The Cleveland Browns were a failure again both straight up and against the bookmaker odds this season.
A second straight 5-11 season was enough for the Browns and they fired head coach Eric Mangini on Monday. Cleveland had some moments this season vs. the odds at the bookie but far too often under Mangini they were not competitive.
Mangini 10-22 with Cleveland
The Browns were a major bust under Mangini as they had two straight 5-11 seasons. In his five years as a head coach, Mangini is 33-47. In three years with the Jets he did make the playoffs once but he still had an overall losing record with New York. The Browns had a couple of moments this season but they collapsed down the stretch, losing six of their last eight games. Cleveland was a little bit overrated actually. The Browns had 12 games decided by 10 points or less this season but they went 3-9 in those games. The Browns were 5-11 against the spread at the bookie this season because people believed that Cleveland was improved.
Offense the Problem
The Browns have been rotten on offense for a long time now and that is the main reason they have been losing. The Browns have been near the bottom of the league in offense in five of the last six seasons. They were next to last in points per game this season. Last year they were dead last in total yards per game. They were next to last in yards two years ago. If the Browns are to make serious improvement they must score more points.
Will Holmgren Return?
The big question in Cleveland is whether or not team president Mike Holmgren will return to the sideline. He fired Mangini and it is unclear who will be the next person to coach Cleveland. Holmgren said that being in the press box and watching was tough for him this season. Holmgren went 161-111 in 17 seasons as an NFL head coach. It is definitely possible that Holmgren will take over but it is also possible that he might decide to go with someone like Jon Gruden or John Fox. The Browns are not without talent and it is not farfetched to see them be a contender vs. bookmaker odds at Sbgglobal as soon as next season.