Friday’s Links and Thoughts

The Monk is back for pre- free agency and draft hype next week, including position breakdowns by free agent class and draft class.  But until then, here are some interesting links and thoughts from the past few weeks:

Cribbs’ New Deal.

Josh Cribbs is reportedly closer to a new deal.  This is very good news for a Browns organization that has had its share of black eyes over the past year.  The two sides reportedly have a three year deal in place that would replace the three years left on the six year deal Cribbs signed in 2006.  The sticking point is guaranteed money.  Cribbs wants 10 million, and the Browns are offering half of that amount. The article also suggests that the negotiations took a different tone under new GM Tom Heckert, although some in the twitterverse think the “trade” of Dawn Aponte for Matt Thomas and Bryan Wiedmeier might have helped as well.

Peppers in CLE?

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen speculated that the Browns are a sleeper team for Julius Peppers.  The rationale?  President Mike Holmgren once brought Reggie White to Green Bay and the Browns have the cash.  In law, we call that “stretching it.”  Also, Peppers reportedly wants to play in a 3-4 base defense.  Would the Browns take on a massive contract (he will likely ask for $15 million a season) for a DE on the downside of his career who wants to play a position he has never played before?  What is this, Washington?

Modell in the Hall?

Here is a very nice look, from our friends Cleveland Frowns, at whether Art Modell should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, right down the road from the city whose heart he broke.  Also, here is Frowns’ response to the main advocate for Modell’s induction.  Amazing how a blogger comes across more civilized and thoughtful than a retired journalist and biographer, huh? 

Brady for One More Year?

President Holmgren spoke on Sirius Radio this morning and stated that he thinks Brady Quinn deserves a full season before any evaluation can be complete.  I agree.  While Quinn has not inspired confidence in anything other than the often-cited but completely irrelevant “huddle presence,”  he has only played in twelve games over a three year span.  Holmgren believes that a quarterback needs 32 starts.  Does that mean Quinn will be under center next year?  More on that next week as the Monk details the quarterback position.

Bye Bye J-Lew.

In not-so-shocking news, the Browns cut running back Jamal Lewis after he refused to retire like he promised.  Maybe another team wants him to complain about their practice schedule.  And maybe not.

Back next week with the start of our position preparations for free agency and the draft

~Nichiren

A View on Vick

Well, I haven’t updated this thing in a bit, but not because I don’t love you all (double negatives are not unfun).  I’ve either been (1) so depressed about the end of football season that I am incapacitated and will not wake up until the draft, or (2) busy and lazy, yes, at the same time.

But the answer is irrelevant.

I’ve noticed a trend of sorts in C-land.  Lately, perhaps because our current starting quarterback throws balls like this (at 1:45), Browns fans have dissected every possible free agent Quarterback and discussed whether they should come to Cleveland.  The discussion generally centers around three things: (1) west-coast style, (2) Philadelphia Eagles, and (3) the draft.

Proponents of taking a QB in the draft just don’t understand the ramifications of the move (high cap hit, non-guaranteed results, anger from me).  Plus, who would you have? Bradford? McCoy? Clausen? To be honest, I’m not exactly jumping for joy on those prospects.

Another argument is that we simply just take a QB from the Eagles.  Surely the Eagles will give Kolb or McNabb to the Browns because Heckert worked there, right?

But, wait, there’s another QB in Philly these days, right?  Michael Vick.

No thanks.

Supporters of Vick in Cleveland exclaim that he would work well in a West Coast Offense, and used to be exciting to watch.  Plus, he’s not Derek Anderson, right? Well, there are a few flaws with Vick as the Browns QB:

Accuracy

Apparently some people have no idea how to run a West-Coast Offense.  Short throws to replace the running game and control the clock is the key.  Short throws need accuracy, no?

Just something I learned from watching DA.

But Vick is not known for his accuracy.  In fact, for his career, Vick has a 53% completion percentage, and lost accuracy in his last two years with the Falcons.  Guess who else has a 53% completion percentage?  DA.

In the west-coast style Eagles, Vick (while the Wildcat QB) only has a 46% completion percentage.  Not good numbers for an accuracy driven offense.  By contrast, McNabb has a 60% completion percentage both in 2009 and for his career.

Plus, people forget that the Browns may not run the West Coast Offense.  Daboll is still the OC as of today…

Excitement

From 2001-2006, when Vick played for a full season, he averaged more than 2,400 yards passing with 15 TDs, 8 INT’s, and 600+ yards rushing with 5 rushing TDs .  Certainly, he was an exciting QB to watch, but that was four years ago.

He will also be 30 this year.

Can he bring the same level of excitement to the Browns that he did to the Falcons?  Probably not.  Did he bring it to the Eagles?  No.

The Other Stuff

Do you really think he fits the “Mangini” system that Holmgren and Heckert backed?  He wants players that are “smart, tough, hardworking, competitive, selfless and [have] a passion for the game.” Mangini is a high-character guy.  Getting rid of Winslow, Edwards, and signing high character, hard working football players was his hallmark this past season.  No “me-first” players, nothing to throw away the “team concept.”

But what is Vick most known for?

One can readily make the connection that Vick’s involvement in dogfighting was a selfish act.  Taking his bonus money and spending it on an illegal enterprise not only put his freedom at stake, but shook the Falcons organization.  Would someone with a passion for the game put his career in the hands of the individuals in the dog-fighting circuit?

And that wasn’t Vick’s first incident.

In 2004, two men were arrested for selling drugs in a truck registered to Vick.

In 2004, a member of Vick’s “posse” stole a watch belonging to an airport security guard.

In 2005, the whole “Ron Mexico” saga.

In 2006, Vick held up two middle fingers to Falcons fans after a home loss to the Saints.

And I do not want to come across as an unforgiving person.  I understand people make mistakes and the above incidents certainly are not horrible.  But when a coach and an organization invests a lot of money and resources in an athlete, one does not expect the athlete to put everything in jeopardy.

And now we get to the part that people will skim.

People do not want to think about it.  People do not want to talk about it.  People do not want to read this.

But it happened.

And anyone who supports Vick needs to understand that this is serious.  Ignore the screaming of PETA, and the automatic rejection of their position by PETA-haters.

Really read this:

Hanging, drowning, and electrocution.

When you support Vick, or cheer for him on Sundays, or buy his jersey, or argue for the Browns to sign him, you must understand the above statement.  You can forgive him, or rationalize it through the southern culture, but you can not ignore his involvement in the killing of dogs that did not perform well at dog-fighting.  And not just killing, but:

Hanging, drowning, and electrocution.

If you can forgive him and get past it, then that’s fine.  I understand that.  But as logical and forgiving as I am, I simply  cannot root for a man that was involved in such heinous acts.  And I know I seem hypocritical based on my post on Stallworth, but there is a difference between intentionally ending a being’s life and making a mistake that cost someone their life.

* * * * *

I just cannot see Holmgren, Heckert, and Mangini giving Vick the keys to the offense, not only because of the statistical analysis above, but because I don’t think Holmgren wants to upstage “the Browns” for one player.  The Cowboys and Redskins do things like that.

I hope the Browns never do.

~Nichiren

To Donte, Or Not To Donte

Something lost in the shuffle of Josh Cribbs’ “Pay the Man” movement, the retention of Mangenius, and Holmgren as President is that Donte Stallworth is only 30 days away from reinstatement. Thus, a new question for president Holmgren has arisen:

To keep Donte, or not to keep Donte.

I say, bring him back.

I was harsh on Stallworth when he cut a deal that let him serve 24 days for killing a man with his car while under the influence of alcohol (and allegedly marijuana).  I still believe that he should have served a much longer amount of time, and applauded Commissioner Goodell for suspending Stallworth for a year.  But since the only punishment he will ever have (besides, ya know, the whole after-life thing) is over, perhaps it is time to forgive and forget.  Besides, it’s not like he electrocuted dogs or anything…

And, not to sound callous over the loss of a man’s life, and the eternal redemption Stallworth may be seeking, but the Browns could really use Stallworth.

We have seen what the Browns are like without an experienced wide receiver.  While Mike Furrey could have fit that bill, he was too busy playing safety after Brodney Pool’s injury (23 receptions, 170 yards, 0 TDs, 16 tackles, 2 passes defended).  Thus, the Browns were left with Massaquoi, Robiskie, Cribbs, and Stuckey as WR’s.   If Stallworth stays healthy, he could be a nice “addition” to the WR ranks.  In 2008, an injury riddled year in which he only played 11 games, he had 17 receptions for 170 yards an 1 TD, very similar to Furrey’s stats.

Plus, the Browns could use an experienced WR to tutor the young’ins, as long as its not how to celebrate a bonus check with Braylon Edwards.  And Massaquoi could use a receiver to take heat off of him.

Plus, according to PFT, his salary for 2010 is “only” 1.5 million.

Somewhere, Josh Cribbs is insulted by that statement.

Browns fans, as well as Americans in general, are a forgiving bunch.  Stallworth has already apologized, and will do so again.  He has a lot to live with, and if he can contribute to the Browns’ rebuilding while finding forgiveness and playing the game he loves, then I will not stand in his way.

~Nichiren

Season Wrap-Up: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

As the 2009-2010 Browns season closes, I take a look back at the year that was “Mangini” in “Good, Bad, and Ugly” form.  I promise that I’ll pick some other topics in addition to Browns going forward.  Maybe some music posts, maybe some food posts…we’ll see…but probably lots of Browns too.

The Good:

1- Keeping Eric Mangini as coach for 2010.  Although this technically happened in the “offseason,” I think it deserves a mention here.  I believe that Mike Holmgren made this decision for four reasons: (1) he didn’t want to give a new coach a contract when there is a possibility of no football in 2011; (2) he wanted stability and continuity in the organization until Holmgren gets established; (3) he can work with Mangini because Mangini doesn’t demand full power; and (4) he wants to see if Mangini can continue (and possibly finish) what he started here.

No, Holmgren did not care about the 3-4 and 4-3 differences when choosing a coach.  No, Holmgren did not care that he runs a West Coast Offense and Mangini ran a running-power based offense.  Remember Tom Heckert, GM candidate for the Browns, who supposedly cancelled his interview with the Browns after Mangini was hired because he couldn’t work with him?  Well, one rumor is that he interviewed with Mangini (per Rizzo on WKNR), and later cancelled his interview with Seattle.

All in all, it seems like the pundits were wrong about Holmgren and Mangini (I’m looking at you Michael Reghi, Greg Brenda, Aaron Goldhammer, Mike Florio, John Clayton, and Chris Mortensen, etc.) and will write columns softening their previous stance.  Others will write columns like this because they got it right.  But not many.

While I was rooting for Mangini to have a second year, I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t a shock.  It was.  But I appreciate the hard decision on behalf of Holmgren

2- The 2009 Draft.

I know many Clevelanders have panned Mangini’s first draft, but I think he (and Kokinis, if he made any decisions) did a fair job.  Here is the list:

• 1st: Alex Mack, C
• 2nd: Brian Robiskie, WR
• 2nd: Mohamed Massaquoi
• 2nd: David Veikune
• 4th: Kaluka Maiava
• 6th: Don Carey
• 6th: Coy Francies
• 6th: James Davis

Not only does Alex Mack look like a future pro bowl center, but Massaquoi is a very nice pickup in the late 2nd round.  While Robiskie, Veikune, and Francies did not see the field much, and Davis was hurt in the “opportunity period scandal of ’09,” it takes three years to accurately judge a draft.  The best find, though,  just may be fourth rounder Kaluka Maiava.  Just compare the stats of Maiava and the person “everyone in Cleveland wanted:”

Kaluka Maiava (as a back-up): 45 tackles, 34 solo, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Rey Maualuga (as a starter): 63 tackles, 39 solo, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles

I’m not saying Maiava will be better than Maualuga in the long run, I’m just saying that the people who were outraged at passing Maualuga in the second round should look at the stats again… looks pretty even (solo tackles, sacks and forced fumbles).  And remember that Maiava did not play often until the end of the season when DQ and Barton were injured.

With the addition of 11 draft picks in 2011, I think the Browns will have a good base of smart, disciplined players that are hungry to play blue-collar football.  I, for one, certainly appreciate that.

3- Eric Wright. I wrote that Eric Wright should have gone to the Pro Bowl and included some stats.  Well, let’s update those stats to include the last game of the year:

Eric Wright: 65 tackles, 57 solo, 2 for a loss, and 4 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: 74 tackles, 63 solo, 3 for a loss, 1 forced fumble, and 3 INT.

Hmmm. Just saying.  And lets not forget that Wright’s tackling vastly improved during the year.  From this.

Let’s hope he continues his improvement, and gets some help on the other side not named “McDonald.”

4. The Pittsburgh Game. ‘Nuff Said. And again.

The Bad:

1- The Quarterback play. Ugh (watch at :20).  Double ugh (watch at 3:28).  Triple ugh (watch at 1:18).  I almost put this under ugly, that’s how “ugh” it is.  DA proved that he cannot be trusted with an offense, and BQ looked like a rookie, plain and simple.  Will Brady Quinn be the QB next year?  Probably.

But will he improve?  Oh God I hope so…

2- 1-11.  This was the low point in the season, although the Browns had played “better” since the bye week.  Even the Bills win was bad.  But credit the coaching staff with getting the players focused, coming up with great game plans (especially Rob Ryan’s Steelers game strategy).  But I will not forget how I felt every week until the Pittsburgh game.

I wanted to punch someone really hard.

The Ugly:

1- The Media’s Obsession with Destroying Mangini. I should just point you to Pro Football Talk and tell you to search “Browns” or “Mangini.”  Or send you to Cleveland Frowns to read the other side of it.  But, I won’t be lazy.  Ok, maybe a little…

• Water Bottle: it was Braylon Edwards.  ‘Nuff said.
• “Opportunity Period” Injury to James Davis: after a report from Adam Schefter, the media made a big deal about this.  Browns cleared via videotape
• Bus Ride: Yes, this is Mangini’s fault, but ruining a charity event to destroy someone? Really?
• Kokinis: we won’t know the truth behind this unless the arbitration becomes public.  But it’s telling that Lerner fired Kokinis with cause and yet they retained Mangini.
• Talking about Mangini’s firing since October: didn’t work out so well, did it?

2- The “Protest.” I’m sorry, I’m just laughing too hard at the thought of the major “protest” that Dawg Pound Mike planned.  Besides giving Cleveland a black eye in the media, it did absolutely NOTHING.  Well, it did start a debate in Cleveland over whether there is a point in protesting or not.  So, that’s something, I guess…

3- Jamal Lewis. Not only does he complain about, *sniff*, working too hard, but he has a horrible season (500 yards, 0 TDs, only one 100 yard game) and exclaims he is going to retire.  Then, Lewis gets hurt and the team responds with a four-game winning streak under which the running game experienced a renaissance.  Then, last week, Lewis stated that he may not retire after all.  Can you say jealous of Harrison?  U-G-L-Y.

4- The Josh Cribbs Situation. This is simple.  Cribbs signed a 6-year contract three years ago.  Cribbs wants a new contract with three years left.  He is currently making around 700k a year.  The Browns offered him 1.4 million.  Cribbs is insulted by the offer and cleans out his locker, stating that he may never return to the Browns.  Key point: Cribbs is under contract for three more years.  Cribbs’ only hope is that (1) the Browns up the offer; or (2) the Browns get a great trade for him.  Otherwise, and I’m sorry to say this, but Cribbs will have to hold out for three years.  I know that this situation will be resolved as soon as Holmgren puts his staff together, but the fact that Cribbs and his agent decide to give the Browns a black eye just three days after Cleveland is abuzz with new possibilities and a new leader = UGLY.

The media jumps on these stories from Cleveland.  Does Cribbs actually think a good negotiation tactic is to embarrass his team and city?  UGLY.

*All in all, this has been an interesting season.  I learned a lot about my loyalty to the Browns and was even inspired to blog about it.  Here’s to 2010 and another 9-7 prediction season from everyone in Cleveland.

Cheers.

~Nichiren24

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.