With DeFilippo he does not have a track record as OC as this is his first hire. I like the idea Pettine appears to have gotten the guy he wanted though. I like the idea of getting a younger coach as well.

@mudfly said:

Mud, your response is, IMHO, perfectly stated.

Thanks.

Mike

@cbus-brownie said:

I dont think anyone is content or settling.....and we ALL want a franchise that competes......but we also realize that screaming, stomping our feet and generally acting like a toddler on an internet forum is not really the way to express our fandom or hopes for improvement.......

#1) Some of us can recognize and accept there is improvement, while still wanting more....others cant. For them(you?) we either win it all or suck....no middle ground

#2) Most adults understand that crying and bitching and whining is counter productive and accomplishes nothing....more of an approach for toddlers and infants.....and snot nosed teens, I guess....

#3) And, this year, we did compete(and improve)....and next year Id expect more of the same....a competitive team that is even MORE improved.....

And when I try to express my feeling about the team and speak intelligent football....I always finish with something extra witty like YOU FUCK

Then...people will REALLY take me seriously.....

Zombo said:

I saw a complete culture change last year.

I may be somewhere between you and h... although I think that's a very small difference. I certainly saw the beginnings of a follow through to a culture change.

As you went on to say, there was more than just lip service... but we've a ways to go towards permanently establishing a new culture. Organizational cultures have a tendency to "snap back", to revert to there previous state, if the push for change is not constant for a long time.

@miktoxic said:

http://cle.247sports.com/Bolt/Pettine-Browns-arent-dysfunctional-34987027

Good, article, mik... relevant to the culture change effort. Had Pet been completely candid I think he might well have said, "The Browns are no longer dysfunctional." But it's not his style to throw even the departed under the bus that carried them away.

@itoldyou said:

West 3.9 YPC... Yea amazing.

Not amazing, but not bad given that West was behind Tate early and the O-line was but a shadow of early-self late.

Sorry, but the West glass is definitely in my half-full column...

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

Mel Kiper regraded the Browns draft today. B-.

Actually he upped us to "B" based upon the strength of the late picks and UDFAs, and the "TBD" status of our #1's.

"B-" was our original Kiper grade.

@cbus-brownie said:

That's reasonable logic, but I won't apologize for lacking blind faith.

@cbus-brownie said:

Stop being content with it Steve, this is Bullshit. We want a fuckin franchise that competes, stop settling YOU FUCK

Thanks, CB, but to press my luck/ seize a moment, I have to say that my faith is anything, but blind. Not am I anywhere near "content".

To me the progress is tangible.

To me your "rage", be it real or manufactured, is unproductive.

@jafbf said:

Yeah and being the deranged fan I am I watch all the press conferences on clevelandbrowns.com and it seems like Farmer is a pretty introspective guy who knows when he makes mistakes. I actually have faith in Farmer to improve from year to year.

@hoorta said:

I saw a complete culture change last year.

What do people think a "culture change" is ... that you just announce "We are changing the culture".

That is 0% of it. Actually going out and holding people accountable for the first time since 1999 is the culture change. Farmer and Pettine said "we're going this way ... and you are either with us or against us". And then they made those who weren't all in accountable.

Just because Johnny, Justin and Josh were acting up isn't a sign that the organization is out of control. It is the exact opposite. You're going to whine and be immature, Justin? Sit on the bench. Not happy with your role this week, Terrance West? Well, you can be third string then. Still, not taking this shit, serious, Josh? How bout we suspend you for a game ... go whine to the union. You want out of here, Shanny? There's the fucking door. Still not getting it Johnny? We'll fine your ass, embarrass you and put drafting a QB back on the table. Hell, maybe we'll re-sign Hoyer, he's got half the talent of you but he shows up prepared every fucking day even when he's not playing.

I maintain THIS FRANCHISE TURNED AROUND THE DAY THEY FIRED JOE BANNER AND MIKE LOMBARDI and put the football people in charge. Farmer and Pettine are running this ship their way. By the way, that was less than a year ago, you impatient motherfuckers.

The Culture IS being established. The team played hard for 16 weeks, and if you weren't all in, you were out.

Did we draft a couple snot-nosed punks? Yep. Still plenty of time for them to decide to Play Like a Brown. Best thing we did was bring in veterans like Danbsy and Whitner who aren't afraid to rip those rookies a new one and tell it like it is.

We went 7-9, half our schedule was against playoff teams. We showed in the second Pittsburgh game and the first Cincinnati game what this team has the potential to be.

We've hired the right people. We've changed the culture. Now we need to find a QB to run the show. That is half the battle, or more, in the NFL now, just look at the playoff teams.

Zombo

@jafbf said:

Refer to the ESPN article- that crap offensive performance is 90% on Johnny Jamboogie.

@cbus-brownie said:

Agreed. Some of these assholes think you should go root for another team if your not content making the playoffs once every 15 years.

I'll be a fan and go to several games a year if we never win another fucking game. Some of you need to own up to the fact that our franchise sucks right now, and we need a major culture change in the FO to turn it around. I'm still believe in Farmer, but I'm starting to get skeptical..

Maybe you missed it- I saw some culture change last year.

@cbus-brownie said:

Oh ok, if Mik's bitch ass says he'll be fine. Forget him losing pt to an undrafted FA, and Desir because he sucked terribly on the field. What does how he plays have to do with anything, just have some blind faith like Mik's dumb ass.

I have faith that Gilbert does have elite measurables- he has to learn how to use them. True- hasn't yet. Takes some time for a few guys to adjust- at least Gilbert hasn't shown up on TMZ yet.

@cbus-brownie said:

@westside-steve said:

So's pissing and moaning and belly aching and crying and bitching and whining .......

Ya don't like it don't watch it.

Stop being content with it Steve, this is Bullshit. We want a fuckin franchise that competes, stop settling YOU FUCK

So what do you suggest guy? I'm listening. Every diehard fan wants a franchise that competes.

FYI- the Browns DID compete- they just wound up on the losing end a few times. Steelers -3, Ravens -3 (last play fg), Colts -1 despite horrible play by Hoyer, competitive until the 4th quarter against the Ravens- with a third string qb running the show.

Aw gee- so you DEMAND better- aint a damn thing your demanding will do to improve the team.

@baconhound said:

Fair assessment.

In regards to the many Draft comments, don't forget all the UDFA's Farmer brought in :

Connor Shaw

Isaiah Crowell

Ray Agnew

Taylor Gabriel

K’Waun Williams

Robert Nelson

Likely missing a few, but some good pick-ups there.

FA's are another story, and I've pretty much lost track of them.

@oldbrownsfan said:

It's been said that last year when Pettine was looking for an OC that he really liked DeFilippo and wanted to hire him.

Being a new HC himself, with pretty much everyone else on the Coaching staff being new to their positions too, Pettine went with Shanahan since he was experienced.

Might have been too much if the OC had been a Rookie Coach as well.

Enough of the prissy bitching. Pettine and Farmer just came on board,

and you trolls want to keep bitching and whining and baconpounding

about the last fifteen.

@cbus-brownie said:

@westside-steve said:

So's pissing and moaning and belly aching and crying and bitching and whining .......

Ya don't like it don't watch it.

Stop being content with it Steve, this is Bullshit. We want a fuckin franchise that competes, stop settling YOU FUCK

Because being a little bitch about it is gonna change it.

@miktoxic said:

I'm a Celtics fan and they stink but there is no reason to complain because the current regime built one champion and they are trying to rebuild another one.

Wasn't happy my Bruins collapsed last year in the Stanley Cup Playoffs but they too have won a championship recently and they still make the playoffs.

Yanks looked bad last year and they may this year but hopefully they will move away from signing insane free agent deals and rebuild a championship team again but not hating on them either, they have built a winner a will again.

But the Browns show a lack of understanding on any level what it takes to field a playoff caliber team and have looked like utter dog shit for the majority of the last 15 years, so yeah some of us see negativity. You look at playoff droughts in the NFL it's the Bills, Raiders, Browns & Rams.

@westside-steve said:

So's pissing and moaning and belly aching and crying and bitching and whining .......

Ya don't like it don't watch it.

Stop being content with it Steve, this is Bullshit. We want a fuckin franchise that competes, stop settling YOU FUCK

you don't help yourself any suggesting people call you names when you pst negative shit all the time.

i know i wouldn't want to be around somebody that just complains and bitches all the time. people should be happy they're still drawing a breath.

@miktoxic said:

Draft was good, first round is a miss to this point.

Coaches need time to prove what they have, we'll see if Shanahan leaving is an omen or a guy who was just unhappy.

Cleveland football for all intents and purposes does suck, as a fan not happy about it but the numbers don't lie.

Cleveland football hasn't always sucked but it's been a while since it was relevant.

And the constant, name calling on the browns board

draft sucked, season sucked, people need to be fired, cleveland football sucks, it's always sucked.......

fucking shut up you fucking douchebags. dumbass 12 year olds just stirring shit up.

@itoldyou said:

You are kidding me right? Fucking idiot.

West 3.9 YPC... Yea amazing.

Manziel and Gilbert both busts... Is he does it again it will set this franchise back even more then the Owner has done.

One good player out of a whole fucking draft where you have TWO first round draft picks...

3.9 YPC from a 3rd round rookie, sharing time with two other backs? Yeah, I'll take it.

Both Crowell and West finished the year ranked ahead (by DVOA) of Fred Jackson, Joique Bell, Gio Bernard, Darren McFadden, Doug Martin, Andre Ellington, Ben Tate and (your boy) Trent Richardson. Not nearly elite, but for two backs sharing the load, it's nothing to scoff at.

Go ahead and keeping basing your ideals off of Madden player rankings and stats. The rest of us will live in the real world.

Mel Kiper regraded the Browns draft today. B-.

But clearly, you know more than a professional. That's why you're posting here.

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

Bitonio, West and Kirksey are all starters. Desir actually started a game as well. (And so did Manziel, I guess.) So technically 5 starters.

Bitonio was graded out not only as one of the most impactful rookies, but also as one of the best guards in the NFL in 2014. Both West and Desir are considered to be major steals in the draft by literally every major scout and analyst, both started this season, and both will compete for starting jobs in camp this offseason. Kirksey will also likely compete for a starting job. He started 8 games as a rookie but contributed in all 16 and has received positive reviews from coaches and analysts.

If they don't shape up, Manziel or Gilbert can and will be traded at some point within the next two years. There's no two ways around it. If they don't get traded, it's because they have grown the fuck up and taken hold of their job...which is still good.

Once camp rolls around, I fully expect Gilbert to change and take hold of his starting job. I also fully expect the catalyst behind this change will either be Donte Whitner jackslapping the shit out of him in camp or Desir just curb stomping him in terms of performance.

They got three foundational players in rounds 2-6, an extra first round pick, an extra fourth round pick, and two guys who might (we hope) turn into dynamic NFL players. And, if they don't, there will be value there via trade later. Even assuming both Manziel and Gilbert never play another down, that's still three-four starters and two picks in the top 116 in the 2015 Draft.

Bitonio, West and Kirksey are all starters. Desir actually started a game as well. (And so did Manziel, I guess.) So technically 5 starters.

Bitonio was graded out as one of the best guards in the NFL. Go ahead and try to take issue with that. Both West and Desir are considered to be major steals in the draft by literally every major scout and analyst. Kirksey will likely com

Manziel or Gilbert can and will be traded at some point within the next two years. There's no two ways around it. If they don't get traded, it's because they have grown the fuck up and taken hold of their job...which is still good.

And none of this is taking into account the UDFA's acquired by Farmer who both started and shined this season.

The difference between you and I is that you judge the draft off of the performance of the first round, big name guys...whereas I look at the performance of everyone.

The other difference is that you're a lookwet-brained idiot and I'm not.

West 3.9 YPC... Yea amazing.

Manziel and Gilbert both busts... Is he does it again it will set this franchise back even more then the Owner has done.

One good player out of a whole fucking draft where you have TWO first round draft picks...

@itoldyou said:

3 starting players? Trade bait? Please explain these three starter and trade bait drafted.

Bitonio was graded out not only as one of the most impactful rookies, but also as one of the best guards in the NFL in 2014. Both West and Desir are considered to be major steals in the draft by literally every major scout and analyst, both started this season, and both will compete for starting jobs in camp this offseason. Kirksey will also likely compete for a starting job. He started 8 games as a rookie but contributed in all 16 and has received positive reviews from coaches and analysts.

If they don't shape up, Manziel or Gilbert can and will be traded at some point within the next two years. There's no two ways around it. If they don't get traded, it's because they have grown the fuck up and taken hold of their job...which is still good.

Once camp rolls around, I fully expect Gilbert to change and take hold of his starting job. I also fully expect the catalyst behind this change will either be Donte Whitner jackslapping the shit out of him in camp or Desir just curb stomping him in terms of performance.

They got three foundational players in rounds 2-6, an extra first round pick, an extra fourth round pick, and two guys who might (we hope) turn into dynamic NFL players. And, if they don't, there will be value there via trade later. Even assuming both Manziel and Gilbert never play another down, that's still three-four starters and two picks in the top 116 in the 2015 Draft.

@itoldyou said:

3 starting players? Trade bait? Please explain these three starter and trade bait drafted.

Bitonio was graded out as one of the best guards in the NFL. Go ahead and try to take issue with that. Both West and Desir are considered to be major steals in the draft by literally every major scout and analyst. Kirksey will likely com

Manziel or Gilbert can and will be traded at some point within the next two years. There's no two ways around it. If they don't get traded, it's because they have grown the fuck up and taken hold of their job...which is still good.

And none of this is taking into account the UDFA's acquired by Farmer who both started and shined this season.

The difference between you and I is that you judge the draft off of the performance of the first round, big name guys...whereas I look at the performance of everyone.

The other difference is that you're a wet-brained idiot and I'm not.