Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[Buckeneye]

Yeah, AFAIC my dream for this season was made. My other dream would be to get a gamechanger on defense. If we draft Suh though, man I would really love to see a 4-3.

That said, if McClain (Bama) falls to early 2nd round, I say get him. He's an outstanding LB'er and obviously very familiar with a 3-4 system.

If we trade back up, maybe take Coleman (provided no Berry) I could see us nabbing a pash rushing OLB (Thaddeus???). Then dropping a couple picks on some RB prospects.

 

[stowfan]

I have never seen a better "junk man" than Mangini. Matt Roth, Evan Moore, and Jennings the RB have all been huge pick ups.:)

 

[exhawg]

I'd like Suh if they can get him, if not Berry. The best ILB available in the second. The 3rd round picks on a whichever position they don't get in the first round and a CB. The first 3 picks should be DL, S, and ILB in whichever order gives them the best players. Use the rest of the picks to fill in TE, 2 OL, RB, ILB and another CB. I'd prefer to get Suh in the first and Coleman in the 3rd, but I don't know if either of those will be possible. They would have to lose out to have a shot so who knows.
They will probably need to find a RT and TE in free agency, but I wouldn't do too much else this season. A better OL and 4 new starters on D will make this a better team with Quinn at QB and the rest of the O intact. If they have a shot at a game breaking FA WR they could go for it, but I'm not sure how much money they will have. I will not fault Cribbs if he holds out next season. They need to rework his deal.

 

[LitlBuck]

This is the beginning of the new management team. He will most likely be the President and will help hire a VP of Football Operations.

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns name Fred Nance as team general counsel
By Tony Grossi
December 08, 2009, 1:51PM
UPDATED: 5:06 p.m.
BEREA, Ohio -- There could be more than meets the eye to the appointment of high-powered Cleveland lawyer Fred Nance as general legal counsel of the Browns.

Nance, who remains a partner of law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, said he'll "probably be spending the majority of my time with the Browns."

"I'm going to have the opportunity to share my thoughts in a variety of ways," Nance said. "The team has many needs right now. It's a very good fit."

Owner Randy Lerner has stated his desire to hire a "serious, credible leader" to reorganize his football operations. Asked if he would have a role in that process, Nance said, "Some of the things I'll be giving advice on may be outside the technical aspects of law. I think I can be involved in a broad range of matters. So, we'll see."

Nance added, "I think there are good things to come in Berea."

Nance is familiar with the major power brokers within the National Football League. He was the point man of former Mayor Michael White in the city's fight against Art Modell's move of the Browns to Baltimore in 1996 and helped forge the "global agreement" that secured a replacement team.
He impressed enough people in the league through that process to be nominated as a finalist from among 206 initial candidates to replace Paul Tagliabue as NFL commissioner in 2006.

At the time, Lerner said of Nance: "I think Fred knows exactly how to manage himself, and he'll be great. I have no doubt about it. He's compelling, he's cheerful, he's upbeat.

"I see him not only as legitimate, I see him as a qualified, committed, lawyer, professional, a leader. He's at the top of his profession in Cleveland. He's got an identity in football. He's got an identity with the Browns. The Browns owe him a debt of gratitude indefinitely."
more

 

[LitlBuck]

Former Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell might find a fit with Cleveland
Browns: Tony Grossi's NFL Insider
By Tony Grossi
December 13, 2009, 5:00AM

The new name to watch in the Browns' front office search is Tim Ruskell.


Yes, the same Ruskell who resigned last week in his fifth season as president of football operations and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.

Supposedly, Ruskell's resignation would clear the path for a triumphant return to Seattle by Mike Holmgren. While that initially was considered bad news for Browns fans -- and owner Randy Lerner -- hoping to attract Holmgren to Cleveland, it may prove to be good fortune for the Browns.
"He definitely got a raw deal in Seattle," an NFL source said of Ruskell.
Ruskell's demise came largely as a result of an 9-19 record the past two years. Prior to that, he presided over three playoff seasons, including one in 2005 that saw the Seahawks -- then coached by Holmgren -- reach the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks slumped to 4-12 in 2008 because quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was injured and Holmgren packed it in as a lame-duck coach. Ruskell already had tabbed Jim Mora as Holmgren's successor. The Seahawks are 5-7 in Mora's first season as coach.

Ruskell, who previously worked alongside Rich McKay with Tampa Bay and Atlanta, was interviewed by Lerner and former president John Collins when the Browns shopped for a general manager in 2005. Ruskell chose Seattle as a better opportunity, and the Browns turned to Phil Savage.

Lerner had a very high opinion of Ruskell, according to the source.
"The next person in charge in Cleveland has to be able to work with everybody in the building and reconnect with the local media and the fans," said the source. "They can't hire another newbie. He's got to be somebody who's been around and has a record of turning around teams. And they need somebody who can just make deals with free agents and attract players."

The source believes Ruskell also appeals to Lerner because, at 53, "he's the right age," and Ruskell is not adamant in changing coaches immediately. Thus, it would not be out of the realm for Ruskell to walk in and accept Eric Mangini for 2010.

More

Former Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell might find a fit with Cleveland Browns: Tony Grossi's NFL Insider | Cleveland Browns - cleveland.com -

 

[LitlBuck]

I think if you watched the job it is his for the taking.:)

Cleveland Browns wining and dining Mike Holmgren
By Tony Grossi
December 15, 2009, 11:22AM
Updated at 11:52

BEREA -- Not only is Mike Holmgren continuing a visit with the Browns today, but The Plain Dealer has learned that Bob LaMonte, Holmgren's long-time friend and agent, is with him.


That means the Browns likely are negotiating to wrap up a deal to make Holmgren the Browns' head of football operations.


LaMonte is known to get involved with his many coaching and executive clients only when a deal is near.


Holmgren was the No. 1 choice of Lerner to revamp his football operations a year ago, but Holmgren decided to take the 2009 season off after retiring as Seattle coach.


Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz confirmed Holmgren's visit, which included a very public dinner with Lerner and others at a local restaurant.
"He is visiting the Browns," Bonsiewicz said. "He got here (Monday) and is here today. He was invited by Randy Lerner and accepted the invitation. That's all we've got to say at this time."

Bonsiewicz said he did not know how long Holmgren would be in town and whether a deal is being negotiated.

More

Cleveland.com


From the above story

Lerner recently added high-profile local lawyer Fred Nance to his organization as general counsel. In an interview with The Plain Dealer, Nance said, "I think there are good things to come in Berea."

 

[Buckeye doc]

speculation

I just read over at SI that Holmgren turned Seattle down. Certainly not conclusive, but sounds pretty likely he'll be coming to Cleveland. Sounds great to me, as long as he fires Mangina.

 

[LitlBuck]

He is supposed to give the Browns an answer tomorrow. Hopefully, he does not want to coach and make all of the personnel decisions because that did not work out for him very well while he was in Seattle. $50 mil over 10 years. Lerner's pockets must be awfully deep.

Cleveland Browns waiting for Mike Holmgren to decide on scope of job
By Tony Grossi
December 20, 2009, 11:55AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It's sounding more and more as if Mike Holmgren will accept the Browns' job because of the option to coach the team in addition to being its chief executive.

Holmgren turned down an offer from his beloved Seattle Seahawks to be president of the team, according to the Seattle Times.

Holmgren's abrupt change of heart stunned media and fans in Seattle. As late as Friday afternoon, Holmgren talked on his radio show of wanting to return to the Seahawks.

Holmgren also pointed out the attractions in Cleveland were the absence of "layers" of management between him and owner Randy Lerner, and also the option to do "any and all" of the jobs of president, GM and coach.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen confirmed a report by The Plain Dealer that Holmgren is expected to notify the Browns of his decision on their offer by Monday. Mortensen also reported the Browns' deal to be in the range of $50 million over 10 years.

More

 

[stowfan]

Here's my 2 cents; I will never forgive Mangini for passing on Rey Maliluga in the second round and then picking a bust (LB) later in the same round. The Browns finished last against the run last year. I also don't know what happened to Coy Francise(SP?) the conerback. On The other hand, Mack turned out to be a great pick.

What I do like is even at 1-11 the team has not quit. The o-line has rounded into shape quite nicely. Harrison didn't rush for 280+ by himself and I don't recall Brady being sacked.:)

 

[jlb1705]

14 games into his career and the guy's a bust already?

Let's get this straight: The Browns did not pass on Maualuga for Veikune. They passed on him for Robiskie. With or withouth Maualuga this team's run defense was going to be atrocious this year - just like every other year. And I don't think Robiskie is a bust at all at this point. Traditionally it takes WRs a little longer to make an impact, and that becomes even tougher to do with Cleveland's QB play and the fact that they barely even put him on the goddamn field.

 

[Buckeneye]

Here's my 2 cents; I will never forgive Mangini for passing on Rey Maliluga in the second round and then picking a bust (LB) later in the same round.

Am I missing something here? I don't recall us picking up a LB in the 2nd round. Unless your talking about Veikune who was a DE? In which case moved to OLB and that's a position Rey wouldn't be playing anyway in this system.

 

[stowfan]

From having spent hours on the draft because of the BP mock draft, mho is all three guys taken in the second round would have been there for the Browns later. Maybe Veikune, a "bust" was a bit harsh, but compared to Maliluga's play so far, or even the rookie lb from USC we got later in the draft, Veikune has yet to show much value. Also bare in mind, we a talking about playing time on a team that had lost 17 of the last 18 games. A second round pick is a top 75 guy, he should start on a weak team.

 

[tsteele316]

From having spent hours on the draft because of the BP mock draft, mho is all three guys taken in the second round would have been there for the Browns for the Browns later. Maybe Veikune, a "bust" was a bit harsh, but compared to Maliluga's play so far, or even the rookie lb from USC we got later in the draft, Veikune has yet to show much value. Also bare in mind, we a talking about playing time on a team that had lost 17 of the last 18 games. A second round pick is a top 75 guy, he should start on a weak team.

maualuga has been pedestrian on a very good bengals defense. he has a low ceiling, and has the same faults in his game that he had in college. that will never change. his deficiencies are definately masked by those around him. by the by, kaluka maiva has statistically outproduced him when you factor in playing time.

veikune played DE at a WAC school. cleveland was teaching him both OLB and ILB. is it really a surprise that he's lost right now? Robiskie wasn't getting past chicago at pick #47. They said as much. Dallas was taking Massaquoi at the pick after cleveland took him. that's why the clock ran out on them. New England was supposedly going to take Veikune in the early 3rd round.

every team that ran a 3-4 passed on maualuga, in some cases more than once. the love fest over him is ridiculously played out, and really needs to stop.

 

[NFBuck]

every team that ran a 3-4 passed on maualuga, in some cases more than once. the love fest over him is ridiculously played out, and really needs to stop.

Yep. He's a mediocre mlb with an oversized personality. The only reason we're talking about him is because he went to USC and freaked Erin Andrews on the sidelines.

 

[BuckNut65]

I have been very critical of Mangini, however I will have to say that his philosophy of drafting and acquiring players with intelligence does appear to work...it just requires time. They have no play makers whatsoever however his collection of no name misfits has played better and better each week. He has guys that play hard and play smart and with some more players there might be a chance. Bellichick went 5-11 his first year with the Pats and they also started that season horribly. It wasn't until the end of the year that they began to gel as a team and adopt what he was preaching.

As far as Maualuga is concerned, he didn't exactly light it up on the Wonderlic and his off-field boozin' issues were obviously a concern so there was no question he was going to get passed on. For that matter, it was an obvious concern with a lot of other teams as well when a guy that was projected to be a top15-20 pick slides like he did.


I'm not sure what to think about Mangini anymore. I like Holmgren but I'm not so sure that we aren't seeing the beginning of some really positive steps here and I would hate to see us start over from scratch once again. If they continue to make progress as they have over the last month maybe he deserves at least one more year to prove his system,.