-I feel like Kokinis is taking the fall for Manigni and Daboll. Browns owner Randy Lerner is letting Mangini know that he isn't scared to make changes. Mangini is the one who makes the calls, not Kokinis. Mangini hired Kokinis to be his GM, but in most of the organizations in the NFL, the GM has a say in hiring the coach. After the Chicago game, Lerner stared at the players and coaches and was apparently disgusted with the team. He made it known that wants to hire a VP of football operations, and firing Kokinis is a step in that direction.
-I don't really know who to place all this blame on. A part of me wants to put it on the players and the fact that they make stupid mistakes which kill us. Jamal Lewis fumbling the ball, Mo Massaqoui dropping passes, Steve Heiden fumbling the ball. Mangini has no control over these actions. Yes, Mangini brought in some of these players, but Massaqoui has showed signs that he can be a solid receiver in the NFL, Alex Mack has continued to improve. At the same time, some of Mangini's acquisitions have not panned out as well (Robert Royal, Abe Elam, John St. Clair). Also, our defense is dead last in the NFL which is inexcusable, but you can see that the defense at least shows some life in that they attack the QB and make some stops sometimes, especially in the Chicago game. The offense just looks horrible out there, and no one seems to know what to do.
-While I think it is still too early to fire Mangini, he needs to really start to make some changes in coaching style/philosophy quickly. If the team continues to flounder and sputter going into week 15, then I think you fire him. Up until now, Mangini has had complete control over this organization, but now with the firing of his GM, and his assistant Erin O'Brien was fired last week. Also, the team hired Bernie Kosar as a consultant to the team, without Mangini's blessing. You can see that Lerner is now starting to loosen the grip that Mangini has on the team. I feel that if Mangini responds to this pressure and does well, that he will survive the season. If Mangini continues on the path he is on, I am all for firing him.
-There is no reason why this team should be 1-7. The lone win we got was probably the worst win I have ever seen us win. I wouldn't be as concerned if we showed some progress, but the best game we played all year was versus Cincinnati, and we still lost. Since then, the team hasn't shown any progress, and has gotten worse. The talent on this team isn't that horrible. Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas, Shaun Rogers, D'Qwell Jackson, Eric Wright, Brodney Pool, Kamerion Wimbley, Eric Steinbach, and Ryan Pontbriand are all very solid players. Alex Mack and Mo Massqoui are good up and comers in the league as well. There just seems to be a problem with game planning and execution.
-I am interested in seeing who Lerner brings in to be a VP of football operations. What will their responsibilities be exactly? Who has the final say in decisions? If this person clashes with Mangini, I think you'll see Mangini out of here pretty quickly as well.
-In terms of the team itself, I don't even think its worth talking about now. Both QB's we have don't seem like they can play well now. Jamal Lewis wants to retire, and I don't blame him. We heard so much in the offseason that everyone had bought into the system of Mangini, but we haven't seen any positive results.
Cavs
-The return of Delonte West is huge. I am so happy to see him back as he will provide a great spark off our bench. He can play backup PG, and provide another ballhandler that we really needed. I still think the biggest problem for our team going forward is trying to integrate Shaq into our offense. His numbers haven't been stellar, but his impact on the floor can be seen at times with teams double teaming him, and leaving guys like Boobie, and Parker open for 3's. Its still going to take a little bit of time to integrate all the new parts on this team.
-I still think our team should try to trade Z sometime this year. He is our last chance at getting a big name. We have the assets to pull off a trade for a big name player, this includes an expiring contract (Z at $11 million), first round pick in 2010, and young players (JJ Hickson, rights to Christian Eyenga). Our team really need another true perimeter scorer who can create his own shot off the bench. West will not be sufficient enough come playoff time.
-Here is one name to keep in mind for now. Memphis Grizzlies SF Rudy Gay. Yes, I said it. Here is why he could be traded.
1. He is unhappy in Memphis. It was reported by ESPN's Bill Simmons that Gay is unhappy in Memphis, and who wouldn't be. The team traded Pau Gasol for nothing, and they haven't won anything in years. When your on a team with AI and Zach Randolph, I don't blame you for being upset. They will probably be one of the worst teams in the West.
2. They have a cheap owner. The Grizzlies have the 27th lowest payroll in the NBA at $56 million, and their owner is one who will try to avoid the luxary tax. He traded Pau Gasol because he knew he couldn't afford to keep him anymore, and the same might happen to Gay, which brings me to my next point.
3. Gay did not agree to an extension, which means he will become a restricted free agent next summer. While the Grizzlies can match any offer, if a team comes in and offers a large deal, it is unlikely that the Grizzlies will match. There are numerous teams with cap space going into next year. Add in the fact that Zach Randolph will be making $17 million next year, and that OJ Mayo, Mike Conley, and Marc Gasol will be coming off their rookie deals in the next couple of years, this doesn't add up well for Gay. The Grizzlies and Gay had until today to come up with an extension for a deal (Rajon Rondo, and LaMarcus Aldridge both did), and they didn't. Come January when the Grizzlies are losing, the team could look to unload Gay, along with the bad contract of Marko Jaric (2 years $14 million left). If the team couldn't agree to an extension now, they could look to unload Gay to just get something for him, instead of letting him walk for nothing.
4. The Cavs have the assets to satisfy the needs of the Grizzlies. Z has an expiring deal, and there is even a possibility of a buyout there. If we could save the Grizzlies $2-3 million then I am sure they would definitely look into the deal. A deal of Z, Hickson, and a 2nd rounder in 2011, for Rudy Gay, Marko Jaric, and Steven Hunter works out. The Grizzlies still get a young bigman, and another draft pick.
Rudy Gay would be a great fit in Cleveland. He is a SF with great size (6'9), who has long arms and could defend the perimeter. He is very athletic, and he is very capable of scoring. Acquiring Gay would allow LeBron and Moon to play the 4 more often as well. Hunter would provide the Cavs with a center who is 7'0 to put behind Shaq. Gay could easily defend all the guards I have listed before, along with Rashard Lewis. By no means do I have any insider information on this, I am just going off intuition. The chances of this happening are very slim, but in the NBA you never say never.....
Thanks for reading, go Cleveland!
-Raz
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