The emergence of Jerome Harrison in the backfield last year was a nice surprise, but he’s not a workhorse. They lightened his load a little drafting Tennessees running back Montario Hardesty. He’s a big back with good speed and is a great compliment to Harrison. The pick of Clevelands draft was Colt McCoy. The Texas quarterback slipped to the third round and the Browns were more than willing to jump on him. McCoy is a tough kid and a proven winner. With Holmgren there to groom him, he’s got a great shot at being Clevelands next Bernie Kosar.

They were able to add a little more depth at the offensive line position, drafting Shawn Lauvao out of Arizona State. The secondary wasn’t done it’s transformation as they were able to bring in strong safety Larry Asante from Nebraska, a tough, aggressive player who could contribute eventually. An interesting pick was Carlton Mitchell. The receiver out of South Florida brings them the possibility of a big play receiver and a red zone threat with great size and speed. They added physical freak Clifton Geathers to their defensive line. At 6′7″, the South Carolina defensive end could have very well played offensive tackle, but they’ll keep him as a project on defense. An interesting draft for the Browns. There could be some serious differences with this team next year, except of course the losing.

Technorati Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns, NFL

The Browns have come to Cribbs with a new offer that would pay him around $1.4 million per year, which he looks at as a smack in the face. I even got insulted when I read that figure. When asked if he’d be playing another game for Cleveland, Cribbs responded “It’s unlikely the way they’re talking right now,”.

Hmmm, new GM, same old Cleveland? Cribbs is the teams most talented player by a long shot and is the most exciting player the Browns have had since, well, maybe ever.

Mike Holmgren knows talent when he sees it though and plans on trying to work out a deal with Josh.

“I believe players should be rewarded for what they do,” Holmgren said. “I have no problems with that at all. What happens though on occasion is our view of how much that should be and the agent’s view of how much that should be differs. We have made an effort.”

There you go, maybe Josh will get taken care of after all. I mean Homgren has payed talent in the past. Two examples that come to mind right off the bat are Deion Branch and Shaun Alexander. Both those guys got more than their fair share, like way more. Don’t worry Cleveland fans, you’re in good hands…..

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Joshua Cribbs, Mike Holmgren, NFL

Everything boils down to Holmgren and his vision for the Cleveland Browns. It’s hard to imagine him to putting in place his own head coach but maybe he took the job thinking Mangini could fit the bill. Then again if that were the case I’m sure Mangini would have been informed by now that his job is safe.

In all fairness to Eric the Browns did finish the season winning four games in a row, which started with a huge upset win over the Steelers. The next three wins came against Kansas City, Oakland and a Jaguars team that had pretty much packed it in. So take the four game win streak how you want, but as they say a win is a win.

Things finished on a promising note for the Browns. The defense seemed to gel a little, Jerome Harrison looks like he’ll be a suitable replacement for Jamal Lewis and Josh Cribbs is finally starting to get recognized as one of the leagues biggest playmakers.

Unfortunately for Mangini this probably won’t be enough to save his job. Holmgren will have come into Cleveland with a plan and it’s hard to see Mangini being a part of that. Maybe Eric could get a job back in New England or something. I’m sure they could find him a job, like say, videotaping practices…..Patriots practices of course.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini, Mike Holmgren, NFL

In bringing in Holmgren, the Browns now have someone with serious credibility running the show. Holmgren most recent success came in 2005 when he guided the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl 40, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The big story now though is the future of Eric Mangini. Mangini commented that he feels secure with his job. Other people are talking about Holmgren wanting to bring in his own coach. The latter definitely makes more sense considering the difference in styles.

This is a positive step forward for the Browns. Mike Holmgren can only make this team better. How much better we’ll have to wait and see. But I would expect some major changes that’s for sure.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini, Mike Holmgren, NFL

The Browns definitely need some help and it will start with the vacant GM spot left by some guy whom I can’t even remember his name (George Kokinis). I’m sure by the end of the year they’ll need a coach too, and if Holmgren did get the job I would still expect to see Mangenius kicked to the curb.

But I’m not so sure Holmgren is the right fit in Cleveland. I have respect for Mike Holmgren for winning a Super Bowl back in 1997 with Green Bay and taking the Seahawks to a Super Bowl a few years ago. However I just don’t see it working.

The successful Cleveland Browns teams in the past have always been grinding, tough teams. This is not Holmgrens style at all. He’s a west coast offense kind of guy. I don’t see that being very Clevelandesque. Mind you there’s always room for change I suppose.

Still I don’t see this marriage working out if it does happen. What kind of shape did he leave the Seahawks in? Talk about a team with zero identity. Once they lost Steve Hutchinson a few years ago everything went south for them, including their, at the time, future hall of fame running back what’s his name…..it doesn’t matter.

How about all those power house receivers he brought in to give ageless wonder Matt Hasselback some targets. Remember Deion Branch? That’s okay, nobody does.

And speaking of Hasselback, I can see why they never drafted a possible replacement for him. I mean why bother? If he were ever able to play a full season without getting hurt he had the potential to be one of the above average quarterbacks in the league?

Now that I’m done being sarcastic I’ll give my opinion if it isn’t already very obvious. Mike Holmgren isn’t the savior everyone thinks he is. The Browns just don’t seem to have it figured out. And unfortunately for their fans, it doesn’t look like they will for a long time.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Mike Holmgren, NFL

The Browns defense played as good as anyone every thought they could, and probably a little better. They were in Roethlisbergers face all night. They knocked him to the turf 8 times as Ben looked like he didn’t want to have anything to do with last nights game.

The Steelers did show signs of life throughout the game. They didn’t turn the ball over and there were times where they looked like they were getting ready to turn it on. But they just kept running out of steam.

This was an odd game to watch because it seemed like the Browns were playing with the passion the Steelers wanted to. Pittsburgh went into this game thinking they wanted it more and Cleveland proved them wrong.

Pittsburghs playoff chances are all but faded away. There is still a slight chance but they need a lot of help. If last nights game was any indication of where the Steelers are at mentally right now they ‘re season is done.

As for the Browns, that right there was their Super Bowl. This minor distraction will move along and the Browns will be the same Browns. The bright side though is that they seem to have talent, especially on the defensive side. There seems to be a shimmer of hope for Cleveland fans. However it’s not recommended you hold your breathe.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Anyways, after having a look at it I’m really not sure what the problem is. All this talk about a chop block, do people even know what they’re talking about when they say that or are they regurgitating what other people say. A chop block involves engaging in a block BELOW the knees, Quinn hit Suggs in the thighs.

I understand the refs threw a flag on the play, it was marginal. But I’ve seen way more obvious low blocks/hits, away from the play I might add, not called. And Quinn hit Suggs with no intent to injure but to slow down Chris Carr. That hit from Quinn didn’t allow Carr to advance the ball any further.

The shot was marginal and it’s too bad Suggs got injured. But my point here is the double standards that defensive players have. They think the offensive players get too much protection, but as soon as a defensive player gets hurt on a “cheap shot” the league is the most unfair place in the world. Isn’t every defensive players response to marginal cheap shots made on their part something like “It’s football, there’s contact!”. Child please!

Technorati Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns, NFL, Terrell Suggs

The bigger picture here is that play that Cribbs was injured on. What kind of a coach risks injury on some sort of stupid college style play that won’t even win them the game. Every week that goes by I get more disgusted with Eric Mangini.

Josh Cribbs is hands down the most explosive player the Browns have had since Eric Metcalf. This guy may be the only reason most people keep some sort of interest in the team, he’s their only offensive threat. Yet they won’t give him a contract extension. Most teams reward their best players, not Cleveland.

The Browns have a total of 5, yup 5, offensive touchdowns in the last 15 games. You read that right. I’m going to keep repeating myself until something’s done: they need to get rid of Eric Mangini. A good portion of those 15 games have now been played this season and there’s still no sign of change. Get rid of Mangenius or stay shitty, those are your options Cleveland.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini, Josh Cribbs, NFL

I actually think this is the right move. I think Quinn is a better fit at quarterback for the Browns and they drafted him with the intent for him to start so why not give him the reins.

At this point in the season the Browns have nothing to lose. It’s 100% worth it to see if Quinn will be in their future plans. As for Mangini this is a last ditch attempt to squeeze anything out of this season. Unless the Browns turn into some sort of unstoppable force, it’s not going to make a difference for him or his job.

Technorati Tags: Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini, NFL

I’m sure Eric has in his head some sort of situation whereby he calls a huge news conference on Wednesday and as flashbulbs shutter as he announces to the world the name of his starting quarterback. But I guessed he’s missed the headlines for the last 8 weeks that nobody gives a shit about the Browns.

Look Mangini, don’t play coy with this situation. Baltimore doesn’t care who you start at quarterback and neither does anyone else. You know why? Because your team is the laughing stock of the league right now. And not being able to name your starting quarterback going into week 10 of the season whilst coming off a bye just adds to the fact.

I want to see the Browns succeed and I know there’s a whole city that wants the same thing. The whole situation is a mess and it needs to be cleaned up. Clearly this season is a write off. But if I’m Randy Lerner I’m cleaning house as of Monday Jan. 4, and it starts with Mangenius.

Technorati Tags: Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini, NFL, Randy Lerner