Cleveland Browns Get a Bye and the Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Mid-Season Report

With every other journalist on Bleacher Report either getting ready to write or having already written a Cleveland Browns midseason report article, this journalist is going to lay down the hard facts and take a look at the team's "coulda, woulda, shoulda." (In no particular order.)

The Coulda's

1. Brady Quinn could have made $11 million in incentives this year, but he was benched after 10 quarters of inept play. Eric Mangini said the benching had nothing to do with the money that Quinn could have made. Yeah, right.

2. The defense could have tackled Vikings running back Adrian Peterson many times on his 64-yard touchdown run in game one, but they didn't.

3. Rookie running back James Davis could have prevented a season ending injury to his shoulder had he worn pads in practice. Even though the NFL ruled that it was a controlled environment, why are players hitting other players that do not have pads on?

4. Randy Lerner could have had this “credible figure” in the front office had he hired a Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer-type in the offseason.

5. The Browns could have drafted Mark Sanchez, Clay Matthews, Michael Oher, or Rey Maualuga but they didn't.

6. The special teams unit could have been one of the best the Browns have ever seen if kicker Phil Dawson didn't get injured. But Billy Cundiff did perform admirably as his replacement.

7. Jamal Lewis could have been more effective if he didn't get under three yards per carry.

8. Kamerion Wimbley could have been more effective in past years had his athletic ability been better utilized. He has five sacks in seven games in 2009, compared to four sacks in all of 2008.

9. Lerner could have thrown everything at Bill Cowher to get him to come to Cleveland, but he didn't.

10. The Browns could have lost to the Bills and would be 0-8. Could have been worse.

The Woulda's

1. The Browns would have beaten the Bengals in week four, but offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's conservative play calling in the fourth quarter and overtime prevented the Browns from getting into the end zone and getting a win.

2. The wide receivers would have a touchdown this season if they would have caught the ball more.

3. Derek Anderson would have not been benched against the Bears if he was a starting caliber NFL quarterback, but he's not anymore.

4. Lerner would have a more successful franchise had he given the Browns more attention instead of his other football franchise over in Europe.

5. The Browns would have saved $11 million, but it looks like Lerner doesn't care about that money because he is more concerned about the current state of his franchise.

6. Former GM Phil Savage would have punched Mangini in the face for tearing apart the team he tried to build in four years.

7. Josh Cribbs would have been more effective had the coaching staff not tried to make him a No. 2 wide receiver, but better utilized his talents as a running back.

8. The Browns would have had a better running attack had they better used Jerome Harrison in the rotation.

9. Rookie wide receiver Brian Robiskie would have seen playing time sooner if he would have sucked it up and play special teams.

10. The Browns would have gotten more value if they traded Braylon Edwards around the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Shoulda's

1. Lerner should have spent more time assessing and researching the head coaches that were available to hire, before jumping on Mangini as quickly as he did back in January.

2. Mangini should have just let Quinn continue to play and not bench him despite the $11 million in incentives. Who knows, the team might be 2-6 instead of 1-7.

3. Mangini should have told Daboll to get his play calling right four games ago.

4. Browns fans should have been proud because their team is in the top of the NFL in one category...least penalized team.

5. The Browns should have been more competitive in their first eight games of the 2009 season.

6. Mangini should not have grabbed as many of his former Jets players as he did because only Kenyon Coleman has made some impact. And that's not saying much.

7. What ever happened to all the successful screen passes from the preseason? The Browns should have called more screen plays to Harrison and Cribbs.

8. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should have been blitzing more than he already does.

9. GM George Kokinis should have done more at whatever it is he does. What do you do George?

10. Rookie wide receiver Mohamed Massquoi should have more catches, but he has too many drops instead.

At least all Browns fans can sit back and take a week off from this craziness, but it appears that Lerner is ready to become hands-on and take more control of his franchise, which is very encouraging but may be too little too late.

Something seems doomed to happen during the bye week, but what may that be?

Don't relax too much over the bye week, because there is sure to be some breaking news.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper .)