Shanahan Suddenly Available

Following in the footsteps of the Browns, Jets and Lions, another NFL team has fired its head coach and suddenly, a new candidate emerges.

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan after 14 seasons and two Super Bowl rings.

In my opinion, Shanahan should move directly to the top of the list of available head coaches ... and should be strongly considered by Randy Lerner and the Browns.

He's still a great head coach. His downfall in Denver was due mostly to his personnel decisions as vice president of football operations. Since given that title, the team has gone downhill talent-wise, but not coaching-wise.

To hire Shanahan as the head coach could be a good fit for the Browns. But, we'd still need a GM. Which brings us back to, perhaps, Lerner's biggest decision: Chicken or the Egg? Which comes first, the GM or the Head Coach?

Whatever direction Lerner continues to take this search, I believe Shanahan should be strongly considered.

Romeo Redux

A surprise to no one, the AP is reporting that Randy Lerner has scheduled an interview with fired Jets coach Eric Mangini.

When I first heard he'd been let go yesterday and that he was a candidate to be our new head coach, I about banged my head against my keyboard. Did we not learn ANYTHING?

Let's think about this here:

Before becoming head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Romeo Crennel served as defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. After Crennel's departure from New England, the Patriot defense continues to do just fine without him.

Crennel comes to Cleveland and can be described as bland and emotionless with awful game management skills and no feel for his team. So, he's fired after five seasons.

That's about how the story goes, right? Now, let's compare that to Eric Mangini.

Prior to his head coaching job with the Jets, Eric Mangini served as defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. After Mangini's departure from New England, the Patriot defense continues to do just fine without him.

Now, how do you suppose Mangini the head coach was described in New York? Well, here's an excerpt from an article in the NY Daily News:

"Eric Mangini was bad for business with his bland personality, his emotionless sideline demeanor and his awful game management skills ... Mangini had no feel for his team. He had to go."

Sound familiar?

The success of the New England defense has more to do with head coach Bill Belichick than it does with the defensive coordinator, no matter who it is. Two Belichick defensive coordinators -- Crennel and Mangini -- were hired away as head coaches and failed. Both have been fired. Both have been described as making awful game decisions and having no feel for their teams.

Here's my point: Randy Lerner hiring Eric Mangini to be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns would be a huge mistake. He fired Romeo Crennel yesterday. Why hire him back in the form of Eric Mangini?

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?

Not in Cleveland anymore.

As expected, Randy Lerner has fired Browns head coach Romeo Crennel today after a miserable 4-12 season. It really came as no surprise. Something had to be done.

Say what you will about having to start all over yet again, but Romeo lost his job after the second loss to the Ravens when he admitted he didn't know how to do his job by saying he "doesn't know how to get the most out of his players."

That's what a head coach is supposed to know how to do, Romeo. And that's why you're no longer a head coach in the NFL. Remember that if another team gives you a chance to be a head coach in this league.

Good luck, Mr. Crennel. You're a nice guy ... you're simply not a head coach.

Dead Man Walking

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Browns GM Phil Savage was fired yesterday before the Steelers game. And, head coach Romeo Crennel is expected to be let go as early as today.

Let me state, for the record, that I have nothing against Romeo Crennel as a person. He seems like a great guy. I simply believe he was in way over his head as a head coach in the NFL.

So, the question is, who does owner Randy Lerner go after to turn our beloved franchise around?

Ugly Finish, But Finally Over

Yesterday's 31-0 drubbing by the hated Steelers was, to say the least, one of the most embarrassing and painful-to-watch Browns games yet. But, at least this disastrous season is finally over.

And, change is in the air.

Team owner Randy Lerner fired GM Phil Savage yesterday before the game and all indications are that Romeo will be let go today.

But, before we get to that, there were a couple of things that did happen in yesterday's game that are worth noting.

First, congratulations to Jamal Lewis on a 1,000-yard season. He needed 92 yards yesterday to hit that mark (which, even to him, seemed out of reach). But, with no other offense to speak of, Lewis carried the load and churned out 94 yards on the ground.

Jamal has been a breath of fresh air on this team of quitters and prima donnas. He's said before that last season was the best offense he's ever played in. Well, this year must have been the worst.

Also, and perhaps the most exciting thing to happen in yesterday's game, Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out of the game on a clean hit by Willie McGinest and D'Qwell Jackson. He laid on the turf for nearly 15 minutes before being carted off. Turns out, it was only a concussion though. Too bad it wasn't Hines Ward.

Other than that, though, it was difficult to suffer through watching that game. I wonder how many die-hards there were still left tuned it like I was.

Of course, with the Savage firing and the imminent Romeo firing, there is some excitement for Browns fans now. Who else will be canned? Does Lerner have a successor in mind? How long before someone is hired? Will there be a lengthy interview process, or will Lerner simply throw a lot of cash at Bill Cowher?

Stay tuned, Browns fans. This is the most excitement we've seen since Brady Quinn was finally named starter a month ago.

The End is Near

Today is the last game of the season ... finally. At 1 p.m. today, the Browns will take on the despicable Steelers and then it will all be over for the forgettable season that was 2008.

Of course I'll be watching. I've suffered through this long, what's one more game? With the second playoff seed locked up and homefield advantage in the playoffs out of reach, the Steelers don't really have much to play for today. But, that probably won't stop them from kicking our butts.

I hate to say it, but I don't have much hope for a Browns' victory today. Sure, it would be nice to beat the Steelers (that's always a plus). But it won't mean much after this dreadful season.

Go Browns.

It's Official ...

... the Browns are terrible.

Only 124 more days until the 2009 NFL Draft. Another high pick for the Browns.

Battling the Bengals

Well, it's Week 16 in the NFL and all hope was lost for the Browns a few weeks ago. Luckily for us, all hope was lost for the Bengals weeks before all hope was lost for the Browns.

Yep! Today pits the pitiful Browns against their cross-state rivals, the pathetic Bengals. It's a good ol' fashioned Battle of Ohio -- the fight to stay out of the AFC North Basement.

It's also the last home game of the season -- and it should be a cold one today. As bad as these two teams are, and as cold as it may be, the stadium should still be packed with die-hards. Yours truly, among them.

Let's hope the Browns can at least beat the hapless Bengals and finish this season with some dignity ... who knows, we may be in position next week to play spoiler to the Steelers home field advantage in the playoffs.

Go Browns!

Thomas, Rogers Headed to Hawaii, Cribbs Snubbed

The 2009 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were released this evening and tackle Joe Thomas will make a repeat appearance. Also, on the defensive side of the ball, Shaun Rogers was named as the third interior defensive lineman. They were the only Browns players to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Noticeably missing from the AFC roster is Browns special teams extraordinaire Josh Cribbs. Hmm, seems that was a mistake. After all, people can't stop clamoring over him every week. OK, so he was named as an alternate, which means if either of the two starters that were named cannot make it, Cribbs will get to go.

Phil Dawson was named a second alternate, which means both the starter and the alternate would have to be unable to make it to Hawaii for Phil to go ... seems like a long shot to me (and, an even bigger snub than Cribbs).

If you ask me, while Thomas played well, I didn't think he really had a Pro Bowl-caliber season this year. But, I am happy he's headed back to Hawaii to represent the Browns.

Cribbs, as good as he's been, hasn't really had a Pro Bowl-caliber season either. Sure, he's been an MVP for the Browns this year, but that's like saying Corbin Bernsen deserved an Oscar for his performance in Major League III: Back to the Minors. As good a job acting as Mr. Bernsen may have done, he was still acting in Major League III: Back to the Minors.

See what I mean? Cribbs played good this year, not great. It only looked great because the rest of the team played terribly.

Anyway, congratulations Joe and Shaun. Aloha! As for Cribbs, maybe he'll make it after all (Dawson too).

Blogging with the Enemy: Eagles

As I've done for both Ravens game and the Bengals game this year, I've traded questions with a blogger for the enemy. This week, it was JasonB from Bleeding Green Nation, an unofficial Philadelphia Eagles blog.

My questions, and his answers, are as follows. Also, be sure to check his blog for my answers to his questions. Enjoy.

1. Have Eagle's fans given up on McNabb? Is he on his way out?

My answer 3 or 4 weeks ago would be totally different than it is today... I suspect this question won't really be answered until the season ends and the Eagles either make the postseason or not. If they don't, it's probably yes to both. If they do, it's probably a no. At the moment, people are feeling pretty good about him after the past 2 weeks.

2. Although the Browns are clearly not playing well this season, they've found success in their two other Monday Night games, including a win against the Giants. Are you worried the Browns' Monday Night Magic will continue?

Not really. Before the Eagles blew out the playoff bound Cardinals in prime time, they hadn't won a night game all year. Before that game fans were all wondering if the Eagles were just bad in prime time... I don't really think a couple of games makes a trend. If anything, I think the fact that the Eagles and Browns were at home against the Cards and Giants had more to do with the result than the start time.

3. Playing off the last question, is there anything at all about the Browns that worries you? I mean, they've got major problems and nothing is going right for them lately. Do you believe there's a possibility the Eagles lose to the Browns?

First, I'd say the Browns special teams worry me. A guy like Josh Cribbs can be a real wildcard in any game. I absolutely do think the Eagles can lose to the Browns. The Eagles have been an absolute Jekyll and Hyde this year. How a team can physically manhandle and beat the Steelers and Giants yet tie the Bengals is beyond me. That's the frustration of watching the Eagles this year. So while it seems like the Eagles have everything going for them right now... they have shown the propensity for putting up a stinker against any team on any given week.

3. The Eagles have seen a bit of a resurgence the past couple of weeks ... how do you see your season playing out and are the playoffs in your future?

In 2006 the Eagles did exactly what they are attempting to do now. After being left for dead the Eagles won 5 straight to end that season and en route to an unlikely division title and playoff victory. They made that run the same way they are making this one, by relying on Brian Westbrook and playing great defense. I think the defense is going to do it's part as it's been pretty good all year. What worries me is the offense. They can look as good as any in the NFL one week and throw up a complete stinker the next. That's what happens when you thrown the ball 70% of the time, you can run hot and cold. If they stay committed to the run and Westbrook stays healthy... I absolutely think we could get to the postseason. At this point, the Eagles control their own destiny if either Atlanta or Tampa lose one more time.

4. If you could steal one Browns player and put him on the Eagles, who would it be?

Kellen Winslow. I know he gets hurt a lot and can be a bit crazy at times, but talent wise he's one of the TEs in the game and the Eagles could really use a dynamic presence at TE. A big time TE would make this offense a lot more dynamic.

5. Prior to the Cincinnati game, did you know you could tie in the NFL?

I did... and I don't even get paid for this. :)

Go Browns!

Enough is Enough

Here’s my two cents on yesterday ... I like Josh Cribbs, don’t get me wrong, but let’s be honest here: He’s a great special teamer and that’s it!

Sure, he can play third receiver occasionally, but he in no way should be a major part of our offensive game plan. Let alone, should he ever — EVER — play quarterback. It’s gimmicky and is in no way productive to the development of the rest of the offense. It reminds me of the 2000 season when we kept putting Kevin Johnson at QB because, “he played QB in college.”

Who cares? Dorsey played QB in college too and, guess what, he’s also played QB in the NFL. Let him play QB. As little as he’s had to practice with the first team, Cribbs has had even less time. This team still has three games left after yesterday, so even if it seemed hopeless against the Titans, why not just let Dorsey get some real work with the first team offense?

A trick play is great once in a while, but to keep using the gimmick offense is stupid. It wreaks of desperation, which may be true for this team, but it’s embarrassing (which, I admit, is also true of this team).

Let’s play like professionals, for crying out loud, instead of a bunch of kids in some park playing a game of pick-up flag football (which, by the way, is how our defense tackles). Even if we lose every game remaining on the schedule, we should at least play with some dignity.

Unless Romeo, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that Josh Cribbs is the new starting QB, he shouldn't be playing QB.

The Titans have a great defense. Our inept offense was powerless against them. But, that's no reason to throw in the towel and play foolishly. This team is getting more and more ridiculous as the season goes on. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns are routed by the hapless Bengals on Dec. 20.

Long Week

My apologies for being so quiet this week. It's not because I'm disgusted with the Browns this season (though, I am), rather it was because I was on vacation and after the miserable loss to the Colts last Sunday, I decided to take a vacation from the Blawg Pound as well.

So, let's see ... what's happened this past week?

Well, despite a chance to show everyone he's a No. 1 QB, Derek Anderson didn't impress and actually tore his MCL and is done for the season. Tough break, DA. At least it wasn't an ACL ... he should recover just fine. I wish him well.

With DA's season-ending injury, Ken Dorsey was thrust into the game too late to get the save. And now, it's up to him to finish out the season at QB. His first test is tomorrow against the one-loss Titans. Good luck, Ken.

Instead of just giving Superstar Special Teamer Josh Cribbs (a QB at Akron) some reps as Dorsey's backup, the Browns signed former Tampa Bay and Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski had nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in two seasons with the Bucs ... sounds like a good replacement for DA.

Brady Quinn, who was put in the IR when it was decided his finger injury was more than originally seemed, had surgery on it this past week. He's gonna be fine.

When the Browns take on the Titans tomorrow, they'll have to do it without Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow, who will sit out with a high ankle sprain suffered in the last game.

I guess it's safe to say the Browns are all banged up and the last four games do not look promising. At this rate, I don't even have high hopes for a win against the hapless Bengals on Dec. 21.

But, who knows. Maybe Dorsey will whip this offense into shape and show us all why he's the best third string QB in the NFL. Then again, with Romeo still in charge, I'm not holding my breath.