@baconhound said:

The last serious move the Browns made was Donte Stallworth. As fans we've been sold this "rebuilding" bag of goods for years now. I think we could spare a Carlton Mitchell or Eric Hagg.

As fans we've been through multiple regimes, most with absolutely no true football minds behind the moves being made - putting us in the position we have been in. 2007 was a fluke. Do you remember how bad the Browns were in terms of cap space the past couple of years. We have a regime that has drafted extremely well, (guess what guys, this is only their second year) - and has signed smart contracts (knowing that we have a lot more spaces to fill than to just waste space). Yeah, I know people are sick of rebuilding, but where we were put during the last regime, left us in a horrible position. We have two brilliant football minds in the FO, making solid moves - knowing that it isn't something that can or will be done as early as this season. It's obvious what this team is doing and I love it - building through the draft, creating a strong and lasting foundation. They don't want another 2007 season, they want to replace the spots the Steelers and Ravens will leave behind in the next 1-2 years. Why spend a lot of useless long term contract money to fill wholes with aging players, when we realistically KNOW we cannot compete in the division now.

It's a: "you'll thank me later" type situation.

@sisky-fringo said:

failures? more like knee-jerk fires imo.

fwiw i definitely disagree, Nickers. if that were common thought among NFL minds i doubt he would even be able to land an analyst position, let alone consideration for another coaching job so quickly.

the Jets are currently having success off the foundation Eric laid, and if the Browns truly turn the corner moving forward, it will be due to more of the same EM dirtywork.

some people out there see the forest through the trees, and i believe they'll give him another shot if he has continued success. once players get to know him, they generally embrace his philosophy after knowing what's expected of them. who knows what the future may hold...we might even see he and Randy Moss high-fiving around this time next year (!).

I only wish the best for Mr. Mangini.

No need. Two Words.

Montario Hardesty

How do people forget?

It's because Mangini loves football and wants to be around football. It's a shame I can't call him HC anymore.

Shurmur - "Everything we address, and everything we do is based on the object of Winning".

That sold me. Not rebuilding, not changing - winning.

During those years as a HC - the defense of those teams were not as nearly as horrid as the record indicates. As bad as a rap as he had gotten - he had truly turned around that Pitt program - built defense in a strong conference. I would be honored to have him as a DC. The more, and more I listen to Shurmur, the more and more I feel he is going to be the right man to build through OL, QB, etc. - Dave can focus on Defense, and just defense. Winning on THAT side of the ball.

It was an unnecessary fumble, indeed - he has a fire about him today, where he knows he can run all day, situation. He'll score this drive, for sure.

@wrrebel said:

Holmgren and my main love gruden are light years above mangini. (Right now)

I don't undestand the faith people have in a un proven guy.. mangini right now reminds me of wayne fontes. Maybe doing just enough to save his job. If he can get to the play offs I will put him with wade philips.

He put pieces in play for the Jets to be contenders in the future - which Ryan is working with right now. He has brought depth and fight to this Browns team that we haven't seen since our return. Unproven? That's ridiculous. He has proven a lot.

Along with the luck factor - a flaw that I have seen in this team is our ability to block on Special Teams. There is rarely a deep hole to run to. Reversed, we are making it harder for teams to block us on the other side of Special Teams. Cribbs is beat up, and will earn his money with the effort he puts on other places within the organization and the ability to recruit talent and bring good vibes towards the city and organization. He is marketable and other players enjoy playing with someone like that. But, he isn't marketable to the point of Edwards (Cribbs puts it all out there, all the time - outside success comes to him). The point is - it isn't all Cribbs fault this year, and I personally would rather have a better offense, and a better ability to eliminate opposing teams Special Team threats, than to have our Kick Returner be our main focal point.

The only team to be the Browns today, were the Cleveland Browns. You get out of bounds, you don't fumble. You sack, and wrap up - we get field position. You bat the ball down instead of catching it at the 2.

The Legend

@shepwrite said:

I'll say this: If the Browns get to 6-5... any team at 6-5 is in the playoff hunt in almost any year.

And if we get to 9-5 with the Ravens and Steelers coming to our house, those games will be HUGE. They'll matter.

If we win the Jets game. I do not see us losing during during the Carolina, Jacksonville, Miami, Buffalo stretch.

@silverback said:

You have 5 losses and 5 games remaining against Baltimore, Jets, Steelers, Bengals, and Dolphins who are all talented teams. Plus the Jags are no pushovers. No chance in hell the Browns finish the season 7-1. And even if they did finish 10-6, that probably misses the playoffs this year. There are 12 AFC teams currently with better records than the Browns. You can't expect to jump 7 of them to make the playoffs. Not happening.

Teams can finish the same way teams like Oakland, KC, Tampa started. I really, in my heart do not feel KC and Tampa are better teams than Cleveland.

@wrrebel said:

Let's take one game at a time and see how it plays out..

If we beat the jets, looking ahead who knows what happens, but it adds excitement

The way the schedules pan out, we could EASILY see three teams coming from out division. Don't count us out, yet.

There's a difference between Hope and Reality, obviously. But as someone who has studied the game, played collegiate football and currently coaches on the High School level - I can honestly say my resume is fitting enough to say what I am about to say.

The Cleveland Browns have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs, this year. Yes, this year.

This weekend is the main point of the season - that brings us into contention or completely takes us out. The schedule, ultimately, favors us at this point - after a Jets victory. Games against, Carolina, Jacksonville and Buffalo are ones we MUST take advantage of.

Baltimore still has New Orleans, Atlanta and Houston on their schedule. They also have Pittsburgh and a possible shocking Tampa Bay game. Pittsburgh still has New England, the Jets, Baltimore. Pittsburgh will win the division, but it isn't impossible that we get a Wildcard. If Baltimore, Pitt and Cleveland take care of the Jets - we could be in a prime spot to take the second wild card slot from the Jets, and one of the 5-3 teams in the other divisions (KC, OAK).

Are we ready for the playoffs? Yes. You do not have back to back wins like we as an organization just had if we were not ready. This team is better than ANY (2001 and 2007 included) Browns team since the new arrival. It's younger, it's faster, it's stronger, it's more complete - it has more depth, and it is far more balanced than any squad we've seen put out there. Why? Because we have built a strong line on both accounts. It's the same rebuilding process you saw with the Colts and the Patriots starting in the early 2000's. You start with the core, and you build around strength. Because our offensive line is so dominant we have the ability to run the West Coast/Run offense that Colt McCoy could adapt to with ease, and be successful. Our defense is no joke, it truly is becoming top notch. In terms of the secondary, as of the last two games they have dropped back several times gaining an extra step or two, while Ryan has put more LB's in the flats (as compared to our losses).

Most will laugh, and say it is unrealistic. But The Cleveland Browns have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs, this year. It all falls on this Sunday friends.

@cantonlegend said:

you are crediting colt for peyton hillis' success? WHAT?

im sorry but its definitly the other way around

I thought I emphasized, Colt's 5 3rd down completions. Colt's 30 yard throw to Evan Moore that set up Hillis. And Colt's throw, while on the run, to Peyton - that set up additional points.

@cantonlegend said:

why dont you show me where he led the browns to anything? ive already complimented him and his maturity in the NFL so far. if you cant see my argument then you arent looking very hard

the 2 wins with him as QB are not because he was playing QB but just like the past 40 years, browns fans dont understand that i guess....and here i thought cleveland was starting to turn things around

His throw to Watson to set up the first PH TD, his throw to PH on 3rd down, and the 3 3rd down completions he had added on to those plays were not QB like plays that did something for the last game that we won. Right?

What it boils down to is Colt McCoy has played in three games. Pittsburgh, New Orleans and New England. Arguably three of the top 5 teams in the league. He is 2-1. He has kept the team's drives alive, and he has shown to be verbal and incredible in the huddle and on the line. We haven't seen that with a "new" QB, that we've tried to put in the system. What is wrong with keeping McCoy in the system, and letting Jake be paid to TEACH him how to handle the situations, keep his chin up when he's done - etc. Are we afraid that we might actually just find our franchise Quarterback.

@wrrebel said:

why are Browns fans so afraid of getting a WR who can play, they are all prima donnas.. Our organization wants to get a bunch of altar boys, thats our problem.

and since when is it a crime to be a jerk?

zombo half the NFL is Retarded, there wonderlic scores prove it.. those arent tough questions.

Alter boys? I just think the Front Office wants players that play together as a team, and work together as a team - before putting themselves first. Didn't we go through that stage? Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, etc.

Funny how we have the deepest team we've had in years, and the organization isn't "doing it right".

@ballpeen said:

I am beginning to wonder if Davis had inched ahead of Harrison on the depth chart and the team decided to make the move while Harrison still maintained some value..

He was virtually a Packer two weeks ago. The Walrus knew we could get more.