Year End Thoughts

Been There Done That
This time it’s New England’s Scott Pioli’s name as the new, hot, up-and-comer who may be brought in to run the Browns. If Pioli is the hire, how far behind will Josh McDaniels be as the potential new head coach or someone like him?

I have nothing against Pioli or however he is likely to hire to coach the team. I’m sure he’s qualified and deserving, and the people he hires under him will be fit as well. But we’ve seen this act before a number of times. The Cleveland Browns are notorious for hiring the guy next in line for a promotion.

This organization has gone this route for the past 40 years. In that time, Cleveland has won exactly 0 Super Bowls and in the recent past (since 1999), this team has been atrocious.

We have been over this ground time and time again, but good, sound advice doesn't lose its appropriatness over time.

Okay, Bill Cowher wants no part of the Browns although he may be interested in coaching the Jets.

Fine - move on to plan B. We suggested nearly two years ago plan B was Marty.

Yea, I know what his playoff record is. And if the worst thing you can say about Marty is he gets teams to the playoffs then loses, then you are actually giving him a compliment but are too much of a moron to realize it – especially considering where this (Browns) franchise has been since he left town 20 years ago.

Who wouldn’t prefer regular playoff appearances with the possibility of going to the Super Bowl over a franchise now known for setting an NFL mark for going almost two months without scoring an offensive touchdown?

And what do I do if Marty isn’t interested? I’m glad you asked.

Next in line is Dick Vermeil, followed by Jimmy Johnson.

None of these guys will sign up you say? How do you now that to be a fact? Besides, it doesn't cost you anything to make the inquiry.

If the Lerners were smart, they would have already covered much of this ground already in the past few weeks by putting out appropriate feelers.

I've always said I want someone with clout - a coach who brings instant respect and credibility to the town, the organization, and the locker room.

If you are an avid reader you are probably wondering why I am skipping over the GM hiring since I’m always said the GM is chosen first followed by letting him choose his coach. You are wise my friend.

I am skipping that variable because when you have a chance to hire a Hall of Fame coach, you do it, and then worry about filling in the gaps.

And what do I do if none of the above is available?

Well, then I see which very successful former team president/GM who wants back in the game is the best fit for Cleveland, unless ofcourse there is someone with rings out there already employed who may be on his way out (i.e. Bill Parcells in Miami).

If Parcells stays put, former Packers’ executive Ron Woolf, for example, comes to mind, but I’m sure there are others to interview as well.

So if I were consulting for ownership, I would be emphasizing two key elements - DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS AND HIRE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.

You see, it’s simple – the margin for error is greater with someone who has been to the mountain top.

Look- If I want to climb Mount Everest, I want a sherpa leading the expedition who has been to the summit, not his assistant, Akeem, who has only reached Base Camp Alpha but has plenty of promise.

Now do you get it? That's no slap at Akeem, I just want his boss instead if I'm running a $1 billion franchise.

Revising History
We are now being told by the local media that it was mostly Phil Savage’s fault.

That makes sense – everyone liked RC more, so Savage will take more heat from here on out. You could see this one coming.

The media’s plan of attack involves informing the public that not only did Savage do all the drafting with no input from Crennel but he also picked the 53-man roster – which is unusual at best. That’s (choosing the roster) usually the head coach’s responsibility with input from the GM.

We’re also told Savage picked Crennel’s assistant coaches as well – which is amazing if true.

If this is all true, why not go public with this information a year ago when the team was 10-6 and the toast of the town or prior to that point?

And please don’t tell me no one knew what the set-up was back then. If no one knew, it’s an indictment on those who get paid to cover this team on a daily basis. If the media knew, then it’s another indication of lack of spine.

Come on.

Whether the team wins or not, who in their right mind thinks that's a good set-up for running an organization? It's certainly worth an open discussion BEFORE the roof caves in.

And who would be stupid enough you take the head coaching job if you weren’t allowed to hire the people under you?

I know the answer to the second question – money talks.

To this observer, someone with integrity and confidence in his abilities does not take the head coaching gig with this many strings attached, if true, regardless of the money involved. Sorry Romeo, you have to take some heat for this one.

Hell, based on this information, all that Crennel was responsible for was choosing the team captains and when to throw out the challenge hanky.

This set-up was a recipe for disaster and indicates either Savage’s total lack of confidence on the coach he hired or a control freak let run-a-muck – or both. Either way, it’s not good.

The end result – both guys get canned after year #4 after totally making a mess of things to the point where I doubt either will ever be in charge again as a GM or head coach.

Of course, the local media is only starting to cover this ground now after the fact. Sound familiar?

Year End Awards
Split all the special awards between the Dolphins and Falcons, from Executive of the Year & Coach of the Year all the way down.

Those two organizations had startling one-year turnarounds and deserve congratulations. Besides, picking between them would be foolish.

NFL Player of the Year
My NFL Player of the Year goes to Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and his 20 sacks. Getting 10 sacks in a season usually gets you to the Pro Bowl, but 20 is good enough in my book for POY.

You figure he probably drew at least another half-dozen holding penalties as well, so this guy had a freak of a season playing the single, most important role on the defensive side of the ball (pass rusher).

Disappointment of the Year
That’s easy – my Cowboys. There was too much talent there for this team to not make the post-season. And although I am not a fan of Jerry Jones’ management style, he does whatever it takes to win in terms of bringing in talent.

This time I agree with the experts - the talent was there but the chemistry was off.

Special Mention
We said the Patriots would not make the playoffs once Tom Brady went down. We were technically right, but actually wrong.

“Mr. Happy” took them to 11-5 after their HOF quarterback went down with a signal-caller in charge who wasn’t even a starter in college. That's amazing.

Once again, we want to acknowledge that organization’s strong identity that allowed tem to persevere where others would have failed miserably. In opinion, that was his (BB) best coaching job – including the Super Bowl years.

It's interesting those under him have not done very well once they left the coop - Mangini, Crennel, Weiss. I haven't figured that one out yet.

Lions
If I had the cash and it were legal, I would take a patent out on the Lions' 0-16 season and make memorabilia from it – including a ball cap that read "0-16."

I doubt the NFL and the Lions will allow it, but it’s a great idea and would sell. Regardless, if the cap does become available, I want one.

It’s sick history, but history nonetheless. Fifty years from now, few will remember who won the 2009 Super Bowl without looking it up but many will remember the futility that was the 2008 Lions.

By the way, credit the Lions’ players for competing hard in the season finale last Sunday. The same can’t be said for several other teams – including the Brownies and Boys, among others.

If I am a new GM or head coach coming in, I would look at video of the games that meant absolutely nothing first to evaluate my roster.

That's where you find character or lack there of.

Late Addition: I just heard Mike Shanahan was fired in Denver. All he's done is win two Super Bowls and the large majority of his games as a head coach.

If he had won Sunday night against Sand Diego and gotten his team into the playoffs, he still has his job. Nice work Pat Bowlen - you just joined my Top-10 Moron list.

Randy Lerner's interview list just increased to include John Elway's old coach if he has half a brain.