Juan Castillo under consideration for Browns' OC job

[Vote for Kalas]

They don't happen only to us but I would be interested in seeing a factual breakdown of players/time lost to injury for all teams in the NFL over the past 5 years.


The manner in which GB continued to adjust and play well, reaching the SB despite a ton of guys going on IR (11 starters and 16 total from what I read) is a reflection of the value of excellent developmental coaching combined with drafting/signing quality talent.

Its a combo of things, good depth, good coaching, good drafting, good pickups/trades during the year or off-season and also timing is huge.

Many of their guys got hurt early and thus they had time to find solutions either on their own roster or acquiring outside....and have those solutions gel together through game situations.

The worst injuries are crucial ones which happen late in the season or in a playoff game....example is Jackson in 2009, Cole had some experience at C and had obviously practiced some there, but was primarily at OG and McGlynn was not quite ready. Or another is Westbrook last game of the 2003 season...

GB has done a fabulous job and deserves all the kudos they've gotten this year

[Vote for Kalas]

I don't think Castillo is a bad coach. I just don't think he is as good as advertised.

As far as technique is concerned, I don't see our OL blowing other teams off the LOS on running plays, and I don't see our QB fully protected on passing plays.

WHY? SOMEONE HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE!

As far as personnel is concerned, I think we have only two offensive linemen who are better than average: Peters and Herremans. Everyone else is average (maybe McGlynn) or below average (MJG and Justice), and they are completely dispensable.

SOMEONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF OUR OL PLAYERS.

For years, we have gotten by with an offensive line that is basically a patchwork. Perhaps Castillo deserves credit for developing serviceable offensive lines with less than average talent. On the other hand, we have been blessed with QB's who have been able to overcome the shortcomings of a shoddy front. Great! But, now is the time to own up to the fact that our OL has not been given the attention that it deserves. Something has to change. Either we bring in a new coach, or three new good players.

But at times this year the OL DID protect fine and make space for McCoy et al. to run....the issue is consistency

Your point on personnel I agree with. I think that is the area we need improvement in, more talent for Castillo to work with since he has proven he can develop it...

[Vote for Kalas]

Exactly! We are missing something. It's either the players or coaches. In our case, the coach basically drafts the players. So, we know where the responsibility (can't say "blame" here!) lies.

Pittsburgh wins consistently drafting from late positions. What are they doing, that we are not?

We've won consistently drafting from late positions as well....and Reid has done what GB did this year other years i.e. suffer alot of injuries, plug the holes and still advance deep into the playoffs. Its not like we've never overcome adversity or won anything here...

[stocknowledge]

I've heard the same thing from Redskins, Ravens, and Giants fans, and I've heard it a lot the last couple of years: basically, "our team lost, not because the other team made plays, but because somebody on our side messed up, blew it, or sucks from the get go -- players, coaches, whoever."

The last couple of years, I heard it a lot from the Ravens fans, and especially the Giants fans. When we beat them in two away games in 2008, including after a bye week to knock them out of the playoffs, the Giants fans that I knew said, "Fire Coughlin, he sucks! They totally didn't show up, I can't believe Carney missed those field goals, they choked!" Not, "Daaamn. Your defense was unreal and McNabb made those plays in the 4th quarter when he had to......."

You see, the opposing team never actually beats you. It's your team that messed up somehow. Always.

I think that Castillo's coaching is probably fine. But I think that our talent evaluation in some areas isn't that great, and even when we've had road graders on our OL, we haven't used them as much as we should.

Reid has been here 12 years. The cast of players has changed on a regular basis.

You can blame the lack of championship-level success on the strength of the opposition, but you have to ask why we aren't matching (or bettering) the level of the opposition. As I mentioned earlier, the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl for the third time in six years. What are they doing that we are not?

Self-evaluations have to be made. What is working? What is not working?

Granted, we have had moderate success. Still, I would say that most of that success is attributable to the skill level of the players. In the early days of Reid's stewardship, we had McNabb and Westbrook bailing out the offense. This past season, we had spectacular performances from Vick and extraordinary efforts from Jackson, McCoy and Maclin. While the play calling and offensive game planning has improved, most of our deficiencies on offense are attributable to poor line play. It isn't just this past year. The offensive line has not received the attention that it deserves over the entire timespan of Reid's leadership. You don't have to be a genius (like Norman Einstein) to see where our weaknesses are.

[FRESH]

They don't happen only to us but I would be interested in seeing a factual breakdown of players/time lost to injury for all teams in the NFL over the past 5 years.


The manner in which GB continued to adjust and play well, reaching the SB despite a ton of guys going on IR (11 starters and 16 total from what I read) is a reflection of the value of excellent developmental coaching combined with drafting/signing quality talent.

Thank you. Perhaps I need a sarcasm emoticon for some of my posts?

OF COURSE THEY DONT! And I am tired of hearing it brought up as an excuse!!!!!

[Eagle60]

I'll give you 3 reasons the Eagles have been decent over the Reid years ( Mcnabb, Garcia, and Vick). If you have a great QB, you are in the mix. And that is all this team ever has been-in the mix.

[FRESH]

Not to mention a pretty consistently good defense.

[beagle]

I'll give you 3 reasons the Eagles have been decent over the Reid years ( Mcnabb, Garcia, and Vick). If you have a great QB, you are in the mix. And that is all this team ever has been-in the mix.

...Since Reid got here!