(On what he wants people to see in his offense) - “I want them to see a smart, tough, tenacious group.”

(On how he can get that from his offense) - “We are going to do whatever we need to do try to win each particular week. One week it could be running the ball a bunch and the next week it could be passing the ball. In terms of our physical and mental approach, our aim is to be tough, smart, competitive and tenacious.”

(On where he takes his offensive principles from) - “That’s a good question. I’ve learned offense from a couple different people. I’ve been in this league for about 10 years. Some of it is from Charlie (Weis), some of it is from Brian Schottenheimer, some from Bill Callahan, Dante Scarnecchia, Tater (Carl) Smith; there is a lot of guys. Our offense is kind of a conglomeration of a lot of different things. They are the things that we believe in as coaches on this staff to make up the Browns offense.”

(On the challenges of being a coordinator for the first time) - “I started out as a defensive assistant under Bill (Belichick). I had the opportunity in college to work for Nick Saban. I moved on with Eric. I got to work with Romeo (Crennel). I’ve worked with a lot of good coaches. Each step that I took from defensive assistant to receiver coach to quarterback (coach) it has kind of been a natural progression and this is just the next step.”

(On what he can take from being around Tom Brady and Brett Favre and how he can apply it to the quarterbacks here) - “I think each player in this league is different whether it be Brett or Tom Brady or Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson. The reason why those guys were successful was one, because of talent but two, because of their approach. They were very diligent workers; never say quit attitude; in the office early, out late; priding themselves on being very good practice players. In order to be a good football player, whether it be quarterback, running back, tight end, it doesn’t matter the position, you have to have those qualities.”

(On if the news with Donte’ Stallworth affects the wide receiver position) - “No different then we approached it in OTAs and minicamps. The guys that we have here, we are going to coach them hard, we expect them to do the right things and the best players are going to play.”

(On if Stallworth is in the team’s plans) - “I think the Browns made a statement and I will just leave it at that.”

(On an overview of the quarterbacks) - “Both of them have been in here early and out late like the guys I just mentioned. They have been working extremely hard. They are competitive with one and other. Tater (Carl) Smith has been doing a good job with them. They are competitive. They are learning the system the best way they can learn it. There are some mistakes out there, and there are some other days where they are doing really well. Right now it’s an open competition.”

(On who is going to win the quarterback competition) – “The best player is going to win it.”

(On what he likes about the quarterbacks) - “The things I like about them are basically the things I’ve been talking about. They are smart, tough, competitive, and they can both throw the football. What we are looking for at the quarterback position is someone who can get into the huddle, call the football play, get the people lined up, understand where to make the Mike points, understand when they are hot sight, the whole mechanics of the huddle operation. The next thing is decision making and who can perform the best under pressure. Right now we have been out there without any pads on. The situations that we have presented them are that we have been trying to put as much pressure situations as we can, but when the pads come on that will kind of sort itself out.”

(On if he worries that there will be a learning curve with the quarterbacks splitting reps) - “No, nope.”

(On how you keep a quarterback controversy from dividing the team) - “I haven’t seen any division with this team. I think each player on this team is worrying about there own job and their own responsibility. You can see out there, there have been a lot of guys shuffling in and out from the offensive line to the receivers to the quarterbacks to the tight ends. What we are looking for as a coaching staff is to put the best players out there, the best 11 that are going to give us a chance to win.”

(On if offensive penalties are a reflection of the quarterback) - “I think it’s a reflection of the entire unit. It will start with me and it will permeate throughout the rest of the guys on offense. That just goes back to the goals I said earlier, we are going to be smart, we are going to be tough and we are going to be competitive. The players that give us the best chance to do that will be the ones out there playing.”

(On if Quinn has a leg up because of his background with Charlie Weis) - “No. Derek has been exposed to some of the stuff that they did last year with (Rob) Chudzinski. Brian Schottenheimer was with him in San Diego. Again, the offense isn’t just Charlie’s offense or Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, it is our offense. It is the Cleveland Browns managed first under Eric and then myself. I don’t think that gives one guy a particular advantage.”

(On assessing the running backs) - “Great group of guys in the classroom, I will start with that first; professionals. Gary Brown has been working hard with all of them whether it be Jamal (Lewis) or JC (Jerome Harrison), Noah Herron or the rookies. They are a true professional group. It has been a pleasure to be around those guys. They are smart. They have done a good job at these OTAs of picking up their responsibilities, whether it is in protection, running to the right hole, catching the football, it has been a good group to work around.”

(On if he is for or against using both quarterbacks) - “Whatever gives us the best us the best chance to win. I think by September 13 we will have settled in on a quarterback, but you can’t rule anything out.”

(On if he is happy with the progress of the installation process) - “Yeah. We have thrown a ton of information at them and our philosophy is the ‘whole-part-whole” philosophy; give them as much information as they can handle and probably more than they can handle. Come back, so the next time they hear it, which will be in training camp, they will be better served. Each day there has been progress, there has been some ups and some downs, but overall the improvement has been steady.”

(On the wide receiver corps) - “Just like the group I talked about with the running backs, Braylon Edwards has been in here working. He has been doing a really nice job. He has been into the meetings. He has been doing everything he can do to help out the younger guys. In the same sense, we’ve got a couple guys off the street we signed that are older guys in Mike Furrey and David Patten who are exceptional leaders. I have been with David at New England. Mike has come in and really picked up the slack in that group in terms of helping the young guys understand the pro football game and playing your spot. Some young guys there, some mix of old guys, I am happy with the group to this point.”

(On if he has ever been in a situation like the one in Cleveland where the offense didn’t score in the last six games) - “I don’t think so.”

(On how challenging the situation is) - “I don’t think last year has anything to do with what we are going to do this year.”

(On using Joshua Cribbs as an offensive weapon) - “We’ve been using him as a receiver right now. Again, in terms of installing a system, there is a lot of information that we put in these guys each day. Right now, he’s been playing receiver, that’s where he has been slotted. As far as how we use him, that will depend each week on game plan.”

(On Eric Steinbach’s weight) - “I think each guy has a weight that they are comfortable playing with. There are a lot of people that make that decision the doctors, trainers, the weight guys and Eric. Whatever his weight is, I am sure it will be the best weight for him.”

(On if he is looking forward to working with Cribbs) - “Sure. I look forward to having the rest of the receivers, too, in that unit. Cribbs is a good kid. He is smart. You can tell he loves the game of football. He is very passionate about his job. He fits right into the room with the other guys we’ve got.”

(On is there a chance Brett Ratliff could look the best in the preseason because of his familiarity with the offense) - “I don’t know, we are not to the preseason yet. Ratty has come in and he is working hard with those other quarterbacks. It has some similarities, but again the system isn’t the exact same system we had in New York so there is a learning curve for him too.”

(On when he would like to have a quarterback decision made by) - “We don’t have a timetable.”

(On defensive players playing on offense like they did with Mike Vrabel in New England) - “I think Rob (Ryan) is probably big enough to play tight end.”

(On if Alex Mack can play from day one) - “He is going to determine that. In terms of the line, George Warhop has done a nice job of mixing and matching those guys in these last camps. The thing you’ve got to do there is you only get a specific amount of guys you can bring to a game. All of those guys have been working numerous spots, trying to create as much position flexibility as you can.”

(On if Jamal Lewis has enough left in the tank) - “I was on the offensive side, but I remember that run he had against the Jets. I wasn’t happy that day he had it. He is a tough, hard-nosed runner, smart. I am anxious to see him when we get some pads on with this offense.”

(On if there were any surprises moving into the coordinator role) - “No.”

(On if it will be tough to call plays) - “Again it’s a week to week thing, whatever is going to give our football team the best chance to win. There are a lot of people that have a say in that, starting with Eric. ”

(On where he will call plays from) - “I haven’t talked to Eric about that yet.”

(On Derek Anderson in 2007) – “I don’t want to really go back to 2007.”

(On what he tells the quarterbacks) - “I tell them to be smart with the football, make good decisions, be good in the pocket and be an accurate passer. That’s not going to change for the quarterback spot.”

(On what he has seen in Jerome Harrison) - “I’ve been very impressed. He has been great in the classroom. He has come out on the practice fields, he has been there everyday. He works extremely hard. He has good talent. He has been a hard worker.”

(Opening statement)

The way that I structure these practices is the same way that we will give them information during the course of the season. The first day tends to be more of a first and second down day, like you would have on a Wednesday during the week. The next day tends to be emphasis on third down and some review of what we did the previous day. Today will be more of a red area type emphasis, like you would on a typical Friday, so they get used to learning the information in that pattern. I’ve done it the other way where you do all first down, you may do that for three days, then you do all third down, and do that, but I really believe if you can develop a pattern of learning the same way, then you get used to it. You get used to absorbing information and thinking in those terms. That’s how I structure the install and it will follow that pattern, not just here but also throughout training camp.”

(On dividing the reps at quarterback) – “It is definitely even. We track everything as we go, in terms of how many throws, types of plays so that there is balance and you’re looking at it as much as possible. Brady (Quinn) will get the first reps today, he started with the first reps on Wednesday and that’s because he’s done a really outstanding job in the offseason program. Not that Derek (Anderson) hasn’t done well but he got the edge so he took the first reps. There’s no overwhelming significance to that. It’s just that first day, I thought Brady had a little bit of an edge so he got the first reps there, but the goal is balance. We actually track all of the reps that the players take every day in practice. At any point I could say, “Kamerion Wimbley has gotten 57 snaps and David Bowens has gotten 25 or whatever it is we need to do to shift the numbers.” We actually track every rep, every day of every player. At any point the player can come in and say, ‘Well look, you’ve had 500-something reps in practice, I think you’ve gotten a really good opportunity to show what you can do.’  And also it allows me to constantly adjust the amount of reps to make sure guys are balanced and really getting the things that they need. You can lose track of that pretty easily as a coordinator or head coach, there’s just so many guys, so many reps but we track it all.”

(On if Brett Ratliff is in the open completion at quarterback) – “I am going to look at that position completely.  It’s one of those things where he will get opportunities and there will be a rotation there as well, and there will be some days where any of the four quarterbacks could be the one, any could be the two, any could be the three and the four, but right now my primary focus is with Brady and Derek.”

(On Jerome Harrison) – “He has done a really nice job these first two days. I’ve been really happy with what I’ve seen from him. It is extremely early but he’s done a nice job, whether it’s with blitz pickups, his check downs, the route, hitting his aiming points, the way that he has worked, where he is physically; I think all of those things have been positive.”

(On replacing Kellen Winslow’s production) – “What we are always trying to do offensively, and the way that you design everything, is we’re going to attack that opponent’s weaknesses and maximize your strengths and always be game plan specific. Sometimes that will mean running 50 times, sometimes that will mean passing 50 times. It’s no set pattern; it’s based on where we feel we could be most successful. Offensively, the goal is for us to collectively do our job and if we have the right spacing in our routes, the right protection, the right reads, the production will come. I always feel that whether it’s offensive of defensive production, it’s not one person, it’s a group.”

(On how Martin Rucker looks) – “He has done some good things so far. It’s two days worth of work but he has done a couple good things, so far.  It’s been two days worth of work, but he’s done a couple of good things.   He caught a nice double move the first day, went up there and got it so that was good to see. He is learning like everybody else. It’s a little different then most camps because the whole group is learning information. It’s positive in a lot of ways because it levels the playing field for even the rookies because it’s first time for everyone at the same spot.”

(On if there are currently any talks with Joshua Cribbs) – “I’ve talked with Josh and Josh is a guy that I’ve had good talks with since I have been here. We were actually talking in here this morning and spent some time with him and I’m looking forward to him being out there. These are voluntary camps so it’s not a mandatory situation; everybody has to make the decision whether to attend or not to attend.  But I can tell you that there is a ton of information going in. It is an opportunity for us to see all of the different players. When you’re here you get those reps, when you’re not you don’t. Getting the reps and learning that’s always a positive thing.”

(On if Cribbs is missing a lot by missing camp) – “It’s like anything else, if you’re trying something new, you’ve got to see how it works. You can’t see how it works unless you’re there.”

(On who else isn’t at camp) - “We have some different players that have been excused who were here and asked and said, ‘I can’t make it today because of personal reasons.’ Things like that. It is voluntary and you will see the guys that are out there.”

(On if he talked to Joshua Cribbs this morning) – “Yeah, I talked to him before I came down here. He was here this morning, he was at the squad meeting and I met with him afterwards. Josh and I always have really good conversations.  He is a likeable funny guy.  I look forward to seeing him out there.”

(On if Cribbs will be practicing today) – “I am not sure whether or not he will be taking part.”

(On how many position meetings Cribbs will be in) – “He hasn’t been here so it’s really hard to tell.”

(On if it is tough to discuss contracts with a player he has never coached) – “I don’t really discuss contracts in general, publicly those are internal things. With any new situation you have to evaluate all of the players on the team and evaluate where you are.  The best way to do that is on the field.”

(On how long Cribbs has been here) – “Today was the first day that I talked to him here (during minicamp).”

(On who is getting reps at the number two receiver spot) – “(Offensive Coordinator Brian) Daboll coined this phrase and it’s pretty accurate, we don’t really have a depth chart we have a rep chart. The way it’s designed, there will be some guys moving around, not based on where they are on the rep chart but based on us wanting to see that player run that route. We may want to see (Brian) Robiskie run a comeback, we may want to see Braylon (Edwards) run a certain type of route so we might switch those guys around to get the things that we would like to see them doing, we would like them to experience doing. It’s not formatted in such a structured way that they have to get one, two, three or four, five, six, sometimes he could be getting, one, two and six because that’s what we want to take a look at. There are a lot of guys, too, as you will see out at practice that are moving to different spots, working guys who traditionally work on the right on the left, working guys at center, guard, tackle and on different sides. All of that is about evaluation, about assessing comfort level, giving them experience at different spots and also building versatility.”

(On if Braylon Edwards is at camp) – “Yes.  Braylon has been here. He has done a great job these first two days. I think like the rest of the group, everybody is different in working out versus doing specific football moves. We are all getting used to that.”

(On if he spoke with Braylon concerning trade talks) – “I feel comfortable talking to anybody about anything and that’s one of the points I made to the players in the first meeting, is that if there is ever an issue to come talk to me because I think it’s important to not let little things become big things. We’ve all seen how easy that could happen and the better the communication the better you can address those things. I’m always open to talking to anybody.”

(On if they spoke specifically about trade talks) – “We have not talked about that specific thing. The things that we’ve focused on are practice, adjustments and routes, football related stuff.”

(On if Hank Fraley is getting work at guard) – “As I said, it’s going to fluctuate. George Warhop has done a really nice job of moving those guys around, sometimes where I have to look and say ‘Ok, he’s here and he’s there.’ That’s what I want the coaches to do. I want them to put guys in different spots so we can look at it. I would anticipate that he would, but whether or not that is on the schedule for today I’m not 100 percent sure.”

(On Robaire Smith’s health) – “Robaire is still rehabbing and he is doing a good job of rehab. The thing with any injury, the thing that we do is we put together the best program that we can from a rehab perspective, expect the guys to work as hard as they can on that aspect of it and then gauge it.  It’s very systematic and it’s very thought out.  And with any injury, timetables are different, so the goal is to just make as much progress as you can and get them out as quickly as possible.”

(On the depth at defensive line) – “I think that’s going to be a very competitive spot. We’ve kept different amounts of defensive lineman each team that I’ve been with, each year that I have been a part of that team. I think it is a competitive group and the goal there is to build flexibility and define a role whether on first and second down or second and third or just third. We will have to see how all that plays out.”

(On if the Browns have a new head physician) – “We are still working on the medical side of it and that’s something we’ll continue to work on and when we have an announcement, I’ll let you know.”

(On why the Cleveland Clinic would make an announcement) - “You will have to talk to the Cleveland Clinic.”

BROWNS NAME BRIAN DABOLL AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR,
ROB RYAN AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND
BRAD SEELY AS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

The Cleveland Browns today announced that the club has hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and Brad Seely as assistant head coach/special teams coordinator.

“I am extremely pleased to bring three quality people in Brian, Rob and Brad to our coaching staff and to the Cleveland Browns organization,” said Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini.  “I know firsthand that all three are very experienced, talented and dedicated coaches who share the same team-first vision and are passionate towards our goal of bringing an NFL championship to Cleveland.”

Mangini is reunited with Daboll, Ryan and Seely as all four coaches spent a four year stretch together from 2000 to 2003 as part of the New England Patriots coaching staff.  In those four seasons in New England, Mangini led the defensive backs, Daboll was a defensive assistant and then wide receivers coach, Ryan guided the linebackers and Seely coached the special teams unit.

Daboll joins the Browns with 11 years of coaching experience, including nine years in the NFL.  A native of Welland, Ontario, Daboll spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets as quarterbacks coach alongside Mangini. In the 2008 season, Daboll played a major role in acclimating future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre to the Jets’ offense after Favre came out of retirement and was acquired by the Jets after a prolific career with the Green Bay Packers.  In 2008, Favre ranked fifth in the NFL in completion percentage (65.7%), sixth in completions (343), ninth in touchdowns (22) and 11th in passing yards (3,472).

“I could not be more excited to have the opportunity to work for the Cleveland Browns, one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL,” said Daboll. “Growing up a short drive away, I know how devoted and dedicated Browns fans are. I plan to use the experience I have garnered in my coaching career, on both offense and defense, to craft a tough, smart, hardworking unit.”

Ryan brings to the Browns 22 years of coaching experience, including 11 years in the NFL and the last five seasons as the Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator (2004-08).  Last season, Ryan’s Oakland defense ranked 10th in the league against the pass with an average of 201.3 yards allowed per game, ranked 10th in the NFL with 16 interceptions and 13th in the league with 32 sacks.  In 2007, Ryan coordinated a Raiders defense that produced two players who ranked in the top-10 in the AFC in sacks as defensive end Derrick Burgess and linebacker Chris Clemons each recorded eight sacks.  That season, Ryan’s defense ranked third in the NFL in percentage of passes intercepted (4.1%), eighth in the NFL in pass defense (195.8 yards per game), fifth in the AFC in opponent’s third down efficiency (39%) and sixth in the AFC in opponent’s red zone touchdown percentage (50.9%).

“It’s great to be part of the Browns organization and to be reunited with Eric Mangini,” said Ryan. “Brian, Brad and myself have accomplished a lot of good things with Eric in the past and I look forward to continuing that in Cleveland. Having been around the game of football my entire life, I have always admired the history and passion associated with this franchise.  I am excited to be a part of it and to work with a defense that has a good mix of young players and veterans.”

Seely provides the Browns with 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 years in the NFL.  Seely spent the last ten seasons with the New England Patriots as special teams coach and has celebrated three Super Bowl championships as a member of the Patriots staff.  In 2008, Seely guided a Patriots special teams unit that ranked third in the NFL in kickoff returns with an average starting position of just over the 30 yard line (30.5) and featured third-year place kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who earned Pro Bowl honors and led the NFL with a career-best 148 points and 36 field goals.  Gostkowski also tied for sixth in the league with 17 touchbacks.  The Patriots special teams also featured kick returner Ellis Hobbs, who ranked second in the NFL with a 28.5 kickoff return average and returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

“Eric and I have forged a relationship over the last ten years and I look forward to continuing that with the Browns,” said Seely. “The Browns are very special. Having been in the NFL for many years, I am very aware of how important the team is to the city of Cleveland and its place in the NFL.”

Mangini had originally tabbed Crennel for that position but decided against it at the last minute wanting a clean slate for the team and staff.

Mangini wanted to bring Bill Callahan along from the Jets to serve as offensive coordinator, but he is listed as the OC/Asst. HC.  So the only way Callahan could be hired by the Browns is by giving him the HC moniker.  That title belongs to Mangini for the foreseeable future.  Eric instead will bring along the Jets QB coach, Brian Daboll, whose contract is expiring, to serve as the offensive coordinator.

So the coaching staff should look like this as it is announced;

HEAD COACH:  Eric Mangini

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR:  Rob Ryan

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR:  Brian Daboll

Rob Ryan comes to the Browns with a very impressive resume.  In 2003, he steered a Patriots defensive that allowed the least amount of points in the league.  Something the Browns have never been able to say.

Ryan’s wikipedia page already has him listed as the Browns Defensive Coordinator, taking over for Mel Tucker.

One thing that will be interesting to watch is the fact that Rob Ryan’s twin brother is Rex Ryan, current Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator.  This will be if nothing else, fun to watch two brothers who know their craft go at it twice a year.

More on these moves as it develops.