If Browns President Mike Holmgren Wants To He Can Fire Eric Mangini “With Cause”

The Cleveland Browns’ newest holiday gift, new President Mike Holmgren, has many big decisions in the coming months in order to get the team on the path of becoming a contender once more in the NFL.

His many decisions include: getting Josh Cribbs a new deal, figuring out who the quarterback is, establishing a front office staff and scout team, and analyzing the current coaching staff—to name a few.

Currently, Holmgren is standing by his statement that since he was a coach too, he understands the challenges faced and also said any coach needs more than one year to effectively implement his system.

Remember, when Bill Parcells was hired in Miami, he had a similar scenario and he fired former Dolphins coach Cam Cameron after only one year as the head coach.

The problem in Cleveland is that Browns owner Randy Lerner is already playing too many former employees that were fired before their contracts were up (Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel, etc.).

A theory is that Holmgren needs to sit down and talk to former general manager George Kokinis, who has just filed a claim against the Browns who fired him in the middle of this season.

Kokinis was fired “with cause,” but in the reality of the situation he will win his claim unless Lerner and Holmgren sit down with him and negotiate a settlement.

A settlement is the most likely outcome in these types of cases, but more interesting would be if Holmgren talked to Kokinis to try and find “cause” to fire Mangini so that the Browns would not have to pay yet another former employee.

The language in Kokinis’ contract clearly stated that he would have final say on the personnel matters, but from all the reports, it appears that Mangini took complete control over the roster and all personnel decisions by disregarding Kokinis’ power and taking control himself.

Mangini overpowering Kokinis’ control of all personnel matters is a violation of Mangini’s own contract since there is no language regarding final say on personnel matters. As long as a settlement can be reached with Kokinis, then “cause” can be found against Mangini.

Whether or not Holmgren really wants to keep Mangini remains to be seen, but if he wants to get rid of Mangini, then he may just have enough ammo to find “cause” for firing him so that he will not have to get paid the remainder of his contract.

(Please note: That this is not a plee for Holmgren to fire Mangini, just an investigation that was done by this journalist to see if “cause” could be found if a firing was to occur.)

 

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Seahawks’ LS Kevin Houser: Reminiscing About a Fellow High School Alum

Seattle Seahawks long snapper Kevin Houser is a fellow Westlake High School alum of mine and it was reported that on Monday, Dec. 21, he was in the hospital with a collapsed lung.

He sustained the injury on a punt coverage in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Reports say that doctors were able to re-inflate his lung and that he is doing fine with his wife and kids visiting him to watch old episodes of the cartoon Ren & Stimpy .

I graduated with Houser from Westlake back in 1996, he was at the top of the popularity chain where as I was near the bottom, but one thing was certain with Houser and it was that he was easily the nicest guy in the entire class despite his athletic success and popularity.

Going back to elementary school, Houser was easily recognized because he was one of the largest kids in the school.

During recess, I remember gathering with Houser and other kids because we would always play touch-football in the far back field.

Since Houser was the largest and obviously strongest, he was always playing quarterback, and I swear even back then he could launch the ball 60+ yards down field.

I would always play one of the wide receivers because I was taller most of the kids and had decent speed.

There were several times when Houser would throw my way I would drop the ball even though I was wide open, beating my defender, but after getting some advice from Houser to better focus and catch the ball I easily scored multiple times back then.

Fast-forward to middle school and Houser was a starter on the football team, but I went a different way because my body did not gain weight and I was too scrawny to play.

Still, Houser was there after school hours in the cafeteria practicing his snaps over and over and over again.

I do recall hearing some of the kids giggling at him because of the stance a center has to take, but I never thought it was funny because being a football fan I silently appreciated Houser’s focus and drive to get to play at the NFL level.

Houser was also a friend of mine, nothing too close like best friends, but good acquaintances.

I was over his (or a mutual friend’s house, can’t really remember) house several times and hung out, but once high school began, we went our separate ways via different groups of friend cliques.

Always one of the biggest guys on school grounds, Houser also had a very subtle and down to earth personality, never letting his accomplishments get to his head.

Following high school, Houser went to the Ohio State University where he played tight end and long snapper.

Jump to today, and Houser is a 10-year NFL veteran who was draft by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft, and stayed with the Saints until he signed with the Seahawks in 2009.

I guess those other giggling kids from middle school are now in a constant state of shock since Houser is a seasoned NFL veteran.

His current lung condition has placed him on the Injured Reserve for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Coach Jim Mora said, “I feel bad because of that effort [the play Houser was injured on] and his desire to be an impacting guy on our team that he’s in the hospital now. But he’s feeling better. We just hope he’s home for Christmas Eve.”

Houser was the poster child for many Westlake High School students back in the mid-1990s, and he still to this day is the poster child for many included all the people he helps with his Life’s A Snap charity foundation which assists child with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Long snappers are always unknown guys who still work hard at what they do, and I’m glad to say that I know a long snapper in the NFL and wanted to shine a quick light on him with this article.

Here’s to wishing good health and a quick recovery to you Kevin, and have a happy holiday to you and your family!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Matt Hasselbeck: In the Cleveland Browns’ Future With Holmgren as President?

New Cleveland Browns’ President Mike Holmgren is a master of assessing quarterback talent, and his arrival in Cleveland means that the Browns’ seemingly never-ending carousel of quarterbacks will finally draw to a close.

Only time will tell who will be the Browns’ future at quarterback, but one thing that has been very apparent over the last several years is that the Browns need a solid veteran quarterback to backup whoever may be the starter.

This is not only needed for better stability at the position, it is needed in order to mentor and groom the other quarterbacks on the roster.

The past few seasons have seen Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson battle it out for the starter job, but neither has been able to acquire the priceless knowledge that a veteran could have provided them both.

Enter Holmgren and, quite possibly, enter current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Even though Hasselbeck has had issues with injures and bad play over the last couple of years, he has the experience and knowledge that has lacked in the Browns’ quarterback depth chart.

Hasselbeck is 33 years old and has all but worn out his welcome with Seahawks fans due to his lackluster performances of late.

2010 will also be the final year in his contract which makes him more expendable since it is his last year and the Seahawks will probably be looking to draft a new franchise quarterback either in 2010 or in 2011.

Then there is the question of whether or not Holmgren will be willing to trade either Anderson or Quinn in this offseason, and one of those two could be used as trade fodder to get a deal done and bring Hasselbeck to Cleveland.

Many Browns fans would probably welcome Hasselbeck with open arms, but at who’s expense? Quinn or Anderson?

Quinn can now be classified as injury prone since he has made the injured reserve roster for the second straight season and would the Seahawks want to risk him getting another injury?

Many would say Anderson instead, but with his terrible play in 2009, how much more would the Browns have to include in the deal to get Hasselbeck on the roster?

It might be too much, unless Anderson can have a strong outing in the last two games of the season.

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Josh Cribbs Leads Two Categories as 2010 Pro Bowl Fan Ballot Comes to a Close

Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns has not only provided a much-needed spark in many of the Browns’ game this year, but he is also the team’s heart and soul, and easily their most valuable player of the season.

With new President Mike Holmgren at the helm, Cribbs should easily be on the receiving end of a new contract. His two touchdown return performance last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs made him the sole leader in kick return touchdowns in NFL history.

(Side note: Cribbs won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for week 15 for his performance against the Chiefs. This is the second week in a row that he has won the award.)

Besides a new contract, what would be another great honor to give Cribbs for his wonderful performance this season?

How about leading the Pro Bowl fan balloting in two different categories?

That is correct: With fan polling now closed, Cribbs ended up first in the AFC as the kick returner, with 197,548 votes. He is also first in the AFC as the special teamer, with 168,372 votes.

The fan poll only accounts for one-third of the voting process, but to all others voting, Cribbs will undeniably go to the game as a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career.

He might actually play both positions, which would be a great honor, but he is almost guaranteed to go as the returner, despite the popular vote. Another special team’s ace will likely get chosen to play in Miami on Sunday, Jan., 31 at 7:20 pm EST on ESPN.

There was a record 89.87 million votes cast through all of the different voting channels that were accessible.

The official teams will be announced on Dec. 29 on a special edition of NFL Total Access on NFL Network.

The top overall vote receiver in the AFC was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, with 1,545,642 votes. The top vote receiver in the NFC was New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, with 1,485,397 votes.

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

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Brady Quinn is Done for the Season, is He Done as a Cleveland Brown Too?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been placed on the Injured Reserve for the rest of the 2009 season with an injury to his foot that occurred on one of the last offensive plays for the Browns against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

(Shh…listen and this is where you hear almost every Browns’ fan gasp in astonishment.)

One day after the Browns and their fans get one of the greatest football holiday gifts by getting the news that Mike Holmgren will become the organizations new President, the team and fans get a piece of coal in their stocking.

This now leaves Derek Anderson, who historically had one of the worst string of performances earlier this year the NFL has ever seen, at quarterback leading the charge.

Not the happy holidays this journalist expected to see, but at least Anderson will have a chance to improve his value going into the offseason.

HA!

Can Anderson really improve his value to higher than a fifth round pick in any future trade.

It’s unlikely.

Even though Quinn has only had two good statistical games, he had the perfect opportunity to prove himself to Holmgren who is a quarterback guru.

He really needed these last two games to show Holmgren he still deserves a chance to be the Browns’ starter in 2010 and possibly beyond, but that may not happen now.

Now, Holmgren will have to watch tape, and he just may want to bring in a new crop of quarterbacks with a mix of free agents and draft picks.

About 90 percent of all Browns fans like Quinn over Anderson, but Holmgren might not like either, and without having a chance to watch Quinn play may put an end to his stay in Cleveland.

Going into Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders, the Browns are riding a two-game winning streak for the first time since October of 2008. But with Quinn’s injury and Anderson taking over as starter, the streak may be in jeopardy depending on which Anderson comes to play (the 2007 version or 2009 version).

Browns fans that were considering buying tickets as a holiday gift are probably changing their mind now.

Those fans that already did buy tickets as holiday gifts, we all sympathize for you.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

With Holmgren Onboard, What Will Become of the Browns’ 3-4 Defense?

Mike Holmgren has one of the biggest challenges ahead of him in rebuilding the Cleveland Browns into a contender in the NFL.

One of the biggest questions surrounds the Browns’ current 3-4 defensive scheme and whether Holmgren will keep it, even though all of the teams he has coached have used a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Best guess is that in 2010 the Browns will switch back into the 4-3, which they used the first six years of their rebirth in 1999-2004.

Current coach Eric Mangini is from the Bill Parcells tree of running a 3-4 defense, and whether or not he can cope with a transition into a 4-3 may have a lot of weight on what Holmgren’s decision regarding Mangini’s future will be with the team.

Holmgren has said that since he was also a coach he understands that a coach needs more than one season to change a team and fully implement his plan, but, if a switch to 4-3 cannot be integrated into Mangini’s plan, then he might be shown the door.

Many football experts and fans alike have said that the Browns’ current defensive personnel better suits a 4-3 defense, so a transition may not be that difficult.

But you also have to take into consideration Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan’s job security, too.

Ryan was with the Oakland Raiders in 2008, where he ran a 4-3 defense so his job may be safe, but with a new front office power, like Holmgren at the helm, there is no real job security for most of the coaches on the team.

Unless Holmgren really thinks he can combine his plan and vision with what Mangini and his staff have been trying to accomplish this season.

If this change were to occur, there would be players who will not make the team and wind up getting cut since their specialty is more in a 3-4 defense.

What does that mean for players like linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who used to be a defensive end in college, but has played in the NFL as a outside linebacker?

Would Wimbley be able to switch back over to a three-point stance?

There will be many questions in the coming weeks and months, now that Holmgren is in charge, and it will be very interesting to see all of Holmgren’s moves unfold as the Browns go through the offseason.

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

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The Cleveland Browns Get Their Man, Mike Holmgren as President

After making the Cleveland Browns wait a week before making his decision to join the franchise, Mike Holmgren has finally made his answer known, and his answer is yes.

(This is where you pause and hear all the Browns fans and most of the city of Cleveland roaring in cheers!!)

According to ESPN.com, Holmgren has agreed to become the new President of the Browns, replacing former President Mike Keenan who has moved to the new title of Chief Financial Officer.

Holmgren’s decision came only days after he turned down a front office position with the Seattle Seahawks, for what was rumored to be a lesser role within the Seahawks organization.

Also according to si.com, Holmgren’s role is strictly as an executive and there is no coaching in his immediate future with the Browns.

Browns owner Randy Lerner still has yet to say if a general manager will be hired or if Holmgren’s new position will absorb the vacancy.

The job status of current head coach Eric Mangini is more of a grey area. 

Mangini and Holmgren met last week and Holmgren stated that since he was a coach previously, he knows how unfair it would be to fire a coach after only one season of work.

Lerner noted that this week he will be working on the final financial details of Holmgren’s new deal, with an official announcement to the media occurring next week after Christmas.

Holmgren will not be available to any media outlets until an official press conference.

So what should Holmgren’s first order of business be?

That’s simple.

Give Josh Cribbs the contract he deserves.

Will Holmgren be the savior of the Browns the fans have wanted?

Only time will tell, but the newest addition to the team does bring a huge amount of hope!

Welcome to Cleveland Mike!

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

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Why Josh Cribbs Is the Cleveland Browns’ “Player of the Decade”

Josh Cribbs is hands-down the Cleveland Browns’ Player of the Decade.

Is there really any disputing this claim?

Maybe, but it would be a very tough debate to prove otherwise.

Cribbs’ story is all too familiar with most every Browns fan, but for those who do not know his story, it is one of a big heart, a team-first mentality, and a work ethic that challenges even the best NFL players in the league.

A running quarterback at Kent State University, which is located approximately 45 minutes southeast of Cleveland, Cribbs set a NCAA record by becoming the first true freshman quarterback to ever rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in the same season (Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards has also accomplished this feat in 2006, becoming the second player ever to do it).

He is also one of only five players in NCAA history to ever rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in two collegiate seasons during a players career.

Further, Cribbs is one of only four players in NCAA history to rush for over 3,500 yards and pass for over 7,000 yards in a career.

Finally, in a very unknown but historic college career, Cribbs is the only player in the history of the NCAA who has ever led his team in both passing and rushing yards every year of his college career.

After his senior year, Cribbs moved forward in his attempt to get into the NFL via the 2005 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, Cribbs was not drafted by anyone, and he was invited to the Browns training camp before the 2005 preseason began.

Cribbs knew that he would not be able to become a quarterback, so he was willing to switch positions to become a wide receiver since he has great vision and speed.

As training camp progressed, Cribbs raised many eyebrows and, by the time the regular season began, was the kickoff returner on opening day of the regular season.

After a very successful rookie year that saw Cribbs almost exclusively returning kickoffs (one for a touchdown versus the Lions), he was given a long-term contract for six years in the beginning of 2006.

In 2006, Cribbs continued his kick return duties (two more returns for touchdowns), and even though fellow teammate Dennis Northcutt was the punt returner, Cribbs was tested as a punt returner several time with some success. A franchise record was set in 2006 by Cribbs for most return yards in a season.

The following year, the Browns decided that Northcutt was no longer a part of their plans and told Cribbs that he was not only going to return kicks, but he was to take over punt returns since Northcutt would not be rejoining the team in 2007.

Cribbs literally ran with both return duties and not only returned a punt for a touchdown, but he took back two more kickoffs for touchdowns too.

In 2007, Cribbs was named to the Pro Bowl team as the return specialist.

As 2008 came, Cribbs’ role was expanded because of his powerful and explosive running style and he became the Browns’ Wildcat formation quarterback, which was fitting since he was a quarterback in college.

Cribbs returned another kickoff for a score in 2008, giving him a kick return for a touchdown in each of his first four seasons.

He also ran for 167 yards with one touchdown and caught his first receiving touchdown too.

With his expanded role, Cribbs and his agent realized that he was outplaying his contract extension he signed in 2006 and began asking the Browns to renegotiate, but current Browns general manager Phil Savage said he needed Cribbs to play through the 2008 season and then he would get a new deal in the offseason.

Tragedy stuck, though—with the Browns having a very bad season following their near playoff appearance in 2007, where they were the Cinderella team of the year at 10-6, Savage was fired by Browns owner Rander Lerner.

As Lerner replaced his front office and coaching staff in 2009, Cribbs was still asking for a new deal that was promised by the old regime, but the new regime of general manager George Kokinis and head coach Eric Mangini were playing hard ball and said that Cribbs would once again have to play through the 2009 season before they could look at giving him a new deal.

Going into training camp, Cribbs threatened to hold out and he even threatened to boycott the 2009 regular season once it began.

Being a player who has a tremendously huge heart and is the definition of a team player, Cribbs once again put his differences aside and played the regular season—and, boy…what a regular season Cribbs has had.

Not only being the main offensive weapon on a team that is rebuilding for the future, but Cribbs has single-handedly taken over many games to—if not win the game—at the very least keep the Browns in the game competitively.

Cribbs’ two most recent games, against the Steelers (where he had over 80 yards rushing and over 200 total yards)  and Chiefs (two kick returns for a touchdown), are proof positive that he is undoubtedly the Cleveland Browns’ “Player of the Decade,” not only due to his talent but to his nature to put aside contract disputes and play for his team, then fans, and himself.

A case could be made the Cribbs could be the “Most Unselfish Player in the NFL,” because his competitive spirit would rather help his team, his fans, and his city rather than help himself financially.

His agent might not be happy with Cribbs’ disregard to holding out for more money, but, in the end, Cribbs having a heart of gold will bring both of them more money than they could have even imagined six months ago.

In closing, congrats to you, Josh Cribbs, for breaking the NFL’s all-time record for most kick returns for a touchdown in a career!

You deserve it!

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Mike Holmgren Turns Down Seahawks Offer, Still Onboard with Browns Offer

Mike Holmgren’s bid to stay with his former and hometown team, the Seahawks, has ended in a surprise move by Holmgren himself who declined a job offer presented to him by the team.

Cleveland Browns fans are now going crazy, because their biggest competition in the Holmgren race was the Seattle Seahawks.  Holmgren still resides with his family in the Seattle area.

As reported by profootballtalk.com , Seattle quite possibly made Holmgren an offer they knew that he would refuse, but made the offer anyway in order save face, since it was widely reported through various online sites that the Seahawks had absolutely no interest in a return of the former coach and general manager.

Specifics of the Seahawks offer were not detailed, but Holmgren has said he does not want a formal role as a front office executive, but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to coaching.

The Seahawks want a traditional front office executive, but Browns owner Randy Lerner is reportedly so desperate to get the Browns on the right path that he reportedly offered Holmgren “the entire house.”

This sounds like Lerner is not opposed to bringing Holmgren in to replace current coach, Eric Mangini, and making Holmgren general manager and coach. Lerner is all for it, as long as the team can become a contender.

But the Browns need a strong front office executive, first and foremost, not a guy who would be holding two job positions and could be overloaded as time goes on.

One theory is that if the Browns can continue to improve in the final three games of the season, Mangini will get a chance to continue to coach the team in 2010.

Of Mangini’s situation, even Holmgren said, “…having been a coach for so many years, I would be the first one to tell you that’s not very fair.”

Looks like Holmgren will be giving Mangini 2010 to continue to build this team, but in this journalists’ opinion, if the Browns struggle in the first four game of 2010, then look for Holmgren to fire Mangini, then move from the executive box in Cleveland Browns Stadium to the sideline to take over the head coaching position.

Holmgren is supposed to announce his intentions regarding the Browns job on Monday.

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

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Braylon Edwards Just Can’t Catch a Break: Baby’s Momma is Greedy and Sues

New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards is making headlines once again, but for all the wrong reasons—as usual.

America’s Next Top Model contestant, Nik Pace, is suing Edwards for $70,000 per month for child support of the child she had with Edwards who was born back in August of this year.

Edwards attempted to file to be recognized as the child’s father, but it was objected to by Pace, who then immediately sued him.

The past two years for Edwards has been two of the hardest years for the pro receiver beginning in 2008 with his inconsistencies and dropped passes (in which he led the NFL with), then the drama carried over into 2009 with a fight against LeBron James’ friend and then getting traded to the Jets from the Cleveland Browns.

Even though, Edwards’ trade was supposed to be a fresh start and a way to reinvent himself, the dropsies have still plagued the former Pro Bowler while wearing the green and white.

Jets fans wanted him, but now they loathe him and are also calling the trade “Mangini’s Revenge.”

Whether it is a lack of focus, or bad eyesight remains to be seen, but one has to feel bad for this most recent of unsettling news for Edwards.

Forget about all the on and off the field issues, because when a human male fathers a child but gets denied to become the child’s father, it is just plain wrong.

This journalist fully supports Edwards’ attempt to continue to be recognized as the child father and hopes the courts will see that it is his human right as the father to actually be the father.

Sorry Pace, but you are just greedy for Edwards’ money and when a child is stuck in the middle, it’s just immoral. Do you really need $840,000 per year for child support? That’s just an insane number.

Edwards may have many issues on his plate, but this should not be one of them.

 

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