Chargers WR Vincent Jackson on the block, why isn’t Cleveland interested?
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The San Diego Chargers have been adamant about not re-signing WR Vincent Jackson to a long term contract. Now, the Chargers have placed him on the roster exempt list, which means along with his 3 game league suspension, Jackson will now face another 3 game suspension. His trade value has just been severely decreased.
I do not quite understand what the Chargers are doing with Jackson and why they can’t seem to come to some sort of agreement, but now with another suspension looming on Jackson, why aren’t the Browns in play here for him? Jackson was granted permission to speak with the Seattle Seahawks. The Browns are in serious need for a wide receiver. I understand the Browns are rebuilding, but Jackson is only 27, entering his 6th NFL season.
The Chargers might have been able to pull off a big trade at the draft for Jackson, but now with a league imposed 6 game suspension, the Chargers valuation drops off big time. So why not pick up the phone and call San Diego? Really, let’s be honest here. The Browns are not going to the playoffs this season. So a 6 game suspension isn’t going to be that big of a deal. However, to bring a player of Vincent’s caliber in for a pair of 3rd round selections in 2011-2012? Wouldn’t you pull that trigger or simply sit back and wait to see if one of the pedestrian receivers on the Browns squad develops?
I say pick up the phone and see what San Diego is asking in return. The Browns have a good offensive line, will have a solid TE in Ben Watson, but they need a seriously legitimate #1 receiver. Pull the trigger at the right price and get it done.
Browns Mangini thinks he’s a better coach
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Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini thinks he is a better coach this year. Browns fans certainly hope so. With 1 win after 12 weeks last season and turmoil surrounding the team, Browns fans were counting down the days until the end of the season and the eventual firing of Mangini. A funny thing happened on the way to the end of the season though, the Browns won.
Cleveland fans were convinced that Mangini was a goner though when the ownership hired Mike Holmgren. Holmgren brought a Super Bowl ring and decades of coaching experience to the Browns, Mangini was goner for certain now. Right? Wrong.
Mangini was retained for yet another season as Mike Holmgren assumes his new role as Browns president. There is no doubt though that Mangini will be on a short leash this season. I believe anything less than 7 wins and he’ll be gone. Will Holmgren return to the sidelines? Who knows. He has said the desire is still there and if watches Mangini really falter this year, his desire could become more of a sense of urgency and he’ll be patrolling the sidelines in 2011.
Mangini stopped in to the Mike and Mike show Monday to speak about the status of the team and what exactly has made him a better coach this season. You can listen to the entire interview right here.
Mangini said that this years off season has gone much more smoothly as several of the players now realize what was expected of them and the Browns players from last season are becoming leaders in te lockerroom.
He added that Jake Delhomme has been a great asset to the Browns. Mangini says he has a good rapport with Delhomme and he likes his attention to detail and understanding of the offense.
And finally, on what exactly has made him a better coach, (as transcripted by sportsradiointerviews.com)
“It’s been great for me. When I sat down with Mike for the first time, the nice thing about working with a guy like Mike or having him come in is he sat in the same seat, he’s made the same decisions, he went through a big transition in Green Bay, and he went through a big transition in Seattle. I just took him through what happened and why we made the decisions we made and he would say ‘oh I remember that happened to me in Seattle, I remember that happened to me in Green Bay.’ He can relate to those things and that’s been really good. It’s also good because as issues come up I can walk down to his office and say what do you think? You don’t have any continuing education in the NFL and you rarely have a mentor in the building, but that’s what Mike has been to me. I think he has made me a better coach and I appreciate that resource.”
Delhomme’s performance eases Browns fans fears
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Yes Browns fans, it is the first preseason game, but QB Jake Delhommes’ performance had to ease some fears. However you have to look at some of the positives. Delhomme did not commit a turnover. In limited action he was 6/7 66 yards and looked sharp. It was a road win against a team that was a playoff team last season. QB Seneca Wallace added a couple of touchdowns. K Phil Dawson drilled a 46 yard FG to win the game as time expired.
Dawson was one of the veteran players who refused to report to offseason workouts because he wanted a long term contract, but he was lights out Saturday night, tossing in a 58 yard FG with less than a minute and a half to go, to tie up the game 24-24.
Cleveland was out gained in total offensive yards, and time of possession but did come away with a win and that’s all that matters. So the Mike Holmgren era begins with a road win.
There are some questions which remain. Who is going to be the go to receiver in the Browns offense? 4 players all had three receptions. Brian Robiskie had the most targets, with 6 but only caught three passes for 32 yards. The Browns, which have one of the better offensive lines in the league, were not able to muster much of a running game rushing 22 times for 85 yards. The potential quarterback of the Browns future, Colt McCoy was unimpressive throwing for 25 yards and 2 interceptions. McCoy did leave the game with a hand injury after striking his hand on a teammates helmet. There is currently no word on his condition.
Cleveland has a chance to run their pre-season record to 2-0 next week when the St. Louis Rams come to visit in Cleveland. The Rams were beat down by the Minnesota Vikings 28-7 tonight after the Vikings only played their starters for one series.
Cleveland Browns give players Twitter lesson
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The Cleveland Browns team was given a lecture on the use of Twitter and other social media sites this week. You might remember Browns CB Brandon McDonald posted a trashy Tweet directed towards Terrell Owens. Twitter has become a major force with athletes wanting to market themselves and grab headlines.
NFL fans might remember the heated exchanges between New Orleans Saints S Darren Sharper and Minnesota Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Arizona Cardinals DL Darnell Dockett joined in this summer and started calling out teammates, though later it was revealed his tweets were nothing more than a way of increasing his followers.
Coaches have a difficult enough time making sure their players aren’t out getting in trouble and nnow they have something else to worry about. Browns coach Eric Mangini told reporters, “I don’t expect people to stop using it. It is a good way to communicate with our fans. We know with Browns fans, they can’t have too much information, you can’t have too much of a connection and that’s a great thing. But like with anything else that you do, you have to do it in the right way and a way that represents the organization the right way”.
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Browns lose a linebacker
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The Cleveland Browns defense appears to have suffered another blow in practice. LB D’Qwell Jackson is reported to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle. Jackson was trying to come back after a torn pectoral muscle on his other muscle and now his season appears in doubt.
The Denver Broncos lost pass rushing specialist Elvis Dumervil last week to a similar injury. Jackson was one of several veterans who reluctantly signed their tender offer this offseason as he was looking for a long term deal.
Jackson figured to play a large part in Cleveland’s defensive plans this season and now the Browns will most likely have to explore other options.
