Dawg Pound Daily » Eric Mangini

Cleveland Browns Fans Aren’t Used to a Calm Offseason

Jimmy Weinland — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:05:47 +0000

During his season-ending press conference on Thursday, Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren emphasized the organization’s need to “stay the course.”

Is it weird that this statement disappointed me?

Holmgren also said they are not going to “blow everything up.”

When you take a step back from the constant horror that is the Browns, it’s almost funny that that was a relevant point of discussion.

2011 was Pat Shurmur’s first year as head coach and, make no mistake, it was dismal, but he’s not going anywhere. Everyone seems to be pointing to this as Holmgren’s third year with the team, but in truth it’s really the end of his second. He started with five games remaining in the 2009 season and didn’t do anything but eat sandwiches in the press box . He and general manager Tom Heckert have produced two drafts.

It’s still way too early to tell if these guys are all completely incompetent, yet this front office is constantly confronted with the need to define the immediate future.

When did this become Browns fans’ last stand at the Alamo?

Are we really wondering about blowing everything up, or spending a bazillion dollars in free agency next year, or intimating that Pat Shurmur should be fired?

Maybe the news that they plan to hire an offensive coordinator isn’t enough to satisfy the bloodlust we’ve developed over the past four years.

Think about it—this very well could be the most boring offseason the Browns have had since 2008. We’ve seen a major player get hired or fired every year since then. Here’s a recap of that carnage up until now, starting in 1999, and getting pretty aggressive as we arrive at the present:

(more…)

Around the NFL: Kansas City Chiefs’ Debacle Reminiscent of 2008 Browns

Jimmy Weinland — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:53:15 +0000

Ah, the weight of high expectations blowing up in everyone’s face. Gosh it’s nice to know this happens to other teams too. What’s going on in Kansas City right now reminds me of the 2008 Cleveland Browns, my favorite season ever.

The Chiefs are in trouble. They are 0-2 this season, skinned alive by the Detroit Lions to the tune of 48-3, and the Buffalo Bills 41-7. I love the Lions and Bills as teams on the rise like everyone else, but they just demolished the Chiefs like they are the Patriots and Packers, and they’re not the Patriots and Packers.

The combined score of Chiefs games this year? 89-10. The Chiefs are bad. (more…)

Losing Eric Steinbach is a Blow but the Browns Should Be Fine

Jimmy Weinland — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:00:30 +0000

The Cleveland Browns officially ended starting left guard Eric Steinbach’s season yesterday by placing him on the Injured Reserve list. He was entering his fifth year with the team after signing as a free agent in 2007.

Steinbach had missed a total of two games with the Browns until now, and was named a pro-bowl alternate for the 2008 season. The Browns newly minted franchise player, left tackle Joe Thomas, has not played next to another guard his entire career. Now one of the Browns’ strengths is supposedly becoming a question mark.

OK, I understand the loss of Eric Steinbach is not a good thing, but let’s not jump off any bridges just yet… (more…)