Disarray is standard operating procedure for the Cleveland Browns, both on and off the field

During the soon to be finished 2011 season in which our Browns won only 4 games, there were several episodes of poor organization that marked key division losses.

For example, in the first game of the season against the Bengals, the Browns defense was caught in the huddle by the Bengals offense who proceeded to pass for the game winning touchdown.

In our most recent game against the Ravens, with less than one minute remaining in the first half, the Browns had a first down inside the Baltimore 10 yard line. While the Browns had no time outs left at that point due to fits of disorganization on offense earlier in the same half, there was plenty of time on the clock to take 3 shots at a scoring pass in the end zone before trying a field goal. So what happened last Saturday? The Browns threw a flat pass that kept the clock moving, then our Brownies tried a run with less than 10 seconds on the clock. Hillis was stopped short of the goal which allowed time to run out without even attempting a field goal. This in a game eventually lost by 6 points. I have been watching the NFL for 35 years and cannot recall a worse case of clock management. It was pure Three Stooges.

Now Browns fans are being told that we need to be patient and that hope springs eternal because our Browns have several high draft picks in the 2012 draft.

What is highly concerning to me is the fact that our Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky may have other things on this mind. Just for starters on November 8, Tony Grossi tweeted that Sandusky was taking a leave of absence.


Later the same day, the same Grossi tweeted a confirmation that Sandusky has in fact remained with the team.

Tony Grossi's reputation is rock solid, he would not tweet something like this without talking to a source inside the Browns.



This whole mess has nothing to do per se with the personal life of Jon Sandusky, who has a right to privacy and should not be judged by events he has no control over. What is of major concern is the dissarray both on and off the field in the Cleveland Browns organization at such a critical moment for the Browns.

The above sequence reminds me of a front office version of the defense remaining in the huddle against the Bengals. For this to happen means there is confusion and disorganization in the Browns org. A bad sign considering that if the Browns screw up this draft, it likely means 10 more years of losing in Cleveland.

The Brown Log has been a big supporter of Mike Holmgren, but our patience is wearing thin. Let's hope that the Browns Director of Player Personnel, Jon Sandusky, together with the entire Browns organization is focused 100% on getting this team on track in the future and that the mistakes of 2011 both on the field and off, are behind the team.

Grossi insights - Must read

Tony Grossi has an inside line to key Browns decision makers and the attached article is a must read for anybody who wants to know what is going through Mike Holmgren's head right now. The biggest surprise? Colt McCoy is fighting for his job. I am convinced that McCoy has a future in Cleveland but with today's NFL economics, even unproven rookie QBs who we plan to sit on the bench, have to show something to justify their salary. The problem with McCoy is that in two games he has looked quite lost. Right now the game is just too fast for him and it is tempting to management to save money but cutting ties now. Especially considering how good the top two guys have looked.

My guess is that the Browns are simply sending a signal to McCoy that he needs to have a sense of urgency. McCoy will make the team.

As the Brown Log has already pointed out, Carlton Mitchell is also on the firing line. I think the world of Mitchell's potential but to use a baseball analogy, he is a player who clearly needs a year or two in AAA ball. Whereas QB is a position in which the Browns can invest a roster spot for one year, it's not the case for receivers. If Mitchell cannot produce he will be cut loose and will have to find a spot on another NFL team or perhaps the CFL where he can work on his skills.

On the positive side, Joe Haden is clearly a winner. I was surprised during the Green Bay game at how good Haden looked returning kicks. In spite of a fantastic college career, Haden "fell to" the 7th pick in round 1 because he was relatively slow in the 40 yard dash at the combine. We all know how the Brown Log feels about using track meet data to judge if someone can play football and it looks like Haden is further evidence that football players cannot be judged only by track meet data. He may be slow on the track, but this guys recognition and guts give him that extra edge that makes him look blazing fast on a football field.

Tony Grossi on Youtube

Glad to see the always insightful Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer now publishing his views onto You Tube. For anyone who wants to be informed about the lastest inside rumblings of our Cleveland Browns, Grossi's articles and now his You Tube videos, are a must.

Browns beat: Tony Grossi

if you want to get a true view to the inner workings of the Browns, The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi is a "must read".
Here's the latest from Grossi.

More on the Browns college free agents

Here is a good article by the Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi about the Browns undrafted college free agent crop.