The BIG question. Who will lead this team into contention and beyond? I believe in Dorsey, so I'll be OK with whoever he chooses in the end, but Williams has been making a hell of a case for the job. Dorsey basically told us how he could get the job: "these last 8 games mean a lot", and I'm sure he meant that 100%. Williams can make the decision for him by winning out. Short of that............ ? I don't think Williams was on Dorsey's "short list" when the change was made, and basically has to earn the job with overwhelming success, for better or worse. Williams has done better than could have been expected. Period. With 3 left, each game becomes more critical. That will measure Williams in and of itself. Does he keep the team improving, or do we lay an egg in one of these. A loss this week, and the ability to win on the road comes back, a loss to Cinci..... yuck, and if we survive til Baltimore and lose I think he stays in the hunt, but Dorsey undoubtedly has a guy or two he favors, and Williams has to "overcome" that bias, by guiding the team in a ever improving arc, proving his ability to adapt and adjust as the expectations rise. Remember Billy Martin? He was incredible at taking a team in the crapper, and bringing them to contention, but he was awful at keeping them there. Is Dorsey looking for signs that Williams isn't that guy? Where do Browns fans stand?
Tell you what... I'd love to see Dorsey's short-list for the position. I'd be able to tell you much easier how I feel. As far as the possibles mentioned or connected to us... Lincoln "Long Shot" Riley. The admitted huge Cowboy's fan can command any price he wants and have any job he wants, especially as he continues to churn out eye-popping offenses in college. He's young and has nothing to prove at the NFL level yet, so he can wait until the perfect job opens up. Is Cleveland that job? Probably not. You must pair him with a very qualified defensive coordinator to make this work in Cleveland. Matt Campbell. Of all the initial probables, this was my guy. He just re-upped at Iowa State, however, so he's not going anywhere. Mike McCarthy. Hard pass. Here's a guy who couldn't get along with Millennial Aaron Rodgers and who's play-calling was questioned by the quarterback and team. He's also a head coach who's going to demand to keep play-calling and doesn't have the track record to support that. He's also never shown the ability to utilize the running game, which is a must with Nick Chubb in town. The connections are obvious and the interest, I believe, is real. He's just wouldn't be my top choice. John Harbaugh. So, the Ravens keep winning and likely he stays put, but we've seen established coaches surprised fired, too. His name has been mentioned a number of times and while there's intrigue there, he's never overseen a potent offense and much of his defensive success could be linked to his coordinators and talent versus him. John DeFilippo. Pass. Mike Zimmer. Here's an interesting one because he could be the surprise fire. Minnesota is under-performing and has already started losing pieces (see above). Zimmer was easily the best coordinator to come from the Marvin Lewis tree and has a proven track-record for success on defense. However, his style might not play with Baker and that's really where the concern needs to be with this Browns team moving forward. Josh McDaniels. Hard pass again. He's likely gunning for the Green Bay job anyway, but between how he's handled previous jobs (Denver, Indy) and how there's almost no track record for success of Belichick coordinators after leaving the nest, I don't want him within 100 miles of Berea. Bruce Arians. Well, his selling point is keeping Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens. In that case, why not just keep Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens without hiring a new head coach? Gregg Williams. Honestly, my top choice right now, given how things are playing out. He's helped navigate this team through a very unusual season and has the Browns currently still with a chance to make the Playoffs after beginning 2-5-1. I doubt he's the guy for Dorsey, though. Freddie Kitchens. Here's where it gets interesting... Kitchens has this offense playing at a very high level right now. Over the past four games, no quarterback in the NFL has been better than Baker Mayfield. He's completing 75% of his passes, has a 121.8 passer rating, and 8.1% TD versus 2.7% INT rate. This is a 6'1" rookie QB from a college air raid offense we're talking about (Drew Brees is #2, which begs the question... are quarterbacks 6'2"+ incapable of playing the position?). Promoting Kitchens over Williams likely won't happen, but he has to at least get consideration for the gig.
This is probably a more appropriate spot for this... Baker Mayfield. I sure Hope Dorsey doesn't mess up this dynamic. SPLIT CMP ATT CMP% YDS Y/ATT TD INT RATING w/ Haley 130 223 58.3% 1,471 6.6 8 6 78.9 w/ Kitchens 112 153 73.2% 1,406 9.2 11 4 114.4 Spoiler p.s. Not like you didn't know this already
I'm pretty sure Dorsey didn't consider Williams as the HC when he was given the Interim job, but he would be foolish not to take a second look, and John Dorsey isn't a foolish man. That said, I still believe Williams isn't "his man", and has to literally "win" the job. I hope he can, because IMO that would mean we win out, or at the very least lose but one game. That kind of result cannot be ignored. Denver becomes the pivotal game, assuming we don't go to sleep on Cinci. If we go into Balitmore with a chance to win 8 games, and play well, Williams has to be at least 50/50 IMO, but Dorsey, I'm sure has a short list, and it won't be a slam dunk. I feel much like you do SAS, regarding the candidates we have heard about, but at the same time, if we drop the game in Denver, I can't be upset if Williams doesn't get the call. The hurdles were laid out by Dorsey "these last 8 games matter" or put another way, "show me". Gregg has done that. So far. 3 to go, and the stakes for the team and for Williams couldn't be higher or more clear. What makes me most nervous is what happens if Williams doesn't get it? We lose both Williams and Kitchens? With that said, how important does Dorsey rank continuity with his young team, and how confident is he that he can improve the team with "all new" leadership?
Keeping Williams, assuming we win out, or lose the last game to Baltimore, has one powerful upside IMO: we can hit the ground running next year. How great would it be for this young team to come into camp "knowing" what their roles and responsibilities are, and just need to grow, rather than learn a new system? It would make coming out of the box in week one a much stronger start, IMO. I'd love to start a season with a win. When's the last time that happened?
Flip side. How good of a HC was needed to get this team to play above 500? It's a fair question IMO, and I'm sure Dorsey feels the same. He has a damn good roster of talent to offer whatever coach he thinks can give him a championship. Next year is important, but the next decade is more important. How does he see that?
If Williams wins out, I think he gets the job. If not..... They were talking about the hot young coaching candidates in the NFL on PFT this morning, and there was one that really stood out to me. I think a dark horse candidate for the Browns job could be Kris Richard, former DC in Seattle, who is currently on the Cowboys staff. His title is Passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. That's assuming Dallas keeps rolling and Garrett's job is saved...The guy has an great reputation as a young up and coming star in this league.. Known as an outstanding communicator. Players really like his non-egotist coaching style, and his energy and enthusiasm.... Just a name to keep in mind...
I gotta believe "communications skills" are the most critical skills for a HC, when it comes to motivation of men. Organizational skills are also important, but those are more easily quantified, making the communication the X factor, that allows a guy who knows the game to be successful. I have no idea which of the various candidates has the comm skills best suited for the Browns, but I expect Dorsey to. Billick was asked about the interview process, and basically said that the Xs and Os just weren't what the interviews were about. I think any candidate considered has been vetted on his 'knowledge of the game", and the interview process is about the ability to form relationships, and get the best from the people around you: communication. Can the candidate "connect" and communicate with management, staff, and players. Give me that guy.
I agree. That's why I think Dallas will have a hard time retaining Richard without a promotion. Honestly, I like everything I've read and seen from this guy. The "Legion of Boom" was no joke, and that was his baby...,. Whether it's in Cleveland or not, I'm pretty sure Kris Richard will be a HC in this league next season.
I gotta wonder if Williams is given the chance to be our HC, what his plans regarding the DC would be. I can't believe Dorsey would be OK with Gregg's son being the guy. It would make it a package deal, and it's hard to believe he's the best man for the job, thus narrowing Gregg's chances for getting the HC job. I mean, he'll probably get interviews for a HC job, but if bringing his son along as DC is part of it, he's going to limit his chances. Not sure how Gregg is looking at that, but if he wants a HC job he'd better be flexible, and have a list of DCs he'd consider.
I think if Gregg becomes the full time HC, he retains the DC position as well. He hasn't given up the DC job this year, it's just that he has given the play calling duties to his son. I think that remains intact if he gets the gig. I am pulling for Williams, he is my #1 right now in week 15. To retain it, he needs to win, so I am hoping he gets it. That could possibly mean a playoff birth...Win out and fun things could be in store.
Amen. we'd all love to see that.... I think Baker is gonna erase all those miserable Cleveland memories in short order. In five years, the mantra won't be about our fails. They'll be wondering how many more Super Bowls the Browns are gonna win.
I'm not sure I want Gregg to keep the DC position, and be the HC. It could be a contentious point in the interview with Dorsey too. My preference would be to have the HC we want and to have a truly good DC too. If Williams wants the HC, Dorsey may insist he hires a DC. If Williams was to go to another team as HC, would that team want him to be DC too? I don't know, but for me, I'd like a dedicated DC, so we don't repeat the mistake we made with Hue. It's a test of your ability to "be" a HC. Can you get highly talented coaches, can you then get from them what you want, while giving them the autonomy they need? That's a HC. Are you ready to do that? It also puts him in a spot, where his natural instinct to name his son as DC is challenged vs his willingness to make the hard decision to choose a guy with the chops for the betterment of "his" team? I hope he can pass that test, choose a guy he knows, who's earned his stripes, and will work with Gregg's overall D philosophy to the advantage of the Browns. If he's ready to do that, he's clears the hurdle, and proves he's ready to make decisions, placing the team first. His son, if he's good enough and has worked on his connections, will get a job, and make his own way in the NFL. What do you think? Does the DC become a crucial factor in how Dorsey and the Browns evaluate Williams candidacy.
IMO, no...I think it's simple with Gregg. If he wins out, he stays on as HC. The team is responding to him, and why break up that momentum? I do believe that Gregg will be required to have a DC on his staff if he is named HC...Nepotism is everywhere in the NFL, so if it ends up being the younger Williams as DC, I won't be shocked at all. No doubt it'll be the same aggressive approach. One thing is for sure. Was listening to Rich Eisen podcast, and it's pretty clear that Bruce Arians is on an all out campaign for the Browns job. He claims he's not, but all evidence points to the contrary. The guy is telling anyone that will listen that he wants the job. He says he's always wanted the Cleveland job, but he's never been given an interview....If he's that passionate about it, I hope he's strongly considered, in the event that we don't win out with Williams...
If . . . the ongoing development of Mayfield is paramount (it is and should be), then retaining Freddie Kitchens should be non-negotiable. Its kind of a bass ackward approach but, in order to keep Kitchens then the most direct route would be to also retain Gregg Williams or bring in Bruce Arians as Head Coach. I believe if either Arians or Williams becomes the Head Coach, both would retain Kitchens as their OC moving forward. Arians could very well opt to keep Williams as DC to maintain some consistency in the coaching staff and bring in "his guy" as Special Teams Coordinator if he felt that was warranted.
I don't think it will be a factor at all...IF Dorsey deems a DC necessary, I think Williams would hire one in a heart beat to keep the HC job. My point is, is it a necessity? If they win out, that means the current coaching staff is 6-2...I think that would be enough proof that a new face in the coaches room may not be necessity. If they don't win out, he might have a hard time holding onto the job to begin with..
I STILL believe it is warranted!! They are now winning games despite the special teams play. They need an upgrade here!
Lym, I agree that retaining Kitchens is extremely important, for Mayfield, and should be a priority. I guess I don't see Kitchens as someone who will be hard to keep. His first OC job. That's a pretty good incentive, along with what appears to be team about to take off, and thus polish your star a little brighter. The HC is the key to Kitchens staying IMO, and I think if Williams is HC, Kitchens will get the OC position. If Arians comes in, Kitchens stays. Anybody from outside will likely want to make their own choice. Will Freddie be recruited by other NFL teams?? Not sure. If the HC job isn't decided upon quickly, both Freddie and Gregg may be taking interviews outside Clevland, and may be unavailable by the time we name the HC. I'd hate to lose both guys, and have to develope all new relationships with this young team, but "in Dorsey we trust".
Truth be told, my perspective is probably too "short term". I see what I like and whats working now and want to keep it, but Dorsey has to be thinking of the long term, and that's where the relationship between Williams and Mayfield becomes paramount. Does Dorsey see Williams / Mayfield as a 10 year marriage that can work? Kitchens has certainly shown he and Baker work well together, but with Mayfield's history, he might well develop a close and productive relationship with the next guy too. Baker has walked on and won every time, so he is adaptable. Continuity helps for next year, but there are years ahead where no matter who we have, there will always be change under the HC rank. Kitchens could be offered HC interviews if he stays and lights up the league again next year, and be gone. My recency bias makes me want to keep Williams and Kitchens, but I could understand a different choice if Dorsey doesn't see Williams as the right guy long term. On the other hand windows of oppty close a lot quicker than anyone expects, and getting one great year, with a run at the superbowl, is awfully attractive.
