Browns Rants

    A few observations........


     * "Jimmy"(my Browns insider) tells me that contrary to some media speculation, aside from some standard bumps and bruises("only the kicker doesn't have them")Shaun Rodgers isn't injured, and that Mangini and Rodgers' relationship has not fizzled whatsoever. He referred to the report as "laughable" and "just the media grasping for straws".                       
    * Jimmy also told me that the apparent lack of pass rush  should be taken with a grain of salt. Eric "The General" Mangini would kill them if they deviate from their assignment or gap even if they did it to make a big play. So if making a play while freelancing won't get you more playing time and reps why risk it? A lot of the stress on defense in training camp was on fundamentals such as tackling, positioning on the field and reading plays. In the games the coaches just wanted to see who can apply the fundamentals in a game setting, not who can beat up Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers.
    * I asked Jimmy about the Quarterback situation. He would not utter a word. In fact, he wouldn't even say the names "Brady" or "Anderson" in any context. I asked him who played QB for the Pats and he said O'Connell, Walter and Gisele's husband. I asked him what Neo's last name is in the Matrix and he looked at me like I was crazy(OK, I didn't know that lifetime football guys aren't into Sci Fi). Tommy Lee's wife's last name? Nope. Pamela from Baywatch? His eyes lit up but he quickly looked away. It got uncomfortable. We had a shot. Few more beers. Nothing. This guy really has a Seinfeldian vault. I'm telling you he looked nervous and scared to talk about it. "The General" really has him by the Browns.
    * On paper the cornerback situation looks pretty decent. But after going to the Lion's game I'm a little concerned. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are decent ball hawks but there were a lot, I mean a lot of open receivers. The safeties have a knack of letting the receivers get behind them. I'm not sure how this is going to play out. If Matt Staff didn't only look at one receiver per play it might have looked more like the Packers game.
    *  I don't think the Browns are ripping up Josh Cribb's contract. Adjusting it, maybe, but rip it up? He has four years left and he has no real leverage. Yes, he is an important part of the team, especially if he comes on as a receiver, but he should have listened to former Brown's WR Dennis Northcutt when he advised him not to sign his six-year $6.77 million dollar extension.The funniest part is that Cribbs is walking around saying, "Man, I should have listened to that Northcutt dude. He was one smart cat." I promise no one has ever said that before.
    * It's very exciting to see some rookies, even some late round picks, making a impact. James Davis hopefully will take some of Jamal Lewis' carries, Coye Francies (cool name) is looking very solid and David Veikune looks like he's from the Teddy Bruschi/Mike Vrabel school of linebacking. Not to mention the receivers and "The Mack truck" (I know, I know, too easy, too easy). We should hold a parade for Kokinis just for that alone.
    * One more tidbit from Jimmy. The most hated Smith in Browns land? Not Shaun Smith. Gene Smith(Jaguars G.M.). The front office is pissed and has vowed revenge. I love it. Yeah, I know that Gene Smith took a dump on Kokinis and the entire organization. Phil Savage wouldn't even have realized.
    * Mangini if you are reading this: Please keep Blake Costanzo and force Kokinis to trade first names with him. No fan would ever doubt a trade made by a guy named "Blake" and it would be awesome to have a player named George Costanzo.This definitely has a future. I'm sure a fun-loving guy like Mangini will go for this. Please. Please comment.