This is the time of year when all loyal Browns fans are gearing up for free agency and checking out every mock draft they can find. Since Cleveland's season has once again has come to an end with no playoff appearance, we Browns fans can only hope for a better "next year".
The offense in Cleveland will probably be getting a lot of attention this off season. Quarterback, wide receiver, right tackle and tight end are positions the Browns will be looking to upgrade. Defensively, cornerback and safety are two huge needs. With Mike Holmgren being an offensive guru, he will probably be drafting heavily on that side of the ball. I have a solution.
Eric Mangini has hinted in the past at trying Josh Cribbs at safety. I liked the idea then and I still do. Hey if Mike Furrey can do it, I'm [...]
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ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Eric Mangini and his entire staff will return in 2010. Holmgren said that he came away from his meetings with Mangini very impressed.
This is great news. The last thing the Cleveland Browns needed was to blow everything up and roll the dice with another new coach.
After a very shaky beginning, Mangini was able to win over most of his players and in the process, won the last four games of the season to finish 5-11. Mangini gained the respect of not only the players but many Browns fans after Cleveland's strong finish.
Mike Holmgren has made his first major decision as President of the Browns and in my opinion, he made the right one. Now he needs to give Josh Cribbs what he [...]
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The Cleveland Browns finished the season at 5-11 and on a four game winning streak, beating the Jaguars. Using a bruising running game for the fourth straight game, the Browns rushed 49 times for 214 yards. Jerome Harrison led the Browns with 127 yards on 31 carries and scored on a six yard run. Josh Cribbs gained 47 yards and scored on a 14 yard run. Phil Dawson kicked three field goals for the Browns.
Derek Anderson threw just 11 passes, completing seven for 86 yards. With a wind chill of minus one degrees, it was a good thing Cleveland had a running game. In the Browns four game winning streak, it seemed like Eric Mangini was not about to let either Quinn or Anderson lose the game.
Jacksonville scored two fourth quarter touchdowns on passes from David Garrard to Zach Miller, [...]
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The Jacksonville Jaguars still have a very faint chance of making the playoffs. Realistically though, they are done. The Cleveland Browns lost their chance about the end of October. At 7-8, the Jaguars still must come to the shores of Lake Erie on a blustery. very cold Sunday to face the 4-11 Browns. A Browns team that is playing like they are trying to lock up home field advantage for the post season.
Three games ago, this looked like it would be a mismatch. Jacksonville controlled their own destiny and Cleveland controlled the first pick in the 2010 draft. Since then, the Jaguars have lost three straight and the Browns have won three in a row. Funny how quick things can change in the NFL.
As always, in late season games in Cleveland, running the ball becomes extremely important. [...]
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With the hiring of Mike Holmgren as team president and Cleveland's 4-11 record, many experts think Eric Mangini will be fired. They think Holmgren will want one of his former coaches in place. This very well could be but I think it will probably be up to Mangini.
Like him or not, Mangini has improved the Browns in his first year on the job and Holmgren will surely see this. After almost completely tearing apart last years under achieving, 4-12 team and replacing it with a bunch of selfless and hard working players who don't know the meaning of the word quit. Last year's team had very few respected leaders, this year's team is full of them. After a very dismal first half season, the players are buying into Mangini's system and it's showing on the field. A good foundation has been [...]
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The Cleveland Browns defeated the Oakland Raiders 23-9 for their third straight win and have established an identity along the way. The Browns have become a running team. In wins over the Steelers, Chiefs and Raiders, the Browns have rushed for 686 in the three games, an average of just over 228 a game.
Jerome Harrison has emerged as the key force in this new found rushing attack, gaining 148 yards on a team record 39 carries. Harrison who gained 286 yards last week, also ran for a 16 yard touchdown to give the Browns a 7-0 lead. Derek Anderson passed 19 yards to Mohamed Massaquoi for the other Cleveland touchdown.
Cleveland took advantage of three Charlie Frye interceptions and 13 Raider penalties for 126 yards, to hold Oakland to just nine points. Cleveland turned it over just [...]
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Josh Cribbs returned two kickoffs of 100 and 103 yards for touchdowns to give him eight for his career. Cribbs broke the NFL record of seven touchdowns on kickoff returns. Not to be out done, Jerome Harrison rushed for 286 yards on 34 carries and scored three touchdowns. His 286 rushing yards broke the Browns record of 237 set by Jim Brown. Only Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Lewis have rushed for more yards in a single game in NFL history. In the end, Kansas City couldn't overcome Cleveland's dynamic duo, losing 41-34 to the Browns.
While Cleveland had trouble containing Matt Cassel, who passed for 331 yards and Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 154 yards, they managed to hold on for the win. Offensively Cleveland rushed for 351 yards but Brady Quinn managed just 66 through the air with two [...]
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The Seattle Seahawks have reported Mike Holmgren has turned down an offer to join them in a senior leadership position. Holmgren said thanks but no thanks. It is speculated Holmgren wanted more control than Seattle was offering.
According to Holmgren, the Cleveland "czar" job is his if he wants it. With Seattle now out of the picture, it looks like he will be coming to Cleveland to rebuild the once proud franchise. Holmgren's decision could come as early as Monday.
How much rebuilding the Browns will require will be totally up to Holmgren. It's still not sure just what role(s) he would have, but he will probably have total control of the football operations. It looks like Eric Mangini and staff will have the final three games to state their case to remain in Cleveland. Anything [...]
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First let me say I'm being very optimistic here. What if the Cleveland Browns win their last three games? They would be able to finish the 2009 season on a four game winning streak. That would be an unbelievable turn around after being 1-11. While that seems far fetched, their opponents in those games are at Kansas City(3-10), and Oakland(4-9) and Jacksonville(7-7) at home. It's not impossible.
With the hiring of Cleveland's new "czar" just around the corner, winning these final three games could be very important to all involved. Lets say Mike Holmgren gets the job. It would be hard for him to completely blow up a team that's showing promise. A coaching staff that has a system in place that is starting to work. It would make Holmgren's job a lot easier with the foundation [...]
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With the 2009 regular season quickly winding down, the Cleveland Browns probably wish it was just starting. Coming off a 13-7 win over their hated rival, the Browns snapped a 12 game losing streak to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the game, Cleveland recorded eight sacks and rushed for 171 yards. Those kind of numbers are usually put up by playoff bound teams, not someone with a 2-11 record. All they can do now is finish the season strong and make a good impression on their new "Czar", whoever he may be.
Eric Mangini probably wishes he had more games to state his case. The team has come a long way this year with plenty of pot holes and road blocks along the way. Finally it looks like Brady Quinn may be the QB Cleveland thought he would be. He might never be a Peyton Manning but he's [...]
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