Busy offseason begins for Browns

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 11:49 pm

Busy offseason begins for Browns
1/3/2005, 8:08 p.m. ET
By JOE MILICIA
The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Their disastrous season is finally over, but the work is just beginning for the Cleveland Browns.

Following a year in which they tied a franchise record with nine straight losses, the Browns have to hire a general manager and a coach and decide which players are worth keeping.

Six frustrating seasons after returning to the league as an expansion team in 1999, the Browns are rebuilding again.

Owner Randy Lerner and president John Collins wasted no time in interviewing general manager candidates, flying to Maryland on Monday to meet with Ravens director of player personnel Phil Savage.

Savage has been instrumental in picking quality players for the Ravens in recent years. He spent three years with the Browns in the 1990s, working in their scouting department.

Other likely candidates for the job include: New England vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli; Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese; former New Orleans general manager Randy Mueller; former Seattle senior vice president Mike Reinfeldt; Pittsburgh director of football operations Kevin Colbert; and Atlanta assistant general manager Tim Ruskell.

Browns interim coach Terry Robiskie acknowledged that after finishing with a 4-12 record changes are needed in the organization. He said his role shouldn't be changed.

"Making changes just to make changes doesn't necessarily breed success," he said to the media Monday, making his case for the job.

Robiskie noted that the Redskins went after more experienced coaches following his stint as interim coach in 2000. He pointed out that since he left Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs haven't produced a winning season in Washington.

"There's always that mind-set of let's go get that big-name guy," Robiskie said. "I don't know that's always the answer."

The Browns' 22-14 win over Houston on Sunday will certainly help his chances, showing he can inspire his players to grind out a victory in an otherwise meaningless game.

"I think I'm ready to be a head coach," he said. "You've got to be able to reach deep inside each (player's) heart."

The players backed Robiskie on Monday as their choice, just as they have since he took over after Butch Davis resigned with five games left.

"Everybody in this locker room would love to see Terry be the guy," defensive back Michael Lehan said.

All the pending changes provided a mood of uncertainty as players cleaned out their lockers Monday. Even those with years remaining on their contracts talked as if they might not be in a Browns uniform next season.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, who has three years left on his contract, said he knows his future rests with the new general manager and coach.

Garcia said he would probably be more attractive to the Browns if the new coach operated the West Coast offense, which he ran in San Francisco for five years.

"All I can do is prepare myself to get healthy again, and to play next year somewhere, and hopefully that will be here," said Garcia, whose season ended early with a torn knee ligament. "Right now, I'm a Cleveland Brown. And so that's the approach I'm going to take until I have to adjust otherwise."

Two lockers away, quarterback Kelly Holcomb, a free agent, indicated he would like to return to the Browns, but spoke like he was saying goodbye.

"There's a lot of good friends I've got on this team that I might not see anymore," he said. "That's kind of tough for me."

Holcomb finished the season with a team-best 96.8 passing rating, but his history of injuries and a 4-9 record as a starter may work against him.

The Browns also have to make a decision on wide receiver Dennis Northcutt, who is due a $2 million bonus March 15. If the Browns choose not to pay it, Northcutt would be a free agent.

Cornerback Anthony Henry, who led the team with four interceptions, also is a free agent.

"Obviously, some guys aren't going to be here, but you can't just dismantle a whole football team," safety Earl Little said. "We're close."

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/clev ... =cleveland

skinsfan1 · Post by **skinsfan1** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:59 am

Robiskie noted that the Redskins went after more experienced coaches following his stint as interim coach in 2000. He pointed out that since he left Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs haven't produced a winning season in Washington.

"There's always that mind-set of let's go get that big-name guy," Robiskie said. "I don't know that's always the answer."

Terry is a good person and all, but to compare himself to Gibbs is just pure crazy!

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:31 pm

skinsfan1 wrote:
Robiskie noted that the Redskins went after more experienced coaches following his stint as interim coach in 2000. He pointed out that since he left Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs haven't produced a winning season in Washington.

"There's always that mind-set of let's go get that big-name guy," Robiskie said. "I don't know that's always the answer."
Terry is a good person and all, but to compare himself to Gibbs is just pure crazy!

He was just stating that all the Skins coaches succeeding him have not had a record above .500. He's not comparing himself to Gibbs at all. He's just making it known that Gibbs happens to be one of those coaches with a bad record since 2000.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:35 pm

To be fair that's not exactly what he's done.

Anyway, I agree with him, I think it's way better to let a guy make himself a big name then to hire someone who is a big name.

The Browns have Jeff Garcia who is a terrible, terrible on the field leader. He desperately needs to do something to get his own career back on track. I'd go get Baltimore's offensive coordinator to run the offense and retain Robiske as the head coach.

I'd go QB and then RB in that draft with the first and second round picks. I'd go out and get Aaron or Rogers with that #2 and then take the best RB available in the 2nd round at
#2.

With that kind of talent added I think the Browns could get on the right track, I might even start Holcomb if Garcia doesn't start getting it done.

I want to best for the Browns organization. They have first class fans over there, and they deserve better.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:43 pm

Skinsfan55 wrote:I'd go get Baltimore's offensive coordinator to run the offense

That's a joke, right?

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:52 pm

No, Kyle Boller is the reason that offense wasn't good, not Cavanaugh (sp).

Oftentimes there's no better way to get 100% out of someone then to give them a second chance.

Three players on that o-line were injured, including John Ogden. Also, Jamaal Lewis missed 4 games.

Give him another shot, and he's going to be a hard worker who gets the most out of his guys.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:04 pm

Boller isn't the only QB they've ever had there. I don't remember anyone calling the Ravens an offensive juggernaut at any time since they moved from Ohio.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:12 pm

It just gets better and better for the Brownies. Now Garthia is blaming everyone except himself for their horrible season. Way to be a team player, Jeff!

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:18 pm

God I hate Jeff Garcia. Like I said, terrible, terrible leader. My first move would be either benching or releasing him and making Kelly Holcomb the starter.