Author Archive

Evaluating The Cleveland Browns Offseason

Posted: 25th April 2010 by Richard Baird in NFL
Randy Lerner hired Mike Holmgren to come to Cleveland and change the fortune and path of our beloved and beleaguered Browns. Holmgren brought in Tom Heckert, as well as a number of consultants to improve this organization. Together, they have worked to make the Browns a team that can compete in the NFL. The Browns won four games to end the season and currently have the longest winning streak in the ...
Monday, the Rams released veteran quarterback Marc Bulger to avoid paying him the 8.5 million he is due this upcoming season. The move also presumably positions them to take Sam Bradford with the first overall pick later this month. With the Rams obviously in dire need of a franchise quarterback, any chances of the Browns trading up to draft Bradford are next to zero. How does this, combined with the other ...
In his most recent press conference, Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren addressed many issues. He discussed the quarterback situation and why he traded Brady Quinn and Kamerion Wimbley. He also talked about the need for speed at the wide receiver position. Holmgren said he likes Massaquoi and Robiskie, and he believes they can develop into solid NFL players. He did not, however, downplay the team's need for help at the wide ...

Three Words Spelled Doom for Brady Quinn: West Coast Offense

Posted: 15th March 2010 by Richard Baird in NFL
Say what you want about Brady Quinn and his exit from Cleveland. He was doomed, right alongside Derek Anderson, the moment Mike Holmgren came to Cleveland. Holmgren is one of the major disciples of the West Coast offense. This offensive system relies on a quarterback making quick reads and accurate throws to receivers and allowing the receivers and playmakers a chance to make plays in the open field. In the West Coast ...

2010 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Seven-Round Mock (Pre NFL Combine)

Posted: 17th February 2010 by Richard Baird in NFL
It is presumptuous at best to offer a full seven round mock draft before the combine, free agency, trades, and many other factors shape NFL rosters and the draft picture. However, with the down-time and post-football syndrome weighing heavily upon me, I simply could not resist. The Combine allows teams to get measurables on players and interview them in addition to seeing them participate in drills. The Combine is also the ...

Previewing the Cleveland Browns’ Offseason

Posted: 4th January 2010 by Richard Baird in NFL
The Mike Holmgren era officially began in Berea today and the next few weeks will probably be a dynamic time for the Browns organization. Holmgren will probably make a decision regarding Eric Mangini in the upcoming days. He also must hire a GM and build a scouting department for the draft and free agency. I am a staunch supporter of keeping Mangini. I think he has changed the team culture and ...

Three Players Mike Holmgren Has To Keep if He’s the Next Browns GM

Posted: 20th December 2009 by Richard Baird in NFL
Mike Holmgren has lots of decisions to make. First, he has to decide if he wants to come to Cleveland. If he does come to Cleveland, he'll be confronted with questions concerning the future of Eric Mangini, questions about the quarterback, and countless roster decisions and personnel moves. Three things should be easy decisions. The Browns must rework Josh Cribb's current contract, and they should work on new contracts for free agents to-be ...

Once Maligned “Opportunity Period” Paying Dividends

Posted: 13th December 2009 by Richard Baird in NFL
After James Davis was injured so early during an extended practice session that Eric Mangini terms the "opportunity period," many reporters and fans expressed outrage that players were spending extra time after practice to work. Mangini has cited the extra practice as a "well supervised" period in which players, especially rookies have a chance to work in drills. Mangini cites this period as a Belicheck practice method that also takes place ...

Browns 2009 Draft: Analyzing the First Two Rounds

Posted: 6th December 2009 by Richard Baird in NFL
The Browns had a first-round pick and two second-round picks heading into the 2009 draft. After a trade with the Jets, they amassed an additional second-round pick. I, along with most fans, certainly saw this as an enormous opportunity to fill some major voids on the team with young talent. The Browns took Alex Mack with their first-round pick. They then selected Brian Robiskie with the 36th overall pick, Mohamed Massaquoi with the ...

Suggestions for the Post-Mangini Browns

Posted: 2nd December 2009 by Richard Baird in NFL
The ownership and new management of the Cleveland Browns are going to have to make a decision on whether or not to move forward with Eric Mangini in 2010.á Based on his track record with the Browns, the attitude of the city toward the coach, and the likelihood that the new management will want to move forward with its own handpicked coach, things don't look good for Mangini. Below are suggestions and ...