I just caught this story now, even though it was released Sunday afternoon. Chuck Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News decided to talk about (or rather, "trash") the Cleveland Browns on his blog.
Past the part where he disses our owner, head coach, and quarterbacks, he has a tidbit on offensive lineman Eric Steinbach:
And my sources in Cleveland tell me that Eric Steinbach is in deep trouble. Eric Mangini likes big, bruising maulers on the offensive line.
Steinbach doesn’t fit the mold. He’s more finesse. I look for Steinbach to get released after the 2009 season. If fact, with his fat contract, he’ll be fortunate to make the 53-man roster. Don’t be shocked if he gets terminated before the ‘09 opener.
So, because Mangini likes big, bruising maulers on the offensive line, he's just going to throw away one of the league's better guards? I don't think so. There were some moves that were questionable, but understandable (trading Winslow, releasing Kevin Shaffer) -- ditching Steinbach would just be -- out there.
0 recs | 18 comments
Is Mangini trying to look like Crenel because he looks to be putting on some weight
BradyQuinnisBeast - May 5, 2009
he’s been this heavy for a few years now. I actually think it looks like he has slimmed down a bit
Roger Dorn - May 5, 2009
He used to play NT somewhere, didn’t he? Some small college?
rufio - May 5, 2009
wesleyan (in CT)
DontCallMeJoey - May 12, 2009
Steinbach might not be a mauler, but he is a baller. I think Mangini cares more about getting “football players” than getting “athletes”. Steinbach can block with the best of them, regardless of how powerful he is or isn’t.
rufio - May 5, 2009
what is the difference between football players and athletes
BradyQuinnisBeast - May 5, 2009
Mangini and a lot of media people term the kinds of guys he likes “football players”. You will often hear announcers say “that kid isn’t exceptionally big/fast/etc. but he is just flat out a football player” or something like that. Matt Roth, Aaron Kampman, and maybe Justin Smith are the prototypes.
Mangini seems to like guys who are:
tough
smart
hard working
and love to play the game of football
Conversely, you might hear an announcer say “that kid is just a flat out athlete” or sometimes “Ah-thuh-leeete”. These guys are the Vernon Davis freaks of nature out there; they are bigger, stronger, faster.
Clearly, both of those terms have multiple meanings, which is why I put them in quotes.
Now of course, ideally, you get guys who both have the freakish natural ability and the love of the game, work ethic, etc. But there are only so many of those dudes on the planet. At some point, you are forced to fill out your roster and probably even start guys who are either one or the other. In that situation, I think Mangini would choose the “football player”, which is why I don’t see him salvating over some massive guard who isn’t going to be as good as Steinbach, even though Steinbach isn’t a monster.
rufio - May 5, 2009
And 95% of the time it is a white guy.
Bernie19Kosar - May 7, 2009
I’m not going to say that you are incorrect about that percentage or if/where any causality would lie there, but let’s make sure we stay away DeBerry territory.
rufio - May 7, 2009
Ill be honest. If i see a succesful white Running back i usually like him(just because there are pretty much none and its pretty cool how hard they must have worked to get this far.) i mean, the only one i know is hillis.
BradyQuinnisBeast - May 7, 2009
Alstott was okay back when he was around.
tjk_doc - May 11, 2009
more of a FB
BradyQuinnisBeast - May 11, 2009
Your right. Than yeah Hillis is all I got to.
tjk_doc - May 12, 2009
Alstott still ran the rock. He wasn’t “just” a blocker.
rufio - May 13, 2009
He did put up good numbers in both rushing (5,088 yds/ 58 TD) and recieving (2,228yds/ 13 TD). I do recall seeing him in some games playing special teams as well.
tjk_doc - May 14, 2009
I remember before i found this site when i read these articles i beleived them. And i also had to endure the terrible yahoo! forums which were just people commenting things like:
“Mangini is fat and stupid” or “IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT THE BROWNS DO THEY WONT WIN!!!!” but most of all people saying"1st"even when they werent.
Im glad i found this place.
BradyQuinnisBeast - May 6, 2009
Welcome to the world of sanity ;)
Chris Pokorny - May 7, 2009
+1
tjk_doc - May 14, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Dawgs By Nature to post a comment.