Butch Davis about to get fired

[Bearcat729]

And it's about time. Davis is worthless. I am hoping that the next coach knows how to scout talent in the draft.



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1929518


Owner discussed firing this week

By Chris Mortensen
ESPN


Butch Davis is on the verge of being fired as coach of the Cleveland Browns, league and team sources said Monday. Davis' job status was the subject of discussion Sunday night by Browns owner Randy Lerner after the team lost 10-7 to the New York Jets earlier in the day, the sources said. It was the fourth straight defeat for Cleveland (3-7).




Lerner contemplated dismissing Davis on Monday but decided to give the Browns another week to show signs of life. The Browns play the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, and the sources agreed that a defeat likely would result in the coach's dismissal. It is believed Browns defensive coordinator Dave Campo would be the interim coach, although offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie has served previously as an interim head coach with the Washington Redskins.

Neither Lerner or Davis was available for comment Monday night.

Lerner has been committed to restructuring the football operations of the organization, which would include the hiring of a general manager. Davis currently has the authority for all football decisions.

Davis, 52, is in his fourth season as the Browns coach. He inherited an expansion team that was 5-27 under its first coach, Chris Palmer. Davis' career record is 23-35, including a playoff season in 2002. However, the Browns have been a franchise marked by numerous injuries to players, poor drafts and player development, significant turnover in the front office and the death of owner Al Lerner.

Lerner's son, Randy, actually signed Davis to a two-year contract extension before the 2004 season got underway, through the 2007 season.

"Randy Lerner is pretty determined to start over and get this thing fixed," a league source said.

If Davis is fired soon, it wouldn't surprise some of his friends if he pursued the vacant University of Florida job. Davis restored the University of Miami program to national prominence after being named the Hurricane coach in 1995.

[Celeval]

Can't come soon enough.

[Swaggs]

As a Steeler fan, I will miss him.

[stevew]

Can't come soon enough.

He needs to stay the Browns coach forever.

[MrBug708]

He did a hell of a job at Miami though...I wish UCLA coulda hired him...

[Franklinnoble]

I predict that Jim Fassel will end up with the job.

Or Dave Wannstedt.

Either way, the Browns aren't getting much better anytime soon.

[Chief Rum]

Wannstedt is gone. Davis soon to follow. Maybe Erickson will be leaving for college again. These are some of the worst coaches ever in the history of the NFL, IMO. It's about friggin' time.

Now if someone would give the Rams a clue and get them to can the guy who tops all of them as the worst--Mike Martz.

CR

[GrantDawg]

Davis to Florida?

[WSUCougar]

Butch Fasmartzstedt might make a decent coach.

[gottimd]

If the Saints don't show some sign of improvement, I think Haslett is on his way out the door as well.

[digamma]

Davis to Florida?
That's what I was thinking.

[rkmsuf]

I don't get this "he's fired if he loses this week" thing. What if he wins and then loses the following week. How about 2 straight wins and then 3 losses?

What sense does any of that make. He either is or is not the guy. One week doesn't mean anything.

[cougarfreak]

Why do coaches get blamed for everything? It is sure as heck not Erickson's fault the 49ers suck ass, it's the gm's fault who screwed the pooch on the salary cap and now they are nothing but rookies and young players. Have you seen the team he has to work with? That's what the joke is. My other question, how much input did Butch Davis give for the drafts the Browns have had? Is he the GM as well?

[gottimd]

The finger has got to go somewhere.

(walking right into that one)

[SirFozzie]

And it's usually up HA's arse.

(SWERVE!)

[Radii]

Davis to Florida?

Only if he gets his application in fast. I'm sending my resume in!

[miked]

Why do coaches get blamed for everything? It is sure as heck not Erickson's fault the 49ers suck ass, it's the gm's fault who screwed the pooch on the salary cap and now they are nothing but rookies and young players. Have you seen the team he has to work with? That's what the joke is. My other question, how much input did Butch Davis give for the drafts the Browns have had? Is he the GM as well?

Erickson sucks, regardless of what talent is around him. Give him the Colts and he'll have them playing like the Saints shortly. How some of these losers get so many chances is beyond me.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

How about Butch Davis with the Dolphins?

The Browns should do the right thing and give Rich Kotite one more chance as a head coach... :D

[Deattribution]

Erickson sucks, regardless of what talent is around him. Give him the Colts and he'll have them playing like the Saints shortly. How some of these losers get so many chances is beyond me.

What history does he have that sucks so bad? And this is only his second NFL coaching stint.

He's had 2 7-9 seasons, and 3 8-8 seasons before this year... Considering some of the opportunities people get, I don't think giving an average coach a second chance is that bad.

Especially since they could have Chuck Noll or Vince Lombardi coaching and still be 1-9.

[rkmsuf]

What history does he have that sucks so bad? And this is only his second NFL coaching stint.

He's had 2 7-9 seasons, and 3 8-8 seasons before this year... Considering some of the opportunities people get, I don't think giving an average coach a second chance is that bad.

Especially since they could have Chuck Noll or Vince Lombardi coaching and still be 1-9.


Seems like if the 49ers were going with rebuilding and youth movement the coach would more reflect that mindset rather than getting a retread.

I've never heard Erickson was a great guy to coach players up or develop young talent. In spite of his college record I don't get the sense he's that guy. He might be able to recruit and that works at big schools but otherwise he's nothing special on the NFL level.

[digamma]

How about Butch Davis with the Dolphins?

How about Chan Gailey to the Dolphins?

Celevel? JIMG? Who's with me?

[Celeval]

Am I the only Tech fan on the internet who isn't calling for Gailey's head?

ask a stupid question...

[digamma]

Am I the only Tech fan on the internet who isn't calling for Gailey's head?

ask a stupid question...
Actually, I was being a bit facetious. I *think* some good things are starting to happen on the flats. The defense has played very well this year, and ten starters return next year. Recruiting appears to be going well this year. Our special teams is improved (at least at punter and kicker--coverage schemes still leave a lot to be desired). But, I find the offense incredibly painful to watch--and this is supposed to be Gailey's forte. A lot of it has to do with #1, but we had the same problems with Suggs and Bilbo. We have no back-up right now. We've scored 30 points one time this year, twice last year and twice in 2002. We don't score.

I think Gailey should be told that he needs to bring in a OC. None of this Patrick Nix masquerading as an OC, with Gailey really calling the plays.

That being said, I wouldn't be crushed if Gailey were to be offered another job.

[digamma]

Dola...

Sorry. Everyone else can talk about the Browns again.

[amdaily]

Why do coaches get blamed for everything? ... My other question, how much input did Butch Davis give for the drafts the Browns have had? Is he the GM as well?
In this case it's true. Butch Davis controls everything in the Browns organization. He's the coach, GM, defacto team president and contract negotiator, etc, etc. They probably need him to sign off on what hours the window washers work, what appetizers are served at Browns alumni gatherings, and how thick the parking lot lines are.

[wishbone]

Why do coaches get blamed for everything? It is sure as heck not Erickson's fault the 49ers suck ass, it's the gm's fault who screwed the pooch on the salary cap and now they are nothing but rookies and young players. Have you seen the team he has to work with? That's what the joke is. My other question, how much input did Butch Davis give for the drafts the Browns have had? Is he the GM as well?

The niners did have one of the worst offeseason's ever, losing your starting QB, HB, and WRs and not getting any established players to replace them is terrible. But looking at the recaps from CNNSI.com tells me this

Week 1: 19-21 Rattay throws an INT for a TD the other way in the 4th
2: 27-30 2 turnovers in the last 4 minutes
3: 0-34 shutout
4: 14-24 down 0-24 at halftime 7 scoreless quarters in last 2 weeks
5: 31-28(OT) Cards up 28-12 until 4:35 left in the 4th quarter
6: 14-22 Rattay INT when score was 14-15 in the 4th
7: BYE
8: 13-23 Tied at halftime, Dorsey INT for TD with 3:52 to play. Offense scored on FGs of 48 and 51 yards
9: 27-42 Up 24-21 early in the 3rd, Rattay INT for TD when it was an 8 point game
10: 27-37 Up 27-20 inthe 4th, 3 turnovers in the last 7 minutes with 2 INTs in last 4:30
11: 3-35 2 1st downs in 1st half, 1 on penalty, 1 on 14 yd run as time ran out in 2nd quarter.


It is obvious that the players deserve much of the blame up front, but the 49ers have not established anyone as a threat, and they have gotten worse as the season has progressed. In Mooch's first couple years at least I had hope that the players were learning and getting better, this year I don't.

[Eaglesfan27]

ESPN is reporting that the Browns have stated Davis and his staff will keep their jobs through the end of the season.

[Celeval]

Actually, I was being a bit facetious. I *think* some good things are starting to happen on the flats. The defense has played very well this year, and ten starters return next year. Recruiting appears to be going well this year. Our special teams is improved (at least at punter and kicker--coverage schemes still leave a lot to be desired). But, I find the offense incredibly painful to watch--and this is supposed to be Gailey's forte. A lot of it has to do with #1, but we had the same problems with Suggs and Bilbo. We have no back-up right now. We've scored 30 points one time this year, twice last year and twice in 2002. We don't score.
Two biggest offensive problems, I think, are not having a trusted QB; and relying too much on PJ. R. Grant has been playing well, but I think we probably should have brought him on board earlier. Recruiting has been going very well, I think - we wouldn't have gotten a CJ under O'Leary, and Chan's been able to bring in the defensive line recruits that we've never been able to get. When it comes down to it - we just haven't had a reliable quarterback. Maybe Ball can develop into one, but he hasn't shown it. Suggs I'm not surprised at, he was the same guy (great in practice, horrible on the field) at Tennessee. Bilbo, eh. I think CG is more comfortable with a drop-back guy, so I'm hoping that Taylor Bennett is the guy. We'll see.

Okay, sorry to threadjack again.

[scooper]

ESPN is reporting that the Browns have stated Davis and his staff will keep their jobs through the end of the season.
That's unfortunate for Davis as he would immediately jump to the top of the college candidates list (Florida?) Now he's out of the running for another 6 weeks unless he quits, which would paint him in a very bad light.