Cleveland Browns Fan Forum: Beat Writer Says Mike Holmgren Should Be Coach
Cleveland's newspaper The Plain Dealer, hosted its annual fan forum talking all about the Cleveland Browns with food and beverage and prizes on Friday Sept. 17th at 8 a.m. EDT.
The cost of the forum was $25 but that money also went to both the food and prizes too.
With nearly 40 attendees, The Plain Dealer had its Browns beat writers sit in from of the audience and take questions from the fans about their beloved Browns in a Q&A style forum.
Representing The Plain Dealer were Terry Pluto, Mark Kay Cabot, Tony Grossi, and was moderated by Michael McIntyre.
Prior To the Forum Starting
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With many fans and others who were dressed in more formal and business attire, there was some chit-chatting around the tables most regarding the Browns and the "What Ifs?" along with some fantasy football talk to go along with the football-themed forum.
The food was no better then that which you would find in a cheap hotel's breakfast buffet too.
"Is Jim Brown Coming?"
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That is exactly what the moderator said to start off the forum, dipping into the more funny side of the Jim Browns debacle that is occurring between the Browns and Brown.
The audience immediately broke out into laughter to start the Q&A session.
Grossi on Seneca Wallace
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One of the very first questions asked about how the Browns' offense will differ with Wallace starting at quarterback on Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs for the home opener.
"Wallace will surprise," said Grossi. "His legs give the Browns a new dimension on offense and if he was in the week 1 game when Jake Delhomme threw that first interception, Wallace wouldn't have even been in that situation because he is too quick."
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Grossi on Gil Haskell
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Haskell is Browns President Mike Holmgren's confidant and eyes and ears on the practice field and during games.
Having been Holmgren's offensive coordinator while both were with the Seattle Seahawks, Haskell is seasoned as an offensive mind and was brought on as a consultant to help the Browns' offense this season.
"Gil Haskell sits in the coaches booth during games," said Grossi. "He is the voice of Holmgren without Holmgren getting involved in the coaching aspect of the team."
Very interesting information seeing as how Haskell was probably screaming at Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll through the headset during the second half of the Bucs game last weekend.
If Daboll fails to call a good game in the next few weeks do not doubt that Haskell could just take over the offense completely per Holmgren's request.
If that did happen though, there would be a ton of internal drama developing on the Browns between Head Coach Eric Mangini and his coaching staff and the Holmgren and the rest of the front office.
Pluto On Bernie Kosar
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All Browns fans who watch the preseason games love the fact that Kosar is one of the two commentators along with Channel 3's Jim Donovan.
But what Browns fans do not know is that Kosar is sorta involved with the team right now too.
"Kosar comes in late at night to watch tape with Mangini, Daboll, and Haskell and he gives advice," said Pluto.
Kosar does have a great football mind and that is why he as able to be so successful in the NFL and with the Browns specifically, but this was a bit of info that came out of nowhere and it is good to see him somewhat involved with the team.
Grossi on Mangini
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The Browns coach is known for is antics when it comes to providing information to the media and public and that is a tool that he has brought with him from his former mentor Bill Belichick.
"Mangini coaches by deception," said Grossi.
He is right, Mangini does coach that why to try and gain an advantage.
Take for instance, Delhomme's right ankle injury.
An MRI was done, but Mangini is not tipping his hand and releasing the details of the injury to the media to keep the Chiefs guessing as to which quarterback will really start for the home opener.
Cabot On Shawn Lauvao
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Browns rookie third round pick, offensive guard Shawn Lauvao, has been in and out of the lineup during the preseason and he did not play in the season opener either.
"Lauvao is in a walking boot," said Cabot.
What?!
This is the first bit of information that has been said about the details of Lauvao's injury and if he is in a walking boot, then he may not see playing time for a few more weeks.
Grossi on Carlton Mitchell
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While discussing who the fastest player on the Browns is, Grossi took a shot at the sixth round rookie from South Florida.
"He can't catch the ball, but he is the fastest on the team," said Grossi.
Mitchell is raw and still has much to learn, but the combination of his size and speed are very intriguing.
If he can be developed over the next two years, then Mitchell could be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL especially with his 4.4 in the 40 yard dash speed he's got.
Grossi On the Head Coach Position
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With Wallace looking to start at quarterback for the Browns versus the Chiefs, at the time of this article publishing, The Plain Dealer reporters were on the fence on if Wallace can run Mangini's system as a starter.
Grossi was especially tough on Mangini.
"I would feel better if Holmgren was coaching the team," said Grossi, who was referring to how Wallace and Holmgren have been together in the NFL for many years and Wallace is more familiar with his system instead of Mangini's system.
Okay, so the headline of this article is a bit deceptive, but it was still said.
Still, Grossi opened his mouth and said those words.
Looks like he is trying to get more publicity for himself just like when he wrote that Colt McCoy was on the roster bubble.
If that is his plan, then it is working because this is being typed right now too.
Josh Cribbs Talk
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There was also some talk about Josh Cribbs and whether he is overextending himself in games and getting worn out and all three beat reporters responded that he is a fighter and competitor and will fight through all the exhaustion to play on the field and help his team win games on Sundays.
Let's just hope the Browns call his number more against the Chiefs, because he was a non-factor and irrelevant in the week 1 loss the for Bucs.
(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)
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