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LeBron James needs to own his comments - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Just own it. This whole backtrack doesn't help him and just furthers the impression that he's a two-faced weasel." - Sorry, but you're wrong

lebron-james-hurt.JPGView full sizeLeBron James grimaces after hurting his ankle Wednesday night against the Clippers.

In response to the story LeBron James backs away from his 'karma' tweet: 'No hit toward' the Cavs, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong is tired of LeBron backtracking. This reader writes,

"Just own it. This whole backtrack doesn't help him and just furthers the impression that he's a two-faced weasel."

To respond to Sorry, but you're wrong's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Live on DSN: Talking Browns' hiring of Pat Shurmur

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Talk about the hiring of Pat Shurmur on DSN. Sam Rutigliano joins In The Trenches live at 3:30 p.m.

dsn_sports_talk_wide.jpg

It's official: the Browns have named Pat Shurmur as head coach and will introduce him at a press conference in Berea tomorrow at 11 a.m.

What do you think of the choice? How will Shurmur do? Did Mike Holmgren deliver on his promise of a "far and extensive" search to find "the right guy?"

Talk about it all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

It's Day 4 with DSN's new lineup - which now includes Joe Lull joining Harry Petsanis for In the Trenches from 2-5 p.m.  Their first guest will be former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano live at 3:30 p.m.

Here's today's lineup on Digital Sports Network:

Morning Sports Page: Daryl Ruiter, 7-9 a.m.

Locked and Loaded: Greg Kozarik and Brian Fowler, 9 a.m.-noon
CSU head coach Gary Waters guests at 9:45 a.m.

Have a Bud with Les: Les Levine and Bud Shaw, Noon-2 p.m.: Former Plain Dealer sports writer Burt Graeff joins the guys.

In the Trenches, 2-5 p.m.: Joe Lull (he's back!) and Harry Petsanis. Today's guest is former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano at 3:30 p.m.

Moohead Radio, 5-6 p.m.

Back in the Saddle with Bob Karlovec and Ken Silverstein, 6-8 p.m.

News, Notes & Rumors: Will Smith, 8-10 p.m.

Outside the Box: Gary the Numbers Guy, 10-11 p.m.

  










Indians rebuild not inspiring faith - Comment of the Day

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"I don't mind supporting a rebuilding project if I think that the leadership is in place to get the right young players to rebuild and that the ownership will put the money on the table to sustain a successful rebuild once it has happened. But the fact is the Indians haven't done well in either regard." - rhbole

antonetticc.jpgView full sizeChris Antonetti.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians invite 10 prospects to spring training, cleveland.com reader rhbole doesn't have faith in the team's rebuild. This reader writes,

"I don't mind supporting a rebuilding project if I think that the leadership is in place to get the right young players to rebuild and that the ownership will put the money on the table to sustain a successful rebuild once it has happened. But the fact is the Indians haven't done well in either regard."

To respond to rhbole's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

LeBron James is now the villain

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LeBron James is the villain

jamesheat.jpgLeBron James

Scoop Jackson of ESPN.com discovered what many of us in Cleveland have already accepted --- that LeBron James is a villain.

LeBron is also a number of other things, but since this blog is read by many children we'll keep it clean.

So Jackson writes how this villain role LeBron has accepted is the real LeBron James. That LeBron in Cleveland was the phony LeBron.

It isn't an act. I can see that now. It isn't him just reacting to the cards he dealt in this life of solitaire he's created. Nah. This dude is Gloria's true child, the one who publicly submitted to the "force" recently by saying, "I've grown accustomed to it. I enjoy it. … I've kind of accepted this villain role everyone has placed on me. I'm OK with it. I accept it. … It's just when I go into an opposing building, there's nothing but venom being thrown at us. So you embrace that atmosphere that we always go into on the road. I definitely do." This is what a "global iconoclast" looks like. He just walked through Heaven first to get to Hell, while most everyone else does it the other way around.

There are many examples of LeBron in this new position, but Jackson said the most surprising thing is that the villain role looks good on LeBron.

His behavior (maybe attitude, too), inclement like the East Coast's weather right now. His mood, surly (but never unpleasant). He's too smart to play it any different. LeBron knows that in order to become the villain he apparently was born to be, he has to mentally, physically and metaphysically enjoy moments like he's experienced the last six months of his life.

More importantly, he has to show us that he has more fun being who he is now than we are having watching him become that person we hate to love.

 

  

Browns' new head coach Pat Shurmur won't get the benefit of the doubt in public opinion -- Bud Shaw Blog

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Browns' new coach is on the clock more quickly than previous coaches, for a variety of reasons.

shurmur.patbbb-ramspractice.jpgPat Shurmur likely won't get much patience from Browns fans.

BEREA, Ohio -- Pat Shurmur can't expect much patience.


With the front office that hired him maybe, just not with a tired, disgusted Browns' fan base.


Chris Palmer had a honeymoon as an expansion coach.


Butch Davis had one as the new conductor of Palmer's "runaway train."


Romeo Crennel had one as the team therapist picking up the pieces after Davis left a splintered, paranoid team behind him.


Eric Mangini had one as the Dean Wormer figure declaring war on Crennel's "Animal House" screwups.


Not Shurmur. 


He's on the clock more quickly than the rest because of several factors.


The Browns aren't in disarray as they were in previous regime changes for one.


Even Mangini critics must admit he put important building blocks in place. The second consecutive 5-11 record didn't show it, but anyone trying to be the least bit fair would agree the Browns made improvements against a difficult schedule.


So Shurmur will have to show that the change was absolutely necessary and that can't be done with another 5-11 or 6-10 season.


The coaching search itself is another reason why Shurmur better hit the floor running. Holmgren's search amounted to three interviews.


Out of his promised "wide" net cast into the waters, this is the fish Holmgren determined was a keeper?


Holmgren couldn't do anything about Jon Gruden wanting to stay in the broadcast booth for another year. Or Jim Harbaugh not wanting to interview. But John Fox, who took Carolina to a Super Bowl, was out there.


I think everyone thought that if Holmgren wasn't going to coach the team himself, his "Big Show" reputation would attract a big-name coaching  hire. If the hire could've been Fox but was instead Shurmur, the pressure is immediate to show why.


Holmgren fired Mangini because he wasn't sold that the Mangini Way would turn the Browns into an annual contender for the Super Bowl.


So now he's saying Shurmur can.


To combat the feeling of "here we go again," Shurmur might want to do it sooner than later.


 

All-time Cleveland Browns coaches and records

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Browns coaching history: A rundown of Browns coaches, beginning with Paul Brown in 1946. Marty Schottenheimer (1984-88) is the last Browns coach to leave with a winning record.

marty-schottenheimer-browns-coach.jpgMarty Schottenheimer, coach from 1984-88, is the last Browns coach to leave with a winning record.
Cleveland, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns on Thursday named Pat Shurmur the 16th head coach in the club's history (including three coaches who served on an interim basis.)

Listed below are the records of each Browns coach, beginning with Paul Brown in 1946.

Some Browns coaching facts:

  • Marty Schottenheimer (1984-88) is the last Browns coach to have a winning record.
  • The first three coaches in club history - Paul Brown, Blanton Collier and Nick Skorich - had winning records. Schottenheimer is the only other coach to have a winning record.
  • The only coaches the Browns have hired with previous NFL head coaching experience were Skorich and Eric Mangini.
Also on cleveland.com: Read the game stories from every game in Browns history.



  Name Seasons Record Pct.

ERIC-MANGINI.jpg Eric Mangini 2009-10 10-22 31%

ROMEO-CRENNEL.jpg Romeo Crennel 2005-08 24-40 38%

TERRY-ROBISKIE.jpg Terry Robiskie 2004* 1-4 20%

BUTCH-DAVIS.jpg Butch Davis 2001-04 24-35 41%

CHRIS-PALMER.jpg Chris Palmer 1999-2000 5-27 16%

BILL-BELICHICK.jpg Bill Belichick 1991-95 36-44 45%

  Jim Shofner 1990* 1-6 14%

BUD-CARSON.jpg Bud Carson 1989-90 11-13-1 46%

MARTY-SCHOTTENHEIMER.jpg Marty Schottenheimer 1984-88 44-27 62%

SAM-RUTIGLIANO.jpg Sam Rutigliano 1978-84 47-50 49%

DICK-MODZELEWSKI.jpg Dick Modzelewski 1977* 0-1 0%

FORREST-GREGG.jpg Forrest Gregg 1975-77 18-23 44%

NICK-SKORICH.jpg Nick Skorich 1971-74 30-24-2 56%

BLANTON-COLLIER.jpg Blanton Collier 1963-70 76-34-2 69%

PAUL-BROWN.jpg Paul Brown (NFL) 1950-62 111-44-5 72%

PAUL-BROWN.jpg Paul Brown (AAFC) 1946-49 47-4-3 92%

* Interim coach

Wondering if Pat Shurmur is all that different than Eric Mangini - Bill Livingston blog

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Pat Shurmur helped develop Sam Bradford as a starting NFL quarterback, much as he will be expected to do with Colt McCoy now. But he turned into Eric Mangini in the Rams' biggest game with a playoff spot on the line.

shurmur.pat-ramspractice-ap.jpgPat Shurmur helped lead the Rams to the brink of the playoffs, but couldn't get over the hump.

BEREA, Ohio -- The "In (Insert Name Here) we trust" plan did not really work when Carmen Policy, Butch Davis, Phil Savage and Eric Mangini were calling the shots for the Browns.

Mike Holmgren inspires more faith.

(Psst. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! )

Unfortunately, that man is Jake Delhomme, who was the first proposed quarterback savior under Holmgren. The scourge of exhibition season, Delhomme turned out to be driftwood that washed up on the Lake Erie shoreline.

(And pay no attention to the second quarterback savior, either.)

Heavens knows, Mangini, the predecessor of new Browns coach Pat Shurmur, seldom bothered with Seneca Wallace, who was Holmgren’s Plan B to Delhomme’s A.

Ah, but it is the third possible quarterback savior Colt McCoy who gets the juices flowing in the fan base.

I like McCoy too, and so do the Browns’ veterans. With proper nurturing, McCoy, the No. 85 pick in the draft overall, a third rounder, might be the steal of last year’s draft, able to expunge memories of Delhomme with a flick of his wrist.

Presumably, Shurmur got the job because his playbook does not feature the woolly mammoth offense favored by Mangini and his overmatched offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Shurmur, after all, is the man who made Sam Bradford a solid presence in the NFL West as a rookie.

Bradford also was taken No. 1 in the entire draft, or 84 picks higher than McCoy, so such God-given assets as greater arm strength shouldn’t be discounted in his development. Bradford threw 18 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions this season. Playing in all 16 games, he threw for 219.5 yards per game. McCoy threw in eight starts for 197 yards per game, with six TDs and nine interceptions. Their QB ratings were nearly identical — Bradford 76.5, McCoy 74.5.

When McCoy came here, concern naturally arose over his difficult final full game as a collegian, when, dazed after taking a ferocious beating from Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh in the Big 12 Championship Game, he almost threw the ball away too late with Texas trailing, 12-10. He left one second, a replay review determined, but it was enough for Texas to kick a long winning field goal. After that, McCoy was injured early in the BCS Championship Game against Alabama and took only a few snaps.

Criticism attended a column I wrote about McCoy’s view of the hectic final seconds of the Texas-Nebraska game, with some readers chiding me for judging McCoy on his worst game. It was a fair complaint.

The same approach should probably be used with Shurmur. Look at the big picture, not the would-be highlight.

Unfortunately, his worst game might have been his biggest as St. Louis’ offensive coordinator. Playing for the championship of the toothless NFL West at Seattle, the Rams lost, 16-6. Worse, they seemed to have no idea which players they wanted to use to form a coherent approach to the game.

The second-guessing was pronounced, particularly from influential St. Louis sports column ist Bernie Miklasz.

Bradford threw 36 times, completing 19, just over half. They were almost all of the dink-and-dunk variety. He threw one pick, no TDs and gained only 155 yards.

This wasn’t the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams of years ago with future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner at the controls, but it certainly seemed that St. Louis had the advantage over Seattle’s emergency starter, one Charlie Whitehurst. Heck, his long hair and career role on the sideline have given him the nickname Clipboard Jesus.

Instead, Whitehurst sailed a 61-yard bomb to a Seahawks receiver in the first minutes, when the Seahawks were able to get their crowd into the game in a big way.

To Shurmur’s credit, Bradford did go deep sporadically, but then his receivers could not make the plays. The Rams, like Seattle, were not a good team. All in all, though, Shurmur went with the limited-offense approach teams use with untested quarterbacks early in their careers.

Also neglected was running back Steven Jackson, who has run for over 1,000 yards each of the last six seasons with the Rams. Jackson got only 11 carries, just one more carry than his lowest of the year. In the biggest game of the season, he ground out only 45 yards.

Did Shurmur take a downtrodden team and give it a foundation? Unquestionably.

Will his offensive thinking be compatible with that of Holmgren? Almost certainly.

Will he button it up in big games and neutralize his own young quarterback? Better not. Mangini could have done that.

 

OHSAA makes big step to change playoffs for more equity between private, public schools

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Proponents of changing the way Ohio conducts its high school playoffs cleared a hurdle today when the Ohio High School Athletic Association's board of directors voted to accept a multi-faceted plan from a competition committee that would change how schools are aligned for each sport's playoffs if it is adopted. The vote today, following the recommendation by the OHSAA's...

Ohio high schools will vote on a bylaw change proposal in May that would alter the way state tournaments are conducted, aimed at narrowing the gap bnetween private and public schools.

Proponents of changing the way Ohio conducts its high school playoffs cleared a hurdle today when the Ohio High School Athletic Association's board of directors voted to accept a multi-faceted plan from a competition committee that would change how schools are aligned for each sport's playoffs if it is adopted.

The vote today, following the recommendation by the OHSAA's Competitive Balance Committee, means a new bylaw will be voted on by member schools during the annual referendum voting process in May.

The bylaw states “each school shall be placed into tournament divisions based on its sport-by-sport athletic count.”

Schools would not be separated into tournaments for public schools and non-public schools, nor would a “multiplier” be applied to non-public schools to increase their enrollment, which a few other states utilize. Rather, the enrollment numbers for all schools (both public and non-public) would be entered into a three-part formula to establish their “athletic count.”

Read more in Friday's Plain Dealer. 


Cleveland Browns name Pat Shurmur head coach: Grossi and Cabot react (video)

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Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot discuss the Browns new head coach, Pat Shurmur and the possible coordinators he might bring in. Shurmur was the St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator and will be introduced to the media at a news conference Friday. Watch video


Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot discuss the Browns new head coach, Pat Shurmur and the possible coordinators he might bring in.  Shurmur was the St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator and will be introduced to the media at a news conference Friday.

High school players of the week for January 14, 2011

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See thumbnail index of this week's players of the week.

See thumbnail index of this week's players of the week.

Davonte' Brunson, Akron East
Sport: Basketball
Class: Junior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-11
Wt: 170

What Davonte' did last week: In an 85-75 overtime victory against Massillon, point guard had 45 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals. In a 94-68 win against Ellet, had 32 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals. In a 91-38 win over North, had 26 points, two rebounds, four assists and nine steals.

About Davonte': Always reads a friend's obituary before games. Favorites include NBA player Kevin Durant, "SportsCenter" TV show, music by Drake, Facebook.com, "NBA 2K11" video game and "Rise" magazine.

Larry Nance Jr., Revere
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 6-6
Wt: 205

What Larry did last week: Forward had 21 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in a 70-53 win against Copley. In a 66-38 win against Tallmadge, had 17 points, 17 rebounds, nine steals and eight blocks. In a 47-45 overtime win against Central Catholic, had 25 points and seven rebounds.

About Larry: Favorites include the Memphis Grizzlies and forward Rudy Gay, "Shark Tale" movie, "Scrubs" TV show, Facebook.com, "Call of Duty" video game, "Rebecca" book, peanut butter bagels and history class. Will always remember playing kickball in fourth and fifth grade.

Amber Bogard, Beachwood
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 6-0

What Amber did last week: Forward had 25 points, five blocks, seven steals and nine rebounds in a 90-48 win against John F. Kennedy. In a 68-33 win against Independence, had 21 points, 10 steals, nine blocks, seven rebounds and seven assists.

About Amber: Eastern Michigan recruit enjoys weight training and playing volleyball and is a dog lover. Favorites include Ohio State basketball player Jantel Lavender, "American Idol" TV show, music by Trey Songz, chicken nuggets meal, the dictionary and math class. Would like to try gymnastics.

Rachel Theriot, Midpark
Sport: Basketball
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-11

What Rachel did last week: In a 64-27 win against Amherst, point guard had 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. In a 73-48 win against Westlake, had 22 points, five rebounds, 13 assists and three steals.

About Rachel: Likes baking and coloring. Favorites include the Phoenix Suns and guard Steve Nash, "The Blind Side" movie, "SpongeBob SquarePants" TV show, "Baby" song by Justin Bieber, "Super Mario Brothers" video game, tacos meal, Nike clothes and math class. Wants to be a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" TV show.

Ted McAninch, Cuyahoga Falls
Sport: Bowling
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 5-9
Wt: 160

What Ted did last week: Bowled a 221-252-473 series as his team defeated Mayfield. Rolled a 224-253-477 series in a win against Solon. Averaged 238 for the week. The Black Tigers are 7-0 in the Northeast Ohio Conference.

About Ted: Also plays baseball and eats at Wendy's before bowling matches. Favorites include the Pittsburgh Steelers and Troy Polamalu, "Remember the Titans" movie, "That 70s Show" TV show, "Dante's Inferno" video game and pizza. Has been to Hawaii and would like to vacation in Alaska.

Amber Jones, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
Sport: Bowling
Class: Sophomore
Age: 17
Ht: 5-5

What Amber did last week: In a victory against Kenston, she set a school record for high series (221-210-431).

About Amber: Enjoys writing poetry and reading. Would like to attend Kent State or New York University. Favorites include volleyball, "Dear John" movie, "Tom and Jerry" TV show, music by Drake, Facebook.com, "Super Mario Brothers" video game, "Twilight" book series, Olive Garden restaurant and U.S. literature class. Wants to visit Italy and would like to bowl a 300 game.

Danielle Margheret, Walsh Jesuit
Sport: Swimming
Class: Sophomore
Age: 15
Ht: 5-10

What Danielle did last week: At the Orange Invitational, set a pool record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 1: 07.09 and helped her team win the 200 medley relay. At Beaumont, helped the Warriors win the medley and 200 free relays.

About Danielle: Plays varsity soccer and is in the show choir as a soloist and dancer. Enjoys horseback riding and skiing. Wants to become a dermatologist. Favorites include "Glee" TV show, "My Sister's Keeper" book, Maggiano's restaurant and math and science classes. Wants to sing the National Anthem at a Cavs, Browns or Indians game.

Narcisco Inchaurregui, Lorain
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 5-4
Wt: 130

What Narcisco did last week: Won his weight class at the Fairfield Invitational with two technical falls, a decision and a pin.

About Narcisco: Intends to wrestle in college. Favorites include his wrestling team, Ultimate Fighting Championships, "The Fighter" movie, "NBA 2K11" video game, "Nearfall" book, hamburger meal, Golden Corral restaurant, Under Armour clothes and graphic design class. Will always remember placing seventh at state for Southview as a freshman. Wants to try cage fighting.

Isayel Williams, Rhodes
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 189

What Isayel did last week: Won his weight class at the Perry Pin City Invitational with six pins. He is 19-2 overall this season.

About Isayel: Enjoys football, choir and reading. Wants to become a physical therapist. Favorites include "Armageddon" movie, "SpongeBob SquarePants" TV show, "How to Save a Life" song, youtube.com, "Halo" video game, peanut butter and banana sandwiches and Taco Bell restaurant. Wants to visit Japan. Favorite wrestling move is a modified cradle.

Coaches' nominations for Players of the Week will be taken Mondays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The toll-free number for coaches to call for the seven-county coverage area is 1-800-388-4370.

John Elway rains on Cleveland Browns' parade again, tweets hiring of John Fox as coach

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John Fox will take over as coach of the Denver Broncos, John Elway announces via Twitter.

john-elway-ap.JPGView full sizeJohn Elway tries to one-up the Browns once again by announcing the hiring of fired Panthers coach John Fox to lead the Denver Broncos just hours after the Browns revealed the St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur would be their coach.
First there was The Drive; now there is The Tweet.

John Elway, as quarterback of the Denver Broncos, beat the Browns in the AFC title game on Jan. 11, 1987. Now, as the head football guy at the Broncos, he's trying to steal a little Browns thunder over the hiring of Pat Shurmur as head coach by announcing -- via twitter -- the hiring of fired Carolina coach John Fox as the coach of the Denver Broncos.

Here's how his series of tweets went, starting with the first at 3:46 p.m.:



I am excited to announce that John Fox has agreed to terms to become the 14th head coach in Denver Broncos history.

Coach Fox is a great fit for us not only with his coaching ability but also with his personality.

He is a dynamic and proven leader who will energize our entire organization.

John has coached great defenses, turned teams around and been to Super Bowls.

Let's hope a version of The Fumble isn't out there waiting on the Browns, too.





Sam Rutigliano talks about the hiring of Pat Shurmur: Audio interview

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Former Kardiac Kids coach Sam Rutigliano weighed on in the hiring of Pat Shurmur as the next Browns head coach on "In The Trenches" earlier today on DSN.

sam_rutigliano.jpgSam Rutigliano
Former Kardiac Kids coach Sam Rutigliano weighed on in the hiring of Pat Shurmur as the next Browns head coach on "In The Trenches" earlier today on DSN.

Rutigliano told hosts Joe Lull and  Harry Petsanis that Shurmur will benefit greatly from having Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert along side him as they build together a team focused on Colt McCoy running the West Coast offense.

Click on the play button below to listen to the interview or download the MP3 to listen on-the-go.

Cleveland Browns' hiring of Pat Shurmur draws reactions across the NFL

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Reactions to Pat Shurmur's hiring as head coach of the Browns.

pat-shurmur-sam-bradford-ap.JPGView full sizePat Shurmer helped develop Sam Bradford so much that the Rams quarterback became a legitimate contender for NFL rookie of the year. Can he provide similar tutelage for Browns quarterback Colt McCoy as his head coach?

Updated at 4:26 p.m.

The old saying is that the apple doesn't fall far from a tree.

For Browns President Mike Holmgren, that's true when it came to picking his first coach for the Cleveland Browns, former Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

Shurmur is the nephew of the late Fritz Shurmur, who was Holmgren's defensive coordinator when the Browns boss won a Super Bowl as coach of the Green Bay Packers.

It may not be solely a case of "It isn't what you know, but who," but it's clearly close.

USA Today had this account of the hiring revealed just before 1 p.m. Thursday:

"It's an honor and a privilege to join an organization with such a rich history and tradition as the Cleveland Browns," Shurmur said in a statement. "I have the utmost respect for coach Holmgren and (General Manager) Tom Heckert, and I am impressed with the direction in which they have this franchise going. I have known Tom for most of my pro coaching career, and while we were in Philadelphia, he and I developed an outstanding relationship.

"I am looking forward to this challenge and can't wait to get started in helping to build the Browns back to one of the elite teams in the NFL."

Shurmur's challenge is a big one. The Browns have won just 14 games over the past three seasons. Since returning to the NFL in 1999, they have had just two winning seasons.

But Holmgren said he was excited that Shurmur -- who tutored Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford this past season -- can help engineer a turnaround.

"Pat is a bright, young man who grew up in football and around the coaching profession," Holmgren said. "I came away from our interview very impressed with him as a person, his extensive knowledge of the game and his track record of success as an assistant coach in this league. Most importantly, I feel as though he possesses the necessary qualities which make him the right man to lead our football team."

Some go whew!
That big burst of air you see on the East Coast could well be from the New York Giants, expressing relief that the Browns' decision to go with Shurmur reduces by one more the number of teams interested in defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. So says the Newark Star-Ledger, writing about the Browns' hiring of Shurmur.

It appears there's only one more hurdle standing between Perry Fewell and his return as Giants defensive coordinator next season.

The Browns today announced they've hired Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as their new head coach. Shurmur replaces Eric Mangini, who was fired after a pair of 5-11 seasons. Fewell interviewed with Cleveland earlier this week.

Fewell remains a candidate for the Broncos' vacant position, though several reports indicate Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison is the favorite there.

If Fewell gets shut out in Denver, it will mean he's on his way back to East Rutherford, barring any other coaching firings or a surprise emergence as a candidate in the Raiders' search. (I only mention Oakland because, well, they're the Raiders and anything's possible with them.)

Go ahead, guys, breathe. Looks like you will have someone in place next year to hold over coach Tom Coughlin's head should Eli Manning & Co. falter again.

The grassy knoll theory
Zac Wassink writes for yahoo.com, but we're kind of wondering if he's got some sort of Zapruder Film fixation, seeing conspiracy theories in everyhing. He apparently thinks that by hiring Shurmur, Holmgren stacked the deck to make it possible to descend from the throne room to take over the team.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer suggested on Wednesday that hiring Shurmur would "get the Cleveland Browns moving in the same direction." I agree, but in a very different way. When Holmgren announced that Mangini was fired on Jan. 3, Holmgren refused to say that he would never coach in the NFL again. He simply stated he wasn't coaching the team in 2011. By hiring a coordinator many Cleveland fans had never heard of until Thursday morning, Holmgren is quietly leaving the door open for his possible return to the sidelines. Even if the Browns improve to .500 over the next two seasons, Holmgren could easily assume control and move Shurmur to OC.
Much as we like seeing our colleagues quoted -- and this came from today's SBTV show we gotta say this: Zac, ol' boy, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Tweet nothings
James Walker, who writes the AFC North blog for ESPN.com, doesn't sound very optimistic about the hiring of Pat Shurmur. His initial twitter.com entry: "Random AFCN thought: Pat Shurmur's offenses in St. Louis were ranked No. 26 and No. 29 in the NFL the past two years. "

Some other tweets:
Browns wide receiver Chansi Stuckey @Project_29 don't know anything about him. Like you, I'm confident in the decision Holmgren made"

Ron Clements, who covers the Rams for the St. Louis Telegraph and cbssports.com, takes a decidedly more local view in his tweet:" (Fired Denver coach Josh) McDaniels & (fired Minnesota coach Brad) Childress are names mentioned to replace Shurmur, although Chilly seems to be a long shot, despite friendship w/ Spags. (That would be Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo.)"

Scott Petrak, a Browns beat writer for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and the Medina Gazette, tweets thusly: "Seeing former #Browns coach Eric Mangini on Sportscenter is a trip. Said Shurmur excellent choice and good fit. Almost hired as OC with Jets."

Christopher Harris, who writes about fantasy football (no, not the Lingerie League, although that puts the name in a whole different light), had this to tweet: "Suspicious of Shurmur hiring. Thought the Rams were too conservative this year, as was CLE. What do you think?"

Shurmur's former bosses and charges speak
Nobody really expected the people in the Rams organization to say, "Gee, he STINKS!" did they? But for now, let's give 'em the benefit of the doubt. The Browns sent these accolades from the Rams along for us to share with you:

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo: "I am very happy for Pat and his family. I very much appreciate Pat and what he has done to help us grow as a team these last two years. I wish him and his family the very best in Cleveland."

Rams General Manager Billy Devaney: "Pat is a very good football coach and has done an excellent job for us. He is deserving of this opportunity and I wish him and his family the best in Cleveland."

Rams Running Back Steven Jackson: "I knew it would not be long before Coach Shurmur got a head coaching job in this league. He was a good coordinator for the Rams and on Sundays, he got the most out of his players and always had us in a position to win the game.  Congratulations to Coach Shurmur and his family."

Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford: "This is a great opportunity for Coach Shurmur. I really enjoyed working with him last season and he truly helped my transition from college to the NFL game. I think he will be a really good head coach."
He's all in
ESPN.com's James Walker expanded a bit on his tweet about Shurmur's hire. OK, he expanded a LOT, since tweets are limited to 140 characters. The end result is crated in such a way that Walker can say, "See, I told you so" no matter what the outcome of Shurmur's reign.

Will this gamble work? We will find out in the next couple of years as Shurmur tries to lead Cleveland past the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers to the top of the AFC North.

But for now, envision Holmgren gathering all of his chips and pushing them to the center of the table. This is a move that must work, especially since the hire will create very little buzz in Cleveland.

Perhaps Shurmur was Holmgren's target all along. There were only three reported candidates who interviewed for the job: Shurmur, Mike Mularkey and Perry Fewell, who satisfied the Rooney Rule. Bigger names such as Jon Gruden and John Fox were never in the running.

After firing Mangini, the grace period is officially over in Cleveland. There are no more scapegoats.
Yeah, failing now would be baa'd. Very baa-baa'd.
 





Cavaliers get back to work, with Gibson and without Parker

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The Cavaliers returned to practice on Thursday noon at the UCLA gym

Cleveland Cavaliers beat Memphis Grizzlies, 92-86View full sizeAnthony Parker returned to Cleveland for a second opinion on his back.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Cavaliers returned to practice on Thursday noon at the UCLA gym, but coach Byron Scott felt no need to address the team-record 55-point drubbing suffered at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

"I didn't think I had to,'' Scott said after practice. "I think we all woke up [Wednesday] embarrassed and disappointed. It wasn't easy to shed.

"But that was two days ago. We move on and continue to try to get better.

They'll have to try to get better without Anthony Parker, who returned to Cleveland to get another opinion on his bad back. Daniel Gibson was able to practice on Thursday but he is unlikely to play this weekend as his sprained left ankle continues to heal. Christian Eyenga also is unlikely to play this weekend because of his sprained right ankle, which he injured on Sunday in Phoenix and tweaked on Tuesday.

The Cavs will face Utah on Friday and Denver on Saturday. They have lost 11 straight, 21 of 22 overall, and 17 straight on the road.

Off the Ice with Monsters center Ryan Stoa

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Off the ice with . . . Monsters center Ryan Stoa Shoots: Left. Ht/Wt: 6-3, 200. Born: April 13, 1987, Bloomington, Minn. Acquired: Avalanche second-round pick in 2005. PD: Favorite sport(s) outside of hockey? RS: When I was little, I liked baseball, but I'd say golf now. PD: Any aces? RS: No. I had one shot go in, but...

lake-erie-monsters-ryan-stoa.JPGView full sizeRyan Stoa

Off the ice with . . . Monsters center Ryan Stoa

Shoots: Left. Ht/Wt: 6-3, 200. Born: April 13, 1987, Bloomington, Minn. Acquired: Avalanche second-round pick in 2005.

PD: Favorite sport(s) outside of hockey?

RS: When I was little, I liked baseball, but I'd say golf now.

PD: Any aces?

RS: No. I had one shot go in, but the ball had so much spin it came out.

PD: Best hockey advice received as a youngster?

RS: No idea.

PD: Any advice that's helped you as a pro athlete?

RS: Work hard. Don't quit. It's all kind of the same generic stuff, right?

PD: If not a hockey player, what?

RS: Professional fisherman.

PD: Who is going to win the NBA title?

RS: Heat or Lakers.

PD: Your thoughts on LeBron James.

RS: I'm a fan. I wasn't born and raised in Cleveland, so it's different for me.

PD: Describe Monsters coach David Quinn in 15 words or fewer.

RS: Fifteen words or fewer? How do you even do that?

PD: Fifteen's not enough?

RS: Good coach who means well and wants players to be the best they can be.

PD: Least-favorite household chore?

RS: Vacuuming.

PD: Who is going to win the Super Bowl?

RS: I like the Patriots.

PD: Stanley Cup Finals?

RS: Vancouver or Chicago out of the West, Pittsburgh or Washington out of the East.

PD: What is one thing you can't do no matter how hard you try?

RS: I figure if you want to do something, if you try hard enough, you'll be able to do it. How would you answer that?

PD: Singing. Terrible at it.

RS: Yeah, but you still could do it.

PD: Favorite hockey city?

RS: Minneapolis.

PD: Historical figure you would have liked to meet?

RS: Elvis.

PD: Favorite movie?

RS: "Tin Cup."

PD: Electronic device you can't live without?

RS: You can live without a cell phone. You can live without a TV or radio. Let's go with a trolling motor. How about that?



Cleveland Cavaliers try to keep their focus forward, positive after record-setting loss to Los Angeles Lakers

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The Cavaliers don't want to dwell on the worst loss in franchise history, but things aren't looking up ... Anthony Parker is back in Cleveland because of a bad back, and rookie Christian Eyenga is out with a sprained ankle.

cavs.JPGFrom left, Cavaliers Manny Harris, Samardo Samuels, Jamario Moon, Alonzo Gee and Ramon Sessions are in back in action tonight in Utah, three days after a humiliating 55-point loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — The Cavaliers returned to practice Thursday at UCLA without addressing the team-record, 55-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday -- or burying any basketballs.

Cavs coach Byron Scott isn't one for the sort of symbolic gestures football coaches sometimes employ, like burying footballs after an extremely painful loss.

"I'm not going to bury those 12 balls over there," Scott said, nodding toward the ball rack in the UCLA gym. "Now maybe the one that we had when we were playing against the Lakers that we were shooting with. If I could have that one right now, I'd bury that one."

Actually, Scott did not want to dig up any memories of Tuesday, so he did not address the loss Thursday.

"I didn't think I had to," he said as the team prepared to fly to Utah for tonight's game. "I think I addressed it enough that night.

"I was embarrassed for our whole team. But that was two days ago. It's over with. We've got to move on and we've got to continue to try to get better."

They'll have to do that without Anthony Parker, who returned to Cleveland to get a second opinion on his bad back, and rookie Christian Eyenga, who tweaked his sprained right ankle and will be out tonight in Utah and Saturday in Denver.

Daniel Gibson practiced Thursday but likely won't play this weekend as his sprained left ankle continues to heal.

"I don't enjoy sitting out at all," said Gibson, who has been nagging the Cavs for a week about rejoining the team. "It's torture. It's like a little kid who gets held inside while everybody else is at recess. I try to get back as fast as I can. But the thing you don't want to do with an ankle injury is try to rush it and then it bothers you for the rest of the season."

According to Mo Williams, Tuesday's loss will bother him for the rest of the season -- and beyond.

"I'll never forget that," admitted Williams, who Tweeted about how embarrassed he was after the game. Williams, like the rest of the Cavs, declined to comment on LeBron James' Tweet.

Williams purchased 15 tickets for the game, but couldn't face his friends afterward. Instead, he went back to the hotel, talked to his wife and watched a couple movies.

"Obviously, there's no positives you can get out of that night," he said. "But the positive thing you can get out of it is to come to work the next day and continue to improve."

"We played a better team. Are they 55 points better than us? No. No team in this league is 55 points better than another, and on any given night a team can be beat. We use that as fuel."

Of course, it's one thing to talk about using a loss like that as motivation. The real proof will come when the Cavs step onto the court against the Jazz.

Williams and Scott insist they're not worried about how the Cavs will react tonight.

"I'm not worried," Williams said. "I want to play. I feel like we're not going to have a game like that no more. I'm ready."

Added Scott, when asked if there was a chance Tuesday's loss wouldn't be rock bottom: "No, I think that's pretty much the worst. So, no I'm not worried about it getting worse."

Cleveland Browns name Pat Shurmur new head coach

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UPDATED: Former Rams offensive coordinator is the next generation of Mike Holmgren proteges. Watch video

new-shurmur.JPGView full sizePat Shurmur as Rams offensive coordinator in training camp last July.
BEREA, Ohio — Just over one year ago when Mike Holmgren was introduced as the new president of the Browns, he stated his objective.

"The only way you win in this league is if the coach and the person in my position and the general manager are absolutely on the same wavelength," Holmgren said. "That's the only way you have a chance.

"My goal is to have that feeling in this building, to have everyone thinking in a like manner, going in the same direction."

Those comments might best explain why Holmgren's first coaching search, which he promised would be "pretty wide," produced Pat Shurmur as the newest Browns coach.

Shurmur, 45, who has never been a head coach at any level, was the first of only three candidates interviewed by Holmgren to replace fired Eric Mangini. He was the only one with ties to both Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert. All three men share the same agent, Bob LaMonte, who taught and coached with Holmgren at the same high school in San Jose, Calif., 30 years ago.

Shurmur, who will be introduced at 11 a.m. today, received a four-year deal.

The going rate for a first-time head coach is about $11.25 million. Shurmur has been the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams the past two seasons.

Before that, he spent 10 years in Philadelphia as an assistant coach under Andy Reid -- one of Holmgren's most successful coaching proteges. Through Reid, Shurmur learned the pass-first offensive system espoused by Holmgren, the one commonly referred to as the West Coast offense.

For eight of Shurmur's years in Philadelphia, Heckert held various titles as the Eagles' player personnel chief.

While Shurmur never worked for Holmgren, his late uncle, Fritz Shurmur, was Holmgren's defensive coordinator in Green Bay for five seasons in the 1990s.

"I am extremely excited about having Pat Shurmur as the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns," Holmgren said in a statement released by the club. "Pat is a bright, young man who grew up in football and around the coaching profession. I came away from our interview very impressed with him as a person, his extensive knowledge of the game and his track record of success as an assistant coach in this league. Most importantly, I feel as though he possesses the necessary qualities which make him the right man to lead our football team."

With the selection of Shurmur, Holmgren is retracing the path that led him to his first NFL coaching job with the Packers 19 years ago.

The bulk of Shurmur's NFL coaching experience has been with quarterbacks before he ascended to coordinator and now head coach. Holmgren went down that path, as did other members of his "coaching tree" -- Reid, Steve Mariucci, Marty Mornhinweg and Brad Childress. Jon Gruden, another branch of Holmgren's tree, started as a receivers coach before moving up the ladder. Of those, only Mornhinweg failed to reached the playoffs as an NFL head coach.

Shurmur wasn't widely regarded as a head coach candidate when the Browns selected him, but neither were most of the Holmgren proteges when they received their career break.

"It's an honor and a privilege to join an organization with such a rich history and tradition as the Cleveland Browns," Shurmur said in the Browns' statement. "I have the utmost respect for coach Holmgren and Tom Heckert, and I am impressed with the direction in which they have this franchise going.

"I have known Tom for most of my pro coaching career, and while we were in Philadelphia, he and I developed an outstanding relationship. I want to thank Mike and Tom, as well as [Browns owner] Randy Lerner, for this tremendous opportunity.

"I also want to thank the St. Louis Rams and [coach] Steve Spagnuolo for two terrific seasons and for giving me a chance to be a coordinator at this level. I am looking forward to this challenge and can't wait to get started in helping to build the Browns back to one of the elite teams in the NFL."

Shurmur's first order of business will be to assemble a coaching staff.

It's possible the Browns will retain special teams coordinator Brad Seely, but there has been speculation that a new defensive coordinator to replace Rob Ryan will be sought. A completely new offensive staff is expected.

National reports have linked the Browns to Dave Wannstedt, who had a lofty reputation as defensive coordinator under former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson before moving on as head coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Ryan, the Browns' defensive coordinator the past two seasons, is set to interview with the Cowboys for their defensive coordinator position, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Shurmur is expected to serve as his own offensive play-caller on game days. In Cleveland, he will find an offense lacking in firepower, much like the one he left behind in St. Louis.

Like the Browns, the Rams had a workhorse running back in Steven Jackson but were hampered in the passing game by an inexperienced receiving corps after injuries wiped out veterans Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton.

With rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall choice of the 2010 draft, starting in every game, the Rams improved by six wins and finished 7-9. Their overall offensive ranking inched up to 26th out of 32nd after ranking 29th in Shurmur's first season as coordinator.

Shurmur received some criticism for play selection in the Rams' season-ending 16-6 loss to Seattle, which cost the Rams a spot in the playoffs as NFC West champion. In that game, Jackson, who rushed for over 1,200 yards during the season, carried the ball only 11 times for 45 yards. He had only four rushing attempts in the second half. The Rams had seven possessions in the second half and none longer than six plays.

In a telephone interview, Spagnuolo said: "I still think when all was said and done, what we did offensively this year was successful. There's no question we had challenges. But I liked the way the group of receivers stepped up. As Sam progressed as a player, they all improved together. Pat had to be creative and he found ways to move the football. And he had a pain-in-the-neck head coach that would suggest things."

Shurmur, a native of Dearborn, Mich., was a three-year starter at center for Michigan State University in the late 1980s. He was signed in 1988 as an undrafted free agent by the Packers -- then coached by former Browns assistant Lindy Infante -- but was released in training camp.

Shurmur returned to Michigan State in 1990 to launch his coaching career. He coached tight ends, special teams and assisted on the offensive line for a span of eight years. He worked under former Browns defensive coordinator Nick Saban the last five years there.

Shurmur moved to Stanford University in 1998 as offensive line coach before joining Reid in Philadelphia in 1999 as tight ends coach.

Reid named Shurmur quarterbacks coach in 2002. In that role through 2009, he was position coach for Eagles quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley, Koy Detmer, Jeff Garcia, and Kevin Kolb.

Shurmur is the first Browns head coach with purely an offensive background since Chris Palmer in 1999. He represents a final break from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, which spawned the Browns' past two coaches, Mangini and Romeo Crennel.

In the end, Holmgren's "pretty wide search" resulted in only three interviews -- Shurmur, Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh turned down the Browns' invitation for an interview before he accepted the 49ers head coach job. Also, Gruden, who was considered a hot candidate before the search began because of his history with Holmgren, never was interviewed and said he would return to the ESPN broadcast booth in 2011.

But ultimately, Holmgren got the one he wanted. He tipped off his intentions when he said of finding a replacement for Mangini, "I can get real excited about finding a young guy and having him take the ball and go with it."

Coupled with Holmgren's statements a year ago, Shurmur fits the bill of what Holmgren had in mind.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Lake Erie Monsters expect attendance to increase

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Monsters Chief Operating Officer Mike Ostrowski anticipates a significant uptick in average attendance for the club's final 21 home games. The Monsters entered Thursday ranked eighth in the 30-team AHL with an average of 5,614 fans (in 19 dates). Hershey was first at 9,151, also in 19 dates. "You always want to be higher, to be stronger, but we've...

Monsters Chief Operating Officer Mike Ostrowski anticipates a significant uptick in average attendance for the club's final 21 home games.

The Monsters entered Thursday ranked eighth in the 30-team AHL with an average of 5,614 fans (in 19 dates). Hershey was first at 9,151, also in 19 dates.

"You always want to be higher, to be stronger, but we've laid a lot of groundwork for a great second half of the season," Ostrowski said.

Ostrowski's optimism stems from the fact that the Monsters have drawn better in the second half in each of their first three seasons of existence. One reason: sandbagging. The organization typically saves its biggest promotions for the final few months, when the holiday season has passed and the youngsters have settled into the school routine.

Ostrowski, who replaced Randy Domain as COO in November, holds at least four potential aces in his pocket:

•Jan. 29 vs. Hamilton. "Country Concert Night." Scheduled guest is country singer James Otto.

jamesotto.JPGView full sizeCountry singer James Otto is scheduled for the Lake Erie Monsters' "Country Concert Night" on Jan. 29 at The Q. The Monsters are playing the Hamilton Bulldogs that night.


•Feb. 12 vs. Grand Rapids. "Cavaliers Night," with scheduled appearances by Anderson Varejao and Boobie Gibson. (Because of injury, neither Varejao nor Gibson has culpability in the 112-57 loss against the Lakers on Tuesday in Los Angeles.)

•Feb. 26 vs. Grand Rapids. "Browns Night," with scheduled appearances by Josh Cribbs, Joe Haden and T.J. Ward.

•April 9 vs. Abbotsford. "Fan Appreciation Night." In each of the previous three seasons, the final home game of the season has attracted a five-digit crowd.

Ostrowski also is excited about the second "Dollar Beer Night," Jan. 20 vs. Rochester -- even as the numbers from the inaugural edition were disappointing. On Nov. 17, the Monsters drew 3,006 against Grand Rapids.

The Monsters have work to do in the other dates, as well, in order to match the overall numbers from last season, when they averaged 6,484 to rank sixth in the league.

NETWORKING: Ostrowski is convinced that interest in the Monsters will continue to grow in part because of attention to the social-media detail. Monsters communications manager Sarah Jamieson said the club's Facebook fan page numbers 7,000-plus and its Twitter following is 2,000-plus.

NEWS FROM ABOVE: Former Monsters wingers Chris Stewart and Cody McLeod are expected to return to the parent Colorado Avalanche today. Both have been injured. To make room for Stewart, the Avalanche placed former Monster Greg Mauldin on waivers.

Cleveland Browns coaches' history: Pat Shurmur joins the dozen from 62 previous seasons

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Ages, previous jobs, win-loss records, etc. Browns have also had three interim coaches.

otto-graham-paul-brown.jpgThe Browns' first coach, Paul Brown, with quarterback Otto Graham after Cleveland's 38-14 NFL title game win over the Rams in Los Angeles on Dec. 27, 1955.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pat Shurmur is the 13th head coach of the Cleveland Browns, not counting interim coaches.

A look at the previous 12, with links to Pro-Football-Reference.com:

Paul Brown: age, 38, previous job, U.S. Navy Great Lakes Naval Station coach.
Browns, 1946-62, 158-48-8, and 9-5 in 12 playoff seasons. Record includes original Browns’ four seasons (1946-49) in the All-America Football Conference, where they went 47-4-3 and 5-0 in playoff games, winning all four championships in league history. Coached Browns’ 1950, 1954 and 1955 NFL championship teams.

Blanton Collier: 57, Browns assistant.
Browns, 1963-70, 76-34-2, and 3-4 in five playoff seasons. Coached Browns’ 1964 NFL championship team.

Nick Skorich: 50, Browns offensive coordinator. Browns, 1971-74, 30-24-2, and 0-2 in two playoff seasons.

Forrest Gregg: 42, Browns assistant.
Browns, 1975-77, 18-23. Fired with 6-7 record in 1977. Interim coach Dick Modzelewski went 0-1.

Sam Rutigliano: 46, Saints assistant.
Browns, 1978-84, 47-50, and 0-2 in two playoff seasons. Fired with 1-7 record in 1984. Coach Marty Schottenheimer went 4-4.

danielson-schottenheimer-kosar2.jpgMarty Schottenheimer flanked by QBs Gary Danielson and Bernie Kosar.

Marty Schottenheimer: 41, Browns defensive coordinator. Browns, 1984-88, 44-27, and 2-4 in four playoff seasons.

Bud Carson: 58, New York Jets defensive coordinator.
Browns, 1989-90, 11-13-1, and 1-1 in one playoff season. Fired with 2-7 record in 1990. Interim coach Jim Shofner went 1-6.

Bill Belichick: 39, New York Giants defensive coordinator.
Browns, 1991-95, 36-44, and 1-1 in one playoff season.

Chris Palmer: 50, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator.
Browns, 1999-2000, 5-27.

Butch Davis: 50, University of Miami (Fla.) head coach.
Browns, 2001-04, 24-34, and 0-1 in one playoff season. Resigned with 3-7 record in 2004. Interim coach Terry Robiskie went 1-5.

Romeo Crennel: 58, Patriots defensive coordinator.
Browns, 2005-08, 24-40.

Eric Mangini: 38, Jets head coach.
Browns, 2009-10, 10-22.

Note: All of the coaches were fired by the Browns except Collier, who retired; Davis, who resigned; and Belichick. He was still the Browns’ coach when the team was

butch-davis.jpgButch Davis coached the expansion-era Browns to their lone playoff berth, but lost to the Steelers, 36-33.

moved to Baltimore following the 1995 season. Owner Art Modell then fired Belichick prior to the Ravens’ 1996 season.

Note: Only Skorich and Mangini had previously been NFL head coaches. Skorich was 15-24-3 as the Eagles’ coach from 1961-63. Mangini was 23-25, 0-1 in the playoffs as the New York Jets’ coach from 2006-08.

Before and after
Previous:
Browns’ record in season previous to him becoming their coach.
First: Browns’ record in his first season as their coach (first full season for Schottenheimer).
Last: His record in his last partial or full season as Browns’ coach.
Next: Browns’ record in their first season after he left as their coach.

Coach                     Previous    First        Last         Next
Brown                           #          12-2       7-6-1         10-4
Collier                        7-6-1       10-4         7-7            9-5*
Skorich                       7-7           9-5*       4-10          3-11
Gregg                         4-10        3-11        6-7             8-8
Rutigliano                   6-8           8-8         1-7             8-8*
Schottenheimer         5-11         8-8*       10-6*        9-6-1*
Carson                      10-6*       9-6-1*     2-7            6-10
Belichick                     3-13        6-10        5-11           4-12**
Palmer                         %          2-14        3-13            7-9
Davis                          3-13        7-9          3-7            6-10
Crennel                      4-12        6-10        4-12          5-11
Mangini                      4-12        5-11        5-11          2011
# Browns did not have a team before 1946.
* Made the playoffs and lost the first game.
** 1996 Ravens, first season in Baltimore after move from Cleveland.
% Browns returned as an expansion franchise in 1999.

Browns coaches who went on to other NFL head coaching jobs:

Brown founded the Bengals and was their owner, and coached them in their first eight seasons (1968-75), going 55-56-1, and 0-3 in three playoff seasons.

Gregg coached the Bengals from 1980-83, going 32-25, and 2-2 in two playoff seasons. The Bengals lost the 1981 season Super Bowl to the 49ers. Gregg coached the Packers from 1984-87, going 25-37-1.

Schottenheimer coached the Chiefs from 1989-98, going 101-58-1, and 3-7 in seven playoff seasons. He coached the Redskins in 2001, going 8-8. He coached the Chargers from 2002-06, going 47-33, and 0-2 in two playoff seasons.

Belichick has been the Patriots coach since 2000, going 126-50, and 14-4 in seven playoff seasons. This is his eighth playoff season with the Patriots, who host the Jets in a divisional playoff game on Sunday. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons over the Rams, Panthers and Eagles, respectively, and lost the 2007 season Super Bowl to the Giants. 

 

Eagles coach Andy Reid, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo believe Pat Shurmur is ready to succeed with Cleveland Browns

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Pat Shurmur's two mentors, Eagles coach Andy Reid and Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, are both convinced he'll be an excellent head coach.

spagnuolo shurmur.JPGView full sizeSt. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, says offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, right, is prepared to be a successful head coach for the Browns.
BEREA, Ohio — The two NFL coaches that Pat Shurmur has worked under -- Philadelphia's Andy Reid and St. Louis' Steve Spagnuolo, are both convinced Shurmur will be an excellent head coach for the Browns.

"Pat's a heck of a football coach and he's a great person," Reid said in a phone interview. "He's very intelligent, he's a hard worker and he has tremendous people skills. He's also honest, organized, thorough, smart, a good-decision maker. He'll do a great job for the city of Cleveland as their head football coach."

Reid first got to know Shurmur while Shurmur was an assistant at Michigan State from 1990 to 1997. Shurmur would go to Green Bay to visit his uncle, Fritz Shurmur, who was the defensive coordinator for Packers under coach Mike Holmgren, now Browns president. Reid served as the offensive line, quarterbacks and assistant head coach before taking over the Eagles in 1999.

"He wasn't too far away, and he was able to get down there," Reid said. "College coaches in the off-season kind of study what the pros are doing, so he'd always come by and hang out and study and ask questions. You get a pretty good feel for a guy. He had the qualities I mentioned a little bit earlier, those things that are important."

andy reid.JPGView full sizeEagles coach Andy Reid.

In 1999, Reid gave Shurmur, 45, his first NFL job, as tight ends coach of the Eagles. He held that position for three years and then was promoted to quarterbacks coach for the next seven seasons, during which he helped Donovan McNabb to three of his five Pro Bowl berths. He's spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Rams.

"I felt comfortable enough to move him to the quarterback position and he hadn't had a lot of experience with that," Reid said. "But I felt he'd be able to handle it the way he was wired. He did a great job with Donovan. They had a very good relationship and I think Donovan had a lot of respect for him."

Holmgren relied heavily on Reid's recommendation when making the hire.

"He asked me about him, so I talked to him about him," said Reid, a Holmgen protege. "And [Holmgren] also got to know Pat when he was head coach of the Packers."

Reid, who's taken the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl, said there's no mystery to his own blossoming coaching branch.

"I think I probably hire good guys, you know?" Reid said. "That was probably the best thing I did. These are quality guys."

But Spagnuolo, who's part of that branch along with Baltimore's John Harbaugh and former Vikings coach Brad Childress, thinks it's more than that.

"This is how strongly I feel about Andy Reid," Spagnuolo said. "I think anybody in the NFL that can get a coach that's worked with Andy Reid as long as I did, and as long as Pat did, is getting somebody that's prepared to be a head football coach."

It's what the Ravens banked on when they plucked Harbaugh off the Reid tree after nine seasons as special teams coach.

"Andy prepared Pat just like he prepared me," said Spagnuolo, who turned the Rams around from 1-15 in his first season last year to 7-9 and on the verge of the playoffs this season. "You lean on the people that you saw handle this job every day. I know Pat saw that and took notes for 10 years. I know that Pat's prepared."

Spagnuolo said Shurmur's path to the head coaching job was not unlike his own.

"I was a position coach in Philadelphia for [nine years] and a coordinator in New York [Giants] for two years before I got a head coaching job," Spagnuolo said. "I don't know that any of us when we first take these jobs are completely ready. But I know this: You're prepared to handle things in a way that you didn't think you'd be able to."

Spagnuolo said Shurmur grew as a play-caller from his first year to his second.

"Pat watched some really good ones do it in Philadelphia in Andy Reid, Brad Childress, Marty Mornhinweg," Spagnuolo said. "I thought he did a terrific job for us in that regard. There's a lot of things going on in the middle of an NFL football game, a lot of quick-thinking, and I thought Pat handled that very, very well. Having gone through some of those experiences makes him fully prepared to do the job he's going to do now."

Spagnuolo said Shurmur took too much heat from fans and media for the finale, in which the Rams lost, 16-6, to the Seahawks to miss the playoffs.

"You can put the blame on me," Spagnuolo said. "I'm the head coach and we didn't win the football game. It's never about one player, it's never about one coach. I think Pat's moved on from that."

Spagnuolo said Shurmur worked closely with quarterbacks coach Dick Curl to develop rookie Sam Bradford, "and I think Pat will have the same effect on my man Colt McCoy. I hope you guys are happy with Colt because he's a terrific football player."

He said Shurmur had the most organized office in the building and "I don't think I've ever seen Pat out of control, which is a good thing in this business. When you get in those adverse situations and the bullets are flying, he'll be able to handle those situations."

He added that it will invaluable for Shurmur to be able to rely on Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert during his first year on the job.

"To be able to walk in those two doors will be huge for Pat and I know they'll have some things that they'll come to him on and he'll do a terrific job."

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670


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