If Mike Holmgren comes to the Browns with free rein to do whatever jobs he wants - I hope he goes to Seattle.  Randy Lerner has to realize that he is the owner of the franchise - and he has to put the organization in place for success.   Trading up from one meglomaniac in Mangini - to Holmgren is stupid.  Here is what Lerner has to demand from Holmgren:

1. First - you will be the creditable leader and head man to lead all football operations.
2. Coaching with additional hats is out - as it doesn't do anything to build capability beyond a sixty something coach.
3. You can be president + GM but you have to hire an individual capable of stepping up to GM in both the college personnel area and in the pro personnel area.   Both men have to have the potential of stepping up to be the next GM.
4. You will promote your successor to GM and stay with the organization as the president to make sure the transition is successful.

We have to build capability - not just find a coaching upgrade.

It was big news that Colt McCoy was honored as a Heisman finalist in New York City after winning several awards the week before.  Under the radar, a lesser known Longhorn will be honored for his performance in the Big XII championship game.  I can't find the link, but James Kirkendoll will be in Times Square to drop the big ball to mark the coming of the New Year.  He is excited, as it is truly the only opportunity to have a bigger drop than the Nebraska game.

After being born in C-Town,  I moved to Texas about 20+ years ago and am now a huge fan of both the Cleveland Browns and the Texas Longhorns.   As I watched just a torturous Big XII championship where the Horns were playing like the Browns invaded their bodies, I bore witness to the greatest college defensive football player I have ever seen - Ndumakong Suh of Nebraska. 

The make up of this guy is Shaun Rogers + increased motor + more speed + more smarts.   Same freakish quickness and strength.  Despite being double teamed all night - he had 5 sacks and uncountable hurries and QB pressures.   On one play that he was double teamed, he threw both guys into the QB!  By the way, one of the guys on the double team was the first team All American Center Chris Hall.  This guy is quick enough to apply pressure and then disrupt screen passes - I am truly speechless about his capabilities.

I have long had the theory that if you draft number 1 you should go QB if at all possible.  My thinking, if you are going to pay a rookie to be a franchise type player - you might as well invest in the one position where he would not be overpaid if successful.   I now think that the Browns have to draft Ndumakong Suh.  He is Eric Mangini proof.  He is Botch Davis proof.   He can trump all the bad luck picks in this current no GM, no scouting director organization.  

Cleveland has been blessed to be witness to LeBron's greatness.  Make it 2 with Suh!

Of all the foolish organizational moves made by the Lerner organization, this is by far the foulest smelling and most classless of the bunch.  

Lets summarize - Lerner who earlier stated he wanted a strong GM centric organization, is shocked that Mangini has embarrassing photos of Lerner that involve midgets, animals, and a bearded lady from the circus.   By the way, the bearded lady was clad in a boyscout uniform, including the shorts that ride up to the thigh.  He then scraps all his organizational plans and gives Mangini the keys to the organization.

Mangini then selects his loyal sidekick, who just may have been the photog in the above scenario.   This guy dutifully serves Mangini, and Lerner.   He has a reputation as a team guy, and a hard worker.   Now he is classlessly cast aside, a scapegoat for the mess that Mangini and Lerner  have made.   Let me guess the grounds for dismissal:

• George - what were you thinking when you traded for and signed all those Jets?
• Did you really think that Alex Mack was as good as Nick Mangold?
• I told you that neither QB was no good and you get me Ratliff?

This move stinks.   It stinks so bad that the rest of the league will smell it.   Lerner knows he made the wrong hire in Mangini - but he found it easier to fire the guy Mangini brought in than to admit that he made the mistake.

As a diehard Browns fan - I am just Jonesing for this team to have some success.  As a rabid Texas Longhorn fan - I have seen the answer.  Now Longhorn fans hate the OU Sooners about as much the Browns hate Pittsburgh, so take that into account when I tell you that Sam Bradford is the MAN.  Think Tom Brady without the model baby mama.  Believe it or not - I do not think we have a great chance at the first overall pick.  I truly think St. Louis, KC, TB et al have us beat.   Therefore, my bedtime prayers include the following:

• Sam Bradford comes out in the 2010 draft.
• He slides to the Browns at number 4/5 ish
• His shoulder is fine, proving all GMs fools.
• He is the legit franchise QB.
• He starts dating Megan Fox ( or is she a veggie) and brings her to the Cleveland home games.

Lets get the season over with and head to the 2010 draft.  While Mangini has been a trainwreck - I do think he has done a nice job of acquiring some picks to make April much more interesting than December.

As I sit here Jonesing for Texas football - I used the time to reflect on some observations from the first 4 games:

1. Even though the performance was during "garbage time" does Garret Gilbert seem freakishly good for a true freshman?
2. Would Darrel Scott be a big disappointment in Burnt Orange or are his problems more the way Colorado uses him?
3. Speaking of Jonesing - is Eddie Jones the best 3rd DE in the history of the Big XII?  Seems he is everywhere when he plays.
4. Does anyone share the paranoia that the ineligibility of Collins and Scott will have a major impact on the season?
5. If you are down on Colt - have you seen any Big 10 football this year?  Faith restored.
6. If Marquis Goodwin started on the North goal line and DJ Monroe on the south - and they sprint to the other end - what yard line would they intersect on?  I say the 49.
7. Where do we get more Achos?
8. Did Bruce Matthews have a point about our OL coaching and scheme?
9. With all those weapons on offense, can GD really screw it up in the long term?
10. If you had to have one unit stronger than the other - wouldn't it be better if it was the defensive side?  Speed, aggressiveness, hostility more dependable than timing, wet footballs, and handoffs.
    
    
    

Despite my key belief that this has been just a fantastic start to the 2009 campaign, some things definitely have not gone to plan.  Here are some quick nominees for the disappointment that scares you the most long term.

1.  Oh Malcom - where are you?  I thought this guy would be a stud.

2.  Colt - is that you?  2009 Colt about half way between 2007 and 2008.

3.  Vondrell and Fozzy.  Nuff said.

4.  OL - 90 starts but were any of them really good?

5.  Secondary - meeting your lofty expectations?  Seems Chykie has been toasted more this year than last.

6.  Academic issues attack depth.   Collins, Scott, Beasley missed (in that order)

Much has gone rigt and much has gone wrong this year.  Here is the nomination for the biggest bright spot or surprise in the 2009 Season

1.  The electric DJ Monroe has charged up  the return game and made contributions as a RB.

2.  Tre Newton spices up the running game - coming from nowhere.

3.  John Chiles can play football.  Actually catches and then adds some deceptiveness to the old Q package revival.

4.  Acho boys - they good.

5.  The big Buck - who needs a TE?

Style points are out - and "just win" baby is in!  Anyone remotely disappointed in the Tech win has some soul searching to do.  First of all, the events of the young season have eliminated the more ridiculous scenarios of the BCS BS.  3 way tie - we go to Big XII championship.  3 undefeateds - we go to MNC.  Secondly, while I find Leach a repugnant character, he is a tremendously innovative offensive coach, while we have a very solid "me too" offensive leader.  Fortunately, Muschamp is pretty damn innovative as well, and matches wits with Leach better than anyone that has graced the 40 acres.

Is Colt Colt? No.  The running game MNC worthy? No.  Is the OL dominant?  No.  But that defense is mobile, agile, and hostile.  It is championship caliber and likely to continue to get better.   As the season goes on, it could very well be possible where Mack makes the offense become more conservative and rely on his team to deliver the goods.  As long as we have more points - I could care less.