to be prepared for anything. If there is confusion with the play calls, it is up to him to think quickly on his feet and come up with the best solution to get the job done.

In regards to huddle presence, it has been documented that many players were unimpressed with Derek Anderson’s ability to control the huddle. Some of his teammates have even been accused of insulting or yelling at Anderson as he attempted to call out the play. A quarterback cannot allow this to happen in his own huddle.

While Anderson has some issues with huddle presence, numerous teammates claimed Quinn was very effective in running the show. Kellen Winslow raved about Quinn’s calming yet convincing demeanor, claiming he was able to effectively make sure everyone stayed focused. 

Winslow is no longer with the team, but many of the players from that huddle still are, and they can certainly attest to his sentiments.

This is yet another sign as to why Quinn could already be the Browns starter. When it comes to huddle presence, there aren’t many secrets as to how effective Quinn and Anderson are (or aren’t) at running the herd. 

If Mangini were to base his decision on huddle command, only to select Anderson, someone who has proven to struggle in this department, it would seem just a little hypocritical.

One of the most important and overall telling indications of who will start for Cleveland is the team’s receiving corps.

With the inevitable severance between the Browns and Donte Stallworth, coupled with the trade of Kellen Winslow, Cleveland has suddenly become pretty depleted when it comes to downfield threats.

The Browns replaced Winslow with veteran tight end Robert Royal, who is known more for his run blocking than Hail Mary routes. The team then added aged receiver David Patten and Mike Furrey, both of whom seem to be possession wideouts. Rookie receiver Brian Robiskie is not heralded for his speed, and while fellow newcomer Mohamed Mossaquoi could be a future fade route target, word is he’s got a lot of room to develop.

Since he is the only legitimate receiving threat on the team, Braylon Edwards will no doubt see a good amount of double coverage, and sometimes triple coverage.  Beyond him, the Browns have a who’s who depth chart of untested rookies and veterans slowed by age. 

What does all this mean? 

Its simple. When looking at the receiving weapons available for either quarterback, the results favor Quinn.

Anderson can undoubtedly throw the ball for miles. The problem is there won’t be too many Cleveland receivers waiting for him at the other end of the throw. 

Case in point, this receiving corps just doesn’t favor a quarterback with a gunslinger throwing style. 

If you’re going to start a quarterback based on your love of the long ball, you want receivers who can complement this. The Browns don’t have these receivers, but what they do have is a group of wideouts who would be more useful in a short-yardage system with a dip and dunk quarterback, a la Brady Quinn.

So, if my hypothesis is true and the coaching staff has indeed decided amongst themselves to start Quinn, then why not tell the world? Why keep putting on this front of a head-to-head race to preseason?

It could be a number of things, really.

Perhaps Mangini feels Anderson has at least earned the right to compete for the position, since he has proven to be effective at times in the past.

Maybe Mangini had so much fun convincing sports analysts around the world just how “enamored” he was with former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, even though he had no intentions of drafting him. 

For all one knows, the coach may just find great joy in jerking the chain of the sports media.

In the end, I know as much about this competition as everyone else. It could be that Mangini intends to focus solely on the imperfections listed about Anderson so he could be ready to start this season.

As of now, though, all signs point to Quinn, and I’d like to think the Browns coaching staff knows this as well.

Another Contract Dispute: Should the Cleveland Browns Keep Phil Dawson?

In the ten years since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL, the team has seen hundreds of faces come and go.  Four different head coaches and GMs, a handful of failed draft picks, and a laundry list of quarterbacks have come to Cleveland without making much noise. 

Yet, through all the years of losing, when roster and coaching changes were as routine as a sunrise, one player has stuck around.  One man has remained with the Browns through the numerous tough times, and those two good times. 

That man is Phil Dawson, place kicker extraordinaire.

In his ten years with the Browns, Dawson has seen it all.  He has been part of the one and only playoff game the team played in since their return.  In 1999, his last second field goal in Pittsburgh with no timeouts left resulted in the rare occurrence that is a victory over the Steelers. 

Dawson has been called upon to kick through sunshine and blizzards, and more times than not, he scores.  He’s also the man behind one of the most famous field goals in team history, when his 52-yarder off the stanchion in Baltimore was called no good, then overturned after the game was supposedly over.

Yes, it’s safe to say Phil Dawson is a fan favorite in Browns Town.

Now, Dawson is amidst a contract dispute in Cleveland.  He’s skipped all voluntary workouts and OTAs scheduled for the team so far, leading many to believe he is considering a holdout. 

Although he plans on attending this week’s mandatory minicamp, it’s looking like coach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis will have to handle another contract conflict.

The team’s front office is already dealing with the demands of special teams star Joshua Cribbs, who seems to have eased up on his stance and has been showing up to voluntary workouts despite not getting what he wants. 

Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is also hoping to get an extension on his contract, albeit doing so a bit less publicly than his two teammates. 

So, with a new player asking for more money, the question on everyone’s mind will be, “Is Phil Dawson worth keeping around?”

The most important thing to look at when considering a player’s worth is his stats.  For Phil Dawson, its all good.

Currently, Phil Dawson is the 7th most accurate kicker in the NFL. 

As of the end of the 2008 season, Dawson’s career field goal percentage is an impressive 82.8 percent.  Despite a less than average 66.7 percent in his initial season with the Browns, his percentage has never slipped below 72 percent.

In five of his ten seasons in Cleveland he’s kicked at least one field goal of 50 yards or longer.  Overall, he’s 10-15 kicking from beyond 50 yards.

Like most kickers, Dawson has missed his fair share of chip shots and extra points.  However, he also has five seasons of scoring 100 points or more from field goals.  Though this stat may seem more like an insult to the offense, it is worth noting when a kicker can top the century mark while only scoring three points at a time.

While his stats certainly merit more money, another thing the front office has to consider with contract issues is whether or not the player has a personality which will help the team instead of hurting them.  Kokinis and Mangini felt former tight end Kellen Winslow would be a distraction to the team, which lead to him being dealt to Tampa Bay.

Anyone who follows the Browns knows Phil Dawson is nothing but a class act.

Dawson has dealt with a ton of losing in Cleveland, yet he continues to stick around in hopes of the team going through an uprising.  He’s never been outspoken or carried a personality which was bigger than the team (granted, the NFL rarely sees the phenomenon that is a hot-shot place kicker).

During his time with the Browns, Phil Dawson has been asked to do a lot.  He’s been called on to kick game winning field goals from 50+ yards more often than not.  Some of these kicks have been made in less than desirable conditions, as lake-effect winter has certainly tried to tear him down before.

Yet, there was never any question when it came to asking Dawson to do the impossible.  He never complained to any coach, claiming the distance was too far or the weather was too rough.  He simply trots out to the field and puts his best effort forward.

One instance of this determination occurred last season during a Monday night game in Buffalo.  The Browns offense stalled late in the fourth quarter, 56 yards away from the goal posts, and a field goal would give the team the lead. 

Former coach Romeo Crennel simply looked over to Dawson, who gave a quick nod, walked on the field, and blasted home the eventual game-winner.

So, if you’re looking at stats and character, Phil Dawson is a keeper.  Question is, do Mangini and Kokinis feel the same way?

The facts are facts; a new regime doesn’t know the team as well as former coaches do.  They haven’t worked with these players, therefore they haven’t been able to determine anyone’s worth beyond what game-film shows.

Unfortunately for Dawson, a place kicker is much easier to replace than someone like Josh Cribbs.  While Cribbs can be used on pretty much every side of the ball, Dawson simply has one job to do; kick the ball that way.

In fact, Kokinis has already signed a backup kicker in Parker Douglas, a rookie out of South Dakota State.  Word out of training camp is that Douglas is impressing coaches, which doesn’t help Phil Dawson’s cause.  If Douglas begins to look like a starting kicker, Dawson slowly starts running out of bargaining chips.

Personally, I believe the Browns should keep Phil Dawson. 

He’s one of the best kickers in the NFL and is really the only consistent face the Browns have had in the past ten years.  Dawson has proved to show desire for this team, and though his position is limited, he does everything within his power to win for Cleveland.

If the front office does ultimately decide to reject Phil Dawson’s bid for a new contract, the fans certainly won’t be terribly devastated.  Adam Vinatieri, arguably the best kicker of the past decade, really didn’t destroy New England when he left the Patriots to join the Colts.

However, one thing is true about Phil Dawson: He’s definitely a player whose impact may ultimately go unnoticed until he’s gone.

Still Doubting Eric Mangini? A Look at Browns Mini-Camp May Sway Hesitation

Let’s face it, when Randy Lerner hired Eric Mangini as the new coach of the Browns, people in Cleveland weren’t exactly celebrating with parades down Euclid Avenue.

This comes as no surprise. Mangini had been fired by the New York Jets less than a week before he met with Lerner to discuss the Browns coaching vacancy. 

His Jets started the 2008 season 8-3, but went 1-4 to close out the year and missed the playoffs. Many NFL analysts felt Mangini was better served as a defensive coordinator, at least for the next couple years.

Lerner felt otherwise, but after he brought Mangini to Cleveland, the skepticism began to surge throughout the Browns fanbase.

Mangini didn’t help matters in his first few months with the team.  He alienated Shaun Rogers, stirred up trade rumors involving some of Cleveland’s big-name players, and said about five or six words a month to the media regarding these or any other Browns issues.

However, with the draft over with and voluntary mini-camps in full swing, the mood seems to be shifting. A noticeable change is in the air at Browns headquarters.

As of now, its a change for the better.

Under former coach Romeo Crennel, Browns players usually enjoyed their summers the same way fourth graders do, leisurely running around outside with all their friends.

This routine has come to an abrupt halt. Word out of mini-camp is Eric Mangini has this team tightly organized, as players are no longer standing around wastefully. 

If a player doesn’t know where they’re supposed to be, he’s sure to get an earful. It seems there certainly won’t be much of a casual atmosphere this time around.

This sentiment was further solidified when Joe Thomas was forced to run a lap for going offsides while running a play. 

Thomas getting handed a practice punishment is significant for two reasons.  First, it means nobody is getting treated like a king under Mangini’s watch.

Consider this: Newcomer Brian Robiskie was forced to run a lap during rookie mini-camp for dropping a pass. While its one thing to make a rookie pay for mistakes, its another to make your Pro Bowl left tackle hit the bricks for jumping early. 

With these moves, Mangini is sending a message to his team: I don’t care what you’ve done or how good you are, if you make a mistake, you’re going to pay for it.

Secondly, singling out Joe Thomas for going offsides shows Mangini is trying to attack one of Cleveland’s biggest issues—pre-snap penalties.

The Browns have been near the top of the league for many years now when it comes to pre-snap penalties. Countless Cleveland drives have been stalled, extended, or all out killed thanks to somebody jumping the gun and turning a 3rd-and-10 into a 3rd-and-15. 

While we won’t know how these new practice techniques will translate on the field just yet, the fact is Mangini wants to make his team smarter, and this is one way to reach that goal.

Another positive sign from the “Mangenius” is his willingness to move outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley around in attempts to make him more effective.

Wimbley’s ineffectiveness is no secret to any Browns fan. Part of the reason for this was the former Cleveland regime being a bit too stubborn with him, refusing to move the former rookie standout in hopes he’d develop pass rushing moves.

Last week in mini-camp, Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gave Wimbley a couple plays on the left side of the line (he normally lines up on the right side), and also gave indications that this may happen again. 

This is a creative approach in the Kamerion Wimbley saga, as it seems this coaching staff will be attempting to help him find his potential instead of waiting for it to show up.

In addition to this, Mangini is also starting to look pretty smart in drafting Ohio State wideout Brian Robiskie. 

Several Cleveland media sources are claiming Robiskie is as polished as advertised and has looked very impressive in camp. He caught two redzone touchdowns from Brady Quinn in one day, one of which was a diving catch in the corner of the endzone. 

This has lead some to believe Robiskie has a good chance at filling the hole at No. 2 receiver.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Mangini era is how the players are reacting to this new coaching style.

Here’s a couple quotes from last week regarding some players’ opinions on the new coach:

Wideout Braylon Edwards was asked how he felt about some of the offseason moves Mangini has made, to which he responded, “Coach Mangini is the head guy. He’s made decisions based on what he thinks is going to get us back on the right track and moving forward in the 2009 season.  I’ll stick by him right now. That’s my coach and that’s who I’m going to play for and who I support.”

When the media attempted to get a juicy answer from Brady Quinn regarding the upcoming quarterback competition, he simply said,  “I just take my directions from coach Mangini. Whatever he says, goes.”

Despite players attempting to defend Romeo Crennel before his inevitable firing, rarely did anyone on the Browns imply such authority with their former coach. 

Crennel was obviously viewed as their leader, but there weren’t too many quotes which painted him as “the man in charge.”

The point is Mangini was given a team full of players who couldn’t find the definition of discipline if they were paid extra for it. Now, even Braylon Edwards, a player who was actually able to find an I in team last year, is referring to Mangini as the man with the power.

Will these improvements result in more wins in 2009?  Probably not.  As I mentioned in my 2009 expectations article, an 8-8 record is realistically the best this year’s team could do.

However, working to make the Browns a smart, well-disciplined team was the main goal on Eric Mangini’s to-do list. 

A week into voluntary mini-camp, it looks like he’s already making some positive strides.

Changing of the Guard: A Who’s Who of the Cleveland Browns New Coaching Staff

When Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage were fired by the Cleveland Browns, the majority of their staff was sent packing as well.  Afterwards, Browns owner Randy Lerner brought in Eric Mangini, who had just been released by the New York Jets, and let him decide who to hire onto his coaching staff. 

Oddly enough, Mangini even had a say on who would be his superior, as his connection with George Kokinis was the main reason he was chosen as the new Browns general manager.

So, while everyone in the football world is analyzing the players being brought in by the ManKok regime, I think its about time we profile three of the biggest decision makers on the Browns revamped coaching staff. 

Let’s start at the top:

Eric Mangini

Coach Mangini’s rise in the NFL is the very definition of “full circle.”

Eric Mangini began his life in pro football at the age of 23, taking a ball boy position with the Browns under former coach Bill Belichick.  Even though ball boy is a job typically reserved for a younger crowd, Mangini took whatever opportunity he could to get some experience in the NFL.

Belichick was very impressed with Mangini’s attitude and work ethic, so impressed that he was able to get him promoted twice, from ball boy to public relations intern to an offensive assistant.

When the Browns moved to Baltimore, Mangini followed them, retaining his offensive assistant position for another year before rejoining Belichick in New York with the Jets.  The two hung together in New York until 2000, when Belichick was named head coach of the New England Patriots. 

One of Belichick’s first moves in New England was assigning Mangini as his defensive backs coach.

Mangini made a name for himself in this position for the next four years, until he became New England’s defensive coordinator.  He turned down offers for the same position with Miami, Oakland, and Cleveland in order to stay with the Patriots and continue working with the man who helped start him his career.

This all changed in 2006 when Mangini was hired by the New York Jets as their new head coach.  Nicknamed by the media as both “The Mangenius” and “The Penguin,” Mangini brought good fortune to a Jets team who went 4-12 the previous year.

The team posted a 10-6 record and earned a playoff berth, where they lost to Belichick’s Patriots in the Wild Card round.

In 2007, Mangini became involved in one of the biggest scandals in sports history, accusing Bill Belichick, his former mentor, of illegally videotaping New York’s coaching signals during a regular season game.  Belichick received several punishments and fines, thus causing a rift in his and Mangini’s relationship which has since been filled.

Mangini’s success with New York leveled off in his second season, as they finished with a lowly 4-12 record.  The year after, the Jets brought Brett Favre out of retirement, even though Mangini was against the move.

He eventually made peace with the front office’s actions and the Jets got off to an 8-3 start.  Eventually, though, the season derailed as the team lost four of their last five games to finish 9-7. 

The poor finish in New York lead to Mangini’s firing, a move some of his former players felt was unfair.  He quickly rebounded, however, after a strong interview with Randy Lerner earned him the Browns head coach opening.

Now, Mangini has been given a task many have tried to overcome, but only few have succeeded.  He must now try to figure out just how to make the Cleveland Browns a competitive football team.

In order to tackle this issue, Mangini brought with him a couple former co-workers to give him help along the way.

Brian Daboll

Like Eric Mangini, Brian Daboll began his NFL tenure under Bill Belichick.  After spending time working at the college level with small coaching positions at both William & Mary and Michigan State, Daboll became a defensive assistant at New England in 2000 along with Mangini.

Two years later, Daboll was promoted to wide receivers coach with the Patriots.  He spent the next four seasons in this position until, in 2006, he fled to New York alongside Mangini. 

Many members of the Patriots coaching staff were less than pleased with Brian Daboll leaving the team to join Mangini in New York.  New England had developed a solid offense, and with Daboll’s departure the team was forced to rewrite much of their offensive terminology.

With the Jets, Daboll worked as Mangini’s quarterbacks coach.  However, his first season proved to be quite an uphill battle. 

Quarterback Chad Pennington struggled to recover from a previous rotator cuff injury, and was thus hampered to slow arm movement and an inability to throw for long distances.  His replacement, Kellen Clemens was a slight improvement, but a weak offensive line couldn’t keep him protected very long.

Daboll spent 2008 working with the recently unretired Brett Favre.  Under Brian Daboll, Favre occasionally showed signs of his former self.  By late season, though, a shoulder injury lead to a decrease in Favre’s accuracy, along with a rise in his interception numbers and a rapid downturn to the Jets season.

After the Jets fired Mangini, Daboll’s future remained a little uncertain.  New York’s offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was one of the first candidates to interview for the head coach opening. 

With question marks looming over who would replace Schottenheimer if he were to become head coach, many expected Daboll to be his heir apparent. 

However, before Schottenheimer received word on the head coach vacancy, Daboll followed Eric Mangini to Cleveland, where he was assigned as the Browns offensive coordinator. 

In Cleveland, Brian Daboll will be in charge of bringing new life to an offense which couldn’t score for six straight weeks.  As of now, Daboll still doesn’t know which quarterback will be leading his offense, but hopefully his experience as a quarterbacks coach will help him regardless of who is chosen as the starter.

Rob Ryan

At the other side of the ball is new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.  Ryan is one of the more experienced coaches Eric Mangini has brought with him to the Browns. 

He began his career in 1987 as a coaching assistant at Western Kentucky University.  A year later he joined Ohio State as an outside linebackers coach, only to move on to Tennessee State the following year, where he spent four seasons coaching the running backs, wide receivers, and the defensive line.

By 1994, Ryan felt he was ready to move up to the NFL, joining the Arizona Cardinals as a defensive backs coach under his father Buddy.  However, while the Cardinals defense led the NFL in both interceptions and total takeaways in 1995, Buddy Ryan was eventually fired after two rough seasons in Arizona, leading Rob to once again move to another team.

After spending a season at Hutchinson Community College as defensive coordinator, Ryan took the same position at Oklahoma State in 1997.  For the next two years, OSU’s defense ranked among the best in the nation. 

In fact, The Sporting News named Ryan Coordinator of the Year in 1997, as the Cowboys defense saw a 100 yard decrease in total yards allowed per game than the year before.

By 2000, Rob Ryan was ready to move back into the NFL, becoming the linebackers coach for New England.  During his time with the Patriots, the team was ranked among the highest in the NFL in total defense.

 In 2001, Ryan helped create one of the best scoring defenses in franchise history, while also developing Pro Bowl linebackers Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi.

After spending four years in New England, Ryan became the defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.  His numbers in Oakland were not quite as impressive as those with the Patriots, but this may have been due to a slight dropoff in overall talent. 

Still, the Raiders defense remained somewhat respectable through the better part of Ryan’s time in Oakland.

While Ryan was in New England, he became close friends with Eric Mangini.  Therefore, when Mangini was hired in Cleveland, he invited Ryan to join the team as defensive coordinator.  Ryan still had a year left in his contract with Oakland, but he was told by the team that he was free to join any franchise of his choosing.

With the Browns, Rob Ryan will most certainly have his hands full when it comes to fixing a defensive unit which was overrun on a week-to-week basis last season.  The skill level in Cleveland certainly doesn’t match that of the 2001 Patriots, but there is some talent to be found.

It should be interesting to see if Ryan can turn the Browns around defensively in 2009.

Now that we have a better idea of the decision makers who’ll be running the Browns’ sidelines this season, we can shift our focus to just what exactly they can bring to Cleveland.  The possibilities are endless, and we can all hypothesize as to what results will come. 

The truth, however, is that we won’t know for sure until this fall.

New Dogs, New Tricks: Playbook Changes Coming for the Cleveland Browns

For the fourth time in ten years, a new regime has come to Cleveland in attempts to create a new look for the Browns.

After spending last year watching an offense that couldn’t score coupled with a defense that could do everything except tackle, a new look is about all Browns fans can pray for this season.

However, when looking at both the staff and players new coach Eric Mangini has brought in with him this offseason, its safe to say the Browns will be seeing some significant playbook changes in 2009.

What kind of changes will they be? Well, let’s take a look

 

Defense

The one thing people will remember about a Romeo Crennel coached defense was the inability to effectively rush the quarterback. 

It may have been due to dropping way too many defenders back into coverage, or perhaps an overall lack of talent and depth in the front seven. Either way, the opposing team’s quarterback always seemed to have the cleanest jersey on the field.

While Mangini is a big fan of running a relatively uncomplicated defense, new coordinator Rob Ryan is a different story. 

Ryan is known for creating a very aggressive defense, which will likely lead to a few more blitzing schemes in the Browns defensive playbook. This would be a welcome change in Cleveland, since it was such a rare occurrence to see any of the Browns defenders in the opponent’s backfield last year. 

More pressure on the quarterback will also help the defensive backs, as they won’t be required to cover receivers for 15-20 seconds each play.

Unfortunately, the issue at hand won’t so much be what Rob Ryan will try to do with the defense, but whether or not he has enough talent to do it effectively.

The truth is the Browns defense is made up of Shaun Rogers, former Jets backups, and newly drafted rookies. A lack of standout talent certainly leaves a lot of question marks hanging over this side of the ball, and Ryan will definitely have his hands full as he attempts to give the Browns a little more bite to their bark.

I anticipate the Browns will spend another year attempting to solve the riddle that is outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Wimbley will be entering his fourth season in Cleveland and he has yet to produce anything close to the numbers of his rookie campaign, where he posted eleven sacks. Look for Mangini and Ryan to try two things when it comes to reigniting the former Florida State standout.

First, expect coaches to work with Kamerion Wimbley in developing more pass rushing moves. 

Since starting his career in the NFL, Wimbley has relied solely on his speed to try and get into the backfield. He could be a very talented linebacker if he had a wider variety of moves when it comes to shedding tackles. Rob Ryan will no doubt create a decent amount of plays which send Wimbley on a blitz, but not before trying to give him more arsenal to work with.

Second, I believe Ryan and Mangini will concoct some plays which focus on the right side of the offensive line, in attempts to find another solid pass rusher in second year linebacker Alex Hall or rookie David Veikune.

The coaching staff likes the potential of Hall, and is very impressed with the speed and tenacity Veikune has displayed in rookie mini-camps. Rob Ryan will most likely try various plays which test the ability of these two players because, if he finds solid talent in either of them, he can force offensive coordinators to spread the protection out. This, in turn, frees up Kamerion Wimbley from the double team and gives him a better chance of pressuring the quarterback.

While Cleveland’s defense certainly won’t scare anyone from the get-go, Eric Mangini has done a solid job at giving the team depth, which will significantly help Ryan if he’s still passionate about being aggressive on defense.

As of now, each position on the Browns’ defense is at least two to three players deep. What this means is the Browns can afford to blitz more often because they’ll have fresh legs to rotate on and off the field.

Look for Mangini and Ryan to keep pressuring the edges with Wimbley, Hall, and Veikune, while also trying to send inside linebackers like D’Qwell Jackson and Kaluka Maiava through the holes Shaun Rogers opens up on the offensive line.

 

Offense

One thing Eric Mangini and new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have in common is their penchant for a short-range, game-managing offense. This would explain why Mangini originally wanted to keep Chad Pennington in New York instead of signing Brett Favre last year.

Regardless, in looking at the players Mangini has brought to Cleveland’s offense, there’s no doubt he will continue to create a dip-and-dunk personality with the Browns.

The first reason for this offensive style is the fact that the Browns really don’t have enough weapons to fill their playbook with a bunch of downfield routes.

Braylon Edwards is really the only legitimate threat at receiver in Cleveland, and his status with the team is still foggy at this point. Along with Edwards, the Browns signed Mike Furrey and David Patten, two capable, yet aged veterans who won’t exactly give defenses fits. Josh Cribbs can certainly play as a wideout, but with limited action in this position, his reliability isn’t defined just yet.

Since rookie Brian Robiskie has been deemed one of the most “NFL-ready” receivers in this years draft class, Mangini will most likely get him ready for a decent amount of action in his first year. 

Problem is, since one of Robiskie’s issues is a lack of blazing speed, he can’t be relied on as a Hail Mary threat either. And while fellow rookie wideout Mohamed Massaquoi caught quite a few bombs from former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, the coaching staff seems to be focusing more on his development as of now.

So, while the Browns have a lot of receivers to work with, there simply isn’t enough talent to spread the field with them.

Because of this, look for Brian Daboll to create a run-first offense.

Daboll will most likely use some variety with his running backs. Jamal Lewis will still be used the most, but Jerome Harrison should be utilized much more than last season, where his impressive runs were constantly rewarded with a decrease in playing time.

Also, many draft analysts believe rookie half back James Davis was a steal, and with a solid training camp, he could see the field more often than not.

If Brady Quinn is ultimately selected as the Browns starting quarterback, Daboll will no doubt work with his short-range passing game, but might also use his mobility as well.

In his three starts last season, Quinn showed he could effectively move around outside of the pocket. Every now and then, he would run bootlegs which were usually good for at least five yards or so. 

These plays will most likely have a place in Daboll’s playbook, and might very well give Quinn an edge over the relatively immobile Derek Anderson when it comes to the upcoming quarterback competition.

In the end, it’s safe to say the Cleveland Browns will be seeing a significant amount of changes in their playbooks this season. 

At this point, however, it’s too early to tell whether these changes will work effectively, or just fall apart like those of the previous regimes.

 

Underwhelming, but Solid Nonetheless: Evaluating the Cleveland Browns’ Draft

As draft day rumors peaked heading into the weekend, Cleveland Browns fans were fearing the worst.

Would we really draft another quarterback?  Would we not only keep our “diva” receiver, but add another one as well?  Just exactly how “in love” was the new regime with players we really didn’t need or want?

Finally, three months of rumors and smokescreens lead to the number five overall pick. 

And then, they traded it. 

Pick No. 17? Traded that, too. 

The 19th selection? Well, you know the theme by now.

At long last, pick No. 21 came and the selection was made.  And after what seemed like hours upon hours of trading down, the Browns made the unsexiest of all the unsexy picks—a center.

I must admit, I was probably one of the many Browns fans who was more than a little upset that I had to wait all day to see us draft Cal center Alex Mack.  But, after looking at this selection, along with the rest of the moves made by Cleveland, I must say I’m a little impressed.

The Browns came into this weekend with only five selections and left with eleven new players.  DE Kenyon Coleman, safety Abram Elam, and quarterback Brett Ratliff were the latest Jets added to Cleveland from trading down. 

With their picks, Cleveland selected Mack, receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, OLBs David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava, cornerbacks Don Carey and Coye Franceis, and running back James Davis.

Neither of these new players really jump out as you as much as an Aaron Curry or Michael Crabtree would.  However, one has to realize that each pick and acquisition the Browns made fills necessary and even immediate needs for the team.

First, there’s Mack.  Let’s face it, while Hank Fraley was good at helping Cleveland recover from the LeCharles Bentley incident, he was on borrowed time.

The offensive line also took a beating last year when facing tougher opposition than that of the 2007 season.  While a center wasn’t the most pressing need, it was certainly one which couldn’t be ignored.

Alex Mack will add an immediate impact to the line, giving it a shot of youth along with impressive bulk.  While the Browns previous draft pick at center, Jeff Faine, was more of a sleek lineman, Mack is a 300 pounder who is an expert at shoving people to the ground. 

Also, this addition could vastly improve the running game, goal line offense, and the overall protection of the quarterback (whomever that may be).

Next, you have Cleveland’s depleated receiving core.  Joe Jurevicius was released, Kellen Winslow was traded, and Donte Stallworth will most likely be playing for some sort of penal league.  Thus, it was obvious the Browns needed to fill some holes here.

Although former Ohio State Buckeye Brian Robiskie was not the most heralded receiver in this year’s draft class, he is regarded by many scouts as the most “polished” wideout.  Experts don’t fawn over his speed, but he is quoted as having the most reliable hands of this year’s receivers and many believe he could be an instant starter.

Georgia’s Mohamed Mossaquoi had a few problems with dropped balls early in his career (something we’re full-up on here).  These issues seemed to clear up last season, as Mossaquoi was a big reason why Matthew Stafford’s stock was so high. 

He is also known as a solid blocking receiver, which should be a welcome change from Kellen Winslow’s “I’ll block when I feel like it” approach.

After shoring up the offensive side of the ball, Eric Mangini and Co. picked up two relatively unheralded, but definitely talented linebackers in David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava.

Veikune didn’t get a lot of recognition due to playing out in Hawaii.  However, even though he was picked a little early, many experts believe he might be a find.  He’s a defensive end the Browns are most likely going to transition into an outside linebacker, and with his speed, agility, and strength, Veikune could become a pretty talented pass rusher.

Kaluka Maiava was surrounded by the much more hyped USC linebackers Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews III, and Rey Maualuga.  It should be noted, though, that Mel Kiper Jr. was pretty outspoken about Maiava, claiming he was underrated and would be a solid pick for teams seeking linebacker help. 

He may not start, but he will definitely add more depth to the shallow pool that was Cleveland’s front seven.

While cornerbacks Don Carey and Coye Francies will bring some serviceable bodies to the Browns cornerback crew, someone to keep an eye on will be Clemson running back James Davis.

Davis had three outstanding years at Clemson, and would’ve been a 2008 first round pick had he not returned for his senior year.  A slightly off year ensued, but you shouldn’t discount him for it.

Davis is a big bruiser of a back, and would make the perfect student for Jamal Lewis.  In fact, Davis already knows Lewis since the two went to the same high school, and Lewis has spent some time training him.

So, is this a draft class soaked with eye-popping talent from top to bottom? No, but does it bring some solid talent to positions that needed it badly? Yes.

Another point worth noting is the intelligence level of this new squad. 

Almost every pick the Browns made was noted for their academic excellence.  To be fair, scouts don’t see exam scores on the same level as impressive 40 times.  What it does say, though, is that these players are smart enough to know a good decision from a bad one.

High intelligence means these players have a better chance of avoiding stupid off-the-field mistakes and hanging out with the wrong crew.  It means they knew the importance of keeping grades up and they didn’t screw around through college knowing they’d be in the pros before long.

It also means the extensive playbooks and schemes seen in the NFL won’t be as difficult to grasp.

Again, drafting a bunch of smart athletes may just make the team a little less dumb than it was before, but there are some notable benefits which may go unnoticed for a bit.

In the end, no expert can really predict how successful players will be until they take the field.  The Browns have a long offseason left to get these newbies ready for their first year in the NFL. 

Until then, we should take solace in the fact that we were expecting a season-crushing draft, and were given one that has quite a lot of potential.

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