I Guarantee a Browns Loss VS the Ravens
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Apparently Mangini and Ryan agree with me...
Eric Mangini, Rob Ryan say there's reason to believe Cleveland Browns could surprise Ravens
By Mary Kay Cabot
September 26, 2009, 6:21PM
bowensortonjg.jpgJoshua Gunter/The Plain DealerHits like this one put on Denver QB Kyle Orton by Browns linebacker David Bowens is what gives reason to believe in a dramatic upset on Sunday in Baltimore, according to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "Right now, stats and everything, we’re not worth a crap, but man, I can see it — we’re coming together and I can see it,” Ryan said.BALTIMORE, Md. -- An 0-2 record isn't enough to rattle Browns coach Eric Mangini, not even heading into Sunday's game against the high-flying 2-0 Ravens.
Mangini and several of his assistants vividly remember being 0-2 in 2001 when they were on Bill Belichick's staff in New England. Coming off a 5-11 season, the Pats were ripped mercilessly by fans and media. When they slipped to 1-3, the lambasting grew worse. But they climbed back to a 5-5 mark, and at that point, Belichick showed the players a clip of a horse race.
"When the horses were around the first bend, Bill asked 'who's ahead?' and somebody said 'horse number whatever,'" recalled Mangini. "Bill said, 'Yeah, but it doesn't really matter who's ahead right now.' He showed the second turn, same thing. At the end, a horse that was trailing for quite a bit ended up winning the race. The point was made, and everybody understood it. It doesn't matter where you are through the course of the race. It matters where you are when things finish."
The Patriots won their final six games and the first of three Super Bowls in four seasons.
"We kept working," said Mangini, who was defensive backs coach at the time. "We worked through the 5-11 year. We worked into the next season. It was consistent. When you string together good practices, good meetings together, good choices, it's going to break in a good way."
Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who was Patriots linebackers coach at the time, sees the same work ethic on this team.
"You can see them working," Ryan said. "They're starting to care for each other. If you're going to go into a big war like you are against the Baltimore Ravens -- where bodies are getting laid out all over the field -- you better have guys that you care about, that you can count on -- that you know when it gets tough they're not going to run on you. And I know that's what we've got. Right now, stats and everything, we're not worth a crap, but man, I can see it -- we're coming together and I can see it."
Question is, do the Browns -- most likely without running back Jamal Lewis -- have what it takes to get back on track this season? Thanks to some poor drafting and other bad personnel moves since their return in 1999, it remains to be seen.
flaccocc.jpgChuck Crow/The Plain DealerNow a second-year starter at quarterback, Joe Flacco will bring a growing reputation into Sunday's game against Kamerion Wimbley (95), D'Qwell Jackson and the Browns.For comparison's sake:
• The Ravens have had 50 Pro Bowl berths to the Browns' 10 since 1999.
• Of the Ravens' 22 full-time starters, 16 are their own draft picks. Of the Browns' 22 starters, only nine are their own picks.
• The Ravens have 20 draft picks on their roster from the 2005-2008 seasons. The Browns have 12.
• Five of the Ravens' No. 1 picks since 1999 have gone to the Pro Bowl, with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata being named a first alternate and quarterback Joe Flacco apparently on a path toward Hawaii. Three of the Browns' first-round picks have made it in that span.
• The Ravens' defense features three Pro Bowlers and a first alternate and the Browns have one (Shaun Rogers).
But the Browns players, especially the veterans, will tell you talent doesn't equate to victories. When the Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2001, not one made the Pro Bowl as a starter.
"I was on a Washington Redskins team that was loaded on defense, from [Pro Bowlers] Bruce Smith to Darrell Green, to Jessie Armstead, Jeremiah Trotter, Lavar Arrington, and we didn't make the playoffs," said tight end Robert Royal. "It just shows you that if you take a team of mediocre guys that execute all the time, they'll fare better than a whole bunch of first-round talent that doesn't play well together."
Ryan is convinced that if he hadn't called an all-out blitz in the fourth quarter in Denver that resulted in a 49-yard completion, one that led to a TD, the Browns' defense would be a top 10 defense instead of the 25th-ranked one they are.
"If you throw out that darn fourth quarter, we're not a bad defense," he said. "It's time to come in here, and establish what we're working for. You can't work harder than they are. They're pouring everything they've got into it every week and it's frustrating. We need to win a game around here."
Ryan knows it will be tough against the league's third-ranked offense, one that's averaging 406 yards and 25 points a game. The Ravens have scored seven TDs in eight trips inside the red zone.
"[Offensive coordinator] Cam Cameron is up to his old tricks," said Ryan. "He's always in the top five on offense, wherever he coaches. He's got a real physical football team on both sides of the ball. Heck, there are physical players all over that team. The punters and kickers are probably physical. I think we need that kind of game right now. I think we're ready to fight. It's just going to be on."
The Browns might not have the most talented team on the field, but it doesn't mean they can't compete.
"This team's going to put theirs on ours and we'll see who's the toughest team," said Ryan. "I know they've got great, violent players on their defense and I know we've got some tough, violent guys on our defense. I'm looking forward to hearing the big hits and watching some football. Our defensive guys felt they got pushed around by the Ravens a little bit last year, so we're looking forward to a great fight and hopefully a great victory for us."
"This team's going to put theirs on ours and we'll see who's the toughest team," said Ryan. "I know they've got great, violent players on their defense and I know we've got some tough, violent guys on our defense. I'm looking forward to hearing the big hits and watching some football. Our defensive guys felt they got pushed around by the Ravens a little bit last year, so we're looking forward to a great fight and hopefully a great victory for us."
Except their violent guy killed someone and our violent guy stole a bottle of water...
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I decided to get away with the other posting, and open a new one just so everyone can see that the Browns will never beat the Ravens. I am rooting for an 0-16 year, but down worry it will happen no matter which QB we have in. Oh yeah, I am a die-hard browns fan. I'm just in touch with reality enough to know that they suck and will continue to suck game after game. All it takes for me is watching their 1st game of the year and then I am able to perdict another pathetic season. The players have even admitted that they suck. What more do you need?!? Have a great day!
I All it takes for me is watching their 1st game of the year and then I am able to perdict ......
All it takes is me reading your 14th post ever and I "perdict" you need some more football edumacation.
I agree we will likely lose.. but not for the reasons you say. The ravens have more talent on the field. They also have a managment team that has been in place for years (13 years Ozzie has been there) that drafts very well. While the Browns are now on the 5th head coach and 4th new management staff in just 10 years... You just cannot have success on the field when you turnstyle coaches/management like that.
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Smells like a Ravens fan pretending to be a Browns fan
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I'm usually the eternal optimist but I can't help thinking the Browns will be lucky if they don't leave the field in ambulances. Barring an absolute miracle, I expect the Browns to get killed in this one.
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Well, my perdiction was extremely close and what do u kno, they could not get in the endzone. Oh well, there is always next decade. Maybe my kids will be alive to see a winning season cuz I know I won't. It sure is hard to be a browns fan. Looking forward to the cavs though, they have a good shot!
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Someone who is a true fan like you call yourself and not a complete Retard who is just here trolling would know who the kicker on the team was today.
Someone who is a true fan like you call yourself and not a complete Retard who is just here trolling would know who the kicker on the team was today.
your a douchbag Douche, really. The difference is that I have a life. Beautiful wife and two young kids. I'm not single living in my parents basement like you. Really, your a loser. Now slowly remove your tampon, and speak like you know what your talking about. Haha!
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