Marty Schottenheimer to Cleveland?

by Michael Bean on Dec 9, 2008 9:19 AM EST

We sure haven't gotten to talk about Cleveland much once, you know, the actual games of the 2008 season begain in early Septemeber. It's unfortunate for Phil Savage that things haven't materialized on the field this year like he had envisioned and spent the past several years building up to. But that's life in the NFL, where margins for error are razor thin and the difference between 4-9 and 8-5 is much smaller than one might imagine.

This could be a nice development for Bill Cowher. By that I mean if Marty were to take this job, he could avoid having to even be intoxicated by the temptations of $10+ million per year with full personnel control. Cowher can instead perhaps spend some more time with his family and wait for the Redskins job, which is looking more and more like it may be free much sooner than anyone might have guessed a few months ago.

Anyway, for the Browns, I think this would be a tremendous hire. Marty's regular season record is 186-124. The 186 wins are the 9th most in NFL history, and his .600 winning % speaks for itself. But really, I think what this group of Cleveland players needs is some hard-ass Tom Coughlin/Marty Schottenheimer type discipline. It took the Giants players a long time to get over the fact that they didn't like having to actually work hard and be accountable to each other and an authority figure, but eventually they did and are reaping the dividends. I have no doubt the Browns would become more consistently competitive and successful if Schottenheimer were hired.

We'll see what the ownership decides, but I think Cleveland fans might grow to like a little bit less of this:

And instead, a little bit more of this:

Listen here

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Hmmm...

Marty-ball back to the Brownies? It is intriguing. I mean, of course it is not the same Brownies, but still, The Brownies. I have a hard time picturing Bill in Cleveland. I think he is getting paid pretty well to sit and wait for the right job to open up. If he is smart, he will wait for just the right one too. Right now, he is the king of the hill. Get in with the wrong program, and his reputation could get permanantly damaged.

As to Marty, I think the NFL is starting to learn his worth as we watch the Chargers go down the tubes. He, I would think, should be in high demand for a lot of jobs this off season.

In an NFL where the Hated Patriots get cought cheating and are rewarded with the leagues easiest schedule, do we want to play a much better Brownies team when we already are being dished the hardest schedules? I kind of like The Steelers having the extra two bye weeks.

Would Marty have the same effect on the offense without Cam Cameron?

Lots to think about here Blitz.

by WyoFan on Dec 9, 2008 11:03 AM EST reply actions

marty

Cameron deserves some credit. So does Drew brees. So does having the best RB in the game at the time in LT. But it was Marty who identified Brees as a sleeper and stuck with him through the growing pains of his early career. And it was Marty who committed to running the ball first and foremost, something that’s been abandoned bit by bit during the Norv Turner era.

What Marty does is put a good ‘system’ in place – from the coaches, to the working environment, to the expectations of personal behavior and accountability. He’s proven he knows how to motivate, lead and guide a team to success in both the pre and post salary cap era. His methods are tried and true and there’s just no doubt in my mind that he’d make Cleveland more compeititive in a short time frame given the decent state of the Browns roster, particularly at several important positions like the offensive line.

by Michael Bean on Dec 9, 2008 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

and yes, i agree

We’re seeing the consequence of letting him go in SD. Silly to buy into that post season choking stuff about him imo. There was this guy called Elway that got in the way, then a dynastic Bills team in the AFC when he was in KC. Small sample size vs. a robust career that’s filled with regular and consistent success? Obvious choice.

Anyway, serves AJ Smith the Chargers GM right. He kicked Brees and Marty to the curb and is now paying for it. Part of the reason he was fired was becase Smith wanted Rivers to play while Marty felt more comfortable with the more experienced Brees, who despite his occassional struggles was undeniably one of the team’s respected leaders. When Brees was shown the door, then Marty, that’s got to create a foul atmosphere around an organization, particularly because that all happened as the Chargers were starting to peak.

by Michael Bean on Dec 9, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

How soon before Smith and Turner get fired in SD?

It might happen this year.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 9, 2008 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t remember where I saw it, but I did see the possibilty of Marty taking a GM type roll, and having Cowher come in and coach. The two have a long relationship going as far back to when Cowher was a player and Marty was a cordinator for the Chiefs.
Marty even addressed that possibilty as “very attractive”, I will try to find the interview or the clip here in a bit.

But that combination scares me more than either of the two by themselves. I really am going to hate to see Cowher coach anywhere else, it really pains me to even think about it.
I equate it to an ex girlfriend that you really were in love with and even though you have moved on since she dumped you (after a superbowl victory I might add), and you have found an even better girlfriend (who doesn’t slobber and spit all over you I might add), you still hate to see that girl with another guy. (You really hate it if that other guy is the Cleveland Browns).

Also one other Cowher rumor that seems to have died down was about a year ago their were rumors of Cowher meeting with and staying over at the house of the Penn State Athletic Director. Possibly taking over for old Joe PA when he passes. As someone who doesn’t really follow college football because I never really chose a team, Penn State would immediatly become my favorite team!

Here’s to my wishes hopes and dreams of Bill Cowher taking over the Penn State Program.

by frankrmineo on Dec 9, 2008 11:16 AM EST reply actions

Amen

by WyoFan on Dec 9, 2008 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

heh

I dunno. Not sure it makes any sense at all for Cowher to take over there. Would be in Joe Pa’s shadow forever. Much less demanding schedule I suppose, but then again, Cowher would have to start from scratch in terms of building relationships with HS coaches and all the other aspects that went into recruiting. And the money would be small compared to what he could get in the NFL.

Fun to wish though I guess if you’re a PSU fan or just want to see Cowher somewhere other than in the NFL where he could beat the Steelers.

by Michael Bean on Dec 9, 2008 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

I would think recruiting would be easy for Cowher, Penn State has struggled this past decade more than they ever have. They have had 4 losing season this decade, previous to this decade Jo Pa had 2 losing season in his whole career.

With a superbowl ring and a pro style offense (I would assume he would bring a pro-style offense) I would think Cowher would be able to get back some of the recruits that have been going to Ohio State, (Tyrel Pryor), Michigan, and other competitve schools in the region.

And I would assume if he was going to come to a school like penn state they would offer him a Charlie Weis type concract of which was estimated around 30 to 40 million for 10 years. I don’t think Cowher would have too much of a problem with that kind of dough.

by frankrmineo on Dec 9, 2008 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

I just don't see Cowher going to college

NC State fans held out hope that he might come to the Wolfpack, only because he is an alum and had expressed some interest “somewhere down the road.” Also, the fact that our team was clearly in need of a new coach at the same time that he was leaving the Steelers increased that hope. But, if he were to take a high pressure job, why not go to an NFL job and get paid twice as much or more as any college could hope to pay you?

At this point, the only way I see him going to a college gig is if he just wanted to coach but didn’t want the pressure. He’d probably go to some small program where they never cared what happened (you know when he’s about 70). I’m thinking of guys like Bobby Ross and Howard Schnellenberger, who went to Army and FIU after winning national championships at Miami and, in Ross’s case, taking his team to the SB.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 9, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

With the Surging Ravens

Schottenheimer could turn this team around in 1-2 seasons and the North could become competitive in a way it hasn’t been in years. The biggest issue for Cleveland is how do you play Marty-ball with Jamal Lewis?

by BallsofSteel on Dec 9, 2008 11:27 AM EST reply actions

they can upgrade at RB

Easily and for little money upfront either through the draft or just someone that’s been discarded. Their 2nd string RB has looked pretty decent too.

by Michael Bean on Dec 9, 2008 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Marty to Cleveland

Would make sense also, since this isn’t the owner who fired him the first time (in fact, an entirely different franchise). He certainly has proven to be a consistent winner everywhere that he’s been, but I don’t think you can discount his lack of playoff success. He would be a good fit right now with Cleveland to get them to respectability, but for whatever reason, he’s never had success in the playoffs. I think his 5-13 playoff record may be the worst among coaches with over 100 wins. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but your goal from day 1 is to win a championship, or get as close to it as possible.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 9, 2008 2:27 PM EST reply actions