The New Year's edition of Sunday's Talkin' ...
View full sizeIs Eric Mangini willing to revamp both his coaching staff and his philosophy when it comes to the offensive side of the ball? It may be the only way he can keep his job, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The New Year's edition of Sunday's Talkin' ...
About Eric Mangini...
1. Mike Holmgren should keep Eric Mangini as coach, but only if Mangini is open to making significant changes to his offensive approach. I'm talking about the coaching staff and with some schemes. This is not about questioning Brian Daboll's work ethic or character. Nor is it to say the offensive coordinator has had an easy job -- forced to work with five different quarterbacks in his first two years. But last season, the Browns ranked dead last (32nd) in offense. This season, it's 29th. In terms of points per game, it's 31st (17.5 points).
2. The Browns president can't bring Mangini into his office and say, "Eric, meet Joe Playcaller, he's your new offensive coordinator." They need some long talks on what offense works best for Colt McCoy, and what coaches would work best with that offense. A good offense is built around a quarterback, and Holmgren (who insisted the Browns draft McCoy) should have some ideas on this subject. I do think Mangini will be open to suggestions and changes.
3. Some fans will wonder why keep a coach who was 5-11 last season, and 5-10 heading into Sunday. It's because the discipline and toughness that he has brought to the team was needed. They are very close to becoming a winning team, as is evident by all the close games. A year ago, they were outscored by 9.1 points per game. This season, it's 1.9. Ten of their games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
4. One of the arguments against Mangini was his poor 2009 draft (after Alex Mack) and some other moves. Those decisions may end up costing him his job because the lack of talent led to some defeats. But I have no problem with dealing away malcontents such as Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. More importantly: He no longer runs the draft and makes the trades!
5. It's critical to keep the current business model in place with Holmgren as president, Tom Heckert as general manager and an experienced coach on the sidelines. With Mangini, the trio worked together to put together a draft that yielded a future Pro Bowl cornerback (Joe Haden), a starting safety (T.J. Ward) and a starting quarterback (McCoy). Perhaps some of the others picks such as Montario Hardesty, Shawn Lauvao or Carlton Mitchell will pay off. But if not, it already is a tremendous draft, perhaps the best since the team returned in 1999.
6. This front office also traded Brady Quinn for Peyton Hillis, Alex Hall for Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong. They added Seneca Wallace for a seventh-round draft pick. They signed Ben Watson and Scott Fujita as free agents. The one big swing and miss was $7 million for Jake Delhomme, which Holmgren has openly said was his decision.
7. The franchise hasn't had back-to-back winning seasons since the late 1980s. With Holmgren as president in charge of the big picture while Heckert and his staff find the players, that has a chance to happen again. Obviously, Mangini worked well with this front office as you can see the major upgrade in talent. Nor did we hear of infighting between the front office and coaching staff about draft picks, trades, or other personnel moves.
8. If a 62-year-old Holmgren decided to coach next season, would that lead to short-term thinking? Would it change what appears to be a strong front office structure? If Holmgren does fire Mangini, let's hope it's not so he can coach the team himself.
9. The Browns' main problem is offense. The defense has improved. I do wish coach Rob Ryan's group wouldn't allow so many long drives. But the defense is No. 7, allowing only 19.4 points. It ranks ninth in forcing turnovers, sixth in allowing touchdowns in the red zone. Their overall ranking is 21st, because they allow 345 yards per game -- those long drives that end up with field goals.
10. The Browns are the only NFL team not to allow 30 points. They have allowed only five rushing TDs, tied for the lowest in the NFL. They still rank No. 26 overall against the run, which is not good enough. The defense ranks only 25th in sacks and 19th in touchdown passes allowed. No one is saying it's a great defense, but it can be a good one next year.
11. You can talk about a couple of onside kicks that failed, but I thought both plays had a decent chance to work. The confusion at the end of a couple of halves in terms of clock management is inexcusable. I still can't figure out why it happened once, much less at least three times this season. But I don't fire a coach over onside kicks and clock management issues. I fix it.
12. The special teams have been excellent, especially in coverage. Under coach Brad Seely, they are one of four NFL teams not to allow a kickoff or punt return for a TD in the last two years. They have allowed only 18.3 yards per kickoff return, lowest over in the last two seasons. They're fourth in punt return coverage over the last two years. As for the return game, when Joshua Cribbs is healthy, the Browns are among the best.
13. Most fans don't want to hear about a coach who has lost at least 10 games in his first two seasons being back for a third year. They also don't care that since the Browns have returned, they have had five coaches and five different front office structures. They just want the pain of losing to stop. The Browns have lost at least 10 games in five of six years before Mangini arrived, so it's not as if he dragged the organization into the dumper.
14. Most successful coaches are such because they hooked up with successful quarterbacks. Do you talk about Bill Belichick being a winner without Tom Brady? Bill Walsh without Joe Montana? Sean Peyton without Drew Brees? A coach can mess up a quarterback, but usually a quarterback can make a coach. Sam Rutigliano had Brian Sipe, Marty Schottenheimer had Bernie Kosar.
15. I believe the Browns have at least a respectable quarterback in Colt McCoy. I also believe Mangini knows he's a defensive coach who can use some help with offense. Developing McCoy is the key, no matter who is the coach. I'd love to see Mangini and McCoy return with this front office and a new approach to offense.
About the Browns...
View full sizeJake Delhomme (right) continues to impress the Browns' coaches as a mentor to rookie starter Colt McCoy.1. For the first time in months, Joshua Cribbs ran like the 2010 Joshua Cribbs during the 20-10 loss to Baltimore last week. Cribbs averaged 25.2 yards a kickoff return, his 37-yarder his best of the season. He had a 17-yard punt return, also his best of the season. Don't be surprised if Cribbs is in the backfield against the Steelers, especially if Peyton Hillis continues to battle his various injuries.
2. Hillis taking a beating and struggling at the end of the season, which screams that the Browns must find another back to help out. It would be great if Montario Hardesty stays healthy, but they can't count on that. He should be viewed as a bonus.
3. The coaches have been impressed with how Jake Delhomme continues to tutor McCoy. A few days ago, Delhomme and McCoy were alone in the fieldhouse, long after practice, with Delhomme teaching the rookie some of his favorite conditioning techniques. Like every rookie, McCoy has discovered that nothing in college can prepare a player for the physical demands of a 16-game season.
4. In reviewing the films, the Browns think only one of McCoy's three interceptions against the Ravens was impacted by the wind. The real problem was Baltimore safety Ed Reed, who has a knack of making young quarterbacks pay for throws when they don't pay attention. Nothing the coaches saw on tape prevents them from thinking McCoy can be a starting quarterback. This will be his second start against the Steelers. His other starts have been against New England, New Orleans, the Jets, Jacksonville and Cincinnati. That's seven starts against teams (counting Pittsburgh twice) that entered the day with a 79-41 record.
5. Shaun Rogers is fading as the season ends. The last two weeks, he has played only 18 and six snaps. On the season, he has had trouble staying healthy and been on the field for only 38 percent of the snaps. He lost his starting job to Ahtyba Rubin, and seemed in no urgency to reclaim it.
About the Cavaliers...
View full sizeIf the Cavaliers are going to add a big-money contract, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace would be one of the players who might interest the organization.1. In Byron Scott's first season with the New Jersey Nets, his record was 26-56. The next season, it was 52-30 when the Nets added Jason Kidd and went to the NBA Finals. In 2004-05, he took over the Hornets and was 18-64. The next season, they were 38-44 and eventually won 56 games as New Orleans added Chris Paul. Scott is willing to take a hit in the first year to help secure high draft picks and make trades for moves to help in the future.
2. At this point, if the Cavs are going to lose, they may as well lose big and gather all the balls they can for the draft lottery. Add picks, make some smart trades. It's the only way to make the NBA interesting again in Cleveland.
3. Most of the trade offers the Cavs are receiving are from teams wanting to trade players in their early 30s with large contracts. Detroit would love to move Rip Hamilton, who is 32 with three years and $37 million left on his contract. Charlotte is offering 32-year-old Stephen Jackson, who has three years and $29 million left. While those players -- especially Jackson -- would help win some games in the short term, they would not help the team become a contender over the next few years as they age and their contract clogs the salary cap.
4. The Cavs do have an interest in 28-year-old Gerald Wallace. The small forward has three years and $32 million on his contract, but Charlotte does not want to deal him -- at least not for what the Cavs are offering.
5. Detroit's Tayshaun Prince is a free agent this summer and the 30-year-old small forward may be of interest. He is averaging 14.2 points, shooting 49 percent from the field, 48 percent on 3-pointers.
6. Teams keep asking about Anderson Varejao, and he is as close to an untouchable player as you'll find on the Cavs roster. He is 28. He's one player that Scott has told the front office to keep. He is averaging 9.8 rebounds this season, 10.4 in December. He did a super job on Dwight Howard, and is exactly the type of unselfish, defensive big man the Cavs must have when they hope to contend again.