Mike Pettine

[spindoc]

You a believer or not? I think I'm a believer in the guy as a head coach. Sure, one of the toughest gigs in the league. Says he's glad everyone else thinks they are a dumpster fire. I'm interested to see how they turn out.

[NKY Bandit]

I think he's creating an 'us vs. the world' kind of mantra for the season. I don't think they have the depth to compete in the division, especially with headcases at key positions.

 

That kind of stuff may last a full season in HS or college but the NFL season is too long.

[AverageJoesGym]

As a long suffering Browns fan I've been very impressed so far.

[futurecoach]

They do have a very good defense. Which gives them a chance each game.

[oldgrappler]

I am a Pettine fan. The team has improved under his tutelage. You can see he has a plan for getting better and he is sticking to it over time. He is strengthening the defense first. I like the style of play he wants from his team--physical. Need that in the AFC North. He also is no-nonsense. He has been a straight-shooter at his press conferences. If he doesn't want to say something he won't, but when he talks he is telling you the truth.

 

The thing that holds the Browns back is the QB situation. Pettine is a little bit like Rex Ryan who gave him opportunities coaching in the NFL. Rex hasn't had much luck with qbs either. Pettine needs something to work out in the QB department. I think McCown is a good veteran to hold down the job until they get a QB with potential to be a franchise QB. I think Pettine is right, they have to find a way to win with the personnel they have and he is guiding them along the best path for that to happen. Kinda like my Mom used to say, "Wish in one hand..."

 

Browns also need to get it together with WRs. I think this year is a step in the right direction. Brian Hartline gives them a solid veteran presence who works hard and does his job. Not flashy and not the most dynamic athlete but he will be there all season making catches. Dwayne Bowe is in that same mold. The younger receivers can learn from them. Hawkins can make plays after the catch.

 

Their offense is going to have to be able to run the ball. I like that too. They have three guys with good potential but have not yet proved themselves. Pettine selected a perfect RB coach for the situation. Wilbert Montgomery is a good mentor for them. He is old school and hard to please. He wants to see them work at their craft and when he doesn't see it to the degree he wants it, he calls them out. This is more of Pettine's way.

 

Defensive coaches who become Head Coaches seem to be a little hard-nosed and I like that.

[theguru]

I am a Pettine fan. The team has improved under his tutelage. You can see he has a plan for getting better and he is sticking to it over time. He is strengthening the defense first. I like the style of play he wants from his team--physical. Need that in the AFC North. He also is no-nonsense. He has been a straight-shooter at his press conferences. If he doesn't want to say something he won't, but when he talks he is telling you the truth.

 

The thing that holds the Browns back is the QB situation. Pettine is a little bit like Rex Ryan who gave him opportunities coaching in the NFL. Rex hasn't had much luck with qbs either. Pettine needs something to work out in the QB department. I think McCown is a good veteran to hold down the job until they get a QB with potential to be a franchise QB. I think Pettine is right, they have to find a way to win with the personnel they have and he is guiding them along the best path for that to happen. Kinda like my Mom used to say, "Wish in one hand..."

 

Browns also need to get it together with WRs. I think this year is a step in the right direction. Brian Hartline gives them a solid veteran presence who works hard and does his job. Not flashy and not the most dynamic athlete but he will be there all season making catches. Dwayne Bowe is in that same mold. The younger receivers can learn from them. Hawkins can make plays after the catch.

 

Their offense is going to have to be able to run the ball. I like that too. They have three guys with good potential but have not yet proved themselves. Pettine selected a perfect RB coach for the situation. Wilbert Montgomery is a good mentor for them. He is old school and hard to please. He wants to see them work at their craft and when he doesn't see it to the degree he wants it, he calls them out. This is more of Pettine's way.

 

Defensive coaches who become Head Coaches seem to be a little hard-nosed and I like that.

 

Thanks for the summary and I am glad we are starting to develop some real fans of other NFL teams here on BGP. I love talking NFL.

 

I am a fan of the Browns too but I have to be careful what I wish for. If they could just beat the Ravens and Steelers and forget about that Battle of Ohio stuff...

[UKMustangFan]

I'm not sure what he's done that's proven much of anything. Still a cellar-dweller.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Thanks for the summary and I am glad we are starting to develop some real fans of other NFL teams here on BGP. I love talking NFL.

 

I am a fan of the Browns too but I have to be careful what I wish for. If they could just beat the Ravens and Steelers and forget about that Battle of Ohio stuff...

 

The day we get another Jags fan I'll shed a tear :lol2:

[theguru]

The day we get another Jags fan I'll shed a tear :lol2:

 

I like the Jags, even spent a week in Jacksonville.

[oldgrappler]

I'm not sure what he's done that's proven much of anything. Still a cellar-dweller.

 

Nothing to brag about, yet, but I'm seeing some positive things happening. Better than in recent years. Future success largely depends on finding a good to great QB. You can only rise so high in the NFL without that. Look at NE. Brady showed up in the 6th round and was key to their success. They've been a winner ever since.

[oldgrappler]

Browns play the Jets in a preseason game tonight. The teams have been practicing together all week. Kind of an interesting way to do it.

 

The two coaches have a history together. Pettine was an assistant under Ryan at Baltimore and helped Ryan learn computer systems that the NFL was going to. When Ryan went to be HC at NY Jets he took Pettine along to be his Defensive Coordinator. They had initial success there making it to the AFC Championship game twice.

 

In 2013, Pettine went to Buffalo as DC to make a name for himself. The perception of some had been that the defense was Ryan's doing. Pettine went to Buffalo and established a tough defense there that improved in many defensive categories. That's what earned him a chance at Cleveland.

 

Here's an article on Pettine and Ryan: Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine had to grow with Rex Ryan, then leave his mentor -- Terry Pluto (photos) | cleveland.com

[bugatti]

I'm not sure what he's done that's proven much of anything. Still a cellar-dweller.

 

Dude has been there one year. Not sure if it is anything to brag about, but they were in the playoffs until the very end when they wet the bed. Not exactly a blistering offense to speak of with their best player being a head case and out of the league.

 

You can attribute some of their success to having a weaker schedule, but they still won 3 or so more games than most anticipated. That is impressive, but still not enough to say he is all of that (yet).

 

If they can't get a decent QB it doesn't matter how good he is.

[oldgrappler]

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[Habib]

Pettine is 5-1 to be the first coach fired this year. He's the second choice behind Jay Gruden at 5-2.