Eric Mangini & Mike Holmgren: A Holy Union

Don’t look now, but it seems they can co-exist after all.

Browns President Mike Holmgren spoke positively about his new head coach on Monday when he met the Cleveland media for the first time.

It wasn’t a ringing endorsement, but Holmgren appeared to look favorably on current Browns head coach Eric Mangini. Although a decision has yet to be made, Holmgren made it very clear what he is looking for in making his decision.

“Any decision I make regarding the coaching staff, or anybody there, will not be based on three games or two games or one game or anything like that,” Holmgren said. “I think it’s the total body of work. I’ve got to see progress. I’ve got to see things going in the right direction and then I’ll make my decision.”

After starting the season 1-11, the Cleveland Browns have won all three of their last games and appear to be playing their best football of the season.

“I’m very happy for those guys,” Holmgren said. “The last three weeks they’ve had three wins.  Coaches and players work so hard that you deserve a few wins.  That’s what you’re playing the game for.”

Mike Holmgren has not committed one way or the other on Eric Mangini’s future, and for good reason. Holmgren has no reason to back himself into a corner by making a decision now, and it seems he will take the rest of the season before evaluating his head coach.

If Mangini and his staff will be retained, the biggest point of contention will be the personnel department and how the two groups will interact with one another.

Think of the Mike Holmgren/Eric Mangini union as an arranged marriage.

Holmgren will bring his own people in to run things in Berea and that may come at the expense of the current regime. How the Holmgren camp meshes with the Mangini camp will play an important role in determining how effectively the Browns will function as an organization. Holmgren has been through this before, and he understands the consequences of what could be a disastrous wedding.

“Our first draft was less than spectacular, because I had really two groups giving me information, the existing group that had been there and the new group that came in with me,” Holmgren said. “We didn’t do a good job with the draft, because I didn’t [make changes sooner].  I learned from that.” 

“Those types of errors, I trust I won’t do again, I won’t make again,” Holmgren added.

There is no question Holmgren will put his stamp on the Cleveland Browns, but that does not necessarily indicate a complete overhaul of the organization.

“If you keep blowing up the team it takes longer to fix it,” Holmgren said. “I think, the current staff has tried very, very hard to start that process.  To restart it all over again, I don’t think we have to do that, I really don’t.  I hope it doesn’t appear that way when we roll up our sleeves and dive in there.  I think they’ve started that.  Now we just have to really identify areas where we need to get better and then figure out what the best way to handle that is.”

One of those areas the Browns could improve in is the passing offense.

Cleveland is ranked dead last in several offensive statistical categories, including passing yards and yards per pass attempt. Only the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders have scored fewer points per game. At the helm of every offense is the quarterback, and Mike Holmgren understands good quarterback play is vital to the team’s success.

“Eric shares my views on how important the quarterback position is for any team,” Holmgren said. “That’s what we have to do.  We have to be tough in some ways.  We have to be honest about it.  If we think we have the quarterback there that can take us where we want to go, fine.  If we don’t, then we have to do something about it.”

With a regime change on the way and Mangini’s future hanging in the balance, it is bound to be another wild year in Berea. Fans have been patient with the team so far, and Holmgren would be best served to take that approach with the Browns.

Through good times and bad, sickness and health.

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Pay the Man: Looking at Joshua Cribbs’ Contract Situation

When it comes to the contract of Browns do-it-all man Josh Cribbs, you would be hard-pressed to find an analyst, fan, or spectator who hasn’t weighed in on the situation.

Former cornerback and current NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders has been particularly vocal about Cribbs contract. Sanders trademarked the slogan “Pay The Man!”—a cry which has become the rallying point of Browns fans everywhere.

Most, if not all of Cribbs’ teammates have voiced their support.

Even Cribbs’ wife Maria took the time to weigh in on the situation. Maria tweeted her feelings on the matter last weekend as she wrote: “If they don’t pay this boy Imma take the keys to all the cars in the house so he can’t get to work!”

Browns head coach Eric Mangini remained firm in his position on Cribbs. Even with the threat of a Maria Cribbs holdout, Mangini seemed confident that the contract issue will be resolved sooner rather than later.

“I think we’re still working towards (a new contract),” he said.

“In terms of where it will go or what the time line will be, I’m not really sure.”

Mike Holmgren, Eric Mangini, and the Cleveland Browns’ front office will face several challenges in awarding their ace-return man with a new contract. The first and most glaring problem new management will face is the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Unless the NFL Players Association and the owners reach a new agreement, 2010 will mark the first uncapped season in professional football since the cap was introduced in 1994. Cribbs and his agent, J.R. Rickert, likely see this as both an opportunity and a handicap.

Without the precedent of a salary cap, value will fluctuate.

Generally speaking, a player’s financial worth to his team is measured by the percentage of total payroll allocated to his position. Franchise quarterbacks and skill position players command the highest percentage of total team cap space. Of the estimated $128 million teams had to spend in 2009, here is how some of the game’s top players ranked:

Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers –> $9,380,040 against the cap –> 7.2% of total cap space
Peyton Manning –> $11,504,320 against the cap –> 9.0% of total cap space
Brett Favre –> $12,000,000 against the cap –> 9.3% of total cap space

 

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald –> $17,103,480 against the cap –> 13.3% of total cap space
Randy Moss –> $14,006,720 against the cap –> 10.9% of total cap space
Andre Johnson –> 11,175,000 against the cap –> 8.7% of total cap space

Kick returners have historically been at the bottom in terms of percentage of cap space occupied. Statistically speaking, Minnesota’s Percy Harvin, Miami’s Ted Ginn Jr., and San Diego’s Darren Sproles are the only players comparable to Josh Cribbs and the season he’s having in 2009.

Return Specialists

Percy Harvin –> $2,400,000 against the cap –> 1.8% of total cap space
Ted Ginn Jr. –> $3,424,680 against the cap –> 2.7% of total cap space
Darren Sproles –> $1,105,640 against the cap –> 0.8% of total cap space
Josh Cribbs –> $645,000 against the cap –> 0.5% of total cap space

Devin Hester –> $5,492,500 against the cap –> 4.3% of total cap space

Although there’s no denying Cribbs is underpaid, it is by how much which has both sides at a standstill. The Chicago Bears set a precedent in 2008 when they signed return man Devin Hester to an incentive-laden contract worth $41 million over four years. Hester was expected to contribute significantly on offense as a wide receiver which helped justify the monster contract.

Cribbs will likely demand more money than Hester. Cribbs has outperformed Hester in every special teams statistical category, so he would have a pretty good argument for such a contract.

That is, unless you’re talking to Eric Mangini.

Mangini is from the Bill Belichick school of thought which rewards players based strictly based on merit.

Belichick’s Patriot dynasty was built on strict cap management and the belief that every player is replaceable. To Belichick, no single player means more than the team. Each player is to be paid fairly, no more or less than his position average.

Cribbs may be a special player, but he is only one special teams player who sees a marginal number of plays each game. Under this philosophy, it would be difficult to justify paying a player more than his relative worth, even if his name is Josh Cribbs.

Paying one player more than their position worth has serious ramifications on the long-term financial stability of an organization.

The Browns have yet to award franchise-type money to a quarterback, wide receiver, or running back. On average, that’s approximately 20 percent of the cap which has yet to be spent. Consider the value of rookie draft picks, free agents, the adjustments yet to be made on defense, and it becomes clear that money will be tight in Berea for the foreseeable future.

Josh Cribbs’ contract situation is a very delicate affair.

Without the salary cap, percentage values for player contracts could be unlimited. Think of the salary cap as a pie: with one pie, the slices (or percentages) can only be so big before you run out of pie.

If that pie were infinite, then the slices would be infinite as well.

Even with the potential dangers of contracts in an uncertain NFL, there remains hope for Cribbs and the Browns coming together.

Although there are several factors surrounding the negotiations, cooler heads will prevail, and the Browns will finally find a way to “pay the man.”

(Contracts and statistics courtesy of Yahoo! Sports, NFL.com, and Rotoworld.com)

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Mike Holmgren, Cleveland Browns Set Up to Fail

For many, Mike Holmgren’s appointment as Cleveland Browns team president is like unwrapping a Christmas gifts a few days early.

For me, it’s like unwrapping a rock-hard lump of coal.

Browns owner Randy Lerner finally landed a high-profile coach, but in doing so, he has opened himself up to a world of controversy.

To put it simply, Mike Holmgren knows very little about the Cleveland Browns.

Prior to the hire, Holmgren had no meaningful connections to any players or coaches in the organization.

Holmgren has been put in charge of overseeing Cleveland’s entire football operation: a role which requires a complete understanding of all things Brown and Orange.

It is highly unlikely the 61-year-old coach coming out of retirement will seamlessly absorb everything there is to know about the new organization.

It is even more unlikely that he’ll do so for a franchise as mishandled as the Cleveland Browns.

Case-in-point, consider Holmgren’s title: president of football operations. Holmgren replaces Mike Keenan in that role, a man who had little to no impact on the organization’s football affairs.

He represented the Browns in CBA and official league business, but other than that, Keenan had no impact on the football decision-making process.

At an estimated $10 million per year, Mike Holmgren was brought here to do more than sit at meetings.

It will likely be up to Holmgren to re-define the role of team president and establish how that role relates to the rest of the front office.

Considering Holmgren may not be readily familiar with the internal workings of Berea, it seems the transition would be shaky at best.

Mike Holmgren’s arrival to Cleveland raises more questions than provides answers.

How will the president interact with the GM?
What about the CFO?
Who will handle the draft?
How much say will the GM have on the organization?
Will there even be a GM?
What about the directors of pro and college personnel?
Will the head coach continue reporting to the owner?
Will the GM report to the owner?

The answers to these questions is a resounding “I don’t know.”

In all likelihood, Mike Holmgren doesn’t know. Eric Mangini doesn’t know, and I’m certain Randy Lerner doesn’t know either.

All three of these men are going through this for the first time. All three have different experiences in different organizations, which means they have different ideas of how their relationships and job duties will be defined.

Anyone who has followed the Browns over the past six seasons can tell you about the value of experience in the organization.

Phil Savage was a first time GM. Romeo Crennel was a first time head coach. Go back a little further and you’d find Butch Davis, Dwight Clark, and John Collins were all first timers.

And don’t even get me started on coordinators.

Here we have the Cleveland Browns filling a brand new position with a man who has never been exclusively at the top by himself.

He’s been out of football for a year, he isn’t familiar with the people he’s working with, and he’s widely regarded as a micro-manager.

Excuse me if I’m not bubbling with optimism here.

The only course of action that can remedy such a situation is a complete and total re-hauling of the organization.

Holmgren would have to purge every single coach, executive, and businessman affiliated with the Browns and rebuild the front office the way he knows how.

Such an overhaul would set the organization back years, but it would provide the Browns with a cohesive starting point on which they can move forward.

As it stands right now, this organization is set up to fail.

Any time you have unfamiliar people working together in unspecified roles, bad things are bound to happen.

Eric Mangini is only the tip of the iceberg. Even if they decide to  fire him, they’d still have a 61-year-old team president with the eyes of a coach, a lack of organizational continuity, and no GM structure to speak of.

It will take a Christmas miracle for these Browns to survive until next Christmas, and unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon.

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Cleveland Browns GM Search: It’s “Capwoman” to the Rescue

The Cleveland Browns appear hopeless. They have lost seven of their first eight games, fired their general manager during the bye week, and the injuries are stacking up like firewood. Fans are on the verge of a protest and national media types are calling for Eric Mangini’s immediate resignation.

The Browns are in desperate need of a hero.

Or a heroine.

Enter Dawn Aponte, Cleveland Browns Vice President of Football Administration.

Never heard of her? You’re not alone. Aponte is the woman responsible for working behind the scenes to handle the contractual affairs of the Cleveland Browns. In her current role with the team, Aponte’s duties include handling player contract negotiations, player cost budgeting, league compliance, and salary cap management.  SI.com’s Peter King once referred to Aponte as “Capwoman” for her extensive knowledge of the salary cap and the legal ins-and-outs of the NFL.

Aponte’s responsibilities are already similar to that of a general manager. With a vacant management position and an owner desperate for change, look for Dawn Aponte to get the first shot at filling the vacant general manager position.

It would be “Capwoman” to the rescue.

During an era in professional football where the collective bargaining agreement is in shambles and an uncapped year seems more like a reality each day. Who better to handle those demands than a salary cap expert?

In an interview with the Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi, camera-shy owner Randy Lerner was asked about Dawn Aponte and her future role with the organization.

“Dawn is a very talented executive and a good person,” Lerner said.

“My hope is that her role and impact will grow within our organization.”

A promotion of this magnitude would certainly classify as growth. Dawn Aponte is currently the vice president of football administration—a role with similar albeit different duties to that of a general manager. The learning curve may be steep, but then again the Browns have nothing to lose.

Randy Learner has always been sensitive to the public image of his Cleveland Browns. Hiring Dawn Aponte to take over as Browns’ general manager would not only be a great public relations move, but it would shift focus away from the toxicity that has become associated with jobs surrounding Eric Mangini.

Aponte would become the first woman to hold the title of NFL general manager—a story which would deflect attention away from the 1-7 football team she would inherit. Aponte has had experience working with Eric Mangini in New York, and that makes her one of the few people flexible enough to step in and take over where Kokinis left off.

From an internal standpoint, this move makes perfect sense for Eric Mangini. A first-time GM means Mangini would likely retain authority on all personnel and football decisions. From an external standpoint, Randy Lerner looks good by evoking change at the outcry of the fans, all while appearing progressive enough to break down barriers which may have been in place.

It’s a win-win situation.

Hiring Dawn Aponte won’t solve the team’s seemingly endless string of problems on the field. What it would do is equip the Browns with the personnel needed to move forward in the face of a fiscally challenging era of professional football.

 

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The Dolphins Should Trade For Brady Quinn

Have you ever known two different people who you thought would be perfect for each other? The two parties involved made so much sense that you wonder why they didn’t come together in the first place.

Such is the case with the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins.

A trade where the Browns send Quinn to the Dolphins would be a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

On one side, the Cleveland Browns are smack in the middle of another quarterback controversy.

Currently, the Browns have two young quarterbacks on the roster – neither of which they can fully support while the other remains with the team. Browns head coach Eric Mangini benched Quinn in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Ravens – effectively shattering any trust either one can have for the other.

For all intents and purposes, Brady Quinn’s time in Cleveland is over.

Furthermore, the Browns still have former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson on the roster – who proved he could effectively orchestrate Brian Daboll’s offense in limited action.

In Miami, the Dolphins received word today that Chad Pennington’s 2009 season will likely come to an end .

Pennington’s absence leaves Chad Henne to run the offense. Henne did little to impress last weekend against the Chargers – completing 10 of 19 passes for 92 yards. He threw one interception which was returned for a touchdown.

Coming off multiple shoulder surgeries, the 33-year-old Pennington cannot be relied upon to be the long-term answer in Miami.

Enter Brady Quinn.

Quinn’s conservative approach to offensive football fits perfectly with what the Dolphins like to do. In their current run-heavy, wildcat-based offense, the Miami Dolphins do not need a quarterback to throw for 300 yards on Sunday. They need a quarterback to manage the offense, avoid turnovers, hand the ball off to Ronnie or Ricky, and convert short distances on 3rd down.

Quinn would be perfect for that.

The Dolphins are loaded with talent at every position.

In addition to boasting the league’s most potent rushing attack, the Dolphins have a solid offensive line, a capable defense, and talented wide receivers in Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Camarillo .

They also have tight end Anthony Fasano – who should be more than a little familiar with Brady Quinn.

With Quinn at the helm, Fasano finished his college career with 92 receptions for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. He was the second most prolific receiving tight end in the school’s history.

A potential trade of Brady Quinn to Miami would bring about the thrilling conclusion to a memorable 2007 Draft Day.

In 2007, the Cleveland Browns passed on Quinn with the 3rd overall pick of NFL Draft. Brady Quinn was rumored to fall no further than No. 9 – where the Miami Dolphins were projected to draft the Notre Dame standout. In a surprise move, the Dolphins passed on Quinn in favor of Cleveland native, Ted Ginn Jr.

The Browns would eventually strike a deal with Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys – acquiring the 22nd overall draft pick and the rights to draft Brady Quinn.

One more trade with Parcells would be the best case scenario for all parties involved.

If that happened, it really would be a match made in heaven.

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Derek Quinn: Perception or Reality?

You’d be hard-pressed to find a football fan in Cleveland that hasn’t weighed in on this year’s version of the annual quarterback controversy.

2009 brings in two familiar candidates, each one completely different from the other.

One is a well-spoken Golden Domer from the Midwest.

The other a clumsy beaver from Scappoose.

One is first-round draft pick and has graced the covers of several magazines.

The other a sixth-rounder who only graces the mountains of Northwest America.

In the court of public opinion, there is no controversy.

But what if the roles were reversed?

Imagine, for a second, the Cleveland Browns drafted a quarterback with the 22nd overall selection of the 2005 NFL Draft. That quarterback, a thoughtful young man from a reputable collegiate program, grew up in Ohio and had the charm and appeal of a franchise signal-caller.

He was a media darling.

He said all the right things in public, hosted public events, and even appeared in his share of commercials.

For all intents and purposes, let’s call this quarterback Derek Quinn.

In our imaginary situation, let’s say Derek Quinn sat on the bench and learned his entire rookie season. Let’s say he doesn’t get his first real taste of game action until late the following year—when he sparks a come-from-behind thriller against a 9-7 team with playoff aspirations.

Call that team the Kansas City Chiefs.

Derek Quinn goes on to finish out the year as the starter, providing fans with the hope in their potential franchise quarterback.

Come 2007, the Browns select a tall, awkward passer from a small college in the sixth round of the draft. He didn’t have the charm or appeal of Derek Quinn, but he is young, hungry, and willing to do anything it takes to win.

This quarterback is named Brady Anderson.

So the Browns go into the 2007 with their incumbent starter, and these two young passers with unlimited potential.

At the onset of the season, the incumbent goes down, opening the door for the charismatic Derek Quinn. The first round pick doesn’t disappoint, throwing for 29 touchdowns and more than 3,700 yards en route to a 10-6 season and a Pro Bowl appearance.

Brady Anderson watches from the sidelines.

The situation, as it has been developed to this point, has already resolved itself. Regardless of what happens the following year, there could never be a quarterback controversy in Cleveland.

How could there ever be one?

Ohio’s native son has transformed the city’s beloved Browns into playoff contenders, and nothing short of complete and total regression could change the fact that the Browns finally found the face of their franchise.

Despite the situation bearing striking similarities to the one the Browns will face this fall, Cleveland still does not have a franchise quarterback.

Even with a Pro Bowl on his resume, Derek Anderson is still viewed as a lowly sixth-round draft pick without the credentials to succeed long-term. He is looked down upon for not possessing the outgoing personality and charm of a Brady Quinn.

If the situation were different and their personalities reversed, the quarterback situation in Cleveland would look very different from the polarizing contest it is today.

And I have a feeling the name Derek would be a whole lot more popular in Cleveland.

Josh Cribbs’ Versatility Sparks Comparison to Patriot Great

When Browns head coach Eric Mangini looks at return specialist Josh Cribbs, he must experience an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

Mangini has seen this before.

In Cribbs, the Browns have a dynamic return man capable of changing the flow of the game when the ball is in his hands. They have a versatile athlete—able to line up in multiple positions and fulfill different roles on the team. They have an unselfish athlete willing to sacrifice personal achievements for the greater good of the team.

Where has Eric Mangini seen such an athlete?

In New England.

His name was Troy Brown.

The similarities between the two players are uncanny. A standout wide receiver from Marshall, Brown was selected with the 198th selection in the 1993 NFL Draft.

After narrowly making the Patriots’ roster as a return specialist, Brown took advantage of the situation and carved out a distinct role with the team. He went on to enjoy an outstanding career as one of the most prolific receivers in Patriots history.

As an undrafted free agent from the similarly small Kent State, Josh Cribbs also made the Browns’ roster due to his contributions as a return specialist. His unique combination of speed and strength produced six combined return touchdowns as well as a Pro Bowl trip in 2007.

Cribbs has yet to make a significant impact on the offensive side of the ball, but all signs point to that changing in 2009.

“We’ve been using him as a receiver right now,” offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said of Cribbs.

“Right now, he’s been playing receiver. That’s where he has been slotted. As far as how we use him, that will depend each week on the game plan.”

If last season’s 19 solo special teams tackles are any indication, Cribbs’ career could mimic Brown’s in another very special way.

In 2004, the New England Patriots secondary was ravished by injuries. As a last resort, the Patriots asked Brown to fill in as an emergency corner back. The versatile Brown responded—finishing the year with three interceptions, several of them coming in key playoff situations.

Ironically, the young secondary coach that aided Brown’s conversion to defense was none other than current Browns head coach Eric Mangini.

When asked of Cribbs’ potential contributions on the defensive side of the ball, Browns assistant head coach Brad Seely was hesitant to rule anything out.

“I’m not against anything that would help us win,” he said.

“If that can help us win, then great.”

Brown finished his career with the Patriots’ as the all-time leader in receptions (557) and second all-time in receiving yards (6,366). The 26-year-old Cribbs has a long way to go before approaching such lofty totals, but he can take a large step toward doing so this offseason.

Braylon Edwards aside, the Browns’ depth chart at wide receiver is completely open for competition.

Free agent and 13-year NFL veteran David Patten is the likely candidate to fill the position, but at 34, his speed, durability, and agility would undoubtedly come into question.

Donte Stallworth is unlikely to contribute this season and journeyman receiver Mike Furry has traditionally performed well in the slot.

Second round draft picks Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi have shown great promise, but are still too young in their development to be counted on with any consistency.

All signs, including the ones given by the head coach himself, point to Cribbs emerging as one of the Browns’ go-to guys in 2009.

“I love special teams players,” Eric Mangini said in an earlier press conference.

“We had Jerrico Cotchery who was a core teams player in New York. He hadn’t played much offense at that point, [but] he ended up emerging into a starter.”

Cribbs could do the same thing.

Not even Eric Mangini knows what the future hold for Cribbs. Mangini has, however, experienced similar situations with similarly great players in the past.

And just maybe, that past will coincide with the present.

The 10 Greatest Cleveland Browns of All Time

Out of 32 NFL teams, no logo shines brighter than the one emblazoned on the helmet of the Cleveland Browns. That timeless image accurately represents not only the Browns, but everything the city of Cleveland stands for.

You don’t see it?

Plastered on each side of every Cleveland Browns’ helmet is a perfect picture of tradition.

That helmet serves as a flashback to Paul Browns and the championship teams of the 1940s. That same burnt-orange represents “The Drive,” “The Fumble,” and every other sports mishap that has failed to keep Cleveland down. The brown and white stripes speak of a unity among players that served as an example for the world to see.

Coaches and players will come and go, but the ageless tradition of Cleveland Browns football will live on forever.

Today we honor ten players who have helped define that very tradition. These great men represent the values and ideals behind what it means to be a Cleveland Brown, and their contributions to the team will never be forgotten.

The 2009 Cleveland Browns: The Audacity of Hope

Hope.

It’s the one thing we as football fans can always depend on. As sure as the sun sets over Lake Erie each night, we can depend on a new season bringing hope for the city’s beloved football team.

Unfortunately, this hope creates anxiety in Browns fans, which leads to optimism and ultimately frustration. That frustration mounts over the years, creating a black hole of disappointment and later, hatred. Eventually that hatred brews and festers until it manifests itself and eventually the unthinkable happens:

They convert into Steelers fans.

Browns fans, I bring you good news—this year will be different. Expectations will be met, and you will see a Browns team worthy of your praise and adoration. Head coach Eric Mangini will deliver on the promise of a better tomorrow, and the Cleveland Browns will field a competitive football team

…or at least I hope so.

While the NFL remains as unpredictable as ever, there are several measurable goals we as Browns fans can expect from this year’s incarnation of the football team.

 

The Browns will NOT make the playoffs in 2009.

Let’s not kid ourselves; this team is still a year away from playoff contention. Despite his work ethic and his passion for football, Eric Mangini cannot perform miracles. Until I see Eric Mangini turning water into Gatorade on the sidelines, my playoff expectations shall remain dormant.

The reason?

For one, the AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football. Defensive juggernauts in Baltimore and Pittsburgh will undoubtedly impede any 2008 Dolphin-like progress the team may see.

Anything can happen in the NFL, but some things are more realistic than others. While the Browns should be much improved from the team we saw in 2008, it is unlikely that improvement will land them a playoff berth.

 

Cleveland will rank in the top 10 in terms of fewest penalties committed.

Regardless of how the Browns fare on either side of the ball, Cleveland will field one of the most disciplined teams in professional football. One of the hallmarks of an Eric Mangini-coached football team is an emphasis on execution and a minimization of self-inflicted wounds.

From 2006 to 2008, Eric Mangini’s Jets ranked third, second, and sixth overall in terms of fewest penalties committed in a season.

Mangini has already put measures in place to ensure the Browns continue the positive trends he started in New York. Players routinely learn and practice through noise in OTAs. Those who commit “mental errors” such as false starts and turnovers are forced to run laps as atonement for their mistakes.

Such practices will undoubtedly allow the Browns to function and remain competitive against the toughest of competition.

 

The Browns will win at least seven games this season.

It’s hard to predict wins and losses, and it’s even harder to do so accurately, but the Cleveland Browns should find a way to win at least seven games this season. Contrary to popular belief, this team is not the rebuilding project their 2008 record seems to suggest. Many players from the 2007 season (in which the Browns finished 10-6) are still with the team.

Defensively speaking, the Cleveland should be much improved from the team that finished 28th overall in total defense.

Another year in the books means more experience for the promising D’Qwell Jackson, along with cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams have played their first full year in the 3-4 defense, and that experience may prove invaluable heading into the 2009 season.

All of these factors will enable the Browns to field a competitive football team that finishes right around the .500 mark.

 

Jerome Harrison will have an expanded role on offense.
 
Since he was hired as head coach, Eric Mangini has taken the players and systems he developed in New York and transitioned them directly into Cleveland. So far, the Browns have used similar draft philosophies, players, and personnel from Eric Mangini’s past.

Assuming this trend continues, the Cleveland Browns’ offense should look very similar to that of the 2008 New York Jets.

Last year with the Jets, Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was part of an offensive system which featured the thunder and lightning combo of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. In this system, the speedy Washington received 123 touches (76 attempts plus 47 receptions) while accounting for 18 percent of the Jets’ carries.

Under former Browns coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Jerome Harrison received 46 touches (34 attempts plus 12 receptions) while accounting for a mere eight percent of Browns carries.

Daboll and Mangini have placed an emphasis on the change-of-pace running back, and that should benefit not only Harrison, but the Browns’ running game as a whole.

Top Five Training Camp Position Battles

Several key position battles highlight last weekend’s beginning of organized team activity for the Cleveland Browns. New head coach Eric Mangini and his coaching staff have cleared the depth charts, eliminated bias, and promoted open competition at virtually every position. Drafted or undrafted, rookie or veteran, each player will have a chance to make an impact on the coaching staff and earn a spot on the roster.

Let the best man win.

While no roster spot is completely secure, some positions are more hotly contested than others.

Here’s a look at the top five position battles heading into training camp.

5. Defensive end

In order to improve upon last year’s 28th rated rush defense, the Browns will need stout play along the defensive line from all three down linemen. Former Jets C.J. Mosley and Kenyon Coleman join Robaire Smith, Corey Williams, and Shaun Smith in a competition for the two end spots in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense.

Coleman and Mosley appear to be the odds on favorites, due to their experience and success with Eric Mangini in New York. At 6’4″, 320 pounds, Corey Williams possesses the ideal bulk and strength for the position.

He and Robaire Smith will need to prove themselves fully recovered from season-ending surgeries to make a strong run at a starting position. Due to his confrontational demeanor, Shaun Smith has all but fallen out of this regime’s good graces. He will vie for a backup role with the team.

Projection: Kenyon Coleman and C.J. Mosley were part of a Jets rush defense which finished seventh overall in rush defense. Look for that experience to earn both players starting spots with the Browns this fall.

4. Wide receiver

Trading  Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left the Browns shallow at an already thin position. Winslow’s size, hands, and toughness allowed the Browns to use the tight end as a receiver and create mismatches in the passing game.

In light of Winslow’s absence, Browns GM George Kokinis wasted little time in assembling a talented cast to help fill that void.

Braylon Edwards will continue to serve as the team’s primary receiver as he looks to regain his Pro Bowl form. Kokinis has turned to a pair of second round receivers to step in alongside Edwards.

Ohio State’s Brian Robiskie and Georgia’s Mohammed Massaquoi will compete for a starting position through training camp and the preseason. Both rookies have great size (6’3″) and awareness to play split end in Brian Daboll’s system.

Newly acquired veterans Mike Furrey and David Patten will compete with Syndric Steptoe and Donte Stallworth for time in the slot. The ever-dangerous Josh Cribbs may see time as a receiver, depending on where he best fits into the system.

Projection: It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Brian Robiskie doesn’t see immediate action on the field. His father, a receiver coach in the NFL, has worked with him and developed the OSU standout into one of the most polished receivers coming out of college.

His size, route running, and intelligence should give him the nod over Massaquoi, who will provide the Browns with depth in his first year out of Georgia. Mike Furrey has made a name for himself as a slot receiver, so look for him to get the start in the slot.

3. Center

When Eric Mangini took over the Jets, the first move he made was to find a premiere left tackle to go along with a dominant center. That blueprint allowed Mangini to turn the then 4-12 Jets into a 10-6 playoff contender within one season.

For the Browns to achieve similar success, Mangini will need a center to match up alongside Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.

Incumbent Hank Fraley will try to fend off first round draft choice Alex Mack and hold on to his role as a starter. Fraley isn’t the dominant center he once was with the Eagles years ago, but he still possesses the intelligence to make all the calls up front. His three years in Cleveland have enabled the 10-year veteran to establish chemistry with the other offensive linemen—something that cannot be taken for granted.

Projection: Eric Mangini and his coaching staff seem to value size and strength in offensive linemen. That bodes well for rookie Alex Mack, as he possesses the edge in both those departments.

However, Mangini favors intelligence over strength, and Fraley’s experience in the AFC North should give him the edge heading into the regular season. He will start for the Browns.

2. Outside linebacker

Outside linebacker is said to be the most important position in the 3-4 defense. Defensive pressure created through a tenacious pass rush forces opposing offenses into mistakes and subsequently causes turnovers. The Cleveland Browns have struggled with this for years. In order for Rex Ryan’s defense to be successful, two outside linebackers will need to emerge as legitimate pass rushing specialists.

Eric Mangini brought David Bowens along with him from New York to compete for a starting spot. Bowens is a smart player with limited upside, but his presence ensures Cleveland will have solid play from at least one of the linebacker positions.

Kamerion Wimbley has seen a drop-off in production, partially due to Mel Tucker’s defensive scheme and a suspect secondary play.

Cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald have gained an additional year of starting experience. This should allow Rex Ryan the confidence to commit several linebackers to the quarterback and generate the pass rush this team sorely needs.

Projection: Kamieron Wimbley will likely start as the team’s weak side outside linebacker. Rookie David Veikune will compete with Bowens for the job, however it is unlikely either player will prevail.

Second year player Alex Hall looks to be the favorite to start on the strong side. The physically imposing seventh round pick from St. Augustine’s has really impressed the coaching staff thus far. He has worked with the first team defense for the majority of OTAs, so don’t be surprised if he lines up for Cleveland on Opening Day.

1. Quarterback

The quarterback competition will undoubtedly determine how the Browns fare in 2009. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson have much to prove to the new coaching staff. From here on out, every throw, decision, and read will be heavily scrutinized by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, quarterback coach Carl Smith, and head coach Eric Mangini.

At some point before the preseason, all three men will come together and decide which player is the best fit for the Cleveland Browns.

Projection: When Eric Mangini evaluates a player during a press conference, he refers to what he saw when he coached against him as a member of the New York Jets.

In 2007, Derek Anderson threw for two scores and led the Browns to victory over Mangini’s Jets. During the 2008 preseason, Anderson completed four of five passes and a touchdown against the Jets last season. Derek Anderson has more starting experienced than Brady Quinn, and in the end, that will be the difference in the competition.

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