A Closer Look at The Browns' Coaching Candidates

Below is the text of an article by Mary Kay Cabot in the Plain Dealer listing the Browns' potential coaching candidates.  After her background, we provide our own take (check out the links for more research on these guys):

From Mary Kay Cabot in the Plain Dealer (full story here):

Oregon coach Chip Kelly: A league source told The Plain Dealer the Browns will most likely pursue Kelly, one of the most sought-after candidates of this off-season. He will also be pursued by the Eagles, according to reports. Has a 45-7 record with his explosive offense at Oregon.

OBD's Take:  The pursuit of coach Kelly represents the Browns' attempt to land at the forefront of modern NFL offense.

Why The Browns Will Not Win A Superbowl Anytime Soon

There is no doubt that the NFL is now a quarterback-driven league.  The rules are slanted in favor of quarterbacks and receivers.  College quarterbacks and receivers are coming into the league with more passing experience than ever before.  NFL offenses are starting to embrace the college shot-gun spread offensive schemes that college quarterbacks are comfortable with.  All of this makes having a franchise quarterback more important than ever before.  Gone are the days of winning with dominant defenses and "game-managing" quarterbacks.  Defenses can't be dominant anymore. 

Ryan Tannehill....Meh.

Perusing mock drafts this week and seeing several scenarios playing out for the Browns. The first is that the Browns either trade up and get RGIII, or they stay at pick #4 and get RGIII (not likely). In the mocks that have the unlikely good fortune of RGIII falling to #4, the Browns then take receiver Kendall Wright from Baylor at #22.

The other scenario is that the Browns lose out on RGIII (sad face) and take WR Justin Blackmon at #4. Then at #22, they take QB Ryan Tannehill - widely regarded as the 3rd best QB in this year's draft. Obviously, the mockers know the Browns need a QB upgrade and a true #1 wide receiver, or at least a WR that can take the top off of a defense (we're assuming in good faith that the Browns will eventually throw something longer than 20 yards someday.) So there are two strategies for filling the needs at QB and WR being played out in mock drafts.

Recapping Week Two: Kicking The Colts When They're Down

Monday mornings always feel a little lighter after a Browns win, don't they?  Those type of Mondays have been few and far between for this franchise of late, so we'll savor this one right until opening kickoff against the Dolphins on Sunday.  I think it is safe to say that the Browns don't win Sunday if Manning is under center - but the Browns made strides toward respectability. 

Recapping Week One: A Familiar Feeling....Ugh.

Why do we Browns fans continue to subject ourselves to this torture? Browns games are quickly becoming 3 hours of frustration that I could do without. I love football, but not the kind of sloppy, frustrating and disappointing football the Cleveland Browns give me almost every week. 

Know Thy Enemy: The Cincinnati Bengals - Week One

The Browns season opening home game against the Bengals will be an excellent gauge of how well the coaches and players have done in this shortened and bizarre offseason. Like the Browns, the Bengals installed a new west coast offense and experienced high roster turnover from last season.  However, the Bengals are adding a rookie quarterback into the mix with a new offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden (Chucky's brother.) 

Realistic Expectations For Tonight's Browns Game Versus Philly

So tonight is the Browns third preseason game, which typically serves as the "dress rehearsal" where starters get their most extensive playing time before the regular season starts.  For the Browns, however, tonight may not reveal much, except that the team has a lot of injuries. 

Getting To Know Usama Young

Many Browns' fans viewed the signing of veteran free agent Usama Young with little interest and even some skepticism. Fans were aware of the Browns' need at safety and were clamoring for more well-known free agents. Young was a backup DB in New Orleans with limited game experience. Yet Browns' GM Tom Heckert saw potential in Young and the team went out and got him. He is now competing with Mike Adams for the starting Free Safety spot, with the coaching staff hoping he wins the battle.

Question: What Are The Browns Going To Spend $31 Million On?

With the release of Jake Delhomme, the Browns are now more than $35 million under the salary cap of approximately $120 million for this season.  The new CBA will require teams to spend 99% of the salary cap this year, with the deadline for that spending towards the end of the season.  That number is a bit misleading because the 99% refers to the league as a whole.  The lowest percentage any single team can spend is 89%.  Applying that to the Browns would result in spending $31 million at minimum.

Question: Who Will Start At Safety Opposite T.J. Ward?

This post is the first in a series that will ponder the questions that need to be answered for the Browns whenever the season starts.  Hey, until we know if there will be NFL football this season - we have to talk about something, right?