The Denver Broncos hired a new coach this year and they are currently 6-0. Josh McDaniels, the former Patriot offensive coordinator and a northeastern Ohio native has made some changes in the Mile High City, and as of this point in the season, those alterations have had a profound effect.
Meanwhile, back here in Cleveland, the Browns hired a new coach and they are struggling along at 1-5. Eric Mangini, a former Patriot defensive coordinator and head coach of the New York Jets, has made sweeping changes here and seems willing to make more.
Will the Browns ever reach the heights the Broncos are now enjoying?
McDaniels even traded his so-called “franchise” quarterback, Jay Cutler, received what many would consider a journeyman in return in Kyle Orton, and still Denver in winning. Most experts thought the Broncos were devoid of talent going into the season, yet here they sit as one of the NFL unbeaten teams after six weeks.
Because of the trade, McDaniels picked up an extra first round pick, and although Robert Ayers and Knowshon Moreno are both contributing, they haven’t been difference makers. Why have the Broncos zoomed to the top of the AFC, while the Browns look to be preparing for another top ten pick in the 2010 NFL Draft?
Both teams have outstanding tackles to anchor the offensive line in Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady. However, the Broncos have better skill players, such as Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal at wide receiver. The Browns have nobody of this ilk, and in fact, traded one of their few playmakers in Braylon Edwards.
The difference is McDaniels looked at his roster, saw talent there, and decided to work with it, making some additions of players he liked. Mangini decided to gut the roster, and bring in only guys he was comfortable working with. That process takes more time. Whether it will be more successful in the long run, only time will tell.
Coaches earn their money but handling some difficult players, something Mangini doesn’t seem to want to do. McDaniels worked things out with Marshall, one of the many diva wide receivers in the NFL. For Mangini, if you aren’t a certain type of player, then you are out of here. Good coaches look at the talent available, and figure out how to get the most out of it.
Also, gutting the roster and getting draft picks in return seems like a good strategy, but you have to make the correct picks. So far, no one can feel confident that the Browns will cash in on the extra picks they have accumulated. The fact that out of the three second round picks from this past draft, only one is a regular contributor (Mohammed Massaquoi), doesn’t give fans a sense of optimism.
Mangini’s method may ultimately work, but from a fans’ standpoint, most people were looking for improvement in 2009. The people in Denver have seen a big step up, the people in Cleveland have not as of yet. Most people thought the Browns underachieved last season, and the right coaching would lead to more wins.
As of now, it’s difficult to make that case.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 