What Jimmy Haslam Wants

 

I have something in common with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

What might that be?   I'm getting old and when you get old you start thinking about things like legacy, and unfortunately but realistically, you do start to consider your mortality.  When I think about Jimmy Haslam in this sense, I feel a sort of odd kinship.   And I think I know what his aspirations and plans are for the Cleveland Browns.

In 2029 the Browns are going to have a new dome.   As a native Clevelander who loves Ohio Football, my first knee jerk reaction to the Brook Park dome was negative but the more I thought about it and more I saw, I changed my mind.   Why?  Brian Sipe and Ozzie Newsome.   Yes, in my opinion, the 1980 Browns win the Super Bowl in 1980 had the playoff taken place in a dome.   Jimmy Haslam doesn't own a time machine so we can't win in 1980 but I think my point is the NFL is a QB driven league and our next Brian Sipe or Bernie Kosar level QB needs a field he can win on.

Which brings me to Jimmy Haslam and getting old.   Here is the way I think about my life.  I hope I have 20 good years left, I know I don't have 30 good years left and I think at the least I have 10 good years left.

All of the above stated, I think Jimmy Haslam knows that the surest bet on a QB that exists in college football today is Arch Manning.  As an old guy I can vouch for that.  I have a friend who lettered at Ole Miss and was Archie Manning's teammate.   My personal opinion is that Archie Manning was one of the greatest QB's to ever play the game.   But there is also Peyton and Eli, both of whom I've watched in person.   Both of whom won two Super Bowls a piece.

Arch is a no brainer.

So my prediction is this.   Jimmy Haslam leads his organization to do whatever it takes to get that #1 pick in 2027 and grab Arch Manning who will be in his third pro season when the new dome opens up and the next 10 years of Cleveland Browns football, should Arch be our QB, will be glorious!

Let's hope it happens.

Todd Monken - Built in Laterals are Coming

There was a very interesting interview with Todd Monken on Pro Football Talk last week that is well worth listening to.

The history of the NFL is filled with turning points where schematic innovation tips the scales.  Super Bowls have been won when the innovation is significant enough.   Single back offense of Joe Gibbs, West Coast Offense of Bill Walsh, Zone Blitzing for the Steelers.   And in 2026 it was Mike Mcdonald who schemed up a sophisticated way to bring pressure that makes it extremely difficult for a QB to throw downfield.  I personally believe Mcdonald's defensive innovation is not called in the huddle, his defensive players have to read as if they are Peyton Manning.  Seattle keeps two helmets high and all 11 defenders are on the same page.   They make their reads in situations where a downfield pass is required, they bring 6 with a defensive back or two always coming.   They way they do this is so unpredictable that it makes it nearly impossible for even a good QB like Matt Stafford to adjust.  Drake Maye certainly could not.

I've wondered how this could be countered.   At the end of the below interview, Monken reveals one very good way.  Built in laterals.  

should be fun to follow in 2026