Austin Davis is the right QB to start this week.

BrnBen

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day and detailed the Browns loss to the Ravens including the details of the blocked field goal attempt.

Austin Davis has a 3 year deal and had more starts than Johnny Manziel. He is at the least a solid backup QB and at best perhaps a part time starter. He has an NFL arm but not a cannon. He sees the field and reads defenses fairly well. And the most significant advantage he has over Manziel is that he has not lied to the coaching staff.

The last statement is most significant. Even if Manziel was on the field a clone of Cam Newton the fact is that he can not be trusted to become the face of the franchise. Manziel has been coddled his entire life. That has resulted in an attitude that he can get away with almost anything including lying to the staff.

Often a person who goes into rehab is not able to sustain a clean life after resuming their lives. It often takes 3 or 4 trips to rehab to over come their addiction. When that person has been able … Read more at FryingPanSports

Why the Browns can’t trust Johnny Manziel.

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, and previewed all of this week’s games.

Johnny Manziel just does not listen. He was given the keys to the Browns, limited as that vehicle may be, and promised he would not embarrass the team. Then he did exactly what he promised not to do—embarrassed the team.

I do not believe that Manziel is capable of being a franchise, or even NFL quality, starter. But even if was the 2nd coming of Otto Graham, I would not have drafted him because of his attitude. The problem is that he will never have the work ethic that it takes to become an NFL quality QB.

Just after he was drafted, he told the world that he would live his life the way he wanted. Then after playing in a couple of games including a shutout against the Bengals he admitted he did not take studying the play book seriously enough.

I applauded him for checking into a rehab clinic over the off season. But then we got to this week. Once again he proved that anyone that trusted him … Read more at FryingPanSports

Where did Ray Farmer go wrong?

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, and previewed all of this week’s games including a detailed analysis of the Browns game.

It is my experience that when someone in the room thinks they are the smartest person there, they are not even in the running for that honor.

I think that is part of Browns GM Ray Farmer’s problem. He thinks he is smarter than the other NFL General Managers.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of CB Justin Gilbert. If he had he might have over heard Gilbert tell a team scout that asked him to return some punts “watch the film.” That scout took Gilbert off his team’s board. Ray would have been more secure in his position to have done the same thing.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of QB Johnny Manziel. If Ray had taken the time he might have found out about Manziel’s attitude about blow up swans, liquor and parties in front of people taking videos.

Gilbert has been a healthy scratch despite multiple injuries at … Read more at FryingPanSports

What to do about Johnny?

Manziel (2)

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, previewed all week 9 games and discussed the Browns/Bengals game.

Now that Johnny Manziel has played 2 games this season the question is what should we do about Johnny? Should the Browns go back and play veteran Josh McCown or let Manziel play the rest of the season?

To decide it is necessary to take a look at what has been learned about Manziel’s progress learning the NFL game.

What we saw in the Bengal game last night was a player that was more accurate throwing on the run. That was a good thing because he was harassed all evening because of a pathetic O line performance. He was also more able to keep his eyes down field under pressure. That allowed throws down field against the rush. That is a key ability.

He has adequate arm strength to be an NFL starter. And he is getting better at moving safeties away from his intended targets. While he does this on the move, he struggles to do it in the pocket.

All that is good. However, there … Read more at FryingPanSports

What I would do to fix the Browns.

Roadkill

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 7, our views of all week 7 games including the Browns/Rams.

It is clear to anyone with a half a brain (not sure that includes GM Ray Farmer) that the Browns are headed for another bad season. Can the season be turned around? I doubt it but here is my prescription to try to fix the situation.

1. Fire GM Ray Farmer TODAY! – He clearly has no idea what it takes to put a competitive NFL roster together. Ray, the NFL is a passing game. A passing game requires a franchise QB and WRS that are taller than 4’2” and heaver than 100 pounds. He is now putting together the 2016 draft information and I don’t want him within 100,000,000 miles of the next draft. Get an experienced GM as a consultant to help guide the Browns 16 draft preparation and find a GM.

2. Fire DC Jim O’Neil – It was clear from the beginning that he is not qualified to be DC. He has had 2 years to figure out why the Browns can’t stop the edge … Read more at FryingPanSports

Some guesses about what is going on with the Browns.

BrownPrac

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 3, our views of all week 3 games including the Browns/Raiders.

Browns GM Ray Farmer is scheduled to return to the team next Tuesday. My co-host of NNR Samantha Bunten suggested that the Browns should change the locks to the facility. I completely agree with her view and would have told Farmer not to come back. To learn why check out my article It is time for Browns GM Ray Farmer to go!

Read more at https://fryingpansports.com/#BVXpRTuWwBBtujI8.99

QB Austin Davis had his contract extended yesterday. I like Davis and wonder if the Browns think he could be a starter down the road. It is unlikely that Farmer would have extended Davis because he is hoping (and his job may depend on) Johnny Manziel proving to be a quality NFL starter. Davis has a much better chance than Johnny of developing into a quality starter. The Davis deal could also be an indication that Farmer is on very shaky ground.

WR Dwayne Bowe was inactive last week. In the few targets he has gotten, he showed a “reluctance” to go for the … Read more at FryingPanSports