Archives for January 2014

‘Clearly, the Browns’ management had no plan beyond dumping Chudzinski.’

‘While Pettine made some improvements, the defense still has a few weaknesses. The Bills were 28th in rushing yards allowed and 20th in scoring defense. The team could use a boost at linebacker to help defend against the run. And while the Bills have some good young safeties, they could use an upgrade at cornerback. Schwartz will be able to help in some of those areas and build off the Bills’ progress in 2013. During his stint with Tennessee, the Titans defense was a top 10 unit three times.’

‘While he was in Tennessee, Schwartz’s defenses finished in the top 10 against the run in five of eight seasons, including No. 1 in 2003. The Titans finished in the top 10 in overall defense three times under Schwartz.’

‘Schwartz, who did not respond to a late-night text message, took a more hands-on role with the Lions defense this year and the team responded with its best defensive effort of his tenure.’

‘Detroit is scheduled to host Buffalo twice next season, once in the preseason and again in the regular season. It’s worth noting Detroit will welcome an undetermined AFC opponent to Ford Field on Thanksgiving.’

‘The Bills also reached a deal to hire one of Schwartz’s former assistants, Todd Downing, to become quarterbacks coach.’

‘Prior to taking the job with the Lions, Schwartz served as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans from 2001-08.’

“Todd Downing is a bright and energetic coach. He is familiar with our personnel at the quarterback position and he will play a key role in the development of all of the quarterbacks on the Bills’ roster,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said. “He played a pivotal role in the development of Detroit’s quarterbacks during his tenure — most notably Matthew Stafford, the franchise’s all-time leading passer. Downing will be a valuable addition to our offensive coaching staff.”‘

‘”We are excited to add a talented and accomplished coordinator in Jim Schwartz to our staff,” said Bills head coach Doug Marrone. “Schwartz has led aggressive and productive defensive units throughout his time in the NFL and we feel our defense will continue to improve under his leadership.”‘

‘Downing, 33, will enter his 12th year in the NFL coaching ranks and fourth as a quarterbacks coach. He served in the same capacity with the Detroit Lions from 2011-13 helping Lions QB Matthew Stafford become the Lions’ franchise leading passer (17,457 career passing yards) in 2013.’

‘”We had talent in Tennessee with our defense when Schwartz first became our coordinator, but it had to be re-cultivated,” Bulluck told DetroitLions.com. “It was the same thing with Detroit. They drafted talent but it had to be cultivated.”‘

‘”Looking back on my year with the Bills, it’s a bittersweet thing for me to leave there,” Pettine said. “I had such a tremendous year there with that organization.”‘

‘Safety Aaron Williams, whose career was resurrected by Pettine when the 47-year-old coach switched him from cornerback to safety, said via Twitter, “This is a crazy business. It’ll be my fourth year in the NFL and I’ve had a new DC every year.”‘

Cleveland Browns get their man in Mike Pettine, who promises a team ‘built on toughness’ (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Browns coach Mike Pettine on QB Brian Hoyer: “He’s a winner, intangibles are off the charts” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Mike Pettine Sr.’s reaction par for the course after his son was named Cleveland Browns coach (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Now that a coach has been hired, Cleveland Browns front office is on the spot (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Cleveland Browns run the same old route to another new head coach (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Why Mike Pettine will have to work to win over Cleveland Browns fans – and more importantly, players (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Browns hire Mike Pettine as their new head coach (Akron Beacon Journal)

Mike Pettine says he’s betting on himself as new coach of Browns (Akron Beacon Journal)

‘Radioactive’ Browns appear to be set up for Mike Pettine to fail (Akron Beacon Journal)

When a coach is introduced, it always sounds wonderful (Akron Beacon Journal)

Coach Mike Pettine scrambles to assemble staff (Akron Beacon Journal)

New Browns coach Mike Pettine’s playing and coaching history (Akron Beacon Journal)

Browns hire Mike Pettine as head coach (Willoughby News Herald)

New coach Mike Pettine says Browns in position to win (Willoughby News Herald)

Browns news conference was a lot of white noise (Willoughby News Herald)

Pettine says Hoyer has potential to win (Willoughby News Herald)

Mike Pettine introduced as coach of Browns (Elyria Chronicle Telegram)

New Browns coach Mike Pettine brings toughness and demands it (Elyria Chronicle Telegram)

Browns find their “Curly,” defend length of search, disagree with perception of organization (Elyria Chronicle Telegram)

Winning is the only thing that can save Browns (Elyria Chronicle Telegram)

Mike Pettine Jr. named Browns head coach (Canton Repository)

A return to “Martyball?” (Canton Repository)

Pettine’s gamble paying off (Canton Repository)

We can assume Browns settled in hiring Pettine (Erie Times News)

Browns name Mike Pettine head coach (Fox Sports Ohio)

Browns have a new general in town (Fox Sports Ohio)

With search over, will Browns give Pettine a real chance to succeed? (Fox Sports Ohio)

Q&A with Haslam and Banner (Fox Sports Ohio)

Browns tab Mike Pettine as coach (ESPN)

Pettine’s daughter ‘learned lesson’ (ESPN)

Battle-scarred Browns begin the healing process with the hiring of Mike Pettine as head coach (ESPN Cleveland)

Browns end search with appointment of Mike Pettine as seventh head coach since 1999 (ESPN Cleveland)

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (ESPN Cleveland)

Browns name Mike Pettine head coach (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Mike Pettine ‘Going to set high standards’ (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Pettine’s way: accountability = toughness (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Football is in Mike Pettine’s DNA (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Analyzing Browns’ choice of Pettine (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Get To Know Coach Pettine (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Mike Pettine press conf. transcript – 1/23 (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Photo gallery (ClevelandBrowns.com)

‘”Mike is the epitome of what we want the Browns to be – tough, aggressive and innovative – with a blue-collar, team-first mentality,” owner Jimmy Haslam said in a statement.’