New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

[BernietheKid]

New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com

Senior Analyst

Published: Jan. 6, 2011 at 02:18 p.m. Updated: Jan. 6, 2011 at 04:04 p.m.

Mark Duncan / Associated Press

The Browns' new coach will have to determine if Colt McCoy is the team's future at quarterback.

The Cleveland Browns have a rich history. However, the franchise has yet to appear in the Super Bowl, and Cleveland hasn't won a division title since returning to the league in 1999.

In January and February, NFL.com will take a look at the five pressing questions facing every team as they head into the offseason. AFC East: » Buffalo Bills » Miami Dolphins » New England Patriots » New York Jets AFC North: » Baltimore Ravens » Cincinnati Bengals » Cleveland Browns: New coach faces no easy fix » Pittsburgh Steelers AFC South: » Houston Texans » Indianapolis Colts » Jacksonville Jaguars » Tennessee Titans AFC West: » Denver Broncos » Kansas City Chiefs » Oakland Raiders » San Diego Chargers NFC East: » Dallas Cowboys: More holes to fill than coach » New York Giants » Philadelphia Eagles » Washington Redskins NFC North: » Chicago Bears » Detroit Lions » Green Bay Packers » Minnesota Vikings NFC South: » Atlanta Falcons » Carolina Panthers » New Orleans Saints » Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC West: » Arizona Cardinals » San Francisco 49ers » Seattle Seahawks » St. Louis Rams

The Browns wrapped up another losing season by firing Eric Mangini after just two seasons. It's a shame that the combination of president Mike Holmgren -- an offensive genius -- and a defensive-minded head coach such as Mangini couldn't turn around a franchise in a city starving for a winner. Mangini leaves Cleveland with many questions to be answered regarding the future of the team, and it should be clear to Holmgren that this is no easy fix.
1. Who is the head coach?
The best head-coaching candidate is probably in the building sitting in the president's office. Holmgren might look at the work to be done in Cleveland, then the impending work stoppage, and conclude this is not the time to jump back on the field. Fair enough, given that Holmgren really does have a lot to do from his present post.
Who is the right coach, then? Ideally, an offensive-minded young coach with great energy who isn't burdened by the team's rich history. Hopefully, that offensive-minded young coach has a top-notch 3-4 defensive coordinator coming with him. Switching defensive schemes on top of addressing the offensive issues would be too much at one time. There are 12 teams in the playoffs, and 10 of the head coaches of those teams came from the coordinator ranks. Only Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll don't fit that mold. Marty Mornhinweg, the offensive coordinator of the Eagles, is a solid name to consider.
2. Do they have a quarterback?

My digging around leads me to believe there is uncertainty about Colt McCoy. I really like McCoy, and I remember what NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said at the 2010 NFL Draft when McCoy was available. Brandt said that McCoy has a chance to be really good if he gets a chance to go to a place like Cleveland with Holmgren.
I like McCoy's 7.1 yards-per-attempt average, as well as the fact that he led the Browns to wins over the Saints and Patriots, but there are still major questions about if he can lead this team to a division title against the likes of Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Do the Browns draft a quarterback high in April? Trade for a guy like Kevin Kolb? Or, stick with McCoy?
3. What are the top three draft needs?

When it comes to the Browns, I could list seven positions -- like one of their coaches did when I asked him. The top three areas of need after quarterback should be: 1. A top wide receiver; 2. Right tackle; 3. Defensive end. Backup consideration in the draft should go to guard, linebacker and free safety. The Browns gave up the most passing touchdowns in the AFC North last season with 26, and they scored the least amount of passing touchdowns with 13, which means the blame is on both sides of the ball.
4. What scheme to run on defense?

As Bill Parcells said to me the year after he took over the Dallas Cowboys, "I'm not moving to the 3-4 until I have the necessary pieces." He stayed in the 4-3 for another year.
So many coaches make the jump and really struggle. Buffalo abandoned the project and got back to the 4-3. The Redskins went from a top-10 defense in 2009 in a 4-3 scheme to the No. 31-ranked defense in 2010 trying to play a 3-4. I don't believe the Browns are ready for a quick transition. Whether it's 4-3 or 3-4, the real problems are in the coverage area.
5. Do the Browns need better backups?

Roster depth is critical in the NFL, and when a team goes 2-5 down the stretch after beating the Saints and Patriots earlier in the season, that indicates the backups just couldn't get the job done. Only nine Browns regulars were able to start at least 15 games. A team such as Baltimore had 15 players, and Kansas City had 17. Granted, some teams won with multiple starters out, but those teams proved to have roster depth.
The Browns proved that they didn't have quality depth. For example, linebacker Scott Fujita was brought in to start and, more importantly, run the nickel and dime defenses. Fujita got hurt after nine weeks and the Browns were only able to win two more games the rest of the season.

NFL.com news: New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

[Danamal]

I still don't think we did the right thing,there is no easy path and the ground work was getting done and there is no great coach that is going to come in here with this many hole's and zero patience from the city.
Rebuild,ughhhh.
I wear my Browns gear often when I'm out and everyone just kind of gives me weird looks especially because I am in Philly,guess they cant understand why I haven't jumped ship and lately I have begun to wonder the same thing.
People can talk all they want about process and expectations but impatience and zero tolerance for anything less than the playoffs have destroyed this once great franchise.
Just suppose for a minute Holmgren wanted to give Mangini another year,how bad would the Cleveland media begin to question Holmgren's judgement and begin the campaign to run him out as well?
I will continue to wear my Browns gear and support the only team I have ever cared for but my patience is being tested,not by the team as much as the city itself.

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Danamal

I will continue to wear my Browns gear and support the only team I have ever cared for but my patience is being tested,not by the team as much as the city itself.

Then maybe you shouldnt read posts or retort back with posts...it obviousely upsets you when someone does not fall in line with your thinking. Its apparent your tampon is still firmly entrenched in your slit.

[Riffer X]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com

Senior Analyst

Published: Jan. 6, 2011 at 02:18 p.m. Updated: Jan. 6, 2011 at 04:04 p.m.




The Cleveland Browns have a rich history. However, the franchise has yet to appear in the Super Bowl, and Cleveland hasn't won a division title since returning to the league in 1999.

The Browns wrapped up another losing season by firing Eric Mangini after just two seasons. It's a shame that the combination of president Mike Holmgren -- an offensive genius -- and a defensive-minded head coach such as Mangini couldn't turn around a franchise in a city starving for a winner. Mangini leaves Cleveland with many questions to be answered regarding the future of the team, and it should be clear to Holmgren that this is no easy fix.
1. Who is the head coach?
The best head-coaching candidate is probably in the building sitting in the president's office. Holmgren might look at the work to be done in Cleveland, then the impending work stoppage, and conclude this is not the time to jump back on the field. Fair enough, given that Holmgren really does have a lot to do from his present post.
Who is the right coach, then? Ideally, an offensive-minded young coach with great energy who isn't burdened by the team's rich history. Hopefully, that offensive-minded young coach has a top-notch 3-4 defensive coordinator coming with him. Switching defensive schemes on top of addressing the offensive issues would be too much at one time. There are 12 teams in the playoffs, and 10 of the head coaches of those teams came from the coordinator ranks. Only Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll don't fit that mold. Marty Mornhinweg, the offensive coordinator of the Eagles, is a solid name to consider.
2. Do they have a quarterback?

My digging around leads me to believe there is uncertainty about Colt McCoy. I really like McCoy, and I remember what NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said at the 2010 NFL Draft when McCoy was available. Brandt said that McCoy has a chance to be really good if he gets a chance to go to a place like Cleveland with Holmgren.
I like McCoy's 7.1 yards-per-attempt average, as well as the fact that he led the Browns to wins over the Saints and Patriots, but there are still major questions about if he can lead this team to a division title against the likes of Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Do the Browns draft a quarterback high in April? Trade for a guy like Kevin Kolb? Or, stick with McCoy?
3. What are the top three draft needs?

When it comes to the Browns, I could list seven positions -- like one of their coaches did when I asked him. The top three areas of need after quarterback should be: 1. A top wide receiver; 2. Right tackle; 3. Defensive end. Backup consideration in the draft should go to guard, linebacker and free safety. The Browns gave up the most passing touchdowns in the AFC North last season with 26, and they scored the least amount of passing touchdowns with 13, which means the blame is on both sides of the ball.
4. What scheme to run on defense?

As Bill Parcells said to me the year after he took over the Dallas Cowboys, "I'm not moving to the 3-4 until I have the necessary pieces." He stayed in the 4-3 for another year.
So many coaches make the jump and really struggle. Buffalo abandoned the project and got back to the 4-3. The Redskins went from a top-10 defense in 2009 in a 4-3 scheme to the No. 31-ranked defense in 2010 trying to play a 3-4. I don't believe the Browns are ready for a quick transition. Whether it's 4-3 or 3-4, the real problems are in the coverage area.
5. Do the Browns need better backups?

Roster depth is critical in the NFL, and when a team goes 2-5 down the stretch after beating the Saints and Patriots earlier in the season, that indicates the backups just couldn't get the job done. Only nine Browns regulars were able to start at least 15 games. A team such as Baltimore had 15 players, and Kansas City had 17. Granted, some teams won with multiple starters out, but those teams proved to have roster depth.
The Browns proved that they didn't have quality depth. For example, linebacker Scott Fujita was brought in to start and, more importantly, run the nickel and dime defenses. Fujita got hurt after nine weeks and the Browns were only able to win two more games the rest of the season.

NFL.com news: New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

Sounds a lot like what some of us have been saying. Injuries don't happen to every team like they happened to the Browns, and yes, Fujita was a huge loss and more than just average (as I have heard him called).

[hammertime]

talent and depth go hand in hand with success.

[Danamal]

Originally Posted by nickers

Then maybe you shouldnt read posts or retort back with posts...it obviousely upsets you when someone does not fall in line with your thinking. Its apparent your tampon is still firmly entrenched in your slit.

Sorry to have upset you Nick,
I just don't see where we are interviewing or looking to hire anything better than what we already had.
Based on the production the three of them had last year with the defense I was hoping we would be able to provide the offense with the same success and build on the existing system rather than rebuilding yet again.
Lastly I am always open to others opinions and ideas,stating that I haven't come around yet is my opinion that certainly doesn't warrant your juvenile responses but with your limited education I can see where rational thought may give you trouble so until you catch up I'll go adjust my tampon.

[Enigmatic Evil]

1. Who is the head coach?
Who cares? The fan base will tire with him when we have yet another underachieving season due to injuries or a tough schedule. The next HC is going to have his hands full trying to point a team in transition in a direction that results in W's and chosing the wrong 'door' to go through, so to speak, could set us back just as far as we've come.

2. Do they have a quarterback?
YES! Colt McCoy came in and played as well as ANY QB who has wore the brown and orange in the last FIVE years. If he can keep healthy and get more than 8+ starts next year I guarentee you he will put up good numbers and he will be a model of consistency at a position this team has not had ANY at since, arguably, Tim Couch. I can tell you something... Seneca Wallace, no matter what he may believe. He's not the answer. Jake Delhomme, he certainly wasn't the answer.

Colt is the answer.

3. What are the top three draft needs?
In no particular order: WR, OL, DL. No question about it. Drafting any other position would be for depth purposes, at WR, OL and DL, we NEED starters who can give us youth and talent upgrades over current personnel.

4. What scheme to run on defense?
Who cares? What bugged me so much was Rob Ryan's penchant for being overly aggressive in the pass-rush to the extent that it greatly sabotaged our pass defense. I get it, you want to pressure the QB. But when you have Eric Wright getting gouged by Anquan Boldin ALL GAME LONG and there are NO adjustments made, I start to scratch my head a little bit. I don't want a new scheme, I want a better coach.

5. Do the Browns need better backups?
YES! We learned closing out the season that we have inadequate depth pretty much across the board. We need that depth should we end up like we did this season yet again (it's a pretty good assumption... Injuries have always been an issue for this team. There's another problem that should be looked into) where we have special teamers playing key positions in our secondary... We need better players manning the depth chart if we want any hope of improving as a team.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com

Senior Analyst

Published: Jan. 6, 2011 at 02:18 p.m. Updated: Jan. 6, 2011 at 04:04 p.m.




The Cleveland Browns have a rich history. However, the franchise has yet to appear in the Super Bowl, and Cleveland hasn't won a division title since returning to the league in 1999.

The Browns wrapped up another losing season by firing Eric Mangini after just two seasons. It's a shame that the combination of president Mike Holmgren -- an offensive genius -- and a defensive-minded head coach such as Mangini couldn't turn around a franchise in a city starving for a winner. Mangini leaves Cleveland with many questions to be answered regarding the future of the team, and it should be clear to Holmgren that this is no easy fix.
1. Who is the head coach?
The best head-coaching candidate is probably in the building sitting in the president's office. Holmgren might look at the work to be done in Cleveland, then the impending work stoppage, and conclude this is not the time to jump back on the field. Fair enough, given that Holmgren really does have a lot to do from his present post.
Who is the right coach, then? Ideally, an offensive-minded young coach with great energy who isn't burdened by the team's rich history. Hopefully, that offensive-minded young coach has a top-notch 3-4 defensive coordinator coming with him. Switching defensive schemes on top of addressing the offensive issues would be too much at one time. There are 12 teams in the playoffs, and 10 of the head coaches of those teams came from the coordinator ranks. Only Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll don't fit that mold. Marty Mornhinweg, the offensive coordinator of the Eagles, is a solid name to consider.
2. Do they have a quarterback?

My digging around leads me to believe there is uncertainty about Colt McCoy. I really like McCoy, and I remember what NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said at the 2010 NFL Draft when McCoy was available. Brandt said that McCoy has a chance to be really good if he gets a chance to go to a place like Cleveland with Holmgren.
I like McCoy's 7.1 yards-per-attempt average, as well as the fact that he led the Browns to wins over the Saints and Patriots, but there are still major questions about if he can lead this team to a division title against the likes of Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Do the Browns draft a quarterback high in April? Trade for a guy like Kevin Kolb? Or, stick with McCoy?
3. What are the top three draft needs?

When it comes to the Browns, I could list seven positions -- like one of their coaches did when I asked him. The top three areas of need after quarterback should be: 1. A top wide receiver; 2. Right tackle; 3. Defensive end. Backup consideration in the draft should go to guard, linebacker and free safety. The Browns gave up the most passing touchdowns in the AFC North last season with 26, and they scored the least amount of passing touchdowns with 13, which means the blame is on both sides of the ball.
4. What scheme to run on defense?

As Bill Parcells said to me the year after he took over the Dallas Cowboys, "I'm not moving to the 3-4 until I have the necessary pieces." He stayed in the 4-3 for another year.
So many coaches make the jump and really struggle. Buffalo abandoned the project and got back to the 4-3. The Redskins went from a top-10 defense in 2009 in a 4-3 scheme to the No. 31-ranked defense in 2010 trying to play a 3-4. I don't believe the Browns are ready for a quick transition. Whether it's 4-3 or 3-4, the real problems are in the coverage area.
5. Do the Browns need better backups?

Roster depth is critical in the NFL, and when a team goes 2-5 down the stretch after beating the Saints and Patriots earlier in the season, that indicates the backups just couldn't get the job done. Only nine Browns regulars were able to start at least 15 games. A team such as Baltimore had 15 players, and Kansas City had 17. Granted, some teams won with multiple starters out, but those teams proved to have roster depth. The Browns proved that they didn't have quality depth. For example, linebacker Scott Fujita was brought in to start and, more importantly, run the nickel and dime defenses. Fujita got hurt after nine weeks and the Browns were only able to win two more games the rest of the season.

NFL.com news: New coach will find tall order in helping rebuild Browns

I'm really worried about the solution to Mangini because Kirwan absolutely nailed his assessment. I'm GLAD someone in the media understood that a team that has never drafted well couldn't afford all the injuries it had. Prior to those injuries hitting the threshold of overwhelming - this team was 5-7. AFTER, they didn't even have the manpower for Buffalo and Cincy. That doesn't EXCUSE some coaching blunders we were unhappy about. But the number of favorable matchups to exploit were disappearing 1 by 1. I'm only speculating the previous alleged passing game saviors like Braylon (#3 overall), Stallworth (FA high $ solution), Winslow(trade exchange value Roy Williams & Teddy Lehman) weren't ever excited about the Savage QBs (Dilfer, Frye, DA, BQ, Gradkowski, Dorsey). Winslow also had Savage violating medical HIPPA to the press when he had swollen grapefruits under the acorn. Who on earth was gonna solve all this with an impressive rceord in 2009?

If Marty Morningwheg or the guy in Atlanta with the excitement level of comedian Steven Wright gets hired - its gonna feel like a funeral for this team. I lived in Western NY when Mularkey was the OC there. The Bills fans often thought of him in the same light alot of fans thought of Daboll. Not great news. I think his success with the TALENT pool in Atlanta will set him up for the SAME culture shock that EVERY previous Coordinator we hired to be HC had before him. There isn't a Roddy White here - I promise. Nobody has been confused with Tony Gonzalez either. We don't have a pass rushing phenom like John Abraham on defense either.

We do have a roster with alot of overpaid free agents and injured players to follow 10 bad draft volumes in the last 11 years. It doesn't matter if I have faith in Holmgren or not. I've already been assured Carmen Policy had everythign we could ask for in his position and he had his own version Gil Haskel (Dwight Clark) urging him to choose Scot Milanovich over Kurt Warner and Spergon Wynn instead of Tom Brady. Just when 5-27 football couldn't get any better - "hey, let's fire Palmer so we can hire Butch Davis." And then I was told to have faith in Butch. Well, he turned around 5-27 football into playoffs in just his 2nd year. HOWEVER, he also reminded our clueless owner that he didn't leave football paradise in Miami to answer to Dwight Clark. Now we had a divorce between Head Coach and Scouting department for our drafts and the shit hit the fan.

All of a sudden a guy looking like Richie Cunningham on Happy Days is ordained with the GM title in Cleveland. Nobody even had to tell me to have faith in him; because he told me everythign I wanted to hear at press conference #1. "I'm here to improve the draft because history shows the strongest teams are built through the draft." Next thing I know - he signs Trent Dilfer, Jason Fisk, Antwan Peek and severely overpays Kevin Shaffer and Joe Andruzzi to becoem the blindside of our oline; while he moves heaven and earth to re-sign Andra Davis. Then he traded away day 1 of the 2008 draft leaving us only 5 picks for day 2 - followed up with trading away all but 4 picks for the 2009 draft. As if it can't get any worse, he signs 4 different dlinemen from 4-3 schemes for 2 gap football in a 3-4 scheme. Don't let me forget his DA (Dumb Ass) is the man epipheny after he trades up into round 1 to get BQ.

Whoever followed that nightmare short of God was going to fail, which is why there weren't very many good candidates that wanted to commiot career suicide in Cleveland. That didn't stop the Cowher is looking at realestate rumors any more than the rumors of how interested Jon Gruden was. Like Ramrod replied after laughing hysterically - WHY would you fire Eric mangini to hire marty Morningwheg at HC? That won't make sense and if it happens - this advisor isn't doign his job any better than he did when he allowed Holmgren to pay Wallace and Delhomme the sum of cake he paid them.

IMO, our biggest enemy was 3 QBs in walking boots on top of the innury volume this team couldn't afford. Because so many fans hated either Mangini, the OC or both - the injured QBs thing wasn't gonna fly. When this team was 5-7 and pressing the NY Jets to overtime - the newest injuries took the reality of winning away. I think teams win in the front office and I'm very concerned about the list of Head Coach candidates. What if Atlanta's plethera of talent takes them to Superbowl Sunday. THEN, most of the decent assistant coaches are already employed by that time and we're right back to same slim pickings RAC ran into for completing the staff. Faith in Holmgren has nothing to do with reality here. We'll be better at drafting; but there's gonna be more roster purging than people seem to think. That being the case, we're right back to same vulnerabilities injury volumes caused in 2010 in spite of the names changing on the coachign staff. The only difference is how much opportunity the players will have to learn all the new systems with work stoppage impacting OTAs.

I can't remember who said you can't judge Marty's Morningwood by the situation he inherited in Detroit. The problem with that statement is the person saying it could tell the difference between Cleveland and Detroit. We've already seen how Marty handled this type of challenge as a HC. What DIDN'T we understand about it? I'll take him as an OC; but I'm getting very worried we just fired someone only to learn the next guy isn't exactly God nor is he equipped to save this team from the impact of injury. ARE we going to kick this next guy out of the batter's box after just 2 swings as well? Those of us that don't like setting this franchise back another 2 years to introduce new playbooks, schemes and overhaul roster spots - are VERY worried/concerned Marty Morningwheg is heading to the AFC version of Detroit. Who can make me feel better about this and how?