Looking Forward to the 2019 AFC North

No doubt. All the rumors getting thrown around today, regarding who's getting hired, are the typical garbage nonsense that writers throw out just to get traction and views.

Even if it is Gase, that sure as hell wouldn't be decided right now. I'm with the thinking that it's Gregg Williams, and keeping the current staff on hand. Sure seemed to work, for the back half of the year. Are they a stellar team, yet? By no means. But I think it merits giving him more time. The only argument against that is the, "Young QB, get a young, offensive HC in there", but I don't think that's enough / there are a lot of vacancies, as you pointed out, Tim.

 

Question for the group:

Does anyone think Todd Haley is on any of the other seven lists?

 

Question for the group:

Does anyone think Todd Haley is on any of the other seven lists?

 

So very true.

The issue with having an elite defense will always remain that they will have be the reaction to the action of the offense and no matter how you cut it- the offense has the advantage.

I honestly believe that on D, all we REALLY need is a legit pass rusher ( feel free to let give us Garrett!)

2k

 

With his less than stellar history running the offense?????? I'd rather just give the job to Kitchens with only half a season of experience calling plays.

Hopefully Dee Haslam can keep Jimmy occupied with some shiny object and let Dorsey do his job finding a HC.

 

I think these are both high probability choices, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they went with Kitchens for Baker's second season and continued to develop and work the roster for a potential coaching hire in 2020 if it looks to be stalled with Freddie.

He already has a solid relationship with Mayfield so getting him a complimentary staff might be the way to go. Hire a defensive coordinator like Vance Joseph and let him run the defense while Kitchens works on building an offense around the franchise quarterback.

That is probably my preferred option at this moment.

 

He shouldn't be, but NFL teams make all sorts of decisions I don't understand, on a routine basis. Coaching has always been the field most rife for those kinds of re-hashed, likely bad decisions. I think he gets an interview somewhere, but I doubt he gets hired - though I'll be pleasantly surprised if he does. The more drama happening elsewhere, the better.

 

I do, but only because he will be there by default.

With so many vacancies, and we already know there are going to be recycled names involved in the process, someone may have to settle for a coach like Todd that has experience in play-calling and being at the top of the ladder.

Arizona immediately comes to mind.

 

Kitchens from RB coach to HC in one season? I hear what you're saying - and I'm sure that the Browns wouldn't want to lose him to another team's vacancy next year, if he continues his success as the OC. But I don't know that I'd want to dump a currently working formula, so quickly. Keep it as is, and tell Kitchens that he's the next man up, if Williams falters. That keeps both guys in position, and gives you a contingency if something doesn't work. I just don't think I'd be ready to create more turnover so quickly. Of course, this presumes a continued happy marriage between staff in Cleveland.

 

All good points, but . . .

If your roster plan is find and develop a core group of players for the long haul, then why wouldn't the same plan fit for the coaching staff? In other words, put your staff in place now for the long haul - and let the chemistry between staff and players grow over that time frame.

Kitchens would fit the long haul mode. I just don't know if he's ready for a quantum step up to head coach.

 

I don't have faith in Gregg Williams to repeat this season's success next year. I'd rather put my primary focus on Baker and hire a defensive coordinator that can basically run the defense autonomously.

I understand the want to keep Gregg, but I don't have the confidence in him that many of the Browns faithful here do.

 

I think you can mitigate that some by hiring a defensive coordinator with head coaching experience.

Getting a staff around Kitchens that lessens his burden to a degree so that he can learn the nuances of being the lead dog would be the key, IMO.

 

Tim, you realize the Browns have a meddling owner?

 

Doesn't change the fact that it's an obvious issue that involves a large chunk of salary that said owner is paying out.

Or are you talking about something other than the hiring of Gase?

 

I don't disagree with this or your statement before it, presuming that Williams is indeed due for failure. It would be a sound plan. However, it sounds like also setting yourself up for another coaching carousel, if Kitchens also can't do it.

I don't necessarily have faith in Williams, but I have enough that I'll let Kitchens be the man in waiting and step in when / if necessary, rather than accelerating any turnover now. I guess we'll see if Dorsey has the same overriding lack of faith in Williams.

Despite the success this year, looks like Browns fans will still be holding their breath until everything is confirmed. Just hoping the train stays on the tracks...

 

We already have a defensive coordinator with head coaching experience. I simply just don't see a need to tinker with the coaching staff that much.

• Hire a full time head coach. Be that Williams or Arians.
• If it's Arians, retain Williams as DC.
• If it's Williams, then seek out a compatible DC (other than Gregg's son).

 

Hiring Gase. The owner just seems to stick his nose into things enough to somehow mess it up. He would be better served by letting Dorsey do it , but my money is on his dumb ass hiring Gase.

 

I think the Browns are going to be extremely pro-active in rebuilding the staff. They have a lot of cap space and look to have the most important position on offense locked in for the next decade and a half.

It depends on if they look at Williams complete body of work or if they go off of the bubble of mid-season takeover that can be evaluated many ways.

 

Agreed.

 

We can simply call it a difference in personal preference, very early in the 2019 off-season.