DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Three Recommendations for Mangini

Picture this.....

The Cleveland Browns host a town-hall style event and they ask a member of the audience to give three recommendations to the new regime. You can't change personnel. Just three recommendations based on the makeup of the Browns today.

You're at the microphone. What do you say?

Mine.....

1. Turn Josh Cribbs into a RB.

I'd like to see him, with his size and ability to run as well as throw the football, as a single back option. We could obviously also use him for Wildcat type plays but I think he'd be a fine weapon as a change of pace back as well as a trick play back. He's a guy that would dictate other teams spending time preparing for him. As a wideout we're not seeing the max benefit.

2. Use more ILB blitzing.

I'd like to see the 34 used to it's fullest and having more than Wimbley around the edge would help. We could drop Wimbley into coverage more often and bring DQ and whoever is next to him upfield more often. It seems that we've been way too predictable in this regard as compared to other 34 teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

3. Incorporate designed bootlegs for Quinn

One of the most frustrating things to watch as a Browns fan over the years was to play good to great defense but be undone by a QB (Elway and others, Roethlisberger and Stewart to some extent) who gets a first down with his legs. Quinn can move well and I'd like to see some misdirection with him scrambling for a first down. Do it a couple times a game and you get defenses that have to spy Quinn, weakening them inherently.

Those are my top 3.

1. beat the steelers

2. beat the steelers

3. beat the steelers

Interesting thread.

1) Get creative on defense. And I'm talking Steelers creative. Every single time the offense lines up, I want them to have absolutely no clue where the blitz is coming from, if one is coming at all.

2) If you're 4-9, 4-10, quit punting the ball unless you're inside your own 30 yard line. What's the worst that could happen, the other team could score?

3) Run what I like to call the "greatest play in football" as often as possible. The QB fakes the pitch to one side or the other, then a naked bootleg to the opposite side. The TE pinches down, then leaks out and follows the bootleg. I have yet to see this play net less than 8 yards, yet you see the Browns run it once a game, if that.

4) (Since my no. 2 wasn't totally serious, only about 85% serious), Dance with the one that brought you. If you're running the ball great one game, don't go away from it just because you think the defense is going to catch up with you soon. If you're passing the ball great one game, don't go away from it just because you think the defense is going to catch up with you soon. If something is working, keep doing it until they stop you. Get away from it a bit and go back to it.

1. Start Quinn.
2. Give the ball to Cribbs.
3. Be creative on defense. Move guys around, put Rogers at end, do zone blitzes, put Veikune at nose. I don't care, just be creative.

1) Go for it on 4th down far more often (BrownsFan got it right). We've seen the theoretical support for this approach (academic research). I believe a team that puts it into practice will open up the game and find that defenses will have difficulty adjusting on 2nd and 3rd down knowing that the Browns will go for it on 4th down. (Note: I'm not saying to go for it every time).

2) Make it your primary goal to beat the Steelers. Besides the fact that they are our archrival, the Steelers are the class of the league. You find a way to beat them, you can probably win more games than you lose.

3) Use the no-huddle more often. Maintain an upperhand in playmaking decisions and make it hard for opposing defenses to substitute specialists.

1. get a logo
2. get some cheerleaders




































3. run and duck for cover

Anyway....

1. Do your best
2. Never play prevent D unless you have a 5 TD lead with 30 seconds left.
3. Beat Pittsburgh

I'll agree with the whole cheerleader thing....but not a logo.....I like them just the way they are.....

I'll go with........

1. Win the division
2. Go to the playoffs
3. Win a playoff game

I know, DUH........so, here they are........

1. Definitely get Harrison more involved....screens...sweeps....something...
2. Got to find a way to bring the heat.....
3. MUST find a way to stop the run.....

1) Toss a Cleveland journalist into a volcano the day before camp opens. Hey, it can't hurt, can it?

I'll reserve my other two suggestions till later so I can second guess him if the season turns badly.

"1. Turn Josh Cribbs into a RB."

I would have like to have said something cute and abrasive like suggestion #1 - Don't listen to Heldawg...lol

But then I read #1 and its been something I've been Opining for 2 seasons now - I couldn't agree with you more. Sure he's a little upright but I've seen his heart at RB and he gets into the DBackfield on a executed run...he could take it to the house! Also he explodes foward as contact is being made to make the pile fall forward or always a possibility to break the tackle for more. He also has become very good at protecting the ball. And I love him better as a WR from the backfield with total mismatches.

as for your #2...we've been blitzing from the ILB spot for 3 years - we just sucked at it to notice. If your base pass rush cannot penetrate and force over play from the protection...hardly any blitz package especially from the inside would be successful.

#3 We had a designed bootleg with Chud - actually the only time DA looked any good on the move as it was practiced and he had his footwork choreographed.

Chud also had a designed Rolling Pocket as he had an Unbalanced Line with JoeT moving outside the RT and KW2 (as an eligible WR and without an announcement from the Refs because he had WR eligible Numbering) taking over the LT spot. But the few times we tried to pass on this DA with his size 16s just sucked at it.

If successful we would have eventually seen a pass to the Tackle eligible - KW2 for a TD but we never got to that recourse of the package due to absolutely no success. BQ would have handled it much better if he had more reps. So we already had what you suggest in our repretoire of last season - Personally outside of the disguise of play action (Boot-Leg) a straight out rolling pocket I hate cause it minimizes the coverage to half the field.

What are my suggestions. Well not in order of priority - Got to agree with your #1.

My other two...most important for me. Name BQ as the starter a.s.a.p. and get all on board and behind him as the QB with no 2nd guessing opportunities. They know who they want as our QB. I understand they want competition to push them but BQ doesn't need that incentive to push himself. I understand they want a team concensus on who "IS" the QB of this team and thinks a competition will result in that. But we know DA can look very good in practice so that he could get some of the team in his camp regarding a competition??? So many of the intagibles positive by BQ show up GAME DAY and not in practice where the QBs have the comfort zone of knowing they won't be hit!

So name the QB NOW!!! going into TC whoever it is will get the majority of the reps with the first unit and gel with a new offense!

#3?? Don't play to NOT LOSE...play to win. Going with the Mantra that the prevent Defense only "PREVENTS" you from winning. Don't get me wrong...4th qtr and we are up by more than 2 scores...I want our O to move the chains with the clock moving...but on Defense if we have been killing them all day...don't clam up and not pressure the QB. I want us to smell the blood and thrash them in a frenzy.

JMHSuggestions...and thank you for the thread in a dead zone.

Brownsfan - love that play especially around the goal line.

How about implimenting a true power run attack. Run some plays with Hadnot at LG and Steiny lined up as a TE and just beat the snot out of some people. My next thought might be a little overkill, don't know how it would work but Baltimore had some success runnnig on the steelers with that uneven line. What if we went uneven line and had Steiny lined up as a TE on that side and went double TE with Royal or Heiden lines up in a tight slot to that same side. Lets knock some people on their butts and exert a little physical dominance.

Beat the Steelers. If we win 6 games and one is against the steelers I would consider that a successful 1st year for Mangini. Win total up by 2 games and a beatdown to the steelers. A good start. This year anything else above and beyond would be gravy.

1. Give the ball to the Ghost
2. I love the thought of Cribbs as a back on third downs. Think of the options there would be....wildcat, with a direct snap, half back pass, flea flicker, pass in the flats, screens.......etc.
3. BEAT THE STEELERS ANY WAY POSSIBLE!!!!! I swear I wouldn't mind a 4-12 season if two of those wins are Pittsburgh at Heinz field, and at home.

1. Block well
2. Tackle well
3. Don't make mental mistakes

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things-blocking and tackling.
Vince Lombardi

A. Attack on offense

B. Attack on defense

C. Any time you get to mid field(45 to 45), never punt with less than 4 yards for the first down unless it is at the end game and you don't want to give the field position.

1.-Run the ball
2.- Stop the run
3.- ?

I will bite, but not sure these would help a bunch.

1) Play to win; be different than RAC. He played not to lose, a different approach. Try anything; try everything. But as a coach know you did all you could to adapt, subdue, and prevail.

2) Bring a sense of imposing your will as coach on the opponents of the Browns. What you show in film will dictate other clubs' preparations. Force them to do new and different for your week, especially at home.

3) Win. Win early and often. Win close win. Be in losses. Win late when it counts. Split with the Sqweelurz. for a change.

1. Find a way to score touchdowns instead of FG's.

2. Find a way to score more touchdown's than the the oppponent does.

3. Find a way not to turn the ball over.

1. Start Quinn. Make the announcement now. Let's get on with it.

2. Give Alex Hall and The Ghost real chances. Let's see what they can do with some different coaching and another year under their belt. I feel that cream always rises to the top and these guys made plays when given the chance with limited opportunities.

3. Let the players play. I always felt RAC was "protecting" the players from making mistakes. And I ask "what's wrong with making a mistake?". To me, that's the best way to learn and become better. Don't deny guys who need some experience the playing time or don't change the scheme to cover for someone you think might make a mistake. Let the guys play through mistakes and then go about correcting them. Getting experience is key and making mistakes is part of the experience. It may cost us in the short-term but will be rewarded in the long-term.

I'm sure Brandon McDonald learned from his "mistake" against the Broncos... lol..

If he would have gotten the deflection though.. It would have been an AWESOME play... I like B.Mac alot...

#1 realize that Brady Quinn isn't the answer and move on.

#2 Realize the best weapon on offense is a pass from DA to Braylon against a good defense nothing else is proven.

#3 attack attack, always attack be offensive to the league by attacking and always having the sense of urgency to score.

4 It is less than 90 days until the games count, the next game is the most important, the Vikings defensive backs will crumble if you attack them all day. The Vikings #2 cornerback doesn't look to me to be a player who wants to be challenged all day long.

5 Understand that in the last 5 years after a Browns big victory, you can almost always look at the game and realize you placed the outcome in the hands of the Browns runningback.
Expect to start 0-7, Teamwork wins, and play the 2-5 defense always.

Amen, LBJ! I am tired of handing them games because of no pressure on either side of the ball. Rottenhurler is the spine, and it can be broken. If he is rattled, the tent folds. We just backed off or failed to bother him enough on D especially. If we are to lose to the peanut snorting crew, I want it to be full-throttle, bad dawg type of play. Return to past glories of contention, not kneel downs.

Three recommendations for Mangini huh? Ok

1. Don't listen to what Tony Grossi says or read what he writes

2. Don't listen to anything anyone writes on a message board (except this one time)

3. Don't listen to Triv!

1. Win

2. Win

3. Win

Do those three things and your good.

1. Short leash on Braylon if he drops a pass.

2. Get as creative as you can on offense given the talent that you have.

3. Get this team to be mean.

My 3 Recommendations

1. Score more points than the opponents.
2. Allow less points than you score.
3. Repeat this every game especially against the Yinzers.

If Mangini can do these things, we are in for a good time this season.

Quote:

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3. Get this team to be mean.

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Yes. There used to be a saying in the league about "stealing a guy's lunch" (something like that). MLB Mike Johnson may have made more Pro Bowls, but he wasn't into making friends on the field. He was into beating his opponent. I think his outlook was, "I'm a Cleveland Brown and you are the enemy".

Mean doesn't equal "dirty". It is simply a mentality that takes great offense to your opponents successes. It is about taking it very personally when you are outperformed and having the desire to get back on the field and amend the situation. Most importantly it includes holding your teammates responsible....get angry and get even.

That being my #1....

#2 - Execute. We can all be sanctimonious about the amount of money these guys make when talking about doing one's job correctly, but I think that misses the point. They get paid what the market bears. What gets me is that if you consider how many times an NFL player has practiced, I can't believe how many mental mistakes still occur. Given the fact that such things do continue I want Coach Mangini to implement something to demand execution. That is a primary element of his and the assistant's jobs. Perhaps some of it can be personalized? Duuno. Those of my fellow DawgTalkers that actually coach football might be able to expand on such teaching.

#3 - Hit someone. This ties into the previous two. As I understand it we can expect a physical training camp. Good. Create an environment where our guys are tired of beating each other up and are more than ready to hit a different jersey.


None of these things are magic that will bring our talent up to contender level, but will certainly foster an environment that will breed contention. NFL is all about parity and giving the chance of have nots to have. If the FO can manage to fulfill #2 on the list and improve that talent list, then maybe, just maybe we can finally enjoy a club that we look forward to see from week 1 thru the playoffs.

Hit someone

You only have to do that once,...