The Cleveland Browns’ search for front office stability continues onward.

The latest name to surface in the discussion is former Packers and Seahawks Head Coach Mike Holmgren.

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lerner has expressed interest in hiring the 17-year veteran coach. If Holmgren were to accept the offer, he would likely be appointed Executive Vice President of Football Operations, a role he has held in previous stops in Green Bay and Seattle.

Randy Lerner has indicated the need for a “strong, credible leader” to assist and oversee football operations, and Mike Holmgren appears to fit the bill. Holmgren’s experience and fresh perspective would prove invaluable to the Cleveland Browns, but that’s about as far as it would go.

 Assuming Randy Lerner holds true to his word and retains Eric Mangini throughout the 2010 season, one has to wonder – how would a Holmgren/Mangini tandem peacefully co-exist over the duration of a full NFL season?

The outlook certainly looks grim.

During his time with the Packers and the Seahawks, Mike Holmgren served as the single authority on all things football. His role as a head coach included the title of executive vice president which essentially gave him complete control of the organization’s football operations.  

If Holmgren agreed to a job in Cleveland, he would be asked to work closely with Eric Mangini. Mangini's absolute control over the Browns was publicized in the controversial firing of George Kokinis - the executive Mangini handpicked eight months earlier. Several sources indicated Kokinis and Mangini did not see eye-to-eye on football decisions, a rift which cost the general manager his job.

Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini have no experience coaching together at any level of football, so it is unlikely the pair would be able to function cohesively on the same staff.

So where could the Browns go from there?

One candidate Randy Lerner may eventually reach out to is former Browns head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Newly appointed consultant Bernie Kosar has played under Schottenheimer in the past, and would likely provide Lerner with a ringing endorsement of his former head coach. Schottenheimer’s ties to the Lerner family and experience with the organization would make his transition into the Browns front office relatively seamless.

More important than anything else, Marty Schottenheimer and Eric Mangini have a working relationship. Marty has worked in professional football as a coach and a player for more than 35 years.

He made his coaching debut when Mangini was three years old.

Eric Mangini has confided in Marty Schottenheimer in the past, and seems to genuinely respect the 66-year-old former head coach.

“I know Marty pretty well and I like Marty a lot,” Mangini said.

“I talked to him a lot when I was in New York with Brian (Schottenheimer). I feel very good about our relationship and I feel very comfortable with it.”

Marty Schottenheimer’s experience would complement Eric Mangini’s youth and fervor, giving the Browns the unified management tandem they have lacked since their return to the NFL in 1999.

Randy Lerner will likely interview experienced candidates such as Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, and Rich McKay in his search for the next executive VP of football operations.

If Lerner intends on going forward with Eric Mangini as the head coach, Marty Schottenheimer seems like the most logical option to oversee future football operations.

The Cleveland Browns appear hopeless. They have lost seven of their first eight games, fired their general manager during the bye week, and the injuries are stacking up like firewood. Fans are on the verge of a protest and national media types are calling for Eric Mangini’s immediate resignation.

The Browns are in desperate need of a hero.

Or a heroine.

Enter Dawn Aponte, Cleveland Browns Vice President of Football Administration.

Never heard of her? You’re not alone. Aponte is the woman responsible for working behind the scenes to handle the contractual affairs of the Cleveland Browns. In her current role with the team, Aponte’s duties include handling player contract negotiations, player cost budgeting, league compliance, and salary cap management.

SI.com’s Peter King once referred to Aponte as “Capwoman” for her extensive knowledge of the salary cap and the legal ins-and-outs of the NFL.

Aponte’s responsibilities are already similar to that of a general manager. With a vacant management position and an owner desperate for change, look for Dawn Aponte to get the first shot at filling the vacant general manager position.

It would be “Capwoman” to the rescue.

During an era in professional football where the collective bargaining agreement is in shambles and an uncapped year seems more like a reality each day, who better to handle those demands than a salary cap expert?

In an interview with the Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi, camera-shy owner Randy Lerner was asked about Dawn Aponte and her future role with the organization.

“Dawn is a very talented executive and a good person,” Lerner said.

“My hope is that her role and impact will grow within our organization.”

A promotion of this magnitude would certainly classify as growth. Dawn Aponte is currently the vice president of football administration – a role with similar albeit different duties to that of a general manager. The learning curve may be steep, but then again the Browns have nothing to lose.

Randy Learner has always been sensitive to the public image of his Cleveland Browns. Hiring Dawn Aponte to take over as Browns’ general manager would not only be a great public relations move, but it would shift focus away from the toxicity that has become associated with jobs surrounding Eric Mangini.

Aponte would become the first woman to hold the title of NFL general manager – a story which would deflect attention away from the 1-7 football team she would inherit. Aponte has had experience working with Eric Mangini in New York, and that makes her one of the few people flexible enough to step in and take over where Kokinis left off.

From an internal standpoint, this move makes perfect sense for Eric Mangini. A first-time GM means Mangini would likely retain authority on all personnel and football decisions. From an external standpoint, Randy Lerner looks good by evoking change at the outcry of the fans, all while appearing progressive enough to break down barriers which may have been in place.

It’s a win-win situation.

Hiring Dawn Aponte won’t solve the team’s seemingly endless string of problems on the field. What it would do is equip the Browns with the personnel needed to move forward in the face of a fiscally challenging era of professional football.

There have been reports Browns inside linebacker Eric Barton will miss the rest of the season with a severe neck injury. True to form, Browns head coach Eric Mangini would not confirm the severity of Barton's injury, but did confirm Barton missed practice on Wednesday.

"Eric, like any of our players, is going through tests and we'll see where it is," Mangini said.

"That's where we are right now, just testing and evaluating, then we'll make a decision."

Barton is one of the few players to start all eight games for the Browns on defense. He trails D'Qwell Jackson by one for the team lead in combined tackles with 58, including numerous tackles for a loss which occurred in critical situations.

Mangini did not specify who would replace Barton on defense.

The likely scenario is to have veteran David Bowens take over for Eric Barton at one middle linebacker spot. Rookie Kaluka Maiava would start in place of Bowens (who filled in for D'Qwell Jackson) and Jason Trusnik would continue to play as the strong side outside linebacker.

With Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson gone, the Browns would be without both of their starting inside linebackers and defensive captains.

A 1-6 record.

Four offensive touchdowns in the first seven games.

One of the most lopsided point differentials in the NFL.

It's easy to look at Eric Mangini's Cleveland Browns and write this year off as another wasted season. The Browns have failed to generate everything from points to a pass rush, and many Cleveland faithful have given up on the team as a result.

Except for me.

Why? Because this season, in all of it's fallibility, isn't about 2009.

It's about 2010 and beyond.

If you ask Eric Mangini about the Browns' horrendous start to the season, it won't be long until you hear him mention the word, "process." Mangini has spoken of this process since the beginning of training camp, but has yet to specify exactly what that process entails. He did, however, shed some light on the situation Monday during his weekly press conference with the media.

"Any time you take over a new situation with a new group, you understand that it's a process," Mangini said.

"You can't lose sight of that. You can't lose sight of what is important. To me, that's improvement, that's progress, and I really felt that over the last three weeks we had made a lot of progress, in terms of how to play the way that we want to play."

Eric Mangini's process centers on two important concepts: progression and improvement. In order to bring a winning football team to Cleveland, Mangini will rely on his players' continued development as Browns.

Browns owner Randy Lerner hired Eric Mangini because he too believes in the process. Lerner witnessed Mangini take over the talentless 4-12 New York Jets and transform them into one of the surprise teams of 2008. Through patience and hard work, Mangini's process has worked in New York.

The only question is, when will Mangini show results in Cleveland?

"I don't have a timetable set up, but what you are looking for is continued progress," Mangini said.

"When I took over, it was really the same sort of approach, it was understanding that are a lot of things that need to be addressed and there is a lot of work that needs to be done. There are some things that you can do short term and some things that you can do long term. Some things that you can address today or tomorrow or the next day and other things that you have to move towards as you go. Being part of this experience in three different places, I guess it would be four, I understand it's different everywhere you go and there are different challenges everywhere you go."

"It is a process."

That brings us to the 1-6 Cleveland Browns. If fans can take anything away from the slow beginning to the 2009 season, it's that Eric Mangini's process has already begun.

Rookie wide receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie have already begun their progression into the fast-paced world of professional football. Rookie center Alex Mack is improving every week, and rookie linebacker Kaluka Maiava has been inserted into the starting lineup in place of the injured D'Qwell Jackson.

With so many young players holding starting spots on the roster, it is clear Eric Mangini is in this for the long-haul. The core group of young players will progress this year, and the Cleveland Browns will be better for it in the long-run.

As for the present?

"I don't think that anybody is pleased with where we are right now," Mangini said.

"We are going to work at it as diligently and as deliberately as we possibly can. The mistakes are going to be addressed. The mistakes are going to be analyzed. We're going to put a plan in place to fix them,"

"There is a commitment to that [and] that's not going to change."

Last week's Patriots/Titans game sparked an interesting debate in football communities across the nation. The Patriots exploded for 35 points in the second quarter and entered halftime leading Tennessee 42-0. It was clear New England was the superior team and there was virtually no chance for Tennessee to come back.

So what does Bill Belichick do with a six possession lead and the ball to start the half? He keeps his starters in the game only to see them score again. He goes for it on 4th & 4 late in the fourth quarter. He has backup Matt Hoyer throwing the ball deep with a 53 point cushion.

Simply put, Bill Belichick ran up the score.

After taking some time to collect my thoughts, I wondered: is that OK?

The argument goes, "if you don't like it, do something and stop them." I get that. These are professional football players and they are paid to play the game. I also understand a team could get hot and score points at any time.

These are both valid arguments, but I just don't buy into them.

There comes a point in a game where you stop throwing the football and ease off the accelerator. Belichick's team had the game comfortably won and there was no reason to deliberately embarrass the other team.

Players and coaches alike abide by a code consisting of several unwritten rules:

1. Thou shall not speak of another man's contract.
2. Thou shall not discuss internal affairs with outsiders.
3. Thou shall not interfere with another man's money

Running up the score is directly in violation with the third and arguably most important rule. Every player, coach, and assistant on the Titans' sidelines will be forever associated with that 59-0 loss at the hands of the Patriots. People's careers, wages, and lives depend on the outcome of these football games. For Bill Belichick to play with otherpeople's livelihood at his discression is wrong.

There is a time and a place for everything.

Throwing the ball deep into the fourth quarter goes against every rule held in the NFL fraternity.

And if he continues doing that, he may not be in that fraternity for very long.

The Cleveland Browns lost this game.

This time, there are no excuses. No complains. The Browns ran in to a stronger football team and they came up short on their own accord.

This was as pure of a loss as I have ever seen.

Unlike in weeks past, the Browns have no one to blame but themselves. There were no questionable field goals or muffed punts. No inexperienced quarterbacks or experimental receivers. The Browns’ best 53 played their best game against Pittsburgh, and the better team won.

Offensively, the Browns were unable to develop any rhythm in the passing game. Dropped balls and inaccurate passes seemed to be the call of the day, and such mistakes will not get the job done against the tough Pittsbugh football team. The score did not allow Cleveland to successfully run the ball late, but they may have found something with Cribbs in the wildcat. He averaged well over 7 yards per attempt from the formation.

Defensively, Cleveland could not find a way to get to Ben Roethlisberger. The pass rush was non-existent at times, and any time you give that kind of a quarterback that much time, bad things will happen.

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Ten From The Gentledawg

10. Brandon McDonald is the weakest link in this secondary.

I have suspected this for some time and today’s performance confirmed my suspicions: Brandon McDonald is a very beatable cornerback. He did not have a good game today. McDonald seems to have lost confidence as he gave too much cushion on several of his assignments. He did not hold containment on a few outside runs and he was consistently beaten in zone coverage. Although the Browns played a very talented group of receivers today, I would have liked to see better play from McDonald.

9. League-wide officiating is at an all-time low.

Like virtually every NFL game played this year, a few questionable calls directly impacted the final score of the game. With athletes becoming faster and stronger, the margin of victory in this league has become slim. It’s up to the referees, umpires, and line judges to make sure they make the right call and I’m not sure that was done today. Over the past three weeks, we’ve seen: a missed field goal decide the outcome of a game, a phantom roughing the passer call, and a blown call on 4th and inches.

8. Derek Anderson's lack of pocket presence is concerning.

As a quarterback, Derek Anderson has the intelligence to run the offense and the arm strength to make all the throws. The one thing Anderson lacks which prevents him from becoming an elite quarterback is pocket mobility. To put it bluntly, Anderson is about as graceful as an ostrich. When plays break down and he is forced to improvise, Derek Anderson appears lost. I’m not asking him to be Michael Vick back there, but Anderson should have the vision and awareness to manipulate the pocket and keep plays alive with his legs.

7. Eric Mangini has brought about change in Cleveland.

There have been few positives to take from the beginning of the 2009 season. One thing the Cleveland Browns can pride themselves on is their disciplined play and outstanding game management. Questionable plays are being challenged. Timeouts are saved for crucial situations. Personnel has been shuffled in and out without any delay. These things may seem insignificant, but they are the foundation for a consistent and competitive football team.

 

6. Brian Daboll is settling in as the Browns' offensive coordinator.

There were several elements of this week’s game plan which indicate Brian Daboll is becoming more comfortable in his role as offensive coordinator. Daboll did a great job of getting the most out of his personnel. With Rex Hadnot and Floyd Womack both healthy and active, Daboll was able to move Hank Fraley and Eric Steinbach around to create favorable running and passing situations. Defending against Pittsburgh’s complex zone blitzing scheme is no easy task, and I thought Brian Daboll at least had the right schemes in place to help do so.

5. Tight end depth is a major issue for this team.

In addition to a nagging finger injury, Robert Royal came up lame with a leg injury during the third quarter of today’s game. Steve Heiden did not play due to bad knees and Greg Estandia has been a non-factor. For the Cleveland Browns to develop rhythm and consistency in the passing game, they will need to figure out a way to gain some sort of production from this position. With Tuesday’s trade deadline rapidly approaching, Kokinis may see it fit to improve the team by adding a tight end to the roster.

4. The Browns missed Kamerion Wimbley on defense.

Kamerion WImbley has been one of the reasons Cleveland has been the driving force behind what little pressure the Browns have generated thus far, and his presence was greatly missed against the Steelers. Jason Trusnik did not impress in his debut performance on defense. He was unable to win any of the one-on-one battles with offensive lineman – an absolute must for generating pressure. Wimbley is a key piece to Rob Ryan’s defense and the Browns will need him at his best to compete.

3.The Josh Cribbs contract situation baffles me.

It is rare to find a talent like Josh Cribbs. It’s even rarer to see that talent want to stay in Cleveland. Cribbs continues to prove he is worth every penny of any restructured deal he reaches with Browns management. According to Yahoo Sports, Cribbs’ base salary for the 2009 season is $645,000. If the Browns can afford to pay backup lineman Billy Yates $1,186,720, they should find a way to restructure a new deal for arguably their best skill position player on offense.

2. Mohamed Massaquoi is the new Braylon Edwards.

Take away the selfish disposition and the Hollywood aspirations, and Mohamed Massaquoi is a carbon copy of Braylon Edwards. On the field, Massaquoi is the inconsistent big-play receiver who struggles to make simple receptions. Over the past two games, Massaquoi has unofficially dropped six catchable passes. My biggest concern with Massaquoi is his effort level when plays break down. He seems to make halfhearted attempts to come back to the ball and his route running appears lackadaisical at times. He is still a rookie, but these problems must be addressed as soon as possible.

1. The Cleveland Browns are close to playing for next year.

Another L in the loss column means the Browns are one step closer to playing for next year. If this play continues then it may be time to take an extended look at some of the young talent on this roster. Young players like Coye Francies and David Veikune may deserve playing time if only to give them playing experience for the future. Eric Mangini will continue to play veterans, but if this goes on any longer, it may be time to start looking at 2010.

If actions speak louder than words, someone needs to tell Brady Quinn to keep it down.

According to Waitingfornextyear.com , Quinn put his $630,000 Avon Lake home on the market - a telling sign of his future with the Cleveland Browns.

The move comes as no surprise.

Quinn's week three halftime benching in Baltimore all but signaled the end of his time with the Cleveland Browns.

I would not be surprised if Eric Mangini and George Kokinis decided to trade Quinn before next weeks' NFL trade deadline.

The Browns currently have three quarterbacks capable of running the offense: starter Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, and journeyman backup Brett Ratliff. Ratliff was one of the key pieces in the draft day deal with the Jets for the rights to Mark Sanchez.

Mangini has seen Ratliff progress in his system, so Mangini would likely feel comfortable leaving the backup duties to him.

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Few teams appear in need of a project quarterback, but one team stands out more than the others: the Washington Redskins.

Jason Campbell is still the team's unquestioned starter, but there is a clear lack of depth behind him.

38-year-old backup Todd Collins would be next in line, but no one knows what to expect from Collins 2-3 years from now. The promising Colt Brennan is currently on injured reserve, and that leaves a big question mark behind Collins as the third quarterback.

With the Redskins wallowing in mediocrity and Jerry Jones' Cowboys making all the headlines, such a high-profile move has Daniel Snyder written all over it.

The move would re-energize the fanbase and send a strong message to Jason Campbell - play well or get benched.

The NFL trading deadline is a week away. There's still a week of football to be played, and much can happen between now and then.

We'll soon find out how the situation resolves itself.

The Cleveland Browns have finally won a football game.

Sure it's been 327 days, 17 hours, 27 minutes, and 46 seconds since their last win, but a few lucky bounces sent the Browns home as winners for the first time in a long time.

And I'm not happy.

Why you ask?

Because the Cleveland Browns' 6-3 defeat of the Buffalo Bills was the worst display of offensive football I have ever seen.

To their credit, there were several factors that worked against the Browns and may have contributed to their horrendous performance today.

Swirling Buffalo winds were severe enough to impact the gameplan.

Cleveland started two rookie wide receivers who have one game of NFL experience between them.

Good teams find a way to win the ugly ones, and at least for today, the Cleveland Browns had the look of a good football team.

Eric Mangini and the Browns should celebrate this one, but not for too long.

A tough task awaits them next week as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.

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Ten from the Gentledawg

10. Buffalo handed the Browns their first win.

Let's get this out of the way now, the Buffalo Bills lost this game and the Cleveland Browns didn't win it. As inept as Cleveland's offense was, it took an equally inept effort by Trent Edwards and company to keep this game in reach. Buffalo couldn't run it. They couldn't throw it. Very few things went well for both teams and neither team deserved a win here. The most telling play of the game came on a muffed Zastudil punt by alleged special teams ace Roscoe Parrish. Blake Costanzo recovered the ball at the Buffalo 16 only to see his team drive a whole 11 yards and settle for the game-winning field goal. Yikes.

9. Brad Seely may not coach in Cleveland for very long.

Special teams and assistant head coach Brad Seely will be among the few candidates considered for a head coaching position in 2010. I can't say enough for what Seely has done with the Cleveland Browns' special teams unit. Although most of the credit goes to the players for executing, Seely has done an outstanding job of putting his players in the best position to succeed. Behind every blocked kick, long return, and covered kick is a scheme, and behind every scheme is Brad Seely. Seely has been around a few outstanding head coaches in his career, and I would not be surprised if he became one himself in the not-too distant future.

 

8. Dave Zastudil continues to impress.

In what is becoming a weekly tradition, Dave Zastudil is quietly establishing himself among the great punters in the AFC.  The Browns were unable to muster much of anything offensively. Zastudil's tremendous individual effort was a big reason the Browns were able to stay in the game and walk away with a win. I never thought a punter could single-handedly will a football team to victory, but that certainly seemed to be the case today.

7. Kamerion Wimbley has arrived.

Fans and media-types alike criticized Wimbley early on in his career, and Wimbley has responded to the challenge. Wimbley tackled Trent Edwards in the second quarter to record his fourth sack of the season. He is currently on pace to finish the year with 16. Despite the increase in production, nothing has changed in Kamerion Wimbley's game. He is still the freakishly strong athlete who overwhelms linemen with his speed and quickness. The difference lies is Rob Ryan's defensive schemes. Ryan's aggresive playcalling and unique blitz combinations have made all the difference in the world for Wimbley.

6. Jamal Lewis is back.

When the passing game struggles, the burden falls on the running game to get the job done. Jamal Lewis carried the football like it was 1999 and finished with 117 yards on 31 carries. The most impressive aspect of Lewis' game was his ability to generate yards after contact. Lewis kept those powerful legs churning and carried Buffalo defenders with him in his most impressive effort in years. The offensive line, tight ends, and fullback continued their excellent stretch of run blocking, and Lewis was able to take advantage.

5. The right side of the offensive line played well.

The right side of the offensive line was one of the bigger issues surrounding the Browns, and it seems that issue has been solved. Both Hank Fraley and Floyd Womack worked at right guard today, and both men combined to produce quite the performance. I was particularly impressed with Hank Fraley. Brian Daboll uses a trap-based running game where guards and tight ends are asked to do quite a bit of pulling. Fraley and the group did a nice job blocking up front, and Jamal Lewis found running room - even against 8-man fronts.

4. Brian Daboll's playcalling showed no faith in Derek Anderson.

Eric Mangini hinted that the Browns' ground-based strategy was based on the Buffalo weather, but I happen to believe otherwise. Daboll dialed up run after run, and only called pass plays in passing situations. Brian Daboll and Eric Mangini speak of maintaining a "schedule" in relation to down and distances. They believe that by gaining 3-4 yards per down is the optimum way to move the football. If Brian Daboll doesn't trust Derek Anderson and the passing game to pick up yardage early on first and second down, this football team will struggle for the rest of the year.

3. Steve Heiden should switch roles with Robert Royal.

Robert Royal dropped three passes today which came in critical situations down the field. For whatever reason, it is clear Royal is not comfortable catching the ball with his hands. In an offense which stresses balance and demands receiving ability from the tight end position, Eric Mangini would be best served to play Steve Heiden as the primary tight end. Royal is an excellent blocker but he has proven himself a liability in the passing game. Steve Heiden has worked with Derek Anderson for five years, and that chemistry could give Cleveland what they've been lacking from that position.

2. Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi are rookies.

For those who wondered why Robiskie and Massaquoi were not involved in the passing game early this season, you received your answer today. While both rookies have shown promise and potential, it was clear that they still need work in their development as professional players. Massaquoi is far from a polished receiver. In addition to several dropped passes, Massaquoi misread coverage on several accounts - one of which resulted in a Derek Anderson interception. It takes years of experience to understand the nuainces of offensive football, and these two clearly have a long way to go.

1. Don't throw on Eric Wright.

I think it's fair to say Eric Wright has established himself as one of the great cornerbacks in the league. Wright is a buding star. Coming out of college, Wright was said to possess first round talent. His stock fell due to concerns about his character, but the talent was always there. Wright has been able to stay out of trouble, and he has turned out to be everything the Browns could have hoped for and more. Wright did a good job blanketing Terrell Owens. His play was a big reason Owens was limited to 44 yards on four receptions. If Wright continues to perform at this level, he'll be high-stepping all the way to the Pro Bowl.

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To the victor goes the spoils...

The Browns won today which means I get to hand out the first game ball of the regular season.



Congratulations, Dave Zastudil . He is without a doubt the player of the game.

So the Browns trade Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets for Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, a 2010 3rd round draft pick, and a 2010 5th round pick.

Who could have seen this coming?

In all seriousness, this was a great move for not only the Browns, but the Jets and Braylon Edwards himself.

We all know about the drops. We've seen the tantrums on the sidelines. The drunken off field incident with LeBron James' associate proved to be the final straw in the Braylon Edwards saga.

Braylon Edwards is a headcase.

Literally.

His first five years with the Browns have been filled with drama, discipline and dropped passes. He has alienated himself from the fans with "the Michigan comments" and never quite recovered after that. He has suffered from lapses in concentration which have lead to dropped passes and lackidasical route running.

More than anything, Braylon is not the kind of player Eric Mangini believes in.

Mangini said he wants to build this team with tough, selfless players to whom football is important. While no one can deny his toughness, the other two qualities don't seem to line up with the athlete we know to be Braylon Edwards.

Selfless? Hardly. Look no further than Edwards' Twitter page to see just how 'selfless' he really is.

On August 19th at 10:58am, Edwards tweeted: "Hey guys check out the story on my efforts off the field: http://bit.ly/3QISUc "

News flash Braylon: selfless players don't promote their good works in the community. They give back out of kindness without expecting to receive attention or accolades.

Going back to what Eric Mangini said about players, does anyone believe football comes first with Edwards?

I sure don't.

While it's entirely possible he enjoys playing the game, he likely sees football as an avenue toward bigger and better things. If he didn't, then why would he chat up former Ravens' free safety Will Demps about modeling during a game ?

Braylon Edwards might not be selfless, but the two players the Browns received from the Jets definitely fit the bill. Chansi Stuckey is a wide receiver drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Nothing came easy for Chansi. He was not guaranteed millions before he took his first snap. He had to fight just to make the roster, and that gives Stuckey a greater appreciation of where he is and the opportunuty at his feet.

Similarly, Jason Trusnik had to work his way from undrafted obscurity to where he is now. By most accounts, Trusnik is an outstanding special teams player who genuinely enjoys the game of football. He has good size as a linebacker, and seems dedicated to his craft.

With the addition of two additional draft picks, you can't help but be pleased at what the Browns gained from the trade.

Braylon Edwards wanted to be a star and he'll get his chance in the biggest city of them all.

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Thank you Braylon for your time in Cleveland.

I don't know what time your flight out of Cleveland leaves, but I hope you catch it.

For as long as I can remember, boxing has always been referred to as ‘the sweet science.’ Growing up as a child in the 1990s, I failed to see anything ‘sweet’ or ‘scientific’ about two fighters getting in the ring and beating each others’ brains in for thirty minutes. I have grown since then and gained a firm appreciation of what the sport has to offer. Boxing is a beautiful sport. It combines strength and technique with strategy and endurance.
 
It truly is a sweet science.

But I wonder, how long will this sweet science remain a national sport? Aside from hearing about the occasional bout, boxing is rarely covered by the mainstream media.

The American sports world has been overrun with trendy ‘pseudo-sports’ such as Mixed Martial Arts and professional wrestling.

These two entertainment industries have not only grown over the last ten years, but remain the two most popular fighting sports in this country. If trends continue over the next 20 years, boxing may be in danger of becoming obsolete.

In order to preserve one of the greatest sports the world has ever seen, radical changes must be made to not only boxers, but the industry itself.

The first and most concerning problem boxing faces is exposure.

Major boxing events are only seen by a slim majority on Pay-Per-View. It's kind of like that old question, "if a tree falls in the forest and no one heard it, did it make a sound?" The greatest fight in the world means nothing if no one saw it.

Boxing will never attract a new audience if the only ones watching the product already support it. Football, basketball, and baseball are easily accessible on network television to anyone interested enough to watch them. If boxing wants to establish itself among the top sports in the world, it needs to make its product easily accessible to the public.

Instead of hosting a Saturday night fight on HBO or PPV, move it to NBC on Friday. Make the fights easily accessible to a wider demographic and a bigger following will ensue.

Still along those lines, boxing needs to develop a consistent time span for fighting show times. In other words, there needs to be some sort of "boxing season" where weekly fights are shown on major networks once or twice every week. Increasing public exposure not only attracts a broader audience and network television ratings, but it would generate interest among new generations who have never experienced the joys the sport has to offer.


Even if boxing developed consistent viewing times, that alone would not be enough to save the sport.

To generate interest among viewers who are otherwise unfamiliar with the sport, boxing must incorporate itself as an international event.

America is a melting pot of cultures from around the world. Gathering the best boxers from different nations in a single federation would only attract a highly unique and diverse following. It would also play to the same nationalism which consistently makes the Olympics one of the most watched sporting events of all time. By adding and emphasizing nationality in fighters, boxing can draw upon feelings of pride and later passion from its audience.

After boxing has developed a proper venue and audience, the sport needs fighters capable of carrying the industry. 

One of my personal aversions to professional boxing stemmed from the overly-detailed and specific weight class restrictions. Every different boxing organizations classify fighters differently.

There are cruiserweights, flyweights, super flyweights, junior featherweights, and bantamweights – to name a few. Each organization has different terminology for their fighters, and that terminology is often confusing and contradictory.

To eliminate this problem, boxing come together and set a universally upheld standard for weight classes.

Each weight class in boxing has its own champion.

Each boxing organization has their own set of weight classes.

Since there are so many different weight classes and champions, a “title fight” means little to nothing. It’s simple economics. Having so many titles reduces the importance of each individual title and subsequently each individual title fight.

Boxing must find a way to standardize and consolidate weight classes. By narrowing weight classes to five or six from the AIBAs standard of 11, boxing would eliminate the problem of title overexposure. A wide range of fighters per class generates more intrigue and diversity within that specific weight class.

It is a shame professional boxing has fallen so far over the years. For boxing to take its place atop the American martial arts scene, it must make radical chances to how it is organized and advertised. If boxing can make such changes, then it one again will be the sweetest science the world has ever seen.

Braylon Edwards has been making a lot of noise lately.

Unfortunately for the Browns, none of it has been on the field.

After last night's altercation outside a downtown Cleveland night club, it seems Edwards' time in Cleveland has just about run out.

(For those who haven't read about the incident, you can do so here .)

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Braylon Edwards' relationship with Eric Mangini began on shaky terms, to say the least.

Edwards often referred to Mangini's predecessor Romeo Crennel as "a fatherly figure" and he seemed visibly upset to see Crennel go. Despite the new regime change, it seemed the two men would be able to peacefully co-exist as superstar and head coach.

That, however, was short lived.

Just months after Eric Mangini took over as head coach, rumors surfaced that the Browns were interested in dealing Braylon Edwards.

Browns GM George Kokinis made it no secret that he had been involved in serious negotiations with the New York Giants involving Braylon Edwards. The talks heated up and were the topic of conversation all summer, but nothing came to fruition.

According to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "[The Giants] nor any other team [offered] a first-rounder for Edwards. The trade offers the Browns received were far more modest than that -- middle-round picks and so-so veterans."

Edwards downplayed the rumors and made it known he was interested in staying in Cleveland.
 
In the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, there was speculation the Browns were interested in drafting Michael Crabtree with the fifth overall draft pick.  That speculation came to end after reports surfaced Mangini was turned-away by Crabtree's diva attitude.

Edwards himself is no stranger to the 'diva' label.

Through his five year career in Cleveland, Edwards has been criticized for his tantrums on the sidelines.

In 2005, Edwards came under fire for an on-field conversation he had with former Ravens' safety Will Demps about the modeling industry.

In 2008, Edwards fired at Cleveland fans, saying his college career at Michigan has resulted in unfair treatment.

Edwards' string of diva-like behavior over the years certainly contrasts the blue-colar, football first approach Mangini demands of his players.

Such behavior may have influenced the Browns' decision-making in the NFL Draft. Cleveland selected wide receivers Brian Robiskie (36th overall) and Mohamed Massaquoi (50th overall) in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Using such high picks on wide receivers may be an indication that the Browns are planning for a future which may not include Braylon Edwards.

After the NFL Draft and through the beginnings of training camp, Edwards missed several days on the "non-football injury" list. At the time, Mangini did his best to downplay the absence of his star receiver.

"I think we'll keep evaluating it and as soon as they do he'll be out there," Mangini said.

"You want everybody to be out there at all times, but it's no different than the situation you deal with during the course of the season. You go in with the best plan and what you consider to be your best group of guys and that is what you're going to move forward to."

  Once Edwards arrived in camp, he drew Mangini's ire for what was referred to as internal business. Around the same time, Edwards reportedly suffered an injury later attributed to a pick-up basketball game. The injury separated Edwards from all official team activity, as he was alienated all through the early parts of training camp open to the media.

Edwards later rejoined the team and participated in all team activities throughout the offseason.

The most recent, and perhaps final incident concerning Braylon Edwards occurred yesterday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Edwards took offense to the way Jerome Harrison was treated by Cincinnati player. He was involved in a fight which resulted in offsetting personal foul penalties - something Mangini has stressed since his arrival in Cleveland.

Edwards finished the game with zero receptions for the first time in his professional career.

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  With the trade deadline only weeks away, I fully expect the Browns to entertain offers for their star receiver. Braylon never seemed to fit in with the qualities Eric Mangini believes in, and this latest distraction may be the final straw.

A supreme talent like Braylon Edwards will certainly draw the attention of teams around the league.

The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys would be great fits for Edwards.

The NFL trade deadline is October 16th.

Progress.

If there were one thing to take from this game, it's the progression of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns gave it everything they had for five quarters of football, but it wasn’t enough. A late Shayne Graham field goal in overtime proved to be the difference, as the Bengals outlasted the Browns – 23-20.

Although they lost a close game in overtime, Cleveland has to feel good about the way they performed today. Coming off back-to-back blowout losses on the road, this team showed tremendous heart and played with passion from start to finish.
There was no quit in this football team.

In his first game since being named the starter, Derek Anderson came in and played very well against an aggressive Bengals defense.

Anderson made several plays and rejuvenated an offense which seemed dead in the hands of Brady Quinn. There were a few questionable decisions and off-throws, but Anderson managed the game and gave the Browns a good chance to walk away with a win.

Josh Cribbs continued to prove why he’s the most explosive return man in the NFL. With every punt or defensive return, I felt the Browns had a chance to score before the offense stepped on the field.

Jerome Harrison and Mohammed Massaquoi filled in admirably for their counterparts, and the defense looked as good as it has all season.

0-4 never felt so good.

If there were a such thing as a moral victory, today would be one. There are several mistakes which need to be corrected, but anyone you get the sense the Cleveland Browns are headed in the right direction. The pieces are in place.

Cleveland seemed like a different team today. If they give this kind of effort every Sunday, Mangini will turn this thing around in a hurry.

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Ten from the Gentledawg

10. Mike Furrey is a playmaker…

…And not just as a slot wide receiver. With Mike Adams moving to corner, the Browns became thin at safety and Furrey was there to fill the void. Although not targeted exclusively, Furrey broke up a key pass late in the game which helped force a punt to keep the game close. Mangini demands flexibility from all of his players. Having a player able to play offense and defense creates depth and versatility – two areas that have killed the Browns since their return to the league.

9. Defensively, the Cleveland Browns played their first complete game of the season.

Rob Ryan’s defense stepped up big-time against a very potent offense. Carson Palmer did not record a single passing yard in the second and third quarters. That is outstanding. The Browns were fundamentally sound throughout the course of the game. Tackling for the most part was outstanding. Containment in the running game was much better than we’ve seen in the first few weeks. Ryan’s schemes, particularly the stunt blitzes, created pressure on Palmer. If the defense plays like this every week, they’ll be successful.

8. Braylon Edwards was completely shut down.

I’m not sure whether it was Jonnathan Joseph or the particular gameplan created by Mike Zimmer, but the Cincinnati Bengals completely shut down Braylon Edwards. The only time Edwards’ number was called came during the 15-yard personal foul where he was flagged for retaliating against a Cincinnati defender. Based on his actions and body language, I’m beginning to believe Edwards isn’t coming back next season. You can see it in his press conferences. Edwards is simply going through the motions, and this just may be his last season as a Cleveland Brown.

7.  Josh Cribbs is the most valuable player on this roster.

Any time he touches the ball, Josh Cribbs gives the Cleveland Browns a chance to score. Cribbs’ vision, strength, and agility  allowed the Browns were able to keep up with Cincinnati – even when the offense stalled out. The Browns seemed to have figured out the best way to maximize Cribbs’ talent. Daboll minimized Cribbs’ contributions on offense. This allowed Josh to play exclusively on special teams where he is more dangerous.

6. Mohamed Massaquoi looked very good stepping into the secondary receiver position.

The Bengals did everything to make sure Braylon Edwards would not beat them. Someone had to step up in Edwards’ absence, and Massaquoi was the guy. Mohamed played well beyond his years today. He made a few great receptions – including hauling in the 30-year bomb that sparked the offense. On the flip side, what happened to Brian Robiskie? Although listed as active for the game, Robiskie did not contribute in the game.

5. Eric Mangini’s lineup changes were for the better.

 
Mangini made several changes to his defense prior to the start of today’s game. Mike Adams and Derek Anderson moved into starting roles while Brandon McDonald and Corey Williams rotated in sub packages. Mangini needed to spark this once lifeless team early in the season, and those lineup changes did just that.

4. Mike Adams had an outstanding game.

Whether it was at cornerback or on special teams, Mike Adams played well all day. The Bengals made Adams the focal point of their offensive attack early. As the game went on, Mike Adams settled in and his play was a big reason Palmer and the Bengals struggled to move the ball. Adams’ skills as a former safety showed up in run support, and if he keeps this up he’ll start again next week.

3. The “Big Dawg” made a few big plays.

If Rogers doesn’t block that kick in the fourth quarter, this game is over. Rogers also blocked a field goal early in the first quarter. Shaun Rogers single-handedly changed the complexion of this game. Romeo Crennel called Shaun Rogers the most dominant defensive lineman he’s ever coached, and today’s game was a good example of why.

2. Jerome Harrison has emerged as a feature back.

He ran hard all day. He showed good hands out of the backfield. Although he lost a fumble, Jerome Harrison showed great balance and surprising power on all 29 of his carries.  With the way Harrison has carried the ball these past few weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised if he remained the feature back – even when Jamal Lewis returns.

1.Derek Anderson played very well as the Browns starting quarterback.

Derek Anderson looked like a legitimate NFL quarterback. Anderson did a great job orchestrating this offense and moving the football team. Like many players on this team, it wasn’t all perfect. DA made some questionable decisions, but he didn’t force any throws and that kept the Browns in it. The Browns have a solid foundation to build upon for next week, and that starts with Derek Anderson.

Ravens, by their very nature, are scavengers.

They are tough birds known for adapting to their environment and taking whatever is given to them. A common raven can feast on anything from maggots, to beetles, to garbage, or even small amphibians. Years of evolution have conditioned ravens to survive even in the harshest of environments.

Yes the raven is quite the specimen indeed.

Not to be outdone by their feathered counterparts, the Baltimore Ravens possess all of the characteristics that make them the most feared birds in the league.

Their stingy defense has devoured whatever opposition presented in front of them. Joe Flacco has spread his wings and dominated through the air – tailing only the Saints in offensive superiority. The Ravens migrate to New England this week in what figures to be a clash between AFC super powers.

On the flip side we have the Washington Redskins.

Shame on you, Washington.

Shame on you for losing to the Detroit Lions. I’ve speculated that the team to end Detroit’s streak will face serious heat from their fanbase, and the Washington faithful have proven that to be true.

Losing to the Lions on the road is downright pitiful. I can't tell whether the Lions are that good or the Redskins are that bad. There’s no way the first can be true, so I have come to the conclusion that Washington might just be…a bad football team.

I suppose Detroit deserves some credit too. Larry Foote and company really took it to the Washington offense.

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1. (1) You know it’s going well when Drew Brees throws for a pedestrian 164 yards and the Saints cruise to a 20-point victory. On a side note, how good is that New Orleans’ offensive line? With some help from the underrated Pierre Thomas, they dominated the Buffalo defense to the tune of 5.8 yards per carry. This team is really something.


2. (3)   Holding an opponent scoreless in the National Football League is hard to do, but that’s exactly what the New York Giants did to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To give you an idea of how lopsided the game was, Amad Bradshaw – New York’s backup running back, single-handedly out gained the entire Tampa Bay offense in yards: 104 to 86. Big Blue begins their first of two bye weeks as they face Kansas City and Oakland in the upcoming weeks.
3. (6)   Now I know what you’re thinking – it was against the Browns. You’re absolutely right, but that doesn’t change the fact that Joe Flacco has been playing some very good football as of late. Flacco showed great touch and accuracy all day, and he looked like a quarterback ready to take the next step to greatness. Ray Lewis seems to have found the fountain of youth, as he is playing some of the best football of his career. The sky, of course, is the limit.

4. (4) Peyton Manning is the league MVP in the truest sense of the world. I couldn’t imagine this team going anywhere without him. It was nice to see that defense step up and actually stop someone. Holding the Cardinals to 10 points in Glendale is no easy task. Indianapolis is known for stellar play along the defensive line, but how about that secondary? Marlon Jackson and Antoine Bethea don’t get enough credit for the job they do back there.

5. (2) When it’s all said and done, the Steelers will be there in January. A few bad breaks have the Champs stumbling out of the gate, but as we’ve seen before, that should make them all the more dangerous. With their next three games coming against San Diego, Detroit, and Cleveland, Pittsburgh should find their way back toward the top of the AFC North.

6. (5)  So they can run the ball after all! New England doesn’t have that same glow of invincibility around them, but the Patriots are still one of the toughest teams in football. Bill Belichick is still the master of game planning. His Patriots successfully shut down Roddy White to the tune of 4 receptions for 24 yards. Matt Ryan was harassed with exotic coverages and Michael Turner found little room to run all day. I like their chances against Baltimore.

7. (8) Although the Jets had the better record and the home field advantage, I consider their week 3 win against the Tennessee Titans to be an upset. I thought Jeff Fisher has been coaching long enough to be able to take a rookie quarterback out of his game. Guess not. I hear they’re calling him “Mark Sanchize” out there in New York. I wonder how long it will take before these same New Yorkers start calling for his job?

8. (7) There’s no shame in losing to a future Hall of Fame quarterback and head coach. Despite the final score, the Falcons were able to keep the game close until New England pulled away late. While I won’t say the secondary was exposed, they struggled to keep Randy Moss in check all day. The Falcons are off this week, and that should give Mike Smith and crew some time to look over the mistakes they’ve made.

9. (11) Although they decisively handled the struggling Rams, I walked away from that game more concerned about the long-term success of the Green Bay Packers. It seems Green Bay’s biggest problem defensively is stopping the run. Steven Jackson ran wild to the tune of 117 yards. Opponents average a whopping 128.7 yards per game against the Pack – good for 23rd most allowed to running backs in the league. Their week 4 opponent: Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.

10. (9) If there were such a thing as an unimpressive win, the Chargers certainly earned on at home against the Miami Dolphins. In their first game without former Pro Bowler Nick Hardwick, Darren Sproles scampered for 41 yards on 18 carries. There wasn’t much to stop with Miami, but San Diego contained the Dolphins’ rushing attack and did enough to walk away victorious. As Dr. Seuss reminds us, “a win is a win, no matter how small.”

11. (10) Brett Favre doesn’t have any gas left in the tank. He still runs on coal. After that dramatic win against the 49ers, it’s safe to say that Brett Favre has plenty of coal left in the tank. Heading into this one, I thought the 49ers would give us a good indication of how strong this team is, and they did. The Vikings are a good football team. I’m not sure whether Brett Favre is capable of winning football games outright. In the end, that will separate Minnesota from the elites.
12. (12) Just when I thought I had this team figured out, they go and do this to the Seattle Seahawks. With all due respect to Seneca Wallace, a backup quarterback should not put up nearly 300 yards through the air against a presumably dominant defense. Jay Cutler completed 77% of his passes, yet he still found a way to turn the ball over twice. You know, I’m starting to think that Cutler actually likes turnovers. He better kick the habit fast, because the ever dangerous Detroit Lions are coming to town…

13. (14) If you don’t believe the Philadelphia Eagles have the most astute front office in the league, look no further than their newest star: Brent Celek. Never mind they drafted him with the 162nd selection of the NFL Draft. The amazing thing here is they had enough confidence in Celek to let L.J. Smith leave via free agency. Kevin Kolb bounced back nicely from a rough start and has the Eagles looking like one of the better teams in football.

14. (17) Don’t look now, but the Cincinnati Bengals are back. This team looks balanced on offense and sharp on defense. I am certainly willing to buy what they are selling if not for one thing: they’re the Bengals. This weeks’ game against the Browns in Cleveland is a classic trap game. They seem to know how to run the football. They seem to know how to play aggressive defense. Do they know how to win consistently? Only time will tell.

15. (13) They let the Carolina Panthers hang around, and that is a dangerous thing to do in today’s NFL. Despite this, Tony Romo and the Cowboys did enough to properly christen Jerry World with it’s first win. The Cowboys really need to stop this little charade they’re playing with Wade Phillips as their head coach. This is Jason Garrett’s team and everybody knows it. I was impressed by how Garrett utilized personnel and handled Romo on the sidelines. One day he’ll make a great head coach…excuse me – he already IS a great head coach.

16. (16) It took a miraculous fourth quarter throw by the greatest quarterback of all-time to hand the 49ers their first loss. If they keep playing like this every week, they are bound to raise their fair share of eyebrows. It was tough sledding for Glen Coffee and company against The Great Wall of Williams, but hats off to the 49ers for trying. On a side note, Patrick Willis might be the best middle linebacker in the NFC.

17. People give Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez all the credit, but the Orton/McDaniels tandem in Denver has been equally impressive. Elvis Dummervil is looking like a special player in this league and he has to be considered the favorite for defensive player of the year. I don’t know if any player is doing much for their defense as he is. I want to see Kyle Orton make a big-time throw against a professional football team. Only then will I like their chances against the big boys of the AFC.

18. (18) I don’t believe a team has to run the football to be successful, but these Arizona Cardinals are the exception. It seems this team is most successful with they are willing to pound the ball on the ground 18-20 times per game. Kurt Warner is a good quarterback. The Cardinals need to minimize his attempts and play the version of Steeleresque football that Ken Whisenhunt made popular in 2008.

19. (15) I’ve been saying this for some time, but this team won’t go very far with Kerry Collins at quarterback. Although many of their loses have been close, they’re still loses and I put at least two of them on Collins. The receivers in Tennessee deserve some blame as well. Defensively, the Titans look good as ever. They’re going to need to be, they’ll have to win low-scoring affairs if they want to get back to .500.

20. (20) Just as I was about to break out the Chrisim and anoint Trent Edwards’ arrival to the NFL, they go out and flop against the Saints. For the life of me, I don’t understand how Terrell Owens goes the entire game without recording a reception. Even if it’s just on a quick slant or a screen, the Bills need to make a conscious effort to get this guy the football. Teams seem to be running around Marcus Stroud. That means those outside linebackers aren’t doing enough in run support.

21. (22) They lost to the Bears on a late Hester score, but they played well considering the injuries that have plagued this team. If anything, this team seems to be overachieving. It didn’t take Aaron Curry long to adjust to the speed of the NFL. He leads one of the most underrated pass rushes in the league. If they can rush the passer like that every week, this team may upset someone.

22. (29) The Jaguars finally show signs of life. Good for them. I had a hard time believing this team would stay at the bottom of  league for a long time. Their matchup against the Titans this Sunday is going to be very interesting. I don’t think there are two teams more evenly matched in the league. It should be a great game. This is unrelated, but thank you, Maurice Jones-Drew. You have single-handedly wrecked my fantasy football season.

23. (24) Add another team into the log-jam that is the AFC South. I thought this division would be competitive, but it seems no one cares to win consistently. Has this defense regressed? Heading into the regular season, I thought this would be the year Houston puts it all together on that side of the ball. Guess not. To this point, the Texans are still ranked dead last against the run. If the red flags aren’t out, they should be.
24. (26)  The Panthers did well for themselves as they kept up with a tough Dallas team on the road, but it wasn’t enough. Jake Delhomme is a turnover machine. Giving the ball away three times like he did in Dallas will never take the Panthers where they need to be. That defense wasn’t nearly as aggressive as they should have been. Without pressure, even mediocre passers will find a way to get the job done.
25. (21) The Miami Dolphins are in some deep water now Chad Pennington is out for the year. A sub-par passing attack somehow downgraded, as they’ll give Chad Henne a shot. With the success rookie quarterbacks have seemed to enjoy over the past few years, this isn’t necessarily a lost cause. Miami hosts division rivals in consecutive weeks, so they may finally get that elusive first win of the season.
26. (23) They’re playing down to their competition and that can not continue. God help Jim Zorn if the Redskins lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I don’t get it. This was a team that on paper, appeared to get better in the offseason. There is certainly a lot of blame to go around, but I somehow doubt the majority falls on Jason Campbell. Sherman Smith, Steve Jackson, I’m pointing at you guys.
27. (30) Poor Rams. Their problems start and end in the trenches. Alex Barron looks great one week and terrible the next. Steve Spagnuolo has brought the West Coast offense to Saint Louis, but it has been largely ineffective through the first three weeks of the season. A West Coast system requires big, physical receivers on the outside with good hands and excellent body control. Laurent Robinson is one, but who is the other?
28. (28) Rome wasn’t built in one day and Kansas City won’t be either. The first element of building a successful 3-4 defense is stopping the run. Once you can do that, everything else will follow. The Chiefs haven’t gotten to that point yet, but once they do, things will slowly turn around. Matt Cassel is this franchise. There’s nothing wrong with that team, so I expect a breakout performance within the next few weeks.
29. (32) Congratulations, Detroit on finally winning a football game! Jim Schwartz still has a long way to go before restoring pride in this team, but winning certainly puts him on the right track. The next stop for these Lions? .500. If they can find a way to contain Jay Cutler in Chicago, they certainly have a chance. Cutler will do everything in his power to turn the ball over. The only question is whether these Lions are brave enough to win the football game.
30. (27) We’re really scrapping the bottom of the barrel with these last few teams. How long do they stick with JaMarcus Russell? He has shown flashes, but he is way too inconsistent at this stage in his development. This week’s loss to the Denver Broncos was ugly. They couldn’t pass or defend the pass. They couldn’t run or defend the run. In the spirit of competition, the Raiders should switch places with the Trojans of Southern California. The talent seems like a better fit.
31. (25) Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this the same team that finished 9-7 the year before? The biggest mistake the Bucs made was switching defensive philosophies. They call it the Tampa 2 for a reason. Losing Derrick Brooks can’t affect this team that much, can it? With the quarterback position being what it is, I don’t know when they win a game this year.
32. (31) Eric Mangini needs to win a football game. This entire football team is in disarray. They have a good chance of upsetting the Cincinnati Bengals this week at home – especially now they’ve made the switch to Derek Anderson. There’s still plenty of football to be played, but it’s difficult to realistically project this team miraculously turning their season around.

Have you ever known two different people who you thought would be perfect for each other? The two parties involved made so much sense that you wonder why they didn't come together in the first place.

Such is the case with the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins.

A trade where the Browns send Quinn to the Dolphins would be a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

On one side, the Cleveland Browns are smack in the middle of another quarterback controversy.

Currently, the Browns have two young quarterbacks on the roster - neither of which they can fully support while the other remains with the team. Browns head coach Eric Mangini benched Quinn in Sunday's blowout loss to the Ravens - effectively shattering any trust either can have for the other.

For all intents and purposes, Brady Quinn's time in Cleveland is over.

Furthermore, the Browns still have former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson on the roster - who proved he could effectively orchestrate Brian Daboll's offense in limited action.

In Miami, the Dolphins received word today that Chad Pennington's 2009 season will likely come to an end .

Pennington's absence leaves Chad Henne to run the offense. Henne did little to impress last weekend against the Chargers - completing 10 of 19 passes for 92 yards. He threw one interception which was returned for a touchdown.

Coming off multiple shoulder surgeries, the 33-year-old Pennington cannot be relied upon to be the long-term answer in Miami.

Enter Brady Quinn.

Quinn's conservative approach to offensive football fits perfectly with what the Dolphins like to do. In their current run-heavy, wildcat-based offense, the Miami Dolphins do not need a quarterback to throw for 300 yards on Sunday. They need a quarterback to manage the offense, avoid turnovers, hand the ball off to Ronnie or Ricky, and convert short distances on 3rd down.

Quinn would be perfect for that.

The Dolphins are loaded with talent at every position.

In addition to boasting the league's most potent rushing attack, the Dolphins have a solid offensive line, a capable defense, and talented wide receivers in Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Camarillo .

They also have tight end Anthony Fasano - who should be more than a little familiar with Brady Quinn.

 With Quinn at the helm, Fasano finished his college career with 92 receptions for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. He was the second most prolific receiving tight end in the school's history.

A potential trade of Brady Quinn to Miami would bring about the thrilling conclusion to a memorable 2007 Draft Day.

In 2007, the Cleveland Browns passed on Quinn with the 3rd overall pick of NFL Draft. Brady Quinn was rumored to fall no further than No. 9 - where the Miami Dolphins were projected to draft the Notre Dame standout. In a surprise move, the Dolphins passed on Quinn in favor of Cleveland native, Ted Ginn Jr.

The Browns would eventually strike a deal with Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys - acquiring the 22nd overall draft pick and the rights to draft Brady Quinn.

One more trade with Parcells would be the best case scenario for all parties involved.

If that happened, it really would be a match made in heaven.

Throughout the offseason, Eric Mangini could not decide on a quarterback.
 
Three weeks into the regular season, nothing has changed.

Joe Flacco proved unflappable, the Ravens' defense dominated, and Baltimore embarrassed the Browns: 34-3.

Defensively, the Browns were dominated physically from the word go.

Baltimore's offensive line had no problem picking up Rob Ryan's blitzes. Willis McGahee and Ray Rice found running room early and often, and that allowed Joe Flacco to carve up a Browns secondary which spent most of the day on their heels. Cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright played well for the most part, but Flacco was afforded too much time against the Browns' zone coverages.

Offensively, anything that could have gone wrong - went wrong.

Brady Quinn started the game by doing exactly what we've seen him do for the past two weeks. Heading into today's game, Baltimore knew Quinn would play conservatively. Dominique Foxworth would eventually take advantage of this - intercepting Quinn's checkdown pass to Edwards. Under Quinn, the offense struggled to move the football and they finished the half without scoring any points.

Eric Mangini had seen enough and pulled his starting quarterback in favor of Derek Anderson.

He didn't fare much better.

Coming off the bench cold and trailing the Ravens by 20, Derek Anderson struggled. Anderson looked inaccurate and uncomfortable to begin the second half. He forced a few ill-advised passes into coverage - three of which resulted in interceptions.

Regardless of who lined up behind center, the Cleveland Browns seemed overwhelmed on the road against a dominant Ravens' offense.

Eric Mangini must find a way to rally this team together, because this has a look of an organization in disarray.

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Ten From the Gentledawg

10. Dave Zastudil had a great game.

If there is anything we can take from this game, it is the continued outstanding play of the Cleveland Browns special teams. Cleveland's offensive futility meant a busy day for punter Dave Zastudil, and he answered the call. Zastudil and the Browns kick coverage unit averaged 51.0 yards per punt - an outstanding average considering the Browns punted 5 times today. Cleveland will have to rely on field position all season, and thankfully they have one of the most consistent punters in the game.

9. Eric Mangini is in danger of losing this team.

Earlier today, an ESPN report surfaced that several Browns players have filed grievances against Mangini for steep fines he's levied for non-football offenses. At least two of these grievances stem from an incident which occurred when Mangini fined a player $1,701 for allegedly stealing a water bottle. With the Browns' poor performance on the field and Mangini's heavy-handed coaching style, I wouldn't be surprised if that grumbling in the locker room becomes a little bit louder. Without results the show for it, Mangini's hard-nosed, authoritative personality simply does not work.

8. The Browns have major issues on defense.

Through the first two weeks of the regular season, I gave the Browns the benefit of the doubt in assessing them as a defense. After witnessing Joe Flacco and the Ravens have their way with the team, it is clear the Browns have major issues on that side of the ball. The most surprising part of this afternoon's loss was the play of the interior linebackers. Eric Barton struggled in coverage and D'Qwell Jackson did not have a good game. Baltimore spread the Browns out with three wide receiver sets, and Cleveland was unable to stop them.

7. Under Derek Anderson, the Browns showed signs of life.

Say what you will about the interceptions, but Derek Anderson was able to move the football down the field. At one point, Anderson took the Browns from the Cleveland 22 all the way to the Baltimore 6. Derek Anderson worked all three wide receivers into the game, and forced the aggressive Ravens to defend the entire field. He wasn't perfect, but Anderson took shots down the field and sustained a long drive which resulted in the lone Browns points of the day.

6. Jerome Harrison is an upgrade over Jamal Lewis.

Heading into the game, I thought the Jamal Lewis injury was a blessing in disguise for the Browns. Harrison has the quickness and vision you'd like to see from a feature back, and he was able to compensate for the lack of a consistent passing game. Harrison never saw playing time due to his inconsistency in pass protection, but there were no signs of that today. Although the score took the Browns out of running situations, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should be pleased in what he's seen today from Harrison.

5. The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most complete teams in the NFL.

The Browns were not competitive today, and the Ravens were a big part of that. The gap in talent between these two teams was too much, and that showed up in the final score. Baltimore will be one of the most difficult places to play in the NFL this year.  The Browns performed poorly today, and it should stand for something that they played one of the best teams in the NFL on the road. The Ravens are a division opponent, so they'll eventually need to find a way to beat this team.

4. Billy Cundiff filled in admirably for Phil Dawson.

While he did not attempt any difficult field goals, Cundiff did exactly what you'd expect of a backup kicker. The 29-year-old Cundiff drilled the second-half kickoff deep into the end zone not once, but twice - demonstrating the strong leg you'd like to see from a kicker. Dawson should be ready to go next week, but it's certainly good to know the Browns have a seemingly capable kicker to handle the duties should something happen to Phil Dawson.

3. The Browns were beaten physically and mentally.

You could see it in their body language. The Browns had the look of a defeated football team, and some players may have already given up on the year. Shaun Rogers drew a personal foul after mixing it up with a Baltimore offensive guard. His reaction to the penalty was one of indifference than disgust. There were lots of hands on hips today. There was no passion. I have never seen a more worn out football team than this one at the end of a game.

2. The winless Browns might be the worst team in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions pulled off a remarkable victory against a talented Washington team at home. The Raiders have pushed the Chargers to the limit, and the Rams can actually score points on offense. Who is worse than the Browns? The defense has struggled, the offense is inept, and the leaders on this team are far too inconsistent for sustained success. The Cleveland Browns may be the worst team in the NFL.

1. One of these quarterbacks needs to go...and fast.

Benching Brady Quinn halfway through the game forces Eric Mangini to make an important decision. With all of the turmoil surrounding the team, a quarterback controversy will not help unify the lockerroom and maintain offensive continuity. The reality of the situation is this - both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn are imperfect quarterbacks. Mangini must decide which passer he prefers, and then trade or release the other. Both quarterbacks seem to be playing scared in fear of their jobs. The only way to correct that is to demonstrate confidence in whichever passer he selects.