The Rumor Mill: Who Will Serve as the Next Giants Defensive Coordinator

Former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left behind some pretty big shoes to fill, just ask former New York coach Bill Sheridan, who was fired earlier this week.

There’s no denying the Giants have the personnel to be one of the NFL’s elite defensive teams once again, but the problem doesn’t lie with the players, it falls squarely on whoever will take over as defensive coordinator.

As with all coaching vacancies in the NFL, candidates names will appear and disappear as fast as the seconds go by on a clock. Here are some names that have been appearing around the rumor mill lately.

Kicking off this year’s search for defensive coordinator will be Buffalo Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell. Fewell, who served as a former defensive backs coach under Tom Coughlin from 1998-2002 in Jacksonville, took over for Dick Jauron in Buffalo earlier this year and is expected to be interviewed as early as tomorrow.

One of the more interesting candidates is Romeo Crennel.  The former Cleveland Browns coach was a former defensive line coach with the Giants, Patriots, and Jets before he landed his own head coaching gig.

There is a major issue with Crennel, as he runs a 3-4 defense, and the Giants use a 4-3. While some players such as Clint Sintim and Chris Canty would prosper in the changeover, it would be a major rebuilding move and perhaps the end of some players’ tenure in a Giants uniform.

Another high-profile possible candidate is Jauron. Jauron served as the defensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin during their years in Jacksonville.

The former Bills and Bears head coach may have an inside track on the rest of the competition, but he would not be alone in that regard.

Former defensive coordinator Dom Capers also served under Coughlin, and could be considered as another strong candidate. Capers, however, is a less likely choice due to the fact that he is currently the defensive coordinator for the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers.

There are however some less high-profile coaches who have been linked to the Giants’ defensive vacancy.

According to the New York Daily News, former Giants linebacker and current Patriots line coach Pepper Johnson is “very interested” in the position. Johnson is a five-time Super Bowl champion—two as a player and three as a coach—and would demand “instant respect” according to Carl Banks.

While all these coordinators and former head coaches have an impressive track record, there is one assistant who has not been named yet that could be the sleeper pick.

New York Jets linebacker coach Bob Sutton has been reportedly targeted by the Giants, according to multiple media outlets.

Sutton, who was the Jets’ defensive coordinator from 2006-08, has survived four different head coaches since joining the Jets back in 2000.

A former head coach at Army, Sutton also worked with Coughlin back in 1974 with Syracuse.

While the rumor mill continues to turn on this story one thing is certain, there will be no shortage of candidates for this coveted position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Why the Oakland Raiders Should Trade for Brandon Marshall

Let me start by saying that I can imagine people will either love this idea, hate it passionately, or just wouldn’t count on it, but I had to find out what people think.

The Denver Broncos have a predicament with their star receiver Brandon Marshall, who has stated that he wants out of Denver.  His rookie contract expires this year; however, if no CBA is signed, Marshall will be an RFA , while the Broncos can still opt to tag him.

Nevertheless, the decision to bench Marshall for the final game of the season—a game that had postseason implications—would suggest that the relationship is over and the Broncos will seek to trade him.

I started thinking about this.  As much as I like Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens at receiver for the Oakland Raiders, Marshall would be a huge upgrade. 

And I took into account several things: quarterback situation; Darrius Heyward -Bey; and the Raiders position in the 2010 Draft.

I also realize that the relationship between the Raiders and Broncos has long been icy at best, and that divisional rivals usually don’t trade star players to each other.

That said, the Raiders have something to offer and could hypothetically offer to trade down with the Denver Broncos in the NFL Draft, which would put Denver in a better position to fill a big need at linebacker or defensive line, but the Raiders could also offer Heyward -Bey and a third round pick.

Before you immediately object, consider the impact that Marshall has had on quarterbacks.  In 2007, 2008, and 2009, Marshall topped 100 catches on the season with the likes of Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton.

Frankly, I think Marshall could make Ryan Leaf look good.  Well, perhaps that is too hyperbolic, but the point is, Marshall clearly makes a quarterback look better.

That leads me to the Raiders’ predicament.  That being most fans and critics would agree that JaMarcus Russell is not ready and that Bruce Gradkowski turned in better performances with the same team that Russell had.

I, however, am still convinced that Davis remains firm in his support for Russell, because I still believe that the trade of Randy Moss in 2007 during the draft in which the Raiders selected Russell was an act of sabotage and subterfuge by former coach Lane Kiffin and then outgoing personnel director Michael Lombardi.

Whether that is true or not is not the point because I do believe that Al Davis believes that to be the case.

Thus, I have not seen enough to believe that Davis has been dissuaded from his commitment (pun intended) to JaMarcus Russell.  We have begun to believe this because of the seemingly imminent termination of Coach Tom Cable, likely resulting from Coach Cable’s decision to bench Russell.

If that is the case, then Davis should not wait around for Heyward -Bey, while the Raiders would need a consistent go-to receiver, if Russell is still numero uno .

You might say then: Why would Denver want Heyward -Bey?  The answer is simple. 

Josh McDaniels is from a New England system that prefers low-key receivers, because the receiver is seen as just a product of the system.  Jabbar Gaffney, for instance, recently recorded over 200 yards receiving for the Broncos.

Thus, if Russell is still the man in the Davis plan, then I would hope Davis does something aggressive in the offseason to support Russell.

With that said, often times the scenarios that make perfect sense in the NFL, don’t happen.  Regardless of that, that is something I would like to see.

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Don’t Fill Out The Buffalo Bills’ Change of Address Cards Just Yet

There’s one phrase I’m sick to death of reading or hearing in the press, relative to the Buffalo Bills’ coaching search:

“The situation in Buffalo is too uncertain with the age of owner Ralph Wilson and the likelihood that the franchise will relocate after his death.”

I don’t know why it is assumed that the Bills are only biding time until Granddady dies so they can finally run away from home. There are several reasons, in fact, why I am convinced the Bills aren’t going anywhere, except perhaps to play an extra game in Toronto.

First of all, just because the Wilson family doesn’t appear willing or able to retain franchise ownership after the patriarch’s death, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t several potential suitors with local ties who could purchase the team and keep it right where it is.

Former Bills Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, Pro Football Hall of Famers from the Superbowl years, have continued to live in the area and stay involved in a consulting basis with the team, while also continuing their active involvement in civic life. It is obvious that both Kelly and Thomas, like many other former Bills, have established deep roots in the community.

It’s no secret that for the past few years, Kelly and Thomas have been exploring options for heading up an investors group with the objective of being in position to acquire a controlling interest in the franchise whenever Mr. Wilson or his heirs wish to unload the asset.  

Considering the sentimental status that Kelly has in the Buaffalo Niagara Region, and the success Kelly has had with fundraising for his charities, does anyone doubt he’ll succeed in raising the appropriate amount of mone?

But, lets assume for a moment, that when the time comes, local interests remain on the sidelines or are outbid by outsiders. There are still several reasons, strictly from a business perspective, why the NFL and any potential out-of-town owners will commit to keeping the Bills in the Buffalo area permanently.

First, of primary interest to the NFL, is the issue of branding, legacy, and continuity.

The Buffalo Bills are the AFC equivalent of the Green Bay Packers in NFC.  Perhaps more accurately, they are to the AFL’s legacy (which now belongs to the NFL) what the Packers are to the pre-merger NFL. They are an original franchise, storied and iconic, and an argument could be made that it’s essential to preserve the franchise in order for the league to maintain historical integrity.

No one would even suggest moving the Packers out of Green Bay, nor was it ever suggested, even before Brett Favre arrived and Lambeau Field was upgraded.  Nobody suggested it when the team suffered through decades of futility between Bart (Starr) and Brett.

You wouldn’t move the Packers out of Green Bay any more than you’d move the Gettysburg Museum off the Gettysburg battlefield. 

For the same reason, you wouldn’t move the Bills out of Buffalo. Like the Packers, and perhaps unlike any other franchise in the NFL, the Bills are a sort of living museum of what and where the AFL/NFL has been. Each team has made significant and unique contributions to league pathos, which make them uniquely geographically necessary. 

Putting the Bills franchise in a new stadium in L.A. would be just as disorienting as putting the Gettysburg museum in Philadelphia.

Regardless of what you build or where, the soul of the battle, its very reality—not only in historical context but in its timeless and ongoing reality—is one in the same with its physical place. A Gettysburg museum anywhere but Gettysburg is more than meaningless. It is spiritually and socially disruptive.  It is experientially dissonant.

The AFL Championships won in Buffalo by icons not only of the league, but of the nation— such as Jack Kemp, who went on to a political career of national impact but never apart from local heritage—become forever stripped of context if the Bills leave Buffalo. 

Even debunked heroes such as O.J. Simpson become shorn of context without the team in town.

What happens to rivalries? The Patriots vs. the Greenbacks (What happens to a Buffalo Bill in L.A.? It becomes a dollar bill) somehow isn’t as appealing.

Secondly, it doesn’t make economic sense for the NFL to leave Buffalo. There are several venues in the league that are weaker in terms of fan base, attendance, and media market than Buffalo.

Consider these little known facts:

-If you measure the actual viewership of the Buffalo TV market, including the Canadian suburbs and contiguous Canadian cities, Buffalo would be considered a large market team. In fact, the Toronto-Buffalo-Rochester mega-region is the fourth largest such region in North America, trailing only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. 

-Unlike many larger cities, Buffalo, due to its uniqueness, has a passionate contingent of expats all over the country. The Bills are among the top teams in terms of viewership of nationally televised games and also in terms of satellite viewership. (Similarly, the number of Bills fans nationally is among the top in the league).

-The Bills continue to sell out one of the largest stadiums in the league (Ralph Wilson Stadium) without a single playoff appearance in the last 10 years. 

Certainly if there is a franchise that could be moved to L.A. with minimal negative impact on the league it would be Jacksonville.  Of all the league’s existing franchises, this one, expanded concurrently with Carolina, has not been able to establish itself under NFL standards from the beginning.

So, although I would favor making former L.A. Chargers a regional team for all of Southern California, if any team has to move, it should be, and I’m quite certain it will be, the Jaguars.

So, Bills fans, press, and pundits alike: get over it. The Buffalo Bills are going to continue to be a local and regional institution (Hello, Toronto!) And that’s a good thing.

Now, can we get back, in earnest, to our coaching search?

 

John is available as a speaker for any organization or event on sports topics or a variety of other topics. For more information see The Speaker page on his website: www.johnwingspreadhowell.com/theconsultant.

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Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Six to Future Contracts

With the Miami Dolphins’ season over, practice squad contracts have expired and those players are now free agents.

As expected, the Dolphins have re-signed six of the seven players that finished the season on their practice squad to future contracts for 2010.

Those six players—running back Tristan Davis, guard Ray Feinga, wide receiver Taurus Johnson, tight end John Nalbone, safety Nate Ness, and wide receiver Julius Pruitt—will join the Dolphins’ 80-man offseason roster in hopes of competing for a roster spot in training camp.

Left unsigned was cornerback Will Billingsley—a second-year player who finished the season on the practice squad/injured list. It’s unknown if it was this injury, an October arrest stemming from a domestic incident, or another reason that caused him not to be re-signed.

With the signings, the Dolphins’ 80-man offseason roster now stands at 58 players under contract. This does not include the nine pending free agents I listed yesterday.

Here is a quick look at the six players re-signed today and the challenges they’ll likely face in making the Dolphins’ roster in 2010. All should be considered long-shots and aren’t even locks to make it to training camp, let alone final cuts.

• RB Tristan Davis — Davis (6-1, 191) was an undrafted rookie out of Auburn, playing part of the preseason with the Detroit Lions before spending time on their practice squad. He has almost no chance to make active roster behind Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets, though he has experience as a kickoff returner and could try to compete there as well.
• OG Ray Feinga — Feinga (6-4, 336) was an undrafted rookie out of BYU, spending part of the offseason with the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers. A two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection, Feinga will try to push Andrew Hartline for a reserve guard spot.
• WR Taurus Johnson — Johnson (6-1, 205) was an undrafted rookie out of South Florida, spending the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs and part of the regular season on the Lions’ practice squad. He had an unimpressive college career and will have a difficult time making the roster with most of the spots already spoken for.
• TE John Nalbone — Nalbone (6-4, 255) was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round out of Monmouth in 2009. He spent part of the season on the active roster, but did not appear in a game and finished the season on the practice squad. He’ll compete with Kory Sperry for the No. 3 job, and could have a much better chance of making the team if the Dolphins don’t retain impending restricted free agent Anthony Fasano. However, Nalbone clearly hasn’t developed like the Dolphins had hoped and his draft status won’t get him handed anything.
• FS Nate Ness — Ness (6-1, 190) was an undrafted rookie out of Arizona, spending offseason or practice squad time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. Ness spent Week 11 vs. the Carolina Panthers on the Dolphins’ active roster, but did not play and has otherwise been on the practice squad. He’ll try to compete for a roster spot as a reserve cornerback/free safety/special-teamer and could be helped if Gibril Wilson is released.
• WR Julius Pruitt — Pruitt (6-2, 210) was an undrafted rookie out of Ouachita Baptist, signing to the Dolphins’ practice squad on Sept. 6 after going unsigned in the offseason. Pruitt has good size and 4.4 speed, but he’s very raw coming out of a Division II school and probably isn’t ready to contribute. Like Taurus Johnson, Pruitt has almost no chance of making the final roster out of camp and could be destined for the practice squad yet again.

 

 

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New England Patriots Crawl into Playoffs with Injuries and Defensive Struggles

It wasn’t pretty, but the regular season is finally over, and the New England Patriots have made the playoffs. 

With the return of Tom Brady and the addition of Fred Taylor and Shawn Springs, only 10 notches in the win column seems a little disappointing.

Last season, a Matt Cassel-led offense was able to put up 11 with no playoffs. 

Brady is banged up, and Wes Welker is gone. Time for Julian Edelman to step up and become the story of the playoffs. Brady’s offense loves a good slot receiver, and Edelman will have his opportunity to step up.

The question isn’t if he will be given the opportunity; rather, can Edelman answer the call? The former Kent State QB probably never imagined his rookie year taking a turn like this. He has the moves, the athleticism, and the fire (look at the block he laid on Bills defensive back George Wilson) of Wes Welker. 

Will he put up Welker-like numbers? No. Is he expected to? No.

Edelman will give the Patriots another slot receiver who can gain yards after the catch. His days as a scrambling QB at Kent State (where, as a transfer, Edelman walked up to starting QB Michael Machen and told him he was there to take his job) gave him the field vision he needs to avoid defenders for extra yards downfield.

In the limited action he has seen throughout the season, he has established himself as a rookie with great yard-after-catch potential. 

In the case of the Patriots’ defensive backs, there is no Edelman to save them. Blowing second-half leads is the theme of the year for New England’s mediocre defense.

Regardless of how many defensive players the Patriots lost this offseason, no defense can be allowed/expected to blow double-digit leads in the second half of games. They are the Achilles’ heel of this year’s New England playoff team.

There are small signs of hope in Brandon Meriweather, Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Leigh Bodden, and Darius Butler (to name a few). However, inconsistent play has plagued this defensive unit all year. Jonathan Wilhite, Derrick Burgess, Springs, and Adalius Thomas need to step up. Burgess, Springs, and Thomas need to realize they have to become veteran leaders on and off the field.

This Sunday, the Ravens come to town, and as long as the Patriots defense doesn’t collapse in the second half, New England wins 28-14. It’s a bad sign when even a 14-point lead seems like no cushion at all—rather a gap that is waiting to be filled in the fourth quarter.

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New England Patriots Wild Card Game Scouting Report: Baltimore Ravens

How They Got Here

The Baltimore Ravens kicked-off the season with an explosive start, winning their first three games by scoring over 30 points in each game. Their streak was broken after a close game in New England, which started a three-game slide that left the Ravens 3-3 at their Week 7 bye.

After the bye, the Ravens couldn’t get on a roll as they traded victories and losses for the next seven weeks. However, winning three out of their last four helped them secure an AFC wild card slot in a division where Cincinnati surprised and Pittsburgh disappointed.

Except for their Week 13 loss to Green Bay, the Ravens always kept the score close. This is a 9-7 team that could easily be 12-4.

Key Victories: San Diego (Week 2), Pittsburgh (Week 12)

Key Losses: Cincinnati (Week 5), Indianapolis (Week 11), Pittsburgh (Week 16)

Baltimore vs. New England – Week 4

In Week 4, the Ravens came into the game determined to beat the Pats through the air. Joe Flacco threw the ball 47 times, completing 27 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Despite only rushing the ball 11 times, Ray Rice racked up 103 yards and broke off an impressive 50-yard run.

The game was a very even match between the two teams, however the Ravens actually looked better on paper edging the Pats in third down efficiency (64% vs. 40%) and in Net Yards (363 vs. 319.)

So why did Baltimore lose this game? They stuck with the pass and saw drives end short while the Patriots ran the ball and ran down the clock. Sure, the Ravens could have easily won this game had Mark Clayton caught a fourth quarter pass with… READ MORE

 

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Cleveland Browns Offseason: Welcome Mike Holmgren and Position Analysis

Going into the 2010 offseason, there are many things surrounding the Cleveland Browns since their new president, Mike Holmgren, is finally in the Browns’ Training Facility in Berea, OH.

 

Holmgren cracks jokes and needs an office on day one as President

When Holmgren got to the facility, he was looking around for his office, and when he asked where it was, another employee informed him that his office was not completed.

So what did Holmgren do?

He found the first empty office space that he saw and claimed it as his temporary office.

A little bit sad, and a little bit funny.

Funny is what Holmgren was during his first press conference with the Cleveland and national media.

Cracking jokes and giving out all the right answers, Holmgren is the new face of the Cleveland Browns, and he looks the part right down to the tie, which he also cracked a joke about.

A quick note: Look at the picture above and you can see Holmgren was wearing his Super Bowl ring at the press conference, possibly to remind Clevelanders that he has won the big game.

Nice touch!

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown

Even though the Browns won their last four games of the 2009 season, there are still plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and with 11 draft picks in the 2010 NFL Draft and lots of room under the salary cap, regardless of whether it’s a capped or uncapped year, the Browns are looking to acquire many players in the offseason.

 

Quarterback:

This is the most talked about position in the history of the new Browns, but with Holmgren on board and his expertise at the position, the Browns will look to finally have stability at quarterback.

Brady Quinn may not be the answer, but if he stays on for 2010, look for him to be on a short leash.

Derek Anderson will get cut due to his $9 million salary. Not worth it at all.

Look for an additional quarterback or two to be added via free agency or the draft.

Many speculate that Holmgren will bring in a vet, or even try to get Matt Hasselbeck from the Seahawks.

 

Running Back:

Before the month of December, many fans were hoping that the Browns would pick a running back in the first round of the draft, but after Jerome Harrison broke out in the final three games, it looks like he will get a new contract and be the starter for 2010.

Rookie James Davis’ injury was unfortunate since he showed potential in the preseason, but the Browns still do not know what he has since he was out for the entire season.

Davis could be a good alternate to Harrison in a running rotation in 2010, but a big bruising back is needed to get short yardage and during goal line plays.

Chris Jennings could bulk up a bit more and be that bruiser, but adding a big back could work out, too.

Adding Josh Cribbs as a running back could prove to be helpful on short yardage and goal line plays, as well, since he has averaged 6.5 yards per carry in his career.

 

Fullback:

Lawrence Vickers is under the NFL’s radar and is one of the best fullbacks in the league.

He demolishes defenders on his blocks, and the Browns need to re-sign him for 2010 and beyond since his contract ended in 2009.

 

Wide Receiver:

There is good potential at receiver for the Browns with Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, and Chansi Stuckey, but another receiver needs to be added.

This journalist, along with a few others, have all said that the Browns need a Joe Jurevicuis-type receiver who has great hands and can be a mentor for the younger receivers on the roster.

Free agency is the way to go in getting a good veteran receiver on board.

This biggest issue will be whether the vet receiver will be good enough to be the No. 1 or No. 2 starter for the team, because at times, Massaquoi struggled as the teams’ No. 1 receiver in 2009, and he needs help with another good starter on the opposite side of the field.

Massaquoi’s time as the No. 1 receiver in 2009 may have been the best learning experience for him, and maybe in 2010 he will be a true No. 1 receiver for the Browns.

 

Tight End:

Evan Moore came out of nowhere to become the Browns’ biggest tight end threat in the passing game, and he has a chance to be a very good starter if he works hard in the offseason.

Robert Royal should be let go, and Steve Heiden is still reliable when he is not injured.

Michael Gaines has provided some needed push in the running game, but the Browns might still need to add another tight end.

 

Offensive Line:

The right side of the line struggled for most of the season, at least until Hank Fraley played right guard and Rex Hadnot played right tackle for the last four games of the season.

A stud right tackle should be drafted, and current right tackle John St. Clair needs to be cut.

After adding a right tackle, the Browns will have good depth on the line in 2010.

 

Defensive Line:

The emergence of Athyba Rubin on the line when Shaun Rogers went down for the season proved to be a good thing since Rubin is very good in controlling space and plugging lanes against the running game.

Roger may even move over to the end since he enjoys rushing the opposing quarterback more than anything else.

Rumors are out that Holmgren may switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme since he has worked with that style of defense for most of his career, and that would mean current linebacker transition players Kamerion Wimbley and David Veikune could go back to playing on the end of the line like they did in college.

The Browns line looks good going into the offseason, but let’s be honest, if Ndamukong Suh is still available once the Browns’ No. 7 pick comes up in the 2010 draft, they must draft him.

This is highly unlikely, but you never know in the NFL.

 

Linebackers:

The Browns’ linebacker group was hurt with injuries to starters D’Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton, but David Bowens stepped in and preformed at a very high level.

Rookie Kaluka Maiava was able to see some playing time with the injuries, and he did play well, but still needs time to get better.

Former Dolphin outcast Matt Roth was picked up midseason, and he showed the Browns why they need to re-sign him to a nice contract, because he should be starting on the outside in 2010.

This is a good mix of players, but the Browns really lack a playmaking and intimidating linebacker that most teams have, and while another addition might help, Roth could also be that intimidating player in 2010.

 

Cornerbacks:

Eric Wright is slowly developing into a very good cover corner, but besides him, the Browns do not have another starting caliber corner, and they must address this in the draft (quite possibly in the first round).

Backups Brandon McDonald and Hank Poteat were burned all year long, and this position might be the worst in depth on the team.

2009 rookie Coye Francies hardly saw any playing time in the regular season, but he was impressive in the preseason.

Hopefully, Franices’ development can continue and he can contribute more in 2010 in nickel and dime packages.

 

Safety:

Brodney Pool has had too many concussions in his short career, and that could threaten his long-term health, but he may still be of value as a backup safety or as a cornerback.

The Browns need a starter opposite Abram Elam for 2010, and even though Elam was not spectacular, his name wasn’t mentioned much, which means a player is doing his job.

In 2010, Elam will be a starter for his second year, so look for him to have a bigger impact.

If the Browns cannot get Tennessee safety Eric Berry at No. 7, then perhaps they should look for Earl Thomas in the second round.

 

Kicking and Punting:

Phil Dawson said he was going to hold out before the 2009 training camp began, but he came back to play.

He is still the only player this journalist wants to see kicking the ball in the crazy winds off of Lake Erie, but if Dawson wants more money, then it is in the hands of Holmgren to decide if he’s worth the price.

Bottom line: if you can kick in rain, blizzards, and 30-plus mph winds, then you should get paid. Period.

Punter David Zastidul is at the top of his game, and as long as his can stay healthy, there is no reason to replace him.

 

Final analysis:

The most important positions of need are easily at right tackle and in the defensive secondary, and the Browns should focus their first three picks in the 2010 NFL Draft on cornerback, safety, and tackle.

Free agency can provide some depth that is needed at positions like quarterback and wide receiver.

There are other positions that need more depth, but quarterback, wide receiver, right tackle, cornerback, and safety should be the first priority in the offseason for the Browns.

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

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The New Cleveland Browns: One Step Backwards To Take Two Steps Forward

Hiring a respected, credible football man like Mike Holmgren to be the President of the Cleveland Browns organization was a smart move on the part of owner Randy Lerner. In fact, It is a decision that should have been made several regimes ago.

 

For the first time since the rebirth of the Browns in 1999, the franchise appears to finally be on its way toward creating a proper organizational structure.

 

The Head Coach answers to the General Manager who answers to the President who answers to the Owner. That is precisely the way a football team should be run.

 

But let’s just get one thing straight Cleveland Browns fans—this is not some quick fix that automatically puts your team in playoff contention next season.

 

In fact, this new era in Browns football may take a step backwards first.

 

This is in no way an indictment of Mr. Lerner’s hiring of “The Big Show.” For the long-term success of the Browns this was the right call, but in the short term there is going to be a steep learning curve for the players.

 

Although Holmgren has said he will not be coaching the team, all signs point in the direction that the team will at the very least be incorporating some of Holmgren’s offensive and defensive philosophies (whether current head coach Eric Mangini stays or goes).

 

Holmgren stated that referring to his offense as the West Coast, after all the tinkering he has done to this scheme since the days of Paul Brown, is a lazy misnomer made up by the media. It is clearly a much different system than the current group of Browns’ players has been exposed to.

 

Whenever a team switches offenses (as this team will), a lot of changes will be made in not just terminology, but in the skill sets needed from the personnel running the offense.

 

As just one of many examples, power running teams such as the team Mangini was trying to build, require big, mauler-type offensive lineman. But offensive lineman need to be lighter on their feet to play in a zone and trap blocking scheme.

 

The terminology itself in Holmgren’s offense is going to require everyone involved to forget everything they have already learned. That applies to not just quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs, but the offensive lines’ protection calls.

 

In the first week of mini-camp, the players will feel like the coaching staff is speaking Chinese.

 

People forget that veteran quarterback Brett Favre had a very difficult time adjusting to play-calling when moving from the West Coast offense to Mangini’s system born out of the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick tree. It will be no different for those making the switch to the West Coast.

 

For those believing that the west coast style will benefit Brady Quinn’s skill set, keep in mind that Quinn has been exposed to only Mangini’s system (even while a college player).

 

Even acknowledging Quinn’s smarts, it does him very little good. The West Coast is more of an instinctive offense that takes much of the thinking out of the quarterbacks head and is instead more scripted by the offensive coordinator.

 

That doesn’t even take into account that quarterbacks of a more recent vintage that currently run the West Coast possess canon-like arms (Brett Favre, Donavon McNabb, Aaron Rodgers).

 

Likewise, there are rumblings that Holmgren prefers the 4-3 defense to the hybrid 3-4 the Browns are playing under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

 

The current personnel group likely does not match the same criteria required for the 4-3, which will require some additions and subtractions across the front seven of this roster.

 

There is still reason for optimism for this franchise. The new organizational structure with a solid football mind in front of it is a great start.

 

Eric Mangini should be credited for changing the culture of players from Club Crennel to a more business-like approach. The players learned that hard work and how to play as a team can create results on the field.

 

Ridding the team of me-first malcontents, coupled with younger players getting significant playing time because of injuries will all help in the future as well.

 

The team also has eleven draft choices in the upcoming draft (including the seventh overall pick) and it has plenty of salary flexibility going forward. The job of General Manager is certainly more attractive with those two factors in place.

 

But there will be some growing pains first.

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Message To Ken Whisenhunt: Packers Understand “You Play To Win The Game”

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AFC Wild Card Weekend: Keys to a Baltimore Victory at New England

Last Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens (9-7) punched their playoff ticket by defeating the Oakland Raiders (5-11) 21-13 in Oakland. 

The game plan they followed to secure the AFC’s final playoff spot looked eerily similar to the blueprint used a year ago, when Baltimore reached the AFC Championship Game—limit the amount of time an opposing offense has the ball by putting together a successful running attack. 

Ravens fans all over the country were hoping Baltimore would return to this proven formula that worked so well, especially during the Brian Billick era.

Now it looks like the team finally listened to their toughest critics, as the Ravens have ranked second in the NFL in rushing over the past six weeks.

As Baltimore clinches their second consecutive playoff berth, they will head back to New England to face the 10-6 Patriots, where in Week 4, the Ravens came up 10 yards short of what could’ve been a game-winning touchdown. 

Baltimore dropped that contest 27-21 in what turned out to be one of their more bitter defeats of the season.

In order for the Ravens to topple the Patriots for the first time in franchise history and move on to the divisional round of the playoffs, they must stick to their roots in the running game. 

Baltimore’s third-ranked defense, which has improved vastly during the second part of the season, must limit penalties and mental errors if they want to slow down Tom Brady and company and ultimately limit the time the Patriots’ offense is on the field.

Everyone knows the Ravens become a very dangerous team when they make it to the postseason. The last two teams that defeated Baltimore in the playoffs, ended up being crowned Super Bowl champions; Pittsburgh in 2008 and Indianapolis in 2006.

Let’s examine some other key things the Ravens must do in order to be successful this Sunday against one of the toughest teams in the playoffs this year.

Revisiting Baltimore’s running attack, they need to duplicate what they did last week against Oakland. Both Ray Rice and Willis McGahee need to carry the load behind an offensive line that’s finally healthy again with the return of Jared Gaither. 

Le’Ron McClain might be the best blocking fullback in the NFL, which is why he’s headed back to the Pro Bowl this year. If McClain can repeat the success he’s had this season against the Patriots on Sunday, both Rice and McGahee should get the opportunity to spring loose for some big gains on the ground.

Depending on how the Ravens running attack fares will ultimately dictate how much Cam Cameron decides to utilize Joe Flacco. Baltimore’s passing game has been an entirely different story throughout the regular season. 

Flacco started the 2009 season on fire, but eventually his role in running the offense was reduced, due to the fact that the Ravens were labeled as a “pass-happy” team. 

Opponents started to figure out that Derrick Mason was Flacco’s favorite target nearly 70 percent of the time, so John Harbaugh and Cam Cameron had to draw up new schemes on offense.

One player that came on strong during the last six games was Todd Heap. As the Ravens’ offensive line started to heal, Heap returned to a more traditional role. 

Heap has racked up four touchdowns in just three games averaging more than 11 yards a catch.

Heap must be utilized as a traditional tight end in order to create more mismatches with the Patriots’ defense. 

With Jared Gaither healthy, the probability of Heap making a few key catches in this game is highly likely. 

Heap is always a threat to score inside the red zone, and Flacco needs to go through his progressions in order to find Heap, who does a great job of creating separation from defenders inside the end zone.

When it comes to the Ravens’ third-ranked defense, they just need to come out and play penalty-free football. 

If Haloti Ngata and the rest of the Ravens’ front four can apply pressure on future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady, the improved Baltimore secondary should be able to successfully play their zone coverages.

However, with the injuries to Fabian Washington and star rookie Lardarius Webb, Baltimore must find a way to put two bodies on Randy Moss, the Patriots’ main deep threat.

Dawan Landry and Domonique Foxworth have stepped up their game, but they will need to play as close to perfect as humanly possible to slow down the Brady-to-Moss connection.

Ed Reed, back from a groin injury and a neck problem that has plagued him for two years, looks primed to help Landry and Foxworth over the top. Reed hasn’t played as sharp as in recent years due to injuries, but he always poses the threat of making a game-changing play. 

If Reed is up to task, Tom Brady won’t be throwing in his direction.

If Sunday’s game turns out to be a close one, as all indicators point to it being one, special teams might be the difference once again.

The Ravens have a solid punter in Sam Koch, but the place-kicking game has been atrocious this season. The virtual carousel of kickers Baltimore played this season cost them a few wins in 2009.

So with that said, the utter lack of consistency from Billy Cundiff has to have the Ravens a little worried, especially in a game that could come down to three points or less.

John Harbaugh, being a special teams coach for so many years with Philadelphia, has to be disappointed with the play of Cundiff. And quite frankly, Harbaugh has failed to address the issue to the satisfaction of Ravens fans.

If there’s one area that Baltimore can’t match the Patriots in, it’s the kicking game, so let’s hope the Ravens don’t have to rely on a clutch kick to win the game.

With all of the above taken into consideration, the Ravens do match up well with New England. 

And, with Week 4 maybe still on the team’s mind, they’ll be looking to redeem themselves for the mistakes that cost them a close game last time in Foxboro.

One more noteworthy tidbit of information Baltimore must take into consideration—Tom Brady, although dealing with rib and finger injuries, will be at his best in the playoffs. You can’t take a player like Brady lightly, no matter what condition he’s playing in. 

So John Harbaugh and the rest of the Ravens’ coaching staff must convey this message to the defense. 

I’m sure Ray Lewis will do his part to get this prideful squad fired up and prepared for what Brady and the rest of the Patriots’ offense will do.

This matchup Sunday has the potential of being one of the best playoff games in many years. 

No predictions will be made on my part, out of respect for my fellow friends who happen to be Patriots fans and all-around good people.

All I can say is get excited about the game, and make every effort to watch it on TV, or attend it in person. 

It could be one for the record books!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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