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Monthly Archives: May 2014
CAVS FIRE HEAD COACH MIKE BROWN A SECOND TIME
After one season in his second stint as Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown has been fired once again by owner Dan Gilbert.
Mike Brown press conference (4-16-14) after Cavs final game of the season on his future.
Brown was brought in a second time because Gilbert wanted him to reinstitute his defensive game plan and mindset with a Cavaliers basketball team that had no interest in playing defense under Byron Scott. While the Cavs made some progress defensively and improved their win total by nine games at (33-49) in a under Brown, not making the playoffs in a year Gilbert and many expected the Cavs to be in the post-season probably cost Brown his job for the second time in Cleveland.
While Brown is on his way out, interim GM David Griffin was promoted today to full-time general manager of the team and his first task will be to begin the coaching search for Mike Brown’s replacement.
Potential candidates the Cavs and Griffin could be interested in are Mark Jackson, Fred Hoiberg, Stan Van Gundy, Steve Kerr, George Karl, Lionel Hollins, Adrian Griffin, Nate McMillan, David Fizdale, Alvin Gentry Tom Izzo and John Calipari to name a few.
Griffin will hold an official press conference tomorrow morning at 11am at Cleveland Clinic Courts to address the changes.
CAVS FIRE MIKE BROWN and HIRE DAVID GRIFFIN AS GM – PRESS RELEASE
DAVID GRIFFIN NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS MIKE BROWN RELEASED AS HEAD COACH
-Offical Cavs Press Release- 5-12-14
CLEVELAND, OH – David Griffin has been named General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Mike Brown has been released as Head Coach, the team announced today. Griffin had been acting General Manager since February 6th, 2014. Brown was hired as Head Coach on April 24th, 2013.
“Our ownership group is looking forward to David Griffin leading the basketball side of our business. We interviewed several strong candidates for the GM position including Griff. We chose David as our GM because we believe he is the best person to lead our franchise at this critical time and into the future. David brings over two decades of experience. He knows the ins and outs of this league as well as anyone and is also an outstanding talent evaluator.
More importantly, he is a General Manager who is aligned with our culture and philosophy which is the foundation of how we do business. David is not only passionate about his own job but also cares deeply about the success of everyone around him. His presence alone creates an infectious positive environment with players, coaches, front office people and even our fan base. We already saw some progress in the short time David led our basketball side in the latter part of this past season. Clearly, we have substantial work ahead of us and I am confident that Griff will play an essential part of the growth and success of our organization,” said Dan Gilbert, Majority Owner of the Cavaliers.
The Cavs record was 16-33 (.326) when Griffin became acting GM, then went on to close the season with a 17-16 (.520) record following his appointment. Griffin and the Cavaliers basketball front office staff remain focused on reviewing the past season and preparing for the draft, including the pre-draft player combine in Chicago this week, as well as preparing for the upcoming NBA free agency period.
“Our ownership’s commitment to this franchise and the fans of Cleveland is absolute. I feel that commitment, not only by the resources they make available but also with their tireless passion for delivering a championship-caliber team. Our entire organization reflects that passion and commitment. I am humbled and honored to be put in position to aggressively work with them, all of our front office staff and anyone who can contribute to achieving that vision,” said Griffin.
Griffin joined the Cavaliers as vice president of basketball operations in September 2010. Prior to joining the Cavaliers, he spent 17 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, the last three as the club’s senior vice president of basketball operations after being named to the position in June 2007. Griffin joined the Suns basketball operations group in 1997 and performed various roles with the team including assistant general manager of player personnel, director of player personnel and assistant director of player personnel.
“Over the last several months it has become clear to me that the Cavaliers are on the cusp of reaching the higher level of success that we all want and our fans so greatly deserve. At the same time, it has become apparent that certain changes are needed. We now have the assets to make those necessary changes and additions to our team,” Griffin stated.
Brown finished the 2013-14 season with a 33-49 record and 10th place in the Eastern Conference. He also served as Head Coach of the Cavaliers from 2005-2010 and his life time record with the Cavs was 305-187.
“This is a very tough business. It pains all of us here that we needed to make the difficult decision of releasing Mike Brown. Mike worked hard over this last season to move our team in the right direction. Although, there was some progress from our finish over the few prior seasons, we believe we need to head in a different direction. We wish Mike and his family nothing but the best,” said Gilbert.
“Our ownership support provides the highest level of resources, flexibility and commitment to aggressively do whatever we believe needs to be done in order to win. There is no harder working or better human being in our league than Mike,” Griffin added. “This was not an easy decision. We thank Mike for his efforts and wish him, his wife Carolyn, and their family only the best.”
Griffin is leading an immediate search for the Cavaliers’ new Head Coach. The current Cavaliers assistant coaches remain under contract and working with the team.
MANZIEL VS TEBOW – FAIR OR UNFAIR?
With “Manziel Mania” running rampant in Cleveland like “‘Johnny Football” across SEC fields over the last two years I started thinking about Manziel’s career in college and it led me to think about another heralded SEC quarterback named Tim Tebow.
Like Manziel, Tebow ran and threw the ball and brought excitement to the college football world both on and off the field. Like Manziel, people questioned whether Tebow’s style of play could make it in the NFL. Was he a good enough passer? Could he play under center and read defenses? Could he understand to be successful in the league he would have to run less and throw more? Then I started wondering why will “Manziel Mania” be any different than “Tebow Mania”? What gives “TMZ Johnny” a better chance to make it over “Genuflecting Tim”? Will he last longer in the NFL than the three years that Tebow played? If so, why? Are these comparisons fair?
So I decided to go back and look at the first two years that both Tebow and Manziel started at quarterback at their respective colleges in the SEC. There are a lot of similar results that link these two together, and I think fairly raises the question, why will Manziel, drafted 22nd in the first round by the Browns in 2014 make it in the NFL, when Tebow, who was drafted 25th in the first round by the Broncos in 2010, only lasted 3 years?
(Remember these are stats and facts from the first two years as a starting quarterback only)
TIM TEBOW JOHNNY MANZIEL
6’3 – 236 pounds 5’11 – 205 pounds
Played in the SEC at Florida Played in the Sec at Texas A&M
Gesture – “Tebowing” Gesture – “Getting Paid”
1st sophomore to win the Heisman 1st freshman to win the Heisman
Won 1 National Title Did not win a National Title
Won 1 SEC Title Did not win an SEC Title
2-Time first team All-American 1-Time first team All-American
2-Time first team All-SEC 2-Time first team All-SEC
1st year as a starter 32TD passes 1st year as a starter 26TD passes
1st year as a starter 23 rush TD’s 1st year as a starter 21 rush TD’s
Total TD’s in first year (53) Total TD’s in first year (47)
1st year as a starter 3,286yrds passing 1st year as a starter 3,706yrds passing
1st year as a starter 895yrds rushing 1st year as a starter 1,410yrds rushing
1st year total yards 4,181 yards 1st year total yards 5,116 yards
First 2 years as a starter 62 TD passes First 2 years as a starter 63 TD passes
First 2 years as a starter 35 rushing TD’s First 2 years as a starter 30 rushing TD’s
Total TD’s in first 2 years (97) Total TD’s in first two years (93)
Total INT’s thrown first 2 years (10) Total INT’s thrown in first 2 years (22)
66% completion percentage first 2 years 69% completion percentage first 2 years
Total passing yards first 2 years (6,033) Total passing yards in first 2 years (7,820)
Total rush yards first 2 years (1,568) Total rush yards in first 2 years (2,169 yards)
Total yards in first 2 years (7,601) Total yards in first 2 years (9,989)
Both played with heart, desire and passion at the college level. Both were great leaders on the field. But after looking at the numbers and information provided above, is there anything that really stands out as to why Johnny Manziel has a chance to be a better quarterback in the NFL than Tim Tim Tebow? I’m not saying Manziel will. I’m not saying he won’t. I’m just presenting you with comparable information and stats for the two players and would love to hear your reasons why you believe one way or another. Let me know here at www.KennyRoda.com or on Twitter @TheKennyRoda.
WHAT DO THE NATIONAL WRITERS THINK OF THE BROWNS 2014 DRAFT?
Bleacher Report – (B+)
All the offseason tumult settled down for the Cleveland Browns, and Ray Farmer was left sitting in the general manager’s seat when the dust settled. He had plenty of work to do if he was going to turn the Browns from perennial pariah to contender anytime soon. He got off to a hot start in the first round.
The Browns made a great move to trade down, nabbing future first- and fourth-round picks from the Buffalo Bills to move down five spots. Then they pulled a bit of a head-scratcher to move up one spot and take cornerback Justin Gilbert out of Oklahoma State when it was unlikely the Minnesota Vikings would have selected him. Of course, the big news—at least out of the first day of the draft—was Farmer’s move to nab former Aggie Johnny Manziel, the most electrifying and polarizing quarterback in the draft.
The Browns announced season-ticket sales soared after the first round, which is proof positive that some players do sell tickets. The rest of the draft, however, was no picnic.
Just before the second round started, bombshell news broke that Josh Gordon is facing a yearlong suspension, per T.J. Quinn and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN.com. Speculation immediately sprung up that Cleveland would take a receiver or two. Instead, Farmer avoided the position altogether.
Outside of snagging talented small-school cornerback Pierre Desir out of Lindenwood, the rest of the draft was a letdown for Farmer and Browns fans.
SI.Com – (B+)
The first day of the draft may have been among the most exciting stretches in franchise history, what with a trade down and then two trades up, netting the Browns CB Justin Gilbert and QB Johnny Manziel. There was talent found after that, as well, namely versatile OL Joel Bitonio and CB Pierre Desir — the latter a remarkable value at No. 127 overall. RB Terrance West is a sleeper. But Desir was Cleveland’s final pick, and there was nary a receiver to be found among the previous five choices.
SBNation.com (B-)
The Browns were the story of the first day of the draft, trading three times in the first round. The Gilbert selection was the pick head coach Mike Pettine wanted. Manziel was likely the one general manager Ray Farmer and owner Jimmy Haslam wanted. Those picks give Cleveland some identity. But the Browns needed a wide receiver even before the news about Josh Gordon came out. To pass on the position was puzzling. There were some very good options when Kirksey was the pick in the third round. West is a perfect backup for Ben Tate. He wins with power running and vision. Desir has upside and will push Buster Skrine.
CBSSports.com (B-)
I loved the move to go up and get Johnny Manziel in the first, but why pass on receiver with the Josh Gordon situation? I don’t get that at all. They took a corner with their first first-round pick Justin Gilbert instead of a receiver. That drops the grade for me. They did get a 2015 first-round pick from Buffalo.
YahooSports.com (A)
WalterFootball.com (C+)
Goals Entering the 2014 NFL Draft: The Browns haven’t made the playoffs since the 2002 season. They also haven’t had a franchise quarterback since their franchise reentered the NFL in 1999. It’s time for that to change. They have to find a signal-caller who can transform them into a perennial playoff contender. Otherwise, they need to find another offensive play-maker, upgrade the offensive line and bolster a couple of positions on the defense.
2014 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Cleveland’s draft is very difficult to grade. On one hand, the Johnny Manziel selection was excellent. No one would have been too upset if the team had taken him at No. 4, but being able to secure him with the second choice was brilliant. The Browns sold 2,000 season tickets within the first 48 hours, and their franchise was in the national discussion for the first time in more than a decade. Manziel is the play-making superstar Cleveland desperately needed.
On the other hand, what the hell are the Browns going to do at receiver in the wake of Josh Gordon’s impending suspension? They shouldn’t have taken Sammy Watkins at No. 4 because they were able to obtain a 2015 first-round choice in the process – another terrific move – but why not grab Marqise Lee at No. 35? How about moving up from No. 71 to obtain Allen Robinson, Davante Adams or Jordan Matthews? Or, what about Martavis Bryant, Donte Moncrief, Cody Latimer or Paul Richardson at other junctures? It’s impossible that the Browns didn’t like a single wideout in this loaded class. Other teams took receivers, so why didn’t Cleveland, considering the circumstances?
Again, this is a tough grade. I was ready to give the Browns an “A” after the first day, but they bombed the rest of the process. They found some nice players like Terrence West and Pierre Desir, but they’ve ensured that their rookie signal-caller will struggle because he won’t have anyone to throw to.
AFC NORTH 2014 COMPLETE TEAM DRAFT PICKS AND GRADES
CLEVELAND BROWNS – GM – Ray Farmer – Overall Grade ( B-)
1st – 8th – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
1st – 22nd – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2nd – 35th – Joel Bitonio, OG, Nevada
3rd – 71st – Christian Kirksey, OLB, Iowa
3rd – 94th – Terrance West, RB, Towson
4th – 127th – Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
*(Picked up Buffalo’s 1st Round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS – GM – Kevin Colbert – Overall Grade (B+)
1st – 15th – Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
2nd – 46th – Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
3rd – 97th – Dri Archer, WR, Kent State
4th – 118th – Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
5th – 157th – Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona
5th – 173rd – Wesley Johnson, C, Vanderbilt
6th – 192nd – Jordan Zumwalt, OLB, UCLA
6th – 215th – Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee
7th – 230th – Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts
BALTIMORE RAVENS – GM – Ozzie Newsome – Overall Grade (B+)
1ST – 17TH – C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
2nd – 48th – Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
3rd – 79th – Terrence Brooks, FS, Florida State
3rd – 99th – Crockett Gillmore, TE, Colorado State
4th – 134th – Brent Urban, DE, Virginia
4th – 138th – Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Coastal Carolina
5th – 175th – John Urschel, OG, Penn State
6th – 194th – Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State
7th – 218th – Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest
CINCINNATI BENGALS – GM – Mike Brown – Overall Grade (B)
1st – 24th – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
2nd – 55th – Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
3rd – 88th – Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia
4th – 111th – Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina
5th – 164th – AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
6th – 212th – Marquis Flowers, OLB, Arizona
7th – 239th – James Wright, WR, LSU
7th – 252nd – Lavelle Westbrooks, CB, Georgia Southern
CLEVELAND BROWNS 2014 NFL DRAFT PICKS – 6 PLAYERS
1st – 8th – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Gilbert fills a need at cornerback opposite Joe Haden. He gives the Browns potentially the best cornerback tandem in the AFC North. A cover corner with long arms, a good vertical jump who always seems to be in good position and around the ball. Not a good tackler and needs some work on his technique and getting closer to receivers at the line of scrimmage for a better jam. BONUS- A great return man who can take it the distance as he did 6 times in college. – Should be a starter from day one.
1st – 22nd – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Like “Johnny Football”, the Browns maneuvered their way around the first round to come back and get who they hope will be their franchise quarterback of the future. A mobile, accurate QB with big hands, who was highly successful against the toughest competition on a week-in, week-out basis in the country. Has great leadership and plays with a lot of heart, desire, passion and was a playmaker in college. The big question is will his short stature allow him to make those same plays at the NFL level and can his smaller frame withstand the physical punishment of faster, quicker, stronger, more violent defenders in the NFL? It would be best for him to not be thrown to the wolves, especially considering the first game of the regular season is on the road at Pittsburgh. Sitting and learning for AT LEAST a half a season would be extremely beneficial to him. – But I could see if the Browns start the season 0-3 and head into their bye week winless, you might see him start the 4th game of the season at Tennessee.
2nd – 35th – Joel Bitonio, OG, Nevada
Played left tackle in college but is probably better suited as an inside guy at guard, however his versatility is a major plus. When Mike Pettine was talking about getting tougher he had Bitonio in mind. Has a nasty steak in him which the Browns need. – Should be a starter from day one.
3rd – 71st – Christian Kirksey, OLB, Iowa
Not a very powerful linebacker but has good athleticism, is quick, agile and a motor that never stops. Also a good cover backer. Needs to separate from blockers better. – Should start on special teams, but is 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart at linebacker.
3rd – 94th – Terrance West, RB, Towson
A power back that will get you the tough yards in short yardage situations. Prefers to deliver the blow as opposed to taking it, but that was against smaller competition, we’ll see if he’s able to do the same in the NFL. Has a good stiff arm, catches the ball well and has good feet. Ball security must improve again against stronger competition and needs to work on his blocking. – Has a chance to be Ben Tate’s backup right away.
4th – 127th – Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
Was the small college defensive player of the year at Lindenwood. 25 career interceptions. Has good size at 6’1, plus long arms at 33 inches and enjoys contact. But is raw and didn’t play against elite competition often and when he did in the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl he was very inconsistent. – Should help on special teams and the Browns will try and develop him in to a starter down the road.
SI.Com’s THOUGHTS ON HOW THE BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED THROUGH 3 ROUNDS
1st Round – 8th – Justin Gilbert – CB – 6-0, 200 – Oklahoma State (Trade down with Bills, up with Vikes)
The Browns and new head coach Mike Pettine pick up a major asset in Gilbert, making their defense that much more formidable. They’ll just have to hope the much-needed quarterback they desire is still there later in the first round. – Doug Farrar – SI.com
1st Round – 22nd – Johnny Manziel – QB – 5-11, 210 – Texas A&M (Trade up with the Eagles)
Getting Manziel at this spot is a win for both sides. The Browns get the quarterback they so clearly need, and Manziel gets the pressure taken off a bit. The question is, who mentors him? New head coach Mike Pettine is a tough guy, Kyle Shanahan really isn’t, but the risk has been taken. The upside is enormous, and the potential pitfall is just as deep. – Doug Farrar – SI.com
2nd Round – 35 – Joel Bitonio – OT/OG – 6-4, 315 – Nevada
Bitonio turns a solid spot — the offensive line — into an obvious strength for Cleveland. The versatile Nevada product could handle a starting guard job or bump Mitchell Schwartz inside from his RT tackle position. This draft spot is pretty fair for Bitonio’s talent level. But when are the Browns going to get Johnny Manziel a receiver, now that Josh Gordon may be done for the year? – Chris Burke – SI.com
3rd Round – 71 – Christian Kirksey – OLB – 6-2, 220 – Iowa
A bit higher than Kirksey was projected to go, but he fits the mold of linebacker that the Browns want. He’s physical and can do a lot of different things on defense, including dropping effectively in coverage. Cleveland likely will slot him at an inside LB spot. – Chris Burke – SI.com
3rd Round – 94 – Terrance West – RB – 5-11, 222 – Towson (Trade up with the 49ers)
Strength of opponent questions will undoubtedly dog West, but when you isolate his skillset, it becomes clear that the 5-11, 222-pound back can get to the edge in a big hurry, and has an impressive second burst for his size. West doesn’t have much of a learning curve. – Doug Farrar