DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum 4 assistants fired from Browns!

I think we're a long way from playoffs - I could see us going 7-9, maybe 8-8.... btu where we really have to imrpove for RAC to save his job is in the division... can't win just won game against your rivals and keep your job

I don't know.....maybe..


This isn't some low level position with little at stake. The team stands to lose more with improper or clouded direction than they do by paying out the full terms of the contract.

You might get away doing that with a mid management job, waiting for a replacement, but the higher up the chain you go, the more it makes sense to just pay out and make the switch because you stand to lose more than you gain.

True BUT the Browns are owned by a billionaire that locks up bottles of water and counts pens and paperclips.

I don't know if that is true or not.

His dad was a generous person, so it is possible Jr. is the opposite and frugal.

None the less, he is still a pretty sharp businessman. Trying to save a million or so to put at risk a 600 million investment with the potential for 5x that over the next 10 years seems pretty silly.

Exactly...i still remember before lott came in everyone was blaming the previous one for the same thing....he can't make sure someone isn't goin to tear their freakin tendons n stuff...blah

I liked him as our coach....

Get your mind right - John Lott

Bad, weaker players usually get beat up by better players.

I tend to think our injury factor has more to do with that then anything else.

When you are having to extend to 100% every play from a physical standpoint, you are sooner or later going to extend a bit too much and pull, rip, or break something.

Law of averages.

Regarding Rip Sherear...



Do you mean the way Carson Palmer looks when his protection breaks down?

Most of the reason our QB's looked befuddled is because they had no real pass protection. Once in a blue moon the protection would be adaquate but for the most part it just wasn't there. It's hard to not look befuddled when defenders are coming at you from all angles.

Frye had 8 fumbles to Palmer's 15. They both lost 7 of them. (Are Palmer's hands too small? <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />)

That's what happens when protection breaks down. The play breaks down and QB's become antsy, befuddled and confused.

I don't think it has a thing to do with the QB coach.

The coach is there for mechanics and helping QB's get prepared for the game plan. There's not one alive who can prepare a QB for what he's to do when defenders are in his face or while running for his life, (other than throw it away).

Just to be an ass <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" /> I said that RAC would be fired next year ...last year. I have continued saying it this season. I knew Mo would be first. He was. Then some other assistants and Lott. They were. RAC will not make it to 2008. Been saying it for over a year. Watch and see. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

your just being negative <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

yeah, it doesn't look good for romeo. he seems like a good guy, I like him as a coach.

there's plenty of blame to pass around, plenty of mistakes. hopefully, we see some of the dream OL and DL picks that we yak about in the draft area become proud cleveland browns players.

LOL



That's really a positive. We have a legitimate shot to really improve our team in this year's draft. With Russel coming out, I think we have a great shot of getting Thomas. He won't help us win many games next year, but it's a start. We get him and a d-lineman in rd. 2 and we could have something.

Wimbley was a good pick last year. DQ will be okay. It's going to take a few years, but at least we have some hope.

And while I don't RAC fired next year, there will be two names from the past available as our head coach and offensive coordinator. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I thought you would find that funny <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


I think that our LB corps are really hampered by the the DL we have. once we get a stronger DL they will really shine. the pats D really works because of the strong DL up front.



it's nice to have somebody better then ben taylor in the middle for sure.



things are going to get interesting, I'm curious what would happen if by some miracle we get Joe Thomas, a good guard in FA, and draft another, while getting a good DL or 2 in the draft or FA. all the sudden we may not suck, so any talk of romeo just being temporary may fade.

we live in intersting times

[color:"white"] And while I don't RAC fired next year, there will be two names from the past available as our head coach and offensive coordinator. [/color]

Are you the Great Carnac? <img src="/images/graemlins/saywhat.gif" alt="" />

Well for me the coaching changes are a good and bad for me personally; that is, as a fan I am happy to see new offensive blood come in for the team, but as a friend, I am sadden to see one of the coaches, who is a friend of mine, get the axe. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I feel things are being cleared for a new offensive coordinator and his staff. This would make a more attractive situation for the new OC and his staff. Hopefully we will find someone soon and have a progressive offense this next season. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

bring back lindy infante <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

never a good thing to dig through old garbage! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

here's a thought i just had about a "possible" OC.
KC's loss yesterday was imo completely on the offense. you can ultimately blame the HC (peen <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ) but i would put the blame on the OC.
i don't know if his job is in jeopardy or not as i haven't read one thing about it, but all of the players are talking about it, and as we all know when that happens, heads usually roll. (at least around here). <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
why would we want this guy then? i think his bio may explain......

MIKE SOLARI
Position Offensive Coordinator

Year Hired 1997
Hometown Daly City, CA
College San Diego State
Degrees B.A. from San Diego State in '76

Professional Bio
18th Year NFL Coach ? 10th with Chiefs
Entering his 18th season as an NFL coach, Mike Solari embarks on his initial season as Kansas City?s offensive coordinator after being promoted to that post by head coach Herm Edwards. The 2006 campaign marks Solari?s 10th season on the Chiefs sidelines, making him one of just six assistant coaches in team history to boast over a decade of service with the franchise. Prior to assuming his present role, he spent the past nine years as the Chiefs offensive line coach after originally joining the club in ?97. He came to Kansas City after serving a five-year stint (?92-96) as the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

One of the NFL?s most respected teachers of the game, Solari boasts a diverse NFL coaching pedigree and is well-versed in a variety of different offensive philosophies, owning a solid background in instructing both the passing and running game. Recognized across the league for designing and implementing some of the NFL?s most innovative and well-conceived blocking schemes during his stint as Kansas City?s offensive line coach, his approach to playing fundamentally-sound football will be rooted upon continuing the Chiefs tradition of solid play in the trenches.

Solari takes over a Kansas City offense that has ranked among the league leaders in virtually every major category over the past five seasons. Solari was an integral part of that offensive success and played a key role in developing Kansas City?s game plans over that timeframe, particularly as it related to the running game and protection packages.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Solari and Kansas City?s offensive linemen, the Chiefs averaged a league-high 380.9 yards per game from 2001-05, while ranking second in the NFL by averaging 27.0 points per game over that span. Kansas City also averaged 137.3 rushing yards per game and allowed just 30.0 sacks per season, both totals that ranked fourth in the league over the past five campaigns.

Solari owns the distinction of working for some of the most successful and innovative coaches in pro football history. During his five-year tenure in San Francisco, he became well versed in the famed West Coast passing attack developed by Hall of Fame enshrinee Bill Walsh, whose visionary offensive philosophy continues to have a lasting impact on the game. Working under head coach George Seifert in San Francisco, Solari was a part of the 49ers run to a victory in Super Bowl XXIX and was largely responsible for the development of TE Brent Jones who made four Pro Bowl appearances and set a franchise record for receptions by a tight end with 68 catches in ?93.

The Daly City, California native launched his NFL coaching career with a two-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys (?87-88), where he worked for Hall of Fame head coach Tom Landry, whose many contributions to the game included the utilization of the shotgun formation and the spread offense. During his tenure with the Cowboys, Solari served as an assistant offensive line coach, in addition to mentoring the Dallas special teams units.

While Solari will integrate new concepts and nuances from a variety of sources into the Chiefs offense, he and his staff will continue to employ the same fundamental offensive philosophy that has made Kansas City one of the league?s most prolific and productive offensive units in recent years. Much of the Chiefs offensive proficiency can be traced back to Kansas City?s high level of play on the offensive front. The Chiefs have produced a trio of Pro Bowl offensive linemen each of the past two seasons ? G Will Shields, T Willie Roaf and G Brian Waters ? becoming the first club to accomplish that feat since Dallas did it from ?93-96. Shields and Roaf each earned their 11th Pro Bowl berth while working under Solari?s tutelage a year ago, while Waters continued his emergence as one of the finest performers at his position, earning his second straight Pro Bowl invitation.

That vaunted blocking unit helped pave the way for the NFL?s top-rated offense for the second consecutive year as Kansas City led the league in total offense by averaging 387.0 yards per game during the 2005 campaign. Solari?s protection schemes have also been a key reason that two-time Pro Bowl QB Trent Green has flourished since coming to Kansas City in 2001. Over the past five seasons, only Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning (20,902) has thrown for more yards than Green (20,117), who has started 80 consecutive games under center for the Chiefs. Having a talented and experienced field general like Green at his disposal should only aid in Solari?s transition to the offensive coordinator post in 2006.

Perhaps Solari?s biggest contribution since his arrival in Kansas City has been his ability to help the club to consistently churn out yards on the ground. Remarkably, the Chiefs have ranked in the NFL?s top five teams in terms of rushing offense on five different ocassions during Solari?s time with the Chiefs (?97, ?99, 2002, 2004 and 2005), an even more impressive feat when you consider the club accomplished that feat under three different head coaching regimes and had five different running backs lead the team in rushing during that nine-season span.

The best testament to Kansas City?s productivity on the ground has been the Chiefs track record of scoring rushing touchdowns. Dating back to the 2001 campaign, the Chiefs own a league-high 131 rushing TDs, 36 more than their next-closest competitor, Seattle (95). Running behind Kansas City?s offensive line, three-time Pro Bowl RB Priest Holmes produced 62 rushing TDs from 2002-04, the highest total of any player in NFL history over a three-year span. Since his arrival in Kansas City, Holmes has also set franchise career records for rushing yards (5,933), rushing TDs (76) and 100-yard rushing games (24), in addition to winning the NFL?s rushing crown with 1,555 yards in 2001.

The Chiefs ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing offense a year ago, pounding out 148.9 yards per game. With Kansas City?s offensive line led by Solari paving the way, RB Larry Johnson was named to his initial Pro Bowl after setting a franchise record with 1,750 rushing yards, breaking the previous mark of 1,615 yards established by Holmes in 2002. Johnson topped the 100-yard rushing plateau a club-record 10 times in 2005, averaging a punishing 150.1 yards per game during his nine starts, a pace that would have shattered RB Eric Dickerson?s single-season NFL rushing record of 2,105 yards over a 16-game schedule.

Thanks in large part to Kansas City?s highly-respected blocking unit, the Chiefs led the NFL in total offense for the first time in team history in 2004, averaging 418.4 yards per game, while also ranking in the NFL?s top five in scoring offense and passing offense. Under Solari?s guidance that season, G Brian Waters became the NFL?s first undrafted guard to earn a Pro Bowl berth since Dallas G Nate Newton in ?98. Anchored by the Chiefs vaunted offensive front, Kansas City?s offense also led the NFL in scoring in both 2003 and 2002.

Maintaining consistency despite frequent changes in personnel and offensive philosophy has been one of Solari?s trademarks since coming to Kansas City. In 2001, the Chiefs averaged 354.6 yards of total offense to rank fifth in the NFL with a new center in Casey Wiegmann and a pair of other starters who finished the season at positions other than the ones where they started the year. Although often overshadowed by the other talented performers on the Chiefs offensive line, Wiegmann has thrived under Solari?s guidance. The University of Iowa product has started 79 consecutive games for Kansas City and has been named to USA Today?s All-Joe Team each of the past four seasons for his hard-working, blue-collar style of play.

Kansas City?s offensive trenchmen have allowed an average of just 30.9 sacks per season since Solari joined the club in ?97, the sixth-lowest mark in the league over that span. In addition to coaching Pro Bowlers such as Shields, Roaf and Waters, Solari has also been responsible for tutoring other highly-decorated offensive linemen. In ?99, veteran C Tim Grunhard became the first Chiefs center to earn a Pro Bowl nod since Jack Rudnay in ?77, while G Dave Szott received All-Pro recognition following the ?97 campaign. In ?98, Solari?s offensive line captured all of the club?s top individual honors. Shields was the team?s only Pro Bowl pick, while Glenn Parker started at three different offensive line positions to merit team MVP honors and T Victor Riley earned the club?s Mack Lee Hill Award.

After intially entering the NFL coaching ranks with Dallas, Solari served as the offensive line coach for head coach Gene Stallings and the Phoenix Cardinals in ?89 before following Stallings to the University of Alabama for two seasons (?90-91) in the same capacity. He began his coaching career at Mission Bay (Cal.) High School in ?76, followed by stints at Mira Costa Junior College (?78) and U.S. International (?79). In ?80, he helped lead Boise State to the NCAA Division I-AA championship. After stints at the University of Cincinnati (?81-82) and Kansas (?83-85), Solari spent one season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh (?86). A former collegiate offensive lineman, Solari played at San Diego State, where he was a teammate of both Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards and current Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox.

Personal Bio
Education: San Diego State University (B.A. ?76). Born: Daly City, California. Family: Wife - Patti; Children - Tamara, Stephanie and Michael.

[color:"orange"] I'm going to [paste this on several threads..so no one get annoyed..

In between 120 minutes or so of inane ramblings by Kevin Keane, Andre Knott came on to give his report. He answered the exact same question I had about why Coates was let go when the TE's had a great year. Here is a recap of Knott's take on the coaches & the situation....


* RAC's offensive assts were not cohesive. Ben Coates was Mo Carthon's boy and had his back even after the move. Coates mimicked Moe's surliness and bad assed demeanor and didn't exactly try to help Jeff Davidson , to say the least.

* Said "Terry Robiske was on the Terry Robiske plan". Tells you all you need to know. Biske was like Peter & Dennis in Easy Rider, doing his own thing in his own time.Easy to get why Q played Quincy Morgan Football..lol..

* Lott got in a personality clash with RAC despite the fact that he is very, very close to RAC. Said this one really had to hurt RAC. Said the reason was Phil didn't like his style, that Lott was too confrontational with players and taunted and swore at opposing players on the sidelines during games. Said Phil is having no tolerance of this stuff.

* Said that they really have a very serious interest in the Garrett brothers - both of them, with Jason being a very serious candidate for OC . Said Phil really likes them
Keep Grossi's point in mind in his column today that says the NFL take is that RAC isn't in a good position long term and that it will be very hard to land established & experienced offensive coaches.

* Confrims Rip Shearer is safe, probably Atkins at RB coach as well.

* Lastly, he says that this coaching purge & search process is described as a "power play" -, between Phil & RAC.
Says Phil is running the search and using this to put his imprint on the coaching staff to do things his way. Really made a point of this when talking about Lott's firing which was purely Phil and a huge blow to RAC. This really sound similar to the takes by PFBT that is a site which is often treated w/ derision.

Make of it all what you will. Just trying to faithfully pass along what the Browns' sideline reporter from the flasgship station reported today at about noon.



Once again from what I've learned..there is tremendous heat on Rac FROM LERNER..the situation was if Rac stays the assistants (whom he hired) GO..
Phil batted for him but it was also a check swing..thats the best way to describe it..Lerner wanted him removed..a lot has to do with Brayba...a lot has to do with the patheic offense..as I said keep a eye on the TYPE of OC that comes in.. [/color]

Here's moore..

[color:"white"] http://www.cleveland.com/sports/pla...ports/116807647034530.xml&coll=2

The Browns are expected to interview about eight to 10 offensive coordinator candidates over the next week to 10 days.

Robiskie lost his job, in part, because of receiver Braylon Edwards' behavior throughout the season. Lott is believed to have had philosophical differences with Browns General Manager Phil Savage. The Browns also had an inordinate amount of injuries, but most weren't attributable to training methods.

Lott, the first coach hired by Crennel, was previously the Jets' strength and conditioning coach for eight years.

Coates was let go despite the fact that Kellen Winslow Jr. tied Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome's team record for 89 catches in a season. This was Coates' first NFL coaching job, other than a minority internship with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004.

Crennel has now let go five assistants, including the firing of offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon after the first six games of the season.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670







[/color]

Interesting post...Alot can be said of this..if the facts are true...
This reminds me of a comment from Jurevisious...His stating that there is no off field buddying up....
When the majority off the offensive coaching staff are acting in this manner...How can any continunity be expected from the players...
Atkins is safe even thou Rueben didn`t run all that well...Because neithor Atkins nor Rueben acted foolishly...
Coaches really do have an influence on players...And this proves it.

I think alot of what he says is probably pretty close to the truth.

I do think now that Savage has Collins out of the way, the last position of strength to weaken is the head coach.

And somehow, Braby always seems to enter the middle of the conversation.

I somehow get the feeling Braby is Phil's boy, but it would be good if we could figure a way to dump that punk.

WOW! Romeo does not know how to hire a staff! Hopefully a lot of that is because he never had any experience with hiring assistant coaches/coordinators before.

Does anyone think that Romeo kind of had unwarranted loyalty to some of his coaching staff adn that in may result in his downfall?

Some of the coaches he brought in had high repect from the league...Imo...i don`t think he knew they weren`t going to gel as a coaching staff..

And your right about the experiance on hiring...He was a rookie HC.

Yes i do...Too bad they didn`t have the same loyalty.....

But now he kicked them to the curb...And lets hope the new crew is better.

What I was curious about..how does the S&C coach get in a clash with the GM????
Whats up with that?

You could also point to the fact that when they were hired, they were the last staff being assembled and others that might have been brought in were already on other teams. Don't forget RAC was the last HC hired because he was in the playoffs.

Phil probably wasn`t doing his pushups right...lol...

Seriously.I wonder if Phil was meddling...Wasn`t happy with the injuries so he had a conversation with Lott....

And it appears Lott wasn`t being to freindly with RAC....

Could be Phil was standing up for RAC....?

[color:"white"] how does the S&C coach get in a clash with the GM????
Whats up with that? [/color]

this was in the 1st article you posted above.....



[color:"white"]Said the reason was Phil didn't like his style, that Lott was too confrontational with players and taunted and swore at opposing players on the sidelines during games. Said Phil is having no tolerance of this stuff.
[/color]

Internal clashes if continued are never good..now it depends on what Lott/Rac were clashing about..sure someone with a bit more info might ..
This may not be so much as Opie standing up for Rac as getting things under control..U can't have a lot of decention inhouse..

Lott probably got on Braby, who in turn went to Phil to complain.

[color:"white"] Lott was too confrontational with players [/color]

seems like this is the 3rd guy that was released for the same thing. mo... coates... and now lott.

it seems like he got onto alot of them.

Yeah Knox that was in the article.. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Good for Phil....

I was really being sarcastic after the post..at first glance it was odd..then seeing Lott being thatway was interesting, because I hadn't heard anything like that before.

Maybe.

In the end, I don't care about some goofball strength coach.

IMo they shouldn't even be considered members of the coaching staff. Just hire some outside contractor to come in a supervise weight room activities.

It almost sounds like Savage has lost faith in Romeo, but still wants to give him that third year to prove himself.

But in order to succeed in that third year, everything will need to be done Savage's way.

Perhaps Savage is protecting Romeo from himself.

[color:"GOLD"] Obviously Savage has settled into the GM position and is using his new powers to help shape the Browns franchise..players, coaches and front office.

It was just one year ago that Savage was relieved of a weight around his neck, named John Collins. After watching the horrible season the Browns had this season, it was obvious that changes needed to be made. Savage has had enough time to assess this coaching staff and make his suggestions.

It sounds like Savage "may" have saved Crennel's butt according to what is written above.

The point that Coach B was making as to "why" Crennel hired the coaches he did. Who was left after the Patriots Super Bowl victory in 2005? Clearly, some of the best coaches were already gone by Feb 6, 2005.

Savage is now in a position to help Crennel put together his second coaching staff, mostly on offense. Crennel's choices were given a fair shot at showing they could produce in their area of responsibility, for two seasons. Those let go did not get the job done..Carthon, Robiskie, Coates, Lott and Carl Crennel.

Who is hired as the Browns new offensive coordinator may be the most important hire in Romeo's head coaching career. If the Browns don't improve, it sure looks like Crennel is history.

No..not LOST FAITH IN RAC...
[color:"orange"]However, there have been a number of coaching changes forced on RAC, and I'll gather he's been told his coaching style has to change as well.
It was reported that Lerner was "personally embarassed" by Braylon Edward's behavior this year, and Robiskie was gone in the first wave of firings.
I have little doubt that RAC has been told he will not survive another season of "distractions" and embarassments, and that he needs to instill some professionalism and discipline to the team.
So even though Phil communicated this to Rac who do U think this is coming from?
Lerner..now I say that also thinking Phil was not pleased by everything that has transpired either and since we're now hearing the internal blowups it may not have hard for Opie to pull the plug on these assistants..
[/color]

Let's don't overlook the fact Romeo could have made some changes to his staff last year had he felt changes needed to be made.

[color:"white"]That's some good information Attack. Thanks. It answers a ton of questions.

So it appears that the article from PFT was correct, as was my explanation of it all. RAC doesn't have hiring and firing power, but it was his input that brought in some of the coaches. When Mo flopped, it was on RAC's head. So we had to fire a guy who was loyal to Mo. Fine. Screw'im. Robiskie was on the Robiskie plan. Big shock <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I saw all I needed to see of that manipulative fool when he was a disaster and a liar as the defacto head coach. I can't say that I approve of Lott hurling crap at other teams players. Sure, it goes on, but there's no need for it.

The REAL question is how many of these guys were brought in at RAC's request. If most of them were, then RAC carries plenty of the blame. Of course Opie signed off on the deal, so he has his own cross to bare.

It's all falling into place now. If this team isn't at least making strides by midseason, RAC is a goner, and deservedly so.[/color]

[color:"white"]

You pretty much summed it up.

RAC had input on his coaches. They've failed. Guilt by association. Now it's going to be done the GM's way, and it's up to RAC to get the job done.

People should praise Opie for stickin' with RAC for the extra year. Anyone who's been playing the continuity card should nod their head in approval. [/color]