Mike Holmgren: Giving QB's Time to Develop, and the Uncapped Year
Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren has been talking with a few media outlets the past few days about a few particular topics. First on his agenda was the development of a quarterback:
"My philosophy — but I’m not coaching any more — is I could grab anybody and make him better at quarterback," Holmgren said, seeming relaxed in a swivel chair during a lengthy chat. "That was me. That was my cockiness."
Holmgren still isn't ruling out any individual player at quarterback, meaning until further notice, Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn are the two quarterbacks the team will choose from. When Holmgren was hired, he said he was a firm believer in giving a head coach a fair chance to develop a team and initiate his gameplan. He said something similar about a quarterback: he prefers to give his starter a full two seasons before casting him aside. Why does Holmgren set the bar at two years?
"He’s had a fair chance to show me he gets it, he studies, he’s learned the offense, his decision making is good, and we can win with him," Holmgren said. "Now, that’s two years. That’s 32 games."
"I think Brady’s played about nine games in three years (actually 12). So if I’m sticking to my beliefs, which I really do believe in, that’s the formula."
Holmgren stated that he still needed to study the film more before providing his input on what to do at the position, but his tone certainly seems to favor Quinn at this point. A decision is supposed to be made before training camp, but I'd imagine we'll have a better indication of Holmgren's decision by the time the draft rolls around.
Next on Holmgren's agenda was discussing what the Browns will do without a salary cap. Will they impose a personal salary cap limit, or will they go crazy and spend as they please? Holmgren seemed to say that the Browns will stay within reasonable boundaries:
"As an organization we believe in building a team through the draft and being very selective in free agency; I think that's how you build it," stated Holmgren.
(Regarding the Browns' free agents)
"I can't speak for other teams, but the guys we think can be contributors for us we're going to try to keep," Holmgren said. "I'm not going to say right now who they are."
Finally, the Plain Dealer reports when the Browns will next meet with Joshua Cribbs:
The two sides will meet next week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, which runs Thursday through March 2.
While the guaranteed money remains a question, there still seems to be a reasonable feeling that a deal is within striking distance.
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“My philosophy — but I’m not coaching any more — is I could grab anybody and make him better at quarterback,” Holmgren said, seeming relaxed in a swivel chair during a lengthy chat. “That was me. That was my cockiness.”
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
True, but the article also indicated (which I didn’t quote) that Mangini wanted Holmgren’s input on the QB decision. If Holmgren says “I want this to happen” regarding the QB situation, it’d be pretty ballsy for Mangini to blow him off.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Feb 20, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
I was just quoting that because when I read it I got a picture of Holmgren talking saying, “My philosophy”, and then catching himself and saying “but i’m not coaching anymore.” I hope he has input. If Chef Boyardee is standing in my kitchen I’m wanting him to tell me when to add more salt.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
Heh, gotcha.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Feb 20, 2010 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
The man makes some bomb ass ravioli.
If I hear "There's always next year" one more time...
by SpecialBrownie on Feb 22, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
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The sporting gods hate Cleveland, they give us false hopes, then yank it out from under us like a tablecloth.
by North Coast Flea on Mar 1, 2010 4:33 AM EST up reply actions
Chef Boyardee is the gold standard.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
by Villeslgr on Feb 22, 2010 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Mangini realizes that it’s his neck on the block and not Holmgren’s. If Mangini is uncomfortable with BQ, regardless of Holmgren’s opinion, BQ won’t be the starter. I do think that Holmgren and his staff will weigh in on the matter, but they will respect Mangini’s decision. And, I don’t think Mangini particularly cares for BQ’s approach to the game. I believe Mangini will encourage the FO to do some serious browsing for other QB options. It’s all in flux, because Mangini make not be afforded a better option.
Mangini is a defensive specialist, I feel he is still a bit like the early belichick. He just doesn’t know offense to the deep deep detail with which he knows defense. The QB decision and probably quite a lot of the offensive direction is up to Holmgren and Gil Haskell. Mangini and Ryan will be much more involved in Defense. Sounds like a winning formula to me.
Brady seems like the best qb option by far. We aren’t the vikings, we dont have all the other championship pieces in place and just need favre to take us over the top. We might as well hand over the reigns and get rid of anderson breathing down his neck. Let brady get relaxed and confident and see what this kid has got.
"My signature is only one line. You're welcome."
I am so happy that Holmgren is running this show.
I really think that Holmgren will give Quinn two seasons here. Maybe Holmgren takes a QB late (6th-7th round), but I think this is Quinns show and he will have the shot to make this happen once and for all.
I am ok with that plan, provided everyone believes in it and the brain trust doesn’t see someone at #7 that they really like. There are other holes on the team to fill while we figure QB out. We have a long way to go before we are the Vikings, needing that one player to possibly put us over the top.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I’ve read elsewhere that the coaches and GMs are very low on Quinn. I don’t even think he gets a chance next season to be honest.
My wish is that we can find a solution that does not involve any of our QBs, and a suitable long term plan. I’m wearied from this QB experiment we have been involved in and want to start this new phase of Brown’s history with a clean slate. That said, I strangely trust the team will make the correct decisions and if that involves our current QBs i’m on board.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
We have a long way to go before we are the Vikings, needing that one player to possibly put us over the top.
Exactly- and it’s pretty much proven if you’re plugging in a rookie QB the rest of the team better be in very good shape.
"The Braylon vaccine- one jab and you'll never catch anything ever again"

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