Brown wants Mangini to return

Former Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown said he believes he coach Eric Mangini should return next season.

With just three wins on the year and a new GM set to be hired, it’s highly unlikely that Mangini could survive.

Brown things that there are a lot of young players that no one knows about who are playing at a high level.

Mangini had not endeared himself to players at first, but many are now coming out to support the job he has done.

It’s clear that Mangini’s coaching style is beginning to gain some momentum and praise from those around him.

Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 10:03 am by steve

Holmgren to be Browns president

Mike Holmgren has found his new home in Cleveland as he will become the next president of the Browns.

Holmgren turned down some last minute overtures by the Seattle Seahawks, his former team, to take the reigns of the Browns.

The Browns are in the process of a front office shakedown that will completely restructure the organization.

The team is expected to work out details of Holmgren’s contract over the next week and then hold a press conference.

Holmgren was offered the opportunity to return to the sideline but declined. He is also expected to hire a general manager.

at 9:21 am by steve

Quinn out for season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is out for the season after suffering a foot injury in last week’s victory.

The injury occurred when Quinn scrambled for a first down and was hit as he went out of bounds.

The quarterback got back up and remained in the game but was noticeably limping.

That means that veteran backup quarterback Derek Anderson will get another chance to start and show what he can do.

Anderson began the year as the backup before coming on in relief of Quinn in the third game of the season.

Friday, December 25, 2009 at 10:04 am by steve

Browns knock off Chiefs, 41-34

The Cleveland Browns used amazing performances from two players to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs, 41-34.

Special teams star Joshua Cribbs returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and was the difference in the game.

That’s not to say running back Jerome Harrison wasn’t a major fact in the victory. Don’t sell him short.

The running back finished the day with more than 250 yards on the ground, breaking the franchise record set by Jim Brown.

Anytime you are passing Jim Brown’s name for any type of record, you have definitely accomplished something special.

Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 11:48 am by steve

Quinn Done For Season

The Browns placed QB Brady Quinn on injured reserve on Tuesday, ending Quinn’s season two games early.

Quinn suffered an injury to his right foot on a bootleg run during the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 41-34 win at Kansas City on Sunday.

Browns coach Eric Mangini would not specify Quinn’s injury, but did hint that Quinn’s recovery might “take a little while.” He also did not say whether Quinn would require surgery.

Quinn led the Browns to a 2-7 record in his nine starts this season. He started the season as the team’s opening quarterback, only to be benched at halftime of the Browns’ third game of the season, against the Baltimore Ravens.

Lackluster performances from Quinn’s competitor, Derek Anderson, resulted in the Browns handing Quinn the starting job right back… after he became ineligible for a near-11 million dollar performance-incentive bonus.

Anderson will be the Browns’ starter on Saturday as they take on the Oakland Raiders.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 12:19 am by bryan

Browns, Holmgren still talking

The Cleveland Browns and Mike Holmgren are continuing conversations about his possible involvement in the organization in the near future.

The Browns have just two wins on the season, fired their general manager very early in the year and are likely going to be canning head coach Eric Mangini sometime after the last game.

Holmgren retired after last season but seemed to quickly have a change of heart. He has made it clear that he wants to get back into football very soon, possibly next year.

It is not known exactly what type of position the two sides are discussing, but it is very possible that Holmgren could become both the general manager and head coach.

He had a similar arrangement in Seattle, but it came with mixed results. The seasons in which he had the most success in Seattle came after he agreed to step down as the GM.

Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 8:24 am by steve

Browns stun Steelers, 13-6

The Cleveland Browns used a strong effort on both sides of the ball to stun the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-6.

Cleveland did a nice job taking care of the ball and utilizing special teams star Joshua Cribbs out of the wildcat formation.

Quarterback Brady Quinn made just enough throws to keep the Steelers defense somewhat honest, and he didn’t turn the ball over.

Almost all of the credit has to go to a Cleveland defense that had eight sacks and blanketed receivers all night.

It was just the Browns second win of the season, but it says something that this team still wants to fight on such a bitter cold night.

Friday, December 18, 2009 at 5:37 pm by steve

Mangini Unfazed by Holmgren’s Meeting with Browns

For someone in danger of losing his job during this holiday season, Browns head coach Eric Mangini seems to still be in festive spirits.

Mangini spent time with former Seattle coach Mike Holmgren as he met with Browns management over the past two days to discuss a front-office job.

Holmgren has expressed interest in a front-office job in 2010 for a struggling NFL team, and the Browns fit that description to a “t”. They slumped to a 2-11 record, with the only highlight of the season being their 13-6 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend.

Holmgren wants to make a decision on his future by Christmas, according to ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen. The Seahawks also have a vacancy in their front office after firing their general manager during the season.

Browns owner Randy Lerner said that he wanted to hire a “serious, credible leader” to run his franchise after firing the previous GM last month.

According to sources close to the situation, if Holmgren accepts the Browns’ job, Mangini’s coaching future with the team is likely in serious jeopardy.

at 12:28 pm by bryan

Browns Shock World, Upset Steelers 13-6

When a 1-11 team meets the defending Super Bowl champion, it’s typically wise to bet the “over” on the latter.

On Thursday night, Cleveland made a lot of wise guys upset, as they somehow shocked the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 13-6 upset that may have lampooned Pittsburgh’s dreams of defending their Super Bowl championship.

Thanks to the quick feet of returner/receiver Josh Cribbs, who accrued 200 total yards from scrimmage, and a heads-up 10-yard TD run from backup RB Chris Jennings, the Browns managed to upset the defending Super Bowl champions.

“It means everything,” Browns do-it-all wide receiver Josh Cribbs said. “There are a lot of Steelers fans around the city so I hope people go to work and kick those Steelers fans.”

The Browns held the Steelers to 217 yards of offense total, and manage to limit Pittsburgh to 75 total rushing yards, despite boasting the worst ranked rush defense in the NFL.

It’s not like the Browns offense contributed much to the win, though. Besides Cribbs’ heroics (including a 37-yard rush), QB Brady Quinn only completed six of 19 passes for 90 yards. Despite Quinn’s putrid performance, the Browns managed to find a way to win.

“They’re going to hear that bus’ engine all the way back,” Cribbs said. “That’s a lonely ride. I’ve ridden that ride for five years now. It’s time for them to hear that engine all the way home while they look at the stat sheet.”

Monday, December 14, 2009 at 12:02 am by bryan

Browns fall to Chargers, 30-23

The Cleveland Browns certainly don’t quit, but playing hard wasn’t enough in a 30-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

The Browns scored the game’s first touchdown but then surrendered 27 unanswered points to blow it wide open.

However, Cleveland continued to fight and actually battled back to make the score look respectable by the end of the day.

It was a big day for running back Jerome Harrison who had nearly 100 yards of rushing and two touchdowns.

Harrison is taking over the starting role from veteran Jamal Lewis, who is out for the season with a head injury.

Friday, December 11, 2009 at 4:00 pm by steve