Edward Stefanyak's Cleveland Browns fan blog

QBs: Okay...after 4 practices, apparently Brady Quinn looked the best. However, according to Coach Mangini, Derek Anderson looked good, as well. Then again, since Brett Ratliff knows Mangini's system, I thought maybe he would be leading the pack early in the game. But, that's not the case. Nevertheless, once again, we will have a QB controversy, or is it healthy competition? On our roster, we have 4 QBs: Derek Anderson, who I believe is starting his 5th year; Brady Quinn, 3; Brett Ratliff, 2; and Richard Bartel, 1. We really don't have a QB who is experienced. Will this be a problem? Anyway, I believe Brady Quinn will be given every opportunity to stabilize this position. It will be his to lose.

RBs: Jamal Lewis will be our starter, and he should be better behind an improved line. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a 2-back backfield, including Lewis and Jerome Harrison. This could limit Lewis's carries, making him an unhappy camper. Supposedly, Noah Herron will take the place that Jason Wright vacated. So, how will rookie, James Davis, fit in? Will he be groomed to take Lewis's place? Lastly, Lawrence Vickers will start at full back, and Charles Ali is a capable backup.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: So, after 4 practices, what do we have on offense? What do we have at the skilled positions?"

Well, the first wave of free agency has passed, and the Browns didn't jump in. It appears to me that the Browns don't have a lot of room under the cap to sign high-priced free agents.

Leaving: Kellen Winslow, Joe Jurevicius, Jason Wright, Audra Davis. Is Braylon Edwards next? Next year is a contract year, and it appears that Braylon doesn't want to sign with the Browns again. So, why keep him around when we could get something for him this year? I know...we don't have a lot of quality WRs on the roster. But, if we rely on Braylon's potential, we might as well trade him for draft picks. And if I remember correctly, Braylon couldn't even catch a cold last season. Is Donte Stallworth leaving? After his accident, no one knows his future. Lastly, many experts believe that one of the QBs will be traded. Well, stay tuned.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Molding a New Team"

After watching a dismal NFL season, I look forward to two things--free agency and the draft. So far, our free agency period has been slow....better yet, nonexistent. Mum is still the word, and the draft is about two months away. Needless to say, I am growing impatient. Why?

Well, I saw Bart Scott go to the Jets, I watched the Jets get Lito Sheppard, and I saw Albert Haynesworth go to the Redskins. Yes, these are high-priced players, and they got paid, but truthfully, we could have used at least one of these players! And obviously, I am waiting for our Browns to step in, but don't expect them to. According to Mangini, look for the Browns to wait until later in the week. Some free agents are scheduled to visit, and this sounds promising. Doesn't it? Well, not exactly. At least one free agent, Andre Goodman, signed with the Broncos before visiting Cleveland. Yes, Andre Goodman...you know him. He played for the Dolphins last year, but why would we want him? If Parcels didn't want him, why should we? It doesn't matter anymore. He's a Bronco. Good for them.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Free Agency or Not?"

After reading Cleveland newspapers and watching Cleveland sports on STO for the last several weeks, there is nothing really new to report. However, this weekend is the NFL Combine, so there might be more to report. Anyway, there are rumors and speculation.

For instance, will the Browns trade DA? Well, no one knows for sure. However, even if we did trade DA, we apparently will still take a salary cap hit of a little less than 10 million dollars for this upcoming season. Furthermore, DA is due a 5 million dollar bonus. Yes...I was shocked to hear this. According to some of the writers/reporters, it is better to keep DA as a backup. Besides, I'd rather have DA as a backup--especially after cutting/releasing Gradkowski and Dorsey. And unfortunately, it sounds like we could only get a 4th round draft pick for DA...at best. Once again, this is speculation.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Mum is the Word"

Now that our coaching staff is set and we are starting all over...again..., I started thinking about Tony Grossi's recent article in the Plain Dealer. In his article, he wondered what the Browns would be like if we would have drafted Kurt Warner in the expansion draft. It has been ten years now, and we have been to the playoffs once. Butch Davis was our coach, and we lost a close one in Pittsburgh. Actually, it was a heart-breaking loss because we were winning most of the game.

As I read on, I wanted to know more about the expansion draft.

So, who did the Browns draft in 1999? Keep in mind-since we were the only expansion team, we were the only ones drafting. The other teams in the league needed to select five players or so to be eligible in this expansion draft. When I looked at the players available, some of them looked promising. Some were big-named players, some were over-the-hill, and others were high-priced vets. Anyway, if you have the chance, look who we drafted. Looking back, those players really never helped our team. It was a loss.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: If you had another shot at the 1999 expansion draft, who would you pick?"

As a Brown fan for nearly 30 years, the Mangini hiring doesn't excite me.

First of all, it seemed like Randy Lerner rushed this decision, especially with other coaches to pick from. This successful list includes Mike Shanahan and Brian Billick, two coaches who have HC experience and who won a Super Bowl. Once again, Lerner hired a coach before hiring the GM, and how did that work out? Both were fired. Also, I just heard this rumor; Romeo Crennel was not able to hire is own assistants. If this is true, no wonder our team was a hot mess for 3 out of Romeo's 4 years here.

Second of all, aren't you concerned how Mangini left the Jets? They were 8-3 and then collapsed, never making the playoffs this year. Their seemed to be trouble in the locker room with the Brett Favre issue. What will Mangini do with an immature Braylon Edwards or a whiny Kellen Winslow, who could both be cancerous in the locker room?

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Like it or not...Mangini is your coach for 4 years...w/o the help of a GM"

Well, it sounds like Eric Mangini is in the lead to become the Browns' next HC. According to some sources, Randy Lerner was very impressed with Mangini during the interview. Furthermore, I heard that Lerner is also interested in the Ravens' Director of Pro Personnel, George Kokinis, to become the next GM.

Different Wishes...just for kicks... 

Wouldn't it be nice to have Floyd Reese (Former Titans GM?) as our GM and Jim Schwartz (Titans DC) as our HC? Unfortunately, I don't think that Lerner contacted Reese, but he might be interested in Schwartz. As far as I know, Schwartz was not interviewed.

Wouldn't it be nice to have Rich McKay (Falcons President) as our GM and Mike Mularkey (Falcons OC) as our HC? I heard that Lerner might have some interest in both of them, but why would they want to come to Cleveland? Atlanta is coming off of a successful season, and the future looks promising.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Mangini in the lead to become the next head coach?"

Putting Shanahan's record aside, let's look at some of his positives. 1) Shanahan's zone blocking style has been successful, not only for the Denver's RBs but for Houston's as well. For instance, Steve Slaton had a great year. Even mediocre RBs like Tatem Bell and Ruben Droughns were successful. 2) It seems like this zone blocking style even benefits serviceable linemen. Even our line could benefit, especially if Ryan Tucker comes back to fortify the right side of the line. 3) Under the guidance of Shanahan, hopefully our underachieving WRs will flourish like Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall. I don't want to give up on Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth just yet. If needed, maybe we need to offer free agentTJ Houshmandzadeh a contract, especially if Joe Jure

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Five Votes for Shanahan"

According to some people, timing is everything when it comes to hiring a new GM and coach. In a way, that makes sense. You want to hire your guy before someone else does. You want people in place to analyze the free agents and college prospects. Speaking of college prospects, it seems like we have a lot of useless college bowl games. It seems like almost every team makes a bowl, even ones that only have 6 wins. Some of these so-called bowl teams aren't even ranked in the Top 25, so why do we have these bowls? Wouldn't be more interesting if we have a playoff bracket, maybe involve the top eight teams in an NCAA bracket? Then, the next eight teams could make an NIT bracket. Obviously, it comes down to money. These colleges get money, and the players get gifts, as well. Furthermore, these games give scouts one more look at pro prospects. 

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Rumors and News...Any votes for Mike Shanahan?"

Possible coaching replacements could include the following: Jim Schwartz, Titan DC; Marty Schottenheimer, former Browns coach; Bill Cowher, former Steeler coach; Steve Spagnuolo, Giant DC; or Kirk Ferentz, Iowa HC; Eric Mangini, former Jets coach; and Brian Billick, former Ravens coach.

Also, add any hot college coach, such as Urban Meyer, USC's coach, Oklahoma's coach, or even Jim Tressel of Ohio State. Lastly, add any hot pro coordinator, especially coordinators from the Patriots, past or present.

My favorite is Cowher. If you want him, go after him. Money talks. Right now, he said no to the Browns and wants to talk to the Jets. My second choice is Marty and son. Unfortunately, Marty doesn't want to coach, and he is talking to KC about a VP/GM position. Lastly, I would like to see Brian Billick. He has had some success in Baltimore, and he is more of a disciplinarian than RAC, Romeo Crennel.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns: Who Can Fix Our Mess?"