Lets Be Realistic...
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Wow!
This is definately the feel good thread of the day.
I agree with everyone and would like to add that the depth has improved at most positions and if the injury bug were to strike we have a chance to still be competitive.
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Yes I am a Browns fan...
Yes I am optimistic about the positive change that seems to be evident in the organization right now...
Yes I am feeling good about the stability and overall outlook of this year's draft...
But...
What truly separates this years team from the same woes that were experienced last year? Let me get some opinions...
Yes I am a Browns fan...
Yes I am optimistic about the positive change that seems to be evident in the organization right now...
Yes I am feeling good about the stability and overall outlook of this year's draft...
But...
What truly separates this years team from the same woes that were experienced last year? Let me get some opinions...
a better schedule. no NFC East or AFC South.
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-The Coaching & Front Office TEAM being on the same page will translate to a better "on field" TEAM.
-Discipline & structure..both non-existent last year.
-I think we'll see more aggressive play.
-Better fundamentals
The Browns have made some fine additions & certainly have gone after intelligent, motivated players. From a coaching standpoint, the players will know what is expected from them & will respond accordingly, not playing "confused" as was the case way too often before.
Good things happening in C-town!
Mike
-The Coaching & Front Office TEAM being on the same page will translate to a better "on field" TEAM.
-Discipline & structure..both non-existent last year.
-I think we'll see more aggressive play.
-Better fundamentals
bla bla bla
Kinda like when the COO comes to town for a staff meeting and tells you he senses great SYNERGY.
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Yes I am a Browns fan...
Yes I am optimistic about the positive change that seems to be evident in the organization right now...
Yes I am feeling good about the stability and overall outlook of this year's draft...
But...
What truly separates this years team from the same woes that were experienced last year? Let me get some opinions...
a better schedule. no NFC East or AFC South.
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@inspecta said:
are you saying that Mangini won't be an upgrade in the coaching dept over RAC n' Rolls?RACs worst problem was getting the play call in on time.
And that was probably Chud's fault. Although the equip manager shoulda got the axe if the helmet transmitter was as bad as everybody said.
That's the only category where I'd expect anything to run differently.
RAC was screwed when JJ, Stallworth, and Tucker went down with injuries. Add in the high expectations and a man-loving crowd chanting for the home town backup QB all game long and RAC was doomed.
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Before we declare Lum anything other than a single-player humping joke, reread his post.
Fans like to be optimistic. Only a non-fan would add "easier schedule" to this thread.
Go away.
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-The Coaching & Front Office TEAM being on the same page will translate to a better "on field" TEAM.
-Discipline & structure..both non-existent last year.
-I think we'll see more aggressive play.
-Better fundamentals
bla bla bla
Kinda like when the COO comes to town for a staff meeting and tells you he senses great SYNERGY.
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Everyone's done a good job running through the positives, so I'll just point out two possible concerns:
1. Who's going to get after the quarterback? We're still relying on Wimbley & Hall to get pressure, which they weren't able to do consistently last season. Better coaching could help, but I'm not sure it can overcome a lack of functional playing strength (if that's a problem).
Veikune could help, but rookie rushers often struggle to make much of an impact early on. That's even more likely to happen if a guy's learning to play multiple new positions.
It's nice to look at the Jets' sack totals last year and think we'll replicate them this year, but their rush was generated by big money OLB's (Thomas and Pace) and a defensive end who actually led the team in sacks (Shaun Ellis). Not sure we have even close to comparable personnel. Corey Williams could help here, but I'm a bit skeptical.
2. Have we become less dynamic at receiver? Phil Savage's plan to have Stallworth & Edwards stretch the field while Winslow caught a zillion passes underneath was a huge flop, but I'm a little concerned that our current plan, at least in the short term, could have its own drawbacks. Without Winslow, we don't have a proven, healthy receiving option at TE. Maybe Kokinis got us a steal in Robert Royal, but he doesn't seem to be anything special as a receiver.
I like Robiskie, he's not going to stretch the field or scare opposing defenses. Massaquoi's got nice potential, but he's also got scarily inconsistent hands. I think he ends up redshirting this year.
If that happens, we could face a situation in which opposing teams base their gameplan around shutting down Braylon, which could brew frustration, dropped balls, and endless pouting. Or they'll stack the box so often that even our newly improved o-line won't be able to rescue our run game.
I expect marked improvement over last year, but a piss poor pass rush & an inability to get things going on offense could easily give us a 5-11 or 6-10 season.
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Everyone's done a good job running through the positives, so I'll just point out two possible concerns:
1. Who's going to get after the quarterback? We're still relying on Wimbley & Hall to get pressure, which they weren't able to do consistently last season. Better coaching could help, but I'm not sure it can overcome a lack of functional playing strength (if that's a problem).
Veikune could help, but rookie rushers often struggle to make much of an impact early on. That's even more likely to happen if a guy's learning to play multiple new positions.
It's nice to look at the Jets' sack totals last year and think we'll replicate them this year, but their rush was generated by big money OLB's (Thomas and Pace) and a defensive end who actually led the team in sacks (Shaun Ellis). Not sure we have even close to comparable personnel. Corey Williams could help here, but I'm a bit skeptical.
2. Have we become less dynamic at receiver? Phil Savage's plan to have Stallworth & Edwards stretch the field while Winslow caught a zillion passes underneath was a huge flop, but I'm a little concerned that our current plan, at least in the short term, could have its own drawbacks. Without Winslow, we don't have a proven, healthy receiving option at TE. Maybe Kokinis got us a steal in Robert Royal, but he doesn't seem to be anything special as a receiver.
I like Robiskie, he's not going to stretch the field or scare opposing defenses. Massaquoi's got nice potential, but he's also got scarily inconsistent hands. I think he ends up redshirting this year.
If that happens, we could face a situation in which opposing teams base their gameplan around shutting down Braylon, which could brew frustration, dropped balls, and endless pouting. Or they'll stack the box so often that even our newly improved o-line won't be able to rescue our run game.
I expect marked improvement over last year, but a piss poor pass rush & an inability to get things going on offense could easily give us a 5-11 or 6-10 season.
Aloysius said:
Without Winslow, we don't have a proven, healthy receiving option at TE. Maybe Kokinis got us a steal in Robert Royal, but he doesn't seem to be anything special as a receiver.Isn't Heiden gonna be ready for tC?
After Heiden took it to the Giants, we realized how little the team needed Winslow.
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Could be, but you never know with an older guy coming off a knee injury.
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@inspecta said:
Heiden is a much better blocker than Winslow, that much is certain, but as far as being an offensive weapon he doesn't hold a candle to Winslow.Yeah Heiden has a great receiving game once every 2 to 3 years, before the Giants game the last time he lit it up against a team was in 05 against the Packers.
If we have a great TE receiving threat its going to come from Rucker.
Heiden will be good for a 4th and 1 conversion going about 50 yards at least one time though...
Heiden can catch, but he's no winslow.
Winslow doesn't even have to be facing the QB to catch the ball.
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Yes I am a Browns fan...
Yes I am optimistic about the positive change that seems to be evident in the organization right now...
Yes I am feeling good about the stability and overall outlook of this year's draft...
But...
What truly separates this years team from the same woes that were experienced last year? Let me get some opinions...
Yes I am a Browns fan...
Yes I am optimistic about the positive change that seems to be evident in the organization right now...
Yes I am feeling good about the stability and overall outlook of this year's draft...
But...
What truly separates this years team from the same woes that were experienced last year? Let me get some opinions...
IMO....this is the very first time since our reconception that we have depth at every position...real servicable quality depth...last year,for example, granted 4-12 but if we would have lost a corner we would have been screwed...The O-line is the best since dan fike,cody riesen,mike baab years, the one big If seems to be how the wr will fair...I honestly think we surprise people this year and make the playoffs
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@inspecta said:
Heiden is a much better blocker than Winslow, that much is certain, but as far as being an offensive weapon he doesn't hold a candle to Winslow.Yeah Heiden has a great receiving game once every 2 to 3 years, before the Giants game the last time he lit it up against a team was in 05 against the Packers.
If we have a great TE receiving threat its going to come from Rucker.
Heiden will be good for a 4th and 1 conversion going about 50 yards at least one time though...
Heiden can catch, but he's no winslow.
Winslow doesn't even have to be facing the QB to catch the ball.
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While I'm not so sure about the playoffs, I am sure that we will really turn a few heads this year. Obviously, as SI points out, nobody expects anything from the Browns this season. Except the Browns and Browns fans!
I see the depth at virtually every position, and the improvement in the WR, LB, OL, and Safeties, and I am very pleased with everything Mankok has done. This team seems to finally have a firm foundation and is being built the right way. I was wondering if that would ever happen. I see this team coming out and being competitive in every single game. I don't see any major blowouts on the horizon. And I see a few wins of games they "shouldn't win". All in all, I expect to see them end up anywhere from 7-9 to 9-7. I would not be shocked if they pulled a 2007 and finish 10-6. Jamal Lewis should have a decent year (even though I wanted him gone) and Harrison will be used a lot more. Davis will gradually be brought along as Lewis's replacement. Braylon (who I also wanted gone) should have a fantastic year, being a contract year. He also is now dealing with the fact that he saw firsthand how 1 bad season can keep teams from wanting you. Does anyone really think that he's happy knowing that NY wouldn't give up a 1st rounder for him? So he has something to prove as well as fighting for a contract. Robiskie is almost the perfect #2 WR for the NFL and between Furrey, Patten, MM, and possibly Cribbs a little, the WR corps is as deeper than it has been in awhile. Williams will be healthy on that D-line and should combine nicely with Coleman and Rogers to be a very strong starting D-line. With the improved D-line and the new additions, our LB should be vastly improved and our CB's and Safeties shouldn't have to worry about stopping the run so much. The run shouldn't be getting to them as often. Our weakest spot, TE, really isn't all that week. Rucker should replace K2 well as far as a receiving TE and Heiden and Royal are certainly better blockers. All of this combined with the fact that Quinn has been running Daboll's offense since he was a freshman at Notre Dame, making the QB spot much improved as well (can't get any worse then DA's 32nd in the NFL), should make this a very fun team to watch.
I am, for the 1st time in a long time, exremely anxious for the season to get here already. It should be fun!
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I'm thinking playoff's. You can never underestimate preperation, and Mangenius will have gameplans in to stop Pitt and Baltimore.
We have talented athletes littered all over the roster. Let's put them in a position to make plays finally and we'll see what occurs.
Our schedule is good, but we definitely need to split Pitt and Baltimore. Mangini hopefully puts the Brownies in a position to do so.
I really can't see Baltimore beating us if we can finally stop Leron Mclain and Rice...Pitt will always be a battle, but we have enough talent to get there this season
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I am going out on a Limb but I think we split with the Steelers and the Ravens and squeek into the playoffs 9-7 wildcard spot.
The online and Dline look solid and deep to me which will make all the difference this year along with a recieving corp that wont make me puke. J lewis will have 700 yards this year as part of a carousel of 3rbs. Whoever wins the QB derby should have a solid year of 20 tds 12 ints 2800 yards.
I think Edwards has 60 receptions 8tds and the other guys do well enough to matter.
The defense is going to be ranked 10-15 in my opinion.....
Obviously this is a pretty rosy scenario but I did not think we were bad last year. I thought the call playing and coaching was garbage as well we were injury ridden and out of sync because of key personnel missing. I know the record was bad but we were a much better team than the record. With the key personnel changes Mangini has made I really think we can make a run.
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1--- COACHING will be better..
I'm not talking about the head coach but rather the offensive and defensive coordinators...
The fact of the matter is that both coordinators are the head coaches of their respective units on game day.. They call ALL the shots...
The head coach puts in the game plan but on the day of the game it's the coordinators responsibility to impliment the game plan...
Dick LeBeau couldn't win in Cincinnatti when he was their head coach but he won super bowls for both Cowher and Tomlin...
Last year we had a rookie D coordinator and a bull headed fool as the O coordinator....
2--- The team must stay healthy...
Last year we lost JJ, Tucker, Holly, Stallworth ?? and Smith for the season..
Lewis was hurt in preseason, Edwards was hurt in preseason, Anderson had a concussion in preseason and never fully recovered, Steinbach played hurt all year, Winslow was a shell of himself and could only push off to get separation...
In 2007 we were virtually injury free 10 - 6; 2008 injuries decimated the team, 3rd & 4th QB the last 4 games... Injuries were the biggest difference in comparing the 2 seasons...
Take the same positions away from the Steelers and they don't make the playoffs either...
3--- Coaching Philosophy...
This head coach is allowed to pick the players he wants... Romeo wasn't even allowed to pick his coordinators let alone his players...
Now everyone is gonna jump on his selection and retention of Carthon... Keep in mind, however, that when Romeo was named head coach, all of his people were already under contract with other teams.. He didn't get the job until after the Super Bowl and by then all of the top notch coaches were taken... He took a gamble on Carthon and we all know how that turned out... Savage and Crennel were never on the same page... Seems to me that a few years back Cowher was in the same position with Donahue (sic)... He won the battle, kicked the GM to the curb, was a major player in the selection process for the new GM and the rest is history...
Call me a homer or an idiot or whatever you want to call me (just don't call me late for supper) but the current management team is doing it the right way, getting the right type of players and we'll see a successfull season as a result.... If we stay healthy I predict that we can contend for the playoffs and once we get there it all becomes a crap shoot... The team thats hot makes the run....
T. Dawg
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Aloysius said:
Without Winslow, we don't have a proven, healthy receiving option at TE. Maybe Kokinis got us a steal in Robert Royal, but he doesn't seem to be anything special as a receiver.Isn't Heiden gonna be ready for tC?
After Heiden took it to the Giants, we realized how little the team needed Winslow.
Isn't Heiden gonna be ready for tC?
After Heiden took it to the Giants, we realized how little the team needed Winslow.
I agree Lum.
But I wonder why there isn't many on here with any faith in Rucker. Coming out of camp last year he was all the rave.
I still think this kid (6'5" 250 lbs.) could be a very good TE and look for him to challenge for a starting spot.
With him it will depend on how much he wants it. It supposedly has always been that way with Rucker.
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Before we declare Lum anything other than a single-player humping joke, reread his post.
Fans like to be optimistic. Only a non-fan would add "easier schedule" to this thread.
Go away.
Before we declare Lum anything other than a single-player humping joke, reread his post.
Fans like to be optimistic. Only a non-fan would add "easier schedule" to this thread.
Go away.
Let it be stated from the start this is not a defense of Lum, but no, not only a non-fan would say that an easier schedule is a check in the we can do better column. Part of the problem last year was that regardless of our issues, we were outplayed by three...err two stronger teams, and the Cowgirls right out of the gate. Until the Ratbirds and Steelers noticably begin a down year, or we finally get a win in on either or both, they are always giant hurdles and an indicator for the flow of the season. I would add the Giants in there too, but they're so damn inconsistent, even the year they won the ring. A schedule does matter, Anderson looked good in 2007 due in part to a cupacke couple of games. Being realistic is after all the thread topic...
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Martin Rucker injury pending this year, will have a break out year. He will be the 3rd option for BQ here shortly. Also what the hell is the status about Beau Bell, it seems he has fell of the face of the earth.
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