Tuesday Morning Cleveland Browndup

Terry Pluto on Braylon Edwards and Jamal Lewis:  "What the Browns won't tell you is [what the Frowns have been telling you for weeks] the attitude of the team has improved since the trade of Braylon Edwards and the decision of Jamal Lewis to retire because of physical problems. Edwards has struggled to fit into any offense, as is obvious with the Jets. He has 23 catches in eight games since the trade, three for TDs. . . . Jamal Lewis was frustrated all season, sometimes complaining about the lack of commitment to the running game. but the truth is, Lewis is a star who lost his edge and breakaway speed."

Terry Pluto on "Opportunity Drills":  "Remember the criticism fired at Eric Mangini about the "opportunity period" after each practice open to rookies, practice squad players and guys on the bench? The Browns coaches will tell you the reason they are receiving production from the unknown players such as Brian Schaefering, Marcus Benard, Chris Jennings, Evan Moore, Jason Trusnik and others who weren't on the active roster or even with the team at the start of the season is because of these extra practice periods."

A Good Idea about Josh Cribbs:  via Mary Kay Cabot of the PD:  "Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas is convinced that Josh Cribbs could be a top running back in the NFL.  'There's no doubt,' said Thomas, after watching the game film of Cribbs rushing for 87 yards against the Steelers' top-ranked run defense. . .  '"He must have some unbelievable vision because he could see all way back to his right, there was a lane the whole way back, like some of the greatest running backs in the NFL could. He hit a seam and took it for about 20-some yards. He kind of takes the approach it's a punt return. But the vision he's got is amazing."

A Good Idea from Josh Cribbs:  Again, via Cabot:  "'To give a football coach one year to turn a football team drastically around is not possible,' [Cribbs] said. 'To get rid of coach Mangini, I don't think would be a good decision for our organization. To start rebuilding all over again, this will be three different head coach regimes in the past [three] years. Who would want to come coach here knowing if they don't win right away they're gone?'" 

The Latest Line from the Mangini Witch-hunt:  Still flailing in the wake of last week's win over Pittsburgh, Mangini witch-hunters like the Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw have taken to struggling to compare Thursday's win to last season's win over the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants.  "The Browns beat the Super Bowl champs last season, but only one two games after that and the Coach and GM still got fired," the line goes.

If the Giants were the Steelers; If these Browns were expected to contend for the Super Bowl instead of rebuilding; and if it was Mangini's third year instead of his first, Shaw might be on to something.  What will they come up with next?  Have another look at what Marla Ridenour did yesterday, and recall Shaw's and McManamon's reaction the day after the win.  Can we agree that what these folks are doing is an embarrassment? 

Bernie! Bernie!:  The folks at SportsTalkCleveland have posted an excellent NFL Films piece on Bernie Kosar on YouTube.  Part 1 is here and Part 2 is here.  You'll enjoy.

As well as these GIFs from ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary on the University of Miami football program, compiled by The Seventh Floor Blog.

Back later with more.  Happy Tuesday, in the meantime.

UPDATE:  Mike Holmgren is in Cleveland.  More on this here shortly.