I always wonder if I'm being too hard on the Cleveland Browns. Yesterday GM George Kokinis spoke with the media, and really didn't say anything of substance. He talked a lot and answered a lot of questions, but really didn't speak in depth on them at all.
That's his right, of course. And I understand that sometimes my desires might not match the team's. I just think that communicating with the fans (through the media) is part of the job. And I think after all these months of a new coach and GM, the fans deserve some vision, some explanation of the plan. The new regime has yet to verbalize that, or to allow the new coordinators to talk to the media, or had any players talk about why they signed with the Browns, or any of that stuff that could get fans excited.
When I wonder if I'm being too hard, I read an out-of-town perspective. Like Matt Bowen's in the National Football Post. His commentary is very biting and to the point, and it's headlined: "The Decline of the Browns."
Bowen makes many good points, among them:
"If Brady Quinn is so loved in Cleveland, why do I constantly hear that Derek Anderson is the choice of this organization? And is there really a deal that's going to go down before April 25 to move the former first-round pick out of town – possibly in the same cab that (Braylon) Edwards is taking to the airport?
"I almost feel that the quarterback derby Mangini promised us was only a distraction from his real plan – buying time to find a team willing to take Quinn off his hands.
"That Brady Quinn jersey you just bought might be a collector's item now of a player who was given three total games to prove he was ready to play in this league. "
Bowen concludes:
"I don't know what the future holds for football in Cleveland, but I do know that the upcoming draft will tell us a lot. We'll see who's really running the show by the players selected, and we'll also see what current Browns will soon find themselves working for someone else.
"I could be completely off base here with my assumptions. Obviously, Mangini is the coach of this team and I'm not – but that doesn't hide the fact that his moves up to this point have all of us scratching our heads. "
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
koko the monkey has no reason to be forthright with anyone. the last emperor was deposed, the new emperor has taken his place and the fans flock to the stadium like drones to the queen bee regardless of who wears the brown and orange crown.
I think the new mission statement is "you'll take what we give you and you'll like it". I guess as fans we just have to hope that the players can muddle through all this nonsense and put together a good effort.
Wow – hoping for mediocrity. Whoo Hoo!
We'll Get'em Next Year! Woop ee,another lost season.Were Rebuilding.
For The Teams Sake,Don't Trade Quinn Till We See What He's Got.
I'd like to see Quinn in a ball control offense, but Kokinis and Mangini pretty clearly want to clean house and start over.
Edwards and Quinn will be gone in exchange for a ton of draft picks and Anderson will start the next 2-3 years until they get a franchise
Kokinis and Mangini know they don't have to win right away and they have at least 3 years to build a winner or at least competitive team before they get the axe.
They want THEIR handpicked guys to start, so players with baggage (Winslow, Edwards) or perceived value (Quinn) will be shipped out to stockpile picks. When they see the best opportunity, Rogers will be gone too.
Hopefully they pick well and we'll have something to cheer for in a few years.
Sorry Cleveland – no quick fix.
I too want a winner as much as the rest of us do…but really, we were not going anywhere with the last regime? I am willing to give these guys a chance before I am too critical.
Remember when Bill Belechik came into town and cleaned house (Kosar) and the fans quickly wanted him gone…he then became a multiple super bowl winning coach?
I still remember the day that our team left? I am a season ticket owner…at times it's difficult watching this team flounder in mediocrity…but I am glad that I again have a chance to watch those beautiful orange helmets. I know someday…good times will be here again.
Personally I think the fans and MEDIA deserve as much critisizm as the owner and team does. Negativity bleeds in Cleveland?
Be HAPPY you have a team!
pretty orange helmets are all that it takes to make you happy? do you take a few tabs before the game too? is that the explanation as to why so many browns fans mindless hand over money to this team? the electric dawg pound acid test?
punt, fumble and microdots!
I get tired of all the writers & fans talking of the fans rights & that the team needs to comunicate through the media . How about the overstated theory of needing to draft a reciever because he is more marketable (Crabtree) to help sell tickets . If the Browns were to win 12 games in this or any other year they won't have to say another word all year . Get over yourself Pat !
Anybody who thinks Anderson will be on the roster in July has not been paying attention to ME! He's gone to [take your pick] Seattle,Minn., Jets or Detroit. Quinn also goes but only if the price is right! This means we obviously draft a QB [I know, QB's need time to develop unless you're Flacco or Ben or others I'm sure to have omitted ].If we trade both it means we like Sanchez or Freeman a lot better and will sign a vet to tutor/back up. This draft will be all about getting picks for guys we're not enthralled with or who will soon be exiting for greener pastures. How does a draft of players like Freeman, Wells, Britt,Chung and Woods sound? Or Jenkins, Mack, Robiskie And Jennings or English or Delmas etc. etc.
Hey "Terje" …you are the exact type of fan I'm refering to. If you hate them so much, follow someone else. You have a Cowboys type of mentality…go root for "America's Team". I suppose you were the one cheering when Anderson got hurt last year too? Dweeb.
Sounds like T bombs been hittin' the sauce…….
i'm no cowboys fan but i'm going to have to assume that a "cowboys type of mentality" is the mentality of a 5 time super bowl champion. as opposed to a browns type of mentality which is the mentality of a bottom feeder.
and no, i'm not your typical scumbag dawg pound fan. i don't cheer when players get injured.
Ronny,please don't soil your panties in public.
Tbomb, I wish you had told me that earlier. Will you change my diaper?