Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[LitlBuck]

PD

Mangini has coordinators lined up, working
by Mary Kay Cabot
Monday January 12, 2009, 6:35 PM

The Browns could announce the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as early as Tuesday, a source close to the situation said Monday.

Ryan, the former defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders, and Daboll, former quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets, have already been in Cleveland with new coach Eric Mangini doing some preliminary work in their new roles, a source said. Daboll might have returned to New York, but Ryan is still here digging into the defense.

Ryan is the son of Buddy Ryan, architect of the famed defense of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, and the twin brother of Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Rex Ryan is a candidate for the Jets head coaching position and there had been reports that Rob might join him if he gets the job. But Rob is believed to be committed to Mangini, a source said. Rob Ryan has 21 years of coaching experience at the college and NFL levels, including five years as Oakland's coordinator and four seasons as New England's linebackers coach from 2000 to 2003, where he worked with Mangini and was on two Super Bowl-winning teams. In 2003, the Patriots defense ranked first in the NFL with 238 points allowed.

Daboll, who's spent nine seasons in the NFL, also coached with Mangini and Ryan and in New England. He was there from 2000 to 2006 and has three Super Bowl rings. He started out as a defensive assistant and then spent five years as receivers coach.

Continued

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Browns will interview James Harris today
by Mary Kay Cabot, Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday January 15, 2009, 10:21 AM

The Browns will interview James "Shack" Harris today for their vacant general manager's job, WKYC's Jim Donovan reported Wednesday night. Harris resigned last month as vice president of player personnel for the Jaguars, who went 5-11 this season. Harris took much of the blame for signing receiver Jerry Porter and cornerback Drayton Florence to huge free-agent contracts in the off-season that totaled $23 million in guaranteed money. Porter, hampered by a hamstring injury, finished with 11 catches and Florence played mostly in sub-defenses. The Browns have also interviewed Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis and will talk to him again as soon as next week.

this guy's name certainly came out of nowhere at least for me

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Browns finalize hiring of coordinators Ryan, Daboll and assistant head coach Seely
by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday January 14, 2009, 9:14 PM

CLEVELAND --- Browns new coach Eric Mangini is doing his best to bring some of that New England Super Bowl magic to Cleveland.

Mangini announced the hiring of his three coordinators Wednesday, all of whom shared his Super Bowl connection with the Patriots.

He named former Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to run the defense, former Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator and former Patriots special teams coach Brad Seely as his assistant head coach/special teams coordinator.

All three were with Mangini on Bill Belichick's Super Bowl staffs in New England, and their careers overlapped from 2000 to 2003.

"I'm extremely pleased to bring three quality people in Brian, Rob and Brad to our coaching staff and to the Browns," Mangini said in a Browns release. "I know firsthand that all three are very experienced, talented and dedicated coaches who share the same team-first vision and are passionate towards our goal of bringing an NFL championship to Cleveland."

Continued

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Ex-Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel will have hip replacement surgery
by Tony Grossi Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday January 15, 2009, 1:16 PM

Former Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel won't make a decision about his professional future until having hip replacement surgery next month.

Eric Mangini, Crennel's successor, has asked him to stay with the club in an undisclosed capacity.

"We've been talking about that, definitely," Crennel said. "I haven't committed totally. I told everybody that's talked to me that I'm going to get my hip done and then after that see what's available and make some decisions at that point."

Continued

[3074326]

ProFootballTalk.com - Latest News and Rumors

The NFL grapevine currently is buzzing with word that Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis will be the next G.M. of the Browns.

The news isn?t all that shocking; he widely was believed to be the leading candidate once Eric Mangini emerged as the favorite to become the next coach.

Still, the Browns technically can?t offer the job until the Ravens? season ends. That said, there are ways that the Browns can get their message across without actually offering Kokinis the job.

And there are ways Kokinis can make known his intention to accept the position.

[ysubuck]

I sit here as a life long Cleveland Browns fan and I am just miserable.

I'm miserable because I just watched two great conference championship games. The Arizona Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles to advance to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. THE ARIZONA CARDINALS?!?!?!?!

I then watched the Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC crown. Another great game that showcased both teams defensive strengths. The Steelers won and advanced to the Super Bowl AGAIN!!!

Cleveland fans deserve better. They sell out every game no matter how bad the team is and they haven't even sniffed a serious play off run in almost 20 years.

Other teams can turn it around in 1 year. The Falcons, the Dolphins, the Cardinals. So why not the Browns? Why can't a team with the most loyal fan base in America put a competitive team on the field?? A city that lives and dies by its football team is denied any type of hope year in and year out.

I remember the 80's. I was a kid, but I remember them. 85-89 were play off years. We had our hearts ripped out but those Cleveland teams were a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

Then Modell steals our team in the mid 90's and the most loyal, passionate fans in football have nothing during football season (Buckeyes aside, of course). Then they come back! The fans came back! Football was back in Cleveland and...nothing. Oh there was 2002 when they went 9-7 and made the playoffs. They led the Steelers 33-21 with 5 minutes to go and...lost the game 36-33.

Chris Palmer? Tim Couch? Butch Davis? William Green? This is how Cleveland fans are treated.

Yet we still come back. We will be back in 2009 for the start of the Mangini era in Cleveland. Who knows what that will bring. It has been 45 years now with no title in Cleveland, Ohio. Arguably the cradle of professional football. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I was sick watching the Steelers win again.

Now I have a Steelers vs. the [censored]ing Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl to look forward to. The Arizona [censored]ing Cardinals. A few years ago the Bidwells were written up as the WORST owners in sports. They now have a chance to win an NFL championship.

As the famous philosopher Charles Brown once said:
"I can't stand it. I just can't stand it."

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by ysubuck

Yet we still come back. We will be back in 2009 for the start of the Mangini era in Cleveland. Who knows what that will bring.

I have no crystal ball, but if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say more pain and disappointment. Call me jaded if you must.

Originally Posted by ysubuck

Now I have a Steelers vs. the [censored]ing Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl to look forward to. The Arizona [censored]ing Cardinals. A few years ago the Bidwells were written up as the WORST owners in sports. They now have a chance to win an NFL championship.

As the famous philosopher Charles Brown once said:
"I can't stand it. I just can't stand it."

Funny things happen when you bring in a winner at QB and a solid coaching staff. Oh, it helps to have the best WR since Jerry Rice. Make your arguments if you must, but Larry Fitzgerald is the truth. Guy is just nasty.

I've said before, I think Mangini got a raw deal in NY. He was being called "Mangenius" just two years ago. The guy can coach. Whether that means [censored] when working for a snake bitten organization with a culture of losing remains to be seen. I have my doubts.

GO CARDINALS.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

I have no crystal ball, but if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say more pain and disappointment. Call me jaded if you must.


Funny things happen when you bring in a winner at QB and a solid coaching staff. Oh, it helps to have the best WR since Jerry Rice. Make your arguments if you must, but Larry Fitzgerald is the truth. Guy is just nasty.

I've said before, I think Mangini got a raw deal in NY. He was being called "Mangenius" just two years ago. The guy can coach. Whether that means [censored] when working for a snake bitten organization with a culture of losing remains to be seen. I have my doubts.

GO CARDINALS.

taking it a step further, mangini was a week away from getting a hefty extension when the jets were 8-3. of course the fans say that the players quit on him, which makes perfect sense for a team leading the division with a disciplinarian head coach. mangini was the victim of Captain Sensodyne chucking the ball all over in [censored]ty weather without any idea of what he was doing.

when you have a good front office and smart coaching staff, it seems all your moves work out and everything goes your way.

[BuckeyeMac]

Couldn't say it any better ysubuck. Us as Browns ehh err Cleveland Fans are just miserable. Now with the Cavs playing very very well, we may finally be able to bring a Championship back to Cleveland. I think the Browns problem, is that we haven't had the right coaches. I mean Bill Davis didn't do crap. Crennel is the most emotionless coach I have ever seen and we were lucky last year with DA (one hit wonder?) Now it's Brady's team with a new staff, who could possibly put this team back into contention for a while to come.

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Browns interview Bryan Cox
by Mary Kay Cabot
Sunday January 18, 2009, 10:47 PM

Browns coach Eric Mangini has interviewed Jets assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox in Berea, a source close to the situation told The Plain Dealer.

Cox, a former 12-year linebacker who won a Super Bowl with the Patriots after the 2001 season, joined the Jets in 2006 as assistant defensive line coach after four years working for various media outlets.
Cox, known as one of the most intimidating linebackers in the game, spent one season in New England playing for current Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Mangini was Patriots defensive backs coach at the time.

Cox, who played for the Jets from 1998 to 2000, spent two of those seasons with Mangini, who was a Jets defensive assistant from 1997 to 1999.

The departure of Browns quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer to the Carolina Panthers increases the likelihood of coach Eric Mangini hiring former Browns quarterbacks coach Carl Smith for the same role he had with Cleveland from 2001 to 2003.

Smith, who was interviewed by Mangini on Thursday in Berea, was hired by USC on Jan. 6 to coach quarterbacks and serve as assistant head coach, but was given permission to interview for the Browns job.

I think losing Scherer hurts a little but if they can bring Cox as one of their assistant coaches he will bring some extremely needed intensity to the Browns. Hope they can bring him on board.

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Kokinis expected to meet with Browns, receive offer, accept GM job
by Tony Grossi
Monday January 19, 2009, 12:05 AM

Pittsburgh -- George Kokinis, the Browns' top general manager candidate, returned with his team to Baltimore on Sunday night but will have a quick turnaround and fly to Cleveland today for a second interview with owner Randy Lerner.

Unless something unforeseen happens, the Baltimore Ravens pro personnel director will be offered the job and will accept.
Kokinis strolled the Ravens' locker room and consoled players after they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-14, in the AFC Championship Game.

"It's tough. It's a good group of guys," Kokinis said, sounding like it's the last time he'll be with them.

Ravens safety Jim Leonhard is one product of Kokinis' pro scouting that exemplifies his eye for talent.

Continued

I hope that they can finally bring this guy on board today and get the majority of the staff in place during the week since some of the college players will be playing in those "showcase" games starting this weekend.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Couldn't say it any better ysubuck. Us as Browns ehh err Cleveland Fans are just miserable. Now with the Cavs playing very very well, we may finally be able to bring a Championship back to Cleveland. I think the Browns problem, is that we haven't had the right coaches. I mean Bill Davis didn't do crap. Crennel is the most emotionless coach I have ever seen and we were lucky last year with DA (one hit wonder?) Now it's Brady's team with a new staff, who could possibly put this team back into contention for a while to come.

The problem began back in 1999 when Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark thought they had all the answers and brought in the brain minded QB coach Chris Palmer to be the HC of a new organization. They selected terrible players and that just continued throughout the years.

I agree that they need to turn over the team to Quinn for stability if for no other reason but they have a long way to go to fill the rest of the holes in that defense so that they can play with the Squealers and Rat Birds. Both of those teams really can bring it and their organizations are extremely stable. We have a lot of work cut out for us.

It would be nice for Cleveland if the Cavaliers could win the NBA championship but it would be nowhere close to what it would mean if the Browns or Indians could win a world championship.

Oh, I thought it was very nice of Jim Nance to bring up the fact that the Cleveland Browns are one of 5 existing teams in the NFL who have never made it to the Super Bowl. He never even bothered to mention the 1964 team or some of the team in the 50s who won world championships. Compared to Joe Buck, Nance could not even hold his jock strap.

[Buckeyedynasty]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Oh, I thought it was very nice of Jim Nance to bring up the fact that the Cleveland Browns are one of 5 existing teams in the NFL who have never made it to the Super Bowl. He never even bothered to mention the 1964 team or some of the team in the 50s who won world championships. Compared to Joe Buck, Nance could not even hold his jock strap.

Agreed 100%. It figures he would bring that up. I can't stand Nance he is a worthless human being if you ask me.

I think the hiring of Mangini might be a big step forward for the Browns. I like what he has done in the drafts with the Jets and he brought in a hell of a great Defensive Coordinator in Ryan. I just wish they would dump the 3-4 scheme. Here's to rooting for the Cardinals. Beat those rat bastard, back shaving(female), gap toothed, squealers. GO BROWNIES!!!

[osugrad21]

DDN

Browns interview yet another GM candidate


By Staff Report

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

BEREA ? BEREA ? The Cleveland Browns recently interviewed New York Giants director of pro personnel Dave Gettleman for their general manager vacancy, a league source told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
Gettleman, 57, just finished his 23rd season in the NFL and his 11th with the Giants. He's been part of five Super Bowl teams and two winners, including the 2007 Giants. Gettleman is the fifth GM candidate the Browns have interviewed, including frontrunner George Kokinis of the Baltimore Ravens.

[osugrad21]

CPD

Kokinis spends second day visiting Cleveland Browns staff

by Tony Grossi / Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday January 20, 2009, 3:41 PM



CLEVELAND -- George Kokinis spent a second day visiting with the Browns on Tuesday, but there was no indication that an offer to become the team's general manager was made. Owner Randy Lerner was not in the office, said a source. Kokinis, the Baltimore Ravens pro personnel director, visited with new coach Eric Mangini and his coordinators, and also with other Browns' front office executives, including President Mike Keenan.
If Kokinis doesn't take the Browns' job, he sure has learned a lot about the inner workings of one of Baltimore's division rivals.
Meanwhile, the team's scouts continued to observe practices at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., without the company of the head coach, general manager or director of college scouting.
A source said the Browns are not overly concerned about naming a director of college scouting because they had planned on promoting national scout Daniel Jeremiah to the position. That was before the regime change. Jeremiah would appear to be in good standing with Kokinis, however, because he worked for the Ravens for four seasons before joining the Browns in 2007.

Cont...