Coach Mangini, know when to say win!

The more things change, apparently the more things remain the same. Looking
back, I was a strong supporter of Romeo Crennel, to this day I will still argue he got
a bad deal. I wasn't to receptive to the hiring of Eric Mangini as his
successor. I wasn't impressed with his stint on New York. Herman
Edwards had success there too, and actually won a playoff game.

I do like the fact that he is at least in a position to have success. I'm a firm
believer that the Head Coach should be the face and the voice of a franchise.
The GM should in fact worker under the authority of the Head Coach. I think its
a better chain of command and smoother operation when the GM supplies the talent
needed and requested by the Head Coach.

Clearly Coach Mangini is the decision maker, as he should be. In year one he has
already secured authority in matters Coach Crennel ever obtained. No question,
he is the voice heard when something is actually spoken. In this regards, I
applaud owner, Randy Lerner for allowing football men handle football business.

What Coach Crennel was most guilty of was trusting his veteran players too much
to be men, and be self accountable. They let him down and in the end cost him
his job. He was caught up in a game he had no chance of winning. He allowed
himself to get too consumed by what outsiders thought. The QB controversy that
was media driven was a bad joke, replayed far too often.

Looking back pre-2007, local media had him being the first coach fired and
nobody had them winning over 6 games. They won 10, tied for the division crown,
had 5 Pro Bowlers, were eliminated from the playoffs on the last day of the
season. The accomplishments were heavily diminished, yet raised the expectations
heading into 2008.

Greater expectations brought about greater scrutiny. In a word, 2008 could best
be described as a disaster. There wasn't a single off-season move made that
improved the team. Who was to blame?
Lack of preparation - Head Coach/Coaching Staff
Lack of execution - Players
Lack of depth - General Manager
It can't be defined or explained any clearer than that.

This regime was supposed to be different. A change in attitude, a change in
direction and purpose, and a more business like approach. This was going to be a
no nonsense way of doing things. The atmosphere at camp had a different feel to
it, and perceived locker room cancers were quickly showed the door, starting
with Kellen Winslow Jr.

I liked the way Mangini has turned over the roster, eliminated dead weight, and
rebuilt the roster from the 53rd spot moving forward. Lack of depth clearly was
not going to be an issue. I questioned some of the personnel decisions made to
the final roster, which I won't mention here. Transition takes time, and I'm
willing to exercise patience.

With that being said, I have to see progress, I have to notice change. I'm never
one to be concerned with wins and losses in preseason, more so on effort and
execution. How does the team improve from week to week, from game to game. Game
3 is normally the dress rehearsal for the season to come. What better measuring
stick than the Tennessee Titans. I witnessed mistakes, effort, energy, and in
the end tasted victory.

I have higher expectations than most. This is a team a season removed from 10
wins. There is talent here, you have 5 pro bowlers on the roster, Crennel
inherited none. The cupboard is not bare. The scheme in years past just didn't
seem to fit the strengths of the personnel. Rebuilding is not acceptable,
readjusting is more easily tolerated.

I didn't at all understand the process of the QB competition, if in fact that's
what it was. In fairness to both Anderson and Quinn, I can't imagine how either
was fairly evaluated based on how the rotations were played out against live
competition. Both had their shining moments, and moments otherwise.

Neither seemed to have a true opportunity to get into the flow of a game. No
rhythm, continuity, no sustained success to build from, or adversity with
opportunities to work through. Were they being mentally challenged? Isn't it the
responsibility of the Coach to put players in the best possible situations to
have success, even when practicing.

What was supposed to be accomplished by alternating possessions? Why were
Ratliff and Bartel even seeing action if you were unsettled on a starter? Did it
really matter at that point in time who #3 was going to be? I didn't mind all
the secrecy. If it was truly believed that a competitive advantage was gained,
then more power to you. So far, it really hasn't showed to be true after 2
games, but maybe I'm missing something.

I do however take offense, no pun intended, to being made to feel betrayed and
misled. What was reported most often about the competition was that it was close
and could go either way. Neither played in the final preseason game. Was it so
close that nothing else needed to be seen?

I attended 10 practices, watched all 4 games, even charted plays. I thought
there was some disparity in actual game action, but tossing out meaningless
numbers such as QB ratings, on the field they played about even. Even in limited
opportunities, I still had it at a dead heat.

I know Quinn generated the only offensive TD, albeit on a short field, after
Anderson just led a drive that produced a FG and a turnover was forced on the
ensuing kickoff. Like most, I'm curious to know what the deciding factor was in
making that final determination, or is this top secret too? I didn't see a
benefit or purpose to the rotation, unless the outcome was already determined.

Now play time is over, wins and losses have merit. All camp long, both QB's were
praised for their hard work, effort, adaptation to change, their support for one
another, and how they handled the "competition". Both were described as being
capable of effectively leading this team.

Does that mean they are interchangeable? When one struggles, you have no problem
going to the other? What's the course charted to have success? Is this Quinn's
opportunity, regardless of game to game out comes? If so, then state that, there
is no competitive advantage from week to week. You can only spring the same
surprise once.

If this is indeed Quinn's time, why was Anderson even kept? Especially if you
won't go to a proven commodity at times of ineptitude and struggle. What's most
important here, giving Quinn opportunities to struggle with the hope that he
will eventually, possibly get it turned around, or put the team in the position
of competing to win games?

The Browns record stands at 0-2. The defense has surprisingly well enough to win
2 games. They held Adrian Peterson to 25 yards in the first half in game one,
while Favre was kept uncomfortable enough to pass for less than 100 yards. I can
see letting Quinn go the distance, to fully gauge what you have. Minnesota,
defensively was one of the top defensive teams in the league season, and the
pick of some to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Quinn never got better as the game went on. Whatever opportunities that
presented themselves with winning disappeared with every snap Quinn had taken.
Going in, there were probably no realistic expectations to win, but that's why
you play the games. Winning was very possible, just not with Quinn, not on that
day.

Its said that most improvement is seen from game one to game two. Clearly this
was an opponent that Quinn had limited success against last season, all things
considered. They were in a season of transition as well, with no Jay Cutler and
a possible unmotivated Brandon Marshall. This was a game I had in the win column
when the schedules were announced.

Once again, its why the games are played. Quinn was actually less effective
against Denver as he was against Minnesota. Once again, the defense played well
enough to win. They had their moments of lack of focus, but gave Quinn an
opportunity to take control of this game and be a hero. As the game played on
and the defense was starting to tire, I got no sense of belief that Quinn was
going to come through.

This game stayed within reach, and when asked if Mangini considered making a
change, he insisted, "at no time". If not then, when? When does winning take
precedence over development? You often here the short comings of the defense,
they couldn't get off the field. What about the offense not being able to stay
on it?

The Browns loss 27-6 and at times it seemed closer and worse than it was. Two
4th quarter touchdowns pushed the final margin. I know there is a message in
this madness, but this was a game that had to be won. I know Quinn is the QB of
choice, but how long will ineffective play be tolerated? Should we as fans
accept it. Is this just a season of evaluation?

In a season only two weeks old we have a rookie QB in New York, in Mark Sanchez
that's 2-0 coming off an inspired win against New England. I mention this only
because the Browns passed on an opportunity to draft Sanchez, trading down and
ultimately selecting C Alex Mack. I know its unfair to second guess the
decision, but one can't help to wonder with every passing poor performance.
Quinn was a four year starter at Notre Dame, after serving as the #2 in 2007,
starting 3 games last season, one would think he would be further along. Is it
coaching and development or talent evaluation?

The final numbers from Sunday were 6 points, no offensive TD's, no points the
last 3 quarters, 4 sacks, an interception, a fumbled snap (Mack), 11 first
downs, 3/14 in conversions, with not a single possession in the 2nd half lasting
longer than 2:30, with only 200 yards total offense. Remarkably, it was still a
one possession game after 3 quarters.

In two games, Quinn has been sacked 9 times, thrown 2 interceptions, had 2
others thankfully dropped, 2 fumbles, and 6/27 in conversions. To Quinns credit,
he is completing 59.1% of his passes. The fact remains, you aren't going to
win many games with this level of productivity.

Up next are the Baltimore Ravens. Unlike Minnesota, Denver didn't allow a late
meaningless TD, they played until the final whistle. I anticipate Baltimore will
come early and often. Baltimore is led by second year pro Joe Flacco. Flacco has
thrown 5 TD's through 2 games so far, a number he didn't reach last season until
game 9. He is completing 62.3% of his passes. What's more impressive is that his
QB rating is up over 15 points in comparison to last season.

Cleveland Browns fans are some of the most loyal worldwide, we deserve and
demand more. I'm not ready to give up on this season as Cavalier's training camp
starts. I want Quinn to have every opportunity to succeed, though I'm a strong
Anderson supporter. How much do you subject Quinn to? I know he works and
prepares hard, but I'm just not seeing progress.

When looking at the schedule Coach, if its more of the same against Baltimore,
providing he survives that onslaught, then follows it up with a slow start against
Cincinnati...If and when it comes to a time of revisiting the possibility in making a
change, win is when?

Keith B McGlothin
(Submitted to the Cleveland Call and Post 9/21/09)