The Browns are a bad football team. There isn't much more to say on that front. At this point, we might as well begin to look toward next year and how the Browns can avoid becoming the laughing stock of the NFL for a second consecutive season.
I want to take a realistic look at what should happen moving forward to next year.
General Manager
First step is to hire a general manager. The name that is on everyone's mind is Mike Holmgren. The rumor has him taking over all football operations. One problem: ESPN's Adamy Schefter reported he does not think Holmgren would take the job.
(My idea is that you open up the check book and pull off the sales pitch of all sales pitches to lure Ozzie Newsome from the Ravens. Since we are speaking about realistic possibilities let's squash that idea.)
The most realistic possibility is Floyd Reese. He is currently serving as a senior football adviser for the New England Patriots. He was a very successful general manager for the Tennessee Titans. He has a good track record in the draft and a solid football pedigree. If he is willing, Reese is a great choice.
Head Coach
Whoever comes in as the general manager will have total control of football operations, which would almost certainly mean Eric Mangini will be shown the door.
There are a ton of qualified, big-name coaches that will be interested in the right position. Is being the Browns head coach ideal for an older established coach? Probably not. The focus needs to be on someone who is willing to endure the growing pains that it is going to take to bring this once great franchise back to prominence.
The first name that would be on my list would be Jon Gruden. I know he just signed a new deal with ESPN, but the terms were not disclosed. I'm positive there is a clause that allows him to leave if a head coaching opportunity presents itself. Gruden may be a long shot, but those pictures of him being a Browns fan when he was young makes me think he has a soft spot for the franchise. What better way to cement your legacy than bringing a franchise that is the laughing stock of the NFL to respectability?
Coaches like Mike Shannahan or Brian Billick want full control. I don't think that is the way Lerner wants to go.
Other options are up-and-coming coordinators like Todd Bowles, Brian Schottenheimer or Kyle Shannahan. I don't think that is what this team needs, but they are certainly going to be options if Mangini is fired.
Retooling the Roster via Free Agency
There are glaring needs: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Right Tackle, Right Guard, Tight End, Middle Linebacker, Outside Linebacker, Safety and Cornerback. All are positions the Browns need to address. Obviously, this is not something that can be accomplished in one offseason.
Notable free agents are:
Vincent Jackson - WR
Antonio Bryant - WR
Pierre Thomas - RB
Ben Watson - TE
Winston Justice - RT
Shawne Merriman - OLB
Aaron Kampmann - OLB
Based on the Browns' salary cap, they should be able to sign at least a couple of players from that group. If the Browns were to go after Merriman he will be a big-ticket player that will not allow the Browns to go after as many players. Who the Browns sign will also be effected by who they think they can get in the draft.
Retooling the Roster via the Draft
It is realistic to think the Browns will be drafting No. 1 overall in April. I do not think they should go after a quarterback with the first pick. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting a player like Dan LaFevour from Central Michigan with a big upside if he were to fall.
The way to handle this draft is to add to the 11 picks the Browns already have and trade back. Trading back would allow the Browns to take a player like Alabama middlelinebacker Rolando McLain, Tennessee safety Eric Berry or USC safety Taylor Mays.
It would be foolish to start talking about who they are going to pick in the third round because, at this point, we don't even know who is coming out. Everyone is just guessing.
Orchestrating a trade for Quinn and Anderson would be wise. Even if the Browsn can only get sixth-round picks, it is better than nothing. If the Browns can enter April's draft with 13 picks, they would be able to control where they wanted to pick by having the extra lower-round picks. Also, it could give them the option of putting a trade together for someone like Eagles quarterabck Kevin Kolb.
For all of the Browns' needs, the right people need to be in place. This is not going to be a quick turnaround, but it is necessary to get this team back to where it needs to be. The one thing that is a constant with this team is owner Randy Lerner. If he is fully committed to turning this team around he needs to put high-level football savvy talent in the front office and on the sidelines teaching the players. Until he does that, all the talent in the world will not help this franchise.
November 19, 2009 at 7:46 AM
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Takes a day to clean a septic tank. Takes years when the sewage plant explodes.
Fire the Manidiot and get the process started!
I'll second that!
"This is not going to be a quick turnaround," Hopefully Randy realizes that this time. He DOESN'T NEED TO RUSH. He rushed to get Mangini, when he had no reason too, and we see how that ended up.
But, he's also been clear that he's not going to be the one to pull the trigger on Mangini. For all those who are excited to see Mangini be fired, be prepared for disappointment. It'll be up to how well Mangini can sell his future vision to and get along with the future GM. I have a feeling that whomever gets the position will feel that they can give Mangini a chance.
And just for fun - who do I wanna see come over in Free Agency (and trades with some realism)? Pierre Thomas and you said it, Kevin Kolb.
No 1st round QBs PLEASE!
Something that I dont understand is that no one never mention Marty. He migth be either a GM or a coach.
I dont understand why he was not on the race last season and why he is not yet considered as a challenger.
By the way I like Grudden he would bring the missing passion on the sideline.
Why not Cowher ? Some rumor say that he asked last season "can you wait a year"...
All we need is credibility.
And for first round, I would go with a sure athlete on defense. Mays would be amazing.
While I agree there are far more needs to address then can be taken care of in a single off season, I would recommend focusing on two of them: O Line and either Linebackers or D Line.
My case for each: O Line is obvious. If your O Line sucks, then your offense won't work, period. And a quick look at the best defensive teams show they all have great linebacking corps. Which brings us to the D line. The D line needs to be capable of terrorizing the O line on its own, to allow those great playmakers behind them to be free to actually make plays.
In my opinion, without fixing those three fundamental parts of the team, nothing else that is done will make a significant difference. Pick 2 to fix this off season, just make sure the O Line is one of em. It doesn't matter how good your defense is if your offense can't score.
Good news is, we won't need Vincent Jackson because a recent mock has the Browns taking Dez Bryant second overall...
/facepalm
I agree with Floyd reese,but would also go for a Ron Wolfe/Mike Holgren combo,like to see cleveland get Jon Kitna as a vet QB,chris chambers (WR),ben watson(TE),deuce lutui(OL)and my most coveted free agent would be Carlos Dansby,my first pick in the draft would be Taylor Mays or Eric Berry
Jeez, Brady Quinn really stinks this year, but a 6th rounder in a trade? I would rather keep him for at least a backup position.
And after years of fans squawking about the need to draft stud offensive linemen to turn the team around, we draft Thomas and Mack in the 1st round and now suck worse than ever.
Sigh.
Wake up people all we need on defense is later round hidden gems and a 2nd round corner. Offense however we should draft a marque o line man solid running back and quarterback, the steel a wide out in the late rounds. Then we will not only compete but e will be solid. The Browns are not as far off as you think period! The defense is solid if they can stay off the field and solid picks on the offensive side will cement our future for years to come. Most of Mangini's picks are panning out on defense! Rom Wolfe as GM and a new o coordinator! Good to go. Shawn Marrimen is a steroid product forget about it man! Go Browns!
I understand that trading mid to high draft picks after they fizzle out usually nets you a 6th round pick.
In DA's case, wasn't he originally drafted in the 6th round? To equal the value out, shouldn't the Browns have to throw-in a practice squad player for free to any team willing to deal for DA?
I don't get the fascination. I live close to Seattle, watched Seahawks games for many years. His team here was never great, his organization never first-class. Holmgren is tired of football, burned out. One year out of the game is not going to change that. He's not the answer for the Browns.
I like most of the comments on here, but I think some people are simplifying things too much....
While we obviously need to shore up the right side of the offensive line, signing/drafting another top offensive lineman is not possible. There is no way for the team to be able to invest such a large amount of money to one part of the team. Think about it...Thomas and Steinbach are two of the highest paid players on the team and Alex Mack was selected in the 1st round of this past draft and does not make chump change.
Futhermore, speculating that the Browns will be able to sign two, let alone one top-flight free agent (Vincent Jackson, Shawne Merriman, Carlos Dansby, Pierre Thomas, etc.) is ridiculous. In case you haven't realized, the only way the Browns get studs to come to Cleveland via free agency is if we grossly overpay them. Obviously that handcuffs you down the road and is why alot of teams get to the brink of greatness and then fall back down the mountain. They simply aren't able to add the last few pieces due to salary cap restrictions.
So it's my hope that the Browns avoid committing too much money to ANYONE this offseason because this rebuilding process should take years, not months.
Although it's much easier said than done, I'd love to see the Browns trade down about 5 spots and take Eric Berry out of Tennessee. The guy is the next Ed Reed and I truly believe that it's Ed Reed that has made the Ravens D great for so many years, not Ray Lewis (although Ray The Murderer is a great football player).
There is so much work to be done where do you start? I think the O line is a priority. It would be good to see if our crappy QBs could improve if they weren't running for their lives or if the running game could help keep the dogs off of them.
2010 is an uncapped year -- that is, no salary cap max (or minimum, which had better not matter in this case).
I have no insight as to what this, or a possible labor dispute in 2011 will mean for the Browns when the misery of this season finally ends.
Great article, I like Jon Gruden, and from acquaintances I know who know Gruden, he definitely has a soft spot for team, he spent a lot of time in Clev. area before the MNF game and has a lot family in Ohio. He would be the man to get. Could he work for a guy like Holmgren, he has before in GB. Say your prayers Browns Nation and a few Hail Marys to boot!