Final 5 Games

[DawgFan]

Before I get into the final 5 games I want to make a few comments about the first 11.

The Browns have played exactly "1" game against a team that was below .500 at the time of the game...and won despite losing the turnover battle 3-1. Was it pretty? No, but it was a win despite not playing a good game. That is the kind of thing good teams do...they win when they don't play their best.

The Browns have played "2" games against teams that are 'currently' below .500 for the season. They are 2-0 vs those teams. Again, that is what good teams do, they beat the lesser opponents.

The Browns have played "9" games against teams that are currently .500 or better on the season and are 2-7 vs those teams. That is where the Browns need to make improvements. Of those 7 losses, the Browns lost 5 by 7 points or less, and had the lead in the 4th Q in 4 of them. In other words, the Browns had a chance to be as good as 6-3 against WINNING teams...but just couldn't get over the hump.

Considering the Browns have played the toughest (7 teams either in first or tied for first in their divisions, the other two are TB and NO at 8-3 and 7-4 respectively) schedule in the NFL, to come out of it at 4-7 while rotating 3 QB's and having a rookie start against the meat of the schedule...well, that is pretty much something I would never have guessed.

Have the Browns done everything I would have done? No, but then again I am far from an expert, and hind sight is always 20-20.

On to the final 5 games:

Miami (6-5, 1-4 at home): Miami has played HORRIBLE at home this year. But then again, the home games have been against NE, NYJ, CHI, Pitt, and Tenn. This is going to be a scrap to the end. The key is who can contain the other teams rushing game and is a close game that will be decided by turnovers in the end. I am hoping Wallace gets the start as he protects the ball more.

Buffalo (2-9, 1-5 at home): Buffalo is doing the same thing as Detroit. In every game, but losing. Much like the Browns did earlier in the year. They are coming off another heart breaker in the loss to Pitt in OT and travel to Minnesota next week. They have a poor rush defense and a less than stellar rush offense....so this should be a winner for the Browns.

Cincinnati (2-9, 1-4 at home): Another game where the Browns play a team with a less than stellar rush offense or defense. The Bengals put up tons of yards, but find ways to throw games. Add in they are coming off a road trip to Pittsburgh and it will either be a let down game (if they win) or they may be demoralized after another huge loss. Either way, I can't see Cinci winning (Haden and Ward should have big games).

Baltimore (8-3, 3-3 on the road):Over the next 3 weeks, Baltimore has Pitt, @Hou, and NO. That is a rough road. Meanwhile, the Browns have the easiest stretch of the season going into the game. Baltimore has struggled on the road, and if you go back and look at the 1st meeting, the Browns nearly won that one. Baltimore is now giving up 4.2 y/c in the rush (Browns are better). This is going to be a classic AFC North slobber knocker.

Pittsburgh (8-3, 5-1 on the road): Talk about a way to finish the season. A chance to not only knock off Baltimore in week 16, but then cap it off with a win over Pittsburgh. While the last game wasn't exactly close, it was Colt's first game and he proved he can move the ball on these guys. Add in all the injuries on the OL/DL of Pittsburgh and this is likely a lot closer.

I don't know if the Browns will go 5-0 or 0-5 over the remainder of the season, but I like the odds that they will go at least 3-2.

At the beginning of the season, had you told me we would go through 3 QB's, have a majority of the games started by Colt McCoy, play potentially 12 games against above .500 teams, and still wind up 7-9...I would have said you are stark raving mad.

But that is exactly what we are looking at.

Are there issues on this club that need to be addressed? Sure, WR, RT, DE, another CB, and ILB to name a few. Not to mention more depth across the board.

However, considering all of the above, I think this team....from Holmgren all the way down to the practice squad, are head and shoulders above what I expected for this year. They may not be playoff caliber now...but next year...for the first time in a long time...

NEXT YEAR REALLY MEANS SOMETHING!!!

[grumpy_dinosaur]

I feel ya brotha!

[OconRecon]

Fantastic post dude.

Those idiots on DSN from 3-6 were saying Mangini should be fired now. What a bunch of shit. He's a few breaks away from having us in the playoff hunt with the NFL's toughest schedule and QB's named "Past-his-prime"', "Never-will-get-there", and "Green-as-hell".

If Stucky doesn't fumble, we would have rolled into Jacksonville full of confidence and the talk of the league.

[Masters]

BUF is only rushing for 6 less yards per game than CLE and they have a far more potent passing attack than CLE.

While BALT may be giving up 0.1 more Y/C they are giving up almost 20 less rush yards per game than CLE.

I tend to think the odds have CLE going 2-3 down the stretch, but I'd like to be wrong.

I completely agree with your closing statements DawgFan

[Neo]

Originally Posted by OconRecon

Those idiots on DSN from 3-6 were saying Mangini should be fired now.

If they do fire Mangini, who will replace him? Is there someone better out there? I been hearing rumors that some college team is pursuing Gruden. I am pretty sure that Cowher is going to Dallas. After that, who is there? If they DID fire Mangini, I would hope the promote Rob Ryan to Head Coach.

[Masters]

Joker, the rumor is/was Gruden to MIA. But Gruden ain't going to the college game.

I hope they never promote Rob Ryan to HC. Guys hasn't had stellar success as a coordinator at any stop, so why would anyone believe he can be a HC?

[OconRecon]

Originally Posted by Joker

If they do fire Mangini, who will replace him?...

Bingo. And it's been said the best way to stunt the growth of a young QB is HC/OC turnover.

I know Daboll isn't a fan fav, but it seems like he's learning, works hard, has a good relationship with the players, and is passionate. He ran circles around Bellicheck and has had us in nearly every game. He's young. I'd rather stick.

Keep the coaches the same.

---

I heard the one place Cowher won't go is big D as Jones is too much of a control freak. Gruden would be great, but I just don't see it happening and I'm not sure it should.

[Vegasdogg]

MIA
BUF
CIN
BAL
PIT

I don't know where we fall because this team is too inconsistent. Could be 2-3, most likely 1-4/0-5

We end up 5-11 again.

Miami is tough and their strengths = our weakness
Buffalo plays out of their minds and also play to our weakness
(we have a lot of weakness on D ...LOL)
Cincy could be a win
Bal- no way
Pit- no way

We'll see.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Joker

If they do fire Mangini, who will replace him? Is there someone better out there?

Dude, Joker come on now. Mangini is NOT that hard to replace. There are a handful (maybe 2) of coaches better. I like Mangini, but progress is S L O W.

Mike Holmgren isn't getting any younger, so I am sure he has irons in the fire. This could be a GREAT year to hire a HC.

Better than Mangini? Is this guy really going to take the team to the Super Bowl, or is he just that good at tearing it down and pointing it in the right direction?

[OzDawg]

final 5 hrm.. miami is harder than looks.. so is buffalo,,our best chances come against the final 3 cinn, balt and pitsville

ps mangini will be here next year

[OconRecon]

Just stinks that we have to wait for McCoy. Knowing him, he'll make it back just in time for the Steelers and Ravens.

I'm thinking we win three. We'll win 2 of the next 3 and nip 1 of the last 2.

7-9 (although would love 8-8, but that's dreaming without McCoy and Fujita).

Mangini saved his job last year because his players didn't quit on him and the team improved as the season went on. Would be nice to see it's an official pattern.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Vegasdogg

Dude, Joker come on now. Mangini is NOT that hard to replace. There are a handful (maybe 2) of coaches better. I like Mangini, but progress is S L O W.

Mike Holmgren isn't getting any younger, so I am sure he has irons in the fire. This could be a GREAT year to hire a HC.

Better than Mangini? Is this guy really going to take the team to the Super Bowl, or is he just that good at tearing it down and pointing it in the right direction?

Actually this is the worst year in recent memory to hire a HC. Start listening to the analysis fo teams worse than us. Denver doesn't want to fire McDaniels. Why? ebcause of the looming possibility of a labor lockout. Whether you like it or not, think it's terrible for the game or not, the owners money means somethign to them. No owner wants to fire one coach and have to pay him for next year, then hire a new coach and have to pay him for next year and then have there be a lockout and being paying that coach for not coaching.

Also on the continuity end. If you fire your coach and hire a new one. And then tehre is a lockout and OTAs and Trainging camps are canceleed and cut very short. How does that new coach have ANY chance at implementing anything?

This goes for a new OC here in Cleveland too. This is one of the reasons I am confident that Mangini and his full staff will be back for next year unless Rob Ryan gets a HC gig somewhere else. The other reason is I think we 2-3 over the last 5 games, end up 6-10 and as the OP that's after starting 3 different QBs, one of them being a rookie, having key injuries to our offensive line, key defensive injuries and some bad luck.

Next year this coaching staff will have to make the playoffs. but they will get next year to try.