http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/63337427.htmlMangini urges Browns fans to be patient
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 07:34 p.m. EDT, Oct 02, 2009
BEREA: Browns owner Randy Lerner spent the first 30 minutes of practice Friday off to the side chatting with coach Eric Mangini. Although they enjoyed a laugh and appeared to be having a light-hearted conversation, the national media's hailstorm of negativity about the Browns' 0-3 start remains.
Before practice, Mangini had nothing but positives to say about his boss.
''Randy's been great. He's committed to the things that we're equally committed to. When [former Browns coach] Bill [Belichick] first got to New England, there were some tough times there. It was tough at the beginning of the next year. But I know how we approached it, I know the way that we worked. It took time. But when it hit, it hit.''
Mangini went on to urge all Browns followers to believe in the plan in place — even if things get worse before they get better.
''Throughout that whole process, you're improving the team, you're improving as coaches and you're improving the organization,'' Mangini said. ''There are certain things I learned from my experience being here in [Cleveland] in 1995, then transitioning to New York with [Bill] Parcells, then transitioning to New England with [Belichick]. I feel I got a real good perspective on it and was lucky to be around those situations to understand the difficulties you encounter and the importance of having a plan, having a vision and sticking to it.''
But sticking to it isn't always easy, and the temptation is there to take the easy way out.
''Traditionally, taking shortcuts usually doesn't result in long-term success,'' Mangini said. ''All of our parents tell us that all the time and we tell our kids that. You gotta work at it and be committed to it. There's going to be difficult times and challenges you have to overcome. But you work through it, keep at it and good things happen.''
Mangini knows that in trying to rebuild an organization, it will not happen overnight.
''It's a process of building an organization for the long term and getting better in each phase — whether it's coaching, player acquisition, salary cap, operations, video — there's all different components that go into building an organization,'' he said.
Secondary shakeup?
With starting defensive back Brandon McDonald giving up big plays in each game so far, Mike Adams could take over for McDonald at cornerback Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Adams also might spell struggling starter Hank Poteat on nickel packages.
''Giving up big plays has to stop,'' Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said, although not particularly singling out McDonald. ''If we're in a three-deep coverage and they throw deep, we're looking for the turnover not the completion for 18 yards. When you really look at [the problems on defense], it's big plays and missing tackles in the running game that have led to big runs.''
Adams wouldn't say if he will start, but promised to be ready if and when his name is called.
''If they ask me to play corner, I can do it,'' he said. ''I can hold up anywhere.''
Throwing on target
One focus in practice this week has been working with quarterback Derek Anderson to cut down on his interceptions.
''It's important to understand when to take a calculated risk and when to just throw it away and go to the next play,'' Mangini said. ''You never want to take away a quarterback's ability to make a decision based on what he sees. You just want to make him conscious of the difference between this is a good risk and this risk is high-percentage for what the rewards are going to be.''
A part of Anderson's problem could be locking on to a receiver too early.
''What you want to do is be able to anticipate where the route is going to be,'' Mangini said. ''And in doing that, if you know you're going left, being able to bring the coverage over to the right with eyes initially. Some guys can do it for a long time like Brett [Favre]. He's a guy who would stare over here then whip it back over there. Other guys will [give] a smaller look off where they just hold the secondary off for a second [before] coming back to where you're going. Some guys will telegraph it a little more. But they are made aware of it and they work on it.''
Daboll under fire
A portion of the criticism of the Browns from the national media has centered on first-year coordinator Brian Daboll. Daboll, 34, has been under fire for leading an offense that has scored just 29 points so far this season, including a combined nine points in the past two games.
Asked to self-evaluate the job he's done so far, Daboll was blunt.
''[It's] not good enough, not even close to good enough,'' he said. ''We haven't scored but one touchdown. There's been a lot of calls I've been very happy with, and there's some calls I wish I had back.''
Improvement needed
Ryan said he's spent the week looking to ''clean up'' the team's sloppy play on defense.
''Last week with three walk-in runs, that's unacceptable,'' Ryan said. ''Those runs were the result of a lack of communication. But I haven't lost confidence in the fact that we will have a great defense. [And] when it comes together, it's a thing of beauty. But great things, they don't happen overnight.''
Injury report
Although no Browns players were listed as out for Sunday's game, running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), guard Floyd Womack (ankle) and kicker Phil Dawson (right calf) did not participate in Friday's practice and are listed as doubtful for the game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephanie Storm can be reached
at
sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.BEREA: Browns owner Randy Lerner spent the first 30 minutes of practice Friday off to the side chatting with coach Eric Mangini. Although they enjoyed a laugh and appeared to be having a light-hearted conversation, the national media's hailstorm of negativity about the Browns' 0-3 start remains.
Before practice, Mangini had nothing but positives to say about his boss.
''Randy's been great. He's committed to the things that we're equally committed to. When [former Browns coach] Bill [Belichick] first got to New England, there were some tough times there. It was tough at the beginning of the next year. But I know how we approached it, I know the way that we worked. It took time. But when it hit, it hit.''
Mangini went on to urge all Browns followers to believe in the plan in place — even if things get worse before they get better.
''Throughout that whole process, you're improving the team, you're improving as coaches and you're improving the organization,'' Mangini said. ''There are certain things I learned from my experience being here in [Cleveland] in 1995, then transitioning to New York with [Bill] Parcells, then transitioning to New England with [Belichick]. I feel I got a real good perspective on it and was lucky to be around those situations to understand the difficulties you encounter and the importance of having a plan, having a vision and sticking to it.''
But sticking to it isn't always easy, and the temptation is there to take the easy way out.
''Traditionally, taking shortcuts usually doesn't result in long-term success,'' Mangini said. ''All of our parents tell us that all the time and we tell our kids that. You gotta work at it and be committed to it. There's going to be difficult times and challenges you have to overcome. But you work through it, keep at it and good things happen.''
Mangini knows that in trying to rebuild an organization, it will not happen overnight.
''It's a process of building an organization for the long term and getting better in each phase — whether it's coaching, player acquisition, salary cap, operations, video — there's all different components that go into building an organization,'' he said.
Secondary shakeup?
With starting defensive back Brandon McDonald giving up big plays in each game so far, Mike Adams could take over for McDonald at cornerback Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Adams also might spell struggling starter Hank Poteat on nickel packages.
''Giving up big plays has to stop,'' Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said, although not particularly singling out McDonald. ''If we're in a three-deep coverage and they throw deep, we're looking for the turnover not the completion for 18 yards. When you really look at [the problems on defense], it's big plays and missing tackles in the running game that have led to big runs.''
Adams wouldn't say if he will start, but promised to be ready if and when his name is called.
''If they ask me to play corner, I can do it,'' he said. ''I can hold up anywhere.''
Throwing on target
One focus in practice this week has been working with quarterback Derek Anderson to cut down on his interceptions.
''It's important to understand when to take a calculated risk and when to just throw it away and go to the next play,'' Mangini said. ''You never want to take away a quarterback's ability to make a decision based on what he sees. You just want to make him conscious of the difference between this is a good risk and this risk is high-percentage for what the rewards are going to be.''
A part of Anderson's problem could be locking on to a receiver too early.
''What you want to do is be able to anticipate where the route is going to be,'' Mangini said. ''And in doing that, if you know you're going left, being able to bring the coverage over to the right with eyes initially. Some guys can do it for a long time like Brett [Favre]. He's a guy who would stare over here then whip it back over there. Other guys will [give] a smaller look off where they just hold the secondary off for a second [before] coming back to where you're going. Some guys will telegraph it a little more. But they are made aware of it and they work on it.''
Daboll under fire
A portion of the criticism of the Browns from the national media has centered on first-year coordinator Brian Daboll. Daboll, 34, has been under fire for leading an offense that has scored just 29 points so far this season, including a combined nine points in the past two games.
Asked to self-evaluate the job he's done so far, Daboll was blunt.
''[It's] not good enough, not even close to good enough,'' he said. ''We haven't scored but one touchdown. There's been a lot of calls I've been very happy with, and there's some calls I wish I had back.''
Improvement needed
Ryan said he's spent the week looking to ''clean up'' the team's sloppy play on defense.
''Last week with three walk-in runs, that's unacceptable,'' Ryan said. ''Those runs were the result of a lack of communication. But I haven't lost confidence in the fact that we will have a great defense. [And] when it comes together, it's a thing of beauty. But great things, they don't happen overnight.''
Injury report
Although no Browns players were listed as out for Sunday's game, running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), guard Floyd Womack (ankle) and kicker Phil Dawson (right calf) did not participate in Friday's practice and are listed as doubtful for the game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephanie Storm can be reached
at
sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com._____________________________________________________________
Theres a lot in this article to like.
I like how we're planning on shaking things up. And we're actually hearing in public what Anderson's mistakes are. RAC never addressed them, and he didnt improve is much as he should. And i really like that he's trying to work on improving DA's weaknesses and i see no reason as to why he wouldnt improve even more.
im glad theres no complacency in our coaching staff...i see that even if we were winning and doing well, he'd be making the same adjustments and lack of complacency.
Im glad theyre trying EVERYTHING to get this ship righted....its why i believe in Mangini
If I were a reporter I would have slammed this bigoted BS right up his face....so, taking shortcuts to save your last NFL gig is ok, huh Cartman? and then he again starts talking about Bellichick and NE....boy, this card is geting old, doesn't it? I'm now 100% sure that is what he sold Randy.....boy, what a moron....the sooner we get rid of both of them, the better off we are
But until we know what it is, we have no clue one way or the other so I plan on refraining from praising him or bashing him till we do. Patience, patience, patience.
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