NFL Labor Dispute over CBA Comes at the Worst Possible Time for Cleveland Browns

At 12:00am on March 4th, the NFL essentially went into lock out mode. The Collective Bargaining Agreement, the rules which govern how the owners treat the players and what players should expect from owners has run out. There was a last minute extension of the CBA talks, but that’s a mere technicality.

No players are getting signed anytime soon. Also, If there were to be an official lockout, players and coaches would not be able to communicate. Nobody would be able to study playbooks and there definitely won't be any team practices.

The problem for the Cleveland Browns is that despite an extension of the talks, they are now frozen in terms of personnel moves. During the lockout there are to be no free agent signings or trades. This is particularly troubling for teams in transition like the Browns.

I personally believe that Eric Mangini should never have been fired. He showed enough promise in 2010 to warrant a chance to build on that success. However the fact of the matter is that he was fired, and that, along with the labor pains of the NFL, the Browns are set up for failure in 2011.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur was brought in to implement the West Coast Offense. Originated by Bill Walsh of the San Francisco 49ers, The West Coast Offense makes its living off short, quick passes.  It’s hard to implement change though if the facilities are empty.

Cleveland cannot sign free agents, or make trades to acquire players that would better fit their system. There will be no off season practices to learn a new system and new teammates. Cleveland Browns second-year quarterback Colt McCoy is not allowed to bring home a playbook to study. If McCoy is to become a quality starter, he is losing critical developmental time to prepare for next season.

The struggles are not limited to offense. Since 2005, when former head coach Romeo Crennel took over, the Cleveland Browns have been a  3-4 defense. That means that there are three defensive linemen and four linebackers. Dick Jauron was named Defensive coordinator on January 21st. Along with bringing years of experience he also brings with him the 4-3 defense.

The same problems that exist for the offense now exist for the defense. Players that thrived in the 3-4 might get lost in the 4-3.  Ahtyba Rubin is the biggest example. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft, Rubin found a home at nose tackle with Cleveland. How he will adapt to his new role as a regular defensive tackle is anybody’s guess.

Then there’s the mathematical fact that less linebackers are required and the Browns need to get more bodies in to play the defensive line. How can the talent be evaluated when the defenders you need to make decisions on are not in Berea?

It is hard enough to win in the NFL. It is even harder to win for first year head coaches. It becomes nearly impossible for first year head coaches who cannot teach their systems, evaluate their players and make personnel changes where necessary.

Let’s hope a deal gets done soon, or it will be a very long season, and not just because there’s going to be 18 games.