Monthly Archives: December 2019

Browns part ways with John Dorsey

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The Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey have decided to mutually part ways as the team looks for a fresh start.

This is hardly a surprise to anyone paying attention to the Cleveland Browns over the past few days. John Dorsey is no longer the general manager as they have agreed to part ways.

The team wanted to restructure the front office, including the role of Dorsey. Apparently he was not interested.

Cleveland is looking for a new head coach and the status of their former coach was a point of contention between the two. Dorsey reportedly wanted to give Kitchens a second year and ownership disagreed.

Dorsey is someone who brings in players and seemingly ignores their past. Kareem Hunt and Antonio Callaway are perfect examples of this. In fact, he brought Kareem Hunt to two different teams in a very short period of time (drafted by Kansas City). That is just how Dorsey operates, completely ignoring the character of a player as long as they can score touchdowns on Sunday. When bringing in players like this it is typically a powder keg type situation. Sometimes it blows, sometimes it doesn’t. Either way it is extremely volatile.

In his time with the Browns, Dorsey acquired some blue chip, top level talent in an effort to improve the roster. The problem? While he elevated the best players on the roster, he ignored the middle-tier, complimentary players. The complimentary players are necessary in order for a team to play at a high level.

The way that John Dorsey built the Browns is like driving a Lamborghini with four spare tires. Sure, the outside is flashy and nice, but there are obvious problems that need to be addressed but are ignored.

By parting ways with Dorsey now, Cleveland will be able to court any head coaching candidate they want. The presence of Dorsey was only going to hinder their search. All candidates are now in play as they no longer have a potential power struggle on their hands. The great white whale of Josh McDaniels? Yeah, he could be the next head coach with Dorsey out of the picture.

Browns to interview McDaniel, LaFleur & Bienemy

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More and more names continue to be added to the list of interviews for potential head coaching candidates for the Cleveland Browns.

The Cleveland Browns continue to expand their coaching search. First adding two more names to their stop in San Francisco while they interview Robert Saleh. Mike McDaniel and Mike Lafleur.

The other name is Eric Bienemy, Kansas City’s offensive coordinator.

Adding two more interviews in San Francisco is a wise move from Cleveland’s point of view. The Browns are already going to be interviewing Robert Saleh, might as well interview Mike McDaniel and Mike LaFleur. If anything, it is a good use of time even if they are not serious candidates. Finding out something on how the operation works for a successful team is not the worst idea for a team perpetually stuck in neutral. Even if the interviews go well with Saleh, McDaniel or LaFleur, they could be deterred from taking the job. Kyle Shanahan saw first hand how things work in Cleveland and will certainly inform those interviewing for the Browns job of just that.

In regards to Eric Bienemy, he has been successful as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs. Bienemy was considered to be a head coaching candidate last season, but remained with the Chiefs. The Kansas City connection could play a role here. John Dorsey was in Kansas City before coming to Cleveland and that familiarity could be another reason why this interview is taking place.

McDaniel, LaFleur and Bienemy may be more exploratory options than serious candidates. The Browns are in a spot where they need someone who can lead a team and will not be over their head with their new duties. Going with someone who has not been there before could find the team in a very familiar spot. A spot which they managed to get out of just a few days ago.

Baker Mayfield has a lot of growing up to do

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Baker Mayfield is a polairizing figure who has a personality that can rally a team, but still finds himself making mistakes he shouldn’t be making.

This is not about performance on the field. This is about the maturity of Baker Mayfield. Mayfield frequently makes mistakes off the field and continues to make himself look bad. There were two instances from last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The first was the altercation with a fan in the stands.

Why would Baker Mayfield even entertain this person? There is nothing to gain here. If this fan shoots this video, says the exact same thing and Baker does not respond, nobody cares. This video does not go viral. Yet, Mayfield couldn’t control himself, just had to chirp back.

There was another incident which was not caught not camera, but recalled on the Civilized Barking podcast from The Athletic. Baker Mayfield confronted an employee at Paul Brown Stadium celebrating the Bengals victory. Aggressively insisting that the employee should relax and stop celebrating the Bengals win. What is he thinking? Why in the world would he act in this manner?

There is a lot of growing up to do

Baker Mayfield needs to discern what is worth entertaining and what should be ignored. (Here’s a hint, pretty much everything should be ignored). Especially when one of the incidents was not even directed at him. Getting into spats on twitter with Colin Cowherd got old fast. Everyone would be happy if they were not prevalent this offseason. Getting involved with fans heckling him from the stands shows where his mind is at. How focused can he possibly be if he is worried about some nobody yelling at him from the stands?

Here is the deal. Baker Mayfield is 24. He is not as young as some of the other quarterbacks taken in his draft. At this point there is not going to be much maturing when it comes to acting like this. He is who he is.

Baker Mayfield is a polarizing figure. At first his attitude and brash behavior is intoxicating, especially when there has been a streak of losing and terrible quarterback play. Eventually the big and loud act becomes tired and that is where we are at now. There has to be some teammates who are sick of his antics as well. They are around it each and every day.

There is something else to consider. Could the behavior of Baker Mayfield impact potential coaching candidates? Yes, many like his talent, but it is possible that acting like this makes someone think twice about coaching this team. Why sign up to coach a team where the quarterback is becoming more and more unstable? There are plenty of coaches who would go elsewhere just to avoid this.

Talent can only go so far. If someone routinely behaves like a jackass it will take a toll sooner or later. Baker Mayfield needs to grow up, but will he?

Browns coaching search grows

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The Cleveland Browns are leaving no stone unturned. The team is requesting to interview Brian Daboll, Mike McCarthy and Kevin Stefanski.

Cleveland wants to make sure they do everything to get this head coaching hire right. The Browns are already interviewing Josh McDaniels, Greg Roman and Robert Saleh. They have since added Brian Daboll, Mike McCarthy and Kevin Stefanski to their interview list.

Brian Daboll previously spent some time with the Browns. This was as the offensive coordinator under Eric Mangini from 2009-2010. Daboll has since made stops in Miami, Kansas City, New England and Buffalo. There has even been a stop in college, working under Nick Saban at Alabama. Daboll has plenty of experience working under some of the best minds in football. Josh Allen’s improvement from year one to year two is impressive and Daboll certainly has played a hand in it.

Mike McCarthy has spent an entire year away from football. This was to catch up on everything he missed and embrace a new analytical approach. While this does sound great, it send off red flags as well. It is essentially admitting that he can’t adapt. It is entirely possible that he falls behind again and is back where he started.

Kevin Stefanski has been in Minnesota since 2006. 2019 is the first year as a full time offensive coordinator with the Vikings and has done some great things. The concern here is inexperience and influence of Gary Kubiak. Kubiak is advising Stefanski, which is perfectly fine, but the question is what part of the Vikings success is Stefanski and what part is Kubiak? Have to wonder if Cleveland would seriously consider someone who is still relatively inexperienced as a coordinator again.

Robert Saleh is on the Browns radar

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The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach and have requested to interview Robert Saleh.

In addition to requesting to interview some hot offensive oriented head coaching candidates, the Cleveland Browns are looking at the defensive side of the ball for an answer. The Browns have requested to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Robert Saleh has been fantastic as defensive coordinator in San Francisco. Saleh’s defense in San Francisco has been one of the best in the league this season. This would be the proverbial pendulum swing when it comes to style of head coach. Cleveland has hired Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens due to being offensive minded coaches. This would be the first defensive head coaching hire since Mike Pettine. (Gregg Williams was only an interim head coach but is from the defensive side of the ball).

Saleh would be a first time head coach. Many feel that this particular Browns team is in need of someone who has coached before. However Saleh would bring many qualities that the team needs.

Robert Saleh will interview with the Browns this week.

Jarvis Landry was asked about traits that the next coach needs to have.

Does Robert Saleh check off those boxes? That is what the Browns will be asking. Cleveland needs an adult in the room to keep the team in line. If Saleh is going to be seriously considered he needs to be able to lead the team.

Cleveland just needs to make sure that they hire the right man for the job. Experience is great, but the right person for the job is the right person regardless of experience. Maybe that is Robert Saleh, maybe it’s not. Only time will tell.

Cavaliers are too turnover prone

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The Cleveland Cavaliers commit the second-most turnovers in the NBA and that has contributed to their lackluster record this season.

There is one takeaway that everyone has when watching the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. They turn the ball over too much. If a team is towards the bottom of turnovers they need to score a lot in order to win. Well, the Cavaliers struggle in that area and that has contributed to their 10-22 record so far this season.

Through 32 games, Cleveland averages 16.4 turnovers per game. This is tied with Miami for the second-most in the NBA. The Heat are a team that is on the positive side of point-differential while the Cavaliers are on the negative side. Miami is just all around a better team than Cleveland which is why they can get away with such a high number of turnovers. Cleveland is not. They cannot afford to turn the ball over this frequently and expect to win.

Cleveland has been the worst team in the NBA during the month of December when it comes to turnovers. The Cavaliers are averaging nearly two more turnovers per game in December than their season average. Even with the increase in turnovers, Cleveland is 5-8 in December.

The Cavaliers somehow managed to defeat Minnesota despite 29 turnovers. This is more of an outlier and not the norm. Cleveland will not get away with that many turnovers and win often.

Things will take some time to be fixed with a young team like the Cavaliers. Guys like Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Kevin Porter Jr. are extremly young and have plenty of room for growth. One area they all need to focus on moving forward is limiting turnovers. Work on that and wins should come a bit easier in the future.

Browns looking at McDaniels, Roman

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The Cleveland Browns head coaching search is on. Requesting permission to interview assistants from two of the top teams in the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns fired Freddie Kitchens Sunday after their loss to the Bengals. Cleveland is already making their targets for their next head coach known. Requesting permission to interview Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots.

They have also requested permission from Baltimore to interview Greg Roman.

Both potential candidates are offensive minded, so any sort of pendulum swing to a defensive head coach may not be in the cards.

Josh McDaniels is going to be a hot commodity, even with his past. The stop in Denver which did not go well and leaving the Colts at the altar. McDaniels is a person that is clearly valued by those who are running NFL teams. McDaniels is probably going to want a lot of control wherever he ends up. With John Dorsey currently installed as the general manager, it does not appear to be a good fit at this moment. That is if Cleveland decides to keep Dorsey and not make wholesale changes. A McDaniels hire makes sense if Dorsey it out of the picture.

Greg Roman is an interesting candidate. Roman is the architect of the offense in Baltimore that saw Lamar Jackson soar this season and is the clear MVP. Roman also had success previously with Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. The takeaway here is that both quarterbacks are vastly different than what the Browns have in Baker Mayfield. The fit with Mayfield is a bit questionable. Maybe Roman adapts some concepts to Mayfield’s playing style. Maybe this is just a way to find out a little bit more on how Baltimore is doing things.

The Browns are going to be aggressive and make sure they get “their guy”. Is their guy the right guy? That might be a different story.

Indians need to re-sign Yasiel Puig

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As their free agent options in the outfield dwindle, the Cleveland Indians should seriously consider bringing back Yasiel Puig.

Eventually the free agent outfielders are going to run out. Well, at least any that will make any sizable impact. The option of Corey Dickerson went out the window since he is now a member of the Miami Marlins. Domingo Santana is a platoon bat and more a fringe option than anything. Nicholas Castellanos is going to cost to much for Cleveland, but there is good news. There is an outfielder available who the team is familiar with. Yasiel Puig.

Yasiel Puig is still available and the Indians have a glaring need in their outfield. This is a match that makes to much sense not too happen. Puig would slot right into their lineup and eliminate any sort of two outfield platoon situation. Right now they appear to have some super platoon situation which is not ideal. Outside of Oscar Mercado in center field, right field and left field are in flux. It will be a hard sell if Cleveland comes into next season with the likes of Greg Allen, Delino DeShields, Bradley Zimmer, Jordan Luplow, Jake Bauers and Franmil Reyes as options to be their regular corner outfielders in sort some of shared time situation. There is a better option.

Sign Yasiel Puig.

Yasiel Puig would bring clarity to the outfield and put other guys in better positions. Puig would be in right field, Mercado in center and Reyes as a designated hitter. This would allow for a platoon in left field and sort out the rest of the roster accordingly. If Jake Bauers stays in MLB or spends some time in Columbus. Whether or not Greg Allen remains in Cleveland. Figure out what, if anything, that Delino DeShields will bring to the table.

Signing Yasiel Puig makes the Indians outfield more clear in a time where nobody is quite sure what the immediate future is.

Nick Chubb finishes 2nd in rushing

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb finished second overall in rushing, 46 yards behind Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans.

There was a chance for Nick Chubb to win the 2019 NFL rushing title. In fact, Chubb was the leading rusher after the conclusion of the Browns loss to the Bengals. Unfortunately for Chubb, Derrick Henry had a great day and finished as the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,540 yards.

Nick Chubb rushed 298 times. for 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019. This was a great season. This was the fourth-most rushing yards in Browns history. The top three seasons all belong to Jim Brown. The fifth, sixth and seventh best rushing seasons also belong to Brown. There is not much more that could have been asked of Chubb.

This was 46 yards shy of what Derrick Henry finished with. Chubb had a great season, but the fact the Browns offense was lackluster down the stretch impacted his ability to lead the NFL in rushing. Finishing short of the rushing title is more on coaching than the ability of Nick Chubb.

Chubb did not rush more than 20 times over the final five games. The most rushing attempts that Chubb had in a game was 17. Cleveland did lose four of their final five games and were trailing in most of them. Cleveland needed to pass in order to get back into the game and were not able to run the ball with Chubb. Perhaps rushing with Chubb earlier in the game alters those games, Chubb’s final stat line and maybe the status of the head coach.

Indians designate Eric Haase for assignment

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The Cleveland Indians have designated catcher Eric Haase for assignment after the signing of Cesar Hernandez was made official.

Once the Cleveland Indians signed Cesar Herandnez, a move was going to have to be made. That move was designating Eric Haase for assignment.

Eric Haase has only made a handful appearances at the Major League level. Haase has spent the majority of his time in AAA. Clearly, the Indians do not feel he is part of their long term plans when it comes to the catcher position. The fact that Cleveland traded for Sandy Leon earlier this month pointed in that direction.

Eric Haase is 27 years old. Cleveland may have found out all they need to know about Haase and have decided to address their needs at catcher in a different manner. Haase is not necessarily a prolific hitter, only carrying a slash line of .243/.316/.477 with an OPS of .794. This also comes with 130 home runs, 147 doubles, 28 triples and 846 strikeouts over nine seasons.

The fact that Cleveland acquired Kevin Plawecki and Sandy Leon in consecutive years speaks volumes. Cleveland believes that external options are better than the internal option of Haase. Maybe if Haase was a little bit of a better hitter he would have been given a chance, but the players acquired are relatively similar to what he provides as a hitter and are better defensively.

Eric Haase could find a new home if a team is in need of a buy-low candidate at catcher. Haase is under contract for a long time and could claim him and hope for the best. That is if he does not clear waivers. If he does indeed clear waivers, a return to Columbus seems more likely than not.