Bleacher Report - Articles by David-S Serdinak

Cleveland Browns Need to Shed More Weight

David-S Serdinak — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:11:07 -0500

I've wrote several articles pushing my opinion that last year's Cleveland Browns were not a team of underachieving, talented players but a team of mediocrity who believed the hype. The same hype that had their fans looking for a playoff spot.

Looking back, I now realize that the team's talent, coupled with an extremely difficult schedule, should have made the writing on the wall easier to read.

Obviously, they could have been more successful, but only slightly. The prior year, when they posted a 10-6 record, they feasted on the dregs of the NFL. Their knee-jerk reaction was to give Romeo Crennel an extension (which they sorely regret) and Derek Anderson a contract that he doesn't deserve.

Enter Eric Mangini. I believe that he intends to make the team more disciplined and players more responsible for their actions. Both of these philosophies are new to this team.

This team must rebuild. The organization, and the fans, must admit this fact first. Then players must be shed. Players who are too old to be a part of the future...players who are so used to having no discipline that they cannot handle it.....players who will poison the young-blood with self-centered complaints.

The trading of Kellen Winslow was an excellent move. I believe a second round pick for an oft-injured malcontent was value.

I respect Jamal Lewis but he will not be a Brown by the time they are ready to win, so he doesn't need to be one now.

Derek Anderson has to be gotten rid of no matter the cost. He's not a starting QB and will only interfere with the development of Brady Quinn. No other team will take him at the ridiculous contract he possesses so I'd cut him.

The coaches will know more about who wants to win and who wants to do the minimum to stay in the league.

It's time for this team to gain an identity. To earn some respect and to reward the long suffering fans of Cleveland

Cleveland Browns Improve by Shedding K2

David-S Serdinak — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:56:02 -0500

The new Browns' leadership has made a statement: Talent alone will not keep you in an orange helmet. Kellen Winslow, the talented, often injured tight end has finally been moved from the team that was unable to make him happy.

I, personally, never thought that he was as valuable as most others did. He missed as many games as he played in, had five surgeries on his knee, was a malcontent, and absolutely refused to block.

Not to mention that his agent is a cancer on the entire league.

After the Romeo Crennel years, when players weren't held accountable for their performance, and there were as many excuses as necessary, it was refreshing to see a move designed to improve this team.

I foresee problems, of course. Discipline will be a hard thing to bring to a team that has had no concept of it. There will be complaints and power struggles.

I applaud this move.

Unlike many others, I don't believe that this is a talented team that underachieved. I believe this team lacks talent and was misjudged when it won 10 games two seasons ago. A team that, again, needs rebuilding.

Eric Mangini will not tolerate public whining by his players. He will not play quarterbacks who cannot move the ball, receivers who cannot catch a pass.

Discipline and pride are the first things that this team needs.

So far, I believe that the new powers in Cleveland are moving in the right direction.

Cleveland Browns' Problems Start at the Top

David-S Serdinak — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:27:53 -0500

Obviously, the Browns face an off season full of changes.

The hiring of Mangini may, or may not, be a positive. Only time will tell. However, not hiring a GM in a timely fashion may very well be a terrible decision. The Browns are full of roster changes waiting to happen with no one to pull the trigger.

The one constant through this is Randy Lerner. I'm forced to believe that he may very well be the biggest problem in an organization full of problems. I do not believe that Lerner's knowledge of NFL football qualified him to hire Mangini. This doesn't mean that he'll regret it, but it does mean that an unqualified person made the decision.

Lerner has shown me that he makes a decision and then tries to rationalize it. He isn't honest with the fans in his reasoning.

A few days ago, Lerner was quoted in the Akron Beacon Journal as saying that the most important thing to him was to create an organization that has "checks and balances." There's nothing wrong with this aspiration but I don't believe Randy possessed that opinion until he had to rationalize the hiring of a coach before a GM.

Everyone knows that he went after Bill Cowher first. Had Cowher accepted the position, Lerner would have allowed him complete control; the opposite of his most important "checks and balances."

This shows me that I can't believe Lerner's sincere when speaking to the media. Perhaps he'll get a good GM and the team will turn around.

Still, if the team does get on track, I can't help but believe that it'll be in spite of Lerner not because of him.

Cleveland Browns Seem to Deteriorate Weekly

David-S Serdinak — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:34:24 -0500

The Browns are playing in a manner we have come to expect.

No one really thought that they would compete with Philadelphia in last night's game, and they didn't. Everyone from the fan on the street to the odds-makers in Vegas knew that this was a mismatch.

How often can you say that the score was closer than it should have been in a twenty-point blowout?

What bothers me the most is the deteriorating play of good players.

Joe Thomas is the epitome of this trend. Last year, he was an all-pro tackle who played excellently. This year, he has regressed into a mediocre tackle who's getting beat more and more frequently. In last night's game he was humiliated. His lack of footwork allowed him to be beat by speed rushes time and time again.

What happened?

We all know the woes of Braylon Edwards. One of the league's elite receivers last year, he has become a joke. Anytime your best receiver makes a reception and the announcer says, "Well, he caught that one," you know that the team is an embarrassment.

Derek Anderson, who was also an All-Pro last season, was the worst QB in the league until his eventual benching.

Donte Stallworth has always been a fine receiver. That is until he put on the orange helmet. He is now a seldom thrown to, single-covered, afterthought.

Jamal Lewis went from a 1,000-yard rusher to a hesitant, stutter-stepping runner who gains very few yards.

Very few players are even working hard. I'm not sure that this team can be resurrected. We have too many overpaid, underachieving players who are just waiting to get to the off-season.

It has been a mistake to let Crennel finish the season. In doing this, the team has created an environment of losing. No one needs to impress Romeo because he'll be gone. No one needs to work because no one expects this team to do anything but lose.

This has been the most harmful season in the history of the franchise.

As much as I would like to see Cowher here, he'd be an idiot to grant my wish. Each week this team shows that it needs more and more changes. It is almost to the point that the list of those who should stay is shorter than the list of those who should go.

It's a gut-wrenching chore to watch this team play.

Billick is the Cleveland Browns Best Choice

David-S Serdinak — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:25:15 -0500

I've concluded, in my often mistaken mind, that Brian Billick is the best choice for the Browns at this point.

I'd still like to have Cowher over anyone, but that isn't going to happen. Let's go with Cowher "light."

Coach Billick has shown in Baltimore that he can win with defense. He can win without a superstar quarterback, which few coaches have done over the years. He can motivate and is a disciplinarian within reason.

I'm on the Billick Bandwagon. I feel he's a realistic choice and can have success in this city with this team.

Cleveland Browns Need to Shed Jamal Lewis

David-S Serdinak — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:39:06 -0500

Jamal Lewis is no longer worth his present salary.

I dislike putting forth that opinion because I respect Lewis. I respect his work ethic, his loyalty, and his leadership on this club. However, as they say, football's a business.

Jamal has made a career as a downhill runner who breaks tackles at the line of scrimmage. He no longer is this type of runner and he doesn't have the speed or ability to be any other kind.

I've seen him deteriorate as this season has progressed. He approaches the line of scrimmage almost timidly now. He changes directions in the backfield and has "happy feet" at the line. This isn't the style that has made him successful.

His physical appearance is testimony to how hard he works. I, in no way, mean to disrespect this player's desire, drive, or love of the game. My reasoning only considers the welfare of the Browns' organization.

If I'm not mistaken, Lewis makes $6 million this year. I feel that Harrison is a better back right now. That's a debatable point, I know, but he makes less than $500,000. Can anyone argue that Jamal is 12 times as good as Harrison?

The Browns need change, as we all know. Priorities must be set, and loyalty is an unaffordable luxury. Jamal Lewis will always have me as a fan, but his exorbitant salary would be much better spent elsewhere on this Cleveland team

Cleveland Browns News Isn't All Bad

David-S Serdinak — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:24:32 -0500

Us Browns' fans hoped in our heart's that we'd upset the mighty Titans today. Our hearts have been wrong almost every game. However, I'm not as disappointed as I could have been after watching what we all knew was going to happen.

I applaud our defense. I know that Cleveland's defense gives up a mile on the ground and has folded in a few fourth quarters this year but, still, I respect them.

I expected the secondary to be terrible this year, and they aren't. The weakness they show is usually a result of absolutely no pass rush. No secondary can guard NFL receivers as long as our secondary is forced to. Still, they get their share of interceptions. The defense has taken away the ball frequently. Our offense seldom, if ever, takes advantage of the gifts.

Even when the defense tires late in the game, it's frequently a result of 25 three-and-outs by the offense. Our defensive monster, Shaun Rogers, is 400lbs. (disregard what's printed in the media guide) and no one carrying that mass has a great deal of stamina. If the offense could put together a few more time-consuming drives, the defensive stats would reflect the rest.

Also, I witnessed the players who refuse to quit. How can you not become a fan of players who give their all when the season's lost. D'Qwell Jackson's such a player. Josh Cribbs continues to play hard, as does the afore mentioned Rogers.

Did anyone notice Braylon Edwards one-handed catch in the end zone? It was out of bounds but reflects his ability when he can harness it. He still has the ability to make the most spectacular catches while dropping 3 that hit his stomach.

Who can be angry at Dorsey? We, as well as the coaches, knew what he was. He's a third-string QB who's never supposed to see action. His arm is weaker than I thought, and I thought it was REAL weak!

I believe the defense can be formidable with minor upgrades. The greatest need is a legitimate pass-rushing defensive end.

All in all, I watched what I expected to watch today. I expect to watch it for the remainder of the season, and you had better expect the same. Still, I can cheer the players I mentioned in this article and look forward to a better future.

Actually, Dorsey's sub par play may have been a blessing. If he'd have thrown for three touchdowns and won, the Browns would have signed him to a twenty-year, $85 million contract!

Cleveland Browns Should Have Money to Spend at Season's End

David-S Serdinak — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:38:39 -0500

It's never very interesting to read about salary caps, salaries, and financial numbers associated with NFL teams.

Despite the boring nature of this topic, do not underestimate its importance to the success of a franchise. The use of money will have more to do with a team's winning percentage than any other factor.

The Cleveland Browns will make changes at the end of this season. The dismal, disappointing performance of the team assures this.

Like all fans, I have my opinion of who should go and who should stay. With this in mind, I did a little financial research to see how certain changes would affect the salary cap.

Now, I'm not a GM. There are consequences to unloading players. However, football is different from the other major sports in that a player's salary is not guaranteed. If he's cut, he doesn't get paid. The only money guaranteed is the signing bonus. Teams take a hit on this when cutting a player.

My first player to shed is Kellen Winslow. He's injury prone and has missed so many games that he is a gamble at best. He's had at least five operations on his knee, never seems content and is vocal when he should be quiet. He has a vulture for an agent (Drew Rosenhaus) and any play could be his last. He counted for over $4.5 million against this year's salary cap.

Derek Anderson should be gone. It's not his fault that the team gave him a contract that will prohibit their ability to trade him. He doesn't have the talent to be the starter and makes way too much money to be a backup. He counted for over $3.3 million against the cap.

Donte' Stallworth has been a complete bust. He's not thrown to on the rare occasion that he's dressed for a game. He doesn't seem to want to play for this team and shouldn't. He's collecting over $1.4 million this year.

What I feel is my most controversial choice is Jamal Lewis. I'm seeing his talent wane before my eyes. He's approaching the line of scrimmage with hesitation and seems to have "happy feet" once he gets there. He's a downhill runner who seems to be hitting creases with less and less authority. His salary this year is $6.5 million and I don't feel that he's worth anything near that.

Some casualties will be painless. I don't see Joe Jurevicius coming back. He put over $3 million against the cap. Willie McGinest will surely retire. That will release over $3.6 million.

My "wish list" will give the Browns about $20 million in flexibility. I know that some of that will be spent immediately on a myriad of things. Players traded, draft picks, and some signing-bonus hits will have to be taken.

Still, they can try to seduce a few missing cogs; a bonafide pass rushing end, a corner back who strikes fear in a quarterback and, perhaps, a receiver with good hands!

It'll be fun to watch what happens and second-guess the decision makers. Wish I was a GM!

Cleveland Browns Offensive, Again; Lose to Colts Despite Impressive Defense

David-S Serdinak — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:09:44 -0500

The Browns lost today despite some truly surprising statistics.

Had you not seen the game, the following stats would surely mislead you. Peyton Manning threw for a whopping 125 yards. He had no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Colt's running back, Addai, only rushed for 57 yards and turned the ball over on the first play of the game. Cleveland's defense allowed only three points.

How can you lose a game when your defense holds the Colts to those anemic numbers? Easy, you have Cleveland's offense. This team has had a tendency to show up on only one side of the ball for games. When the offense performs, the defense doesn't....and the opposite occurs just as often. Still, it was a nice showing by the defense.

As a true fan of this depressing team, I don't really wish for wins the remainder of this season. Wins will serve no purpose—they lower the draft picks and maybe fool ownership into believing that things aren't as bad as they are. I accept the loss happily and enjoyed the play of the maligned defense. The young linebackers may end up being good.

Several thoughts came to me during this game:

The defense needs less than many think.

I'm also concluding that Jamal Lewis is at the end of his career, and not worth his next year's salary. I respect Lewis but have noticed his hesitation when he reaches the line of scrimmage. He's not hitting creases as fast, or with as much authority, as he once did. I'm hoping the organization realizes this, too.

I'm taking solace in the firm belief that the people who I want gone are helping my opinion with their play. Has Kellen Winslow, Derek Anderson or Donte Stallworth helped this team's lot? I'd like to see offers for Braylon Edwards entertained, but this probably won't happen. Maybe Braylon will recapture his ability to catch, but I fear that he won't.

I will keep hope alive. The Browns will have money to spend next year, a much friendlier schedule and, perhaps, a coach who can motivate these underachievers.

Is Bill Cowher the Answer for the Cleveland Browns?

David-S Serdinak — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:09:18 -0500

Bill Cowher has been a successful coach with the Steelers. He is an excellent motivator and players will play for him. These are the positives that have made Bill the dream of, it seems, every Browns fan.

I believe that motivation is the key missing ingredient in this Browns team. That's why I've always felt that this young Cleveland team needs a coach like Cowher. Someone who can light a fire under players and make the young ones enjoy the game that they excel at.

That said, I have reservations about bringing Bill Cowher to "the Lake." I have no questions regarding his ability to coach, that's a given. Who can tell me what kind of GM he is? No one, but he will surely hold that position for the next team he coaches. Not being given total control is what pushed him from Pittsburgh. He'll have it wherever he ends up.

He deserves to be given control. I don't want to write as if Cowher hasn't earned the contract and the power he'll enjoy with the next organization that hires him. It's just that I fear that the Browns cannot stand another failure.

I have no doubt that Bill Cowher is the best coach out there. I'm not sure that he's the best for the Browns' situation, though. Cleveland has fallen into such disarray that I fear we need "all the king's horses and all the king's men," not one king's man.

If any readers flatter me by remembering an article I wrote much earlier in the season begging Cowher to come to Cleveland, I admit to a newfound fear of taking that path. The Browns seem to be in sadder shape as each week passes. I'm afraid the rebuilding of this franchise is no longer a one-man job.

If Cowher is hired, he may very well have success with this team. No one hopes this more than I. Just remember that very few owners will allow one man total control of a team.

There are good reasons for this. Head coach and GM are two, difficult, time-consuming jobs. To give both hats to one man is a responsibility few can accept and have success with.

Cleveland Browns Need a House Cleaning

David-S Serdinak — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:02:14 -0500

As a lifelong Brown's fan, I'm accustomed to disappointments but none like the one I'm experiencing as I write this.

I've begged for the firing of Romeo Crennel from week four. He is the worst coach in the NFL. His players are devolving before our eyes.

Each week they have less talent, less desire, less control over their tongue and less desire to play for the Browns. An all-pro quarterback has become a less-than-average backup. An all-pro receiver is completely unable to catch the ball. A talented offensive line coupled with a 1,000 yard rusher is unable to run the ball.

Crennel stuck with Derek Anderson as the season went up in smoke. He watched as his passer-rating was the lowest in the league but insisted on starting him. When he finally could withstand the criticism no more, he started Quinn.

No such loyalty for that young man. Romeo could not wait to bench him. Perhaps he'll say it was the fractured finger that caused him to be pulled, but looking at Brady's face after he was yanked, I won't believe it.

I can no longer watch the team I love without being totally disgusted. A season long rash of penalties and the coach has no ability to stop them. Braylon Edwards drops half the passes thrown to him yet they continue to throw to him in key situations.

Jamal Lewis talks of players "quitting." Winslow is unhappy and wants you to know it. Savage firing "f-bombs" in his e-mail to fans who he should be apologizing to.

This team needs to start over for the umpteenth time. Savage, Crennel, Winslow and Stallworth should be shed whatever the cost. Edwards should be traded if there's a team dumb enough to pay for a stone-handed receiver. Perhaps Braylon will start catching the ball again, but perhaps not. He was never a sure-handed receiver and he seems to have lost his desire to excel.

The defense cannot stop anyone now. No pass-rush at all. The secondary, who I feel has played fairly well, cannot be expected to cover as long as they must. Again, Crennel cannot come up with a blitz package to compensate. He tries to respond with six defensive backs.

I cannot see this team compete until there are many major changes made.

Finally the Cleveland Browns Start Brady Quinn

David-S Serdinak — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:11:11 -0500

Personally, I think it's way overdue, but Brady Quinn is the starting quarterback for the 3-5 Cleveland Browns. I can't help but think that the decision to bench Derek Anderson came from a position in the organization that is higher than the head coach.

Romeo Crennel had stayed with Anderson despite his 68.7 passer-rating. The chants for Brady at the end of the Browns' loss to the Ravens were finally heeded.

I want to caution Browns' fans that the Notre Dame graduate will not save this season. He's young and will play accordingly. There will be mistakes and, I believe, flashes of the talent that made him Cleveland's first-round pick.

From what I've seen of Quinn, he has the ability to look off defenders. This is an attribute that has been missing in Cleveland quarterbacks since the team's return to the city. Couch, Frye, and Anderson all zeroed in on their intended target from the snap of the ball.

Hopefully, the new QB will get help from his supporting cast. He needs protection from the offensive line, Braylon Edwards to stop dropping every third ball thrown to him, and hard running from Jamaal Lewis.

Let's all be realistic; this season's playoff hopes are dashed. With the remaining schedule, a young quarterback, Stallworth's inability to stay healthy, and a coach feeling like a lame-duck, a 4-4 second half would be an unmitigated success.

I'm looking to the future. Next year's schedule will be nothing like this year's. The Browns will have a talented and slightly seasoned quarterback. Some of the faces will have changed. I believe Crennel, Anderson and, very likely, Winslow will be gone.

I waited for Quinn's era to start, and it has. I intend to be patient and accept the inevitable mistakes that will occur. For the remainder of this season I'll cheer his successes loudly and forgive him his mistakes.

One thing I can count on...there will be no chants of "Derek...Derek...Derek..."

Cleveland Browns: Why They Can't Win

David-S Serdinak — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:53:43 -0500

As always, it's difficult for me to write calmly after I watch the Browns do what they do.

I've done my best to look at what is going on with the organization and there are obvious problems that must be addressed, if not immediately, than as soon as the season ends.

Romeo Crennel has made bad decisions from the first game through the last.

How many coaches would have let Baltimore kick a 41-yard field goal when accepting the 10-yard penalty would have backed Stover to his outer limits?

Of course they could have given them the opportunity to get the first down, but at 3rd-and-16, you must take the odds.

Crennel continues to start a quarterback, Derek Anderson, who sports a 68.9 passer rating. Only four QBs are statistically worse: Thigpen, Fitzpatrick, Griese and Hasselbeck. The four I mention are essentially their coach's only option.

Romeo, on the other hand, has Brady Quinn.

Quinn was chosen in the first round and the Browns paid dearly to get the right to draft him. They gave him a large contract, spoke of how he was the future of the franchise and then allowed him to languish on the sideline while this team disappoints itself, its fans, the networks and the city of Cleveland. For this, there is no rational reason.

Braylon Edwards, the Brown's star receiver, may very well have the worse hands in the NFL. No receiver has dropped more passes. His first drop yesterday probably cost the game. If you can't have faith in your best receiver in pressure-filled situations, he is not your best receiver.

Edwards is continually showing that he may not be a good receiver. He has the ability to get open, to run good routes and to run with the ball, but none of these attributes compensate for not being able to catch the ball. A receiver must receive.

It's time to override Crennel and force him to start Quinn. Next year will be easier. The schedule will be more in line with the Brown's talent. It can be the season that we had hoped this one would be.

The defense is better than I had hoped.

Some of their weaknesses are being magnified by other factors. The secondary frequently fails because opposing QBs are being given entirely too much time to peruse the field. The inability to stop the run exists, but is made worse by the offense's "three and outs". Defenses cannot perform when left on the field all day.

As Brown's fans always seem to do, I have hope in next year.

However, if the team enters next year with a coach who doesn't make sound decisions, an erratic quarterback who cannot win and a prime target who can't catch the ball, you might expect the same results they've got us thus far this year.

Cleveland Browns Defy the Experts

David-S Serdinak — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:26:28 -0400

Like almost everyone else, I expected the Browns to be in a different position at this point of the season. I expected the offense to be a consistent scoring machine. I expected the defense to be pretty weak and the secondary to be very weak.

I expected Joshua Cribbs to be in the top echelon of kick returners. I knew that Braylon Edwards would be as good a receiver as the NFL could showcase. Kellen Winslow would lead tight ends in production. The improved Browns would lead the AFC North.

In short, I knew nothing. Still, I take solace in not being alone in my ignorance. Many picked this team to win their division. The networks scheduled Cleveland like they were going to be the most entertaining team out there.

Perhaps the anger I feel at this team comes from them making me feel stupid. It's hard to follow football for so long and come to the realization that you know nothing.

I've been hard on the team I love.

I've spoken against their coach, quarterback, receivers, etc. I've called for the firing of everyone who could be fired. I have to take a deep breath and admit that they're still MY team, regardless of the situation.

As I calmly look at the present situation, I'm forced to accept that it could be a lot worse. After starting 0-3, and looking worse than that record, if possible, they've won three of their last four. They dominated the defending champs and played well enough to win a couple more.

I'd like to believe that they've played themselves back into contention. After all, they're two games behind the hated Steelers and only one game out of the wild card.

I can't lie, though; the schedule forces me to believe that this isn't the year. They would need a good run against playoff caliber teams, and that may be beyond their capabilities.

Still, let's be optimistic. After all, I've been wrong about everything else.

Kellen Winslow and the Drew Rosenhaus Effect

David-S Serdinak — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:27:47 -0400

Kellen Winslow has been suspended for statements that General Manager Phil Savage determined detrimental to the team. Winslow is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, who is pretty much despised by the NFL.

I recall another fairly similar incident involving another of Rosenhaus' clients: Terrell Owens.

On Nov. 1, 2005, Owens made some disparaging remarks about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. The club immediately demanded that Owens apologize. The receiver made a statement that wasn't the apology that coach Andy Reid wanted. In fact, Owens never mentioned McNabb by name.

Fed up with Owens, the Eagles suspended him indefinitely. The suspension ended up lasting four games, the most allowed under the agreement with the player's union. When it ended, Owens was cut and the rest is history. He's now Jerry Jones' headache.

Winslow, like Owens, immediately played the victim when disciplined. Like most of Rosenhaus' clients, he feels the right to give his views publicly when talking privately to his team would better serve him.

I hope a new day is dawning in the NFL. One in which it is demanded of players to play the game, get paid, and allow their bosses to run the franchise. I find it ludicrous to publicly complain because your boss didn't check on you when you were sick.

A Drew Rosenhaus client always seems to be treated "like a piece of meat" when they want more money. They're not being utilized properly. They're being slighted. It's becoming tiresome.

The Browns, in my opinion, paid Winslow entirely too much when he came out of Miami. They let him keep his entire $16.5 million bonus, although they could have demanded much of it back after the motorcycle accident, the one that allowed him his first year's salary to perform rehab.

This time the "Rosenhaus Effect" will not work. It seems that the Cleveland Browns have had enough of K2 and he'll play elsewhere next season. Maybe Dallas. Jerry Jones seems to be the new Al Davis. The owner who's willing to sign problems in the hope of winning.

Finally, the Browns are making a correct decision.

Romeo Crennel Cannot Be Defended

David-S Serdinak — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:17:10 -0400

I wrote an article several weeks ago calling for the firing of Romeo Crennel. At the time I expected, and got, comments from Romeo backers who thought he deserved to stay on. I understood their views and why they held them.

Who can defend this man now?

He has a team of young talented players. Who can possibly say that a single player has improved under his guidance?

He had a high-powered offense last year that has disappeared. He possesses an All-Pro quarterback who cannot get the ball within three yards of an open receiver, a premier receiver who is no longer able to catch the balls that bounce harmlessly from his hands, and the second best kick returner in the league who has become mediocre.

You can mitigate Crennel's responsibility by citing injury, but the facts remain. You can argue that Romeo doesn't throw, catch, or block in a game. The fact is...his players don't either.

He continues to insist on keeping Derek Anderson as his starter despite his rating. There isn't a worse QB in the league. The first-round draft pick continues to carry the clipboard as the team spirals downward.

The results of his coaching are obvious. Anyone who thinks he should stay does so in spite of the facts, not because of them.

Will the Browns Admit the Obvious?

David-S Serdinak — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:46:57 -0400

How disgusting was this game for the Browns fans?

This team has been able to play one game as the season approaches its midway point.

They've appeared to be as bad as any team in the league. They started with three losses in which their offense was absolutely terrible. They beat a bad Cincinnati team who was without their starting quarterback, and managed to look bad doing it. They then rose up to dominate the defending Super Bowl champs, giving everyone a glimpse of what could be, what should be.

They follow that up with a giant step backward.

Derek Anderson missed receivers by three yards. Braylon Edwards humiliated himself. If he is unable to catch the ball, he is not an NFL receiver. The defense played as well as can be expected considering that the offense gave them no rest. Portis will wear down any defense forced to play that many minutes.

When a team shows you that they possess the ability to play excellent football, but refuse to, you can only blame the coach. Crennel insists on staying with Anderson as the season goes up in smoke. Fair enough, it's his decision to make, but at what point does the organization hold him responsible? Live with DA, die with DA.

It's time that the Browns realize that they will not contend with Anderson at quarterback and Romeo Crennel at the wheel.

I know that Romeo has some fans, but even they must be finding it difficult to defend a man who's squandered such a promising season. Derek Anderson's fan cannot rationally defend him anymore, either.

Is Winslow an Asset?

David-S Serdinak — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:28:55 -0400

How long can Kellen Winslow remain in the Brown's good graces on talent alone? I hope I'm not the only fan tired of the tight end making news year after year for non-football stories.

I cannot deny his talent. He's a big target with excellent hands and a warrior's attitude after the catch. There his value ends.

Drafted in 2004, he pressed the Brown's into granting him a $40million contract with a $16.5million signing bonus. Despite this contract stating that he was NOT allowed any physically dangerous activity outside of football, and specifically forbidding motorcycle riding, he bought a bike and tore up his knee in a parking lot.

The Browns would have been well within their rights to demand a return of the signing bonus, but they didn't. They courted his goodwill by letting him keep money that he didn't earn.

Rather than create a feeling of appreciation and loyalty in Winslow, he immediately grumbled about his contract the minute he was able to play.

Now he missed the game against the Giants for an undisclosed illness. The rumors are what they are, but the fact is that the Browns played their best game of the season without him. Not only did the offense move up and down the field, they fed Heiden the ball at will.

As I wrote, Kellen is a true talent, but talent alone doesn't make a player an asset for a team. It's only a matter of time before he's injured, complaining about money or being a distraction for some reason or another.

If I were the Browns, I'd see what the all-pro tight end's value is on the market. They have places that kind of cap money could be better spent.

Browns Face Another Must-Win Game

David-S Serdinak — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:45:42 -0400

The win against the defending champions was wonderful. It infused hope and momentum in the team, as well as the fans. It was a dominant performance by a team that many, including this writer, had given up on.

It was a must-win that entitles this team to play another. Yes, this game must be won or the last win becomes nothing but a fun Sunday. That is the situation the Browns are in due to their poor play prior to the win, the strength of the Steelers, and the schedule that lies before them.

That dour outlook aside, the Browns are very capable of beating the Washington Redskins. They will, first, have to stop their running game. The 'Skins are a run-first team, a fact that I believe plays well to the Browns' defense. Washington averages 152 yards per game on the ground.

They won't get that Sunday. I predict the Browns will stuff the run. The giant nose tackle in the orange helmet will have a lot to do with it.

If that prediction proves correct, it will then be up to the secondary. The defensive backs have played better than expected, and I see no reason that they won't continue after the heartening win.

If the Redskins' rushing yards are down, they will not get the 21 points that they've averaged this year. The Browns will beat a team that doesn't score three touchdowns.

Prediction: Browns 27-Redskins 17

Romeo Crennel Needs to Motivate or Get Out

David-S Serdinak — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:40:53 -0400

I've been of the opinion that Romeo must go following this season. I realize that this opinion is shared by many. Here's another of my reasons for those who have not joined our growing club:

There are teams who can win in spite of a mediocre coach, but these teams are never young. A youthful team needs motivation and someone to instill the belief that the team is a winner. Crennel is not this coach.

Take note of the Steelers; the Rooneys know this. The club in Pittsburgh has a tendency to rid itself of expensive stars who've reached the end of their contract.

Despite doing this, they contend year after year. Their young players step up and the veterans show their love of the game in their play. In short, they are a motivated team year in and year out.

Cowher was the king of motivation. I firmly believe that many coaches are better than Bill at the X's and O's of the NFL, but no coach can make players play harder or enjoy it more.

This is what is needed in Cleveland. Of course, no one is more like Cowher than Cowher, so it'd sure be nice to lure him to the Lake. If this can't be done, I hope the Browns' organization realizes that they need someone like him.

I want a coach in Cleveland who throws a clipboard occasionally, gets excited, gets angry, and acts like what he's watching matters to him. Romeo Crennel on the sideline is a portrait of indifference. I know he cares more about the game than he shows but does his team?

We need Romeo gone and in favor of a coach who sprays saliva.

Romeo Crennel Should Be Fired

David-S Serdinak — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:41:40 -0400

Due to the Browns' last two losses, it's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and call for the head of coach Romeo Crennel. That said, I am one of the people who thinks he needs to go, for the following reasons.

He's had only one successful season, and Cleveland's 10-6 in 2007 had little, if anything, to do with his coaching. As we all know, that record was a product of beating bad teams and losing to decent ones. In fact, the Browns lost in week 17 to a mediocre Bengal team when a win would have put them in the playoffs.

The winning season was mainly a result of the surprising play of Derek Anderson. It seemed that his play surprised no one more than Crennel, who saw him at practice daily.

Despite his familiarity with Anderson, Crennel initially chose Charlie Frye as his starting quarterback; it took only one game to get Frye to the other side of the country. I have no doubt that Brady Quinn would have taken Frye's place had he not been a hold-out. So Crennel deserves absolutely no credit for Anderson's success.

Two sad games into this season, Browns' fans would be hard-pressed to find a single coaching move deserving of praise. Prior to the Dallas debacle, the entire team, including Crennel, had no confidence whatsoever. The fourth-quarter field goal call down 28-7 was ridiculous.

The game against the Steelers was even more depressing. Illegal formation on a kickoff, false starts, and assorted other penalties were all assessed to Cleveland. Crennel displayed clock mismanagement that would humiliate a high school coach.

And yet again, Cleveleand kicked a worthless field goal, this time with under four minutes remaining. Some would argue for the sound reasoning of the kick, but I cannot fathom believing a team can give up the ball, get it back, and score a touchdown in under a minute when they could only manage two field goals in 57 minutes.

Crennel has proven to me that he's a coordinator, at best. It's time that the Browns admit they erred in giving him a contract extension and bite the financial bullet. Bill Cowher's out there, and perhaps he'd love to come back to the AFC North and settle his score with the cheap Rooneys in Pittsburgh.