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http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=17&ID=354754&r=18&subCategoryID= Do Browns see light at end of tunnel?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
By Steve Doerschuk
Repository sports writer
UNIONTOWN Those eager eyes peeking over the edge of the crater belong to Phil Savage.
"We've been digging out of a hole for two years," the Browns general manager said Wednesday at the Northeast Ohio Celebrity Luncheon Club. "I really believe we're right on the edge of crawling out of that hole once and for all."
The Browns are 19-45 since making the playoffs in 2002, 10-22 since Savage and Romeo Crennel took over.
"Our window is just beginning to crack open," Savage said, sounding more comfortable and assertive than ever. "And when it opens, I think we're gonna be a real player, not only in our division but in the whole league."
A meteor-sized hunk of optimism is tethered to last month's draft, which yielded Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn in the first round. But how soon will the new left tackle and quarterback be starters?
"That'll be 'the watch,' " Savage said.
Quinn enters spring practice battling third-year pros Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson. Savage isn't saying Quinn is the favorite, but he emphatically rejects comparisons to 1999, when Tim Couch got thrown to the wolves.
"It's a totally different situation on a number of fronts," Savage said. "One, there's a better team out there for whoever the quarterback is. Two, you're not a first-year expansion team. Three, if (Quinn) is indeed the draft's most well-prepared player for the NFL, that will probably show itself very quickly."
When will the Browns know if Quinn might push to the head of the pack?
"I think the (spring practice) and the minicamp are gonna answer a lot of questions," Savage said. "The unknown in this is the whole contract situation. That could change all of this."
First-round picks frequently hold out. Crennel's comfort zone in starting Quinn will shrink commensurate to the length of any holdout.
Savage said Frye and QBs coach Rip Scherer are working overtime to make him a better pocket passer without erasing his improvisational skills. Anderson is three inches taller than Frye with a stronger arm and more of a pocket-passing background.
"(Anderson) played himself into the discussion," Savage said. "He's 6-6 plus, and he can throw it. He has a lot of confidence in that arm."
Bottom line, though: The Browns didn't trade up, forfeit a second-round pick and give up next year's No. 1 for Quinn to carry a clipboard.
When will the Browns' deep thinkers begin to debate whether the quarterback of the future can be the man in 2007?
"We'll lay the groundwork for all that over the next few weeks," Savage said. "Do the coaches think he's ready to handle more? Is he not as advanced as expected?"
BAXTER'S BATTLE Savage is rooting for cornerback Gary Baxter to come back from surgeries to repair ruptured patellar tendons in both knees. "He's pretty close to being able to do it," Savage said. "Maybe he's a safety. Maybe he's a corner. Maybe he's a nickel guy. If he does this, it's gonna be maybe the greatest comeback the league has ever seen, because his injuries were devastating."
DON'T COUNT ON IT Savage realizes he will "get pounded" for months with this question: "What's the magic number ... of wins Romeo needs to survive." Savage's view: "I don't know if there is a magic number. If our team shows real progress, and we show we're on the same page, and we play sound football and compete and play hard ... I know this, our players like Romeo. They really do. I think they're gonna play hard for him."
BENTLEY'S CHOICE LeCharles Bentley is scheduled for knee surgery June 4, and that surgery would knock him out of a second straight season. "There's a chance he may opt not to do it," Savage said. "By June 5, we'll know about '07, and '08 will still be out there as a question mark."
BIG PLANS Savage hinted that second-year running back Jerome Harrison could be a far bigger factor than he was as a rookie: "We have high hopes for Jerome, quite frankly."
Last edited by Attack Dawg; 05/17/07 11:26 AM.
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Interesting read. I'll be really surprised if Baxter is able to come back, and I'm pretty much counting Bentley out for this year.
As for the QB situation, I'm just going to take a wait-and-see attitude. No use worrying about it when it's going to be pretty fluid anyway.
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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Harrison coming into his own behind an improved line would be huge. He has the look of something special.
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If BQ is signed before the bell tolls for the 2nd week of training camp he starts against the Stilers on opening day ... if not it gets pushed back commenserate with how long his hold out is ...
and i see the LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNELL .. there is ABSOLUTLEY NO DOUBT IN MY MIND .. we have the MOST TALENT we've had here since our return .. and its NOT EVEN CLOSE .. and more importantly its at the KEY POSITIONS ....
these guys will need a year or two experience then the NFL will have one of the old gaurd back ... WOOF WOOF WOOF ...
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Good to hear about Baxter. I'm really, really rooting for him. It will be an amazing story for Bax to be in uniform week 1.
LCB.....while it's not 100% official yet, it's about 95%. See ya in '08 (hopefully).
And I'm really hoping that Frye turns the corner and keeps Quinn holding that clipboard all year. Frye can still keep his job with better play (and more wins).
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Quote:
If BQ is signed before the bell tolls for the 2nd week of training camp he starts against the Stilers on opening day ... if not it gets pushed back commenserate with how long his hold out is ...
and i see the LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNELL .. there is ABSOLUTLEY NO DOUBT IN MY MIND .. we have the MOST TALENT we've had here since our return .. and its NOT EVEN CLOSE .. and more importantly its at the KEY POSITIONS ....
these guys will need a year or two experience then the NFL will have one of the old gaurd back ... WOOF WOOF WOOF ...
Here's a question for everyone but especially you since you're the biggest BQ pimp of us all...
Based on my interpretation of Savagespeak, it sounded like Savage is hoping/praying Quinn signs his contract and is in camp on time (that much is obvious...but I think he wants him in if anything else so Romeo doesn't give him the Braylon/Wilson treatment...I think Savage really wants him to start week one). He also thinks he's gonna separate himself from the stiffs we have currently as soon as June minicamps. Did you pick up on that too or was it just me?
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its just U ... well kind of .. of course he wants BQ (and all rooks for that matter) to be in on time and beat out the incumbents .. that means the TEAM IMPROVED .... so does he want those thing?? ALL GM'S DO ...
does he have some "covert" reasons for BQ to start or push him quicker?? Not at all ....
he wants whats best for the team ... and whats best for the team is for ALL the rooks to be in on time and for the all to push and start over the incumbents .... just like ALL GM'S do ..
HE HAS NO "HIDDEN AGENDA" HERE ...
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I remember being so upset when TC was "Thrown to the Wolves".
"They said they were gonna sit him ALL year" I screamed as he got sacked multiple times.
I really hope Brady sits, but I think he will outshine CF and DA so much so that it won't even be a discussion. I hated on Quinn for the #3 pick, but he is leaps and bounds more phsically gifted than the other two.
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Savage wants BQ to be the starter. If Frye or Anderson turns out to be good it will show that Savage did a poor job of evaluating their talent and wasted a 1st round pick on QB. If Quinn takes too long to develop it will show Savage is a poor judge of talent because Savage keeps telling us how NFL ready Quinn is compared to other rookie QBs.
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Is Frye's rookie contract up after this year? He'll be an RFA, right? I hope he plays really well, so we can get a 1st rounder back for him next year signing him to the highest tender.
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Savage wants BQ to be the starter U should want the best players starting not riding the bench.. If Frye or Anderson turns out to be good it will show that Savage did a poor job of evaluating their talent and wasted a 1st round pick on QB. How good? Good doesn't mean they're capable of carrying the offense.. IF is a crooked word and it's not going to happen..perhaps you are a poor evaluater on how to evaluate 
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I don't know if you'd call it a hidden agenda or not... but Savage wants to win games, Savage wants to prove his deal to move up to take Quinn was a good move... so simple logic dictates that he wants Quinn to start on day 1.... since that is the only way he can get both of the things he wants...
I'm sure on another level, he also wants to avoid another QB controversy... whether it's because Quinn isn't as ready as he thinks or that Frye has just improved that much...
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Actually if Quinn doesn't start out of the gate thats NO INDICATION that the move to get him was wrong..
In fact as I said on another thread I wouldn't want Quinn to start UNTIL that Oline is working as a unit..
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Oh I agree with that completely.. but if Quinn doesn't start out of the gate, then Frye has to screw up for Quinn to get inserted, which means we are losing... which is why I said, the only way he can have BOTH is if Quinn starts from day 1...
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I think Charlie is mroe than capable of wining games in this league.
If he hadn't had those TOTALLY BONEHEADED interceptions, we might not have ever went after Quinn.
JMO
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Since Savage is more or less in charge of signing players, and if what you say is true, there won't be a holdout. He won't dink around trying to save a nickel like some GMs do. On the flip side of that, Quinns camp knows that. And on the flip side of the flip side if there is such a thing  , Quinn knows the score and knows he can start day 1 if he gets in there and doesn't miss time. I have a feeling all sides will reach agreement early in the process. Both sides want a early signing and both sides have incentive to get it done on time. When that is the case, it is usually a smooth process. The sound we will hear is that of champagne flutes clanging, and the alarm bells will be silent. Thomas is more of a holdout risk than Quinn.
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I agree with Attack here ...
look guys .. the first thing u need to come to grips with is he didnt take BQ for this year .. he is the FUTURE .... Opie is more concerned with 08 AND ON ... what BQ does this year will only be important till next year ..
OPIE WILL BE JUDGED ON THIS TRADE IN OVER THE NEXT 5 - 10 YEARS not 07 ..
BQ could start in 07 and be GREAT ... then if he sucks after that it will be a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE MOVE ..
BQ could ride the pine in 07 and start in 08 and stink the joint up .. then in 09 start a string of 10 pro bowls in a row .. and it would be a GREAT GREAT MOVE ..
U guys think Opie will be judged on this move in the SHORT TERM .. when its the LONG TERM that really matters ....
its not ABOUT 07 GUYS ... its about 08 - 18 ....
what happens in 07 will BE FORGOTTEN in the long run ...
U and MOST have VERY FLAWED LOGIC when it comes to this ... SHORT TERM is not where the value of this lays ...
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Quote:
Is Frye's rookie contract up after this year? He'll be an RFA, right? I hope he plays really well, so we can get a 1st rounder back for him next year signing him to the highest tender.
If we sign him to the highest tender there is no way someone else will snag him for a 1st rounder.
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Oh I agree with that completely.. but if Quinn doesn't start out of the gate, then Frye has to screw up for Quinn to get inserted, which means we are losing So? Frye's gonna screw up anyway ...we not going to win 8-10 games anyway.. What most are forgetting we'll have practically a new Oline..one rookie plus a new LG/RG and maybe RT..man it will take time for those guys to work as a unit no matter how good they are and fact is ..only two of those guys are actually going to touted as average/above average. Frye alone has to go out and play on a higher plane than what he has..thats going to be difficult with a new line.. Then to add to that the recievers have to be reliable, the running game must produce(again pointing to the Oline to create holes)..so I expect the first half of the season to be....somewhat of a mess.. Preseason is going to give a glimpse of the growing pains this offense is going to have..even the OC is going to hiccup because he doesn't know how anyone is going to perform.
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I hope LCB can get straightened out. He deserves to get back on the field again.
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Man the LCB story sucks......well in our Browns motto: " Maybe next year"
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Quote:
Opie is more concerned with 08 AND ON
But then again, if there isn't at least SOME improvement this year, Opie won't be here to see what happens in '08 and beyond... and if you don't understand that Opie realizes that, then it is YOUR logic that is flawed.
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Couple of points,, Harrison being able to contribute is HUGE! BQ had better not hold out or he could miss his chance to start game 1 RAC doesn't seem to have as short a leash as many seem to think Charlie has a chance to compete and so does Anderson.. Long term, Brady is the starter unless Charlie lights it up and it stays lit! I hope Baxter is able to play some this year,, that would be the feel good, comeback story of the year,,, Too bad about Bentley,, for a moment there, it looked as if he could come in this year. Quote:
BENTLEY'S CHOICE LeCharles Bentley is scheduled for knee surgery June 4, and that surgery would knock him out of a second straight season. "There's a chance he may opt not to do it," Savage said. "By June 5, we'll know about '07, and '08 will still be out there as a question mark."
Is it me or does this kinda sound as if the Browns were hoping he'd NOT have the surgery but are merely accepting of his decision to do so?
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I think we may crawl out of the hole THIS YEAR but it depends on one factor, forget the QB's for a second even though they'll play a role in how far we get too.
The offensive line and Jamal Lewis. If Jamal is back to form and the line performs like we *THINK* it will, we'll be able to keep our (improved) defense off the field more and keep them fresher.
How do I think we'll do? Thomas day one is better than Shaffer, even if it's only slightly better, shouldn't even be questioned that Steinbach is light years beyond Andruzzi. Fraley can only benefit from having quality around him, he was a Pro Bowl alternate one year for a reason and he's still relatively young. Right side is questionable but I think the best combo would be Tucker and right guard and Shaffer at right tackle. Tucker would only make a better interior lineman, and Shaffer would HAVE TO improve on the right side, he played pretty well when he wasn't protecting the blind side in Atlanta. If not, McKinney is better than Coleman and Tucker is Tucker (a.k.a. NOT a problem).
We could very well still be in the bottom half of the league, but there's no way I see us in the "we completely stink" category, not with the way we've addressed the line this offseason vs. other teams who didn't address their glaring weaknesses.
I'll argue that we did the best addressing our glaring weaknesses vs. any other team in the league.
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My interest in the article lies here ...
" BIG PLANS Savage hinted that second-year running back Jerome Harrison could be a far bigger factor than he was as a rookie: "We have high hopes for Jerome, quite frankly."
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I'm glad Phil echoes my sentiments that Jerome Harrison (if he ever learns to pass block) can be the real deal for us as a 3rd down RB. The job is his 
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Quote:
I remember being so upset when TC was "Thrown to the Wolves".
"They said they were gonna sit him ALL year" I screamed as he got sacked multiple times.
I really hope Brady sits, but I think he will outshine CF and DA so much so that it won't even be a discussion. I hated on Quinn for the #3 pick, but he is leaps and bounds more phsically gifted than the other two.
There is no way you can compare Quinn's situation to Couch's though, like Savage said. Just remember the pile Couch had to work with...
LT - Lomas Brown
LG - Jim Pyne
C - Dave Wolabaugh
RG - Steve Zahursky
RT - Orlando Brown
FB - Marc Edwards
RB - Terry Kirby
WR - Kevin Johnson, Leslie Shepherd, Darrin Chiaverini, Ronnie Powell
TE - Marc Campbell, Irv Smith
I think it's safe to say that every single position on the team right now is as good or better than what Couch had to work with.
It's not a matter of a rookie QB being a guaranteed disaster - it's about a rookie QB coming into a system that's strong enough for a guy to succeed. I think we have that in place, and that should we deem Quinn ready, that we wouldn't be scarring him by plugging him in right away.
We're... we're good?
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Quote:
Quote:
I remember being so upset when TC was "Thrown to the Wolves".
"They said they were gonna sit him ALL year" I screamed as he got sacked multiple times.
I really hope Brady sits, but I think he will outshine CF and DA so much so that it won't even be a discussion. I hated on Quinn for the #3 pick, but he is leaps and bounds more phsically gifted than the other two.
There is no way you can compare Quinn's situation to Couch's though, like Savage said. Just remember the pile Couch had to work with...
LT - Lomas Brown
LG - Jim Pyne
C - Dave Wolabaugh
RG - Steve Zahursky
RT - Orlando Brown
FB - Marc Edwards
RB - Terry Kirby
WR - Kevin Johnson, Leslie Shepherd, Darrin Chiaverini, Ronnie Powell
TE - Marc Campbell, Irv Smith
I think it's safe to say that every single position on the team right now is as good or better than what Couch had to work with.
It's not a matter of a rookie QB being a guaranteed disaster - it's about a rookie QB coming into a system that's strong enough for a guy to succeed. I think we have that in place, and that should we deem Quinn ready, that we wouldn't be scarring him by plugging him in right away.
Let's bring Tim back and see what he can do.
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"BQ had better not hold out or he could miss his chance to start game 1"
Interesting story to unfold. Does BQ realize that being taken in the second half of Rd1 doesn't entitle him to be paid like a top 5 draft pick?????
If he is as good as advertised he makes his money on his next contract not his rookie contract. Don't lowball him...pay him more than his drafted slot calls for...play nice and all reap rewards in a couple of seasons. Amen& Halleluiah!!!!
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Quote:
My interest in the article lies here ...
" BIG PLANS Savage hinted that second-year running back Jerome Harrison could be a far bigger factor than he was as a rookie: "We have high hopes for Jerome, quite frankly."
Personally, I'd just like to see him actually make a block in the backfield. If he learns that, then I think he can be a great scat-back, and possibly something more.
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general reply
Didnt Frye have it worked into his contract if he starts so many games he gets a huge freaking raise? I am pretty sure i remember something like that and it could play into the decision making.
Quinn will be here the first day of camp bank on it. he doesnt want another QB getting the jump start over him. The kid loves to work and he isnt missing out on the most important camp he will ever see. There will NOT be a hold out.
Also we appear to be instilling an offense that is more suited towards Brady Quinn.
Now the comments on Harrison are very interesting and it may very well be why we didnt draft a RB. Just so most know, VERY FEW college backs are worth a damn at blitz pickup and pass protection. Most learn it in the NFL thats why guys like Emmit Smith and Joseph Addai are so rare when it comes to blocking.
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Quote:
U guys think Opie will be judged on this move in the SHORT TERM .. when its the LONG TERM that really matters ....
its not ABOUT 07 GUYS ... its about 08 - 18 ....
what happens in 07 will BE FORGOTTEN in the long run ...
U and MOST have VERY FLAWED LOGIC when it comes to this ... SHORT TERM is not where the value of this lays ...
I agree.
And I think the same short-term/long-term thing applies to the head coach also.
I hear so many fans saying things like, "RAC now has a LT a QB and perhaps a starting CB from this draft. Add to that getting a premier LG and some solid DL help and a feature RB in FA. Now RAC is really on the hot seat. He finally has the talent he needs, so he better win and win now or he's gone."
Many fans have fallen into the deceptive thinking that potentially good players will make an instant impact. They forget that football is a team sport and as such each new player needs playing time with his new teammates in order to play as a team.
In addition, even season veterans need time to absorb their new team's schemes and playcalling whether it be offensive or defense. They rose to a high level of playing in one scheme and will now be required to play at the same high level in another. Along with learning the tendencies of their teammates that takes time too.
This is football. It's not like a veteran signing on with a baseball team in his own division playing right field. That's hard enough. But 11 football players must think, react, and move as a unit, while simultaneously outguessing the opponent as a single mind. It takes a lot of practice and game experience together in order to accomplish that feat.
Some of the new players to the team have come from college where the game is much slower. They'll need time to adjust to the speed of the NFL as well as the advanced tricks and moves of their opponents. They also must learn a much more intricate and detailed method of playing their position, not to mention a more sophisticated playbook.
Sure we have a 1st round LT. Maybe the best to come out in years. Maybe. We also got who could be the best QB to come out in a while. Could be. The CB really might be a 1st round talent stolen late in the 2nd round.
Problem is, none of tthose rookies has played a down yet in the NFL.
Thomas and Steinbach may become the next Jones-Hutchinson, but they ain't coming out of the gate like that. They're coming out of the gate in '07attempting to get used to each other. By '08 they should be real good. The year after they could be on their way to becoming Jones-Hutchinson. The following year they just may be that solid.
Plus, no one knows exactly how the right-side of the OL is going to shake out in '07.
The offensive line now has more bona fide talent then at any time since our return. But with a rookie at LT and an undecided right-side they ain't exactly gonna be the "Hogs" anytime soon.
Quinn, regardless of his skill-set and NFL ready head, he's gonna freak when he sees the speed of the NFL game. Litterally freak! That's not to say he'll suck. But he ain't gonna be any where near the QB he'll be two years later. He should catch on real quick. But real quick ain't now.
Same for Wright. CB is the hardest position on defense to step right in and play well. NFL receivers have moves and tricks that he's only gonna get a glimpse of in training camp. And then not at game speed. He will struggle. He may wind up being a probowler. It could happen. But it will also take some time.
The DL is another matter, but even then those guys aren't going to become a brick wall in week two. With Robaire Smith (8th year) and Orphious Roye (12th) at the ends, and Big Ted (gulp, 17th) in the middle, that should be pretty solid real quick.
But they need a rotation and so far we really don't know what the new guy, Shaun Smith (4th year), will bring.
The Browns are just now beginning to establish themselves as a team with some potential talent. "Peeking over the edge of the crater", the writer of this article puts it.
To blame RAC for not having won more games with the lack of talent he's had to this point is unfair. To say the RAC suddenly now has everything he needs to win and is on the hotseat as of today is equally unfair and placing unrealistic expectations on the head coach.
Progress is the guage and the number of wins has nothing to do with it. We could lose 16 games in '07 by 3 points or less per game and that would be progress. It'd be real odd but it would still be progress.
Teams are not built from pretenders to contenders by building for the short term. Sure, some of the FA's brought in are short-term fixes. Some, like Bently and Stienbach are actually long-term. But generally, the long-term fixes are gained through the draft. But since there's simply not enough quality draft picks to fix everything at once it takes time to build a contender.
Many fans wish for a "Cinderella" story. They hope againt hope that the Browns will somehow leap from the depth of mediocrity to a position deep in the playoffs or maybe even a superbowl appearance. Most of the teams who do that fall away as quickly as they rose up leading the organization and it's fans in the same depression they thought they thouoght was behind them.
It seems to me that this team is being built for the long haul. It looks to me like it is being done the right way. Sure, there have been some questionable draft picks and some FA's who didn't work out as planned. But for the most part there looks to be progress. It's the kind of progress that has me optomistic for the future. Not demanding for the present, but genuinely hopeful that the Browns are on their way back.
Romeo Crennel needs not to be on any hotseat in the immediate future. He has just now been blessed, if the current crop of FA's and draft picks work out, with the potential talent to begin to build his team. Let's not call the cake done 'til it's baked long enough.
Go to clevelandbrowns.com. Look at the history of the Browns coaches. Every one of them who was given 5 years took our team to the playoffs. Every single one.
That would give RAC three more years.
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What you say is all true. As far as it goes. But I'd bet you dollars to donuts that if RAC isn't 8-8 (or damn close to it) he's gone before the Super Bowl starts. This is the era of free agency. That changes the shape of things considerably. Too many teams have made big swings in their W-L records in a very short time for ownership to stand pat with a coach with a roughly .300 winning percentage. JMHO
"People who drink light 'beer' don't like the taste of beer; they just like to pee a lot."
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The Saints went from pretty bad to pretty darn good under a new coach in a year.
5 year plans are only good if the fans buy it.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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But did they go from completely tore down and gutted to "pretty darn good" in two years?
They also brought in an experienced probowl quarterback who fit their system and used him wisely. (unlike what Butch did with Garcia). And had a first round draft pick that worked out pretty well.
It would be really unfair to hire a coach, then, gut the team of all it's previous talent (after all, who was left after Savage got done shipping them out?) and require him to completely turn it around in two years.
Last year would have been year one after the tear-down and this coming year would be year two.
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Quote:
This is the era of free agency. That changes the shape of things considerably.
It does if you still have a few of your first round picks on the team from the previous six years. That and at least a core of players on each side of the ball. Free agency could fill in the missing parts and get you over the hump rather quickly.
The Browns had none of that.
Just one first round pick and he was rehabbing going into his third year after playing only two games previous.
The team is just now beginning to build it's core on each side of the ball. That is, if this offseason's pickups and draft picks pan out by next year. This year our first three picks, who I'm sure we're counting on to be starters at LT, QB and CB (three of the teams biggest current needs), haven't even played an NFL game yet.
How do we judge a coach based on wins, "8-8 (or damn close to it)", in this situation?
Quote:
Too many teams have made big swings in their W-L records in a very short time for ownership to stand pat with a coach with a roughly .300 winning percentage.
Now, if this offseason's pickups and draft picks do indeed pan out, next offseason's FA signings could very well catapult the team into contenders (or damn close to it).
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Quote:
But then again, if there isn't at least SOME improvement this year, Opie won't be here to see what happens in '08 and beyond... and if you don't understand that Opie realizes that, then it is YOUR logic that is flawed.
*LOL* .. ya Ok DC .. we just came off one of the GREAT OFF SEASONS in the history of the NFL and Opies on the hot seat .. 
we picked up Stieny and Thomas .. u have any idea what a COUP that is??? we'kk have one of if not the best left sides in football in a year or two fot eh next 4 or 5 years ... and were gonna fire Opie after 07?? *LOL* ..
Dream on bro .. opie is not even NEAR THE HOT SEAT ... NOT EVEN NEAR IT .. matter of fact his seat is ICE COLD as of this draft ...
unles u think when Randy was hugging him after we got BQ he was saying "win 8 or your gone" .. *LOL* ....
keep listening to the press ... 
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each situation is different Otto .. were in year 3 for RAC but we GUTTED our team .. WE GUTTED OUR TEAM ... and that made us NON PLAYERS int eh first FA period RAC was here .. then in FA period #2 we get La .. he was our ONLY PRIME GET in that FA period .. and he goes down ..  were a VERY VERY YOUNG TEAM ..... alot younger than those teams that makes the QUICK TURNAROUNDS ... we will make it .. just not this year ... we will see improvement this year .. NO DOUBT ... we'll be a BETTER FOOTBALL team and a MORE MATURE FOOTBALL TEAM .. but we dont yet have the TALENT and MATURITY to make the big move ... like peenies example of New Orleans ... one thing all thise teams that made moves like that had were they PLAYED IN WEAK ASS DIVISIONS ... look at Carolina a few years ago ... hell look at us the year we made the playoffs .. OUR DIVISION STUNK ... well last year it was quite possibly the toughest in football ... this year it won't be as good ... but it will still be pretty damm formidable ... your SCHEDULE plays a HUGE PART in these turnarounds ... HUGE ... another thing those teams had was a GOOD BASE OF TALENT ... the Saints had some good football players ... MUCH BETTER than what RAC inherieted ... i am to believe that RAC has at least two more years ... but he could be gone at the end of this one .. but it should'nt be because we didnt make some huge turnaround with this team .. the TALENT is still for the most part VERY VERY YOUNG .. next year .... well thats a different story ..
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ddub,I think you have it all broken down fairly accurately. I'll be looking for us to "be more competative" on a weekly basis. I'll be looking for us to be able to "pull out a couple of close ones" that we couldn't do before. And I'll be looking for steady progress. We should be able to run more consistantly as the season progresses pretty much no matter who is in the backfield.But wins and losses? They won't be my measuring stick. But you see ddub,that's being "realistic". And a lot of times "realism" isn't very popular around here. I mean you're not predicting 10-6? Are you a "real Browns Fan"? (sarcasm ddub)  I mean if you're not "all giddy" making bold,unrealistic predictions? If you don't have blind loyalty towards every player no matter their behavior,attitude anmd production? If you don't EXPECT TO WIN EVERY GAME? How can you be a "real Browns fan"? (more sarcasm ddub) You're just too realistic to be a good fan ddub. You're not saying things that make you sound FOS. You're not saying stupid,unrealistic things. You're not making bold predictions that have near zero percent chance of happenning! What kind of fan are you anyway!?? Thanks for the post ddub!  Every time I start to think sanity has been abandoned around here,I see posts like yours and realise there is still hope. JMHO
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
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j/k
Another writer finally seeing the Browns are for real,
Another writer greasing up the wheels on the bandwagon, so he can say I knew it all along...
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