While We’re Waiting…Analyzing Wisconsin, Pryor Booed, Mangini Jumping Ship, Dan Gilbert Is All In
October 11, 2009Week 5 Open Thread: Browns vs. Bills
October 11, 2009The big debate yesterday afternoon centered around comments made by Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan at his Friday afternoon press conference. Rob comes from a family of outspoken coaches and takes after his father Buddy and brother Rex. He had a few blow ups in Oakland at the press table after his defenses were exposed while coaching for that moribund franchise. Much like his brother in NY, he was always a great quote but did not have to address the media as regularly as he has done in Cleveland. Ryan has already indirectly questioned the official’s call from last week on the Bengals game winning field goal. The debate yesterday revolved around comments he made about the opposing team’s quarterback in Buffalo today.
On Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, Ryan articulated:
I don’t think that’s [Bengals quarterback] Carson Palmer back there by any stretch. Absolutely, he’s not. Not too many quarterbacks are. The guy can run and do some things, but we’ve played Brett Favre, we’ve played Carson Palmer. Those are two pretty good quarterbacks right there. This guy [Edwards] always seems to have a lot to say, so I’m going to say the same thing. Let’s go. Let’s get it on, see what he’s all about this week.”
Ryan hinted that there might be some bitterness from comments made by Edwards last year after the Bills defeated his Raiders defense. This is certainly an approach at the podium that is in stark contrast with the mumbling ambiguities of Eric Mangini. One has to wonder what the head coach thinks about Ryan shooting from the hip and taking on Edwards prior to the game.
I was at a wedding reception yesterday afternoon and many had seen the comments in the press and a spirited debate ensued. Do you approve of this approach? One side argued that the defensive coordinator of an 0-4 team should keep his mouth shut and avoid talking negatively about any other team or player in the league. The “bulletin board” phenomenon can be overblown. At the end of the day, it is Trent Edwards and not Brett Favre or Carson Palmer.
While his comments may have been accurate, did he really need to go public? The other side of argument is that he is trying to get in Edwards head and that this approach is refreshing especially when you are forced to listen to those mumblings of Mangini so often. However you feel about his approach at the press table, one thing is for sure: he has put the pressure on his defense to show up today and contain Trent Edwards.
(Photo: Tracy Boulian, Plain Dealer)
9 Comments
i like it. don’t you think this team lacks fire?
Screw bulletin board material. everyone wants to beat everyone in this league. If I had my way, i’d promote him to head coach right now (after ManStupid leaves for the ACC) – at least it seems he cares. Ryan has actually fired me back up to root hard for this team.
LETS GO BROWNS!!
I agree. Love it. That’s tactful shooting from the hip…it’s accepted everywhere…
concerning “bulletin board material”….is this to suggest that highly paid athletes that have been competing since they were 5 years old are going to somehow play better because of something derogatory said by another team. I always hate this sports cliche more than anything other….as though there is some higher gear available if a player feels disrespected. drives me nuts….
I am a bills fan. Trent edwards sucks! How do you have 2 good wr’s and not do good? I want the browns to win today even tho I picked the bills….. if the browns get stomped today then start the draft preview
@matt- you don’t think there is a higher gear? athletes get blase about playing their sport. They clearly can turn it on when they want to. (example: Lebron) nuff said.
i like what ryan is doing. after last weeks intensity (great pic above) i think its a good coaching move to make the browns D feel like they need to back up their coach’s words. its a smart way to apply some pressure to these guy and build a team attitude
@4 victory330.. are you the former browns fan that got this email last season?
From: Savage, Phil
Subject: Re: Browns
To: xxxxxxx
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:17 AM
Go root for Buffalo-f#@* you-
@Lebron……if they can somehow turn it on and off due to being disrespected (or any other factor), then i want my money back for all the games they are not playing 100%
He delivered!