Another trip through the dozens of questions sent to beat writer Tony Grossi.
View full sizePeyton Hillis has clearly been the Browns' MVP this season, but is he a legitimate candidate for league-wide honors? That's the proposal of one Browns' fan.Hey, Tony: Let me be the first to throw Peyton Hillis in as a candidate for MVP. If the award is supposed to truly go to the guy that is the most valuable to his team, then Hillis fits that description. Take Hillis off this team and they are quite possibly 0-11 and aren't even in any game this season. Not saying he should win it, but he should be considered. You with me? -- Ryan Branford, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Hey, Ryan: Beyond any shadow of doubt, Hillis is the MVP of the Browns. But a league MVP has to come from a winning team. That's just the way it is. If the Browns had not blown fourth-quarter leads against Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Jacksonville, and their record was 7-4 instead of 4-7, I would think a Hillis for MVP campaign would have legs. As it is, all I can guarantee is he'll win the Browns Man of the Year award given by the Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Hey, Tony: The knock on Joe Haden was supposed to be a lack of elite cornerback speed. Having seen him throughout training camp and now for over half of the season, what is your take on that concern? -- Brendon Comer, Durham, N.C.
Hey, Brendon: He plays faster than he times. I've seen him catch up when beaten and make the play on the ball. The criticism of his speed was based on a slow 40 time at the NFL combine when he insisted on running when not fully healthy. Watch how fast he runs when he has the ball in his hands after an interception. Really good player who will get better.
Hey, Tony: You are on record as saying, "the Steelers are in decline." Did you mean this year, next year or farther down the road? In spite of where I live, I am a long-time Browns fan and can't stand Pittsburgh. I had hoped that for once you were right about something. -- Elmer Lemock, Erie, Pa.
Hey, Elmer: I don't know how far the Steelers will go this year but obviously they have exceeded my expectations. I've always been a great admirer of their organization. I felt the departure of owner Dan Rooney, the off-field problems of Ben Roethlisberger and issues on the offensive line would precipitate a decline. I was wrong. Kevin Colbert is one of the top five personnel men in the NFL. I also underestimated Mike Tomlin.
View full sizeOne Browns fan believes all that Eric Mangini needs to succeed with the team is more time with the organization.Hey, Tony: Why is it that nearly every talk show in this town has a "fire the coach" undercurrent? If the Browns fire Mangini, which I think would be a mistake, then that would be 4 (5 if you count Terry Robiskie) head coaches the Browns have had since 1999 vs. Pittsburgh, which has had three head coaches in its history. Mangini is the only coach here who appears to have built something that resembles physical football. -- Mike B, Dover, Ohio
Hey, Mike: The Steelers have had three head coaches in 40 years. Their history goes back to 1933. I once asked Steelers owner Dan Rooney his philosophy on coaches. He answered, "Find the right coach and stick with him." Finding the right coach has been the problem for the Browns.
Hey, Tony: I heard that while attending remedial English at the University of Michigan, Braylon Edwards was asked what came at the end of a sentence. Without hesitation, Edwards responded "Parole!" Any truth here? -- Joe Rossin, Columbus
Hey, Joe: Which comedy club in Columbus can we catch your routine?
Hey, Tony: Thanks for the added info on John Fox's relationship with Mike Holmgren a couple of weeks ago. I, even more than ever, believe he'll be the choice should Mangini blow it. Now for my question. What would the possibilities be of Gary Kubiak, Norv Turner or Brad Childress taking a step back and accepting an O.C. job in Cleveland should we offer and Mangini stays? -- Jimmy D., Elyria
Hey, Jimmy: None, none and slim. I've said before that if the Browns make a change at offensive coordinator, the next one would have some close affiliation with Mike Holmgren.
Hey, Tony: I think that Jake Delhomme has proven to be the mistake on the lake at quarterback, despite his impressive start to the Carolina game. Jake got a pass for his poor play in the second half of the Tampa Bay and Atlanta games because of his high ankle sprain. He has no excuse against the Panthers. What's the status of Seneca Wallace? Is he ready to play in Miami? -- D.A. Pimley, Centreville, Va.
Hey, D.A.: You're too hard on Delhomme. Wallace is good enough to play, but Delhomme was the starter before both of them got hurt.
Hey, Tony: How on earth does Art Modell keep making it to the short list for Hall of Fame consideration? Aside from the gross mismanagement of his finances, coordinating what was arguably an illegal franchise move to Baltimore, allegations of racial bias in player contract negotiations (see Wooten, John; Kelly, Leroy; and others), alienating his stadium tenant and business partner (Cleveland Indians), firing arguably the greatest NFL coach in history (Paul Brown), and his incredible lack of foresight to join the Gateway project, what on earth has Modell accomplished as an owner to even warrant consideration for the Hall, let alone a nomination? It's fair to say that Modell's NFL bio reads like a damning list of failures and shortcomings. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.
Hey, Tim: Modell has a small base of support among the 44 voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has enough support to reach the semifinal round of 25. But to get elected, he needs 80 percent of the total vote, or 35 votes of the 44 total. I don't believe he has nearly that many votes.
Hey, Tony: Regarding the rookie salary cap, any idea if the commissioner is looking at giving a larger pay scale to a player who finishes college? I heard Terrelle Pryor is staying for his senior year, which in the long run would be better for him. -- Todd Davis, Creston, Ohio
Hey, Todd: I don't believe the rookie wage scale envisioned by the NFL has anything to do with whether a player finishes his college eligibility. It is based on paying the player a prescribed amount based on the number in the round in which he is taken.
Hey, Tony: What exactly does Gil Haskell do to earn a salary from the Browns? I thought he was brought in to help guide Daboll, but it is hard to see that guidance taking shape on game day each week. Secondly, is Mangini on a serious diet, or is he ill? He appears to be noticeably thinner by the week. -- Sean Samuels, Chandler, Ariz.
Hey, Sean: Haskell is Mike Holmgren's top football aide. He does offer guidance to Daboll, but Holmgren and Haskell are sensitive to not forcing anything on Mangini or his staff. As for Mangini's weight loss, at last count he had dropped about 60 pounds. He's done it by eating better and exercise.
Hey, Tony: I would like to submit this info for consideration of you and Browns fans everywhere. Chuck Noll: Losing records in his first three seasons. Jimmy Johnson: Losing records in his first two seasons, and a playoff loss to the Lions in his third (Yes, the Lions!). Bill Walsh: Losing records his first two seasons along with another losing season after he won his first Super Bowl. And finally, Tom Landry: Losing records in his first five seasons. Is Eric Mangini one of these guys?
Do you really want to see the Browns fire another guy and see him turn another downtrodden team into a Super Bowl dynasty (a la the pre-2001 Patriots)? So let's sit back, let the team have a couple more drafts, and see what he can do with it. -- Brian Carlin, Conshohocken, Pa.
Hey, Brian: I would submit that you cite examples from a different era of the NFL. Now we are seeing teams turned around in three years, two years, even one year, of smart player acquisitions. The final call on Mangini will be made by Mike Holmgren.
Hey, Tony: Let's say a back or receiver is grabbed by the face mask. A flag is thrown, but the ball is fumbled. It appears he fumbled because of the foul. What happens if want to challenge the call? -- Karen Bencin, Cleveland
Hey, Karen: Not every play in a game is allowed to be reviewed by instant replay. Your play is not, so whatever the officials rule on the field would stand.
View full sizeDo Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan occasionally disagree on play calls on the Browns' sideline? Absolutely, says Tony Grossi. Does that mean there's a rift between them? Absolutely not.Hey, Tony: After the Panthers game, Eric Mangini commented that he should have over-ridden the defensive play call by Rex Ryan and covered the outside better. This is the first time I can recall Mangini commenting anything about being involved in the play calling, offensive or defensive. How often Mangini does change plays during the game? -- Rich Smith, Columbus
Hey, Rich: I'm sure it happens all the time. No coach is going to let a play-call get in that he disagrees with. That's why head coaches wear a headset, to monitor all the plays and change them when they see fit.
Hey, Tony: I believe I have noticed on occasion that Mangini is not as happy (through his body language) with his defensive coordinator as the fans and the media. Would you agree? -- Rusty Stoner, Columbus
Hey, Rusty: I think Mangini and Ryan are on the same page. It's not uncommon for a head coach to disagree with a play-call of his coordinator.
Hey, Tony: I have a theory that Brian Daboll would make a good defensive coordinator. His thought processes are a better fit on the other side of the scrimmage line. -- Randall R., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hey, Randall: Daboll began his NFL career as a defensive coach.
Hey, Tony: Do you think that the offense that we saw against Carolina -- balance between running and passing, spreading the ball around and getting Robiskie involved -- was the intended offense all along but was sidetracked by injuries because Seneca Wallace can not run such an offense and because the Browns did not want to ask so much of McCoy so soon? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.
Hey, Paul: I think you have analyzed it very well.
Hey, Tony: In your podcast, you said Holmgren will "do the right thing" at the end of the season. Is that just expressing confidence in Holmgren, or do you feel the firing of Mangini is inevitable? -- Scott W, Erie, Pa.
Hey, Scott: When Holmgren was hired as president, much was made of the "cultural differences" between him and Mangini. Those differences were the reason I felt Mangini would not be retained. A year later, I believe those differences have been accentuated rather than eliminated. I feel a change is more likely than not. But the reason I said Holmgren will do the right thing is because I don't believe he would make the decision without sincere evaluation and thought.
Hey, Tony: I am bewildered by the number of defensive backs getting called for interference by not looking back for the ball. When we played we were always told to shout "BALL" when the QB released. Do the Browns do this? Or maybe they couldn't hear it anyway in these big stadiums. -- William Smith, Willoughby Hills
Hey, William: It's impossible to be heard shouting "ball" in an NFL stadium. That said, DBs shouldn't have to be told to look for the ball.
Hey, Tony: With Art Modell making his way in for the seventh time in the semifinals for HOF voting, is there a limit on how many times someone can be nominated (and rejected)? Surely at one point in time such an individual is just holding up someone else from getting on the ballot? Do you think he will ever make it in? -- T. Walhekar, Reading, United Kingdom
Hey, T.: Candidates get an automatic ticket to next season's ballot when they reach the semifinal round (of 25). So as long as Modell keeps getting the votes to reach the round of 25, he'll keep appearing on the ballot.
Hey, Tony: What implications would a possible player strike have on season ticket holders? To maintain a PSL, could it be possible the Browns would require purchase of tickets if replacement players are on the field? -- Dan Morganti, Akron
Hey, Dan: First, there won't be a strike. If there is a stoppage, it will be as a result of the owners locking out the players in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement. The NFL will refund all general admission tickets in the event of canceled games. Each team will institute its own policy on PSLs, stadium suites and club seats.
Hey, Tony: Peyton Hillis is having a tremendous season. Why did the Broncos give up on him and do you think this breakout performance of his could be just a one-hit wonder? -- Robert Driscoll, Parma
Hey, Robert: Broncos coach Josh McDaniels determined Hillis was not the type of back he wanted. McDaniels drafted Knowshon Moreno and signed Correl Buckhalter in free agency. The trade of Hillis is all on him. As for being a one-hit wonder, only time will tell. He's been sensational this year.
View full sizeLarry Asante, we hardly knew ye.Hey, Tony: I remember a lot of hype about Larry Asante when we drafted him. Now he is gone. We don't have lots of depth in the secondary, so this seems like quite a blow. Were the Browns no longer interested in him? Are teams free to sign players from any other team's practice squad at any time? -- Erol Altug, Stony Brook, N.Y.
Hey, Erol: I don't remember a lot of hype about Asante. He wasn't good enough to make their regular roster and spent most of the year on their practice squad. This week he was signed by Tampa Bay after the Bucs waived Sabby Piscitelli, whom the Browns eventually claimed. There is no compensation for losing a player on the practice squad. When a team signs another team's practice squad player, it must keep him on its regular roster for a minimum of three weeks. It happens all the time.
Hey, Tony: It seems like this might be Phil Dawson's last season as a Brown. Not good. Why don't the Browns carry a second kicker that can boom kickoffs? Why don't Browns kickers practice at the stadium to get game-like preparation? Billy Cundiff was OK with us and has been solid with Baltimore. -- Patrick Yarnevic, Lakewood
Hey, Patrick: There's no need for a second kicker, as Dawson is capable of hitting kickoffs deep enough. Cleveland Browns Stadium is one of the toughest venues to kick in. Practicing there doesn't make a lot of difference because the weather conditions change daily. Cundiff is having an amazing season for Baltimore. He must be on steroids or something (just kidding).
-- Tony