Comments on: Browns 13, Steelers 6 — Browns should enjoy this moment

By: Keith Vlasak

Keith Vlasak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:54:10 +0000

Tim,

Saw this on Clemons on the "Hey, Tony" at the PD. I'm sure then that stronger comments than this on Mangini and Clemons (that I referred to) can be found in the Hey Tony Archive ….

Hey, Tony: I know you mentioned Kellen Clemons as a QB that might land with the Browns next year. I am more interested in former Jets QB Chad Pennington, if he is healthy. Do you like Pennington as a fit in Cleveland, and do you know if he plans to play in 2010? — Rusty Stoner, Columbus

Hey, Rusty: Pennington is under contract with Miami and is on the Dolphins' injured-reserve list with another injury to his right shoulder. At this point of his career, I believe Pennington's arm resembles the consistency of cooked spaghetti.

By: Tim in Plantation FL

Tim in Plantation FL — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:43:08 +0000

Keith, I think the pushing off penalties and the lack of blocking by Winslow had much more to do with his bum knee than coaching. I'm sure he could be a great blocker, but it's hard to get leverage against a 300+ pound defensive lineman or strong linebacker when you have a bum knee. Same thing with pushing off to get open – hard to make the sharp cuts on a dime when you need to with a bad knee. In 2007 when he had his great year, his knee was bad then but it's been getting worse. The fact he's still productive now with Tampa Bay this year is a reflection of his great talent and desire to play, but like I said before, his career could be over at any moment. Is he worth the contract he signed with Tampa? I think not. I don't remember the final #'s but it was a significant contract with alot of guaranteed $.

By: Keith Vlasak

Keith Vlasak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:47:12 +0000

Back on subject about how the Browns (and their fans) should enjoy this moment, here's something I saw on a Steelers site that is encouraging for future moments, like the worm or the wheel or something is turning:

By Ed Bouchette, from Sunday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

>quote>
Here are the ages next year of some starting defenders: Casey Hampton, 33; Brett Keisel, 32; Aaron Smith, 34; James Farrior, 35; James Harrison, 32; Ike Taylor, 30; Ryan Clark, 31. And the ages of their top replacements: Tyrone Carter, 34; Deshea Townsend, 35; Travis Kirschke, 36; Chris Hoke, 34; Nick Eason, 30.

Even if all were playing at their top level, those ages would be cause for concern. The problem is the decline in play on defense combined with their getting old. Another year would not make the same group a better defense than it has been this season. The other problem is there are few replacements on the roster."

The whole story is at …

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09347/1020571-66.stm

By: Keith Vlasak

Keith Vlasak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:45:22 +0000

Tim, I liked Winslow and do think he might have been great without the injuries and infections and that he was, for the most part, about winning. I do understand those that criticize his PLAY (rather than those who criticize his personality, and some of what Pat criticized him for was cussing out female Browns employees in front of reporters in particularly foul language) that he made motion penalties and got caught pushing off and didn't block like a tight end is required to. I think it would have been nice for Mangini to try to coach him out of some of that, but he chose not to — which kind of shows a double standard because Mangini wouldn't take any of the evidence concerning Derek Anderson from tapes of last year's games, but unloaded Winslow as quick as he could.

By: Tim in Plantation FL

Tim in Plantation FL — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:10:35 +0000

Keith, about Winslow – I agree with you that even though he was an emotional guy, I don't think he was the diva the media made him out to be. He seemed much more like a team guy than Edwards ever was. I think the only reason why Mangini got rid of him was because Winslow wanted a huge contract extension, which Mangini didn't think he was worthy of since his knee is held together with silly puddy and his career can end at any moment. If Winslow didn't do the stupid bike thing that tore up his knee, I truely believe he would still be a Brown today and we would have gave him the huge contract that he wanted. Actually, if Winslow never tore up his knee he probably would have been one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) tight ends to ever play the game.

By: Keith Vlasak

Keith Vlasak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:56:45 +0000

Ok, terje, there have been some strange time outs. I can't really make a case for Mangini being a better in-game manager. Thinking about it, some of what looked like time management problems last year might have been more Derek Anderson (as I've notice Quinn is snapping the ball sometimes in a hurry with the play clock hitting zero, which makes me recall that several times Anderson didn't last year).

One problem the Browns have had (in losing) is not making halftime adjustments (or reacting to the other team making halftime adjustments). There have been games where the Browns seemed to keep doing things on offense that weren't working and still weren't working and still and still and still weren't working.

In the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Fiesta Bowl a few years back, Weis had Quinn run a normal offense, then when there was too much pressure changed the offense to a three step drop quick release, then when that still wasn't working, juggled in some no huddle. What has always stood out to me about that, and Notre Dame did lose, was that Weis, known for being an offensive coordinator, changed his offense over and over right in the middle of a game to try to get something going (and I thought it was a point for Quinn that he could change, too). When the Browns offense doesn't react to whatever the prevailing reality is out on the field at any given time, I wonder if coaches who are really known for their offensive play calling would??

By: larry d.

larry d. — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:22:09 +0000

You fellows sure have it bad for the Manweenie.

By: terje

terje — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:29:30 +0000

and alan, you can include the cheating part for mangini. he certainly didn't have any problem with belichick's spying while he worked for him.

By: terje

terje — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:28:31 +0000

please refrain from using the word "hater".

and keith, mangini is equally as bad as crennel when it comes to in game management. we've seen it several times this year where he's either neglected to call time out or called time out at the wrong time.

By: alan t.

alan t. — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:24:55 +0000

You're contradicting yourself … seems to me the three guys I mentioned indeed did "bitch about it." As far as Cribbs is concerned, isn't it odd that he didn't speak up for Mangini while they were losing?

Bottom line, I was responding to larry d., who for some reason believes Mangini is a collegiate Lou Holtz, including the lisp, but minus the cheating part. My point is that so what if they play hard for Mangini? This means that Mangini is a worthy head coach simply because stiffs fighting for their very careers don't mutiny on a ship that hasn't even left the dock? This means they're playing hard for *him*?