Wow This guy Predicted All this Stuff!

You've got to check this guy out! He said:

1: Jordan Norwood would emerge as the third and sometimes second reciever and make big plays. He is quick as well as fast, and creates separation, which offsets his stature. While most pundits labelled him a long-term slot project, this guy said that while he's best in the slot, he can play outside as well.

2: Massequoi, or the absence thereof, makes a difference. Little is still learning (and making mistakes.) Robiskie never got over his inability to separate. MoMass beats single man coverage more often than not. Some corners can shut him down, but not many.

3: Cribbs HAS become a pretty good wide reciever. He NOW runs precise routes. He only gets a little separation, but with this quarterback and his brute strength, that's enough. Mike Trivisano as recently as the week before last said that Cribbs "can't run a route".

4: The new running back, whose name starts with "O"...this guy said that he was a former wide reciever who was developing as a running back. He said that while for his first couple seasons this guy was mediocre, he could emerge now--in his third season, as is common.
This guy said that O-Whozzit is an excellent fit in the West Coast due to his recieving skills, which extend downfield.

5: This guy said that a huge part of the offense's problem was the revolving-door rookie guards, who were still learning and screwing up a lot. Opposing offenses were loading the box and sending never fewer than four guys, and often six. McCoy had little time. The only way he could throw over the top was when he was running for his life, and he frankly sucked...

6: This guy said that McCoy had demonstrated superb accuracy in the past (as a rookie) and could do it again. When a young player demonstrates great skills and then regresses, USUALLY he gets his feet back under him and continues to grow and improve.

7: He pointed out two rookie starters on the defensive line, who would show marked improvement in the second half of their rookie seasons, which is utterly and obviously predictable.

8: He lauded Buster Skrine as a guy who could tackle and cover any reciever under 6' tall as well as any cornerback around. He predicted that by the middle of his inaugural season he would at least be the fifth, more likely the fourth, and possibly even the third cornerback, and that he would be used on any small/quick slot guy.

You've just got to check this guy out!

Oh yeah. He's ME. Dammit.

I've got to admit, I'm stunned by Chris Ogbonnaya's emergence. I never thought he'd be THIS good running from scrimmage. Give Tom Heckert credit--what a FIND!

The offensive line is blocking a LOT better now. I actually heard Even Moore's name several times last week. That means that the Browns no longer needed to keep the tight end in to help block a kitchen-sink pass-rush.

Who caught the passes? Wide recievers. Two plays over fifty yards in the last two weeks. Part of this is Oggi's getting past the front wall and making them pay, but part of it is also McCoy's making ACCURATE stabs downfield.

Understand that it doesn't have to be 40 or 50 yards. 20 yards--like the one to Little crossing--does wonders to back safeties off the line.

Then I've read that most of the drops were 3-5 steps, and the ball was gone in less than three seconds. That's exactly how the West Coast is supposed to work.

The analyst attributed this to a change in Shurmer's playcalling, but what it's really more about is McCoy trusting his recievers to be where they're supposed to be. That only happens when the recievers have PROVEN themselves to him. MEANING, when THEY have improved their reads and routes!

Little and Norwood are entering the second half of their rookie seasons. Massequoi cam back from his concussion.

Before, McCoy wasn't throwing when he was supposed to throw. Young recievers would keep going when they were supposed to break off or stop, or the reverse. No quarterback can cross his fingers and throw to a spot where he's not sure the reciever will be there to--at the very least--prevent an interception. No coach can bully him into it--nor would many try.

Can they beat the Bungles? That's a tall order. Like it or not, Cinci has an elite team, and the Browns are still behind them developmentally. But it's the North, and they have a real, legit shot.

Cribbs

Josh Cribbs will have an expanded role vs. the Rams. Everybody is guessing about the wildcat and stuff.

I believe that finally, at long last, Pat Shurmer has recognized him as a West Coast TAILBACK.

Cribbs doesn't have the "fast start" needed to hit the hole quickly, like most running backs do. This is probably why no coach has used him there. But this quick accelleration is all that he lacks to be a tailback in this offense. He can block, catch, break tackles, and score from anywhere, given a little space.

And he can throw. Given a dumpoff in the flats, when DB's and linebackers break out of coverage to stop him....

Now, I have to repeat this for my bro and nephew, who have declared that nothing will change for the Browns:

New Coach. New Personnel Director. New GM. New systems. Young players.

Randy Lerner doesn't interfere, so you're judging a bunch of new people unfairly, and that IS irrational.

Something else: Pro defenses are expert at decieving inexperienced recievers. You think "zone" and "man" coverage is it, but it's not. They show one thing pre-snap, then do another. The safety takes a step one way, then turns the other.

The quarterback can see this. It's hard for even him to read it correctly. For a wide reciever, it's harder to watch the whole secondary at once while running a pattern. It's a series of fleeting glimpses, through bodies running every which way. Based on that, there is only ONE of several patterns that is correct on any given play. The QB and reciever must read it the same, and the quarterback must trust the WR BEFORE he turns to look back to make the right move and get to the right spot.

The only way a QB can trust a reciever enough to throw that ball into empty space is after that reciver has made the correct move, without error, a whole bunch of times in a row.

Do you think the rookie Little is there yet? Really? Do you know that this is why MoMass and Cribbs are/were catching more passes--because they're more accustomed to Pro defenses dirty tricks?

Can you please try to wrap your head around the fact that Little five games from now will be better than he is now?

In the absence of Peyton Hillis, defenses are stacking the box and sending five and six rushers. They do this not just to give McCoy hell, but to keep the back and Ben Watson inside and blocking, depriving him of two recievers. To keep Evan Moore off the field. And it's working out great-especially since the raw guards are screwing up blocks.

I never realized how much they would miss Eric Steinbach. Wow, what a difference he made!

So now I must re-iterate:

1: BEFORE: Vertical passing, inside running. NOW: West Coast short passing, inc. to backs.

2: BEFORE: Mangini. NOW: Shurmer.

3: BEFORE: Rob Ryan 3-4. NOW: Dick Jauron 4-3.

4: BEFORE: Can't remember. NOW: Tom Heckert.

5: Heckert/Holmgren SECOND SEASON.

6: McCoy SECOND SEASON.

7: Basicly rookie guards, revolving RT's, rookie X-reciever, Cribbs, and guys off the practice squad I mean grow up! Come on now!

What, do you think it's a gypsy curse or something that the QB will "NEVER" have any time to throw? Because he never has before, therefore young guys will never improve with experience, Heckert will never acquire better blockers, that the new regime will suddenly start duplicating people they never met except in passing?

Do you think it's like the staph problem at the Cleveland clinic--that there's an incompetance virus in the walls of the training facility that somehow destroys everybody's brain cells?

No. Sorry. It's 1-7 above. those are empirical, irrefutable facts. To deny them is, indeed, irrational.

My faith in McCoy isn't blind. He's been screwing up himself. A lot. However, I HAVE seen him play damn near perfect against elite defenses under pressure, so I have to give him a chance to work through it. Quinn was NEVER accurate, by the way. McCoy was a damn SNIPER, so don't even say they're the same. That's just idiotic.

Nor is my faith in Shurmer. However, sans Shurmer look at the Rams and Bradford. And then he's suffering from a profound abundance of rookies, injuries, and a current lack of talent while trying to institute a new and yes, complex scheme.

It's possible they won't ultimately succeed, but at least equally possible that they will, once people are healthy and experienced, and more players are added.

That's reality. Deal with it.

As the Stomach Turns

I normally wait before writing about a game, but this time I was able to actually watch it live...

Ok thanks to Denver Browns Backers Pres. Schott and the Retreat Bar...and a bunch of REAL fans such as I haven't met in a Cleveland bar for a long time...I mean and they knew their stuff...

Anyway this time I'm listening to the post-game on the internet and can't help jumping on stupidity when I hear it.

Don't be saying that a quarterback with 13 NFL starts, with an obviously porous offensive line, in a new system, who is a walking bruise--can be judged one way or the other, period. You can say "so far" he doesn't seem to be the quarterback we need and be technicly correct, but you are still an asshole to say it.

The ex-quarterbacks on NFL Radio sort of explain some of it: No matter how much you're coached, or what orders you have, as a quarterback, you won't throw blind to a spot until you have learned to RELY ON a given reciever. McCoy right now doesn't trust his outside guys.

He knows that on paper they should be physical/tall enough to guarantee an incompletion at worst, but until he has seen it proven conclusively, he can't stake drives and games on faith.

At this point, he trusts only his eyes. He has to SEE his open target before he'll throw, and that's why he so often checks down to the last resort.

I need the reader to comprehend that these guys were NOT bashing McCoy. They are DEFENDING him. They've BEEN there.

All the same, I was encouraged to see that Evan Moore wasn't locked in the basement again. McCoy DOES trust HIM (and Watson). Watson must have been hurt today.

Massequoi was moved back to the X-reciever slot, but Little was the Z-man. It seemed to work out okay, although the wide-outs in general did little. But again, this was more about McCoy, and the time he generally lacked, than with them.

I was massively relieved to see Hardesty not bobble or drop even one pass. He is a very good all-around running back--possibly in the top 13-15 in the NFL when healthy and not doing his Braylon Edwards imitation.

One point: He is elusive and shifty only compared to Peyton Hillis, okay? He is a BIG, tackle-breaking running back. Those who describe him as a stark contrast to Hillis are dumbasses. Defensive coordinators will all plan to defend Hillis and Hardesty about the same way, and Shurmer will use them each the same way.

The Seahawks with Whitehurst for the first time is not a formidable offense. All the same, the Browns defense did a great job on them.

McCoy did come through in the clutch, as did Little and Massequoi. Little moreso: McCoy threw one deep to him when he was double-covered. It wasn't completed, but Little made sure it wasn't picked off either. After he's seen the tape, Colt will note and file it. It was inches away from being a game-changing completion, and McCoy will do it again.

Little will become a stud. You'll see.

After further analysis, I'll let my win/loss prediction stand at 13-3.

As the Team Turns

In previous episodes:

Peyton Hillis, on the flimsy pretext of severe strep throat, causing a 14-pound weight loss, refused to play. We know, of course, that this was really about his contract negotiations. Otherwise, he would have played and no doubt done much better than Montario Hardesty.

One can only guess at the sense of profound betrayal felt by his teammates at this cowardly, selfish act. The fact that they're denying it says all there is to say.

The following week, Pat Shurmer was forced by Tom Heckert and J.R. Holmgren to play Hillis, despite his deep hatred of him. He did so for the first series, and then benched him in favor of Hardesty in an effort to reassert control of his team.

Behind closed doors, there can be no doubt that there were shouting matches and perhaps fistfights. According to one source, Benard was never even on a motorcycle and was injured in the melee. He has recently pled not guilty to his traffic charges, which supports this report.

In the last game, Hillis pretended to have an injured hamstring, exaserbating this acrimonious, divisive situation.

The brilliant Chris Mortenson's report that the Browns could be persuaded to trade the unwanted fullback is probably accurate. Shurmer's version of the West Coast requires a total-package running back who can block and catch the ball downfield.

Another article made a lot of sense. The Browns probably aren't going anywhere this season, and should jettison the excess baggage. Hillis is obviously on his last legs, and the team needs running backs who will be effective next season.

OK I'm sorry I can't do this any more. I can't even PRETEND to be that stupid.

Hillis is young, perfect for this offense, has played with cracked ribs (Ever had cracked ribs? It's crippling. It's like being stabbed over and over again just to breathe.) Strep throat is a CONTAGEOUS VIRUS, and Hillis would have been worthless without his strength and wind. This "play hurt" crap gets insane after awhile. How well do you think Peyton Manning would have done this season had he stupidly insisted on playing?

You people and your magic wands and mind-over-matter stuff. At the time nobody knew that Hardesty was the second coming of Braylon Edwards. At the time he was deemed the best running back, and he was--he played well that game.

Sure, Hillis wants to get paid. And the Browns want to KEEP him! I doubt that anybody will give up a first round pick for him, and that's the only thing that would make them consider a trade unless his demands are rediculous--which I doubt.

There's no controversey in that locker room over Peyton Hillis. Remember that most of these guys are college graduates who can spell their names right and everything, plus you can't play football without a 3-digit I.Q. So much for that rumor.

This is a rebuilding team with a lot of youth, and new systems on both sides of the ball. Sam Bradford in L.A. is having a hell of a time, just as McCoy is, thanks to a new offensive system, and has about six games more experience.

The Raiders are a vastly improved team this season. They're loaded with talent, and their systems are in their second seasons. Despite McCoy's horrific performance and the fact that Rubin and Taylor got "handled", they still needed a special teams TD to win at home.

NEXT season, if you don't blow this up, this Browns team can be where Detroit, Buffalo (yes, Buffalo!), and the Raiders are this season: Playoff contenders.

That's how it works. Reps. Experience. Growth.

Grow up and accept the growing pains. And quit trying to turn it into a damn soap opera.

Ah Say We HAING 'Em!

Ahhh, shaddap! I mean holy s--t Shurmer "punished" Hillis? They got BEHIND and had to pass to COME BACK. And some of the same people who agreed with me that it would be good to take some carries of Hillis now think it's a big freaking conspiracy when that happens!

Black helicopters, Mousad suicide pilots, CIA snipers, and now Hillisgate for crying out loud get a JOB!

McCoy is almost a rookie but "that's no excuse--" Stop right there. Why isn't it an excuse? Is inexperience and a new system ever an excuse? You never think before you whip out the cliches. Inexperience and a new system are excuses for a quarterback (and recievers) making mistakes. DEAL with it!

You still say "The New York FOOTBALL Giants" too, don't you? Ask your oldest grandparent if they remember the baseball Giants in New York. Why do you keep saying that? Quit saying that and quit saying "that's no excuse" no matter what. THINK.

Most defenses can shut down all the deep zones with two safeties deep. You're not picking on McCoy for having a weak arm. You're bashing him for not being STUPID and making their day.

Rookie left guard and almost rookie right guard. Right tackle with no reps and now I suppose they need to replace the whole line, too, right?

It's true: A good team (which will whup the overrated geezer Stoolers next week by the way) "exposed" the Browns weaknesses. It's true, they HAVE weaknesses. Their biggest weaknesses are that they're four games into a season with no offseason with a new (complex) system, an almost-rookie QB and right guard, a rookie left guard, and more rookies--but that's no excuse YES IT IS STFU.

Take your ropes and torches and go home. We're waiting for the circuit judge, and he won't be here til around game twelve. By that time, these youngsters might have had a little time to prepare a defense. Sober up and go home now...this shotgun aint for show.

Accuracy

1: Colt had a bad game, okay. But it amazes me that the BOBW's are tossing in his two touchdown passes, and a few others thrown into traffic.

Okay (sigh): There are these opposing players called defensive backs, see? They are trying to stay right with the reciever, and to intercept the ball, okay? When a quarterback can put the ball where his reciever can catch it and the defensive back can't, that is good. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

2: Once again, the armchair Sargeant Rocks are up in arms talking about Peyton Hillis being soft. At that time, Montario Hardesty was the Browns best running back by a significant margin. Had Hillis insisted on playing anyway, he would be a selfish moron. Had Shurmer allowed him to play, I would have lobbied for his summary execution.

Guy plays three games with broken ribs and now you question his toughness. Stay in your armchairs and zip it.

3: McCoy may have fled the pocket prematurely a time or two, but here come the BOTW's (Baby-out-with-the bathwater's) again, lumping in the controlled roll-outs. When the quarterback never stops his retreat and keeps going, looping back and to his right, it's a designed play. It helps the offensive line. which knows in advance that there will be no pocket, and where the defrense's moving target is going. It helps the wide recievers, who know where he can and can't see.

A SMART coach adapts his game-plan to his talent. The Browns are having trouble pass-protecting, especially at right tackle. McCoy is very mobile and effective throwing on the move.

More: Defenders attacking the right tackle's best moves are inside. Smith, the tight end, was used more (at Moore's expense unfortunately) to chip defenders on the outside, plus if they looped wide around behind the tackle, McCoy (or a back kept in to protect) would have a clear throwing or running lane between guard and tackle.

The roll-out eliminates the threat of the quick DE or linebacker crossing the right tackle's face and shooting between him and the right guard. McCoy leads his pursuit right back into the right tackle...who kinda waits for him haha.

Pashos isn't really much better than his replacements as a pass blocker, but does have better reach; can force the outside rusher to take a wider angle, or knock him off-balance inside, buying himself time. He's just barely enough better that he doesn't often need tight end help.

With Pashos, McCoy can stay in the pocket a little more, Evan Moore (or Josh Cribbs) can be on the field more, and Pashos is one of the best run-blockers in the league, so...

Anyway, please go see what you did to the baby this time. I don't know how much more it can take.

4: McCoy's last drive was a thing of beauty. Phil Simms, who as I've mentioned brushes off any nquarterback without a cannon, said "It gets you to the next game". Yeah? For an almost-rookie in a new system with a new coach?

No, it made a big difference, as this whole offense needs to prove things to itself as well as to opponents. They now know that they can do it, and remember how they did it. It will be easier the second time. McCoy himself rarely had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Texas QB--they murdered most of their opponents. Now he's done it at the highest level. I don't need to be an ex-quarterback to know that it means a lot.

5: On that last drive, Little showed up big-time, and Massequoi in the clutch. The WR's caught most of the passes. It was promising in several ways, as the plan all along is to attack every part of the field, using every weapon.

6: I agree with Grossi's idea of using the hurry-up earlier in the game.

7: Massequoi is the number one reciever. Predictably, it was the great Pluto who said it second. Soon, others will blink and rub their eyes and realize that he has the speed, the YAC, and the hands to beat single coverage almost every time. Third season. Is it sinking in yet?

8: Hasselback is scary, but so is the Browns rapidly-developing defensive line. He looks foreward to blitzes to burn, but a four man front that gets pressure without a blitze is his ideal nemisis.

I love the delayed blitzes by Jackson. I wasn't able to watch the last one, but I like to think that Gocong delayed as well. Delayed blitzes are really this: If it's a run, you're in position. If it's a pass, you react AFTER the recievers have made their reads and can no longer exploit the space you vacate, and after the offensive linemen are engaged. Maybe even after the running back has seen no leaks and gone into a pattern, leaving no protection.

Hasselback is not very mobile. This defense, expecially with Joe Haden on one wide reciever and Ward on Jonson or a tight end, has a chance to mess Hasselback and co. up.

9: Johnson terrifies me. I grew up in Cleveland. Don't we all just KNOW that this game will be his coming-out party?

10: With Pashos, the Browns can run the ball, even against these guys. And they should. I still can't wait to see a two-back. And a two-back, two-tight-end offense too, for that matter (with Moore and Watson). They can force some truly lopsided matchups here.

You don't just open holes by blocking. You can also open holes by splitting tight ends out and putting running backs in the slot. Base defense personel have to leave the box to get on them. Then they have to react out of coverage to close on a runner--with the guy they meant to cover in their grill.

Nickel and dime defenses are fast. Base defenses are not. USE THE GOONS, Pat!

Prediction: 15-1. Update to follow this game, when I get more info.

Nothing to See Here, Move Along!

It's always easy to take shots, and it's a target-rich environment. That sucked. Okay I'm done.

It's also easy to pretend you're Vince Lombardi or a marine ranger or something and yammer about second place being last place and crap like that. For a Ranger that's fine: Second place is dead. For the rest of you, grow up. This team is being rebuilt and instant gratification is not to be had.

Now for the positive stuff:

1: Massequoi. No preseason and voila. There he is. Like I said. I'm still hearing he can't be a number one. If you define number one as one of the five best wide recievers in the NFL, ok. If not, think aga...think for the first time.

2: Pinkston. He'll be okay.

3: The linebackerS aren't slow. Aside from that Samoan semi-safety guy, the outside backers are slow for a 4-3, but Jackson isn't. Further, Jackson is one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. Also, if a tight end can't get into his pattern, he can't catch a pass, and Fujita can press. Also, linebackers cover tight ends and running backs, not wide recievers. Also, linebackers are replaced in nickel and dime defenses. You guys go duck-hunting with hand-grenades, don't you?

4: Evan Moore. Wow.

5: Andy Dalton was shockingly good under pressure. Give the man credit.

6: The pony offense (two halfbacks) wasn't a gimmick and will be used more, expecially against the light-in-the-loafers Colts. Turn Dwight Freeny into a pancake and he can't rush the passer. the pony also provides two potential pass-blockers.

6a: Vs. the Colts you should see some two-back, two-tight end offenses with only one wide reciever. They can get as cute and clever, and be as fast and athletic as they want. This team can run or pass out of that formation, and they can beat the Colts down with it.

7: McCoy is still almost a rookie. The complex offensive system is still new. There are bound to be hiccups and outright breakdowns like those last sunday. If you're an adult, you expect them, but expect the operation to smooth out over time/with reps.

8: Jackson. I told you so. I loved the delayed blitzes, too. Those big monsters in front of him really help that work, but he also gets to full speed in about two steps.

9: Benard. I told you so. Sheard is a rookie, and may become a stud, but isn't yet, and Benard will probably take reps from him. Benard can get to the QB.

10: The Green touchdown debacle can be called a fluke. Do you expect it to happen again? Overall, the defense wasn't bad. They did seem to get gassed at the end. One guy wrote about it being an issue. Not really. It's an issue for every NFL defense that didn't get an offseason or train strenuously per old contract rules. Another guy that goes fishing with dynamite.
They were solid against the run for most of the game, and they got to the QB a lot.

11: Field position was a critical factor. I feel bad for the punter who had the bad back and might have lost his shot because of it, but it is what it is and won't be next week.

12: They overcame their early putridosity and came back. Of they hadn't then turned right back into the Keystone cops, that would have been great. As it was, though, it was a very good sign.

13: Rich Gannon and others are picking the Browns over Indi. Gannon says the Colts defense is in trouble if it has to defend the run for sixty minutes. He didn't say this: Kerry Collins is a sitting duck.

I am starting to give up on Robiski. He's in his third season now, and has the brains to run the correct routes. One commentator said he needs to "play up to his potential". Well, he might not have sufficient potential. Effort was never an issue. I got my fingers crossed, but am doubtful--and I don't care where he played in college, or how much I like him.

Pashos might be done. His whole body seems to be breaking down. They'll have to make do, but they do have solid vets who don't normally get embarrassed like they were vs. Cinci.

Insufficient Dumbassitude

I can't find much dumb analysis to correct out there. It's like Shurmer put an IQ-booster in the water supply when he got here. But then, I've avoided the comments sections and forums.

Yeah this one guy chased me out. He somehow has a half-dozen identities and appears to be a full-time dark cloud. Every quarterback we've had before and since Anderson is "noodle-armed", Shurmer is a brainless Homgren-puppet, and of course we're all gonna die. I'm sick of the same old same old dominating these sites, and I wish they'd get rid of Mister Blabbermouth Bummer.

Honest critiques, whether misguided or not, are fine with me. But not d-heads whose mission it is to bash bash bash all day and all night...and yes, who are idiots.

Unfortunately, the paid analysts are for once doing a pretty good job, which is making it hard for me to be different.

But I'll try: Most recent intel casts a shadow on Carlton Mitchell. The reads and routes are one thing. That's his lack of experience. But drops? Okay--that's not good at this point. That is something which, by this time, he should have resolved. What I've heard about his performance at the Camp Colts is troubling.

But they retained him, didn't they? It's possible that my second-hand intelligence is flawed. I sure hope so. I mean, with Heckert--so far so good, ya know?

Ah! Armond Smith: He's sort of being treated as an afterthought who only made the roster because Brandon Jackson went on IR. W-W-WRONG!

I have major problems finding anything about about this guy, but I can, at least, listen to the brass.

Smith's one and only issue in an otherwise stunning preseason was fumbling. Shurmer said: "He didn't do it in college". Everybody else seems not to have heard that. The guy didn't fumble in college. He's a big-play tailback who can catch the ball. If his fumbleitis was nothing more than a hiccup, which his last performance offers some evdidence of, Mister Jackson might never get his job back.

Yeah he's only about 194, and might eventually top out at a little over 200 lbs. We're not talking about a workhorse here; that's not what he's here for. He's much more dangerous than Jackson, who is more of an Earnest Byner type. Smith is a Gregg Pruitt type. See the difference?

Another analyst discussed Josh Cribbs as a wide reciever. Said he was listed at number two behind Maasequoi, meaning that he's not expected to be a feature guy. Well, duh. he never was.

But the author made it sound as if he would never be a good wide reciever, period.

Listen: he made a couple big plays against Green Bays' starting defense, tweaked his hammy and was used sparingly since. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind with these guys!

Cribbs won't be the feature guy in this offense, but has already proven himself an extremely reliable guy who has obviously worked hard on developing a pair of the best hands I've ever seen in any reciever.

While he doesn't get a lot of separation, on short and intermediate patterns he doesn't really need to with this quarterback. He might get nailed before he can make anything happen 3 times out of four, but the first time somebody blows a coverage or fails to wrap him up, anything could happen. Meanwhile, McCoy will take eight yards here, thirteen yard there all day long.

This article was influenced by the author's perception of Massequoi as just a guy. He's more than that-he has elite potential in this offense.

Artie Hicks is a solid player, but one analyst pencilled him in as the starter at left guard based on rookie left tackle convert Jason Pinkston's putrid performance so far. Not so fast. Pinkston has the athleticism for it, but so far has been outsmarted by more experienced opponents. But he'll

I M P R O V E! He's flanked by Pro Bowlers and they can help him (on passing downs) schematicly with roll-outs.

It depends on how fast he progresses. He might indeed be replaced by Greco or Hicks, but that's not the long-term plan. Hicks was brought here more because he has started extensively at nearly every offensive line position. At his age, he won't start unless he has to, and may well not WANT to start any more.

They're trying to build a team to last, and wherever possible youth will prevail. Pinkston will be given every chance.

Quinton Spears came from...I don't know somebody that might play Cleveland State. But he has massive, massive potential. I believe he'll be tried at linebacker and passing down rush DE at first. He's only 234 lbs right now, but as soon as training camp 2012, he could easily report at over 250.

Those who are oblivious to this rather obvious probablity are calling him a linebacker already. It's possible that he can indeed become one, but more likely that he'll wind up at DE, or possibly a hybrid fill-in type guy.

One thing he can do (and did in Miami--at least in preseason) is rush the passer. He has uncommon speed; is faster than Benard and Sheard. He's also strong for his weight.

No doubt, he'll need a lot of work on hand-fighting etc., and could be a longer-term project who rarely sees the field except on special teams this season. But I love to check these guys out early, which is why Terry Pluto and I are among the rare people from Cleveland who aren't Memorex Morons.

You know what I mean. Around game three year after year, it looks to everybody else like night of the living dead. A bunch of young guys start clawing their way out of their premature graves and making plays. Everybody else is saying "wow I thod we needdedd debth dare! Who wooda thungg idd?"

The Browns only REAL offensive issues are right tackle depth and the issue at left guard.

There are more issues on defense, but there are four good starting defensive linemen, a starting middle linebacker, two good corners, etc...

Oh yeah! Adams is a GOOD free safety! The only reason he wasn't a starter last season was they ran cover two and had two bigger free/strong hybrids side-by-side rather than a true strong and a true free safety. Adams didn't fit that scheme. He does fit this one at free safety.

Not that Young won't wind up being better. Just quit trying to bury my man along with all the others. He's easily a top-25 free safety, even in his geezerhood. Watch and see.

YOU STAND CORRECTED.

Rodney Cribbsfield

The guys on NFL Radio keep referring to Devon Hester as the best returner of all time, while Josh Cribbs holds all the records. Trouble is, Josh plays for Cleveland. The big market shuts down the pundits' brains.

Did you know that there is a "one of a kind" running back? "Defensive backs don't know how to stop him. They just launch themselves at his legs. There's no other running back in the NFL who's that big and that fast, with all he can do. Brandon Jacobs..."

Hillis got the cover of Madden, but that was just too freaking obvious, wasn't it? And everybody voted. They overrode the pundits who predicted it would be Micheal Vick. Nobody asked John Madden. Who do you think HE liked?

At least McCoy is getting rave reviews--especially by Jim Miller, Rich Gannon, and John Gruden.

Phil Simms said he didn't have an NFL arm, but he loved Tavarez Jackson. By Phil's standards, the majority of NFL quarterbacks don't have NFL arms. I bet he REALLY hates Kyle Orton! I used to think Phil was the real expert. I still love the way he's blunt and pulls no punches. But all he talks about is throwing hard, spinning it, and being a leader.

He does like McCoy's personality. He concedes that in a West Coast he might be allright. You can tell he's bored. He's not Tavarez Jackson or Derrick Anderson, and Phil is bored by guys who can't sling it like they can.

I can't leave it alone--I'm sorry. I rarely hear Phil talk about quick reads or accuracy. It's as if they don't matter. Phil is a smart guy, and certainly was a great (and underrated) quarterback. But this is another example of how smart, knowlegable people can be myopic and mentally lazy.

Everybody loves Evan Moore, too. Pat Kirwin, for instance, points out that you can't bring the safety up when you've got him or Watson ready to get behind them. Then he repeats that the Browns need a big-play wide recievers so that defenses can't stack the box. Amazing.

They love Jackson too. finally somebody wrote an article about how perfect he is for this defense. (I mean, somebody besides me.)

I want to talk about Massequoi but I've done that to death. Take out his stats, check out his offenses and quarterbacks, and turn on your freaking brain. You'll only read what I told you elsewhere after the fact.

Great move to lock up Joe Thomas forever. Instead of overpaying MoMass's replacement.

Jayme Mitchell has done pretty well so far. Sheard looks great FOR A ROOKIE. Taylor hasn't made a lot of plays, but IS helping keep big monsters off Jackson. I can't wait til these two learn all the dirty tricks.

Luavao stifled the second dirtiest player in the NFL (Suh) last week. He is the main reason I got so infuriated about people talking about the right SIDE of the offensive line, when they had right guard covered two or three-deep. Clevelanders never saw a molehill. Never noticed the baby in the bathwater either. Also: We're all gonna die.

The heat on McCoy came mainly over left guard (and Corey Williams). I can't wait to read that we need a whole new offensive line.

The defense in general, despite missing several starters, has looked remarkably good under the circumstances. For the secondary, it's similar, but the front seven is completely different, and I'd expected a lot more mistakes.

Jauron (along with Brown and Fujita) deserves much of the credit. They've gone from an insideously diabolical Ryan defense to something like a plug-and-play style. While there will be some wrinkles, the base defense is simple, so that the players can just react and play thoughtlessly fast.

I still prefer the 3-4 and all that versatility, but there's much to be said for fundamentals.

One thing about this defense is that it requires the majority of players to win individual battles. It will need to be very muscular (except for the defensive ends).

Speaking of which, I hope to see Benard back up to speed soon. I'd thought that he'd muscled up, but apparantly (maybe also) got fatter (on purpose). Blame the strike and non-communication with coaches. I'll bet he plays best at around 260.

Why was anybody surprised that Sheard showed up at around his college playing weight of 268? Oh yeah: Because for the combine he slimmed down because he might have been a 3-4 OLB. Lazy lazy lazy. A brain is a terrible thing to waste.

Joe Haden got toasted twice last week. Can't you people be consistant? You're supposed to be saying he sucks! I mean, Wright was here and steadily improving for two seasons, to the extent that after his second, many of you were saying that he should have made the Pro Bowl.

Then the Ravens strafe him, and suddenly he sucks. Why did you drag Wright off the pedestal and to the hanging tree in one afternoon, and yet overlook Haden's bad day? You can't possibly have matured that much in one offseason! You must just like him because he goes to Cavs games.

It's ok with me. Every cornerback in the NFL has had gameS like that, and I think Haden is da bomb. Just wondering why you don't think with your brains.

Brown's performance is somewhat more disturbing, due to his age. He got toasted too, both weeks. Last season, he was not just good, but excellent. I hope it's just rust, but I'm like Belichick about age. One year...probably just rust. He should be fine. I hope. At least whenever he isn't anymore, he'll be a top-notch free safety. I'd even extend him for a couple years because of that.

well okbye.

Predictions

Blahblah only preseason blahblah not get too excited blahblah long way to go blahblah some holes blahblah notice how sagely wise I am blahblahblahblahblah BUT:

1: Colt McCoy is great. It doesn't matter who his recievers are, or if his opponents stop the run. It doesn't matter if the defense spends more time in the backfield than the running backs. He's as effective running for his life as he is standing in a pocket.
It doesn't matter if his recievers are covered, because the defenders can't get to the ball anyway.

The Browns finally have a real quarterback.

2: Last season and before, if the offense reached the red zone, it was usually two runs, and incomplete pass, and a field goal. Now, it's usually a touchdown.

This isn't about how bad Daboll sucks (he doesn't). This is the system. There are tons of short and intermediate passes in this timing system, and when the field shortens, it doesn't change anything. The defense does have less field to cover, meaning they can cover tighter and often be more aggressive, but McCoy is now used to throwing quickly and hitting tight windows. And, the run is still often replaced by a dink-pass.

3: Massequoi will reclaim his x-spot when he gets back, and will kick butt. He can go deep about as often as Jerry Rice did (which was seldom). It helps that he is faster than Rice ever was.

4: Cribbs the WR did not cease to exist against Detroit. He had his guy beat on the interference play, and has proven--including last season--that he has really good hands. His issues were defeating bumps at the line and getting separation. Considering the fact that he's been playing outside (not much in the slot) this preseason, it's clear to those who bother to watch closely that he defeats press coverage and gets a little separation. What else does he need?
PS I love what he said: "You get me the ball in the open field and I run with it. That's the threat." Exactly, Josh!

5: Little is a much bigger Massequoi. By the way, what's this "concerns about his hands" stuff? In camp he dropped a bunch of passes EARLY, but questionable hands had nothing to do with his college resume. Why do some analysts just make stuff up?

6: Like I said, the tight ends will be integral to the passing game and the Browns now have several who can get deep. How, in the absence of one of the six or seven "proven" deep threats in the NFL, can a defense put eight men in the box when one of three huge guys can catch one 20 or 30 yards downfield amongst liliputions?

Further, how can you get eight men in the box when a tight end and/or running back so often line up outside of it?

7: Because of this, as I predicted earlier, the Browns have used a slot reciever sparingly. This has hidden a secret weapon: Smurf Jordan Norwood. This dude can fly. Against certain defenses, he will be used. It will be fun.

Comments and Opinions on Comments and Opinions

I was rolling into town and caught WKNR this morning. I found out the source of all the rhetorical bashing I read on the posts.

The worst WR corps in the league? I mean, I know that there are no proven stars, but there simply must be one or more teams that are worse. Dumb people dart to extremes much faster than sentient people. They can't even insert "one of".

More thoughtful and insightful analysis came from (former Jets GM) Pat Kirwin and (former Ditka-Bearss superbowl DT) Tim Ryan, who visited Browns camp for NFL Radio.

Ryan made the simple observation that he wasn't seeing any of the recievers get separation from the defenders. Kirwin went further, and decried their lack of a burner to "take the top off" a defense.

OK, it's true. But there are a lot of assumptions included in these opinions, and mitigating factors which weren't even considered:

1: MoMass averages over 15 yards per-catch. He did this in vertical-passing offenses. His rookie season, he averaged almost 20 YPC with a weak running game and with Quinn and Anderson. He was the de facto #1 reciever by a wide margin. With nobody else to take the heat off him, he made a whole lot of plays in the second half of his rookie season.
Some defenses double-covered him, and he still made catches. Other defenses stacked 8 or even 9 guys in the box, and he made them pay.
Massequoi is as fast or faster than most of the "known" deep threats. His strong points ARE his ability to get separation, and his yards-after-catch-all West Coast ideals.
Because of a weak sophomore season with three different quarterbacks, and very strong pass-catching tight ends and backs, in a run-oriented offense, I fail to understand why Massequoi is being dismissed.

2: Robiskie, per the coaches, is quietly doing very well. He's a possession reciever. And that's ok.

3: Carlton Mitchell hasn't even had a chance yet...therefore does not exist.

4: Little IS a big powerful guy, but was among the fastest recievers in this draft and is fully capable of going deep BEFORE a catch, and of out-leaping/muscling everybody else for the ball. He's already been typecast ad Anquan Bolden. Not bad, but not completely accurate. Little is a FASTER Bolden.

5: It's not too surprising that the recievers are having a hard time getting separation from Skrine and Haden, is it?

Speaking of which, I told you that Skrine could cover anybody, only the big guys have too much reach for him. I told you that he could very well be one of the opponent-specific third cornerbacks, and a backup outside as a rookie. Nobody else told you that. And no, you didn't think of it yourself just now (Helloooo!)

Ryan also declared that the Browns have nobody to rush the passer. This boggled my mind, because he and Kirwin had just spent about 45 seconds talking about how good it was for Sheard to be practicing against Joe Thomas. Could one of you name for me the defensive end that Thomas can't shut down? How can you say something like that?

Back to Kirwin's point (and former QB Jim Miller says that too a lesser extent it does apply to West Coast offenses): If you don't have one reciever who you don't dare try to cover with one guy, they can bring the safeties down to stop the run and blow up intermediate passes--while sending an extra guy or two after the QB.

If you have that one human torch reciever, then at least one cornerback has to play softer, and one safety has to set up and stay deeper, so stuff underneath is more open and runs have better chances.

How can I argue? I just say you should re-read what I wrote earlier.

6: The Browns don't have a realistic chance of accomplishing much this season. The coaches DO like their YOUNG, somewhat unproven recievers, including the guys you've never heard of. They don't want to commit a bunch of money to a bandaid who will retire or leave just as they contend, and don't want that move to cost them one of their young guys who they think will BE somebody.

7: Jordon Norwood has really, really shined in the slot, and he CAN toast you.

8: All four of the tight ends can make big plays. It doesn't matter if the little guys can catch you when you can carry them and not even slow down much, see? You get behind a linebacker and he can't catch you. Behind a safety and he won't catch you for awhile. If you are willing to trust one safety or linebacker to prevent one of these guys from getting a big gain, you are a fool. Go ahead and bring that safety up close. I dare you.

9: ALL of the tight ends, and for that matter the running backs, can deploy wide and take a big defender outside with them. You can't really stack the box in the conventional sense. The Browns have awesome pass-catching backs and tight ends. Among the best in the NFL--and that is the truth.

Sure, a burner (if he's not already here) would help, but it still won't be possible to stack this team up.

I'm glad they start with the Superbowl champs. They might get slaughtered, but these young players need the reps. Kinda like practicing against Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, TJ Ward, Dqwell Jackson, and guys like that...

Oh yeah and I told you that Jackson was a natural Mike in this defense. That much should show up tonight.

Draft Need Corrections

OK look, MoMass averaged almost 20 yards per catch as a rookie with DA and Quinn. He did it without much help from the other recievers or the backs, and defenses were zeroed in on him. Because last season he didn't do much, a lot of you are, as usual, shoveling dirt on his closed coffin. The fact is that Ben Watson and Peyton Hillis had become the favorite targets of a rookie quarterback. The passing game attacked the middle of the field more, partly to help McCoy take baby steps in learning his trade. MoMass has one of the highest upsides of any reciever in the NFL in a West Coast system which does NOT stress straight-line speed, but rather precise routes, separation, blocking, and run-after-catch. Plus, he does have pretty good wheels as it is. I don't know if I've seen him lose any footraces. I could be wrong, but I don't remember it, unless a defender had a really good angle, or he was forced to apply the brakes. Robiskie doesn't have MoMass's explosiveness, but seeks to make up for it with size. Some think he's slow, but that's no accurate. He runs a decent 40, and his real speed is in his top end. He's a long strider. We saw a few flashes of that last season, when he got loose with the ball, and couldn't be caught. I didn't say he's a big-play guy. He only has one gear, and isn't explosive out of his breaks like Robiskie is. He may never get much separation from defenders, and will need to use his bigger body and longer reach to snag balls, then break tackles to get much after the catch. But he should, in his third season, be a viable alternate target who can break a long one occasionally. Carlton Mitchell was for some reason declared dead-on-arrival by many as he failed to do anything as a raw rookie who'd come out early. Physicly, however, he's a match for the most talented recievers in the NFL. Will he emerge this season? Well, it's no sure thing, but it IS more likely than not. He's had a full off season and season to practice and hone his skills under NFL coaches. While Daboll's system wasn't a West Coast, Mangini and co. had very high standards in re precise routes--and this is the main thing that kept him on the practice squad. You can say that the Browns need more home-run hitters, but this assumes a lot. It assumes that Josh Cribbs won't be used more logicly in the offense, that Mitchell won't emerge at all, and that MoMass in his third season and it the West Coast won't explode. If you say that the Browns need wide recievers, period, and have them mock-drafting big possession guys, you're full of it. Evan Moore might be called a tight end, but can do everything Jurevicious did. He's even a bigger problem for defenses, since his presence on the field must be answered by the defense; ie the defense can't deploy the same nickel as the would vs. a conventional 3 or 4-wide. In fact, with Watson also in the mix, the Browns could split him out as well, creating all sorts of holes, and making a blitze scarier for the defense than for McCoy. While it's true that a blistering burner who blows doors off cornerbacks going vertical would be a real asset to any offense, the jury is still out on Mitchell, and this need is not at all critical. Holmgrens' statements about these recievers having good speed, and his being pleased with them, are dismissed as a smokescreen by those who think they know better, but it's not. He was simply telling the truth. Fan statements that we won't know how good McCoy can be until he has some recievers are simply ignorant. He will have a bunch of recievers--just maybe not that deep threat that about 23 other NFL teams get along without. It would be cool with me if the Browns could nab a Bowers or a Dareus, or possibly that super-cornerback, but trading out of that spot to get more picks would be better than taking Green--as good as he looks. And that trade-down looks like it has a good shot this time. In my mock draft, the Browns trade down--and I mean maybe by a lot. They need a young right tackle, at least for the future, a bunch of defensive linemen, linebacker, and even secondary help. They can't fill all the holes in one draft, but a trade-down could net (for example) two defensive linemen with firts-ground grades AND a right tackle who projects to start in 2012 instead of just one guy. Why isn't that obvious?

Welcome to Amerika

You buy a house. You have to do some repairs, and you make some improvements. You've got a mortgage-you took a risk. But it's YOURS. In America, you are allowed to own things.

Now, you manage to find a good tenant, and rent the place out. After you sign the one-year lease agreement, you realize that you were stupid. Similar houses and apartments in the area are getting like 40% more per month!

But a contract is a contract, and you live with it, until the lease expires.

Meanwhile, things get tighter in a bad economy. You're not really losing money, but really wish you hadn't signed that idotic lease contract.

You warn your tenant that you'll need to raise the rent with the new contract, and you set some money aside, in case you lose him and have to lose a couple months' rent. He says he's sure you and he can "work something out". Hmm.

Now you present him with your new proposal. He asks you why you're raising the rent. You want to be diplomatic, so you point out that the first deal was 40% below market, and that money is tight.

He wants to see your "books", so he can "work with" you.

You want to punch him in the mouth. Apparantly he thinks he's your partner or something. But he was a real good tenant, and after some arguing, you decide to indulge him. You show him what you paid the plumber and electrician, property taxes, insurance--everything about the property, plusses and minuses.

He looks at this and says "where's the rest?"

"The rest what?"

"The 401k, 1099's from your investments, books on your other properties, tax returns--"

"Whoa! Why do you need to see that?"

"Well--how can I decide what I should pay you if I don't know how much you need?"

THIS IS AMERICA, NOT AMERIKA. IT'S NONE OF THE PLAYERS DAMN BUSINESS WHAT THE OWNERS MAKE. THE BAD DEAL THEY MADE IS EXPIRED AND THE OWNERS ARE DONE GETTING HOSED. IF THEY MAKE HUGE, MASSIVE PROFITS IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS--THEY OWN THE TEAMS.

THE TEAMS BELONG TO THEM. YOU ARE EMPLOYEES. THEY OWE YOU SALARIES, MEDICAL CARE, AND WHAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS SAY THEY OWE YOU, AND NOTHING MORE UNTIL YOU BACK OFF AND MAKE A NEW CONTRACT.

And you're not "labor". You don't drive a truck or work in a factory. You live a dream. You PLAY a kid's game for a living. "Labor"...wash your mouths out with soap! Injuries, yeah. Tell that to a guy with one leg coming back from Afghanistan! The difference is YOU play a GAME and make a whole helluva lot more money.

Don't talk about the secretaries, businesses, coaches, scouts, and other employees. The OWNERS hired and employed them while YOU just played a game.

The real reason the players have forced this impasse is because they don't want to give BACK what the owners were stupid and weak enough to offer as a bribe in the previous contract.

And be honest: That was extortion.

The players now think of themselves as partners, morally entitled to 59% of the revenues in addition to their massive salaries and other compensation. They're not entitled to ONE percent!

Understand this: That was the 40% reduced rent in this story. The contract screwed the landlord for 12 months, but now it's over. The landlord will never get back all that money, but now just wants to make somewhere within a couple miles of what he should have been making all along.

The middle keeps moving farther and farther left, and the same people who were saying "both sides" are to blame 15 years ago are saying it today.

Pretty soon you'll all be standing next to Micheal Moore blaming both sides. Welcome to Amerika.

Great Minds

Wow! Heckert and Shurmer sound just like me! They might actually be almost as smart as my humble self!!

Re-signing Jackson (to the surprise of many) was, to me, a no-brainer if he was healthy. Some local "experts" had said he was NOT a fit for the 4-3, but I told my crickets weeks ago that he was BETTER suited to that defense!

I had forgotten his ability to play outside. He has range, excels in space, and can cover big guys. Many weak 3-4 ILB's also have the skills to play on the weak side of a 4-3. You'd ideally like more speed there, but Jackson would be pretty solid.

Re-signing Wright was also a no-brainer to those of us who actually have a brain. The guy is in his prime, and in 2009 a lot of people were lobbying for him to go to the Pro Bowl. He DID have a sub-par (sub-PAR) 2010, but his weak performance was massively exhaggerated.

As I said before, because of his speed, he's often in the camera frame when a guy other than the one he's covering makes a catch. Ignoramusses automaticly blame him for every reception he's close to.

The Ravens ate his lunch, and he did have two other pretty bad games, but overall for the season, his sub-par play was pretty good. It was sub-par for him, the pro-bowl contender. It would have been indiotic for Heckert and co. to let Wright go simply because the lynch-mob was out with the ropes and torches again.

Wright is still young and improving. He may be the third corner this season. Haden and Brown (if he remains at corner), probably are better overall.

Heckert said "you need three", but really you need more due to injuries--and then to have the option in matching up to 4-wide sets.

But now we have three. Grossi is fulla beans calling cornerback an "urgent" need. Adams matches up well with big guys, even in man coverage.

Grossi also throws out that word in relation to wide reciever. Yes, they need more speed there to keep safeties back and give everybody else some space to operate in the short and intermediate bread-and-butter West Coast zones, but urgent?

Name the burner on the 49ers perennial Superbowl teams. Rice? 4.6 40 Rice? Rice who caught over 90% of his snares within 15 yards of scrimmage? Taylor? Who was their urgently-needed speedster?

And what about Carlton Mitchell? Consensus was that he came out of college prematurely and was raw. Had he remained in college for another season, most real experts said he had the ability to do great things and be a top pick. Now he's had a season to learn and practice with pro peers, coaches, and against elite pro corners and safeties...so why does everybody assume he's a bust based on no playing time as a rookie?

Are you kidding me? This is why I coined the phrase "Memorex Morons". They only know what they've seen. They're incapable of factoring in maturity, growth, improvement, etc. even when it's very likely.

You never know, of course. A player has to truly love the game, and be truly dedicated to improving, and determined as hell. David Veikune had the physical tools, but not that part of it. So sure, a lot of guys simply never make the grade. But more often than not young players improve with practice and experience.

Can't count on it, but Mitchell could be who they need.

Why do some of you keep embarrassing me on NFL Radio? One guy calls in and asks if the Browns can get a big, physical reciever in the second round. Yeah, with just Robiskie, MoMass, Moore etc. they really need to muscle up their recievers! Brilliant! Better to be quiet and let people assume you're a dumbass than to open your mouth and confirm it.

Kevin Kolonich said that the West Coast uses "smaller, quicker recievers". Give me a break! Small quick guys can do well in a west coast, granted--but the preferred types are BIG recievers who can use their bodies to wall-off zone coverage, break tackles, and have a reach advantage.

Precise patterns are also important, which hinders taller guys with longer limbs and a higher center of gravity (and may be Mitchell's biggest challenge), but still, personnel guys and coaches want BIG recievers for the West Coast.

Look: there's a premium on accuracy for a West Coast Quarterback, but bigger recievers help that a lot. The quarterback can miss a point by several feet with a big guy, and he can still reach the ball. A smaller guy can usually get more separation, but the quarterback's margin of error is still much smaller-plus zone guys can jar it loose, reach around to deflect, and physicly knock them off their routes.

Finally, west coast wide recievers BLOCK--or are kicked off the team. The huge overlooked part of why the west coast works is the fact that whoever is covering the other guys when the reciever makes his catch gets blocked immediately, and has a hard time closing on him. Big guys block.

Peterson, the cornerback, appears to be the best talent on the board.

I won't criticize who the Browns pick, no matter who it is. There will be so much talent there that they can't miss. If it's Green ok. If it's Peterson ok. If it's a defensive lineman double-ok.

Peterson doesn't address a need, unless you're dumb enough to think that Wright is washed up at 25. (My Bro E-man thought he was worse than he was last season too, but I know for sure that he's not among those who think he sucks. He saw him in '09, after all.)

But damn! What a secondary that would make! One of the best in the NFL! Man, check! Zone, check! They'd begin Brown's shift to free safety (I presume Jauron uses strong and free safeties). Half way through the season Peterson and Haden would be the tandem, Wright is strictly a corner, and they'd almost have to do it simply to get Brown in the field.

To be sure, that would leave the defensive line unaddressed until later, but this would take the secondary off the table for at least two seasons, during which those in the unit would learn to read eachother's minds.

Heckert isn't building for 2011, but for the foreseeable future, and I couldn't knock taking Peterson. Best available is best available. Check.

But I have no doubt that Heckert's Plan A is to trade down. The current LABOR talks are looking better lately, and one part of that will be a rookie pay structure which would eliminate hold-outs and reduce rookie salaries. This makes a trade-up much safer (and more likely).

No one would trade up to 6 in this draft for a defensive lineman, offensive lineman, running back, or linebacker, but they might for a quarterback (as usual), Peterson, Green, or perhaps someone else that I'm missing.

In this draft, the Browns could get a very good defensive lineman, top-notch right tackle (with left tackle feet, maybe), or maybe a fast WR who could actually help in the second round. They could get a stud player at several positions in the first, perhaps as low as 15.

The Browns currently have Rubin and guys names Joe for a 4-man line. I've heard that they feel good about one of the young tackles, and Schaefer can be a decent (but not exceptional) defensive end. They need ideally three guys, including two defensive ends.

They'd like more speed at linebacker, but it's not critical.

They could use more depth in the secondary, and that's a bit more important. Brown could play free, but this would leave a need for a third cornerback.

They need a right tackle for the future, but might need him sooner if Womack doesn't re-sign.

They could use a faster wide reciever, but that's far from urgent, and Mitchell could emerge.

Based on their statements and moves to date, I'm more convinced now that Shurmer will see that Cribbs belongs at running back in this offense, so that the "need" for a scatback to offset Hillis (and Hardesty, who is similar) comes off the table.

Speaking of which, I'm loving Shurmer talking about using two backs! I wish more than just crickets ever read this, because if you had, you'd know that I've been talking Shurmer's language for a long time.

Two backs and one or even two tight ends go to the huddle, forcing a base defense. Maybe they break the huddle and line up in an I or a T or whatever, or maybe one or both of the backs go to the slot.

They can't be bumped at the line as recievers because they can legally line up off the line--coverage, whether zone or man, has to be soft, or somebody gets his doors blown off.

But then of course they can lead-block and play smashmouth when they want to.

Finally, a Head Coach who obviously reads my blog!

Cribbs Rumors

The rumor that Josh Cribbs could be available for a trade might be true. Being ruled by my brain and not being inclined to hero worship, as GM I would have most of the team available for a trade. I love the guy, and furthermore don't think he's too old or too expensive. People keep talking about his big salary, but as I recall his contract was laden with incentives, most of which he didn't meet last season.

But there are other things I read about this that ass ume a lot of don't compute.

For one thing, I sort of doubt that his comments about retaining Mangini were an issue. At least two or three other players made similar comments.

Next, who said the flash offense (or whatever) was dead? Why?

Next, what was said of him as a wide reciever is true. He might have become as good as he will be, he doesn't run patterns as well as the other guys, etc. Ok.

But refer to my last blog. He's not a good fit as a West Coast wide reciever, bit he IS a great fit as a West Coast running back. I'll BET you right now that if he isn't traded, he will be worked in there (where he probably should have been all along.)

The "labor" (hahahahaha) situation could preclude any trades, but if it doesn't, I wonder how much interest there would be in him. While he does have the incentives, his base salary still isn't insignificant. While I feel that his decline last season was a bump caused by injury and fatigue, other teams would be wary.

They probably wouldn't get a very good offer for him.

Now, some would question him as a running back due to the fact that he doesn't have a fast start. He's not as quick to the hole as he should be.

But this will be a West Coast-like offense. This offense uses more recievers and sending them wide (ps Moore would be one of these, often). This pulls defenders away from the middle, and also forces a couple of them to play farther back than they want to. This makes it difficult to stack the line.

An explosive first step is the least important attribute for a West Coast running back. If the target hole closes too quickly, the West Coast back improvises. With so much of the defense backed up and pulled toward the sidelines, it's impossible for them to cover every gap.

Cribbs has the vision, recieving skills, and broken-field niftiniess to be damn near a prototype running back in the West Coast. It's made for him.

Rogers is another story. I was frustrated by him last season. I know he was injured early, and might not have fully recovered. But he also got real real FAT, and at his age I think he might be in trouble with the new staff.

It's no mystery when one of these monsters gets leg problems. Their joints were never intended to support that much weight. it's worse for Rogers, because the best way to block him is to cut his legs.

With his salary, and at his age, I don't think the Browns could get anything for him. He could be released.

If he is, some of you will need to get over it.

Superbowl

I'm not like most Browns fans in that I sometimes suspend my hatred of the Stoolers. I figure if I can't root for the Browns I'd like to see the AFC North win. Stoolers or Ratbird victories make the Browns look a little less crappy, and also place the highest challenge right here.


Many fans hearing this will call me a...what--a heretic, or something. See previous post.


Anyway, I do give the edge to the Packers by a hair. I only have a few reasons for this.


For one, Pouncey won't play, which is good news for BJ Raji. Next, the Stoolers tackles are just okay, and one is ancient. Clay Matthews loves that.

Couple this with Big Ben. When Big Ben plays the Browns, he is often in the grasp for three seconds between the tackles, on his way down to the ground (at a 45 degree angle), and sort of dribbles the ball to the nearest available bare spot. It's always called an incomplete pass, and never intentional grounding or in-the-grasp (sack).

That won't work in the Superbowl. Here the refs will have to call a legitimate game. So Big Ben will lose perhaps his biggest advantage.

I don't blame Ben for taking advantage of this obvious bias. I would too. But I fully expect him to try it in this game, and wonder why all of a sudden they're treating him like the rest of the quarterbacks in the NFL. Hopefully, he'll get flustered by it.

And then, unlike the Browns "tacklers", the Packers won't dribble off him. Matthews and co. won't let him fool around like that. He'll have to intentionally ground the ball before he's hit.

And, too, I like the West Coast and Rodgers (PS the quarterback has a "d" in his name. Out defensive lineman doesn't. Two different names. Get literate, please). Hampton and Kiesel are old geezers, and Rodgers gets rid of it quickly. It will be harder for Harrison and company to get at him, and it might be foolish to take them out of coverage to try it.

Oh--and "I play the way I was taught to play" Harrison: Mister why is everybody always picking on me loves to hit other guys in the helmet and try to break their necks or put them in comas. He is obviously a vicous, sadistic, and perhaps sociopathic player who simply can't resist inflicting the greatest possible lasting or permanent damage on his fellow football players.

Should be good for some penalties. And by the way, mike Tomlin is an apologist and an enabler who deserves to lose for that reason alone.

Taught to play that way? Navy Seals and terrorists aren't football players, and anyway Harrison never was one, so that's a lie.

Polumalu can only blow up so many plays per game, and might be hindered by his hammy. If he's leaping tall offensive lines at a single bound, he's not in coverage, and Rodgers can move (and scramble).

AND aside from Troy and one corner, the rest of the secondary isn't the greatest--especially in nickels and dimes--which the Pack will no doubt seek to keep them in all day long.

I will be watching this game to see how a properly executed West Coast offense works against this defense.

Thoughts on that:

1: The Browns don't have the Packers recievers, but I repeat that both MoMass and Robiskie are better suited to the West Coast than to conventional offenses. Robiskie is not explosive and will never gain much separation, but with an accurate quarterback has a height/size advantage on cornerbacks.
MoMass is more explosive and does get more separation, plus runs like a back with the ball.

The West Coast uses many shallow slants and crosses tailor made for these two players to make the most of their gifts.

2: As much as I love Cribbs the returner, I'd like to see him replaced by some of the quite capable other guys in some of those special teams roles so that he could remain healthy and fresh as a reciever, running back, and gimmick quarterback.
He has made big strides as a reciever. Last season, Hillis and Watson were prolific as hell, so he didn't get that many targets.
And yeah I said "running back". In the West Coast, this might be his best position, since he'd be catching it in space more than running it anyway. In the absence of a drafted or FA waterbug change-up for Hillis, that's one fo the ways I'd use Cribbs.
As a WR, his patterns still aren't as precise as they need to be, and he has trouble with jams. From the backfield, he's jam-proof and can even juke before he crosses the line to shake coverage. They have to cover him softer.

3: Both Moore and Watson will be excellent in the West Coast, and definitely, for sure, they will BOTH be on the field more often here.

Picture Moore and Watson with Robiske and MoMass, then either Hillis or Cribbs in the backfield. If all four of the down guys go out for a pass, you've almost got to keep at least five back in coverage, inc. one safety over the top. Both tight ends are unmatchable with an unsual size/speed combination, and will be open early and usually not far from the quarterback, and between the hashes.

MoMass can beat single coverage all day long. As a rookie, he was beating doubles consistantly in the last half of 2009, and with two bad quarterbacks. He's not a burner, but is pretty fast and dangerous. If the Browns can't land a real burner in the offseason, in this scenario MoMass can be a real threat.

I love Hillis in the West Coast. It's tailor-made for a guy with his skill-set. He'd last much longer in it, too, because he could avoid a lot of the punishment he took being a human battering-ram. He'd get the ball outside and in space more often, with a chance to see what's coming at him, rather than in a tight space with the whole defense focussed on his hole.

Ditto Cribbs, who I repeat I would phase partly out of special teams and make more a running back than in-line reciever. As a reciever he can make tough catches now, but as a West Coast running back, he can catch the ball in space, and do what he does every time he catches a punt or kickoff!

Think about that. On punts and kickoffs, the leg puts the ball in a certain place, and the entire coverage unit is collapsing towards him. As a running back, he'd often get the ball with defenders pulled all over the place and trying to reverse directions. As a returner, he only got the ball a few times per-game. Just imagine if he got it two or three times as often, and usually much closer to the enemy goal line.

Tell me where I'm wrong. Go ahead, tell me. We need playmakers? Well, we got one, anyway, if they'd just use him right!

No, the offense isn't by any means complete, but I regard a young right tackle as more important than a fast wide-out, and a running back (you know like the TWO they just got rid of dammit?) to offset/spell Hillis could be forestalled.

For that matter, just like most teams, almost every position could be upgraded. I never said anything was perfect. Thomas is as good as it gets, and I really like Watson, and Mack, and Hillis...and even Moore, who should finally get a real opportunity to make me look smart. And Cribbs, of course. And I have much confidence in a healthy, experienced McCoy in a Colt-freindly system with great coaching. But EVERY other position could be upgraded. I'd rather have Bradford than McCoy, for that matter (but don't tell Colt I said so, and in this system Colt might even out-do him).

Is that understood?

In conclusion, USE CRIBBS AT RUNNING BACK 33% of the time, use Moore WITH Watson, and this should be a highly-competitive offense.

I HAVE SPOKEN.

Memorex Morons

Here's a great example of some idjut with excrement-colored glasses scrupulously cherry-picking facts to back up what he already made up his mind about:

Whipple, big deal! Rottenburgers had a cannon arm, touch, couldn't be tackled, had quick feet...ergo Whipple had nothing to do with his success.

Rottenburgers was a ROOKIE. The only ROOKIE quarterback in history to be that good was Dan Marino. (Well, Kyle Orton did pretty well too). Ben went to Pittsburgh clueless about the NFL and OBVIOUSLY needed a teacher.

It's not that this clown can't tell the difference between three year veterans and rookies. It's just that that's inconvenient when your objective is to find some way to bash the credentials of a new hire, and bash the people who hired him--thus bashing the organization you've spent your life campaigning against.

Have you ever tried to watch a game sitting near one of these fools? They find ways to blame the quarterback and reciever both for every interception. And also the coach for calling the play. They make everyone around them miserable. EVERYTHING sucks. There goes all the oxygen and sunshine. Oh god here he comes again.

And this clown is hammering away on the internet, bashing every single move they make.

Let me try to think like this guy. Shouldn't be too hard--I sort of did when I was five or six. When I looked out the window on Xmas Eve and saw Santa's sleigh flying across the moon.

First I need a premise. Hmm...oh I know! Colt mcCoy sucks!

OK but he out-did Wallace, Delhomme, and everybody from last season as a rookie. But fortunately for me, he fell on his face in the last few games. So I need to pretend all the other games don't matter, and focus on the last three. Cooincidentally, it was December, so I get to say that the reason he sucks is that he can't play in bad weather.

But he had a lot of bad weather wins in college. Nevermind that. I'll just hope nobody mentions it. I get away with stuff all the time when people are even dumber than me.

See how it works? It's the scientific method: First, decide what you believe. Next, filter everything you hear and see so that only the stuff that "proves" your point gets through!

Of course, my version is much more sophisticated, since I'm doing it deliberately, and being analytical. Guys who think like this have their analytical minds shut down. That's why when you show them they're wrong, they just dig in and get more insistant (and usually emotional).

Really, Joe Twelve Pack no longer represents them, since he instead changes the subject every time I nail him. That way, he can pretend he wasn't just slammed. These guys tend to just raise their voices and personally insult you.

In re McCoy: Actually Sancez hit his wall, and so did Big Ben. The Stoolers won their playoff games in his rookie season despite Ben, who was putrid in the playoffs.

Grossi might be right about Colt's arm. I don't insult the guy, who sees more film than me and just tells us what he sees. I don't want to hear that stuff, but it might be accurate.

Thing is, Colt's shoulder injury wasn't completely healed, and I have seen him zip some long sideliners etc., so I know that he has the arm, at least sometimes. Further, ex-QB Jim Miller insists that arm strength can be increased. Miller said that he himself had to work on it coming out of college, and he wound up regarded as a very strong arm.

I'd also point out to Tony that Joe Montana did indeed exist. Kosar's arm was shot when he twice reached the AFC Championship. Who was Seattle's QB when they reached the Superbowl?

Anyway, for objective people, the overall picture is much more positive than negative. You just have to ignore the goobers with the crap-colored glasses.

Debating Joe Twelve-Pack

First, the posters:


I too am frustrated that the Browns are sort of starting over with a new system and substantially new coaching staff in a Division with two dominant playoff teams. Seems like one step foreward, two steps back, year after year.


But as usual, some posters I've read have lost their damn minds (or don't have adult human ones to lose).


Well, I'll activate Joe Twelve-Pack now, and he can represent all you idjuts:


Joe: If Mike Holmgren intended to install the West Coast offense and a 4-3 defense all along, and control it, then he should be fired for retaining Mangini and his staff. This sets us a year behind schedule, and it's incompetance.


ME: Hey, can I get your source? None of mine knew that that was his plan all along! He had the rest of us fooled into thinking that the last four wins of 2009 and his interviews had impressed him, like he said!


Joe: Don't be so naaive! Holmgren is over his head as a GM! He has a good record as a head coach, but was a dismal failure as a GM!


ME: That's it: You can't say "dismal" any more. Be careful or I'll confiscate the rest of your adjectives. Anyway, his record as a Head Coach AND GM is indeed mediocre. He was a first-time GM and was doing it while also coaching the team and mostly running his offense. Now he's focussed on the GM part, and Tom Heckert takes a lot of that off him.

The logical assumption is that he learned from his experience, and with outstanding support and an abundance of time will do well. DUH.


Joe: Then why doesn't anybody want to come here? They still don't have an offensive coordinator!


ME: Again, your sources. Two teams' staffs are still off-limits, and IMO the best candidate is on Green Bays' staff. Three other teams still haven't filled their OC positions. You expected all the coaching slots to be filled up in the first week, or what?

Jauron is a former head coach, and appears to be their top choice for that position. He had other offers, but signed here quickly.


Joe: That's another thing! Here we go, starting all over again with a whole new defense! For all this time they've been building a 3-4 and now they've got all the wrong people for a 4-3!


ME: It's with the deepest regret that I kind of agree with you, blind squirrel. But again, we're ass uming a lot. First, Jauron will most likely transition over time. Rogers, if healthy and in freaking shape, is an awesome 4-3 tackle (NOT END! NOT IN THE 4-3! TACKLE!!!). Roth, if retained, could play defensive end. Rubin has surprised everyone with his quickness and range, and projects as a very good defensive tackle for Jauron's two-gap. Several of the current defensive ends can also play 4-3 defensive end. Benard can't, but could be a great situational rusher.

Jauron likes big lines--


Joe: "blah blah blah"! They need like four linemen and have to replace all the linebackers! It's a three or four-year project!


ME: And there goes the baby--screaming all the way to the street along with the bathwater. The sky is falling again.

Unfortunately, among your depressing, delusional rantings, you accidentally nailed some reality.

More because of age than people, they do need defensive linemen, but they may retain some solid hold-the-fort guys already on the roster.

Linebacker is more of a problem, but Fujita (for at least one more season) and Gocong are two guys who can play in the 4-3.

Joe: Gocong can't cover! That's why the Eagles dumped him!

Me: I didn't say he and Fujita were All-Pros. I said they could play.

Joe: He sucks!

Me: You know, you're a real master of understatement, Joe.

Joe: Thanks I think. But your flattery won't make the fact that Shurmer is Holmgren's puppet and the Browns are three years away from contention again!

Me: Take a pill, Joe. Position-by-position, the offensive line needs another young guy to develop into a right tackle but is pretty solid. The tight ends are excellent. While I agree that they do need a "playmaker", the current wide recievers will be much more effective in a true west coast hybrid in which sharp routes, size, and YAC is at a premium.
Naturally, you can't comprehend the continued existance of Carlton Mitchell, or the fact that he has massive big-play potential. Remember, he came out early and was very raw, so he wasn't ready. But he's been practicing, and might be this season.

Hillis is as good a reciever as a back can be and will prosper (and maybe last longer) in a West Coast. They need a waterbug type like the guys they stupidly dumped last season to take some of it off him, but a healthy Hardesty is great depth.

McCoy should be better in his second season with real-game experience, and especially so in a West Coast, which fits him prefectly. Many of the comparisons are lame, but the most accurate ones are Jeff Garcia, Drew Brees, and Joe Montana.

In other words, the offensive core is already here. The big play guy who can take the top off a defense may not be here--or might be, in the form of Rodney Mitchelfield. A healthy Luvao projects well at right guard, and Womack and the other guys can, if neccessary, hold the fort for one more season at RT.

Joe: McCoy crashed and burned---

Me: Yeah. That's pretty common with quarterbacks. The defensive coordinators get a bead on their tendancies and figure out how to screw them up. The they have to learn and adapt. Happened to Peyton Manning...hell everybody except Dan Marino, and including Rottenburgers. Big deal.

Joe: But he can't play in bad wea--

Me: Oh yeah, you need an arm to compete up here in the frozen north! Just look at all the great ones. Brian the Cannon Sipe, Bill the Rocket Nelson, Frank the bazooka Ryan...then there's the guys who beat us up here, like Montana---

Joe: Homer!

Me: Ad hominums aside, as I was saying, the defense is where the retooling will happen. The secondary isn't bad. First off, Wright didn't suck nearly as bad as you hallucinate. He's the fastest guy on the field, so when he comes off his reciever to go for the ball, he shows up in the frame a lot. That makes it easy for guys like you to hop around and point at him, like it's his fault.
Sure, he did have a mediocre season, but it's no cooincidence that there was a rookie safety learning as he went. Sometimes Wright released a guy, or gave him room, like he was supposed to, and Ward wasn't where he was supposed to be. Nor does one mediocre season negate all previous seasons for a cornerback in his prime.
Brown is getting older, but might move to safety and be great there. Haden is a stud. Adams is a great pinch-hitter/utility guy. It's not perfect, but a solid core to build on. The secondary isn't part of the rebuilding project. They'll try to upgrade it, but it's not bad as-is.

So of the whole team, we're talking about the front seven. Seven out of twenty two. If you could be rational, you would comprehend this.

And of those seven, there are Rubin, maybe Rogers, Fujita, Gocong, Benard as a situational guy, Roth maybe at DE, that Kaluka SS/LB type for coverage/depth, Rodney Schaeferingfield, and even youngsters like Ivey, who might do much better as a DT than as a nose tackle.

Is it going to take three years to sign or draft maybe three linebackers and three defensive linemen, even assuming none of the deveopmentals emerge?

Joe: You and your rose-colored glasses! Anyway, this is Cleveland. Nobody wants to play here or coach here.

Me: They just signed four more assistants, and they're really excellent. Especially the new QB Coach. He was in demand as a coordinator, but took the same job he had here. That's partly because he'll be helping Shurmer manage the overall offense, as well as doing for McCoy what he did with Rapelessburger.

Joe: You can't turn a pigs' ear into a---

Okay I've just put Joe back to sleep in my subconscious.

Look, I agree with Ben Watson. The first thing the Browns need to do is stick with a coaching staff. I also can't deny that installing new systems with a second-year quarterback and 3-4 personel is...just par for the course.

The Browns almost certainly won't contend this coming season. I remember saying that two seasons ago, and then predicting that they would contend in 2010.

Yep. Back to the drawing board again--two years down the crapper and starting over.

With me, though, football is a game, and I like the process. I like the building and developing.

I like Shurmer. I used to love Bud Carson, another 4-3 guy, so I can get used to Jauron, I hope.

For me, I will be watching McCoy take the next steps towards Breeshood, or at least Garciahood. I can't wait to see if Mitchell will step up and be a playmaker. I want to see Rubin at DT. I look foreward to watching progress and development.

Shurmer and company have absolutely nothing to do with anything that happened in the past, and deserve a clean slate.

And I do have hope. The offense might be one player away from being pretty damn good. I mean, here in reality. While the defense will have trouble at first, the offense might come out of the gates at full speed, and make the team competitive.

And something else has changed: it used to be that the 3-4 had an advantage in drafting because most teams ran the 4-3. The DE/LB types were available later because of it. Now, that has gone in reverse. The majority of teams are running the 3-4 now, so the real pure linebackers, and to a lesser extent some DT's and DE's will tend to slide more.

I think Heckert and Jauron will be able to make the most of this, and get some good front seven guys in here.

We'll see.

My early prediction: 16-0. I'll update this as more data comes in.

Shurmer

Well, I guess Ryan is a GMF. Some of the non-ex athletes/GMs/coaches on NFL Radio declared that Ryan and Shurmer never could have gotten along. I wonder where they got that? Why not? Ryan is brash and Shurmer is quiet, ergo they'd hate eachother? These clowns crack me up.

But I did pick up in his news conference that he will be heavily involved in picking his own staff, and that makes sense. I'm sure that outside of the soap operas that play in some commentators' heads, it was nothing personal.

Looking foreward, those who actually know what they're talking about unanimously like this hire. Several of these guys on NFL Radio worked with him--more with his uncle Fritz. Pat Ryan even played against him when he was a center at MSU.

These guys aren't making assumptions about his ability to develop quarterbacks, as many tend to do. They confirm that HE had probably the most to do with getting rookie QB Bradford off to a solid NFL start, and he will be very helpful to Colt McCoy as he enters his second year.

Jauron now looks strong for defensive coordinator. His experience as a head coach would help Shurmer a lot. Shurmer could first focus on installing his new offense, and getting the ball rolling, while Jauron and (I hope) Seely could handle the rest. Shurmer would be the nominal head coach, but would have the luxury of just coordinating at first.

Jauron has been a 4-3 guy. I vastly prefer the much more unpredictable and adaptable 3-4, but the guy has had a lot of success with his defenses.

But those who think he'd come in and instantly install a full-blown 4-3 are once again narcissisticly projecting their dumbassitude onto much smarter people. Nor am I even certain that a 4-3 is a given at any time.

Remember Marty? He ran both a 4-3 and 3-4. It depended on his personnel. I hope Jauron is like that, if they hire him.

Benard would only be a situational passrusher on a 4-3. Roth would have to fight for a DE spot, and lacks the height. Schaeffer might do much better as a 4-3 DE--Rubin could play DT. Will the aging Rogers be back? Gocong is another short guy. He was just coming on strong after escaping Philly's 4-3. Fujita can play either, but is better in a 3-4. Jackson could play MLB for sure...but this is much closer to 3-4 than 4-3...

Well I've got a headache okbye

Rex's Twin Brother

First things first: If I had not been on sabbadical, I would have updated my win/loss projection to 5-11.

I can't rationally argue that Mangini should have been retained. It's not so much the losses to the Stoolers and the Ratbirds. The Browns were beat up pretty bad, these are both mature, elite teams, and McCoy is, after all, a rookie.

But the other losses were hard to take, and the buck has to stop at Mangini. While since this in Cleveland, I sort of expect Mangini to go on to win consecutive Superbowls somewhere else, I would have fired him myself. I stand self-corrected.

As for his and other coaching replacements, I like Shurmer myself. Shurmer did what he did this season with a rookie quarterback and weak talent.

But just a minute. Why not Rob Ryan? How different can he be from Rex as a Head coach, especially since he can consult with him?

I know, simpletonians will point out his defensive stats. As if he had Pittsburgh/Baltimore talent and depth on his defense? It's so convenient to ignore little things like that. Rookie safety and corner, Fujita knocked out, guys off the street starting on the line late in the season--let's not let the facts get in the way of a good lynching.

Consensus has it that Rob will probably be a head coach after next season. One reason these legitimate experts expect that is that they expect a couple more draft picks and free agents to help him get there. Duh.

Promote this tough-yet-beloved leader to head coach, and just get him two coordinators!

Ryan wasn't part of Homgren's old crew. Why is it assumed that Holmgren is a nepotist on steroids, especially when he gave Daboll and Mangini a shot? 4-3, 3-4 do you really think he cares, when this is the AFC central and most of the dominating defenses for several years have been 3-4's? Just how utterly stupid do you think Big Mike is?

Mike picks the coordinators and, along with Rex, helps the charismatic Rob Ryan along as a Head Coach. Now we've got a west coast hybrid that should help the current wide recievers and running backs. (Not that there weren't elements of the west coast with Daboll).

With an excellent support system and solid coordinators, this is the perfect environment to give Rob his head coaching start.

Sure, he makes the big decisions, but ask his players about Rob. He listens. It's not "my way or the highway", like it is with some other guys. He'd likewise let the coordinators do their jobs, and just teach, manage, and inspire. And the whole team would run through walls for him.

You'd rather watch Ryan go be a head Coach somewhere else one season later.

Whatever.