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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While Randy Lerner continues to search for his football, "Czar", he needs to score a touchdown with this guy. Whoever comes in needs to have the knowledge of how to put together a football team, the power needed to hold people accountable and the foresight to see what's already in place. The Browns don't need somebody with a huge ego, that's going to come in and tear everything up.
The Browns organization needs proven guidance from the top. That has been the major need since Ernie Accorsi left Cleveland in 1992. Getting the right man in place is a must. Lerner cannot afford to fumble the ball this time.
At first glance, if you look at the entire season and the 2-11 record, most will think a major over haul is needed. If you break it down into separate parts, you have to be [...]
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The Cleveland Browns defeated Pittsburgh 13-7 ending the 12 game losing streak to the Steelers. Once again the 2-11 Browns proved there is no quit in this team. As Josh Cribbs said after the game, this is an "early Christmas present" for the Browns and their fans.
The Browns turned the tables on Pittsburgh and beat them at their own game, smash mouth football. In the blustery, bone chilling weather at Cleveland Stadium, the Browns rushed for 171 yards and held the Steelers to just 75. Led by Cribbs 200 all purpose yards including 89 rushing, the Browns weren't going to be denied. Rookie running back Chris Jennings carried 20 times for 73 yards and also scored on a ten yard run. You have to give credit to the Cleveland offensive line, they owned the line of scrimmage. Brady Quinn, [...]
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With the San Diego Chargers coming to town, Eric Mangini is searching for some healthy bodies. Jamaal Lewis, D'Qwell Jackson, Eric Barton, Shaun Rogers, Brodney Pool, James Davis, Ryan Tucker, Dave Zastudil and Steve Heiden are all on injured reserve. With a 1-10 record, Eric Mangini, Brady Quinn and the rest of the Browns are in survival mode. Mangini and Quinn have their futures with the team at stake while many are waiting for the season to end. For players like Coye Francies, David Veikune, Brian Robiskie and Ahtyba Rubin, these games are a chance to prove they belong.
Beating the 8-3 Chargers [...]
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Just one short year ago, both Cleveland and Cincinnati were fighting it out for last place in the AFC North. The playoffs were just a dream, something the Steelers and Ravens did. While the Browns finished in last place at 4-12, the Bengals went 4-11-1 for bragging rights in Ohio. Pro football in Ohio has become something of a joke the last several years.
Today, Cincinnati was in no joking manner, beating the Browns 16-7. The first place Bengals improved to 8-3 while the last place Browns fell to 1-10. A nine point win over the Browns does not tell the whole story. Cincinnati dominated Cleveland, holding the Browns to just 169 yards. Cleveland was never really a threat to the Bengals, who played it conservative because they didn't feel threatened by the punchless Browns. Cincinnati ran [...]
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The Cleveland Browns will play the Detroit Lions this week in a game that has a lot riding on it. The winner avoids being recognized as the worst team in the NFL. The loser can take a giant step towards the number one pick in the 2010 draft. Both teams have a 1-8 record. Cleveland has scored the fewest points in the NFL and Detroit has given up the most. Both teams have to be looking at this game with confidence.
Cleveland's offense
Hopefully the Browns will be able to find the end zone a few times this game. Brady Quinn needs to throw the ball down field against the Lions. This game is huge for Quinn. He needs a big game for his confidence as much as for the Browns. Brian Robiskie remains a mystery. With all the drops by the wide receivers, why hasn't the sure [...]
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Cleveland went scoreless in losing 16-0 to the Baltimore Ravens to fall to 1-8 on the season. Brady Quinn is not the answer or the problem with the offense. Quinn looked as confused and rattled as he did in his three earlier starts this year. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has designed an offense that's as inept as his play calling. There is no way you can accurately evaluate a quarterback in this system. Something has to change. It's way overdue.
Defensively, Cleveland can be proud of their effort. They gave up only seven of the 16 points. Two Quinn interceptions led to nine Ravens points. Rob Ryan has gotten a lot of mileage out of this defense with no help from the offense. Playing without both starting inside linebackers, the Browns defense showed a lot of heart and should [...]
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This is a big game for both teams. Baltimore(4-4), still has hopes for the playoffs while Cleveland(1-7), needs to get a win. With each loss, the mood in Cleveland will get uglier, if that's possible. If the Ravens can't beat the Browns, their playoff hopes will look pretty bleak.
Brady Quinn will get the start at QB for the Browns. Quinn was benched at halftime in the first meeting between the two teams, a 34-3 win by the Ravens. Now mangini will be leaning heavily on Quinn for Mangini's sake as much as Quinn's. Unless Cleveland is able to turn it around these last eight games, both player and coach could be gone before next year.
Offensively, Cleveland needs to move the football and give their defense a rest. Quinn needs to spread the ball around on offense to keep the [...]
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It's safe to say, the most unpopular man in Cleveland is Eric Mangini. Maybe in the entire NFL. Cleveland Browns' fans may say "unpopular" is too nice a word to describe Mangini. Players are filing grievances over excessive fines, the NFL has fined him, the Browns are 0-3 and he still doesn't know who his quarterback is. He's sure put his stamp on the team.
Eric Mangini believes in discipline. After four years under Romeo Crennel, this team disparately needed a stern hand. Mangini is doing things his way, that much I like. I went on record as being for the hiring of Mangini. He has brought hard work and accountability back to Cleveland. When Romeo was the coach, no one knew if Romeo or Phil Savage was calling the shots. The problem Mangini is faciing is that, with his style of handling [...]
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