ESPN.com's James Walker writes how the Cleveland Browns have three hot issues coming into the season. Walker agrees, like most of us, that the heat is on coach Eric Mangini heading into his second season in Cleveland. Mangini begins the season on the hot seat. He doesn't seem to feel the pressure, though. "I feel really good about the progress...
Coach Eric Mangini ESPN.com's James Walker writes how the Cleveland Browns have three hot issues coming into the season.
Walker agrees, like most of us, that the heat is on coach Eric Mangini heading into his second season in Cleveland. Mangini begins the season on the hot seat. He doesn't seem to feel the pressure, though.
"I feel really good about the progress we've made, the strides we've made," Mangini said. "The second year is different. Guys understand expectations. There are so many things that you don't have to cover because they get it and they become teachers to people who are new, and that helps a lot."
Another issue involves quarterback Jake Delhomme. Is Delhomme the answer for the Browns? Fans are not exactly jumping for joy with the signing.
Delhomme is coming off the worst year of his career (eight TD passes, 18 interceptions) and was benched and eventually released by the Carolina Panthers.
But if Delhomme isn't the answer, the team will turn to backup Seneca Wallace, who is a longtime Holmgren protege. Rookie third-round draft pick Colt McCoy is regarded as the quarterback of the future but isn't expected to start this season.
Confident Joe
Joe Thomas, a three-time Pro Bowl left tackle for the Cleveland Browns, is confident going into this season although the Browns had the league's worst offense last season.
Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how the Browns led the league in rushing offense with 900 yards during that four game winning streak to end last season, and that convinced Thomas that something special was going on.
''I'm very comfortable with where we are,'' he said. ''I think we know the offense better in our second year. We've got a couple new running backs. We've definitely got some good talent at quarterback and receiver and the tight ends. We feel like we can really do some damage on offense. I think things are looking very good for us.''
The Browns also did not give up a sack in two of their final three games and finished with 30 allowed, which tied for 10th in the league. Nine of the 30 came in the first two games against the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, including four by the Broncos' Elvis Dumervil, who abused right tackle John St. Clair en route to an NFL-high 17.
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson was the quarterback Cleveland didn't want, writes AP reporter John Marshall.
Almost from the day the Browns drafted Brady Quinn in the first round of the 2007 draft, Cleveland's yell-til-it-hurts fans called for him to be their starter and savior.
Quinn, not Anderson, was the one who got the national TV ad campaign — long before he became a starter.
Even the Browns' coaches didn't seem to know what to do with the two quarterbacks, rotating them in and out like a whack-a-mole game.
By the time Anderson's five-year career in Cleveland came to an end, he felt like there was a mantra playing in his head: Brady, Brady, Brady.
The Browns released Anderson and he was signed by the Arizona Cardinals. Life in Arizona has given Anderson a new start. He's still the No. 2 quarterback, but the Cardinals want Anderson because of his experience. He's also a player who can push starter Matt Leinart and replace him if Leinart falls short.