Snubby Snub Snub

With the announcement of the 2010 Pro Bowl Rosters, many Clevelandites (yes, I know…) were pleasantly surprised that two Browns made the team.  And while Josh Cribbs  and Joe Thomas are very deserving for the honor, there is another Brown that should have made the roster.

Eric Wright should be in the Pro Bowl.

What?!

Remember this?

Just look at the statistics comparing Wright with the AFC Pro Bowl cornerbacks:

Eric Wright: 60 tackles, 53 solo, 2 for a loss, and 3 INT’s.

Darrelle Revis: 54 tackles, 47 solo, 0 for loss, 6 INT’s and 1 TD.

Nnamdi Asomugha: 34 tackles, 30 solo, 8 for a loss, and 1 INT.

Champ Bailey: 72 tackles, 61 solo, 3 for a loss, 1 forced fumble, and 3 INT.

Looks like someone got voted in on reputation (or the “Raider’s mystique”).  And yes, I know the selections are partly a popularity contest (see, e.g. Asomugha and the Ed Reed selection).  But we need to look at things objectively.

Add the statistics to the fact that Wright is the MVP of the Browns’ secondary and the only one opposing offenses respect.  Not to mention the great plays he made during the Pittsburgh game (e.g., reading WR screen off the snap and swatting the ball away), probably the greatest game of the last few years from the Browns’ perspective.  He also shut down Ochocinco to just 24 and 38 yards in their two games, Greg Jennings to 52 yards, and Vincent Jackson to 54 yards.

Other corners in the AFC could complain of a snub: Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall had better years than anyone, and Leigh Bodden, and Cortland Finnegan had better years than Asomugha.  But given the Browns’ year, the importance he has to the team, playing just days after a horrible car crash, and the fact that his statistics are better than at least one Pro Bowl corner, Wright should have made the team.

It’s easy to discount Wright because he plays on a bad team with a secondary that started the year with Brandon McDonald (*shaking fist* McDonald!) as a starter, and has Browns fans clamoring for Eric Berry.  But, objectively, Eric Wright deserved a nod for his great work this season.

Victory Monday – Browns Fans See “Embarrassing”

For Victory Monday, not only have I changed the look of the blog, came up with a name, and added a “mascot” of sorts (of which I am extremely proud; you have no idea how much I suck at drawing), but there are also “Links and Thoughts!”

Football Thanksgiving: Many Browns fans have complained that Eric Mangini took the Browns’ situation from bad to “embarrassing.”  Well, Browns fans finally saw embarrassing yesterday.

But it wasn’t courtesy of the Browns.

Oakland had 13 penalties for 126 yards, five of them the “personal foul” variety.   They also gave up four sacks and threw three interceptions.  Oh, and two of their players were ejected.  They were unfocused and reckless.

The Browns?

Six penalties for 64 yards.  Two of which were personal fouls, but only one that resulted in yards lost.  And both of those were on the final drive of the first half where the Raiders were trying to bully their way to a win (honestly, who headbutts anyway?).  They only turned the ball over once, a fumble, and gave up two sacks.  They also were focused on defense, and made plays on offense when it counted.

Most importantly?  The Browns won 23-9.  Meanwhile the Raiders have gone seven (seven!) straight seasons with 10 or more losses.  Weren’t they in a Super Bowl this decade?

Browns fans: just give thanks that you are not Raiders fans.

Where Have All the Crystal Balls Gone? Although many in the media, and especially PFT, have been predicting Eric Mangini’s firing all year with the smugness of Steven Colbert, a strange thing has been happening lately.  Suddenly, pundits are beginning to drop hints that Mike Holmgren might bring back Mangini for 2010.

The reason is simple: if Mangini is fired, they get credit for announcing it all year and can write “I told you so” articles.  If Mangini is back next season, they can also say “I told you so.”  See Chris Mortensen opining that “Mangini has a chance,” and Adam Schefter’s statement that the Browns’ coach for 2010 could be Mangini. This after John Clayton and Mortensen reported that Mangini is out.

My point?  No matter the decision on Mangini, don’t be surprised when everyone says “I told you so.”

UPDATE: Apparently my mascot was horrible, so thanks to Kristen Kaleal, my banner looks better!

Rhetorical Questions – Holmgren’s To-Do List

New Browns President Mike Holmgren has a few things to figure out.   Tuesday’s links  address some of these issues:

Stay the Course? – The first thing Holmgren will decide is whether to retain Eric Mangini as head coach.  Although some, like Mike Florio, not only envision Mangini getting the boot, but are actively advocating for Mangini’s dismissal.  Florio’s reasons?

“Mangini has been horrible for Cleveland; he has created multiple distractions, and he has alienated players and their agents.”

Really?  That’s it?  Did Florio advocate the ousting of Parcells when he “alienated” Jason Taylor?  How about Belichick and Adalius Thomas?  And alienating agents?  Seriously?  We care about them now?

Florio also loses credibility as he asks Holmgren to get rid of Jim Brown and Bernie Kosar, two beloved Cleveland sports figures that pose no threat to Holmgren’s power.  And tell Lerner to not communicate with the media?

Ummm…he doesn’t.

To 4-3 or Not to 4-3? – Holmgren may push the Browns to use the 4-3 base defense.  Many in Cleveland have questioned whether the Browns have the personnel (after five drafts, no less) to run the 3-4 properly.

James Walker makes several interesting points: can Wimbley have success as a DE?  We know what Corey Williams thinks about the possible change, but do the Browns have the linebackers to run the 4-3, or will Browns fans have to suffer through another five years of bad defense until Holmgren gets the personnel in place?

Hire a GM? – My (not-so) educated guess is that the answer is yes.  But whom?  I do not have any links for this topic, but it warrants serious consideration.  Will Holmgren hire someone who has an independent mind, or someone who will cower to his will?

My guess is the latter, but as long as its not a Ravens’ personnel “guru,” I will be happy.

Monday Quick Links and Thoughts

Until I get this up and running, I will keep these quick and simple.  For Victory Monday, I have a few links and thoughts on the Browns:

Browns Win! – The biggest story of today, obviously.  Not only did Josh Cribbs show why he deserves to be paid like Devin Hester, but Jerome Harrison just vaulted into Timmy Smith territory.  Let’s hope the ending is not as tragic.  Can the Browns afford to pay both of them?  Sure.  But should the Browns pay both of them?  Yes for Cribbs, but based on one game against a terrible run defense (albeit the third best rushing game of all time) that doubled his previous output, I think the jury is still out on Harrison.

PFT’s Bias against Mangini – If you read Cleveland Frowns, you know of the media campaign against Browns’ coach Eric Mangini.

Pro Football Talk has been especially brutal with article after article about the Browns including shots at Mangini.  Take this post for example. Not only does Mike Florio insinuate that Mangini took advantage of a friendly relationship, but implies that he is also power-hungry.

More evidence of their bias is clear in their take on rumors regarding Chiefs’ head coach Todd Haley’s job security:

“Considering the epic rebuilding job Haley undertook when chosen as Scott Pioli’s first coach, Haley deserves patience.”

Isn’t that exactly what Mangini took on? Or was the Browns’ roster, cap space and culture really that much better?

Zorn in Cleveland? –  ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker had an interesting thought regarding Washington head coach Jim Zorn and the possibility of his arrival in Cleveland.  And no, not as head coach.  Walker postulates that Holmgren could hire Zorn as the Browns’ new QB coach.  Remember that Holmgren hired Zorn in Seattle.

But the question is will it help Brady Quinn’s development?  Did Zorn help Seneca Wallace and Jason Campbell grow into good QBs?  Does it matter either way?

Somewhere, Carl Smith just updated his resume.