What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Cleveland Browns (17 Viewers)

I meant "you" generically...change to "anyone"
I mentioned the KC coordinator Eric Bieniemy because I have followed him but did you know the two previous KC OCs went onto be NFL HCs?

Doug Peterson - won a SuperBowl

Matt Nagy - coached the Bears to the playoffs in his first year

Seems like Andy Reid knows how to pick coaches.

 
The bad part of all this is that there are too many coaching openings.  If some of the potential names on Dorsey's list are playoff guys, his list could start shrinking waiting around for them.
Good point...but how many are as interesting/attractive as CLE?

The HC openings to date:

CLE 
Green Bay 
NYJ 
Arizona 
Tampa 
Miami 
Denver 
Cincy 

I would think CLE, GB, then NYJ/AZ a tie in my rankings.  Those teams have something going for them, if only for Rodgers in GB.  That might actually drop them on my list to #4. 

 
Dorsey truly doing his due diligence, but also get the feeling he is keeping his HC choice close to the vest right now....

Dorsey has confirmed in his PC today that both Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens will interview for the head coaching position.

Sources: #Saints assistant head coach and TEs coach Dan Campbell has been requested by the #Packers and #Browns for HC interviews.

Per Marvez, Browns to interview Munchak

The #Browns have put in an interview request for #Colts DC Matt Eberflus, source said. One of the rising stars of this season.

Per PFT, Browns request permission to interview Brian Flores

Other outlets spew the same recycled names of Gase, McDaniels, Toub, Bienemy, Matt Campbell, Lincoln Riley, and Bruce Arians.  No confirmations from CLE on any of these being asked to interview.  Dorsey did say in his PC this AM that he would keep the media informed of his interviews.  

Some interesting names on this list, some outliers that I wouldn't have considered, but have me looking them up for more info.
Adding another to the list:

Before #Vikings try to make interim OC Kevin Stefanski their full-time OC some competition: The #Browns have requested Stefanski for an HC interview.

 
So, what is our short list...

Williams

Kitchens

Campbell

Munchak

Eberflus

Sirianni

Stefanski

Riley

Flores

Bienemy

Ariens

McCarthy

Gase

Taub

McDaniels

+whomever else Dorsey is keeping secret

Can we eliminate Condeleezza Rice???  HFS... :lmao:

 
I didnt get to see much of the game cause I was working, and just saw a replay of the Lamar Jackson goaline fumble.

Wow, it is absolutely amazing on how many enormous game changing plays get called incorrectly that absolutely screw us time and time again.

 
You gonna try to convince me that Baker wont have a pretty huge say in some of the hires?

Mainly, in keeping Kitchens around?

 
i think Dorsey is trolling the NFL.  
Of course. He had Mayfield as his QB months before the draft, Im certain of it.

The HC has likely been lined up for a while too.

I'd LOVE to see Arians HC, w Kitchens as OC... No idea about the DC, as I think Gregg moves on.. But id love him to stay

 
Of course. He had Mayfield as his QB months before the draft, Im certain of it.>>>> 

Dorsey said Mayfield was his guy long before he told anyone and reports had him as his top QB before he got hired by the Browns

The HC has likely been lined up for a while too.>>> 

Dorsey also said he had a list of potential HC candidates the year he was unemployed but it isn't quite like holding the #1 pick in the draft where he just takes his guy.  

I'd LOVE to see Arians HC, w Kitchens as OC... No idea about the DC, as I think Gregg moves on.. But id love him to stay >>>> 

Seems like Greg Williams is not 'the guy'. 

I have no idea who we'll eventually wind up with but the Jets fired Todd Bowles.  He was/is a hell of a DC if he would come back as a DC.  He was a genius in Arizona in how he used big safeties and multiple DBs over less mobile LBers.  He was so successful concocting that scheme that they have kept it.

We have to figure out a way to stop that Baltimore running attack.  No one has figured it out yet and they are rolling over everyone they face.  

 
Bracie Smathers said:
I mentioned the KC coordinator Eric Bieniemy because I have followed him but did you know the two previous KC OCs went onto be NFL HCs?

Doug Peterson - won a SuperBowl

Matt Nagy - coached the Bears to the playoffs in his first year

Seems like Andy Reid knows how to pick coaches.
Reid calls the plays, I think sleeping with Be-Enemy is learning on the job, feels way too early to hire him as a HC

Hope the browns get it right. McCarthy is a maybe for me, Arians would be ok as well....Greg Williams should be gone....

Biggest issue for Baker I think is to get him stability and consistency so he can grow properly.

 
Reid calls the plays, I think sleeping with Be-Enemy is learning on the job, feels way too early to hire him as a HC

Hope the browns get it right. McCarthy is a maybe for me, Arians would be ok as well....Greg Williams should be gone....

Biggest issue for Baker I think is to get him stability and consistency so he can grow properly.
I don't know who John Dorsey has/had his eyes on but EB is someone who I felt would get an interview.  They Jets 'reportedly' have him scheduled for an interview.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marc Sessler‏Verified account @MarcSesslerNFL

Interview requests via our coaching tracker:

Jets: Eric Bieniemy

Browns: Freddie Kitchens, Gregg Williams, Dan Campbell, Brian Flores, Matt Eberflus (and presumably Mike McCarthy and Adam Gase)

Packers: Josh McDaniels, Flores, Campbell

9:23 AM - 31 Dec 2018

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

EB played in the league longer than I would have given him a chance and he has done well everywhere he's gotten an opportunity to coach.  I'd be much more intrigued with some unknown with upside like him over a retread like a Jim Caldwell who Dorsey 'reportedly' had an interest.  

If you had to choose one of the guys on the list Dorsey is set to interview ....  who?  I honestly don't have any idea.

 
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Browns have "no plans" to interview Adam Gase for their head-coaching vacancy.

The Miami Herald had called Gase to the Browns a "very, very real possibility" but evidently that's not the case. The Plain Dealer does report Gase has "at least" three other interviews lined up. That has been widely reported, but teams other than the Cardinals have yet to emerge. Gase's agent is doing good media work.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Reid calls the plays, I think sleeping with Be-Enemy is learning on the job, feels way too early to hire him as a HC
Lots of teams are kicking the tires on EB.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Eric Bieniemy lines up four interviews over next three days

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet

#Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy is set to interview with two teams today -- #Jets and #Bucs. He’ll do his #Dolphins interview tomorrow. The #Bengals interview is Friday, following Vance Joseph’s today. He’s elected to not take the #AZCardinals interview. Four is plenty.

6:05 AM - 2 Jan 2019

----------------------------------------------------------------

He had to turn down one interview.  Playoff teams who are on BYE weeks can allow coaches to interview during this time period.  

An NFL HC interview is intense.  I actually saw Gary Kubiak on his plane ride home after he interviewed with the Browns back in January of 1999 on his BYE week as OC of the Broncos and he looked like he had been dragged through the ringer.  I went up and shook his hand and wished him luck but I knew from the look on his face that he stood no chance to get that job.  

So you don't just get out your most expensive suit, pop in a breath mint and then set it on cruise control.  These interviews are intense.  They want extensive plans on how you as a HC candidate are going to turn around a franchise or address festering problems.  John Dorsey said he wanted full plans on what a HC would do for the Browns.

EB is going on FOUR interviews in three days and he's still got to install his game plan and run meetings, scout teams/players/tendencies.  He had to turn down an opportunity just to fit in other interviews.  Meanwhile Dorsey is conducting interviews.  I'm not saying that EB is on the docket but this week would not be optimal if Dorsey wanted an in-depth interview.  

If this thing drags out then Dorsey's guy might be on the staff of a team who is still in the playoffs and EB seems like the hottest name right now with four scheduled interviews and one team who he had to turn down.  If he wants to take his time to prepare for his biggest interview he 'may' have wanted to push that off and hone his pitch and Dorsey 'may' have the comfort of having an 'Ace-in-the-hole' for his final interview before he makes his decision.

 
I have no idea who we'll eventually wind up with but the Jets fired Todd Bowles.  He was/is a hell of a DC if he would come back as a DC.  He was a genius in Arizona in how he used big safeties and multiple DBs over less mobile LBers.  He was so successful concocting that scheme that they have kept it.
If Arians is hired there is a great chance he would bring Bowles around as they love each other. If the Browns hire another coach, Bowles could be in New England if their DC leaves. When they met at mid-field after the Week 17 game you could see Belichick mouth "we'll call you" to Bowles. 

 
If Arians is hired there is a great chance he would bring Bowles around as they love each other. If the Browns hire another coach, Bowles could be in New England if their DC leaves. When they met at mid-field after the Week 17 game you could see Belichick mouth "we'll call you" to Bowles
Did you really see that?  

We were all wondering what the long embrace and conversation was between Greg Williams and John Harbaugh after the final game.  It went on longer than any post-game convo I'd ever seen between two HCs and if Belichick said that to Bowles then that would have to qualify as one of the longest post-game BB conversations, lol.  Kidding but your point about Bowles connections to Arians is right and a point in favor of Arians IMHO.  I really like Bowles as a DC if he would come back as a DC.

 
BB with a DC who can coach defense on par and even exceed his intellect.

That has to be a nightmare scenario for educated Jet fans.

Bowles as a HC was the Peter Principle in action but if you ever went back and saw what he did in Zona when his defense got devastated with injuries ... masterful.  

No one outside of New England should want to see Belichick and Bowles and certainly no Jet fan.  

If you guys get Eric Beineimy I think you'll be pleased.

 
The more I read about Dan Campbell, the more I start to like him as my top choice for HC.  The way he deals/works with the players, and the fact that he's studied under Payton for awhile - and was a player, speaks volumes.  He also has the almighty Parcells backing, which I know Haslam likes in a HC.  

I don't see Gregg getting it, and I'm not sure about Freddie.  I think he has the outside chance, but I can see him pairing with Campbell.  

I think some of the other names (Elberfus, Flores, et al) are the darkhorse candidates that may be a surprise hire.  Those are more of the folks that Dorsey has kept an eye on, but may be a year or two away from becoming a HC yet.  

The next few weeks will be fun, that's for sure.

 
BB with a DC who can coach defense on par and even exceed his intellect.

That has to be a nightmare scenario for educated Jet fans.

Bowles as a HC was the Peter Principle in action but if you ever went back and saw what he did in Zona when his defense got devastated with injuries ... masterful.  

No one outside of New England should want to see Belichick and Bowles and certainly no Jet fan.  

If you guys get Eric Beineimy I think you'll be pleased.
I agree that he was a very good DC and would not want him in NE. An Arians/Bowles combo would be a great thing for Cleveland.

 
This is me but I can't imagine ever stepping foot on a field with the intention of losing or not playing 100%. Maybe at the pro level after you've been doing it for years and years and years you can make it right in your mind but I can't see it. To me I've got more a gripe with Baltimore these days than I do against Pittsburgh. That was our team! #### them! I want to beat every team we face by 100 (Why did you go for 2 in that situation coach? Because I couldn't go for 3). I grew up during the height of the Pittsburgh rivalry but that died when they moved. Only us old timers still carry that torch because they have just owned us since the move. I can't imagine too many fans under 45 feel like Pittsburgh is our main rival other than they win the division every year.

I want them all to lose on Sunday but it starts with beating Baltimore and beating them soundly. This team can do that and set the foundation for 2019. I don't care about draft position, I don't care about who gets in or out, I care about beating Baltimore. As the immortal Indians catcher Jake Taylor said after 34 years of futility in a locker room full of misfits that no one expected anything from, "I guess there's only one thing left to do..."
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 @ the bolded especially the part in parenthesis.

 
Without a doubt. Barring injury, this is the Browns division for the next decade to 15 years.

27 TDs in 13.5 games as a rookie. He's making guys around him better than they are.
Well of course there's a doubt.  You just lost to a rookie QB as well.  But you'll be making the playoffs quite a few times!  I doubt it'll be "your division" for a decade, Harbaugh is a damn good coach, and the Ravens at the least will usually be competitive.  Pitt seems to be heading for a downward spiral though, so it might be a two way battle.

 
“In other coaching news, former Browns coach Hue Jackson will interview for the Bengals head coaching job, according to NFL Network.”

:lmao:

 
does dorsey try and spin the league on its head by making an offer for AB?

even if we arent serious, just to flex
Wouldn't be worth the hassle.  This is one headcase WR I don't want on the team.  Some I think they can work with (like OBJ), but AB is on a whole other level.  Too much off-field antics, and now this major hissy fit over JuJu playing well and stealing some of the spotlight.  Let AB and his mink coat fade off into the distance.

 
they just asked what Doug Dieken thought about if Cincy were to hire Hue Jackson:

”I’d feel real good about that.”

 
Wouldn't be worth the hassle.  This is one headcase WR I don't want on the team.  Some I think they can work with (like OBJ), but AB is on a whole other level.  Too much off-field antics, and now this major hissy fit over JuJu playing well and stealing some of the spotlight.  Let AB and his mink coat fade off into the distance.
i agree.  look at some of the guys that Dorsey has brought in like Nick Chubb.  

there’s only room for one oversized personality on this team and that’s the QB.  

 
Best news I've heard today.....

Report: Browns denying OC interview requests for Freddie Kitchens

It could just be that they are denying the requests until after Freddie completes his CLE HC interview next week.  It could also be due to CLE wanting to keep him on staff in case the next HC wants to retain Freddie.

Either way, the fact that they aren't letting him go easily is great news.  Freddie and his approach with Baker did more for the offensive production in less than time than Hue, Haley, or Williams did with the team in general.  I'm not one clamoring for Freddie to be the HC (at least not yet), but I would love to see him stay on staff.  He has shown the creativity and willingness to adapt an offense to the player's strengths that we've seen with the Chiefs and the Rams.  

 
As an outsider-looking-in (Steelers fan), how can Gregg Williams not be considered as the front runner to retain the HC job? The team's response to him as El Hefe seemed instantaneous. I realize the NFL wants to change to this flag football, trickshot offense driving everything but the AFCN still a black & blue division in my eyes. Williams' approach seems a perfect fit for the division and Baker's demeanor.

They seemed to really have a good thing going second half of the season. Why mess with it?

 
As an outsider-looking-in (Steelers fan), how can Gregg Williams not be considered as the front runner to retain the HC job? The team's response to him as El Hefe seemed instantaneous. I realize the NFL wants to change to this flag football, trickshot offense driving everything but the AFCN still a black & blue division in my eyes. Williams' approach seems a perfect fit for the division and Baker's demeanor.

They seemed to really have a good thing going second half of the season. Why mess with it?
I've thought the same way, and my first reaction was to "keep Williams and Kitchens no matter what - don't mess with what works!"

After stepping away from the ledge, it hit me that the reason Gregg's HC tenure worked so well was because this team needed discipline - it craved it.  You could see it the first couple of weeks, there was a disconnect between the way the Defense played (with passion) and the Offense played (more lackadaisical).  Gregg instills a need for discipline and accountability.  When he installed that as a whole, he got players attention and a new found work ethic.  That's something I want/expect a HC to do with a team.

With that said, he had nothing to do with how the offense functioned, what plays they ran, or how to sustain that side of the field.  That was all Kitchens and the Offensive staff.  Reports have come out after the season that Freddie and Gregg didn't really talk.  Gregg openly said Freddie wasn't his choice as OC, but they made an arranged marriage work.  Those comments, along with the other info out there, swayed me from Gregg being the guy to I'd be okay if CLE went in a different direction.

Freddie has been great as an OC - an up and coming offensive mind that can scheme and game plan.  Give him another couple years as an OC and he has HC material written all over him.  Gregg installed his defensive package that focuses on turnovers.  That has been a good match for his skill players on defense, but this mentality also gives up a lot of points.  His teams don't tackle well, and seem out of coverage at times.  The more I focused on the differences between the two sides, I knew I wanted Freddie to stay and Gregg to go. 

If the next HC wants Gregg to stay on, sure.  That's fine.  But If the next HC wants Bowles, Joseph, Wilks, or someone of equal value, I'm good with that too.

Gregg is a good DC and gets the respect from the players to play for him.  But the play on the field can be sloppy with poor techniques.  If that's how he runs a defense, I don't think he'd last long as a HC.  There will be quick turnarounds and improvements, but over time I think it would revert or fall on deaf ears.  

This is CLE's chance to set things up correctly for long-term success.  For that, I think they must go away from Gregg.  He did a good job showing this team their potential.  But I don't think he's the guy to maintain it, or take them to the next level.

 
As an outsider-looking-in (Steelers fan), how can Gregg Williams not be considered as the front runner to retain the HC job? The team's response to him as El Hefe seemed instantaneous. I realize the NFL wants to change to this flag football, trickshot offense driving everything but the AFCN still a black & blue division in my eyes. Williams' approach seems a perfect fit for the division and Baker's demeanor.

They seemed to really have a good thing going second half of the season. Why mess with it?
He was the right coach for the team the last 2+ months, but he's almost certainly not the right coach going forward.  He was the stabilizing for this team needed to get things going in the right direction, which given his past feels very strange to write.  He was the bridge that got us to where we are now.  That's as far as he's going to take us though.

 
Reports have come out after the season that Freddie and Gregg didn't really talk.  Gregg openly said Freddie wasn't his choice as OC, but they made an arranged marriage work. 
I don't doubt you, but where is this stuff? 

Gregg said that in a post game presser?

 
I don't doubt you, but where is this stuff? 

Gregg said that in a post game presser?
They each said in a PC that the other wasn't their "first choice", but they had to learn to work together.  I read different articles online throughout the day, and visit different boards.  I'd have to go back and look for the actual quotes.

Here's Freddie's PC:

On who informed him he was going to be Browns offensive coordinator:

“Mr. Jimmy (Haslam) and John. They did. I probably was not (Head Coach) Gregg’s (Williams) first choice, but hell, I am here (laughter). Hell, he was not mine either (laughter). 
He then laughs it off saying he was joking, but similar comments came from Williams as well that Freddie wouldn't have been his first choice as OC.

I'll look for the article with the notes with the separation of Freddie and the offense.  That one stuck with me as it really cemented to me just how active a voice Freddie had with Baker and their relationship.  If I remember correctly, Baker even sat in during offensive game planning meetings, which I thought was rather unique.  A rookie QB giving his thoughts on what plays would work and what wouldn't with the OC, Offensive Staff in preparation for next week's game.  

ETA: That tidbit came from a Zegura soundbite from one of his podcasts.  I did find this excerpt about how the Offensive staff and Baker have formed a pretty good relationship based on Zegura's viewpoint.  Browns head coach or not, Freddie Kitchens must be part of Baker Mayfield's future

Zegura said that is genuine. Kitchens would shake the hands of staff members on the plane afterward and express his appreciation, but it's the relationships with Mayfield, backup QB Drew Stanton and running backs coach Ryan Lindley — the "Four Horsemen," as Zegura calls them — that feel like a fraternity on the sidelines.
He noted that they are always talking, scheming and working together.  The relationships that staff has built in just 2 short months is amazing to me, and one that will be hard to duplicate/re-create if Kitchens is let go.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm all for Freddie staying on board, just not sure it's going to work out with the new HC.  Doesn't feel like it's going to be Gregg, so how does Dorsey marry the new HC and Freddie?  I see the Arians angle where he let's Freddie call the plays, but I haven't heard a sniff about him.  Any of the other offensive minds will likely call their own plays...so does Freddie stay on board as their non-playcalling OC+QB coach?  I think that might even be more realistic than trying to marry him to a defensive coach.  

I suppose the HC could be Freddie too and maybe that's why they're having Stefanski in.  While he's a rising name, I'm fairly confident saying Stefanski's interview isn't really for HC duties.  Dorsey is adding a new page to his binder and/or he has something cooking in his mind that was impossibly there a few months ago....

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top