Manziel and McCown

A lot of pundits are talking about Johnny's second half last Thursday.  The Bengals kept him corralled in the pocket, and he accomplished nothing.

That's true, but it's not all his fault.  Unlike most of these guys, I count dropped passes as accurate and timely, and blame the receivers.  I don't pretend the pass never happened.

It also matters that Manziel is inexperienced, and can't be fairly judged by one half of one game against a formidable defense.

As Les Levine really needs to try to fathom, reciting his statistics thus far is rather stupid, since these include most of two games last season in which he was still a punk, and totally unprepared.

Even isolating his statistics for this season is dumb, because he is still inexperienced, and very early in his growth curve.

Nor is it very smart to assume that Josh McCown necessarily would have done better.  Maybe.  Maybe not.

And does an injured Josh McCown give the Browns the best chance to win in Pittsburgh?

Maybe.  Maybe not!

There's a whole lot of assuming going on around here.  This isn't all about the quarterback in the first place.

Either quarterback must work with the same receivers and alleged running game.  

In fairness, against all odds the career backup has ranked among the top tier of quarterbacks this season despite these challenges.

Talking heads keep expecting his wheels to come off, and he keeps surprising them.

Johnny can't meet that standard YET.  But he's generally done pretty well, and here's the deal:

He'll get better.  Josh won't.  He's healthy.  Josh isn't.  At this point in time, Manziel vs McCown is a much tighter race than most of you think, and starting the healthy kid is the logical move...Mike.

Of Pittsburgh in general, they retain plenty of offensive firepower even without Big Ben or Belle, but their defense isn't as good as those of the last three teams the Browns faced, once you set the HYPE aside.

Manziel could beat them, just as McCown could.  They can't do what Cincinnati did.  Their secondary can't stay with these receivers as long, so when a quarterback squirms and wriggles loose to buy a few more seconds, it can go deep in a hurry.

Johnny can't yet read coverages as well as McCown, but this  "creative" stuff comes naturally to him.

That's why Mike Pettine is a blockhead, just like Mike Hargrove and Marty, for insisting that the injured and still vulnerable old vet has to start over the healthy kid if he can crawl into the field.

It's just plain dumb. Terry Pluto, as he so often does, concurs.

Kosar, Billick, and the Browns

I agree with Brian Billick, who in this article by Craig Lyndall said that the Jimmy Haslam shouldn't fire anybody.

Tony Grossi and Doug Dieken, among others, offer some ideas of what's wrong with this team.

Injuries at cornerback and safety haven't helped any, and I suspect something was wrong with Joe Haden even before he got knocked silly.  This can't explain ranking last against the run, but this, combined with the lack of a consistent pass rush, has a lot to do with all those big numbers enemy quarterbacks are piling up.

Tony thinks a four-man front would work better. It might.

Doug Dieken says Shanahan's outside zone scheme is much better suited to the athletes on this offensive line than the system Flip has installed.

Is Flip a blockhead too?

It's a timing offense, but both quarterbacks hold the ball too long.  As Mike said, Johnny missed a couple of first reads.  But then as he immediately conceded, the Bengals did a good job of taking the first read away most of the time.

This has much to do with how small the receivers are.  It's hard to trust a guy who can't outmuscle or outreach a cornerback.  This becomes more acute in the end zone.

Everything would work better if the Browns could just run the ball and, I believe, if Duke Johnson was used on most downs.  The blocking scheme and this are technically Flip's job.

I don't hate the guy.  Until the last two games, the offense was pretty good despite its flaws and handicaps.  He deserves credit for that.

But absent a BIG reversal of fortune and at least four more wins or so, Jimmy Haslam will have a hard time standing pat.

The same people who were bashing him for firing people will be bashing him for not firing people.

I've been here before.  Jimmy will need to do something, just to appease the ignorant masses.

Enter Bernie Kosar.  In this article by Darryl Ruiter, Bernie says he can fix it, and wants to.

Haslam could fire Flip and hire Bernie.  Bernie might have been talking about a front office slot, or possibly even head coach, but offensive coordinator makes more sense.

This could get contentious, though.  Mike Pettine would probably be ticked off at having an assistant coach thrust on him.  Especially one who would insist on doing things his own way.

I get it.  Coaches choose their own staffs and design their own systems.  Bernie Kosar is a local icon and a direct threat to Mike's authority.  If I were Mike, I would oppose this.

However, it could still work.  Lock Bernie and Mike in a room with a white board for a couple hours and see what works out.  Leave it up to him.

Mike Pettine wants first and foremost to win.  Bernie is an offensive genius.  

We who've listened to his analysis and color commentary are amazed by his ability to dissect and predict plays in real-time.  He himself is a winner.

If it's done diplomatically, there's a good chance that Mike Pettine himself might hire Kosar.

Until now, Bernie was reluctant to actually work in football again, but this has clearly changed.  He has publicly told Jimmy Haslam that he is available.

For all I know, Bernie wouldn't want this job, but we all know he'd be great at it.

For Haslam himself, it would be smart.  Local yokels and even some permabashers would ease up on the bashery a little, temporarily.

Imagine it: Bernie is going to run the offense!  We have a reason for slight optimism!  Good for Mike Pettine!  Maybe he'll fix the defense now!

Jimmy.  Bernie.  Mike.  Pick up the phone.

Late insertion: It does seem that Bernie would prefer Head of Football Operations.  He'd like to be like his former teami-mate, Doctor Evil Ozzie Newsome.

Ozzie worked his way up through personnel.  I have no idea of whether or not Bernie has an eye for talent, though--other than at quarterback.

Would he work with his head coach as, gossip aside, Ray Farmer has?  Would he listen to his scouts, and learn what he probably doesn't know about personnel?

I've been sort of defending Ray Farmer (on that note, look for Gilbert to play more after not sucking too much vs Cinci).  I don't believe he should be fired.

But Kosar is interesting, and Ray has made some mistakes, like Dwayne Bowe's guaranteed salary.

It's TOO SOON TO JUDGE his draft picks, but he hasn't been perfect.  If Haslam has to make a move, using Ray as the fall guy would be the least disruptive.

It's doubtful, though.  Bernie?  Jimmy?  I just don't know.

Browns Hysteria

When you think with organs other than your brain, you're prone to get extreme.  

The Browns one-sided losses to the Rams and Bengals pushed some commentators beyond reality.

1: The Browns have a lot of talent overall.  They're a little short at wide receiver, but they're average or above everywhere else.

Yes, including quarterback--based on what McCown has done this season.

The fact that these guys have screwed up and underperformed doesn't negate that talent.

Guys like Randy Starks, Brian Hartline, Carlos Dansby etc were all proven commodities.  Duke Johnson is a bum now?  Want to kick Desir, Erving, Benjamin, Barnidge, the rest of the offensive line, and all the new and old safeties to the curb now too?

Some clowns started second-guessing Ray Farmer as soon as he made his first move.  Captain Obvious wants you to know that a wide receiver catches more passes than a cornerback, so you should never trade down and always take the receiver.  Even if the scouting consensus on the cornerback is that he has the rare ability to cancel out that receiver single-handedly.

Maybe Ray misjudged Gilbert's psychology, because that's what's wrong with him.  Physically, he might have more ability than any cornerback in the NFL.

Manziel is a work in progress, but his arrow is pointing up, at a steep angle.

...ok ok Dwayne Bowe ok you got me.  I might have signed him, but paying him that much?  Really?

But I digress.  It's too early to lynch Ray Farmer, especially when a GM should be judged by his overall performance.

Players don't want to come to the Browns!  Ray can't pay the elite free agents enough.  

You've got to look at Mike Pettine here.  When too many players screw up too often, and fail to develop, you've got to look at the coaches first.

That's inconvenient.  It's way more complicated than saying everybody sucks so fire them.

Look at all the draft guides!  I wouldn't have drafted Danny Shelton, but just about everybody else would have!  If you call that a screwup, Ray has a lot of company!

And I don't care how high a guy was drafted, only a running back can be a star out of the gate.  

There is talent here!  It's just not performing well!  Why?

2:  I agree with Andrea Hangst.  Duke Johnson needs to be used a whole lot more.  It doesn't even matter if a defense tries to focus on him.  Nobody matches up with him!  

I'll bet some clowns are already calling him a bust!

Now I know that Johnny missed some reads on Thursday.  That's inexperience for you.  He might have seen it, but not trusted what he saw.  It's common for young quarterbacks to hesitate, because they know how sneaky defenders are.

He'll get better.

I can't believe that Mike Pettine is dumb enough not to start Manziel now, regardless of whether or not McCown can last a couple plays before getting re-injured.

I hope he's just being mysterious to keep the Steelers guessing.  I hope.

Mike Pettine: Wake Up Before You Get Fired

Mike, I can't believe you talked about Johnny staying in the pocket more.

(Late insertion: just read Mike's statements on that comment.  It was about missed first reads (and holding the ball).  My criticisms of Mike on that basis are premature and unfair)

Look, I get it: The pocket is the best place for an NFL quarterback, where he can access both sides of the field, plant his feet, and his protectors know where he is.

But what about Russell Wilson, Mike?  What does Pete Carroll know that you don't?

You remind me of another Browns head coach named Chris Palmer.  Tim Couch was a shotgun quarterback.  At a time when the rest of the NFL was going more and more to the shotgun, Palmer put the rookie almost exclusively under center.

Couch made some of his biggest plays after being chased out of the pocket, showing a real ability to think and throw on the move.

Chris didn't care.  No rollouts.  No shotgun.  Tim Couch had great talent, but was battered out of the NFL.

Palmer was a blockhead, Mike.  So are you.  Listen to DeFelipo.  We know he wants to do some different things with Johnny, and it seems clear that you don't want to let him.

"Settle him down"?  I wasn't able to watch the game.  I just saw highlights of his best plays.  Some of those were off scrambles, and some from the pocket, but I never saw him flee the pocket until he had to, and I can't see what you're even talking about.  Is he supposed to throw it away rather than buy a little more time or a few yards with his feet?

In fact, Josh McCown has made a lot of plays on the move himself, so I guess you need to "settle him down" as well!

As Mike Hoag wrote, Manziel was victimized by his own receivers.  Especially Gabriel.  Especially in critical situations.  Of all people, Dwayne Bowe was the only guy who didn't drop at least one accurate pass.

Mike wonders why you abandoned the run completely in the second half.  Through the first half, it was competitive---thanks in large part to Johnny's running around.  In the second half, he did like you said and stayed in the pocket.  Congratulations.

And if you tell us today that Josh McCown will start next week if able to crawl into the field, I will join the lynch mob and bring the rope.

Gary Davenport really nailed this down.  Manziel showed that he belongs in the NFL, and can make things happen when he's not stifled by a blockheaded Coach.

You DO need to find out if you need yet another new quarterback before the draft.  Let the old veteran heal while his adopted son tries to make him proud.

Hey! Since you're letting Josh do your job anyway, how about listening to what I'm positive he and Flip are telling you about rollouts, pistol, shotgun, and read-option?

Russell Wilson has been around for awhile now, and still isn't a true pocket passer.  If Chris Palmer coached the Seahawks, that little guy would be a career backup.

I'm so disappointed in you, Mike.  I had no idea you were so rigid and intransigent.  I told everybody you would adapt your schemes to your personnel.  You make me look dumb, Mike.

When Kyle Shanahan left and Flip was hired, I had high hopes for creativity and adaptability on offense too.  I never thought you'd just pick his brain a little and then lock him in the basement!

I can't defend Mike Pettine any more.  I still hope that Jimmy Haslam doesn't have to fire him, but man...

Remember Don Shula, Mike?  He won a Super Bowl with Bob Griesy, a brutal running game, and a no name defense.

Then he got Marino and the smurfs, and ran a diametrically opposite offense.

That was a long time ago.  Can't you learn something from that?

Best wishes, Mike.  But WAKE TF UP!!!

Go Johnny Go

I must extend my condolences to Marty---I mean Mike Pettine.  Apparently Coach McCown has decided for him that he wouldn't be as effective as Johnny Manziel at this particular time.

No doubt Mike asked him "Can't you throw left-handed or wear a big pcv pipe or something?"

Well, good for Coach Josh.  He's extremely tough and gutsy, but not egotistical or selfish, and stepped aside for his protege.

It's the smart thing, as I'm sure he tried to explain to Mike Schot--I mean Pettine.

Anyone who's had cracked or broken ribs can tell you, it takes awhile for them to heal.  Unlike an arm or leg, they can't be immobilized, and are in constant motion as you move or breathe.

Josh will probably rush himself back, but what he ought to do is absolutely nothing for two weeks to let the cracks begin to fuse, and then very carefully ease his way back for at least two more weeks.

Even then, he'd probably get them reinjured.

But for now, here comes the kid.  Against the team that humiliated him last season.  In front of a national audience.  Against the seventh-best defense in the NFL.  At home.

One can understand--this time--why assistant coach Mike would prefer the old veteran.  This one is big.  Really big.

An inexperienced young quarterback has to be terrified by this tough defense on this big stage, and without Hawkins or Hartline to boot.

NAH! This former wide receiver was an instant sensation at quarterback and never looked back.  He LOVES pressure-packed situations, and lots of witnesses.

He's had several days, including last week, to practice with the ones.  Before that, he practiced with the receivers who will replace Hawkins and Hartline.

Maybe even Dwayne Bowe!  (I repeat: they should have released him, ate his ridiculous and stupid salary, and retained Pryor.  However, I know he can still play, and its thursday night football for him, too).

But especially Gabriel.  These microbes really stick together.  The 6'0" quarterback and the microscopic receivers.  Call it a Napoleonic conspiracy.

Johnny sure loves The Rabbit, doesn't he?

I strongly suspect that the little guys (including Manziel) talk about how they can teach these big goons a lesson when they get their chance.

Now it's thursday Night, and Here's Johnny!

He knows everybody on the planet wrote "L" for him in indelible ink.  He knows that half his running game is his short passing game because his team for some reason just can't run the ball.

I just happen to know, for reasons I can't disclose at this time, that on thursday night, vs the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnny Manziel could WIN.

Laugh at me now but believe me later.

I doubt it.  The Bengals could be the most talented team in the NFL.  I'm just saying: Johnny might have abandoned the money-sign, but it hasn't abandoned him.

I'm rapidly cooling on Mike Pettine, but not on DeFellipo:

The Browns could upset the Bangles here, BECAUSE OF Johnny Manziel.

To Mike and Marty's astonishment.

I watched a little Mike and MIKE today.  Non-Golic Mike thinks it's obvious that the Coaches want nothing to do with this player who was forced on them by Jimmy Haslam.

No doubt he's a big fan of Rhona LaCanfora.  As you know, this is crap.  Josh McCown was doing about as well as a quarterback could in this situation, and there was no reason to rush Manziel.

Still, Mad Mike is feeding that BS mill when he talks about starting a seriously injured McCown over the healthy kid.

It's hard to blame these talking heads for thinking Mike Pettine hates Johnny.

Brian Billick said that he wouldn't use any man coverage against Johnny.  He expects Johnny to throw interceptions, and he'd use a zone to bait traps for him.

He could be right, but he assumes a lot.  Manziel has never been prone to interceptions.  Aside from his lack of pro experience, I'm not sure what Brian saw on film to give him that label.

The Mikes and him have all sorts of thoughts on Manziel that have nothing to do with reality.

I hope he hears it all.  I hope he, Gabriel, and Benjamin are getting angry.

I can't predict a Browns victory tonight, but wouldn't be too surprised.

The Browns just need to play up to their potential for TWO halves, and find some magic.

Mad Mike

I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that Mike Pettine is a Martonian.  It's becoming more and more difficult to read or hear Mike's discussions of the quarterback situation.

Josh McCown himself, as stubborn and tough as he is, isn't hiding his injury.  When you have trouble breathing, that's a cracked rib or two.

When you can't sleep, its because lying down spreads your ribs, and the pain of breathing keeps you awake.

Yet Mike Pettine is again leaving it up to McCown!  

LET IT FREAKING HEAL A LITTLE for crying out loud!  It will only get worse if he plays!  The Bengals will be coming at him with the kitchen sink, and its still legal to target his ribs!

Mike, are you out of your damn mind?  What a freaking blockhead!

I sure hope Coach Josh decides it might be smarter to take some time off and let his injuries HEAL just a little bit before he ends up with a PUNCTURED LUNG or something.

Remember Drew Bledsoe?  He got the meat torn off his ribs-didn't you just flinch when you heard that?

That's what Josh and Mike are working up to!  He's all tenderized and everything!

Some people called Ray about Joe Thomas.  Ray listened.  Since the offer didn't include the stars or the moon, no deal.  The end.

Kudos to Alex Mack for wanting to stick with his teammates til the end of the season.  So he could pack up his stuff properly and pick his own team.

Mack is a mercenary.  God bless Joe Thomas.  He likes it here.  I love ya, Joe!  I wouldn't trade you for anything.  Except...never mind.

Well we can HOPE for Johnny Thursday.  Then we'll find out if the Bengals can hit a curve ball.

Coach Josh McCown, Trades

Mike: You are the Coach.  You say who plays.

This is necessary, because some players won't quit until they're dead or can't get up any more.

This is admirable, but not always smart.  That's what you are there for, Mike.  You are there to yank a guy who is hurt and no longer as good as his healthy backup.  Whether he likes it or not.

You're wrong about Johnny, Mike.  He's probably better than he was in his only start.  You seem to expect another shoe to drop on his head.

If the two were equally as fresh and healthy, sure, you go with experience.  But McCown was obviously in pain, and it was obviously on his throwing side, and would obviously change how he threw.

That was disgusting.

Nothing against Josh McCown.  He clearly thought he could master his pain and pull the game out.

But a lot of guys always think that.  You have to step in here, for their own good, and the good of the team.

I don't think Johnny Manziel could have pulled this game out if Mike Pettine had had more common sense, but he had a better chance than the human mash unit did.

I agree with Terry Pluto that trade rumors involving Joe Thomas are senseless, and probably came from some blogger like me, except dumber.

But Mack, Kruger, or several other guys are almost certainly available.  

The Browns are in a tailspin.  The first half was awesome, then...

Cash in!  More draft picks! Complete the rebuild by next training camp.

And LET JOHNNY PLAY so we can see what we've got here, and MIKE?  You might win some games you otherwise wouldn't.  

With all due respect to Doug Dieken, if the veterans think starting a healthy quarterback is cashing it in, I guess the concussion protocols came a little too late for them.