Sage wrote:
We won't be a 3-13 team next year--and you can take that to the bank.
We had more talent last year--really? An "elite" receiver who was uninterested and couldn't catch? An "elite" TE that was a malcontent and couldn't stay healthy? Or was it Shaun Smith--who punched our quarterback in the face (kudos).
How have those guys gone on to help their team? Any of them headed to the Pro Bowl this year? Or would you be more content with draft picks?
-------------
Trading down was more about than acquiring players--it also saved us from inking a cap-killing Top 5 draft pick for an underdeveloped QB. (Although, I've noticed the WE COULDA HAD SANCHIZE crowd has died down in recent months). We saved millions and acquired Alex Mack--a guy who will be a staple on our line for the next decade---along with some serviceable players that have helped our defense take the statistical leap that it has.
--------------
I get it. Everybody hates Mangini because they read that he was a dick. He made some rookies ride a bus to New Hampshire. (He's since apologized). He might not look like an NFL coach. Whatever.
The results are on the field. Our team is in the cellar in terms of elite talent and Mangini has kept the team together and striving for a common goal. He has drafted quality, intelligent players that will be good for a long time to come. Add in the finds of Matt Roth & Evan Moore---and it's easy to see that the Browns are on the rise.
------------------
But yes, lets fire a coach who doesn't have a quarterback, a right side of an offensive line, no Pro Bowl defender besides Rodgers, an elite receiver, etc. etc. etc.
Lets just revamp everything and bring in a new system. Again. That sounds like a lot of fun.
Let's also not fire a coach that wouldn't let Jerome Harrison play because "he struggled to block". Personally, I'd rather have a RB that can run the ball, and struggle to block, than have a RB that tip toes to the LOS, but can block well.
That's just me.
Kellen Winslow being traded wasn't a terrible move, but we got nothing for it.
Braylon being traded was a good move... Unfortunately, we got nothing out of it.
Adding in players like Ratliff, Elam, Mosely, and Bowens only proved to hurt us than help us. Barton was a liability in coverage, and just a stopgap.
Mangini also was so smart that he picked up John St. Clair and Floyd Womack to "bolster the right side of the line".
I will give him kudos on the Mack pickup, and getting rid of Shaun Smith.
He was TERRIBLE with the QB situation. Almost as bad as Romeo's coinflip. You don't name a QB just a few days before the game starts. Your starting QB needs to get all the reps he can in TC, and get adjusted to the rest of the offense.
Just pick a QB, and let him run the offense. Then, after Quinn struggled against 3 top defenses in the NFL, he let's Anderson continuously start, despite struggling to get even 100 yards a game against some of the worst defenses in the NFL.
The Robert Royal pickup was one of the worst of the century, especially because he picked up Robert Royal to apparently be a pass catching TE, and drop 6 passes in his first 3 games. Instead, why don't you use Royal to block, since he is a blocking TE. Why not help out your "bolstered" right side of the line with Royal, as Elvis Dumervil is getting 4 sacks against them?
He doesn't make adjustments, and looks baffled on the sideline. He's brought in worse players than what we had, and the results have shown it.