DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Your 5-Step Plan For The Browns

Tony Grossi wrote recent piece on ESPNCleveland.com titled "Five-Step Plan For The Browns". Its posted in the "Browns Set Up To Fail" thread or you can read it here:

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=41921

I'll summarize Grossi's five steps:
1.) Re-sign Hoyer.
2.) Sign a FA WR.
3.) Draft the best WR at 12.
4.) Draft a dominant DE or DT at 19.
5.) Get rid of Manziel.

Now lets pretend your phone rang and it was Jimmy Haslam calling. Jimmy says "Candidly, we need some help straightening things out here in Berea. I'd like your 5-Step Plan on my desk in the next week. You'll be compensated handsomely."

Your plan can hire, fire, replace, trade, draft, or cut any FO member, Coach, or player. You cannot fire the owner.

Here's mine:

1.) Hire Bernie Kosar as Special Advisor & Liason to the CEO (Haslam). His role will be much like Jim Brown's but with actual responsibilities. Bernie will "observe" the business and football operations expressly to make sure Front Office personnel "stay in their lane". (Scheiner - get out of the film room. Farmer - Pettine is in charge of on-field, in-game strategy and personnel decisions.) Kosar will replace Haslam in the Draft war room and will mediate disagreements between the FO and coaches on draft day. In a logjam, he will break the tie. Kosar has knowledge and experience in both business and football. He double-majored at the U in Finance and Economics. His football IQ is off the charts. He has known failure in both business and football, yes, but these are also learning experiences. He has been shown to be flawed as a man too, with a DUI and bankruptcy due to ill-advised loans to friends. But his devotion to Cleveland and the Browns can't be questioned.

2.) Throw a Brinks Truck at Ndamukong Suh. D-Line is fixed.

3. We are going to be a run-first, run-often offense until we find a franchise QB - draft Melvin Gordon in the 1st round. Crowell and West are both serviceable, even good RBs, but they aren't every-down, every-game types, IMO. We need a Leveon Bell / DeMarco Murray clone.

4.) Re-sign Brian Hoyer. He's not Mr Right, but he's Mr Right-Now. You will at least be competitive until you find your Andrew Luck.

5.) Dedicate the organization in 2016 to finding your guy at QB. Utilize Kosar to work with your scouts to identify and vigorously vette all the prospects, and then move heaven and earth to get him in the 2016 draft.

1. Trade back to acquire more selections unless the guy you're targeting is available at #12 or #19.

2. When drafting, select players that your scouting indicates can be productive from Day 1, starters or substitutes.

3. Don't overspend on free agents and don't draft a player that you're not comfortable with drafting.

4. Give the coaches a chance to express their opinions about prospective draft choices.

5. Don't let Jimmy Haslam make any decisions about the players.

For the most part I agree with you - on number 3 (overspend on free agents), we may have no choice (to a point) as I believe this is the first year we have to pay attention to the salary floor and we'll have to spent 45 million (ish). Extension and re-signing some of our players will take up part of that, not not all of it...and with the mess the team has been in the last few years, we may have to overspend to get people here.

I've been playing with http://fanspeak.com/mtc/ lately, kind of fun.

Hoyer isnt the answer and his cult is just to annoying to take for another year.

Free agent wide receiver would be great but most will resign with their own team. I would resign austin for sure. I really want to see Cobb n a Browns uni but he will resign with the packers.



Getting rid of Manziel would be the absolute dumbest thing we could do as a franchise. guy getting help in treatment and we cut him after 7 quarters of football at a time when the team was mentally and physically exhausted after the Colts game.

Now are for my 5 step

1. I would throw a monster incentive laden contract at Mallett. He beats out johnny and performs at a high level he can make the 15 mil a year. If he doesnt, we can release him for a couple mil off the books for his 1 year of service.

2. Johnny competes with whomever we bring in. Gets a chance to be the guy. Giving up on first rounders before they have a chance to play is just stupid. Same with Gilbert.

3. I dont overspend for Buster. One of my favorite players but I get the feeling he is gonna hit the lottery in this FA class.

4. I draft another interior offensive linemen in the 2nd.

5. I would go Parker or west at 12 and Maxx at 19. Maxx gives us the option of running a lot of 2 te sets.

OO and there is a FB from Bama I would snag in the 4th and never look back.

#6 Cut ties with Gordon
#7 Sign Murray
#8 Sign Shu

Let Buster walk, Sherd, and Cameron can go too.

Sign Hoyer because there isn't a better option, let Manziel go because there isn't a worst option.

By letting players like JF and Gordon go you send a message this is about football accountability and building a TEAM, based on accountability and loafers, drunks, and party animals need not apply. We all know how the Gordan and JF thing is going to end so cut the cord and move along.

By doing so you MAY get Gilbert to come around along with West and Crowel who are reported to have attitude issues as well, and why wouldn't they, I mean they look accross the locer room and see the Gordon and JF circus so they figure if they can so can I. End it get rid of the cancer and be better in the long haul.

Whether anyone realizes it or not this is what has been dragging us down since the return. True accountability only exist for certain people. That practrice needs to end so we can lay this loser thing to rest.

1.Id bring in a Bill Polian type thats had a successful resume to come and hold Ray Farmers hand and take away his booster seat until he's ready to show he's capable of being a GM.

2. Jettison Johnny Manziel and somehow acquire Nick Foles. Until that happens the Browns will always have the worst of the 2 starting QBs coming into a Sunday meeting.

3. Sign Randall Cobb.

4. Make a run at Julius Thomas. He's 10x the TE Cameron is and is worth the 6,7 million per year.

5. Find a RB that can catch the ball on 3rd down,

Here is the entire piece. Seldom (like never) have I seen eye to eye with TG but I find myself agreeing with this one....

Deep breaths: Have the Browns hit rock bottom yet? Probably not. That should – should -- come when the NFL hands down discipline for violating electronic communication rules – a.k.a. Text-gate.

The rules are set forth in the NFL Constitution and Bylaws and in the NFL Game Operations Manual. They exist “to ensure competitive equity between the clubs.”

The Browns didn’t gain a competitive advantage by having front office types badger coaches via text messages to subordinates on the sidelines. Rather, they put their team at a competitive disadvantage. It was a case of meddlesome execs submarining the team by distracting coaches with inappropriate messages.

Still, I expect the NFL to come down hard on the Browns. Why? Out of frustration for not being able to nail the Patriots on Deflate-gate. And because it would be so Cleveland to blow a draft pick out of stupidity. Not like that hasn’t happened before.

The penalties could be a combination of fines, suspensions or draft choices taken away. How severe may depend on the frequency of the violations (over multiple games) and who was involved. The most severe penalty, in my opinion, would result if the owner were implicated.

Sanctions would complete an Offseason From Hell that included: offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan begging for his release, Johnny Manziel entering alcohol rehab, Josh Gordon being suspended for a minimum of one year and disclosing his positive test was the result of drinking with teammates and one former assistant coach.

So how do the Browns climb themselves out of this Grand Canyon-esque crater? I have a five-step plan:

1. Re-sign Brian Hoyer.

Do it quickly. The press conference alone would be worth the nominal investment for a three-year contract. Hoyer could make fans feel a little bit better about their team by genuinely expressing his love for the city and team. At this point, who else would choose to sign here?

Beyond the PR value, however, re-signing Hoyer would restore faith in the locker room and credibility in coach Mike Pettine, who hasn’t won many arguments with his bosses since the Justin Gilbert whiff.

Granted, Hoyer is not the final answer at the quarterback position, but he is the best option to hold the fort – and win – until the Next Great Hope is found. Plus, he is the ideal quarterback to transition to role of mentor and backup when the NGH is drafted.

Further, Hoyer should be better in 2015 because his right knee will be naturally stronger the second year after ACL surgery, and the suffocating shadow of Johnny Manziel will be removed (see below).

What needs to happen, however, is for Hoyer to be shown the unwavering support of ownership and the front office – something palpably missing last season.

2. Sign the best available wide receiver in free agency.

If Dez Bryant is re-signed by the Cowboys, I’m not sure there is a true No. 1 receiver with size and speed available. Unless others become available, the best are Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree and Torrey Smith.

Since none of the four best receivers in free agency – minus Bryant -- is truly a No. 1, this would be only the first step in the essential upgrading of the position. The quarterback and running game would benefit by this two-step approach.

3. Draft the best available wide receiver at No. 12.

This is the second step in correcting GM Ray Farmer’s cataract-affected view of offense. Whether the selection is Alabama’s Amari Cooper, Louisville’s DeVante Parker or West Virginia’s Kevin White, the point is adding a top-flight receiver now so that he is developed by the time the Next Great Hope is on the field.

4. Draft the best available defensive lineman at No. 19.

Joe Haden told me at the Super Bowl the defense needs a feared defensive end to rush the passer and alter offensive game-plans. If the higher-ranked player on the board is a run-stuffing defensive tackle, that would work, too.

5. Trade Johnny Manziel to the Dallas Cowboys.

This is a pure bail-out from a huge mistake. The Browns need to cut their losses and move on from Manziel.

Because Manziel currently is in alcohol rehab, this may be construed as tossing aside a young player with dependency issues. Actually, sending Manziel to his home state of Texas, where he would be closer to family who could watch over him and where he is still revered as a college hero, might be doing him a favor.

Beyond Manziel’s non-existent work ethic and his loss of respect in the locker room, the fact remains that Manziel’s schoolyard style of quarterbacking and his beyond-slight build simply don’t fit this geography and smash-mouth division. Neither does he fit Pettine’s philosophy of offense, and Pettine intends to “immerse” himself in the offense in his second season as coach.

The Browns would be lucky to receive a late-round pick from Jerry Jones for Manziel. Since they gave up first- and third-round picks to select him, virtually giving away Manziel would be a sobering admission that they were mistaken in thinking he could be The Man. It happens.

Manziel’s apparent sole purpose in 2014 was to stir ticket and jersey sales and make the Browns relevant again. In that regard, it was mission accomplished. Until he stepped on the field and actually played.

Trading him also would be affirmation that player acquisitions were restored to the office of football operations, where they belong.

1. Find a QB
2-5. Nothing special


Obviously finding a QB will solve a LOT of our problems ... yes we need to patch up the DL/LB corps ... and yes we need help at WR and TE ... but look at teams with a QB and the ones without a QB ... it's a league of the haves and the have nots

J/C ..... I read a lot of people saying that we should cut Manziel, because that would send a message about "accountability". Well, what would that message be? That if you are accountable, and take responsibility for your actions, admit you have a problem, and take a very public, and possibly quite embarrassing step of reaching out to get help, that this is a bad thing, and should get you cut? I don't get it. Manziel, actually, was finally being accountable the minute he decided to check himself into rehab. That was him being responsible. I want that from him. Why would I cut him if he is truly working to overcome his problems? I believe he has talent, and if he can get his head straightened out, then it is possible that he could be a very good QB. Why cut him already, until we see how things wash out? What good would that do? Seriously, what advantage would that give us? What message would that send? "Make a mistake, and try to get help, and when you do, we'll cut your ass."?

It also makes no sense to cut Gordon at this point. His contract is under the Browns control, but he is suspended, not being paid, and not accruing any tenure. There is a chance, granted a very minute chance, that Gordon straightens himself out and becomes the player he can be, overcoming his problems. If so, then we'll be glad we hung on to him. If not, then we cut him. (or trade him, if we can) It gains us nothing to cut him at this point.

Each player has a chance, but obviously Manziel has a much better chance at this point than Gordon, since Gordon has abused his "2nd chances" repeatedly. Manziel, however, has a real chance of turning things around, and getting his life, and career, in order. I, for one, hope he does, and that he pays the Browns back in a positive way for the support they have given him.

I just don't get how people think that cutting or trading him at this point is a good thing. Let's see if he can turn things around.

Well put, YTown...

I wouldn't jettison Manziel because he's in rehab, but because there's only two or three slots on a roster for a QB, and I don't see the point of occupying one with an undersized sandlot player who isn't prepared to play in the NFL and doesn't seem particularly interested in doing so.

The only reason to not consider him the mid/late-round flier project QB he is has to do with the fact that we made a mistake taking him in the first round.

I just don't get how compounding the mistake would be a good thing.

If we can't find two better options at QB, then, sure, keep him around. But I don't think that would be a particularly difficult task.

I'm glad Grossi isn't running the team. #1 and his logic I overall agree with. #2 and #3 no thank you. I don't remember who said it, but who was the last super bowl winner with a true #1 WR? #4 I can't overall argue with, but I'd amend it to say best available front 7. I'm ok with #5, but we're not going to get anything of value for him, so why?

I like this better:
1) get Haslam out of the operations of the on field team - he can run the business part, but leave the player and team part to the GM and coaches

2) sign the best available QB in FA this offseason to an incentive laden contract - whether it be Hoyer, Bradford, Mallet, Locker, etc.. Hoyer is a nice story, a hometown kid that will try like hell, but I'm not sure he's the right fit.

3) with the first 3 picks draft either the best 3 defensive front 7 players or the best 2 defensive front 7 players and best RT available. Frankly, if it were up to me it'd be whichever 2 we could get from this list: Dante Fowler, Danny Shelton, Malcolm Brown, Aric Armstead, Carl Davis - and Cameron Erving, who could also back up at Center if Alex went down again.

4) If Joe Haden's thoughts are true and we're in dire need of a DE, throw the bank at Jason Pierre Paul or Tyson Alualu, likely the best 2 available not about to go to trial. If he meant pass rusher and OLB is the right guy, add Jason Worilds to that list (potential win/win situation).

5) Draft a QB somewhere in the draft, and keep doing it every year until you find the right guy.

You guys need to understand that we arent cutting Manziel. I would say there is a 95% chance he is our starting QB on opening day. We spent a first on him and if it was the the owners call to draft him, he is gonna want to see what he can do with the staff we brought in to help him. Its no coincidence that we brought in the guy that prepared Johnny for the draft.

You can hope and pray that we do but its not gonna happen unless he totally screws up somehow. Hell I think the fact that he is seeking help scares the cultists more than anything else. He gets injured , he wasnt really hurt, he just didnt want to play. He goes into rehab and just another publicity stunt we should cut him lol

I really find it interesting how u guys can propup an unnamed source ripping te kid yet ignore players comments and those of actual team leaders that defended him.

I'd say probably somewhere around 10-20%, and if that were the case, I would anticipate yet another house cleaning and a top five pick.

I imagine Pettine has questions about job security lingering in his mind, and I find it hard to imagine he would hinge that on Johnny Manziel as his starting QB.

And if Pettine doesn't get to make personnel decisions regarding his starting QB, then I would consider the dire doom and gloom about Haslam to be validated.

Who here would be willing to bet their job on an undersized QB who can't read a defense, that is currently in treatment for substance abuse, and whose career to date could be scored to "Yakety Sax"?

And I don't even think it's a given he'll be on the roster. I think odds are good he will be, but they're not too shabby he won't, either. He's one more dumb thing away from being cut, and I certainly wouldn't bet against his propensity for dumb behavior.

What makes you think the Cowboys, or anyone else, would be interested in him? His stock went way down once he hit the field. Or did we destroy all the tape of those 6 quarters? And all of the pictures of his leisure time?

What do you think Dallas would give up for him?

I don't know that I could swallow drafting a running back in the first round with so many areas of need that typically require premium investments. If bolstering the running game were the goal, I'd rather invest in the offensive line.

If I had to list 5 at the moment, I'd say

1) Find a QB, either as a potential long-term solution, or as a short term bridge.

2) Add 2 WR's. I would look for one in FA, one through the draft. I don't necessarily want to take one at 12 or 19, but I wouldn't be upset if we did.

3) Invest on the defensive line, preferably high

4) Invest in the LB corps, preferably high

5) Invest in the depth of the offensive line

Manziel and Gordon have absolutely no trade value, and haven't for months.

I can't think of any team in the NFL that would waste assets on toxic players who are decent bets to be available outright in the near future.

I'd add another possibly as a top 5-- Invest in TE, preferably high. This would be the case whether Cameron stays or goes. This team will need to rely on the run heavily next year if Hoyer sticks around or if we go with Manziel. It would be nice to have a better blocking TE that can also catch.

This is probably inconsistent with some posters, but I am not all that high on Dray/Barnidge. I think we could upgrade Barnidge easily.

Yeah, that would pretty much be my #6. I don't know how high of an investment I would make. That would depend on what we're looking to do offensively.

And this TE class could shape up to be rather deep so the opportunities may be more prevalent than other positions like DL and WR. I could see the 2nd round being a rather busy round for the TE class.

1) Find out if Oakland/JDR likes the idea of Marcus Mariota. If he's available at 4, give them 12, 19, and next year's #2 for Carr. Carr is already ahead of anyone else we would get for the offense, seeing as how our new OC is his old QB coach. New coach/OC, etc might mean they want their own QB. It's worth a shot IMO.

2) Sign a decent WR in FA: Maclin, Shorts, Crabtree ; and NT Kenrick Ellis from the Jets (hopefully Pettine connection helps here)

3) Draft Clive Walford, TE Miami in round 2; WR Rashad Greene in Round 3 (the best route runner in the draft) or WR Josh Harper (who already has good chemistry with Carr) if Greene is gone; and WR Justin Hardy in the 4th

4) Draft ILB Stephone Anthony in the 4th and OLB Jemauria Rasco in the 6th. Convert Armonty Bryant to OLB and have Mingo and Rasco spell Kruger and Bryant.

5) Draft one C of Andy Gallick, Max Garcia, or Dillon Day in the 5th and OT Mitch Morse in the 6th. Let the homeless guy pick a RB/FB/K in round 7 unless Terry Williams is still available.

1) All phones must be on airplane mode during games.

2) Get Haslam and Scheiner out of the draft room.

3) Find a game manager QB that is actually a game manager (i.e. not Hoyer).

4) Re-sign Buster Skrine.

5) Beef up the run defense through free agency and the draft.

I know you've mentioned a trade for Carr in the past but completely forgot we now have Carr's former QB coach. I'm not sure we'd even have to give up next year's #2. The new Raiders regime (minus Reggie McKenzie) may want to start completely from scratch with their own guy- that may be enough leverage for the 12/19 alone. Still, you just don't see those type of trades- a rookie QB traded after on year. Or do we?

Don't know much on Kendrick Ellis. But I've also seen you put Phil Taylor at NT next year in your preferred roster a few times on this board. I'll assume you think Ellis would be an upgrade. If so, do we try to trade Taylor or put in at DE again? Also, If the Carr trade is out of the question, where do potential draftees like Goldson and Shleton fit with the likes of Taylor and Eills in your opinion?

Wow! Move up to 4 for 12, 19, and our 2016 #2 to get the guy we could have had at 22 last year?

I'd do it. I'd do it for Mariota too.

Doink!

Dave, your 5 steps are almost mine to a tee, but as far as who to play at QB, I'd play Manziel every down next year. That way we are almost a dead lock for the top pick in 2016 to get the best prospect at QB.

This damn stupid organization is to ignorant to tank a season. They would rather take on the mentality of a good portion of the fan base that 5 or 6 wins is "way" better than completely tanking a season because it somehow makes them feel better for "next year". Next year should be playing for 2017 and not continue to win that same 5 games a year for the next 10+ years. Get this freakin thing right for once!

That being said the idiots went and raised the ticket prices so there is zero chance they end up doing that.

Brain-cramp Alert ... We wouldn't get 4 if its for Carr. I'd still do it. Gotta get a QB.

I would never give up that much for a QB that isn't a lock to be above-average. I understand why clevesteve would do it because he likes Carr. I have mixed feelings about him.

I wonder what other QBs can be acquired for that same package. Cam Newton? Ryan Tannehill? Colin Kaepernick? RGIII? Nick Foles? I bet we could even move up to pick #2 with that package this year.

5-Step Plan? Hard to say w/all the dysfunction in Berea.

1. Haslam needs to stop inserting himself into the draft and who plays.

2. The FO needs to let the coaching staff coach. No more breaking down film w/the team president and GM.

3. The FO needs to allow the coaches to play the players who they feel are producing rather than who is the favorite[s] of the FO.

4. Resign Hoyer and bring in another vet at qb.

5. Acquire at dominant edge rusher or dominant NT.

1.) Move to LA
2.) Move to London
3.) Move to Siberia
4.) Move to the Moon
5.) Move to Mars

And let the city of Cleveland keep the name Browns and the stats from 1950 to 1994.

I'm out................

Back to your old self I see, eh SuperBrown?

I'd prefer Uranus ... seems more fitting

That sounds quite awkward...

sounds illegal here in ky lol

1. Sign Suh and/or Fairley
2. Sign Cecil Shorts
3. Sign a FA QB ... not Hoyer.. it is not that I do not like Hoyer it is that Hoyer failed miserably after the Atlanta game. We need someone better...
4. Draft a WR at 12 ( Cooper/Parker/White/Strong .. whoever is highest rated and available )
5. Draft OL at 19 ( Scherff/Peat/Collins/Flowers/Clemmings/Erving.. whoever is highest rated and available )
6. Re-sign Skrine

If any of the above mentioned OL Draftees are available at 43.. take whoever is left then, otherwise choose BPA.

My 5:

1) Make no hasty decisions.Do not panic over events, but see how they play out before you decide what to do. The worst thing we could do is panic and make stupid decisions just because we're mad at a certain player for what he did last year. This is especially true at QB. Can Manziel be a good to great starting QB? I don't know. However, we are paying him for the next 3 years, so if he works hard and stays clean, he should be here for at least 2 of them. It does nothing for us to just dump him after 6 quarters of football. I would hate to see him released here, go somewhere else to sit for a couple of years while we pay him, and see him finally develop into a solid to above starter. Can't happen? Heck, I don;t know if it can or not, but I don't want to be the butt of that particular joke if he does.

2) Find a pass rush. If you have to overpay for a DL pass rusher, or a pass rushing OLB, then do so. I prefer a dual threat DL who can also help stop the run.

3) Sign a veteran WR. We need a 3rd receiver along with Gabriel and Hawkins. We have a couple of big body young WR, but who knows what we have there.

4) Sign a veteran QB. I don't care which veteran, (within reason) but we need someone to help the position, and to man the position if Manziel is not able to grab the position.

5) Be smart in the draft. There are very few positions on this team that cannot be upgraded. Take a player in the 1st who you expect to become a great player. I would draft a mid round QB in the draft. My personal favorite is Sean Mannion. He has experience in a pro style offense, and his biggest weakness, not being a big runner, would be taken care of with our OL. He is a big QB, and can make the necessary throws, and he understand s how to make decisions on the football field. (from what I have seen in his highlights, and read in his scouting reports)

I fully expect that this can be a 9-10 win team next year. I feel more strongly about this than I have at any time in the past 2 decades. I really like Pettine, and think that he is a real bright and solid young head coach. I think that he "gets it", and understands how to be a head coach. His players seem to really love playing for him, and he allows his coaches the opportunity to succeed. He doesn't squelch their creativity. That is pretty huge. I think that we will upgrade the pass rush this year, and that will massively improve the defense, which took major steps forward last year.

I think that the 5 steps I outline would be a huge step towards making this a playoff team.

1. Take out a protective order against Haslem so he can't get within 500 yards of the facility or games. Just send him back to Tennessee and get him a Sunday Ticket subscription.

2. Trade Farmer to NBC for Brian Williams. We need someone who can lie to us while he smiles.

3. I think it was Vers above who said let the coaches coach and if you're not a coach, get out of the film room. (paraphrasing)

4. Like most, sign a vet QB if there is one that can still play. If nothing else, he can sub for our QB coach while he's drying behind his ears.

5. If you're religious, pray. If not, buy an orange and brown rabbits foot.

1. Attempt to resign Brian

2. Make sure the front office stops interfering with things. That includes, if true, Jimmy influencing picks (JF) and Farmer texting down about play calling and anything else. You hired people, are paying those people... let them do their job.

3. For the offense, draft a WR with one of our top picks. Attempt to resign Austin too. Draft a center, Alex Mack likely will not be back here and will opt out. Realize we won't have a QB to be a pass-happy team and that we need to anchor the offense on the run.

4. Someone come here and teach this coaching staff how to use timeouts and clock management. There was just too many instances of poor display of clock management last season.

5. Address the defense line, either via free agency (a Suh) or draft (Shelton maybe?) with a big, fat, athletic run stuffer nose tackle.

That would be my big-five.